“ shū ， qiú nǐ le ， wǒ zhǐ yào yī zhū qīng líng cǎo 。”
“叔，求你了，我只要一株轻灵草。”
"Uncle, please, I just need one light spirit herb."
“ ràng nǐ gǔn ， tīng jiàn méi yǒu ？” zhǎng guì de shēn shàng ， sàn fà chū dàn dàn de líng qì bō dòng ， sì hū yǐ zhǔn bèi yào dòng shǒu 。
“让你滚，听见没有？”掌柜的身上，散发出淡淡的灵气波动，似乎已准备要动手。
"Get lost, do you hear me?" The shopkeeper emitted a faint aura of essence energy, indicating his readiness to make a move.
“ zhè rén shì shuí ？”
“这人是谁？”
"Who is this person?"
lín xuān zǒu le guò lái ， yǎn zhōng shǎn guò yī sī yí sè ， zhè kǔ kǔ āi qiú de qīng nián ， dà yuē èr shí zuǒ yòu ， kě què sī háo líng lì yě méi yǒu ， xiǎn rán ， jǐn jǐn shì yī pǔ tōng rén bà le 。
林轩走了过来，眼中闪过一丝疑色，这苦苦哀求的青年，大约二十左右，可却丝毫灵力也没有，显然，仅仅是一普通人罢了。
Lin Xuan approached and noticed a hint of suspicion in his eyes. The young man, around twenty years old, was pleading desperately, but he showed no signs of essence energy; clearly, he was just an ordinary mortal.
“ duì bù qǐ ， qián bèi ， dǎ rǎo nǐ le 。” zhǎng guì lián máng zhuǎn guò tóu ， liǎn shàng yòu huàn le yī fù hé qì de biǎo qíng ， tǎo hǎo zhe péi xiào 。
“对不起，前辈，打扰你了。”掌柜连忙转过头，脸上又换了一副和气的表情，讨好着陪笑。
"I'm sorry, senior, I didn't mean to disturb you," the shopkeeper quickly turned his head, putting on a pleasant expression and trying to appease him with a smile.
lín xuān méi yǒu shuō huà ， yī rán jiù zhè me dàn dàn de kàn zhe tā 。
林轩没有说话，依然就这么淡淡的看着他。
Lin Xuan remained silent, still staring at him with a calm demeanor.
gǎn jué dào lín xuān yǎn zhōng de bù mǎn ， zhǎng guì cā le cā é tóu shàng de lěng hàn ， yī wèi zhù jī qī xiū shì kě bú shì tā néng gòu dé zuì de ， lián máng jī líng de jiě shì le qǐ lái ：“ cǐ rén wú lì ， qí fù yuán běn yě shì yī míng xiū xiān zhě ， kě tā què méi yǒu líng gēn ， zhǐ shì pǔ tōng de fán rén 。”
感觉到林轩眼中的不满，掌柜擦了擦额头上的冷汗，一位筑基期修士可不是他能够得罪的，连忙机灵的解释了起来：“此人吴立，其父原本也是一名修仙者，可他却没有灵根，只是普通的凡人。”
Feeling Lin Xuan's dissatisfaction, the shopkeeper wiped away his forehead sweat. A Foundation Establishment stage cultivator was not someone he could afford to offend. He quickly explained: "This person is Wu Li. His father used to be a cultivator here as well, but he lacks a spirit root and is just an ordinary mortal."
