Ni Cha was a simple girl who loved the way of life in the Nian Clan. The rites of passage for one to begin cultivating and the tattoos of valor were her pride and joy.

She had hunted ten small beasts at the age of 16 and earned the right to learn the Clan’s signature Path Forging method, Iron Body Refinement Sutra.

When the Pseudo High-Grade Cultivation Method landed in her hands, she was beyond happy.

She had diligently exercised the postures in the Sutra and consistently strengthened herself. This method had strengthened her limbs and helped her hunt a ferocious beast, the Sharp Claw Cougar, helping her earn her first tattoo!

Displaying her incredible talents, she had reached the Sense Training Realm at the age of 23. With the guidance of her elders and the help of the Totem, she had easily broken into the Advanced Stage of the Sense Realm!

In her entire life, she had never thought that being an Advanced Sense Trainer would prove to be a disadvantage.

However, as soon as she was enveloped by the cocoon of energy, she started cursing her activated Spiritual Sense.

As the energy from the manual created new branches in her original Energy Path, she began to feel the pain from her Spiritual Body.

It felt like a thousand needles were pricking under her skin and she could not do anything to stop them.

The horrific sensation continued for the duration of an incense stick.

During this period, she performed some mysterious exercises she had never seen before in her mind!

She had performed them so many times that they were permanently imprinted in her memory!

Slowly the prickling sensation began to recede and the energy cocoon around Ni Cha unfolded. When the girl emerged from the cocoon, she saw her companions waiting for her with eager faces, not a hint of worry in their eyes.

She was slightly disappointed, but they were not the culprits; it was the young man sitting relaxedly on the soft couch before her.

Ni Cha wiped the sweat from the torture she endured inside the energy cocoon. She glared at the man responsible for her suffering.

Ikasa noticed her gaze and ignored her glare. He did not know of the pain she suffered; he thought the glare was because of the fall in her cultivation realm.

Looking at Sang Yi, Ikasa motioned him to check the Energy Path.

The young leader of the Nian Clan politely asked for permission before scanning her with his Senses.

His mouth made an O as his jaws dropped by what he saw!

“What is the matter? Is something wrong?”

One of the other companions asked with concern, when Sang Yi did not speak for a few breaths.

“The diagram was real!”

He exclaimed with shock.

His other companions were similarly floored by his declaration.

They did not know what to think of these wonderful manuals. Should they be sad that they would not get 100 dings of Prime Gold Ore or celebrate for finding a treasure in this Tier-3 City.

While his companions looked at Ikasa with complicated gazes, Sang Yi noticed another anomaly.

“Your cultivation has fallen to the sixth stage of Path Forging Realm?”

Sang Yi asked, his eyes alternating between Ni Cha and Ikasa.

“Of course it would fall. Her Energy Path is much longer than before and she needs to clear it all once again.”

Ikasa answered nonchalantly.

Ni Cha groaned with annoyance after hearing his words. His words meant she would have to recultivate to the Pinnacle of the Path Forging Realm and when she cultivated, she would suffer the pain of prickling needles every time.

Sang Yi looked at her weirdly before turning to Ikasa. Now that the authenticity of the Cultivation Technique and its miraculous nature had been proven, it meant he could get his hands on a Pseudo Top-Grade Cultivation Technique!

The realization made his pupils dilate with happiness. A wide smile bloomed on his face. He turned to Ikasa and was about to place his order when he realized he did not know the price of the manual.

Sang Yi turned to Ikasa with an embarrassed expression.

“How much does one of those manuals cost?”

“500 Gold per manual.”

“500 Gold?! So cheap?”

Sang Yi yelled with surprise. Ikasa looked at him weirdly.

Compared to traditional High-Grade Techniques, this price was ten times cheaper.

However, if one took into account the fact that these manuals could only be used once, then one can tell how exorbitant this price was!

Sang Yi also calmed down a little and then he realized the trap. If a High Grade Martial Art cost 5000 gold in the auction, they could use it 10 times or 100 times and it would still be there. But, Ikasa’s manuals would disappear after a single use.

His face fell upon realizing this fact. History was repeating itself once again. The Nian Clan was still too poor to afford the High Grade Cultivation Manual for all its clansmen.

Ikasa saw the smile on Sang Yi’s face shrink. He was waiting for this chance. He wanted Sang Yi to initiate negotiations but it did not seem like he would. So, Ikasa took the initiative to reel the fish in.

“Is there a problem, Brother Sang?”

He asked, feigning ignorance of their situation. Sang Yi looked at him with a forced smile and shook his head.

Sang Yi was thinking of how to convince the elders to purchase at least 10 of these manuals and invest them in promising talents.

“Is the price too high, Brother Sang?”

Ikasa asked, trying to get this young man to talk about money problems.

“Actually, Yes. It is indeed a bit high.”

Sang Yi said, awkwardly scratching his chin. The smile on Ikasa’s face widened. One of the Nian Clan’s members realized where Ikasa was headed and resisted the urge to palm his face.

“Brother Sang, money is such a small problem! Where can you find such good quality manuals anywhere for just 500 Gold?”

Ikasa prodded, forcing Sang Yi to make a decision. Now that he had used one of his precious High Grade Manuals, he was going to force the Nian Clan into servitu… Partnership.

Sang Yi mostly agreed with Ikasa’s words but just because he agreed did not mean he would fall for them. So Ikasa dangled another bait before him.

“Brother Sang, actually I can sell them to you for cheaper. 100 uses just for 5000 Gold but…”

The young leader’s neck whipped at the speed of light as he turned to Ikasa with excited eyes. He had just one question,

“Really? What’s your condition?”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep