Druid in the Xianxia world

Chapter 19: Soul-hosting Moss
While Zhong Cang was watching, Yaxin had already introduced him to Zhong Cang with a smile.

"This is what you want, spores that can absorb spiritual energy and reproduce by dividing... spore-like organisms, that should be the name. However, I am more accustomed to calling these things in front of me spiritual moss."

"It can parasitize other creatures, growing and reproducing by consuming spiritual energy and blood."

"Ordinary spirit-hosting mosses have rather demanding growth requirements. They require abundant spiritual land, a moist environment, wood, living things, and decaying matter for them to inhabit. To better complete your task, I spent a long time finally finding a spirit-hosting moss that had transformed into a demon. By the time we found it, it had already taken over a large area. To collect the core mycelium, we even enlisted the help of someone who had forged a foundation of Dao."

"However, although it took some time and effort, I have finally completed the task entrusted to me by you. I wonder if Master Zhong is satisfied."

“Satisfied, or even exceeded expectations.”

Looking at the soul-hosting moss and feeling the rich wood-type spiritual energy in it, Zhong Cang's eyes lit up.

'This can even serve as the basis for my enlightenment.'

Don’t think that Zhong Cang attaches too much importance to the soul-parasitic moss. Some knowledge from his previous life has allowed Zhong Cang to use the soul-parasitic moss in another way.

Zhong Cang was satisfied, and Yaxin was also satisfied.

"As long as you are satisfied, sir. If you need anything, you can take these things away now. I wonder if sir, Zhong, are you ready to pay now, or should we send the bill to Manager Shen?"

"Forehead……"

After saying this, Zhong Cang's expression immediately became a little dull.

Such an expression also made the half-demon girl named Yaxin stunned for a moment.

She is naturally not a purely kind person. She also did her research before doing anything for Zhong Cang.

In her opinion, it was easy for Zhong Cang to pay off the current payment for the goods.

After all, not to mention his good relationship with the Shen family, even his talent as a second-class spiritual root made many people want to make friends with him - she, Yaxin, also had the idea of ​​making friends with him, which was why she worked so hard. She didn't even plan to make any money by doing this for Zhong Cang.

In this era of doing business, the connections of the strong are much more important than simple money.

"From this expression, has Master Zhong fallen out with the Shen family? But I remember there were several wealthy businessmen interested in him and wanted to marry him to improve the family's genes. He shouldn't be short of money, right?"

Just when Zhong Cang was embarrassed and didn't know what to say, and Yaxin was lost in thought, an elegant and crisp voice broke the awkward atmosphere in the room.

"I'll pay the money first... Zuo He."

After hearing the order, Zuo He came to Yaxin helplessly and asked her how much money she paid.

However, upon hearing this question, Yaxin did not answer immediately. Instead, she covered her face with a fan to hide the shock... and horror on her face.

As a businessman, and a fairly big one at that, the people in Youyun Chamber of Commerce naturally attach great importance to the collection of information. Therefore, Yaxin knows Shuang Lingxue and knows her status in Xuehu City.

Yet, she was willing to pay for Zhong Cang. Thinking of the embarrassed look on Zhong Cang's face when he mentioned the Shen family, some gossipy guesses started to emerge in her mind.

However, although she was curious about the specific details of the matter, Yaxin was still very capable. She concealed the surprise on her face and quickly responded to Zuo He's questions.

"Only six hundred taels will be enough."

Because of Shuang Lingxue's arrival, Yaxin paid more attention to Zhong Cang. Therefore, her offer was lower and she could only barely break even.

……

Zuo He and Ya Xin were trading over there. Zhong Cang looked at Shuang Lingxue and breathed a sigh of relief at first, but soon he sighed again.

"Thank you... Are you sure you want to know how to change this?"

"Well, please help me, Senior Brother Zhong." Looking at the pleading look in Shuang Lingxue's eyes, thinking about the refugees outside the city and the money he needed to practice Taoism, Zhong Cang finally had a slightly bolder idea.

"This is not the place to talk."

Shuang Lingxue echoed this statement, nodding repeatedly and saying, "Brother, you're right. Lingxue has been a little neglectful of you. Let's go to Baoyuxuan. The food there is delicious."

While Zhong Cang was negotiating with Shuang Lingxue, Zuo He had also made a deal with Yaxin.

With the payment of six hundred taels of silver, the soul-supporting moss officially fell into Zhong Cang's hands.

But now Zhong Cang didn't care about all this. He followed Shuang Lingxue and came to a private room in Baoyuxuan and started eating first.

Just as Shuang Lingxue said, the food here is delicious and extremely nutritious.

The Fire Pufferfish Guiyuan Soup replenishes Qi and blood, the White Jade Lotus Root replenishes magic power, and the Tranquil Tea nourishes the soul. After eating this meal, Zhong Cang felt as if he had practiced for three or five days, and his strength had greatly improved.

However, all this did not make Zhong Cang happy, but instead made his expression even more heavy.

"Resources are so important. Without some means, I would never be able to catch up with those powerful and wealthy children in terms of cultivation."

The stark reality makes children from poor families feel powerless, but this is also an extremely normal thing - others have worked hard for generations and thousands of years, so why do you think you can catch up with them in just ten years of hard study?

"If we don't want to fall behind, we must implement that bold idea."

After eating and drinking, Zhong Cang made a decision and gave a slight signal, and Li Yan went out.

Zuo He on the opposite side also left on his own initiative under Shuang Lingxue's gaze.

But before leaving, he was extremely worried and warned Zhong Cang: "Brother Zhong, I think you are smart, so don't do anything unnecessary. Some people are not something you can spy on..."

"Zuo He!"

Shuang Lingxue blushed at the subordinate's blunt words and started to scold him. In response, Zuo He raised his hands repeatedly in a gesture of surrender.

"Miss, I have no choice. The eldest master asked me to pay attention to the people around you and protect you. If you are bullied, the eldest master will break my legs."

Hearing this, without waiting for Shuang Lingxue to say anything, Zhong Cang took the initiative to smile and said, "Brother Zuo, please rest assured. I still have self-awareness and would not dare to cause trouble."

After a commotion, Li Yan and Zuo He finally left, leaving only Zhong Cang and Shuang Lingxue in the room.

Facing the other party's inquiring eyes, Zhong Cang also said frankly: "The policy of refugees is actually very easy to solve. We don't have famine here at all. It's the distribution problem that has caused the refugees everywhere. The energy contained in spiritual food is hundreds of times that of ordinary food. As long as the wealthy families donate more and reduce some taxes, those poor people will be able to live well."

These words made Shuang Lingxue's face turn pale and she clenched her fists tightly.

She is a member of a prominent family.

What surprised Zhong Cang a little was that he originally thought that with her kind character, she would not scold him even if she was dissatisfied with his words. This was also the reason why Zhong Cang dared to speak frankly.

What he didn't expect was that Shuang Lingxue... not only did she not scold him, but she had done more than he could have imagined.

"I, I once mentioned this to my brother, asking him to reduce the taxes on the civilians under our rule. He was persuaded by me and reduced them somewhat, but our control is limited. People outside the family won't listen to my advice...even some of the elders in our family won't listen to me."

"Furthermore, the reason civilians became refugees and rushed to Snow Lake City wasn't just hunger, but also the cold and the invasion of demonic evil spirits."

"In order to fight against the demons, we need to build an armed force and train monks... This will cost a lot of money."

(End of this chapter)