The appraisal was disappointingly low.
Based on his prior research, the market price for a Qi Nourishing Pill was around 1.5 Spirit Stones, while an Evil-Repelling Pill sold for about 5 Spirit Stones each.
At market prices, his Qi Nourishing Pills should have fetched 65 Spirit Stones, and his Evil-Repelling Pills 40.
Yet the Lei Family Merchant Guild's offer for all six bottles of pills was a staggering 20 Spirit Stones below market value.
Han Yi had anticipated a low valuation from the Lei Family, but he hadn't expected it to be this exploitative.
One word summed it up: highway robbery.
Instead of immediately accepting, Han Yi paused to consider his options before asking, "I've heard the Lei Family Merchant Guild sells low-level spells. I'm interested in purchasing one. Shopkeeper, do you have any recommendations?"
The moment Han Yi finished speaking, a smile bloomed on the shopkeeper's lips.
"Fellow Daoist, you've come to the right place! Our establishment boasts a wide variety of spells—protective spells, Mana-based offensive spells, object control spells, and many more. What type of spell are you seeking?"
"Fellow Daoist, do you have a price range in mind? If so, I can help you narrow down your options."
At that moment, the Elderly Shopkeeper's words reminded Han Yi of real estate agents from his previous life. Their sales tactics bore a striking resemblance.
"Shopkeeper, are there any spells within the price range of these Medicinal Pills?" Han Yi cautiously inquired.
The Shopkeeper's smile widened. "Of course. However, such spells are merely ordinary, of low grade and relatively weak. Some might even be considered utterly useless."
"I sincerely advise you to choose superior spells."
"Allow me to introduce you to the three best-selling spells of this quarter."
"First, the Heavenly Gang Divine Fire. Once unleashed, this divine flame incinerates heaven and earth, leaving nothing unburned. Even high-level Qi Refining cultivators cannot escape its inferno. It's a true weapon of mass destruction."
"Next, Shadow Realm Stealth. When mastered to the highest level, legend has it that even Foundation Establishment experts struggle to detect your presence. For self-preservation, this is an absolutely top-tier spell."
"Finally, the Word Spirit Art. When its sacred words are spoken, they become heavenly edicts, capable of temporarily rewriting the very laws of existence. It's truly enigmatic and unfathomable."
The shopkeeper rattled off his sales pitch without hesitation, clearly having rehearsed it countless times.
Han Yi's eyes lit up, a surge of longing washing over him.
Heavenly Gang Divine Fire, Shadow Realm Stealth, Word Spirit Art—the very names of these three spells sounded awe-inspiring, especially with the elderly shopkeeper's enthusiastic descriptions of their incredible power.
Han Yi's heart burned with curiosity and desire.
But he quickly regained his composure.
These spells would undoubtedly be expensive, costing well over a hundred Spirit Stones, perhaps even several hundred. If he risked selling all the remaining Medicinal Pills in his Storage Pouch, he might just be able to afford one.
Yet he dared not take such a risk.
It would deviate drastically from his original plan, and he'd have no way to explain it to the Profound Fire Pill Shop later.
Across from him, the elderly shopkeeper observed Han Yi's fluctuating expression, followed by his thoughtful silence. "Just as I suspected," he mused inwardly. "An alchemist capable of refining Evil-Repelling Pills of near-perfect quality must be wealthy. He's definitely hiding more pills."
What the elderly shopkeeper truly wanted was for Han Yi to offer more Medicinal Pills for sale or to supplement his Spirit Stones and raise enough funds to purchase all three Spells.
Ultimately, his goal was to turn a tidy profit.
Selling one Spell was the same as selling two—a risk-free, high-profit venture.
The elderly shopkeeper parted his lips, intending to prod Han Yi further, but Han Yi simply shrugged.
"Shopkeeper, it's not that I don't want to buy them, it's just that I can't afford them. These six bottles of Medicinal Pills are all I have on me. Just give me a straight answer: if I sell them for eighty-five Spirit Stones, which Spells here could I purchase?"
