As soon as the black-robed old man's soul saw Leo appear, he was overjoyed. "Good disciple, you've finally come! Please, I beg you, let me out. I'll agree to any condition, even serve you as an ox or a horse."

  For these past few months, unable to cultivate, with no one to talk to, only the vast white mist and the gravel on the ground, he could have endured this tedious life. However, in his current soul state, his lifespan was also being consumed. This endless, uncertain wait was enough to drive anyone mad. During these months, Leo had tried many times. With just a thought, tendrils of mist would wrap around and protect him. With this safety net, Leo could now face the black-robed old man calmly.

  "Serve me as an ox or a horse? I don't have the fortune to enjoy that," Leo said. "Even those who entered the canyon with you were killed by you. With my meager skills, I dare not take such a risk."

  "In the world of cultivation, it has always been the law of the jungle. Cultivators fighting and killing each other over treasures is utterly commonplace. If I hadn't killed them, they wouldn't have spared me either," the black-robed old man sneered.

  Leo gasped in surprise, "You really did kill them all!"

  The black-robed old man's expression stiffened. How cunning he was; he quickly realized Leo was fishing for information. So young, yet already so scheming. If not for his poor aptitude, he would likely make a name for himself sooner or later. It seemed pleading desperately was no longer effective. This kid most likely wouldn't be fooled either. He could only continue searching for a way to escape this prison himself.

  Leo asked a few more questions, but once the black-robed old man realized he had been tricked, he either fell silent or responded with sarcasm, trying to glean information from Leo in return. Leo felt annoyed. Just now, upon hearing the black-robed old man had killed the other three, he was so shocked he slipped up. He didn't expect the old fox to react so quickly. However, from the black-robed old man's few words, he could roughly gauge the dangers of the cultivation world. It seemed he would have to be even more careful in the future. Otherwise, a single misstep into someone else's trap would be a regret too late to mend.

  Thinking of this, Leo opened his eyes. The dense forest came back into view. Riding on the leopard's back, he traveled outward while cultivating, simultaneously studying the methods to control the little green ants according to the "Insect Taming" chapter in the "Beast Taming Art."

  Half a month later, in a bustling county town, vendors selling bamboo crafts, gourds, and mountain animal pelts lined both sides of the street. Leo, carrying a large, full backpack, weaved through the crowd of gentry, merchants, and commoners. Occasionally, he could also see martial artists carrying swords and knives, dressed in tight-fitting clothes.

  "I never imagined Nordgard County Town would be like this. It seems even more lively than Misty Veil Peaks."

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  Leo looked with interest at the passersby and the shops along the street. He had spent over half a year in the canyon and several more months wandering deep mountains without seeing a single person. Now, returning to this lively market, he felt somewhat excited. According to his understanding, Nordgard County bordered Misty Veil Peaks. Lost in the deep mountains, he had ended up here by chance.

  However, his mood soon settled. He stopped in front of a pharmacy. The pharmacy had an antique-style signboard that read " Mystic Herb Pharmacy." This was the fourth pharmacy he had passed, and the most imposing one in scale. It should offer a good price for his herbs.

  Inside the shop were three shop assistants in their early twenties, an elderly physician sitting in the consultation area, and a plump, ruddy-faced shopkeeper accountant. Leo walked in, glanced at them, and asked the slightly taller assistant, "Does your shop purchase medicinal herbs?"

  "Our Mystic Herb Pharmacy is the largest pharmacy in Nordgard County. We're not interested in ordinary herbs. What's a little kid like you doing here, making a fuss?"

  The shop was serving several customers. The assistant, busy attending to them, waved impatiently. The better herbs were mostly found in remote, deep mountains and old forests, places rarely visited by people, often haunted by fierce beasts and venomous snakes. Even some martial artists dared not enter lightly. For ordinary herbs from the periphery, Mystic Herb Pharmacy had its own sources and wasn't interested in small purchases from individuals.

  Leo frowned, took out a rather large fleeceflower root from his backpack. It had dozens of dense segments.

  "A fleeceflower root over forty years old!" The elderly physician was most sensitive to herbs with age. He immediately recognized the uniqueness of this fleeceflower root. Although not the most exquisite, it was already a high-quality herb.

  "How much will you offer for this fleeceflower root?" Leo asked.

  "Little brother, you're truly remarkable. A fleeceflower root of this age is not common. I can offer you thirty taels of silver. What do you think?" The plump shopkeeper now wore a different expression, smiling ingratiatingly.

  Leo didn't reply. He directly put the fleeceflower root away and turned to leave.

  "Wait! If you think the price is low, we can still negotiate," the shopkeeper, not expecting Leo to react like this and seeing him about to walk out the door, hurriedly called out to stop him.

  "Offering a price several tenths below market rate... And herbs several decades old are mostly in high demand with short supply. Shopkeeper, you certainly know how to do business," Leo looked back at the shopkeeper calmly. Having asked a few pharmacies earlier, he wouldn't be so easily fooled.

  "Little brother, you're a shrewd one. I was blind earlier, my apologies. Alright then, a final price: fifty taels," the shopkeeper quickly clasped his hands and bowed with an apologetic smile.

  Nearly a couple of taels higher than expected, he was relatively satisfied. In the past, doing menial work, it took several months to save two silver beans. Now, a single fleeceflower root could fetch such a price. This money was already enough for his family to live comfortably for decades.

  Leo was about to agree when he suddenly faintly sensed a trace of spiritual energy coming from the backyard of Mystic Herb Pharmacy. Its aura was actually identical to that of a Qi Gathering Pill! He couldn't help but feel a jump in his heart. Yes, it must be spiritual herbs used for refining Qi Gathering Pills.

  "I won't sell this fleeceflower root."

  "Not sell? Then what did you come to Mystic Herb Pharmacy for? Are you just toying with me?" The shopkeeper's face looks displeased.

  "I heard Mystic Herb Pharmacy has a comprehensive variety of herbs. I need some relatively obscure ones and would like to exchange with the shopkeeper. Since this fleeceflower root is valued at fifty taels of silver, we can exchange it for other herbs, with a balance paid or refunded."

  Leo had wandered in the wilderness for months without finding any more spiritual herbs. Now, unexpectedly encountering some, how could he miss the chance?

  The shopkeeper's expression eased slightly. "So that's how it is. Easy enough. May I ask which herbs you want?"

  "The scent of this herb is quite unique. I can smell its aura. I hope the shopkeeper doesn't mind if I enter the backyard of Mystic Herb Pharmacy," Leo said.

  "Of course not," the shopkeeper nodded.

  The backyard of Mystic Herb Pharmacy was quite spacious. Many herbs needed sun-drying, grinding, or roasting. Dozens of people were busy working. There was also a horse-drawn cart, with two burly men unloading herbs from it.