104: Yuheju Shop

The interior of the Yuhe Residence was extremely simple.

On the wooden shelves lining the walls, bags of Low Grade Spiritual Rice, spiritual wheat, and ling potatoes were neatly arranged.

These were all products meticulously cultivated in the Wu Family's underground spiritual fields, but they had specifically chosen the batch of the most ordinary quality.

The Spiritual Rice grains were plump but slightly dull in luster, the spiritual wheat stalks were short and thin, and the spiritual patterns on the surface of the ling potatoes were relatively simple—everything perfectly conformed to the standard that an ordinary spiritual plant cultivator could produce.

Hidden in the secret compartment beneath the counter were several Medium Grade spiritual plants preserved in special jade boxes—these were bait to catch big fish.

Each spiritual plant emitted a restrained Spiritual Qi, and the patterns on its leaves were faintly discernible; anyone knowledgeable could tell at a glance that they were extraordinary.

"Remember our rules," Wu Wenwu said in a voice only the two of them could hear, as he arranged the shelves, "We only sell thirty jin of Spiritual Rice, twenty jin of spiritual wheat, and fifty ling potatoes per month.

The price is the same as the market price, but we will never reveal the source."

As he spoke, his finger lightly pressed an inconspicuous groove beneath the counter, and an almost imperceptible Spiritual Qi fluctuation spread out—this activated the hidden sound-insulating Formation within the shop.

Cai Liuer nodded understandingly, taking out a small parchment booklet from her sleeve, its cover without any markings: "This is a catalog of Cultivation Techniques copied from the Ten Thousand Laws Tower yesterday; there are three that might be what we need."

She opened the booklet and pointed to a line of small characters, "Especially this 'Essentials of Spiritual Plant Cultivation,' which is said to be the handwritten notes of a Golden Core Stage spiritual plant master."

Wu Wenwu was about to take the booklet to examine it closely when the shop door was suddenly pushed open, the old wooden door emitting a creaking sound.

The two immediately composed themselves, resuming the appearance of ordinary shopkeepers.

A hunched old man, leaning on an ebony cane, slowly walked in.

The old man had a head of white hair, his face was crisscrossed with wrinkles, and his cloudy eyes seemed to be covered with a white film.

His gray robe was washed out, with some medicinal stains on the cuffs and hem, emitting a faint medicinal fragrance.

"A new shop?" The old man's voice was hoarse, like a door hinge unused for many years, and a few yellowed teeth were visible when he spoke, "How much for Spiritual Rice?"

Wu Wenwu immediately put on a merchant's smile, his eyes crinkling at the corners: "Old sir, what keen eyesight! This is excellent Yuhe Spiritual Rice, ten Spirit Stones a jin..."

As he spoke, he took a small bag of Spiritual Rice from the shelf, untied the string, and allowed the rich aroma of the rice to waft out, "Smell this fragrance, sir; Spiritual Rice cooked from this is guaranteed to add ten years to your life."

The old man's cloudy eyes brightened slightly, and his withered fingers picked up a few grains of Spiritual Rice, bringing them to his nose for a deep sniff.

His hands, covered in age spots, suddenly paused, his brow furrowed almost imperceptibly, then returned to normal.

"The rice is good," the old man said slowly, his eyes subtly scanning the entire shop, "It's just that I don't know..." He suddenly lowered his voice, "Does the shopkeeper have any better goods?"

Wu Wenwu's heart skipped a beat, but he showed no emotion on his face, only giving a simple, honest smile: "Old sir, you jest.

Our small shop just opened; how could we have any good goods? These Spiritual Rice are already..."

The old man suddenly pulled out a black iron token from his in arms, placed it on the counter, and quickly withdrew it.

The token flashed by, but Wu Wenwu still clearly saw the characters "Hundred Herbs" on it—this was the insignia of "Hundred Herbs Hall," the largest Spirit Medicine merchant in Black River Market.

"Let's be frank," the old man's cloudy eyes suddenly became clear, and his voice was no longer hoarse, "Although this batch of Spiritual Rice was deliberately made to look old, the hint of purple Qi at its core cannot deceive an expert."