“ fán rén ？” lín xuān suī rán yǐ jīng kàn chū wú lì bù céng xiū xiān ， dàn tīng dào zhè lǐ ， yī rán yǎn shì bú zhù yǎn zhōng de jīng yà zhī yì ：“ fán rén zěn me néng gòu lái zhè lǐ ？”
“凡人？”林轩虽然已经看出吴立不曾修仙，但听到这里，依然掩饰不住眼中的惊讶之意：“凡人怎么能够来这里？”
"An ordinary mortal?" Lin Xuan had already deduced that Wu Li wasn't a cultivator, but the surprise in his eyes was evident when he heard this: "How could an ordinary mortal come here?"
yě nán guài lín xuān hào qí ， jù tā suǒ zhī ， rèn hé xiū zhēn fāng shì de zhōu wéi ， dōu bù yǒu jìn zhì ， suī rán dōu shì zuì cū qiǎn de ， shǔ yú zhàng yǎn fǎ yī lèi de dōng xī ， jǐn jǐn xū yào líng yǎn shù ， jiù néng jiāng tā kàn pò ， dàn fán rén wú lùn rú hé yě bù kě néng chuǎng rù 。“
也难怪林轩好奇，据他所知，任何修真坊市的周围，都布有禁制，虽然都是最粗浅的，属于障眼法一类的东西，仅仅需要灵眼术，就能将它看破，但凡人无论如何也不可能闯入。“
Indeed, it was no wonder Lin Xuan was curious. According to what he knew, any cultivation market was surrounded byprohibition, though they were rudimentary and easily penetrated with essence vision techniques. An ordinary mortal would never be able to breach such barriers.
“ qián bèi yǒu suǒ bù zhī ， zhè wú lì de fù qīn yuán běn yě zài zhè fāng shì lǐ zuò shēng yì ， wú lì suī rán méi yǒu líng gēn ， què cóng xiǎo shēng zhǎng zài zhè lǐ ， tā fù qīn sǐ hòu ， wǒ men yě bù céng jiāng tā gǎn chū qù 。”
“前辈有所不知，这吴立的父亲原本也在这坊市里做生意，吴立虽然没有灵根，却从小生长在这里，他父亲死后，我们也不曾将他赶出去。”
"Senior, you don't know the full story. Wu Li's father used to do business in this market. Although Wu Li lacks a spirit root, he grew up here. After his father passed away, we didn't force him out."
lín xuān diǎn diǎn tóu ， rú guǒ jiāng tā niǎn zǒu ， fāng shì de wèi zhì fǎn ér huì bào lù ， zǒng bù néng jiāng tā shā le ， xiū zhēn zhě suī rán lěng xuè ， dàn hái bù zhì yú dào zhè ge chéng dù 。
林轩点点头，如果将他撵走，坊市的位置反而会暴露，总不能将他杀了，修真者虽然冷血，但还不至于到这个程度。
Lin Xuan nodded. If they had expelled him, their position would have been exposed. He couldn’t kill him; while cultivators were cold-hearted, they wouldn’t go to such extremes.
shuō qǐ lái ， zhè yě shì wú fǎ kě xiǎng de shì ， bì jìng líng gēn zhè zhǒng dōng xī ， wàn lǐ tiāo yī ， jiù suàn fù mǔ dōu shì xiū xiān zhě 。 yě bù guò shēng xià hái zi yōng yǒu líng gēn de jī lǜ dà yī xiē 。
说起来，这也是无法可想的事，毕竟灵根这种东西，万里挑一，就算父母都是修仙者。也不过生下孩子拥有灵根的几率大一些。
This was an unavoidable situation, after all. Spirit roots were rare, and even if both parents were cultivators, the chances of a child having one were still slim. Those without spirit roots often had worse fates when exposed to cultivation but couldn't practice it.
ér nà xiē méi yǒu líng gēn de hái zi 。 cóng xiǎo yǔ xiān dào jiē chù ， jié guǒ yòu wú fǎ xiū liàn ， mìng yùn fǎn ér gèng bēi cǎn 。 bì jìng bú shì rén rén dōu yǒu zì jǐ zhè yàng de yì lì ， hái hǎo yùn dé dào le lán sè xīng hǎi zhè zhǒng nì tiān de dōng xī 。
而那些没有灵根的孩子。从小与仙道接触，结果又无法修炼，命运反而更悲惨。毕竟不是人人都有自己这样的毅力，还好运得到了蓝色星海这种逆天的东西。
For someone like Wu Li, who would spend his entire life within this market, an ordinary mortal, living here must be incredibly difficult.
