"Step right up, take a look! Freshly unearthed Soul Guidance Devices..."
"Hundred-year spirit herbs! Buying hundred-year spirit herbs and thousand-year precious medicines..."
The voices were unfamiliar, but the content was all too familiar.
"Aside from being a bit larger, it doesn't seem much different from the towns near the Spirit Hunting Forests."
Zhao Liuyun lifted the curtain of the carriage, looking outside with curiosity. Every kind of shop imaginable was present: armor, weapons, detoxification tonics, insect repellents, snake-scaring powders... they were still selling the same things.
However, the Spirit Hunting Town of the Star Dou Great Forest was much larger—several times more expansive than those near the Spirit Hunting Forests—resembling a small city. The auras of the Spirit Masters passing by were also far more robust. From the spiritual power and Soul Power radiating from the crowd, Zhao Liuyun could sense that experts of the Spirit Ancestor and Spirit King levels were not few in number.
It made sense; the Star Dou Great Forest birthed more rare resources, but it was also fraught with peril. Without real skill, who would dare linger here for long?
Zhao Liuyun hopped down from the carriage. He strolled along leisurely while keeping an eye out for the pharmacy his Martial Uncle had mentioned. His gaze swept over an imposing storefront featuring a seven-story pagoda emblem carved onto its plaque.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect...
The trade unions of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect spanned the two great empires. As a transit hub for high-level resources from the Star Dou Great Forest, the Spirit Hunting Town naturally featured their presence. They weren't the only ones; the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan sought news on dragon-type Soul Beasts, and various major powers had a constant demand for medicinal baths and rare Soul Beast intel. This place was truly a den of hidden dragons and crouching tigers.
Zhao Liuyun rubbed his hands together; he was becoming more and more expectant.
Before long, he found the pharmacy his Martial Uncle had described. Rather than a mere shop, it looked more like a distribution center for precious medicinal ingredients. Hundred-year spirit herbs, rarely seen in the Spirit Hunting Forests, were displayed here in rows, filling the air with a fragrant aroma.
Since medicine and healing go hand in hand, for the Ye family to pass down the Nine-Hearted Flowering Crabapple Martial Soul—which only ever had two living successors—possessing a formidable supporting force was of paramount importance.
"Earth Dragon Vine, Meteor Flying Flower, Jade Spirit Crow, Rosy Cloud Treasure Reishi, Scarlet Sun Grass..." Zhao Liuyun stared with burning desire. Fresh soil still clung to the roots; they were clearly newly harvested. Many of these herbs, even used individually, would greatly benefit a Spirit Master's growth by strengthening their foundation and tempering their bones.
Unfortunately, his pockets were empty.
A little girl who was busy identifying herbs was drawn to his whispering and trotted over. She had a round face and a pert nose, with the "baby fat" still on her cheeks. Her deer-like eyes were bright and full of curiosity, and she wore two soft, thin braids behind her head.
"You really know your stuff, don't you?"
Clearly a mere child, she mimicked the tone of an adult, acting quite sophisticated for her age. Zhao Liuyun couldn't help but smile at the sight. Still, for one so young to wander so freely in the shop...
"I'm the junior shopkeeper. What would you like to buy?" The little girl straightened her back and lifted her chin slightly, assuming the air of a little manager.
Two tall Spirit Masters stood to her left and right, blocking her path as their Soul Power faintly shimmered. They were Spirit Ancestors. They looked at Zhao Liuyun with smiles on their faces, but a subtle alertness was hidden in their eyes.
"I'm not buying anything; I'm here to find someone."
Zhao Liuyun gave a gentle smile. With his graceful bearing and handsome features, it was hard for anyone not to have a good impression of him.
The little girl's tone softened a bit. "Who are you looking for?"
"Senior Ye Wenxi." Zhao Liuyun took a recommendation letter from his ring and added, "My Martial Uncle, Huang Xin, recommended me."
"Oh! You're looking for Grandpa!" The little girl toyed with her braid, completely ignoring the latter half of the sentence—she didn't know the man anyway. "Grandpa! A big brother is looking for you!" she shouted toward the back room in a crisp voice.
"Coming!" An aged voice echoed from the rear hall.
Shortly after, an elderly man with snow-white hair and a face lined with wrinkles walked out slowly. His movements were unhurried, his gait composed, and his eyes as calm as an ancient well. Zhao Liuyun's earlier guess was correct; the man appeared to be around seventy years old.
