Chapter 460: Chapter 411: Tier 2 Magic

After Gu Dezhao left, Zhao Lin toyed with the teacup in his hand, remaining silent for a long time.

If the shop wanted to operate securely, it had to purchase a powerful Spiritual Vessel. Otherwise, they would have to worry about being robbed every time they transported goods.

However, a cargo Spiritual Vessel that met their requirements cost at least several hundred thousand Spirit Coins. If they added an Array or used sturdier hull materials, the price would be even higher.

The destroyed Spiritual Vessel required a hefty compensation payment, and then they’d have to buy a new one... This year’s profits would be completely wiped out.

And this was just the shop’s problem. His own cultivation was just as difficult.

He had almost no Spirit Stones or merit points left. If there were no dividends at the end of the year, what would he use for cultivation next year?

He had only reached his current cultivation level by investing ten, even dozens of times more resources than normal. His stipend alone was definitely not enough.

’There’s no other way. I only have one path left!’

Zhao Lin unfolded the paper note, looked at the crescent moon and plum blossom drawn on it, and clenched his fist, crushing it to dust.

"Since you want a fight, then a fight you’ll get!"

...

The next morning, Zhao Lin walked into the main hall and said to the accountant, "Elder Wan, help me withdraw twenty thousand Spirit Coins. Put it on my tab; I’ll pay it back next month."

Gu Dezhao was taken aback. "Shopkeeper Zhao, what are you doing taking out such a large sum of money?"

Zhao Lin said calmly, "I have my own uses for it. Don’t worry, Elder Gu. I’ll definitely pay it back next month."

Gu Dezhao could only keep his mouth shut. Zhao Lin was the Chief Shopkeeper and had the authority to use the shop’s funds without anyone’s approval.

"Elder Gu, I have to go out for a few days. Please manage the shop while I’m gone."

Zhao Lin took the Spiritual Tickets Wan Jingsheng handed him, gave his instructions, and left.

Gu Dezhao wanted to ask where Zhao Lin was going, but seeing him walk out without a backward glance, he couldn’t help but let out a deep sigh, his eyes filled with worry.

Gu An glanced toward the door for a moment, then walked over and asked in a low voice, "Uncle Dezhao, what is Shopkeeper Zhao doing with so much money?"

Gu Dezhao said impatiently, "How should I know? Why don’t you go ask him?"

Gu An didn’t notice Gu Dezhao’s expression and muttered to himself, "Shopkeeper Zhao left in such a hurry. He couldn’t be skipping town with the money, could he?"

Gu Dezhao was so angry he almost laughed. He scolded, "Get back to work! If I hear you gossiping again, I’ll send you back to the clan!"

Zhao Lin went to a money-changing house and exchanged the Spiritual Tickets for one thousand two hundred Spirit Stones.

Spiritual Tickets were high-denomination Spirit Coins, equivalent to the mortal world’s Silver Notes. They were printed with the daoist markings of the Chenghua Sect, came in denominations from five hundred to ten thousand, and were mainly used for large transactions.

Zhao Lin decided to go to Red Tail Island and take on the mission to collect Spirit Pearls again.

This decision wasn’t made on a whim or out of a desperate need for revenge, but was based on multiple considerations.

First, of course, was to earn merit points and Spirit Stones to accumulate cultivation resources. Without these two things, his cultivation would be at a standstill.

Second, Chu Hongtian had already invited him several times, and he couldn’t disrespect a Purple Mansion cultivator.

To succeed in cultivation, wealth, companions, techniques, and location were all indispensable. Connections were a crucial part of this!

By leveraging this connection, Zhao Lin also wanted to go a step further and obtain exclusive rights to sell the Spirit Pearls from Red Tail Island.

If he succeeded, the shop would have a new, lucrative source of income, and the loss of one cargo vessel would be nothing.

Finally, the Earth Dark Sect had robbed his cargo vessel, and he had to retaliate fiercely!

Last time he had killed fourteen Earth Dark Sect cultivators. If that wasn’t enough for them, then he would just kill another batch.

Based on these reasons, Zhao Lin made his final decision.

However, before undertaking the mission, he had to make thorough preparations.

’The Earth Dark Sect definitely has spies in the market city. There’s no doubt about it. Otherwise, they couldn’t have so accurately intercepted the shop’s Spiritual Vessel mid-journey.’

’If I go on this mission, the Earth Dark Sect will certainly dispatch their strongest lineup to ambush and kill me.’

’In that case, my Middle Stage of Qi Refining cultivation won’t be enough. My goal isn’t just to protect myself, but to kill as many Earth Dark Sect cultivators as possible.’

’If I’m going to do this, I’m not holding anything back!’

Zhao Lin withdrew the Spirit Stones to prepare for after his breakthrough.

Late-stage Qi Refining cultivators could cast Tier Two Skills. These Spirit Stones were for the Spirit Cultivation Map to absorb Spiritual Qi, in order to improve his prowess in magic.

Spirit Cultivation Pavilion.

It was located in the central area of the market city. Branches were drawn from the underground Spirit Vein, and then Gathering Spirit Arrays would concentrate the Spiritual Qi, forming individual Spirit Cultivation Rooms.

The cultivation effect in a Spirit Cultivation Room was comparable to that of a Spirit Cave, but because it was located in the market city, the price was double, and they also charged an additional fee in Spirit Coins.

"A high-grade Spirit Cultivation Room, for three days!"

Zhao Lin said to the cultivator in charge of reception as he walked into the Spirit Cultivation Pavilion, carrying two large chests of Spirit Stones.

"That will be sixty merit points and six hundred Spirit Coins."

The receptionist cultivator said, glancing at Zhao Lin with some surprise. ’Is he bringing so many Spirit Stones because he thinks the Spiritual Qi here isn’t enough?’ he wondered.

After taking the merit point tickets and Spirit Coins, he took out a lustrous white jade token and pointed toward the inner rooms. "Spirit Cultivation Room Number Nine."

"Thank you. If I haven’t come out in three days, please do not disturb me. I will pay any outstanding balance later."

Zhao Lin added this reminder and then strode toward the Spirit Cultivation Room.

He arrived before a stone room with the number nine on its door. He held up the jade token, shined it at the stone door, and the door slowly opened.

He walked into the stone room, and the door closed automatically behind him. Immediately after, the Gathering Spirit Array rumbled to life.

A moment later, dense Spiritual Qi filled the Spirit Cultivation Room.

Zhao Lin set down the chests, circulated his qi to regulate his breathing for a moment, then took a cyan porcelain bottle from his storage pouch and tipped out an Acupoint Opening Pill.

The Acupoint Opening Pill had originally been stored in the Black Pomegranate Gourd, but Zhao Lin had moved the pill into the bottle ahead of time.

Otherwise, if he opened the Black Pomegranate Gourd at a critical moment only to find the contents weren’t what he expected, he’d be in for a nasty surprise.

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