bǐ rú shuō xiàng wú lì zhè yàng 。 zhōng shēng bù néng tà chū fāng shì ， qū qū yí gè fán rén ér yǐ ， xiǎng bì zài zhè lǐ shēng huó ， shí fēn de xīn kǔ 。
比如说像吴立这样。终生不能踏出坊市，区区一个凡人而已，想必在这里生活，十分的辛苦。
Lin Xuan's gaze fell on him, prompting memories of his own past.
lín xuān de mù guāng luò zài tā de liǎn shàng ， bù yóu de huí yì qǐ le yǐ qián dì zì jǐ 。
林轩的目光落在他的脸上，不由得回忆起了以前地自己。
Wu Li also noticed the cultivator in front of him.
ér wú lì tóng yàng zhù yì dào le yǎn qián dì xiān shī 。
而吴立同样注意到了眼前地仙师。
Although he couldn’t determine Lin Xuan’s cultivation level precisely, the shopkeeper’s respectful demeanor suggested that at least he was a Foundation Establishment stage cultivator. To such cultivators, light spirit herbs were insignificant. His gaze seemed more kind than the shopkeeper's.
suī rán wú fǎ jù tǐ zhī dào tā de xiū wèi 。 bù guò kàn zhè lìn sè de zhǎng guì yī fù bì gōng bì jìng dì yàng zi ， kǒng pà zhì shǎo yě dào le zhù jī qī 。
虽然无法具体知道他的修为。不过看这吝啬的掌柜一副毕恭毕敬地样子，恐怕至少也到了筑基期。
Wu Li had a bold idea. Although risky, he thought of his mother on the sickbed and decided to take a chance.
qīng líng cǎo duì tā nà yàng de xiū xiān zhě ér yán ， jué duì bù zhí yī tí ， ér tā kàn zì jǐ dì yǎn shén ， xiǎn rán bǐ zhǎng guì yào hé ǎi yī xiē 。 wú lì de xīn zhōng ， bù yóu mào qǐ yí gè dà dǎn de niàn tou 。
轻灵草对他那样的修仙者而言，绝对不值一提，而他看自己地眼神，显然比掌柜要和蔼一些。吴立的心中，不由冒起一个大胆的念头。
He turned to Lin Xuan with hopeful and pleading eyes: "Senior cultivator, I have..."
suī rán hěn wēi xiǎn ， dàn xiǎng qǐ bìng chuáng shàng de mǔ qīn ， yě wéi yǒu yī pīn 。
虽然很危险，但想起病床上的母亲，也唯有一拼。
Before he could finish, the shopkeeper’s face changed, and he shouted loudly: "Dare you, Wu Li! You’ve been pestering me enough. How dare you offend a senior!"
tā chōng lín xuān zhuǎn guò tóu lái ， mǎn liǎn xī yì yǔ kěn qiú zhī sè ：“ xiān shī ， wǎn bèi zhè ér yǒu ……”
他冲林轩转过头来，满脸希翼与恳求之色：“仙师，晚辈这儿有……”
With a wave of his hand, a black light band shot out from his sleeve.
huà shàng wèi shuō huà ， nà zhǎng guì yǐ shì liǎn sè yī biàn ， dà shēng hē chì qǐ lái ：“ dà dǎn ， wú lì 。 nǐ zài wǒ zhè ér hú jiǎo mán chán yě jiù bà 。 jū rán hái gǎn mào fàn qián bèi ……”
话尚未说话，那掌柜已是脸色一变，大声呵斥起来：“大胆，吴立。你在我这儿胡搅蛮缠也就罢。居然还敢冒犯前辈……”
However, before it reached the young man's chest, it inexplicably disintegrated on its own. The shopkeeper’s expression froze for a moment but then he realized Lin Xuan had intervened.
