593: Chapter 593 Spending money, spending money, spending money! Lu Yao goes out shopping with the Grand Elder.

The Hehuan Sect's treasury was once again emptied by a third.

It wasn't that the Spirit Stones were exhausted; it was that Xu Ruyu had drawn up a new list.

The list was densely packed with over a hundred types of Materials, from Profound Iron Essence to Phoenix Feather Copper, from Stardust Sand to Earth Core Molten Iron. Each item had its quantity and grade noted beside it, with a few circled in red ink for emphasis—these were essential for constructing tank armor and long-range artillery barrels; there was no room for carelessness.

The Grand Elder's hand didn't tremble when he took the list.

He was used to it by now.

Having seen a thirty-million list, what was this? He folded the list, tucked it into his robe, and called for Chen Ping, Zhou Daniu, and Li Ergou, preparing to head out.

Just as they were about to leave, Lu Yao emerged from the small courtyard to the east.

Having stayed at the Hehuan Sect for nearly a month, her complexion was much rosier than when she first arrived, her eyes were no longer swollen, and her hair was tied up in a simple bun at the back, held in place by a plain silver hairpin.

She had changed into the Hehuan Sect Disciples' everyday robes, a moon-white color with tightly cuffed sleeves, looking neat and tidy.

She hadn't been idle this past month—she helped weed the medicinal herb garden, refined two batches of Foundation Establishment Medicinal Pills for the pill hall, and even prepared a few medicinal meals for the kitchen.

The Hehuan Sect Disciples were initially somewhat distant towards her, but later, discovering that this former Saintess of the Taixu Sect had no airs, spoke softly and gently, and worked deftly and efficiently, they gradually accepted her.

Sun Xiaohua and Zhou Xiaolian especially hit it off with her; the three of them often dried medicinal herbs together in the courtyard, chatting and laughing.

"Grand Elder, are you going out to procure?" Lu Yao approached, giving a slight bow. "Let me go with you.

When I was at the Taixu Sect, I often dealt with marketplaces. I know quite a few material shops and understand the market rates somewhat.

Senior Brother Chen Ping can't handle everything alone. I can help inspect the goods and bargain."

The Grand Elder hesitated for a moment.

Lu Yao had lived at the Hehuan Sect for a month without once leaving the mountain gate.

It wasn't that Xu Ruyu forbade her from leaving; she herself was unwilling to go out—she was afraid of running into people from the Taixu Sect and causing trouble for the Hehuan Sect.

Today, her initiative to follow them out came as a bit of a surprise to the Grand Elder.

"Young lady, it's crowded and full of prying eyes outside. If you come with us and happen to encounter..."

The Grand Elder didn't finish his sentence.

Lu Yao shook her head, the corner of her mouth curving slightly into a faint smile, yet one that held more steadiness than before.

"Grand Elder, I can't hide inside the mountain gate forever.

I am a member of the Hehuan Sect now. I should learn to help the Sect with some tasks.

Please don't worry, I'll be careful. If I really do run into anyone, I'll simply ignore them."

Zhou Daniu stood nearby, carrying a large sack containing dry rations and water for the journey.

Hearing this, he grinned broadly.

"Sister Lu Yao is right! What's there to fear? We, the people of the Hehuan Sect, can walk sideways wherever we go! Who dares to provoke us?"

Li Ergou kicked him.

"Keep your voice down. The Sect Master said we should keep a low profile when outside, not stir up trouble everywhere."

Zhou Daniu scratched his head, chuckled twice, and fell silent.

The Grand Elder looked at Lu Yao, then glanced at the sky, and nodded.

"Alright. The young lady may come along. Chen Ping, keep an extra eye on her."

Chen Ping nodded, taking out a piece of defensive soft armor from his storage ring and handing it to Lu Yao.

"Senior Sister Lu Yao, the Sect Master had me make this some time ago. It's lightweight; wear it for protection.

You can wear it under your robes; it won't be in the way."

Lu Yao took the soft armor, thanked him, turned, and went back inside to change into it.

