13: Chapter 13 Selling Soul-Looting Powder

"Thirteenth Brother, please wait here for a moment, I'll go invite the shopkeeper over."

The price of Lue Ling Powder had exceeded the range that Chen Jianlei could handle, so he had to invite the shopkeeper of Xiao Yun Mountain Chen's Treasure Pavilion.

After a short while, a middle-aged man in a grey robe walked out from the inner room with Chen Jianlei.

"This one is Tian Zhongli, greetings, young friend."

Tian Zhongli smiled and bowed to Chen Jiancang.

"Greetings, Senior."

Although Tian Zhongli was the shopkeeper of Chen's Treasure Pavilion, he was not a Chen Clan member, but rather an Elder guest who had pledged allegiance to the Chen Family.

His cultivation was profound, having reached the Qi Refining Ninth Layer realm, and he was knowledgeable, steady, reserved, and fiercely loyal.

Otherwise, how could someone with a different surname hold such an important position?

"Please sit."

Tian Zhongli's expression was relaxed as he led Chen Jiancang into the inner hall and said slowly, "Jianlei has already told me the situation. Young friend, please take out the medicinal agent."

"This is Lue Ling Powder. Its form is invisible, its color is undetectable, and its scent is imperceptible. Those poisoned will have their spiritual power completely dispersed. Please, Senior, examine it carefully."

Chen Jiancang placed the Lue Ling Powder jade bottle on the table and introduced it.

Tian Zhongli picked up the jade bottle, only to see that it was empty inside, but the texture in his hand told him that there was indeed something within.

"It truly is formless and colorless."

Tian Zhongli's Divine Sense wrapped around the jade bottle, beginning to probe and sense. Only then did he sense countless tiny, transparent particles within the jade bottle.

These particles were so small that they were difficult to see with the naked eye. Even with Divine Sense, if they weren't gathered together, it would probably be hard to notice them.

Tian Zhongli pinched the stopper of the bottle, preparing to open the jade bottle. Seeing this, Chen Jiancang quickly spoke up to remind him, "Senior, please hold your breath."

"Oh, can this item be defended against by holding one's breath?"

"Yes, Lue Ling Powder takes effect through breathing."

Chen Jiancang explained with a smile.

This was also the only drawback of Lue Ling Powder.

Tian Zhongli nodded upon hearing this, held his breath, and pulled out the jade stopper. Under the sensing of his Divine Sense, he saw countless tiny particles scattering out like stars.

Tian Zhongli used his Divine Soul power to wrap dozens of these tiny particles, inhaled them into his mouth, and quickly sealed the bottle stopper.

"Cough~"

In just an instant, Tian Zhongli felt his own spiritual power about to go out of control, beginning to disperse from within his body. He quickly composed himself, sat cross-legged, and circulated his Cultivation Technique, but no matter how he tried to remedy it, he couldn't suppress the result of his spiritual power dispersing.

"It's actually this terrifying!"

Tian Zhongli was inwardly prepared, but just dozens of tiny particles made him unable to exert even seventy percent of his strength.

His Divine Soul power swept across his entire body, searching for the Lue Ling Powder particles, but those particles had melted into his flesh and blood the moment they were inhaled into his mouth, leaving no trace.

This was merely dozens of tiny particles. If the Lue Ling Powder were to permeate the air, inhaling a single breath would mean inhaling thousands of particles.

Even a Foundation Establishment cultivator, if poisoned by Lue Ling Powder, would likely have their strength greatly reduced.

Tian Zhongli took a deep breath and slowly said, "Young friend, this poison is extremely potent. May I ask where you obtained it?"

Chen Jiancang heard this but did not panic, his face calm.

"This item is a relic from my parents, and there is only this one bottle."

After circulating his internal energy for several cycles, Tian Zhongli's breathing gradually stabilized. He said with a solemn expression, "Young friend, this poison can indeed affect Foundation Establishment cultivators, but its drawback is also obvious. Holding one's breath can completely prevent it, and Divine Sense can also detect its existence, so it's not impossible to defend against."

"However, the effect of this poison is truly astonishing. Those deeply poisoned might not even be able to exert a single bit of strength."

"Even with lighter poisoning, strength will be greatly reduced."