shuō zhuó shǒu yī huī ， yī dào hēi sè de guāng dài zì xiù zhōng jī shè chū lái 。
说着手一挥，一道黑色的光带自袖中激射出来。
Anger flashed in his eyes, but he managed to hide it well. He continued with a pleading smile: "Senior, don't be fooled by this brat's flattery."
rán ér shàng wèi dào shào nián dì xiōng qián 。 què mò míng qí miào de zì jǐ fēn jiě diào ， zhǎng guì biǎo qíng yī dāi ， suí jí xǐng wù guò lái shì lín xuān chū shǒu 。
然而尚未到少年地胸前。却莫名其妙的自己分解掉，掌柜表情一呆，随即醒悟过来是林轩出手。
"Let me handle this," Lin Xuan spoke calmly, but there was an unshakable tone in his voice.
yǎn dǐ shǎn guò yī sī nù sè ， bù guò què jí hǎo de yǐn cáng qǐ lái le ， biǎo miàn shàng yī rán shì yī fù tǎo hǎo de biǎo qíng ：“ qián bèi ， nǐ bié bèi zhè xiǎo zi huā yán qiǎo yǔ mí huò 。”
眼底闪过一丝怒色，不过却极好的隐藏起来了，表面上依然是一副讨好的表情：“前辈，你别被这小子花言巧语迷惑。”
"Yes, yes!"
“ xíng le ， shì fēi qū zhí wǒ līn dé qīng ， nǐ qù zhǔn bèi yào cái jiù xíng 。” lín xuān yǔ qì píng hé ， rán ér lǐ miàn hán yǒu yī sī bù róng zhì yí zhī yì 。
“行了，是非曲直我拎得清，你去准备药材就行。”林轩语气平和，然而里面含有一丝不容置疑之意。
Feeling Lin Xuan’s dissatisfaction, the shopkeeper didn’t dare say more and bowed before retreating.
“ shì ， shì ！”
“是，是！”
"What are you standing around for? Go do your own work!"
gǎn jué dào lín xuān de bù mǎn ， zhǎng guì bù gǎn zài duō shuō shén me ， xíng lǐ tuì le xià qù 。
感觉到林轩的不满，掌柜不敢再多说什么，行礼退了下去。
Lin Xuan glanced at the two apprentices beside him. Their cultivation levels were even lower, just at the early Flexible Spirit stage. The pressure from a Foundation Establishment cultivator made them sweat profusely, but fortunately, it passed quickly. They were terrified and knew their senior had shown mercy. They didn’t dare say anything more as they scrambled into the shop.
“ nǐ men lèng zài zhè lǐ gàn má ， qù máng zì jǐ dì ba ！”
“你们愣在这里干嘛，去忙自己地吧！”
In truth, Lin Xuan’s actions had offended this store, but he didn't care. Compared to secular society, the cultivation world was even colder and harsher. But precisely because of that, people revered strength more than ever.
lín xuān kàn le yī yǎn páng biān de liǎng gè huǒ jì ， tā men de xiū wèi gèng dī ， yě jiù líng dòng chū qī ér yǐ ， zài zhù jī qī xiū shì de líng yā miàn qián ， hún shēn dà hán ， xìng hǎo nà yā lì yī shǎn jí shì ， liǎng rén xīn zhōng hài rán ， zhī dào zhè wèi qián bèi shǒu xià liú qíng ， yī jù huà yě bù gǎn duō shuō ， lián gǔn dài pá de pǎo jìn le wū zi 。
林轩看了一眼旁边的两个伙计，他们的修为更低，也就灵动初期而已，在筑基期修士的灵压面前，浑身大汗，幸好那压力一闪即逝，两人心中骇然，知道这位前辈手下留情，一句话也不敢多说，连滚带爬的跑进了屋子。
Whoever has the strongest fist is the boss. The store owner and apprentices were all low-ranking cultivators at the early Flexible Spirit stage, selling ordinary herbs with no backing from any powerful forces behind them.
shuō qǐ lái ， lín xuān cǐ jǔ ， yě suàn dé zuì le zhè jiā shāng pù ， rán ér tā què yì diǎn yě bù zài hū ， yǔ shì sú xiāng bǐ ， xiū zhēn jiè gèng jiā de lěng xuè ， gèng jiā de cán kù ， dàn yě zhèng yīn wèi zhè ge ， rén men gèng jiā de mí xìn qiáng zhě 。
说起来，林轩此举，也算得罪了这家商铺，然而他却一点也不在乎，与世俗相比，修真界更加的冷血，更加的残酷，但也正因为这个，人们更加的迷信强者。
So, offending them was nothing new; even if they harbored some resentment, they wouldn't dare show disrespect to a Foundation Establishment cultivator like him.
shéi de quán tou dà shuí jiù shì lǎo dà zhè jiā shāng pù cóng zhǎng guì dào huǒ jì ， dōu shì líng dòng qī dì dī jiē xiū shì ， suǒ mài dì yào cái yě dōu pǔ tōng yǐ jí ， xiǎn rán bèi hòu méi yǒu rèn hé shì lì 。
谁的拳头大谁就是老大这家商铺从掌柜到伙计，都是灵动期地低阶修士，所卖地药材也都普通以极，显然背后没有任何势力。
This was the reality of the cultivation world. It was why Lin Xuan spared no effort to strengthen his own power.
suǒ yǐ dé zuì yě jiù dé zuì le ， tā men jiù suàn xīn zhōng lüè yǒu bù mǎn ， yě jué bù gǎn duì zì jǐ zhè wèi zhù jī qī xiū shì yǒu rèn hé bù jìng de jǔ dòng 。
所以得罪也就得罪了，他们就算心中略有不满，也绝不敢对自己这位筑基期修士有任何不敬的举动。
Eternal life was the main reason, but another crucial factor was that only the strong could control their destiny in the cultivation world.
zhè jiù shì xiū zhēn jiè dì xiàn shí ， yě shì lín xuān wèi shén me yī xīn pīn mìng tí gāo zì jǐ de shí lì 。
这就是修真界地现实，也是林轩为什么一心拼命提高自己的实力。
That’s why Lin Xuan acted out of character; otherwise, with his cautious nature, he wouldn’t have gotten involved in such matters. If this had happened at the center of the market, where powerful stores were backed by significant forces, he would never have taken such a risky action.
cháng shēng gù rán shì zhǔ yào yuán yīn ， dàn hái yǒu yí gè zhòng yào lǐ yóu jiù shì zài xiū zhēn jiè zhǐ yǒu qiáng zhě cái néng zhǎng wò zì jǐ de mìng yùn 。
长生固然是主要原因，但还有一个重要理由就是在修真界只有强者才能掌握自己的命运。
After the shopkeeper and apprentices left, Lin Xuan beckoned to the young man: "Get up!"
suǒ yǐ lín xuān cái yī fǎn cháng tài ， fǒu zé yǐ tā xiǎo xīn jǐn shèn de xìng gé ， nǎ huì duō guǎn xián shì ne 。
所以林轩才一反常态，否则以他小心谨慎的性格，哪会多管闲事呢。
"Thank you, senior cultivator!"
jiǎ rú zhè jiàn shì shì fā shēng zài fāng shì de zhōng xīn ， nà xiē bèi hòu yǒu jí dà shì lì de shāng pù ， tā kěn dìng bú huì zuò chū zhè zhǒng yǐn huǒ shāo shēn de jǔ dòng 。
假如这件事是发生在坊市的中心，那些背后有极大势力的商铺，他肯定不会做出这种引火烧身的举动。
Wu Li got up from the ground, grateful as he bowed deeply.
zhǎng guì yǔ huǒ jì zǒu hòu ， lín xuān chōng dì shàng de shào nián zhāo le zhāo shǒu ：“ qǐ lái ba ！”
掌柜与伙计走后，林轩冲地上的少年招了招手：“起来吧！”
"What is it?"