"Someone named Huang Xin recommended him," the little girl whispered as she approached. She tucked away her playful nature and handed over the recommendation letter.
"Are you... Senior Ye Wenxi?" Zhao Liuyun confirmed softly.
"I am Ye Wenxi. Who are you to that brat Huang Xin?" The elder opened the letter and read it silently.
Zhao Liuyun bowed respectfully with a humble posture. "Greetings, Senior Ye. My name is Zhao Liuyun. I am Huang Xin's Martial Nephew, and my master is Bai Hong. My Martial Uncle asked me to convey his regards to you."
Ye Wenxi asked, "That brat Huang Xin... it's been five years. What is his cultivation level now?"
"Martial Uncle is already a Rank 24 Grand Spirit Master."
"Tsk, a useless thing that doesn't improve," Ye Wenxi grunted, his disappointment undisguised.
Zhao Liuyun kept his head bowed and stood silently. As a junior, it was truly inappropriate to say too much.
"Hmm?" As Ye Wenxi read the letter, his eyelids suddenly twitched. "You actually managed to endure the Dragon Blood Tree medicinal bath alone?"
"Yes," Zhao Liuyun nodded in response.
A flash of amazement crossed Ye Wenxi's steady face. Innate Rank 5, and becoming a Grand Spirit Master at the age of nine—this cultivation speed was surprising enough. But the Dragon Blood Tree bath was another matter entirely.
Ye Wenxi said in a deep voice, "The Dragon Blood Tree bath causes excruciating pain during immersion. It accelerates the body's absorption and transformation of nutrients without side effects. This formula was originally created by my master, the previous head of the Ye family, at the request of a major sect. The original intent was to temper the will of young Spirit Masters and speed up physical growth. But later, because the pain was too great, it was abolished. I never imagined someone would actually use this method to forge their body..."
"Child, your strength of will is truly moving!"
Zhao Liuyun's lips twitched slightly. He remained silent for a moment before smiling. "I truly had no other choice. I have nothing, and my Martial Uncle didn't have anything better to offer. My physique was too weak; if I wanted to absorb a suitable Soul Ring, this was the only path I could take."
While these words were meant to garner sympathy and increase his chances of being accepted, they were not a lie. He really had no other choice.
"Good child, stay here for the time being." Ye Wenxi squeezed Zhao Liuyun's shoulder, sensing that the strength of his physique was no sham. In an instant, a sense of appreciation for talent rose within him. "I have a better medicinal bath recipe here. Its effect is gentle; it can solidify your foundation and increase your latent potential."
Cultivating powerful Spirit Masters to belong to the family from a young age was something every Support-system family did. Although Ye Wenxi was a distant relative and did not possess the Nine-Hearted Flowering Crabapple Martial Soul, he was highly valued and an indispensable part of the family. He had an obligation to build more connections.
"Thank you, Senior Ye, but I cannot accept such a reward for no work. I..." Zhao Liuyun instinctively declined. Things that are free are often the most expensive; how could he accept someone's kindness out of thin air?
"Do not refuse. This is not charity; it is an investment," Ye Wenxi said, shaking his head. "You are not the only one."
Trading resources for connections! This was the fundamental way Support-system families established themselves in the world. Ye Wenxi's first impression of Zhao Liuyun was excellent: of humble origin but outstanding talent, hardworking and resilient, sensible, and knowing when to advance or retreat—and he just happened to be in need!
Wasn't such a seedling a natural target to win over? It was just a medicinal bath; the Ye family had practiced medicine for generations and had no shortage of recipes. Since they ran a medicinal business, they would never lack ingredients. How much could this truly cost?
"Thank you, Senior," Zhao Liuyun thanked him solemnly.
According to Tang San's standards, after tempering his body with an over-limit third ring and the Eight Spider Lances external spirit bone for over two thousand years, his physical fitness was roughly equivalent to Rank 40 when he consumed the immortal herbs. This medicinal bath was exactly what he needed right now!
"Follow me." Seeing that he had accepted, a flash of approval crossed Ye Wenxi's eyes. He turned and led Zhao Liuyun toward the back. "I'll take you to where you'll be staying."
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I have caught up with the author's current pace. From now on, I will be posting one chapter per day. However, if the author releases extra chapters, I will continue with two chapters a day to keep up. Thank you for your patience and support!