Chapter 57: Buying Spiritual Birds
Chapter 57: Chapter 57: Buying Spiritual Birds
"What Array is it?" Song Yunxi asked in a low voice from the side.
"The Mountain Viewing Bird-Driving Array," Chen Mo replied while reading up on the Array’s functions.
"Mountain Viewing Bird-Driving?" Song Yunxi froze. He wondered if he had misheard. He clearly remembered that the book he had seen back then was some sort of "Shadow" Array, definitely not a Bird-Expelling Array!
Xue Chongwu turned around expressionlessly, retrieved an almost identical ancient text from the bookshelf, and placed it on the table.
Chen Mo and Song Yunxi were baffled. It wasn’t until Xue Chongwu spoke that they understood. "This one has the Mountain Gazing Shadow Retaining Array at the back."
Song Yunxi was just about to reach for it when Xue Chongwu spoke again. "Borrowing it once costs ten taels of Spiritual Sand."
Chen Mo cursed inwardly, "What a scam!" but he didn’t dare show his displeasure. He reasoned that it didn’t matter if he couldn’t read it. To him, there was no difference between the Bird-Expelling Array and the Memory Array. All he needed was a Spirit Array to act as a medium; the thing that would truly take effect was his Talent, Rapid Maturation!
Just as Chen Mo was about to spend his remaining Spiritual Sand to purchase this copy of the Outline, Xue Chongwu spoke slowly. "He can read it."
"Huh?" Chen Mo was surprised. "I can read it?"
"You’ve already spent Spiritual Sand."
At this, Chen Mo experienced a sudden flash of realization. It seemed that as long as it was the Tier One Spiritual Array Outline, regardless of what Array was recorded at the back, borrowing it only cost ten taels. However, in the span of a single incense stick’s time, unless one had a photographic memory, it would be impossible to memorize all the details of any Array!
He thought, "I might as well read it. I’ve already spent the Spiritual Sand anyway."
"You have half a cup of tea’s time left," Xue Chongwu offered a timely reminder.
Chen Mo set down the book in his hand, picked up the other one, and flipped straight to the Array at the back. He originally thought he would only skim through it briefly before setting it aside to ultimately choose the Bird-Expelling Array. After all, that Array was still somewhat useful for a Spirit Plant Cultivator.
But the moment he saw the Mountain Gazing Shadow Retaining Array, his heart nearly leapt out of his throat! Without even taking a breath, he snapped the Outline shut. Without a word, he pulled another forty taels from his Sachet and slammed them directly onto the counter.
"I want this one—"
Before he could finish, Xue Chongwu gave a gentle wave of his hand, and the Spiritual Sand on the table vanished instantly. Then, completely unbothered, the man sat back down and resumed studying the ancient text in his hands. The ancient text that Chen Mo viewed as a priceless treasure was merely an insignificant collection of words to Xue Chongwu, entirely unworthy of his attention.
"Brother Chen, is there anything else you need to buy?" Song Yunxi asked. Seeing his actions, he figured his companion had gotten what he wanted, which put him in a great mood as well.
Chen Mo strolled out of the Wandering Bookstore, glanced at the sky, and said, "It’s getting late. Could I crash at your place for the night, Brother Song? I’ll buy some Fasting Pills first thing tomorrow morning, and then head back to the Spirit Field."
"Brother Chen! There’s something I wonder if I should say."
"Then... please go ahead." Chen Mo almost blurted out, "Don’t." But he quickly realized that Song Yunxi wasn’t Lan Ling or He Zhiping!
"You’re a Breeder now. Why do you insist on clinging to that tiny plot of land?"
Chen Mo shook his head. "I’ve been farming it for years. I’m used to it."
"Alright, suit yourself." Song Yunxi didn’t push the issue.
"Besides, pretending to be an ordinary Spirit Plant Cultivator isn’t a bad idea," Chen Mo thought. "At the very least, no one will covet what I have, which guarantees my safety. If I truly reveal myself as a Breeder, I’d inevitably be dragged into all sorts of conflicts."