Han Yi's sudden shift in demeanor caught the shopkeeper off guard, forcing him to swallow the prepared remarks he had been about to deliver.
But business was business, and the elderly shopkeeper was a shrewd businessman at heart. Besides, an eighty-five Spirit Stone transaction was nothing to scoff at.
"In that case, it's indeed regrettable," the shopkeeper said.
"However, I do have a few Spells on hand that fall within your price range, Fellow Daoist."
The elderly shopkeeper retrieved seven Technique Transmission Jade Disks from a nearby cabinet. These disks contained pure spells; simply pressing one against the forehead would transmit the technique's teachings.
A mysterious radiance flowed across the surfaces of the jade disks.
The shopkeeper placed one of the disks in his palm.
"This is the Light Body Technique—the most basic version, of course. Its original price is thirty Spirit Stones, but if you're sincerely interested, Fellow Daoist, I'll boldly offer it to you for twenty-eight."
He set down the disk and picked up the second one.
"This is the Water Manipulation Technique, also the most basic. It originally costs forty Spirit Stones, but I can offer a two-stone discount."
Then, he brought out the third jade disk.
Light Body Technique, Water Manipulation Technique, Reprimand Technique, Bright Eye Technique, Invisibility Technique, Wind Blade Technique, and Sword Control Technique.
Seven spells in total, and Han Yi's heart itched with desire to acquire them all.
Yet he knew the wisdom of "biting off more than you can chew."
Most importantly, he didn't have enough Spirit Stones.
"Shopkeeper," Han Yi confirmed, "the seventh spell is Sword Control Technique?"
In his mind, Sword Control Technique was a top-tier spell, and surely not cheap.
The elderly shopkeeper nodded, picking up the seventh jade disk. "That's correct. This is indeed a Sword Control Technique. However, the discounted price reflects its incomplete nature. To be precise, it's a technique that bridges the gap between mortal swordsmanship and immortal sword arts."
"Let me be clear upfront: this Sword Control Technique has both distinct advantages and disadvantages."
"True Sword Control Techniques require at least a late-stage Qi Refining cultivation base and years of nurturing a flying sword before one can wield it. This modified version, derived from mortal swordsmanship, can be practiced as soon as one enters the Qi Refining Stage."
"Its low entry threshold is its primary advantage."
"But the drawbacks are equally apparent. First, its power is vastly inferior to that of true immortal sword arts."
"Second, it's far more difficult to master. You might train your entire life without achieving true flight on a flying sword, remaining limited to close-quarters combat with a handheld blade."
"So, this modified version of the Sword Control Technique is so cheap—only eighty-five Spirit Stones."
"Fellow Daoist, make your choice."
Having said his piece, the Elderly Shopkeeper showed no further interest. Clearly, his patience had reached its limit.
Across from him, Han Yi hesitated, torn between the seven spells. He quickly dismissed the Water Manipulation Technique and the Bright Eye Technique due to their limitations, leaving him undecided about the remaining five.
This was proving difficult.
Noticing Han Yi's indecision, the Elderly Shopkeeper shot him a sidelong glance. Such hesitation was common in his line of work.
"What's so difficult about this?" he said. "When it comes to spells, always buy the most expensive one."
"The priciest isn't necessarily the best, but it's certainly better than the cheap ones. Otherwise, why would it be priced higher?"
The words struck Han Yi like a thunderbolt, snapping him out of his dilemma.
He suddenly understood. It was just like shopping in a department store in his previous life: the more expensive items were statistically more likely to be of higher quality.
"Alright, Shopkeeper, I'll take the Sword Control Technique."
Having made up his mind, Han Yi resolved to purchase the other spells next time.
The Elderly Shopkeeper's expression softened slightly. An eighty-five Spirit Stone sale might not be a fortune, but it was still a decent little profit.
Moments later, Han Yi emerged from the Lei Family Merchant Guild, a Technique Transmission Jade Disk containing the Sword Control Technique now stored in his Storage Pouch. He bypassed the other stalls, hurrying straight to the Profound Fire Pill Shop.