Four-color vision?
...Indeed, it's quite marvelous.
The human eye can only see three colors: red, blue, and green.
Also known as the primary colors, these three can combine to form millions of colors, creating the colorful world we perceive.
However, this isn't all the colors.
Colors are essentially wavelengths of light, so being able to see different wavelengths means seeing various colors.
This Pupil Worm allows one to see purple... meaning ultraviolet?
Li Qi became interested. "Let's take a look."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Zidu led Li Qi and the iron-eating beasts to the stall, pointing at the Purple Pupil Worm. "Can I try this worm?"
The stall owner immediately assured him, "Of course, sir, please try it. This is a worm I raised using witchcraft, harmless and made with the finest materials. Besides the common effects of the Purple Pupil Worm, it can also brighten your vision and repair any damage to your eyes."
Curiously, Li Qi picked up the Pupil Worm.
Though called a worm, it looked more like a contact lens, a transparent membrane that wriggled on its own.
Was this really a worm?
Could witchcraft make such things?
Truly fascinating.
Li Qi placed the worm into his eye socket, feeling no discomfort, but then a dim, wave-like filter appeared before his eyes, transforming the world around him instantly.
All imaginable and unimaginable colors surged before his eyes, changing the hues of the entire world.
The previously monotonous green now shimmered with an indescribable purplish-gold hue, sunlight revealing countless special specks, making everything much clearer.
Gleaming brilliance, dazzling splendor.
This experience was truly magical.
Moreover, it did relieve eye fatigue; after enduring eighty days of sleepless nights during the grand ceremony, his eyes felt much better now.
"I'll buy it. It's a good item. How much?" Li Qi liked it and asked.
The stall owner smiled and replied, "Just twelve hundred threads of pure earth qi. It's very reasonable. These worms are peak Ninth Rank, lasting twenty years with minimal maintenance—just some water qi every now and then."
"Alright." Li Qi didn't haggle, finding the price fair, and waved his hand, directing twelve hundred beads of qi from the bag onto the stall.
The stall owner collected the beads, looking delighted, and continued promoting, "Why not look at other worms? I have many other types, each with unique uses. While they aren't for combat, they can be quite useful for entertainment or adventures!"
He began introducing his worms.
There were two other types of Pupil Worms: one shared vision between two people, allowing them to share what they saw within a range of three hundred forty miles; another could temporarily blind someone by covering their eyes, cutting off their vision entirely.
Humans rarely experience true darkness; closing one's eyes merely blocks light but doesn't create darkness.
Cutting off vision helps in meditation, calming the mind, and occasionally can be used against enemies.
A stronger Ninth Rank cultivator could expel the worm in ten seconds, while an Eighth Rank could do it instantly. Without resistance, it could affect even Sixth Rank cultivators.
They were all interesting, though not particularly useful for Li Qi.
Besides Pupil Worms, there were other types of worms.
For example, a weaving worm that ate wood and spun silk, automatically turning it into fabric and clothing according to designs carved into wood.
Li Qi touched the fabric, finding it strangely soft, finer than silk, almost translucent if left undyed.
Another item was the Flower Lantern Worm, which emitted subtle vibrations. Placed on a table, it could manipulate cards, dice, or mahjong tiles during shuffling and rolling, ensuring specific outcomes—a tool for cheating in gambling.
Various curious items filled the stalls.
But Li Qi couldn't use most of them, so he just browsed and moved on.
At another stall, Li Qi was captivated by a potted plant about a meter tall, with a graceful shape and dense foliage.
The plant exuded spiritual energy, housing four chubby dolls who bounced around playfully.
As Li Qi approached, the dolls noticed him and quickly gathered, standing on a branch and bowing together, shouting cheerfully, "Greetings, Master! May your Dao path be smooth, may your fortune flourish!"
Their loud yet endearing voices were adorable.
The stall owner promptly chimed in, "Sir, are you interested in this spirit herb?"
Zhang Zidu leaned over to explain, "Sir, this is the essence of Huangpi Cypress, known for its humor and welcoming nature. Placing it at your door can ward off evil spirits and block miasma."
"Most importantly, the cute and sweet-talking spirits can uplift visitors' moods, making negotiations easier."
Li Qi reached out to play with the dolls, who happily circled his finger, chatting merrily.
These creatures were indeed charming, naturally emitting wood qi to block miasma and repel malevolent spirits. Living within their aura might even extend a mortal's lifespan.
"Not bad, but I don't have a cave abode yet. What else do you have?" Li Qi shook his head, deciding not to buy it, and looked around the stall.
It specialized in mountain wood spirits, run by a witch of the Ninth Rank, likely from a rare branch skilled in nurturing spirits.
"If you don't have a cave abode, consider these Metal Stone Spirits," the stall owner suggested, presenting a small stone resembling a fist, dark gray with metallic luster, short limbs, capable of walking and hopping.
Zhang Zidu explained, "Sir, Metal Stone Spirits can find geomantic nodes suitable for establishing cave abodes. Useful for treasure hunting, exploring, or assessing feng shui."
