Infinite Professions from a Pearl Collector

’It seems I can’t stay in Qingzhou Prefecture City any longer.’

’I have to leave as soon as possible!’

’But before I go, I need to turn all this money I have into tangible strength.’

At this thought, Chen Ye turned back to his room and locked the door tightly.

He poured all the money he had earned over the past few days, along with his initial capital, onto the table.

Silver notes, golden leaves, and scattered pieces of broken silver formed a small mountain.

In total, it was three thousand eight hundred and twenty-seven taels of silver.

To his former self, this sum of money would have been absolutely astronomical.

But Chen Ye knew very well that this amount was nothing when it came to real Cultivation.

Putting other things aside, just a single Cultivation Technique that could be practiced up to the Inner Realm would likely cost over ten thousand taels of silver—and might not even be available for purchase.

The money he had now was, at most, enough to buy some Elixir Pills and a Cultivation Technique suitable for the Sea Condensation Realm.

’So I have to be careful with every penny.’

Chen Ye took a deep breath, gathered up the money again, a hint of determination flashing in his eyes.

’Tomorrow, I’ll go to the trade fair, spend all my money, and then leave this troublesome place!’

The next day, just as dawn was breaking, Chen Ye left the inn.

Su Yuan was still sound asleep, so Chen Ye didn’t wake her.

There were already a few pedestrians on the streets of Qingzhou Prefecture City, most of them Cultivators in a hurry just like him, rushing to the stall area of the trade fair to try their luck.

Chen Ye didn’t go to the stall area; instead, he walked straight toward the magnificent pavilion in the city center.

That was the Core Area of the entire trade fair.

Compared to the motley collection of stalls outside, the items sold inside the pavilion were the real treasures.

Of course, the prices were also far beyond what the cheap goods at the outdoor stalls could compare to.

Entering the pavilion required a ten-tael silver entrance fee, which directly turned away over ninety percent of the Loose Cultivators.

Chen Ye paid the fee, received a wooden token, and walked inside without a problem.

The space inside the pavilion was immense, divided into several areas selling Elixir Pills, Magical Artifacts, Cultivation Techniques, materials, and more—a dazzling and exhaustive array of goods.

The Cultivators coming and going all had steady auras; the lowest Cultivation level among them was the Unobstructed Realm, and one could even spot several masters at the Sea Condensation Realm.

Chen Ye didn’t wander around aimlessly. His goal was very clear.

First, a Cultivation Technique.

Although the Golden Toad Qi Swallowing Technique he was currently practicing was effective, it was ultimately just a Basic Technique. At most, it could only support his Cultivation up to the Peak of the Unobstructed Realm.

Once he broke through to the Sea Condensation Realm and his Inner Qi transformed into True Essence, using this technique would become extremely inefficient.

𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

Therefore, he had to find a follow-up Cultivation Technique before his breakthrough.

Chen Ye walked straight to the Cultivation Technique Area.

Here, the Cultivation Technique Jade Scrolls were all shrouded in a faint barrier of light, with a simple description next to each one.

"Blazing Fire Skill: A Fire Attribute Cultivation Method. When cultivated to Great Success, it can condense Blazing True Essence, capable of boiling rivers and seas. Price: three thousand taels of silver."

"Profound Water Spell: A Water Attribute Cultivation Method. Produces vast and unceasing True Essence. Price: three thousand two hundred taels of silver."

"Thick Earth Skill: An Earth Attribute Cultivation Method. Specializes in defense, making one as steady as Mount Tai. Price: two thousand eight hundred taels of silver."

...

Chen Ye’s heart twitched as he read through the list.

’Too expensive!’

’And these are all just the most common, run-of-the-mill techniques. Single attribute, nothing special, yet they still cost around three thousand taels.’

He only had a little over three thousand eight hundred taels of silver in total. If he bought one Cultivation Technique, he wouldn’t have much left.

’Damn it, Cultivation really burns through money,’ Chen Ye cursed inwardly, patiently continuing to look.

He hoped to find one with a better cost-to-performance ratio, ideally one that was a direct successor to the Golden Toad Qi Swallowing Technique and could be seamlessly integrated. That would save him a lot of trouble.

The core of the Golden Toad Qi Swallowing Technique was absorbing the moon’s essence at night and the purple mist at dawn, taking in the Sun and Moon Essence.

Therefore, the Qi Refining Technique he was looking for should also be related to the sun, moon, and stars.

After searching for a long time, Chen Ye’s gaze was finally drawn to a plain-looking Jade Scroll in the corner.

The description next to the Jade Scroll was very simple.

"Star River Qi Refining Technique: Allows one to draw upon the Power of the Stars to temper True Essence. The cultivation threshold is high, requiring a practitioner with a powerful Divine Spirit. Price: 1,500 taels of silver."

Because the threshold was high, it was sold quite cheaply, but this was a perfect fit for Chen Ye.

Moreover, the technique’s characteristic of drawing upon the Power of the Stars was a perfect match for his Golden Toad Qi Swallowing Technique, which absorbed the Sun and Moon Essence.

’This is the one!’

Chen Ye no longer hesitated. He called over an attendant, paid 1,500 taels of silver, and bought the Star River Qi Refining Technique Jade Scroll.

Then, without stopping, he rushed to the Elixir Area.

The Elixir Pills here were even more varied and dazzling.

"Qi Gathering Pill: Aids Cultivation, increases Inner Qi. One hundred taels per bottle of ten."

"Qi and Blood Pill: Replenishes Qi and blood, a sacred healing medicine. Two hundred taels per bottle of five."

"Nascent Condensation Pill: Helps Unobstructed Realm Cultivators condense True Essence, increasing the chance of breaking through to the Sea Condensation Realm. One thousand taels per pill!"

Seeing the price of the Nascent Condensation Pill, Chen Ye’s eyelid twitched again.

’One thousand taels for a single pill!’

’The money I have left is only enough to buy two of them.’

’But this thing really is good stuff.’

Although he had a feeling it wouldn’t take him long to break through to the Sea Condensation Realm, having the aid of an Elixir Pill would make it a safer bet.

"I’ll take one Nascent Condensation Pill," Chen Ye said, gritting his teeth.

And just like that, one thousand taels of silver were gone.

As for the rest of the money, he spent it all on Qi Gathering Pills and Qi and Blood Pills.

The Qi and Blood Pills were for saving his life, while the Qi Gathering Pills were consumables for daily Cultivation.

After buying the Elixir Pills, Chen Ye only had a few hundred taels left.