Chapter 64: Chapter 62: Cyan Wood Ape The squad rested for another day at the marketplace, and the members collectively went out to purchase supplies. Ji An learned that items like insect-repelling powder and talismans were squad expenses and did not require personal crystal stone purchases. Of course, everyone would buy some extra talismans to prevent a shortage in the common reserves. If they used personal talismans during demon hunting outings, the squad would reimburse them at market price upon return. As everyone walked out of a talisman shop, Chen Moxuan sighed slightly: "Junior Brother Ji, the two types of talismans you make are not the best purchase choices. The Golden Armor Talisman is preferred for defense because it lasts long, without needing precise timing control for its release. For attack techniques, the Explosive Flame Technique is the first choice since most demon beasts inherently fear fire. If it weren’t for the current high demand for talismans, the ones you make wouldn’t be easy to sell." He felt regretful after hearing yesterday about the types of talismans Ji An specializes in drawing, as they aren’t what the squad needs most. Otherwise, the squad could have purchased directly, without expecting any discount, but at least guaranteeing ample supply. Currently, popular talismans in each shop are in high demand and often sold out in just a few days. "Human energy is limited; I can only choose to research more profound magic talismans," Ji An felt rather helpless. He also wanted to choose the Flame Bursting Talisman but lacked Li’s Spirit Mechanism for refinement and could only practice and understand the technique slowly. In this regard, fire element techniques are not prioritized over metal element techniques. "Every magic talisman has conditions for use, it’s just that Junior Brother’s Water Curtain Talisman and Geng Metal Talisman have narrower usage ranges. If the talisman quality is good, even niche talismans would have people willing to buy one or two as a backup. Did the captain forget that two months ago when we wanted to buy Middle Grade Golden Armor Talismans, all the middle-grade defense magic talismans in the shops were out of stock, so we had no choice but to make do with two Middle Grade Water Curtain Talismans from a stall? If it weren’t for the help of those two Water Curtain Talismans, our squad would likely have experienced casualties." Jiang Qiuyue comforted, as none of the squad members had expected the defense provided by the two Middle Grade Water Curtain Talismans to be so strong and long-lasting. The defense during the magic’s duration was noticeably stronger than that of the Middle Grade Golden Armor Talismans. "Those talismans were already the best among middle-grade magic talismans, rare and hard to come by. Did you find the stall selling Water Curtain Talismans yesterday?" Chen Moxuan asked, having a strong impression of those Water Curtain Talismans too. "Found it, but didn’t get any talismans. The stall owner said they source from within the Sect, and recently they’ve received far fewer middle-grade magic talismans, all pre-ordered by old clients." "Did you manage to preorder a few?" Jiang Qiuyue exhaled helplessly: "I wanted to, but the stall owner said no stock for the next two months, even orders have to wait three months." Ji An scratched his head, wondering if those sold were his drawn talismans. According to Wei Songnian, there aren’t many Talisman Makers who can draw Middle Grade Water Curtain Talismans, and his partners are often small vendors like himself. Unless it’s bulk sales to shops, prices tend to be lower. Jiang Qiuyue turned to ask: "We haven’t asked what quality talismans Junior Brother prepared and how many?" "Uh... Middle Grade Water Curtain Talismans and Geng Metal Talismans, twenty each." Chen Moxuan and the others exchanged glances; their squad’s total middle-grade talismans stored only numbered about thirty, split between defense and attack. "You said yesterday you wanted to quickly earn crystal stones to exchange for a Foundation Establishment Pill, I believe it now." After finishing their purchases, everyone rented a few grotto mansions to rest. The old members reminded them of various precautions, which Ji An listened to carefully and committed to memory. Finally, after discussing the demon hunting plan, everyone went back to rest. The night passed without incident. The next day, by mid-morning, the squad members left the marketplace. They encountered some squads along the way; Chen Moxuan greeted acquaintances. Everyone boarded Talisman Birds and flew towards Yuan Mountain. The squads gradually spread out and melded into the vast green expanse. The morning mist in the mountains had just cleared, and the air was slightly cool and fresh. Ji An clearly felt that the Wood Element Spiritual Energy here was more abundant than in the Spirit Field of Jade Water Lake. In the Ten Thousand Mountains, many newly entry-level small spiritual veins are scattered, which cover a limited area, just enough for some spirit medicines to grow. "When we get rich, we must buy a small flying ship. The Talisman Bird is too slow." Tian Yulei complained, who also nurtured a Spirit-Seeking Rat, but without a Beast Taming Secret Technique, the rat was underwhelming and somewhat silly. Among many rodent-type demon beasts, the Spirit-Seeking Rat was relatively weak and often interbred with other demon rats, making pureblood Spirit-Seeking Rats extremely rare. "Operating a flying ship magical artifact for high-speed travel consumes a lot of magical power. Even Ninth-Layer Qi Refining’s power might not last a quarter hour. If you move slowly, it’s not much faster than using a Talisman Bird unless we use Spirit Stones to supply spiritual power. We only make so many crystal stones monthly, how much is left after cultivation?" Chen Moxuan shook his head, for a small flying ship costs three to four hundred Spirit Stones, too much to spare. He had already saved up half a Foundation Establishment Pill’s worth of crystal stones, hoping to manage to enter Foundation Establishment by sixty with effort! After flying for half a day, a harrowing and chilly ape call sounded from afar, followed by many echoing calls. Chen Moxuan instructed softly: "We’re close to Cangyun Ridge; descend to low altitude." Cangyun Ridge was the first target discussed last night, inhabited by a group of Cyan Wood Apes, numbering around thirty. These apes protected several Jade Spirit Fruit trees. Jade Spirit Fruit is an auxiliary material for Foundation Establishment Pills, rich in Wood Element Spiritual Energy, and the squad had detected the fruits were near maturity. The Ape King was nearly at the Foundation Establishment Stage, and furthermore, had a companion Cyan Wood Ape at Ninth-Layer Qi Refining. An Eighth-Layer Qi Refining Cyan Wood Ape and four at Seventh-Layer, with the remaining being sixteen Mid-stage Qi Refining and some early-stage young apes. Following everyone’s descent in height, Ji An traversed the treetops with the Talisman Bird. Slight nervousness mixed with more excitement in him. They shifted formation, with Chen Moxuan leading, Jiang Qiuyue and Chu River on either side, Tian Yulei trailing, forming a slanted square. Ji An was positioned centrally, maintaining about four zhang distance from each. Chu River whispered, "Be careful; some snake-type demon beasts coil on treetops to prey on birds." "Don’t worry, I won’t be careless." Ji An readied the Stone Turtle Shield, prepared to activate it anytime. They safely arrived at their destination and landed. Chen Moxuan spoke softly: "We have studied the habits of the Cyan Wood Apes, and plan to first lure out some ape demons to kill. The Ape King will quickly sense something is wrong and surely dispatch a few Late-stage Qi Refining ape demons with lower-ranked apes to investigate. Then, we’ll bypass the investigating ape demons and charge forward to grab the Jade Spirit Fruits. The goal of this mission is solely the Jade Spirit Fruits. Do not get caught in a prolonged fight; then, cover each other, board the Talisman Birds, and escape."