Moments later, she returned, and the group boarded the Spirit Boat.

The Spirit Boat wasn't large, specialized for Hehuan Sect procurement. Several acceleration Array Pattern were carved onto its hull. It wasn't the fastest in flight, but it was steady.

The Grand Elder sat at the bow, reviewing the list. Chen Ping was beside him, cross-checking the remaining stock in the treasury. Zhou Daniu and Li Ergou squatted at the stern, enjoying the breeze. Lu Yao sat inside the cabin, watching the sea of clouds outside through the window.

Clouds churned beneath their feet, bathed in golden sunlight as if sprinkled with crushed gold.

She watched for a while, a smile unconsciously rising to her lips.

This was her first time leaving the mountain gate in over a month. She couldn't quite describe the feeling in her heart—a bit of nervousness, but also a sense of relief—as if she had finally crossed a hurdle.

The Spirit Boat flew for three hours before landing outside a marketplace.

This marketplace was called Falling Star Crossing, the largest Loose Cultivator trading ground within a thousand miles.

Though called a marketplace, it was more like a small town, with crisscrossing streets and rows of shops. Everything was available—sellers of Medicinal Pills, Magical Artifacts, Materials, Spirit Beasts... you name it.

Loose Cultivators came from all directions to buy, sell, exchange, and gather information here. The place was bustling with people, extremely lively.

The Grand Elder chose this place because Falling Star Crossing had many Loose Cultivators and wide channels, allowing them to purchase some good items not sold in the shops of major Sects.

The group entered the marketplace and first went to several familiar material shops.

The Grand Elder presented the list. The shopkeeper took one look, and his eyes nearly popped out.

"Elder, seven or eight items on your list, I don't have them here.

The Stardust Sand was all bought up last month by people from the Tianquan Sect. Phoenix Feather Copper won't be available for another three months. As for Earth Core Molten Iron, there is one piece, but the price has increased by forty percent compared to last year.

How much do you need?"

The Grand Elder frowned.

"Three pieces of Earth Core Molten Iron for now.

Please keep an eye out for Phoenix Feather Copper and Stardust Sand for me. Notify me when you have stock.

Price is negotiable."

The shopkeeper nodded hurriedly, instructing his assistant to fetch the goods from the warehouse.

Lu Yao watched from the side as the Grand Elder haggled with the shopkeeper, secretly admiring him.

Usually quiet and unassuming within the Sect, outside, the Grand Elder bargained meticulously and systematically, leaving the shopkeeper wiping sweat from his brow.

Leaving the material shop, the Grand Elder went to another store selling Artifact Refining auxiliary Materials.

Zhou Daniu and Li Ergou carried the purchased Materials box by box onto the Spirit Boat. Chen Ping tallied them nearby, while Lu Yao helped verify against the list.

The group busied themselves for most of the day, managing to gather seventy percent of the items on the list.

"We're still missing a few items. We'll have to try our luck at the Loose Cultivator market to the east." The Grand Elder put away the list, wiping the sweat from his forehead. "There are many stalls over there. With luck, we might find some good stuff."

The Loose Cultivator market was east of Falling Star Crossing, a large open area filled with all kinds of stalls. The goods sold were a motley assortment—old Magical Artifacts, incomplete Cultivation Techniques, unknown Ores, withered Spiritual Plants, and even people selling Spirit Beast eggs, claiming they were descendants of Dragons, shouting at the top of their lungs. Onlookers were many, but buyers were few.

Lu Yao followed the Grand Elder and the others as they weaved between the stalls, her gaze sweeping over each one, occasionally stopping to examine Materials and inquire about prices.

Chen Ping squatted down in front of a stall selling Ores, picking up a fist-sized black stone and turning it over in his hands.

"Boss, what is this?"

The stall owner was a tall, thin man with a scar on his face, clearly a Loose Cultivator used to roughing it out in the world.

He glanced at the stone and said lazily, "Obsidian Iron Essence. Dug out from an abandoned mine up north. Good quality, useful for Artifact Refining.

Two hundred Spirit Stones per piece. No haggling."