His withered fingers lightly tapped the counter, "This old man represents Hundred Herbs Hall and wishes to discuss a long-term business deal with the shopkeeper."

The rag in Cai Liuer's hand silently dropped to the floor.

The two exchanged glances, both seeing the shock in each other's eyes—their carefully disguised spiritual plants had been exposed so quickly?

The morning mist gradually dissipated, and a ray of sunlight streamed through the window into the shop, falling on the bag of Spiritual Rice on the counter.

The rice grains shimmered with a faint purple light in the sunlight; that was a unique mark cultivated by the special environment of the underground spiritual fields, and they had clearly screened it carefully...

Wu Wenwu took a deep breath, the simple, honest smile on his face slowly receding, and his back unconsciously straightened a few points.

He lightly tapped the counter three times with his finger, activating the most hidden protective Formation in the shop.

"Old sir, you have keen insight," his voice was no longer disguised, returning to its usual steady tone, "I wonder how Hundred Herbs Hall... wishes to cooperate?"

Outside the shop, the morning mist had completely cleared, and sunlight bathed the "Yuhe Residence" signboard.

The first ray of morning sun pierced through the thin mist, casting light upon the spiritual fields in the Taro River Valley behind Wu Family Village.

It had been a month since he returned from Black River Market.

Wu Guohua squatted between the ridges, his fingertips gently caressing the newly sprouted Spirit Medicine, and a pale green Spiritual Qi slowly flowed into the soil along his fingertips.

This was the "Green Wood Art" he had recently learned from "The Complete Guide to First-Tier Spiritual Plant Cultivation," which could significantly increase the growth rate of spiritual plants.

"The tip of the Purple Spirit Ginseng sprout needs to be three inches further east..." Wu Guohua carefully adjusted the position of a young seedling, comparing it to the diagram in the ancient text.

This ancient text, which cost him thirty Spirit Stones to acquire from Black River Market, had its inner pages frayed from frequent turning, and it was densely covered with his vermilion annotations.

Golden Tiger lazily sprawled on the field ridge, sunbathing, occasionally flicking its tail to drive away flying insects attempting to approach the spiritual field.

Suddenly, its ears twitched, and it looked vigilantly towards the direction of the courtyard wall.

Wu Guohua had purchased a contract talisman in Black River Market and, upon his return, signed a master-servant contract with Golden Tiger, who showed no resistance during the signing.

After the contract, the man and the tiger could communicate telepathically.

"Guohua, are you tending to these Spirit Medicine again?" Wu Jiulong walked over, leaning on a red sandalwood staff.

The old man bent down to examine the tender sprouts and was surprised to find that the Green Origin Grass, which should have sprouted in three months, had already grown two new leaves.

"Grandpa, look." Wu Guohua excitedly opened a page of the ancient text, "My Spiritual Root has a special connection with these spiritual plants, and combined with the 'Green Wood Art' mentioned in the book, it can significantly improve the efficiency of spiritual plants absorbing Spiritual Qi."

As he spoke, a pale green halo appeared on his palm, and a young seedling immediately grew a bit taller at a visible speed.

Wu Jiulong stroked his beard and smiled: "Excellent!

Once these Spirit Medicine mature, we won't have to always go to the market to purchase them for Alchemy."

Just as he was speaking, a muffled "bang" suddenly came from the backyard, followed by wafts of medicinal fragrance.

"It seems your father's cauldron exploded again." The old man shook his head helplessly, "This is the third time this month..."

From the Pill Refining Room, Wu Wenbin emerged, coughing with a face full of soot, but holding three glistening "Qi Gathering Medicinal Pills."

"It's done! I finally refined a Medium Grade Medicinal Pill!" He was as excited as a child, completely oblivious to his scorched clothes.

Zhang Chunfang rushed over at the sound, her talisman brush still dripping with cinnabar.

Seeing her husband in such a state, she couldn't help but pull out a handkerchief: "Quick, wipe your face.

My newly made Clear Mind Talisman can help you calm your mind and focus."

From the east wing came a rhythmic "clinking" sound; that was second uncle Wu Zhang forging a Magical Artifact embryo.

He was bare-chested, sweat dripping from his bronze-colored muscles, and each hammer blow precisely struck the glowing red profound iron.