“ shì ， xiè xiè xiān shī ！”
“是，谢谢仙师！”
Although not exactly a good person, Lin Xuan wasn’t cold-hearted. He saw his past self in this ordinary youth. Both lacked spirit roots and had been exposed to cultivation, though their experiences were vastly different. The heartache was shared. If it was just a small favor, Lin Xuan didn't mind helping.
wú lì cóng dì shàng pá qǐ ， gǎn jī de xíng le yī lǐ 。
吴立从地上爬起，感激的行了一礼。
"Senior, my mother is seriously ill and needs light spirit herbs as medicine. Can you help me buy them?" Wu Li looked at Lin Xuan while speaking: "Don’t worry, I won’t take this for free. This jade cylinder is from my father’s belongings. Consider it payment for the essence stones."
“ shuō ba ， yǒu shén me shì ！”
“说吧，有什么事！”
He then took out a package from his pocket and carefully opened it to reveal a broken jade cylinder.
lín xuān suī rán bù suàn shén me hǎo rén ， dàn yě shuō bù shàng lěng xuè ， cóng zhè ge fán rén shào nián de shēn shàng ， tā kàn dào le zì jǐ guò qù de yǐng zi ， dōu méi yǒu líng gēn ， què dōu jiē chù dào le fán rén bù gāi jiē chù dào de xiū zhēn ， suī rán liǎng rén de zāo yù dà bù xiāng tóng ， dàn nà xīn suān de huí yì què yǒu xiāng tōng zhī chù ， rú guǒ jǐn jǐn shì jǔ shǒu zhī láo de huà ， lín xuān dào bù jiè yì gěi tā yì diǎn diǎn bāng zhù 。
林轩虽然不算什么好人，但也说不上冷血，从这个凡人少年的身上，他看到了自己过去的影子，都没有灵根，却都接触到了凡人不该接触到的修真，虽然两人的遭遇大不相同，但那心酸的回忆却有相通之处，如果仅仅是举手之劳的话，林轩倒不介意给他一点点帮助。
Lin Xuan wasn't particularly interested at first but was surprised when he saw the jade cylinder...
"Uncle, please, I just need one light spirit herb."
"Get lost, do you hear me?" The shopkeeper emitted a faint aura of essence energy, indicating his readiness to make a move.
"Who is this person?"
Lin Xuan approached and noticed a hint of suspicion in his eyes. The young man, around twenty years old, was pleading desperately, but he showed no signs of essence energy; clearly, he was just an ordinary mortal.
"I'm sorry, senior, I didn't mean to disturb you," the shopkeeper quickly turned his head, putting on a pleasant expression and trying to appease him with a smile.
Lin Xuan remained silent, still staring at him with a calm demeanor.
Feeling Lin Xuan's dissatisfaction, the shopkeeper wiped away his forehead sweat. A Foundation Establishment stage cultivator was not someone he could afford to offend. He quickly explained: "This person is Wu Li. His father used to be a cultivator here as well, but he lacks a spirit root and is just an ordinary mortal."
"An ordinary mortal?" Lin Xuan had already deduced that Wu Li wasn't a cultivator, but the surprise in his eyes was evident when he heard this: "How could an ordinary mortal come here?"
Indeed, it was no wonder Lin Xuan was curious. According to what he knew, any cultivation market was surrounded byprohibition, though they were rudimentary and easily penetrated with essence vision techniques. An ordinary mortal would never be able to breach such barriers.
"Senior, you don't know the full story. Wu Li's father used to do business in this market. Although Wu Li lacks a spirit root, he grew up here. After his father passed away, we didn't force him out."
Lin Xuan nodded. If they had expelled him, their position would have been exposed. He couldn’t kill him; while cultivators were cold-hearted, they wouldn’t go to such extremes.
