I have the face of a great demon.

Hua Laodao's gourd slowly landed in the open space in front of the village. He jumped off the gourd and turned to his two disciples, announcing:

“Disciples, the trading area is just ahead. Flying is prohibited inside, so we have to walk in.”

It seems that even this small trading place has its rules.

As Liu Xingchen pondered this, he and Tie Zhu jumped down from the gourd.

Hua Laodao made a hand seal, and the huge gourd shrank back to its normal size, falling into his hand and casually hanging it on his waist.

Tie Zhu stretched and said, "I've been sitting on this gourd for most of the day, my butt is numb. It's good to get up and move around."

After saying that, he turned to look at Liu Xingchen and was immediately startled.

"Brother Xingchen, what's wrong with you?"

Upon hearing this, Hua Laodao glanced at the object and was startled.

"Xingchen, are you perhaps having an attack of your illness?"

No wonder they asked the question. Liu Xingchen had a black plaster on his cheek, making his face look somewhat distorted and no longer handsome.

"It's alright, Master. It was just that the wind was too strong when I was sitting on the gourd, which triggered my facial paralysis. I'll put on a plaster to ease it up, and I'll be fine tomorrow."

Hua Laodao was a little speechless. His face went numb just from a breeze. His little disciple Xingchen's body was a bit weak.

However, not everyone is as strong as Tie Zhu; it cannot be forced.

Tie Zhu was relieved to know that Liu Xingchen was alright, and he even had the mind to make a mocking remark.

"Brother Xingchen, you're a bit weak. You'll need to practice with me more often in the future."

Liu Xingchen gave a helpless bitter smile; he had no other choice.

Although Hua Wufeng did not recognize him as a great demon, there were many cultivators in this trading area, so it was hard to say.

If someone thinks he's a great demon, then things will get really serious.

So after he got out of the gourd, he immediately put on a plaster to cover it up and prevent people from mistaking his face for a great demon.

It looks a bit ugly, but I can't care anymore.

The three walked along the pebble-paved path toward the village, where a figure was leisurely guarding the small stone bridge at the village entrance.

Upon seeing Hua Laodao, the man immediately flashed a warm smile and began shouting in a loud voice.

"Old Hua, you old codger, it's been a long time! I thought you were dead!"

"Go away! Yu Lao Er, you jinx. Even if you die, I won't."

Hua Laodao wasn't angry; he just laughed and scolded a few times. Clearly, the two were quite familiar with each other, and they were relaxed and at ease making jokes.

Yu Lao Er's gaze shifted to Liu Xingchen and Tie Zhu, and he asked again, "Who are these two?"

"These are my two new apprentices. Xingchen, Tiezhu, quickly call for help."

Liu Xingchen and the other person quickly and respectfully greeted, "Greetings, Senior Yu."

"Oh, very well. Oh dear, Old Hua, I never expected that you, this old Taoist priest, would take on a disciple. But what's wrong with your disciple's face?"

"Oh, it's nothing serious, just a minor ailment. A medicated plaster will do the trick."

Yu Lao Er clicked his tongue in amazement, it was rare to see a cultivator using plasters meant for mortals.

However, seeing that Liu Xingchen was still young, he must have not been a disciple for long and still retained some ordinary human habits, so I didn't ask any more questions.

He then turned to Hua Wufeng and asked:

"Master Hua, since you brought your disciples here today, would you like me to arrange a superior room for you? You can have a good rest."

Old Master Hua immediately waved his hand and said, "No need, no need. I'm attending the auction tonight and will be leaving soon. I won't trouble you."

After saying that, he grabbed his two apprentices and left, prompting Yu Lao Er to grumble behind him:

"That old Hua is still as stingy as ever."

As Tie Zhu walked, he scratched his head curiously and asked:

"Master, why don't we get a room and get some rest?"

“Silly apprentice, you think this is free? It costs money.”

Tie Zhu shrugged: "I have money."

Old Master Hua shook his head and patiently explained:

"Tiezhu, do you think we're using the ordinary gold and silver of mortals? Let me tell you, in the world of cultivation, we only use spirit crystals."

Spirit crystals? Upon hearing this term, Liu Xingchen thought to himself, "As expected, the cultivation world does have a currency system different from that of mortals."

This was common knowledge they needed to know to survive in the world of cultivation, so he and Tiezhu asked about spirit crystals.

Old Master Hua stroked his beard and said:

"Now that we're here, it's time to teach you some basic knowledge about trading in the cultivation world."

"The cultivation world does not recognize mortal wealth such as gold, silver, and copper coins; it only recognizes spirit crystals."

"Spirit crystals are obtained from spirit minerals formed from the spiritual veins of heaven and earth over millions of years."

"These spirit crystals contain a vast amount of spiritual energy, which can be used to replenish one's own spiritual power consumption and to provide spiritual power for formations. They are very useful and are essential for every cultivator. Therefore, they are also used as currency for transactions."

As he spoke, he reached into his robes, took out a money pouch, and pulled out a shiny object from inside.

"Look, this is a spirit crystal."

Liu Xingchen took it curiously and examined it carefully.

The spirit crystal was cut into thin, square slices, pure white and flawless, emitting very faint, barely perceptible waves of spiritual energy, unlike anything containing immense spiritual power.

However, when you touch this spirit crystal with your hand and actively explore it, you can sense that it contains a considerable amount of spiritual power.

After a moment's thought, Liu Xingchen understood the mystery.

If this spirit crystal constantly emits strong spiritual energy fluctuations, its internal spiritual energy will be rapidly depleted, and it may not be able to preserve its spiritual energy for thousands of years.

The creations of heaven are truly wondrous.

Tie Zhu took the spirit crystal and played with it for a while before reluctantly returning it to Hua Laodao.

"Master, I really don't have this thing."

“That’s right. A room costs 1 spirit crystal per day, which is too expensive.”

"Many people just find a shady spot, sit down, meditate, and that's it. Why waste spirit crystals?"

Hua Wufeng's words convinced Liu Xingchen and the other person. Without spirit crystals, it would be difficult to make any progress in the cultivation world, let alone rent a house.

So Liu Xingchen asked Hua Laodao how to earn spirit crystals.

Old Master Hua laughed and said, "This is why I had you carry a bundle of spiritual herbs here. Come, come, I'll teach you how to earn your first pot of spiritual crystals."

After saying that, Hua Laodao led the two men into a road in the village.

Along both sides of the road, various kinds of stalls were set up in twos and threes.

The vendors hawked all sorts of items needed by cultivators, from elixirs to pills, from magical treasures to cultivation techniques, a dazzling array that was hard to resist.

Some stall owners even offered to sell Liu Xingchen and his companion martial arts techniques and spells, seeing their exceptional talent.

These goods made the two of them drool, but unfortunately they didn't have a single spirit crystal in their pockets, so they could only drool in vain.

This made Tie Zhu very anxious, and he pulled his master aside to ask how to earn spirit crystals.

Old Master Hua had them find an open space, put down the bundle on Tie Zhu's body, and then laid out all the spiritual herbs they had brought, saying:

"That's easy. You can set up a stall here and sell these medicinal herbs, then you'll get spirit crystals."

"All the spirit crystals sold this time are yours. Do a good job."