Seeing everyone's support, Shangguan Xi felt it would be too much to refuse any longer. She took a deep breath, slammed her hands on the table, and said with determination in her eyes, "Since everyone has such high hopes for me, I will certainly live up to those expectations! If I ever hold anyone back in the future, please don't blame me!"
Thus, Shangguan Xi was appointed as the team leader. Little did they know that in future operations, Xu Yuehuai would be the primary brains, working in conjunction with the others. Shangguan Xi was skilled in charm arts, and aside from understanding human nature and human emotions, he was completely ignorant of tactics and strategies. Fortunately, no one had any objections to this.
"Let's start discussing our plans for entering the forest tomorrow. I don't know the specifics, but according to the information from the sect, the Beast Lion is heading towards the innermost part of the forest. There are many dangers along the way, including poisons and illusions. Everyone should prepare some antidotes before setting off, as we might need them on the road." Shangguan Xi immediately became serious after learning that he was the team leader.
Fu Ziyi waved his fan, listening to these words without taking them seriously. After discussing the simplest matters, everyone returned to their rooms.
Xu Yuehuai didn't intend to go back inside; she was going out. "Do you need me to come with you?"
"No need, I'm going to buy some medicinal herbs, I'll be back soon," Xu Yuehuai politely declined.
The inn was located on a central street, in a bustling and lively area. Just a short walk away, there were shops selling all sorts of things. But Xu Yuehuai wasn't there for those things. She was going to the black market to buy medicinal herbs that weren't available on the open market; they could only be found in shady places.
She didn't know the location of the black market in Tianqi City very well. She took a long detour before finally finding the entrance. It wasn't completely dark yet, and there weren't as many vendors inside as at night.
She walked among them wearing a white veil, and many people turned around to look, wanting to see who was behind the veil.
There were also people on the roadside trying to sell their products.
She didn't even spare a glance for the group, turned around and left without the slightest hesitation, walking all the way to the innermost part of the group.
In an inconspicuous corner, there were some things mixed with dirt, and a person dressed in a gray robe was squatting on the stall. "Boss, what are these things you're selling? They're so dirty, how much do you sell them for?"
"One thousand top-grade spirit stones, no bargaining, it's for medicinal herbs." The shopkeeper's voice was clearly altered, sounding very old.
Xu Yuehuai looked up and saw that the person was wearing a mask and a black robe, so she couldn't recognize who he was.
In this place, such attire is all too common. These sellers are worried that their friends and family might recognize them, and they also worry about potential retaliation from buyers. So, they try to conceal themselves when selling their goods.
"Are you robbing me of spirit stones! This dark, unremarkable thing, and you're asking me for a thousand high-grade spirit stones? Are you really that desperate for money?!" The man stood up, pointing a finger at the shopkeeper, his eyes filled with the anger of being tricked, feeling utterly humiliated.
The boss remained unmoved, as if he were already used to such scenes.
If it weren't for the rule against fighting in this black market, the man would probably have stepped forward without hesitation to beat up the boss to vent his anger.
The man spat at the stall, turned and left, his eyes filled with disgust, as if he had just been tainted by something dirty.
The stall owner, unfazed, straightened the muddy goods and continued setting up his stall without looking away. Seeing this, Xu Yuehuai stepped forward, stopped in front of the stall owner, pointed at the herbs, and asked, "A thousand for all, or a thousand for each herb?"
The boss's emotions seemed to fluctuate slightly because of Xu Yuehuai's question. After all, he had seen many people curse him for saying that it cost a thousand high-grade spirit stones, whether it was for one plant or all of them.
"All items, sold as a package, no refunds after purchase." The shop owner, seemingly someone who had seen it all, quickly calmed down and added that he was worried Xu Yuehuai might have just bought the item on a whim, only to find it useless and then come back asking for a refund, which would be very annoying.
Xu Yuehuai raised an eyebrow and said nothing more. “I’ll take them all. Here are a thousand high-grade spirit stones. Check if the quantity is correct.”
Xu Yuehuai took out a bag, which was specifically for storing spirit stones and similar items.
This was the first time the shop owner had ever seen a buyer so readily give spirit stones; he hesitated for a moment as he took the bag.
After receiving it, he immediately checked the number of spirit stones inside, scanned it thoroughly with his spiritual power, and after confirming that everything was correct, he took out a bag that he had prepared in advance. "This is a bag for herbs. Welcome to come again next time."
He said this politely, and Xu Yuehuai casually put the things away without saying anything more, then turned and left.
After she left, the shopkeeper didn't leave immediately. He had already bought everything he needed, and the thousand high-grade spirit stones would last him a long time. He wanted to see if this woman had come specifically to buy his things, if she had planned it all along, or if she had just stumbled in by chance and bought what she liked.
When he saw Xu Yuehuai go to many stalls and buy cinnabar, talisman paper, and other types of herbs, he saw that Xu Yuehuai bought whatever he saw.
Her extravagant spending quickly attracted attention. Wherever she went, people would bring their things to her and offer them choices. Xu Yuehuai actually bought a few items.
After the stall owners learned that Xu Yuehuai mainly bought herbs, they guessed that she must be an alchemist's apprentice. How could someone so young be an alchemist and buy so many herbs, many of which could only be used in high-level pills?
They also bought talisman paper and cinnabar. Buying such a variety of things, they must be buying them for someone else.
Xu Yuehuai never expected that all her actions here were being watched and analyzed. Some people had already figured out that there was probably an alchemist or talisman master behind her.
Xu Yuehuai wandered around here for half an hour and bought quite a few things.
As she left, the stall owner watched her go, looking at her as if she were a god of wealth.
When Xu Yuehuai returned to the house, Shangguan Xi was not in the room; he had probably gone out to buy antidote pills.
She released Yuan Shui Bai Ze from the space. Yuan Shui was a little uncomfortable with being suddenly outside. He crossed his arms and looked at Xu Yuehuai with an impatient expression, "You better have something to say."
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