This was an unavoidable situation, after all. Spirit roots were rare, and even if both parents were cultivators, the chances of a child having one were still slim. Those without spirit roots often had worse fates when exposed to cultivation but couldn't practice it.
For someone like Wu Li, who would spend his entire life within this market, an ordinary mortal, living here must be incredibly difficult.
Lin Xuan's gaze fell on him, prompting memories of his own past.
Wu Li also noticed the cultivator in front of him.
Although he couldn’t determine Lin Xuan’s cultivation level precisely, the shopkeeper’s respectful demeanor suggested that at least he was a Foundation Establishment stage cultivator. To such cultivators, light spirit herbs were insignificant. His gaze seemed more kind than the shopkeeper's.
Wu Li had a bold idea. Although risky, he thought of his mother on the sickbed and decided to take a chance.
He turned to Lin Xuan with hopeful and pleading eyes: "Senior cultivator, I have..."
Before he could finish, the shopkeeper’s face changed, and he shouted loudly: "Dare you, Wu Li! You’ve been pestering me enough. How dare you offend a senior!"
With a wave of his hand, a black light band shot out from his sleeve.
However, before it reached the young man's chest, it inexplicably disintegrated on its own. The shopkeeper’s expression froze for a moment but then he realized Lin Xuan had intervened.
Anger flashed in his eyes, but he managed to hide it well. He continued with a pleading smile: "Senior, don't be fooled by this brat's flattery."
"Let me handle this," Lin Xuan spoke calmly, but there was an unshakable tone in his voice.
"Yes, yes!"
Feeling Lin Xuan’s dissatisfaction, the shopkeeper didn’t dare say more and bowed before retreating.
"What are you standing around for? Go do your own work!"
Lin Xuan glanced at the two apprentices beside him. Their cultivation levels were even lower, just at the early Flexible Spirit stage. The pressure from a Foundation Establishment cultivator made them sweat profusely, but fortunately, it passed quickly. They were terrified and knew their senior had shown mercy. They didn’t dare say anything more as they scrambled into the shop.
In truth, Lin Xuan’s actions had offended this store, but he didn't care. Compared to secular society, the cultivation world was even colder and harsher. But precisely because of that, people revered strength more than ever.
Whoever has the strongest fist is the boss. The store owner and apprentices were all low-ranking cultivators at the early Flexible Spirit stage, selling ordinary herbs with no backing from any powerful forces behind them.
So, offending them was nothing new; even if they harbored some resentment, they wouldn't dare show disrespect to a Foundation Establishment cultivator like him.
This was the reality of the cultivation world. It was why Lin Xuan spared no effort to strengthen his own power.
Eternal life was the main reason, but another crucial factor was that only the strong could control their destiny in the cultivation world.
That’s why Lin Xuan acted out of character; otherwise, with his cautious nature, he wouldn’t have gotten involved in such matters. If this had happened at the center of the market, where powerful stores were backed by significant forces, he would never have taken such a risky action.
After the shopkeeper and apprentices left, Lin Xuan beckoned to the young man: "Get up!"
"Thank you, senior cultivator!"
Wu Li got up from the ground, grateful as he bowed deeply.
"What is it?"
Although not exactly a good person, Lin Xuan wasn’t cold-hearted. He saw his past self in this ordinary youth. Both lacked spirit roots and had been exposed to cultivation, though their experiences were vastly different. The heartache was shared. If it was just a small favor, Lin Xuan didn't mind helping.
"Senior, my mother is seriously ill and needs light spirit herbs as medicine. Can you help me buy them?" Wu Li looked at Lin Xuan while speaking: "Don’t worry, I won’t take this for free. This jade cylinder is from my father’s belongings. Consider it payment for the essence stones."
He then took out a package from his pocket and carefully opened it to reveal a broken jade cylinder.
Lin Xuan wasn't particularly interested at first but was surprised when he saw the jade cylinder...