31: Market shopping

Another seven days passed, and Zhang Qingxiao confirmed the rate of improvement in his cultivation progress when using only Low-Grade Spirit Stones without any Medicinal Pills.

At this rate of improvement, he would only need a year and a half to break through to the Qi Refining Sixth Layer.

With these two test results, Zhang Qingxiao felt even more confident.

These two Breakthroughs in his Realm directly increased his lifespan by ten years.

His remaining lifespan now exceeded fifty years; even if his cultivation speed decreased somewhat after breaking through to the Qi Refining Sixth Layer, he was still very confident about reaching Foundation Establishment within twenty years.

On this day, Zhang Qingxiao was practicing Tiger Leopard Fist in the courtyard when snowflakes suddenly began to drift down from the sky.

An hour later, the world between heaven and earth had turned into a vast expanse of white.

"Husband, it is snowing!"

"Hurry back inside and put on more clothes; don't catch a cold."

Zhou Yun came out of the room, and seeing her husband wearing only a thin Dharma Robe, she hurriedly took out a robe sewn from Yao Beast fur and draped it over Zhang Qingxiao.

"It is fine!"

"I am not cold..."

Since starting Body Refining, his physical constitution was much stronger than that of ordinary Qi Refinement Stage Cultivators.

Even though it had started freezing outside long ago, he did not feel too cold.

"I wonder how many people will freeze to death this year..."

Zhou Yun looked at the increasingly dense snowflakes outside and could not help but sigh.

Compared to previous years, the weather this year was much colder, and with the recent incidents in the Chang Sheng Sect, life for the Utility Disciple was even more difficult.

If not for her husband's capabilities, their family would not be any better off.

Thinking of this, Zhou Yun's gaze toward her husband became even more gentle.

"It is enough that we live our own lives well; we cannot worry about other matters."

"In a while, I am going to the marketplace. Is there anything you and Liang Qiaoer need me to bring back?"

Zhang Qingxiao had originally planned to go out and hunt a Yao Beast today, but seeing the snow, he abandoned that idea.

However, he still prepared to go to the marketplace first to stock up on more food and supplies for the coming period.

Ever since the Chang Sheng Sect sealed the mountain, all kinds of supplies had become very scarce.

He had to prepare some in advance to be ready for any eventuality.

"I will go ask Liang Qiaoer."

Zhou Yun said this and turned to go to Liang Qiaoer's bedroom.

After the two discussed it, they walked out together, "Husband, Liang Qiaoer and I would like to go to the marketplace with you."

"There is only about half a month left until the New Year, so it is a good time to prepare some New Year goods."

This world did not differ much in many customs from the world Zhang Qingxiao lived in before his Transmigration.

Zhang Qingxiao did not know about other places, but the Chang Sheng Sect, including nearby Sects and the Mortal world, all had the custom of celebrating the New Year.

"Very well, then we shall go to the marketplace together."

"I will treat you to a good meal at the marketplace at noon."

If not for Zhou Yun's reminder, Zhang Qingxiao would have subconsciously overlooked the matter of the New Year.

Since both of them wanted to go to the marketplace with him, they might as well go together.

He also wanted to see if the atmosphere of the New Year in this world was just as lively.

During this period, his cooperation with Luo Fei had been quite good, and basically all the Medicinal Pills he refined and the meat of the Yao Beast he hunted were sold to him.

This saved a lot of trouble, so the number of times he went to the marketplace had decreased a lot.

It had been more than half a month since the last time he went to the marketplace.

"Fellow Daoist Zhang, going out?"

"Yes! Going to the marketplace."

"Fellow Daoist Zhang, I haven't seen you go out for a long time. Are you going to buy New Year goods?"

"Yes, the New Year is approaching, and I haven't prepared anything yet."

"..."

Along the way, many acquaintances smiled and greeted him.

There is no wall in the world that does not let the wind through.

The matter of him helping Luo Fei kill Han Xianren and his subordinates, and seizing Han Xianren's territory, had gradually spread in the vicinity.

Additionally, Luo Fei was not as harsh as other faction leaders.

He let everyone believe that this was Zhang Qingxiao's credit, so everyone was much more complimentary toward Zhang Qingxiao than before.

Entering the marketplace, Zhang Qingxiao clearly felt the difference from usual.

The shops on both sides of the marketplace street were hung with large red lanterns, and it was decorated with lanterns and streamers everywhere.

There were also some stalls selling fireworks and firecrackers on the roadside, making it look exceptionally lively.

