"It is indeed the origin produced by the Cyan Ghost with a hundred years of Dao practice, though somewhat incomplete. This item can be used to cultivate the Soul Dao Secret Technique and is often in short supply for crafting many Magical Artifacts, with demand exceeding supply."
"For such quality Cyan Essence, I can offer two thousand seven Low-Grade Spirit Stones."
After careful examination, the shopkeeper provided a relatively unbiased conclusion and, after a moment of consideration, quoted a price.
This time, Zheng Yi did not hesitate and agreed directly.
Soon, he also purchased a Mid-grade Storage Pouch for two hundred Spirit Stones.
Zheng Yi glanced and carefully verified the count, then collected all the Spirit Stones, turned around, and was about to leave when he heard the shopkeeper's voice from behind.
"Fellow Daoist, if you have more Cyan Essence of this quality, our store is willing to increase the purchase price by ten percent."
Upon hearing this, Zheng Yi gave no feedback and turned to walk out, leaving the shopkeeper's attitude ambiguous.
Watching Zheng Yi's departing figure, an odd expression flashed in the shopkeeper's eyes.
He vaguely felt that this customer probably still had Cyan Essence in his possession, but lacking evidence, he asked nonetheless.
The customer appeared to be extremely alert, offering no response as he left, leaving the shopkeeper momentarily indecisive.
Money stirs ambition; if there was a stable avenue to obtain Cyan Essence or Cyan Ghosts, he would surely contact his employer to seize this channel and hold it firmly in hand.
Exiting the main door and walking a distance, Zheng Yi turned into another passage, finally releasing a breath.
He did genuinely feel the shopkeeper's gaze continually focused on him, not daring to show any panic.
Once a flaw was detected, the coming consequences were unpredictable.
Fortunately, Zheng Yi had concerns, so he only took out one bottle of Cyan Essence. Had he produced two at once, things might have developed in a different direction.
If it weren't for his Spirit Stones nearly running out and the need to trade the Cyan Essence, he might have been directly driven out of the inn soon.
He still held Zombie Crystal Cores but was adamant about not selling them.
Because such items have never been heard of in the Cultivation Realm.
Once revealed, it would undoubtedly cause major troubles.
Now, he had other cultivation materials without the Spirit Stones to purchase them; thus, Zheng Yi had to sell the Cyan Essence refined from the Cyan Ghost.
In reality, directly selling the Cyan Ghost could fetch a higher value.
But Zheng Yi would never consider it.
The reason is simple: it's too dangerous.
Who knows how many methods cultivators have to extract desired information from ghosts?
Though the Cyan Ghost isn't highly intelligent, it still possesses basic reasoning.
Bringing an intelligent creature from the Doomsday World into the cultivation realm and being detected could be a colossal blunder.
Now, the Doomsday World to Zheng Yi is like the foundation of the Great Dao.
Like a dragon's reverse scale, all who touch it must perish.
Just perhaps Zheng Yi underestimated the significance of Cyan Essence.
Gathering his composure, Zheng Yi changed his appearance again and continued to the next shop.
He traded the third Cyan Essence formed by refining a Cyan Ghost for two thousand six Low-Grade Spirit Stones.
By now, the two bottles of Cyan Essence had sold for over 5000 Low-Grade Spirit Stones, making his previously emaciated wallet quite plump.
This successful transaction undoubtedly gave Zheng Yi an idea.
The Doomsday World contained countless Resentful Ghosts and Fierce Ghosts of varying strength, alongside a terrifying number of zombies and monsters.
If these resources from the Doomsday World could be sold in the Great Yi City Immortal Realm, it would undoubtedly be a profitable trade.
Of course, Zheng Yi's strength needs to grow stronger for this.
If Zheng Yi ever publicly sold cultivation resources more precious than Cyan Essence without sufficient strength, he would certainly be targeted.
Carrying treasure through a crowded market, just having it is a crime, enough to keep him wary.
Even if trading resources, Zheng Yi would never bring live entities into the Great Yi City Immortal Realm.
At most, it would be refined semi-finished products.
Anything that could potentially expose his secret absolutely cannot circulate.
This is his own secret.
Without the Doomsday World, Zheng Yi would merely be a mediocre cultivator, likely toiling his entire life to reach the Qi Cultivation Seventh Layer as his limit; as for Foundation Establishment, not even a dream.
Zheng Yi has clear thinking and would never trade future prospects for immediate profit from Spirit Stones.
After completing the transaction, Zheng Yi turned at the corner, quickly changed his attire, and departed.
Though Zheng Yi isn't sure if changing outfits can evade pursuit, it offers a layer of protection, which should help somewhat.
...
Without further delay or returning directly to the inn, Zheng Yi headed straight to the Blood Mist Abyss City's foothold of the Soul Catching Sect.
His situation was urgent, as the cultivation techniques provided by the Soul Catching Sect's Outer Disciples only reach the Middle Stage of Qi Cultivation.
Such as the Black Evil Technique he obtained, it abruptly ends after Qi Cultivation Fifth Layer.
The cultivation technique given to Outer Disciples only contains the first five layers; to acquire the complete subsequent technique requires visiting the sect's headquarters and formally becoming a disciple before access is granted.
This is the Soul Catching Sect's method of recruiting talent, as for any Cultivation Sect, be it orthodox or Demon Dao, large or small, the transmission of cultivation techniques is of great importance.
Early-stage techniques are dispensable and naturally can be provided to nominal Outer Disciples just like bait in fishing.
If you want to continue cultivating, fine, come to the sect's base, where entire cultivation techniques are available; just come, and you can cultivate.
It's like with the bait tossed out, is there any fear the fish won't bite?
Not just cultivation techniques, for Zheng Yi to upgrade the Soul-Catching Banner, related materials and refining advancement methods are all within the sect's base.
Meaning, unless intending to switch allegiance, the sect's base must be visited.
According to Zheng Yi's understanding, having successfully broken through to Qi Cultivation Fourth Layer, which is the Middle Stage of Qi Cultivation, he can apply for the status of Inner Sect Disciple within the Soul Catching Sect.
This is because within the Demon Realm's Soul Catching Sect, it is only considered a small sect, not a sufficiently powerful demon cultivation faction; hence the quality of recruited disciples varies greatly.
Qi Cultivation Fourth Layer already counts as the Middle Stage of the Qi Cultivation Stage and is enough to become an Inner Sect Disciple.
In those powerful Demon Sects, at least the High Tier of Qi Cultivation is required to potentially become an Inner Sect Disciple.
Entering once again into the Soul Catching Sect's sub-branch base at Blood Mist Abyss City, Zheng Yi mainly debated if his arrival was too hasty.
If the Outer Sect Steward Elder Gongsun, whom he once bribed, remained, would he see through anything?
After all, his cultivation advancement, though within reasonable bounds, has indeed been quite rapid.