"It can be confirmed that in the Qi Refining Stage, if one is poisoned by this, it is almost irreversible. But we cannot sense the depth of a Foundation Establishment cultivator's foundation, and we don't know if they will have a way to resolve this poison?"

Chen Jiancang watched as Tian Zhongli spoke voluminously, critiquing the Lue Ling Powder. He knew in his heart that this person wanted to lower the price.

As expected, after Tian Zhongli enumerated the pros and cons of the Lue Ling Powder, he opened his mouth and asked, "Young friend, how much are you asking for this poison?"

Chen Jiancang pondered for a moment, then held up three fingers. "Three thousand spiritual stones."

Tian Zhongli frowned slightly; this price was not low.

Tian Zhongli shook his head and said, "Young friend, this price is too outrageous. Although this poison is potent, it is not impossible to defend against, and we also have to bear the risk."

Chen Jiancang, however, remained calm and composed, "Senior, this poison is a relic from my parents, and there is only this one bottle. Furthermore, it has such great deterrence against Foundation Establishment cultivators. Three thousand spiritual stones is a worthwhile price."

Tian Zhongli folded his arms and thought for a long time. "Young friend, one thousand spiritual stones. This is already the limit. After all, this item has currently only been verified to work on Qi Refining Stage Cultivators. Whether it is effective against the Foundation Establishment Stage is still up for debate. Also, this item cannot be leaked outside the Chen Family, so the price naturally cannot be too high."

Chen Jiancang frowned slightly. Although one thousand spiritual stones was not a small amount, it was still some distance from his ideal price.

"Senior, two thousand spiritual stones. This poison is invisible, colorless, and odorless, rare in the cultivation world, and absolutely effective against the Foundation Establishment Stage. Two thousand spiritual stones is my biggest concession."

"If Senior still has doubts, then please invite a Foundation Establishment cultivator from the Chen Family to test it, and you will know."

A look of hesitation appeared on Tian Zhongli's face. He knew well that this poison was effective against the Foundation Establishment Stage; he just didn't want to spend extra money and was merely haggling.

"Young friend, one thousand three hundred spiritual stones. Any more than that is difficult for this old man to bear."

Chen Jiancang thought to himself, Tian Zhongli is indeed an old fox, pushing step by step, and has already reached his expected price.

He pretended to grit his teeth and said, "One thousand five hundred spiritual stones. Any less, I would rather find another buyer."

Seeing his firm attitude, Tian Zhongli thought that if he missed this item, he might regret it later.

"Fine, fine. One thousand five hundred spiritual stones it is."

After saying that, Tian Zhongli took out a storage bag and handed it to Chen Jiancang. After Chen Jiancang took it and confirmed it was correct, he handed the Lue Ling Powder jade bottle to Tian Zhongli.

Tian Zhongli put the Lue Ling Powder into the storage bag, looking slightly excited.

One must know that the price of second-tier spiritual items is basically above 1000 spiritual stones. Although Lue Ling Powder is not a second-tier item, its effect has already reached that level.

For example, a Low Grade second-tier Spirit Talisman is worth around one thousand two hundred spiritual stones. Although its power is immense, at the Foundation Establishment Stage, it can be easily avoided, unlike Lue Ling Powder, which is difficult to guard against.

Moreover, the amount in one bottle of Lue Ling Powder can be completely divided into several portions. Selling one portion at the purchase price would recoup the cost.

Therefore, although he had a pained expression just now, he had actually made a huge profit.

"Who should I sell it to?"

Tian Zhongli pondered in his heart.

"Chen Youquan of Thousand Bamboo Peak's Spiritual Vein has just entered the ranks of Foundation Establishment. He probably doesn't have many means of defense yet, and should need this item."

"Chen Yingong of the Law Enforcement Hall, Qi Refining Ninth Layer Great Perfection, his lifespan is approaching its limit. If he doesn't reach Foundation Establishment soon, he will likely turn to dust. He has been fighting for the Chen Family recently, and he should also be interested in this item."

...

In the blink of an eye, Tian Zhongli had already found several potential buyers. One bottle of Lue Ling Powder could be divided into at least four portions, and each portion could be sold at the purchase price, resulting in a threefold profit.

Chen Jiancang had already left Chen's Treasure Pavilion at this time, unaware of Tian Zhongli's plan. Carrying the huge sum of 1500 spiritual stones, he was contemplating the matter of continuing to plant Lueling Grass.