Chapter 675: Fire-Repelling Finch and Six-Petaled Butterfly Pansy

"Servant[1] greets the senior. May I ask what you wish to purchase? I’ll retrieve it for you right away."

The attendant, a young woman with cultivation at the eighth stage of the Qi Refining Realm, carried a certain air of weariness and worldliness. She swayed her hips as she spoke, her voice laced with flattery and seduction.

Ran Luo had mentioned earlier that many low-level cultivators in the Stormy Demonic Sea, especially female cultivators, often became concubines or even cauldrons for higher-level cultivators just to survive and cultivate.

Such things weren’t unheard of in Canglang Sea either, but at least there they would be somewhat concealed and not displayed so openly.

Qin Sang didn’t consider himself qualified to judge. His tone remained calm and even. "I’m looking for one type of spiritual material and two types of medicinal herbs. All are rare. Please take me to see your manager."

A flicker of disappointment passed through the attendant’s eyes, but she responded respectfully and led Qin Sang upstairs.

The manager here was only at the late stage of the Foundation Building Realm.

Qin Sang made no effort to conceal his spiritual pressure. The manager immediately welcomed him with enthusiasm and waved the attendant away.

Once seated in a quiet chamber, Qin Sang got straight to the point. "I’m looking for three things: a natural treasure called Perpetual Camphor, and two spiritual herbs known as the Six-Petaled Butterfly Pansy and Soul-Guiding Grass. Does your shop carry any of them?"

From his demeanor, the manager immediately recognized Qin Sang as a serious cultivator uninterested in idle talk. He kept his expression neutral and replied, "Please wait a moment, Senior. I’ll have the storeroom searched immediately. If we don’t have them, I’ll send someone to contact the major merchant guilds on Tianwu Island. That way you won’t have to run around searching."

"Hmm?"

Qin Sang glanced at the steward. The man looked to be around fifty, with a neat goatee and a shrewd expression. He was clearly capable, which explained why he served as manager on Tianwu Island.

"Very good. If you can find what I need, I won’t forget to reward you. I’ll wait here patiently."

"Thank you, Senior."

The manager beamed and hurried off.

It was more than half an hour before he returned. "Apologies for the wait, Senior. I had people reach out to all the major merchant guilds. Unfortunately, there is no Perpetual Camphor or Soul-Guiding Grass available. However, the Wuchen Merchant Guild happens to have two Six-Petaled Butterfly Pansies in consignment. Would you like them sent here for your inspection, or would you prefer to go there yourself?"

Just as expected, neither Perpetual Camphor nor Soul-Guiding Grass was available.

Qin Sang sighed quietly. Still, finding two Six-Petaled Butterfly Pansies was an unexpected surprise. He stood up, tossed the manager a small pouch of spirit stones, and said, "Send someone to lead the way. I’ll go take a look myself. Also, do you know where I can purchase the most detailed geomantic map, preferably one that includes demonic beast distribution?"

Since he couldn’t find Perpetual Camphor, his only option now was to start with the Fire-Repelling Finch.

Earlier, Qin Sang had traced a few scattered signs of Fire-Repelling Finches. Those locations were unlikely to contain Perpetual Camphor.

Perpetual Camphor would at the very least attract a flock of Fire-Repelling Finches. Only in places where such birds gathered in large numbers could its presence be confirmed with any confidence.

The manager weighed the pouch in his hand and grinned from ear to ear. "A geomantic map? Even the item catalog for the grand auction, I can get that too. Please come back later to pick them up. I’ll make the arrangements for you right away."

"You can get the auction catalog as well?"

Qin Sang asked in a low voice. "Is it accurate?"

The manager patted his chest. "You can rest assured, Senior. That information is actually released intentionally by Tianwu Island. It’s accurate. Of course, the highlights are always kept secret. No one knows what they are until the auction begins."

"Good. Bring both."

Qin Sang had yet to commit to the Qiongyu Merchant Guild. If the grand auction offered something he needed, he intended to remain on Tianwu Island until it ended before deciding his next move.

When he arrived at the Wuchen Merchant Guild's outpost, the manager there had already received word and was waiting for him.

"The cultivator who consigned the Six-Petaled Butterfly Pansies has requested that they be exchanged only for a talisman astra."

The manager, a woman of the witch race, placed a jade box in front of Qin Sang.

He opened it to find two flowers lying flat inside.

The six petals of each flower spread out like butterfly wings. Their colors were vivid and dazzling, astonishingly beautiful.

"A talisman astra?"

Qin Sang silently considered the offer. The value of the two flowers was slightly below that of a full talisman astra, but since he needed them urgently, the trade was acceptable.

Even so, two Six-Petaled Butterfly Pansies would only be enough for the Sky-Eyed Butterfly to reach the middle stage of its second metamorphosis. It was a clear reminder of how difficult it was to raise a supernatural insect.

After a brief moment of thought, Qin Sang took out a talisman astra he had acquired from Daoist Jiupao.

The manager inspected it carefully and smiled brightly. "This talisman astra is in excellent condition and possesses considerable power. I’ll contact the consigner right away. He will definitely agree to the exchange."

"Wait a moment."

Qin Sang called after the female manager. "When you contact that cultivator, tell him I’d like to meet him. Just to make a friend. Ask if he’s willing."

Yuling Sect’s medicinal manual included a detailed description of the Six-Petaled Butterfly Pansy.

The moment Qin Sang saw the two flowers, he could tell they had been harvested within the past two years.

The Six-Petaled Butterfly Pansy did not grow alone. Whenever it appeared, there would be at least several growing together. This person might still have more, or at the very least, might be willing to reveal where he had picked them. Either outcome would be worthwhile.

Seeing the manager hesitate, Qin Sang’s expression turned cold. "I’m meeting him right here, not asking you to arrange a banquet. Do you think you won’t be compensated?"

Only then did the female manager ease her expression and quickly set off to make the arrangements.

Before long, heavy footsteps sounded outside the room. A burly man of the witch race pushed the door open with one hand and strode in. His tone was displeased. "If you want to buy the herbs, just buy them. What’s the point of dragging me here? I don’t believe you’re that interested in making friends. Just say whatever you have to say."

As he spoke, the man sat down heavily across from Qin Sang, slapped the jade box onto the table, and stared at the talisman astra in Qin Sang’s hand.

Qin Sang didn’t mind his attitude. He chuckled and said, "Straightforward indeed, Daoist Wu. Then I’ll speak plainly. I’m willing to purchase these two Six-Petaled Butterfly Pansies."

𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

He pushed the talisman astra forward.

The man picked it up and examined it, nodding in admiration. "That girl wasn’t exaggerating. This is indeed a fine talisman astra."

Qin Sang caught the jade box as the man casually tossed it back, then stored it inside his Thousand-Jin Ring. He continued, "I’m no expert, but I do happen to know a bit about the Six-Petaled Butterfly Pansy. When this type of spiritual flower appears, it’s rarely just two. If you have more, I’ll buy all of them. The price is negotiable. Or, if you’re willing to sell me the location where the flowers grow, that would also be acceptable."

"So that’s what this is about? What kind of pill are you refining that you need so many Six-Petaled Butterfly Pansies?"

The man gave Qin Sang a surprised look. After a long pause, he finally said, "I really only have those two. No extras. As for where they grow, seeing how forthright you are, I won’t keep it from you. No need for trouble later. There are indeed a few immature flowers left on that island, but it’s not a safe place. I was lucky to get those two. I wouldn’t dare go back. Are you sure you want to buy the location?"

1. Women of lower status often refer to themselves as servants in ancient China. ☜