Living steadily in the world of gods and mystery

Just need to draw three talismans each day.

Even if only half succeed, life would be incredibly comfortable.

...

Following that, Chen Li bargained with the stall owner for a while, finally settling on a price of five low-grade Spirit Stones.

"Sigh, my bargaining skills have weakened so much," Chen Li put away the book, stood up, and lamented in his heart, "After having money, I no longer have the shameless determination I used to have!"

After browsing through the market, he decided to head back home. Just as he stepped out of the market, a familiar voice came from behind.

"Chen!?"

Turning towards the voice, Chen Li saw Yu Fan Zhen. His expression changed slightly, "Fellow Daoist, are you mistaken?"

Today, he had gone out with his actual appearance.

He wasn’t disguised as the meat-selling buffoon.

"So this is your true face," Yu Fan Zhen said with certainty, her eyes curiously sizing up Chen Li. She thought to herself, so he looks so fierce when disguised, but his actual face is quite amiable.

Chen Li now felt calm and no longer pretended, saying curiously, "How did you recognize me?"

Being recognized wasn’t a big deal. He could simply go out less in the future.

"Your walking posture and the sword you carry are unique in the entire Green River District. Besides, I was the intermediary when you bought this sword!" Yu Fan Zhen said with a laugh, poised and confident once again.

"I see!" Chen Li understood immediately and smiled, "I was careless this time. I’ll be sure to be more cautious next time."

"With your strength being so formidable, why bother with disguises?" Yu Fan Zhen asked.

She really lacks a societal thrashing.

"There’s a saying that one can be a thief for a thousand days, but one can’t guard against a thief for a thousand days. To live a long life, one must either develop a power base or learn to keep a low profile. I’ve just chosen the latter!" Using this conversation as an opportunity, Chen Li probed for news of the outside world:

"I’ve heard things are even worse outside than here, with wars raging. Do you know the current situation?"

At these words, Yu Fan Zhen frowned slightly, her expression worried, "I don’t know much either. These matters are arranged by the elders. But in recent months, the use of Communication Talismans has increased greatly, so it should be ending soon. Alas, I don’t know where we’ll have to relocate to after that."

Chen Li couldn’t help but empathize and fell silent as well.

Given the current situation, without the protection of a powerful force, the Green River District is doomed to gradually fade away. He contemplated his own future directions, his heart filled with nothing but uncertainty.

But wherever he went,

it would certainly be much better than staying in the Green River District.

"Let’s not talk about this anymore!" Chen Li changed the subject, a thought struck him, and he started coveting the storage magic item, "Last time I saw you storing meat in what seemed to be a storage bag. I’m curious about the price of such an item. Fellow Daoist, would you happen to have a spare one for me?"

It might come in handy if they had to relocate.

The least it would do is save him the trouble of carrying luggage.

"You want one of those? Actually, I do have a spare. It only has a space of one cubic meter. You don’t mind, do you?" Yu Fan Zhen’s eyes lit up as she spoke.

As a member of a family clan, objects like storage bags, magical instruments, and medicines are distributed by the family based on favorability.

She was also strapped for cash and didn’t have much extra money.

Now that she was representing her family outside, she often needed to buy certain items and her original storage bag was no longer sufficient. Consequently, her elder gave her a larger one.

And she had long wanted to sell the surplus storage bag for Spirit Stones.

She just wasn’t sure whom to sell it to. 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

"Naturally, I don’t mind," Chen Li said.

A cubic meter of space.

Couldn’t transport much Demon Beast Meat.

But for carrying some miscellaneous items, it was enough.

"This kind of storage bag usually goes for one top-grade Spirit Stone outside. I won’t make any profit off you, let’s say... eighty mid-grade Spirit Stones will do," Yu Fan Zhen thought for a moment before quoting a price.

Chen Li was inwardly taken aback.

Storage bags were that expensive!

He was somewhat pained but still gritted his teeth and said:

"Alright, it’s a deal. I’ll bring the money and come to the Yu Family’s medicine shop first thing tomorrow morning to find you."

"I’ll make sure to get there early in the morning," Yu Fan Zhen was equally pleased.

...

The next day, early in the morning.

As dawn broke,

Chen Li, with his money ready, hurried to the market without delay.

On the way, he transformed back into the meat seller.

But little did he know, Yu Fan Zhen had gotten up even earlier and was already waiting at the entrance.