"If you plan to establish a cave abode later, buying one now might come in handy."
Li Qi nodded, "I see, but I don't plan to establish a cave abode soon. Let's see something else."
"Very well." Zhang Zidu agreed, leading Li Qi away.
The stall owner remained calm, politely bidding farewell before returning to wait for the next customer.
The marketplace atmosphere was pleasant, despite the items being generally ordinary.
After leaving the stall, Zhang Zidu changed tactics, suggesting, "These Ninth Rank items might only interest you for their novelty. Why not check out Seventh and Eighth Rank items? They might appeal more."
Clearly, after visiting two stalls, he realized Li Qi wasn't easily swayed by novelties and decided to showcase higher-quality goods.
However...
Zhang Zidu sighed; being Ninth Rank himself, negotiating with Eighth and Seventh Rank experts was challenging due to their tough bargaining skills.
So he initially took Li Qi to Ninth Rank stalls where he had better rapport and could earn more commission.
But since Li Qi showed no interest, hard-selling was necessary.
He led Li Qi towards another area.
Looking ahead, Li Qi saw an Eighth Rank witch, not of the orthodox lineage but close—a female Eighth Rank Wu Yu practitioner.
Historically, "In times of great drought, lead the witches to dance Wu Yu, having female witches perform rain prayers to honor Yin."
"Women can serve the unseen through dance to summon gods. Female witches manage annual purification rituals, drought dances, and assist in major calamities, singing sorrowful songs to request blessings."
Wu Yu practitioners were a significant branch of the Zhu clan, exclusively female, capable of summoning gods through dance, managing purification rituals, controlling water qi for rainmaking, and assisting in major disasters by communicating with Zhu practitioners.
Essentially, they were dedicated assistants to the Zhu clan.
Li Qi followed Zhang Zidu to the Wu Yu practitioner's stall.
Seeing Li Qi, she stood up, "Greetings, Zhu practitioner."
Li Qi returned the courtesy, "No need for formalities here. We're just doing business."
He observed her closely.
She was a female witch, naturally, as the Wu Yu path admitted no males.
Appearing around twenty-four or twenty-five, she was poised between youth and maturity, neither overly mature nor naive.
Dressed in a pale golden gown, elegant yet modified for dancing with slits up to her thighs for ease of movement.
This design added a touch of allure, revealing glimpses of her legs.
Beautiful and graceful, like a fairy.
Her demeanor was composed and refined, adorned with gold powder yet serene.
Despite her beauty and grace, Li Qi's attention focused on her ankles.
Not admiring her skin, but intrigued by something attached to her ankle.
A string of bells, seemingly ordinary decorations for dancing, jingling softly with each step.
"Cough, sir, that is Meng Niang's personal possession, not for sale," Zhang Zidu coughed, reminding Li Qi.
Besides noting it was private property, he hinted at maintaining decorum rather than staring at her legs.
"Meng Niang? Is that your name?" Li Qi redirected his gaze, focusing on her face.
Meng Niang subtly adjusted her posture, smiling, "My surname is Yu, known as Yu Meng Niang. Sir may call me directly. What interests you here? I can introduce accordingly."
Li Qi straightforwardly asked, "What's that on your leg? What's its value?"
His blunt manner slightly annoyed Yu Meng Niang, but she quickly regained composure, "Perhaps look at other items? That's my personal possession, truly not for sale."
"Bend the overwhelming qi, draw the vast into inches," Li Qi recited a verse, "This item is crucial for me. Please quote a price, Meng Niang."
Hearing the verse, Yu Meng Niang's expression changed dramatically!
She swiftly produced fifty beads of qi, handing them to Zhang Zidu, "Mr. Zidu, please step back. I'd like to speak privately with this gentleman."
Zhang Zidu glanced at Li Qi.
Li Qi nodded, "We'll talk, then I'll find Brother Zhang to continue browsing."
Zhang Zidu hesitated, then pocketed the beads, "I'll walk around nearby. Gentlemen, please proceed."
He stepped back.
With Zhang Zidu gone, Yu Meng Niang faced Li Qi alone.
She waved her hand, and the stall items vanished into her mustard seed bag.
Li Qi waited patiently until she finished packing.
Yu Meng Niang bowed slightly, "This place isn't suitable for discussion. Shall we leave the market to talk privately?"
Regaining confidence, she seemed reassured by the setting being Wu Deity Mountain, where even a young master wouldn't dare act rashly.
Acts of cruelty or theft outside might go unnoticed, but within the sect, such behavior would lead to expulsion and anger from his teacher, a Great Zhu.
Thus, she felt secure.
Worst case, she could confront him; there was no need to ingratiate oneself with someone rude and domineering.
Both being Eighth Rank, although Zhu practitioners were slightly stronger, the difference wasn't insurmountable. With protective treasures, she felt safe.
Thinking this, she calmed down.
Li Qi, however, thought little of it, nodding eagerly and leading the way out of the market.
Yun Zhen had told him.
That item on her leg was extremely important for him!
As for the person...
It didn't matter much.