"Zhou Yun, Liang Qiaoer, try the candied hawthorn and see how it tastes."

"I haven't eaten it for a long time, and I really miss it."

Walking on the marketplace street, he suddenly saw a hawker selling candied hawthorns, and Zhang Qingxiao bought three skewers on the spot.

Looking at the surging crowd on the street, he felt as if he had returned to the 70s or 80s for a moment.

"If Husband likes to eat it, I will make it for Husband when we get home."

Zhou Yun took a sweet bite of the candied hawthorn and said with a happy face.

"Big Brother Fellow cultivator Zhang, I haven't eaten candied hawthorn for a long time either."

Liang Qiaoer ate one, chewing it slowly with great enjoyment.

"The New Year is coming; let me buy you two some new Dharma Robes."

"A new year brings a new outlook..."

Zhang Qingxiao said this and brought them to a Dharma Robe shop, where he picked out two beautiful Dharma Robes.

"Husband, these Dharma Robes are too expensive. Let's just buy the material and make them ourselves."

Hearing the shopkeeper state the price of the Dharma Robes, Zhou Yun whispered in her husband's ear with great heartache.

"Don't be so troublesome; it's not like we can't afford it."

"We earn Spirit Stones to enjoy life; otherwise, why work so hard to earn so many Spirit Stones?"

Zhang Qingxiao very generously spent fifteen Mid-Grade Spirit Stones to buy four Dharma Robes.

One of them was bought for Zhou Quan.

After all, Zhou Quan could be considered his father-in-law now; since the three of them all got new ones, it would be inappropriate not to buy one for him.

After coming out of the Dharma Robe shop, they bought some fireworks, firecrackers, and various other odds and ends.

Finally, they arrived at the Li Family Pill Shop.

"Fellow Daoist Zhang, it has been a while since you last came."

"Are you here to sell Medicinal Pills or buy medicinal herbs this time?"

Seeing Zhang Qingxiao enter the shop, Immortal Li hurriedly came over to greet him.

"Buying some medicinal herbs."

"One hundred portions each of the medicinal herbs for Pi Gu Pill, Yellow Dragon Pill, Golden Marrow Pill, and Qi Condensation Pill."

The medicinal herbs for refining various Medicinal Pills at home were running low, so taking advantage of this trip, it was perfect to buy more to take back, saving him from running back and forth.

Anyway, both he and Zhou Yun had Storage Pouches, so there was no need to worry about not being able to carry these medicinal herbs back.

"Fellow Daoist Zhang is truly a genius at Alchemy; it has only been so long, and you are already able to refine Qi Condensation Pill."

"The quantity is no problem; I will have someone prepare it right away."

"As for the price, please rest assured, Fellow Daoist Zhang; we will absolutely not overcharge."

Immortal Li was very surprised, and his tone carried a hint of flattery.

"Shopkeeper Li is too polite."

"I am only at the Qi Refining Fifth Layer now; how could I be able to refine Qi Condensation Pill? I am just buying some to be prepared and to study them first."

"As for the price, I believe Shopkeeper Li will be very fair."

Zhang Qingxiao laughed it off; he really could not refine Qi Condensation Pill at the moment.

Compared to the Golden Marrow Pill, the difficulty of refining the Qi Condensation Pill was much greater.

Buying the medicinal herbs to refine the Qi Condensation Pill was just to study it in advance.

"Fellow Daoist Zhang is too modest. Last time you said you couldn't refine Golden Marrow Pill, but not long after, the quality of the Golden Marrow Pill you refined was much better than the Medicinal Pills refined by Alchemists who had been practicing for a long time."

"Many Fellow Daoists bought them and couldn't stop praising them."

"I hope Fellow Daoist Zhang will continue to support our Li Family Pill Shop's business in the future."

While the assistant was preparing the medicinal herbs, Immortal Li chatted with Zhang Qingxiao.

Just then, Li Wanqing appeared in the shop and chatted with Zhang Qingxiao for a while.

Zhang Qingxiao introduced Zhou Yun and Liang Qiaoer to Li Wanqing, and after obtaining the medicinal herbs, he left the Li Family Pill Shop.

"Husband, you and the Young Miss of the Li family seem to be very familiar with each other?"

Walking on the marketplace street, Zhou Yun could not help but ask.

"Why, are you jealous?"

"Haha..."

"I just met her when I was selling Medicinal Pills..."

Zhang Qingxiao held Zhou Yun's hand and briefly explained how he met Li Wanqing, dispelling Zhou Yun's concerns.