I Live Forever With My Proficiency

Chapter 17: Spirit Gathering Robe

"Shopkeeper, how much does this robe cost?"

In a clothing store with the sign "Azure Cloud Sect" on its storefront, customers were bustling in and out.

After disguising himself, Chen Ping observed the robe section for a long time before finally choosing a Rank One Low Grade robe.

"This one costs 6 Middle Grade spirit stones," the shop assistant said politely.

The wooden sign hanging on the robe already displayed all the information, including the manufacturer, forging technique, and the array contained within.

Therefore, the shop assistant didn't provide any further explanation, only stating the price.

Chen Ping frowned and said discontentedly, "Isn't this too expensive? The weapon shop next door doesn't charge this much for a sword."

The shop assistant rolled his eyes and said, "What does a robe have to do with a sword? They serve completely different purposes, don't they?"

"Furthermore, this robe is made of demon silkworm silk, which is already extremely expensive. It also requires soaking in special potions and the process of refining involves carving restrictions, requiring precise control of the spiritual power of the array master. The consumption is enormous. Are these steps not more meticulous than the crafting of a sword? It's normal for it to be more expensive."

That may be the reasoning, but it's still too expensive.

600 Low Grade spirit stones.

Chen Ping tried to persuade, "Even so, it shouldn't be this expensive. This robe only has one array, how difficult can it be? I heard that a merchant caravan just arrived a few days ago, and the supply was at its peak. If you don't give me a fair price, I'll go to another store."

"Fine, fine, it's the first sale of the day. I'll give you a discount and consider it making a new friend," the shop assistant twitched his mouth and started calculating how much discount would be appropriate.

Chen Ping was speechless.

Every shopkeeper wants to be friends with him.

Next, Chen Ping used all his bargaining skills in an intense negotiation.

In the end, he bought it for 507 Low Grade spirit stones.

Originally, he had 540 Low Grade spirit stones at his disposal, but now it had shrunk to 33.

Back to being poor in a day.

Thinking of his past life, he was always broke. First week after payday - "Let's have fun!" Second and third weeks after payday - "You guys go out, I'm busy with work these days." Fourth week after payday - "Bro, can you send me the link for discounted instant noodles?"

Starting a new life, he was still broke!!

This is probably... right?

After buying the robe, he spent 4 spirit stones to buy some Spirit Rice and Demonic Beast meat.

Curiously, the price of Demonic Beast meat had become cheaper recently. A few months ago, it used to be 1 spirit stone for ten jin, but now it could buy around twelve jin, a 20% discount.

"Could it be that there are more Demonic Beasts?"

"Or are there more beast hunters?"

Chen Ping didn't understand, but he didn't bother thinking too much about it.

For him, cheaper Demonic Beast meat was a good thing. The cheaper, the better. After all, he wouldn't go hunting beasts himself, but it meant lower living costs.

Back at home, Chen Ping couldn't wait to put on the robe.

He looked at himself in the water basin.

Absolutely stunning.

A true handsome guy.

The robe was light blue, with intricate patterns on the collar and cuffs, simple yet elegant.

The robe was made of demon silkworm silk, very comfortable to wear. With a gentle breeze, the robe fluttered, giving off a feeling of being an Immortal Master.

Of course, that wasn't the most important thing.

The important thing was that the robe was engraved with the Spirit Gathering array.

That was the reason Chen Ping bought it.

His cultivation progress was too slow, and he needed some auxiliary tools. Instead of consuming one-time pills, it was better to have a set of robes for long-term use.

And now, after putting on the robe, he immediately felt the spiritual energy in the air gathering towards him without the need for arduous Qi Absorption.

Chen Ping sat cross-legged and began cultivating the "Evergreen Technique."

Half an hour later, the technique increased by 1 point.

Another hour later, the technique increased by 1 point again.

After the second hour, the technique unexpectedly increased by +1.

Chen Ping was overjoyed.

Indeed, the speed has greatly accelerated.

In the past three months, his Evergreen Technique has only improved from '25/100' to '71/100', a mere increase of 46 points.

At the current speed, even if the progress slows down in the future, it is estimated that it will take at most another month for him to raise the Evergreen Technique to the proficient level.

This is the advantage of having both resource feeding and proficiency panels.

Absolutely dominant.

This robe.

Although it is a bit expensive, it is worth it.

In the afternoon of that day.

Chen Ping went to Zhang Zheng's house again, he needed to buy some symbol skins.

"So, Fellow Daoist Chen has used up all 500 symbol skins?" Zhang Zheng was quite surprised when he heard Chen Ping say he wanted to buy symbol skins again.

It's only been two months.

That's 500 symbol skins.

Chen Ping smiled awkwardly.

"I've used them up, I'll come back to buy some more."

"Oh, Fellow Daoist Chen, are you making symbol skins at home every day?" Zhang Zheng couldn't help but laugh.

Well, that's right.

I basically haven't gone out in two months.

Chen Ping thought self-deprecatingly, without denying it.

"I have a low cultivation level, it's inevitably dangerous to go out. Plus, I prefer a quiet life and don't like to interact with people. It's better to stay at home."

"Well, that's true. It's good to stay at home." Zhang Zheng agreed. "There's no peaceful day in this world. Last time, someone set up a challenge in the north of the city. I thought of seeking some opportunities, but ended up getting my money pouch stolen. Ah, five spirit stones."

Chen Ping thought to himself.

This lively event was a bit of a loss.

But thinking about it, it's fortunate that he retreated in time. Otherwise, who knows what would have happened.

Being robbed of money is a small matter, but risking one's life is not worth it.

"So, Fellow Daoist Chen, how many symbol skins did you make out of those 500 symbol skins?" Zhang Zheng asked curiously again.

Chen Ping casually replied.

"What symbol skins? I mainly used them to practice the technique of making symbol skins. Most of them were used and discarded."

"That's understandable. It's like that when you first start learning, you can't rush it." Zhang Zheng comforted.

Hearing Chen Ping say that he didn't learn it, he inexplicably breathed a sigh of relief. It's like failing the exam, but knowing that his companions also failed, it's the same feeling.

The feeling of naturally forming a bond.

He has learned it twice himself, but he is still a novice. The success rate of the symbol skins he made is low, and he can't even sell 13 pieces for 1 spirit stone. Chen Ping only went to Master Qi's place to learn it once, how could he possibly master the technique?

This bowl of rice doesn't taste good.

It's more profitable to sell symbol skins.

Thinking of this, Zhang Zheng quickly asked Chen Ping, "How many symbol skins do you need this time?"

"About 200, do you have them?"

Zhang Zheng's eyes lit up, unable to help but take a deep breath. This is definitely a big customer. Just two months ago, he bought 500, and now he wants another 200.

Selling to Chen Ping alone is more than the total amount he sells in the market.

"I've been busy with other things these days, so I don't have that many for now. How about this, I'll give you 100 first, and in ten days, no, in half a month, I'll send you another 100, how does that sound?" Zhang Zheng quickly suggested.

"Okay." Chen Ping nodded.

After chatting with Zhang Zheng for a while, he left his symbol-making room.

It was late spring and early summer, and the weather was already getting hot. The smell in Zhang Zheng's symbol-making room became even more suffocating. It is said that the leather inside is prone to excessive formaldehyde, I don't know if it's true.

It's uncomfortable to stay there for too long.

Chen Ping felt relieved that he had chosen to give up making symbol skins.

(End of this chapter)