"Then I’ll be troubling you, Brother Song," Chen Mo said, cupping his fists.
As they chatted, the two returned to the Yi Er San Grain Station. This time, Song Yunxi didn’t rush inside, but asked again, "Are you really not going to the Fragrance Pavilion?"
"No, I’ll visit again when spring is near!"
Outside the Ancient Dust Marketplace.
Xiao Changhua had been waiting for three whole days! For the past three days, he had remained stationed on the sole path leading out of the Marketplace, all for Chen Mo, who had entered three days prior!
He had assumed the man would return to his Spirit Field in two days at most. Who would have thought he’d be gone for so long? After all, what Spirit Plant Cultivator dared to linger in a money pit like the Marketplace? The meager amount of Spiritual Sand they earned from selling grain was barely enough for Cultivation! The longer one stayed inside, the higher the expenses.
The thought of his soon-to-be resources being squandered in the Marketplace made Xiao Changhua grind his teeth in hatred. At this moment, he wished he could charge straight into the Marketplace and drag Chen Mo out. He wanted to scream in the man’s face, "You’re about to die, so stop wasting my resources!"
Xiao Changhua made up his mind. If that brat didn’t show up tomorrow, he would enter the Marketplace himself!
After pulling all-nighters for multiple days to focus on Breeding, Chen Mo was already physically and mentally exhausted. Had he not been kept in suspense by the matter concerning the Spirit Array Master, he would have collapsed into a deep slumber long ago.
Once he finally slept, he didn’t wake up until 7:00 AM the next day. When he woke, Mei Hua had already prepared a towel, hot water, and even a change of clothes. However, Chen Mo merely gave himself a quick wash, greeted Mei Hua, and asked him not to disturb Song Yunxi before heading out.
He first went to exchange for twelve Fasting Pills. Now that he had over two hundred catties of Spirit Rice, he didn’t necessarily have to eat these pills, but he definitely needed to keep them on hand.
After purchasing his necessities, Chen Mo arrived at the largest and only Spirit Bird Breeding Station in the entire Marketplace. Whether one was buying eggs to hatch themselves, purchasing chicks or ducklings to raise, or selling mature individuals, all such transactions had to be conducted here.
It was different from the grain stations. Anyone could do business involving Spirit Rice. But the business of Spiritual Birds and Spirit Pools was exclusively controlled by Purple Cloud Peak! Even the Pavilion Master could only manage it on their behalf. After all, just like the Profound Soaring Spirit Rice, these Spiritual Birds were supplied directly to the second-generation disciples and above of Purple Cloud Peak. It was absolutely impossible for outsiders to get a taste!
With his hands behind his back, Chen Mo walked through the towering main gates. Instantly, a foul stench assaulted his nose. The first thought that popped into his head was, "They’re Spiritual Birds, how can they still smell like this?!"
Forcing down his discomfort, he ventured further inside. Rows of partitions divided the entire Spirit Bird Station into small, individual compartments.
The outermost area was for purchasing mature Spirit Chickens and Spirit Ducks. Chen Mo glanced over and realized that these Spiritual Birds were completely different from the chickens and ducks in his memories. In fact, they were worlds apart!
Just in terms of size alone, a fully grown one reached his waist. It was probably as large as seven or eight chickens from the Mortal Realm combined!
Moreover, every single one of these Spirit Chickens looked exceptionally majestic, and the Spiritual Qi fluctuating within their bodies was deep and continuous. While they hadn’t quite reached the Qi Refining First Layer, ordinary mortals and brutish Martial Artists wouldn’t stand a chance against them! A simple peck from their beaks could easily end a person’s life. Even ordinary Spirit Nurturers couldn’t handle them!
As for the Spirit Ducks, they appeared to be roughly the same size, but they were far more docile compared to the Spirit Chickens.
As he walked deeper into the station, the size of the Spiritual Birds grew smaller and smaller. Finally, Chen Mo stopped at the stall selling chicks!