The two entered a private room reserved for receiving distinguished guests, both feeling a bit nervous. When the attendant brought in tea and withdrew after bowing, closing the door behind him,

The atmosphere finally relaxed.

"I’m really not used to this face," joked Yu Fan Zhen.

"Haha!" Chen Li chuckled twice and got straight to the point, "Did you bring the thing?"

Yu Fan Zhen took a deep breath and handed over a nondescript little bag that was unremarkable and gray, "Here it is!"

Chen Li reached out to take it.

The storage bag was made of leather, its material indiscernible, feeling very soft and smooth to the touch. The opening naturally closed tightly, emitting a faint fluctuation: "How do I use this thing?"

"It’s quite simple to use. First, refine it with your Spiritual Power. After that, you can use it by just thinking about it, much like how you use a Magic Artifact."

Hearing this, Chen Li tentatively infused it with Spiritual Power.

At first, it was extremely difficult, but as the Spiritual Power continued to pour in, it quickly got smoother. The Spiritual Power itself contained his will, and the original imprint on the storage bag was rapidly overwhelmed.

Yu Fan Zhen seemed to have a reaction.

She let out a muffled grunt.

Her face involuntarily turned red.

Chen Li gave her a surprised look but was too preoccupied to care about her at the moment. As he continued to refine it with his Spiritual Power and imprinted his own mark, an indistinct gray space began to emerge in his mind, seeming round, yet not quite...

’Store’

The teacup on the table didn’t budge.

He grasped the teacup with his hand.

In his mind, he thought ’Store’ again.

The teacup vanished instantly and at the same time, the vanished teacup appeared in the space.

It seemed contact with the body was necessary.

’Release’

The teacup reappeared in his hand quickly, not a drop of water spilled.

He went on to put his sword talisman, money bag, and tried to put them into the storage bag, then took them out one by one, playing to his heart’s content.

"How do you feel about it?" asked Yu Fan Zhen, amused as she watched Chen Li.

"I can’t help but be overjoyed at such find; this thing is truly magical." Chen Li snapped back to reality and smiled, "Eighty Mid-grade Spirit Stones, right?"

He took out a bulging money bag and pushed it over, "Here are exactly eighty. Count them."

This time, it was Yu Fan Zhen’s turn to be short of breath.

Her fingers trembled slightly as she counted twice before putting the stones into the money bag, then composed herself, "The count is accurate!"

The transaction between the two was completed without much further conversation, and Chen Li soon took his leave.

...

Walking back home.

"Two hundred ninety-five Mid-grade Spirit Stones, and just like that eighty are gone! Although it seems like a lot of money, it doesn’t last that long when you start spending it. Still, necessary expenses must be made. With the storage bag, traveling will be much more convenient." Chen Li sighed to himself:

"Luckily, aside from medicinal pills, there are no major expenses coming up."

The reason it wasn’t two hundred eighty-one but two hundred ninety-five stones.

Was because, over the past month, Zhao Lin and others had sold eight Low-grade Magical Instruments and one Mid-grade Magical Instrument. Combined with the income from reselling Zhang Yan’s talismans, they earned a total of fourteen Mid-grade Spirit Stones.

Chen Li walked back home.

Zhou Hong had just gotten up and was dressing herself up in front of a bronze mirror.

"Look at this nice thing I’ve got for you!" Chen Li took out the storage bag and waved it in front of her.

Zhou Hong was confused, "What’s this?"

"A storage bag!" replied Chen Li.

"This is a storage bag? Where did you buy it?" Zhou Hong touched the storage bag, her face a mixture of disbelief.

Such an item, she had only ever heard of but had never actually seen.

Those who owned one were either Sect Disciples or Foundation Establishment cultivators, all high above, nothing to do with Loose Cultivators.

"Naturally, it’s from the Yu Family. I’ll buy one for you too when I get the chance."

"It’s fine if you have one, I don’t need it. It must be expensive," Zhou Hong said with a pained expression.

"It cost eighty Mid-grade Spirit Stones, we still have money at home, we could afford to buy a few more."

"Really, no need. I don’t have much to put in it. Buying one for me would be a waste. We have a lot of expenses at home, we should save where we can. Who knows if there might be some big expenses in the future," whispered Zhou Hong.

"Don’t worry, I have a handle on our finances."

One day, he would never have to worry about money again!

Chen Li thought to himself.