Chapter 1: Whispers of War

Ling Feng, though only twenty-one, possessed eyes that held the wisdom of a much older soul and a smile that could charm the scales off a dragon. His youthful features belied the power simmering beneath his skin; a late-stage Qi Condensation cultivation, achieved through years of relentless self-discipline and a touch of cunning luck. Gone were the days of scraping by, his worn robes replaced with fine silks, a testament to his success as a merchant. But the air, once filled with the sweet aroma of traded spices, now crackled with a different tension. Whispers of war had begun to circulate like a phantom wind. The Azure Cloud Sect and the Iron Mountain Sect, two behemoths in the cultivation world, were poised to clash, and their conflict promised to engulf the mortal realm in its wake.

Ling Feng didn't fear the war itself – he was powerful enough to handle himself. But he knew that once the drums of conflict beat loud enough, cultivators of all stripes would be dragged into the fray, acting as cannon fodder for the larger sects. He would be forced to pick a side, or perhaps worse, become a pawn in their game. That thought rankled. He had earned his power and his wealth. He would not throw it away at the whims of others.

A calculating glint entered his eyes. War meant shortages, panic, and a desperate need for supplies. It also meant opportunity. He had a knack for seeing the patterns in the chaos, a talent he had honed through years of hard trade. And so, he did the unthinkable. He liquidated his meticulously amassed wealth – his jade and spiritual stones, his rare herbs, his stocks of silks – and spent it on a single, obscure scroll: the Veil of the Humble. It was a risky investment; few cultivators bothered with this ancient, relatively low-level technique that allowed one to perfectly suppress and conceal their cultivation. It was a technique used by spies, and those who wished to disappear. He wasn't using it to disappear, but to appear as ordinary. This time was different. This time he would be ordinary, and profit greatly.

Chapter 2: The Mortal Facade

Bidding farewell to the familiar streets of his city, he traveled west, seeking sanctuary in a bustling port town named Riverbend. He donned simple cotton robes and carefully applied a grime to his hands. He moved with a slightly hunched posture, affecting a meekness that couldn't have been further from his true self. He rented a small stall in the merchant's quarter, his face almost obscured by the wide brim of a straw hat.

The war had already begun to take its toll. The cost of everything was steadily escalating. Food was scarce, weapons were in high demand, and even simple necessities like cloth and tools were becoming incredibly valuable. Ling Feng, cloaked in his aura of normalcy, moved through the chaos with the practiced ease of a seasoned merchant. He bought up cheap goods from weary farmers, bartered them for other scarce items, and sold the goods to fearful townsfolk at greatly increased prices. He traded salt at an insane mark up. He bought up all the weapons he could find outside of the war. The prices skyrocketed, but he knew they would go higher as more able bodied men are taken.

Every transaction was a carefully constructed dance, every interaction a performance. He haggled with sharp wit, played on his ‘poor’ state, and always walked away with more than what he had started with. The jade and spiritual stones slowly began to accumulate once more, but this time he was more judicious. This time they would be used for more than material gains.

At night, under the dim glow of a single lantern, Ling Feng would pore over ancient texts on formations. The Veil of the Humble was temporary; he needed a more permanent solution, a shield against the chaos that threatened to consume him. He discovered that simple defensive formations, when artfully placed, could turn a seemingly harmless space into a fortress. He practiced with mundane materials, using pebbles and sticks to lay out powerful defensive arrays. He didn't dare create a spiritual formation, as to attract attention.

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Chapter 3: The Calm Before the Storm

Months turned into seasons. The war raged on, a distant nightmare that constantly threatened to spill into Riverbend. Ling Feng, now known as "Old Lin" to the local merchants, was a fixture in the bustling market. His stall, though unassuming, was always stocked, regardless of shortages elsewhere. He was often seen in conversation with the various blacksmiths, tanners, and farmers. He was a well known, but mundane merchant.

He had learned the city's undercurrents, the unspoken rules and the hidden paths. He had a network of informants that spoke of the state of the war, and when it could be expected to end. He had become a master of the mortal world, a wolf in sheep's clothing.

His gains were carefully stored away.

The War's Impact:

The prolonged war between the Azure Sky Sect and the Obsidian Peak Sect has changed everything. Cultivators were either on the front lines or desperately trying to secure resources for their survival and advancement. The once-stable market became a chaotic mess. Supply lines were disrupted, prices skyrocketed, and desperation became the new normal. This is where Ling Feng, or rather, "Old Lin," thrived.

Old Lin's Strategy:

Ling Feng, having clandestinely reached the peak of Qi Condensation thanks to the chaos, understood the market. He deliberately concealed his cultivation with his unique technique. He presented himself as a wizened, slightly grumpy, yet shrewd merchant with a keen eye for value. He used his wealth gained from the war to fund his next adventures.

Haggling and Bargaining – The Art of "Old Lin":

Here's a glimpse into how Ling Feng operated, disguised as Old Lin:

1. The Initial Stance: Old Lin always adopted a casual demeanor, never appearing too eager. He'd lean against his wagon, sipping lukewarm tea, as potential customers approached. He never rushed into deals. Instead, he would let the customers state their needs and their price. He would give a long exaggerated sigh and shake his head.

2. Playing the Uninformed: He would feign ignorance or a lack of understanding of the true value of an item, allowing the customers to lower their guard. He might say, "Ah, this herb? Just some weeds I found in the mountains, but seems like it has some use."

3. The Gradual Reveal: He'd ask questions, letting the customer reveal how desperate they were for the item, then he would appear to slowly concede the value, inching the price upwards. He'd pull out a herb, and say "This one's a bit more potent, its a bit less common."

4. The Power of the Pause: A well-timed silence, or a contemplative stare, could make a customer uneasy, leading them to concede to a higher price. He'd stare into their eyes, reading their souls, gauging the true limits they were willing to go to.

5. The Fake Scarcity Tactic: Even when he had a decent stock, he’d often pretend that he was running low, creating a sense of urgency. "I have only a few of these left. With the war going, you probably won't find any more." He would casually gesture to his wares, implying the others were already sold.

6. The Comparison Trick: He'd compare his goods to lower-quality items, making his merchandise seem more desirable. "This ore? This is of a much purer quality than the junk you see from the Black Iron Mines."

7. The Frugal Old Man: He would act extremely stingy, always reluctant to "lower" the price. He would complain of the cost of "finding the goods", and the danger involved. He wanted them to believe that he had gone through a lot just to acquire the goods.

8. The 'I Understand Your Situation' Ploy: He would feign empathy with the struggling cultivators, but never enough to lower the price by much. "I know these are hard times, but even I have to make a living."