As soon as Yuan Ming entered the shop, he took out his Guest Elder Token.
The shop assistant immediately went to find a steward to escort Yuan Ming to the inner hall.
"Haha, Elder Wan's honorable visit makes our branch shine," the slightly plump steward said with a face full of smiles, appearing very cordial.
"Oh, you know me?" Yuan Ming asked, somewhat surprised.
"Your status as a Guest Elder has been communicated to all branches. We've been instructed to ensure we treat you well and fulfill all your needs as best as we can," the steward said, diligently pouring the shop's finest Immortal Tea for Yuan Ming.
"I see. The reason I've come to bother you is that I would like your branch to help me collect some high-grade spirit wood, preferably Level 5 or above, as much as possible," Yuan Ming directly stated upon hearing this.
The reason he came to Yin Mountain City was to understand the nineteen cities of the Ten Thousand Demon Mountain Range, but more importantly, to collect high-grade spirit wood.
"Not a problem, not a problem. When do you need it by?" the steward asked.
"Three days. I won't be staying in Yin Mountain City for long," Yuan Ming thought for a moment and said.
"Three days... it's a bit tight, but we'll do our utmost to gather it for you," the steward replied, slightly frowning as he spoke.
"Thank you," Yuan Ming cupped his fists in thanks.
"No need to thank us yet, Fellow Daoist Wan. All our major branches have also been tasked to ask if you still have any High Grade Soul Refining Pills for sale should you visit again," the steward asked with a smile.
"In three days, when I come to pick up the high-grade spirit wood, I will bring along the Soul Refining Pills," Yuan Ming replied.
"Very well, very well..." The steward was immediately overjoyed at this.
After bidding farewell, Yuan Ming found an inn in the city, rented a courtyard, and settled in temporarily.
First, he helped Nan Shangfeng suppress the curse's backlash, then took out the Stealing Heaven Tripod and used Black Incense Possession on Ye Wuya to comprehend the Golden Sunflower Beast Taming Technique.
Once the Black Incense Possession ended, his Golden Sunflower Beast Taming Technique improved a little more.
Yuan Ming nodded silently. At this rate, in a few more years, his Golden Sunflower Beast Taming Technique, Planting Beans into Soldiers, and Eyes of Golden Flame would all reach the Perfect Realm, at which point he could begin to advance to the Dharma manifestation Stage.
He gently exhaled, closed his eyes, and cultivated.
Three days quickly passed, and Yuan Ming left the inn, heading towards the Ten Thousand Goods Immortal Trip.
"Yuan, the Cloud Dream Immortal Pillow has already been refined. Now we need to start creating a treasure, which means you'll have to gather some materials," came the voice of Kong while on the way.
"What Moon God's Treasure does the senior wish to refine? What materials are needed? I will do my utmost to find them," Yuan Ming said delightedly.
"Although the Cloud Dream Immortal Pillow seems large, the refined Moonlight Stone essence is only a tiny bit, enough to make the least effective of the Moon God's Three Treasures—the Moon God Ring. The materials needed are Snow Jade, Moon Cold Core, Deep Sea Marrow Silver, Heavenly Star Sand..." Kong listed about twenty or thirty materials.
"So many spiritual materials are needed, and none of them are not precious materials, especially Snow Jade, Moon Cold Core, and Heavenly Star Sand. I'm afraid they are not easier to find than the Moonlight Stone," Yuan Ming said with some distress.
"If ordinary spiritual materials were enough to refine them, the Moon God's Three Treasures wouldn't be so renowned. I'll tell you where to find Snow Jade, Moon Cold Core, and Heavenly Star Sand. You just need to handle the rest," Kong said.
Yuan Ming nodded, quickening his pace, and soon arrived again at the Ten Thousand Goods Immortal Trip, where he was met once more by the slightly plump steward.
"Elder Wan, I'm truly sorry. Three days was very limited time. Despite our best efforts, we only managed to gather ten pieces of high-grade spirit wood, including one piece of Level 6 Phoenix Wing Cloud Wood, with the rest being Level 5 spirit wood," the steward warmly greeted him as soon as they met.
Yuan Ming was somewhat surprised by this. To collect so much high-grade spirit wood in such a short span of three days was not a simple feat, showing that the Ten Thousand Goods Immortal Trip had indeed shown considerable dedication.
"I have also prepared what you need," Yuan Ming responded.
Soon, he was led to a meeting room, where collecting this batch of spirit wood cost four hundred and sixty thousand Spirit Stones. Yuan Ming offered three High Grade Soul Refining Pills for exchange, and the chubby steward quickly agreed.
After both sides verified their items, the transaction concluded rapidly.
"Elder Wan, do you have any more High Grade Soul Refining Pills? I heard that on East Extreme Island, they sold for one hundred and fifty thousand Spirit Stones each. I'm willing to buy them at a price of one hundred and sixty-five thousand Spirit Stones each," the chubby steward asked.
"I'm very sorry. The High Grade Soul Refining Pills were refined by a friend of mine and only gave me these. The three I just sold were the last," Yuan Ming shook his head.
In truth, he still had some High Grade Soul Refining Pills with him, but having already distributed a dozen or so recently, producing more would truly be too conspicuous.
The chubby steward also knew that Yuan Ming had already sold several High Grade Soul Refining Pills and probably didn't have more, so while disappointed, he didn't doubt it.
"Elder Wan, if you get more High Grade Soul Refining Pills in the future, please prioritize selling them to us at the Ten Thousand Goods Immortal Trip," the chubby steward implored.
"Of course," Yuan Ming readily agreed.
"Apart from the high-grade spirit wood, there are some other spiritual materials I wish to buy today. Manager Cao, could you please check if the store has them?" He then took out a Jade Scroll and handed it over, listing the materials needed to refine the Moon God Ring, excluding Snow Jade, Moon Cold Core, and Heavenly Star Sand.
"These are all precious spiritual materials, Elder Wan. Please wait a moment while I check," the chubby steward said, taking the Jade Scroll with quick steps.
Yuan Ming quietly sipped tea, waiting for nearly an hour before the chubby steward returned, bringing only five types of Moon God Ring spiritual materials.
In his heart, Yuan Ming felt disappointed, having exhausted almost all his Spirit Stones to pay for them. Without staying long, he promptly bid farewell and left.
The stout steward escorted Yuan Ming all the way to the door, his enthusiasm unwavering.
Yuan Ming walked slowly along the streets of the city, heading towards his residence. He passed by a shop that bought and sold demon beast materials and stepped inside.
Looking at the items displayed on the shelves, Yuan Ming casually asked, "What levels of demon beasts do you accept here?"
"We accept anything above third-level, including the corpse, demon core, and essence blood, with prices varying by type. The higher the level, the higher the price," the shopkeeper said, handing Yuan Ming a price list.
The man looked cunning with his sharp features, but the prices he offered were fair.
Yuan Ming took out the demon beast materials he had accumulated over the years and sold them all, exchanging them for over eight hundred thousand Spirit Stones.
"These demon beasts of yours seem to be sea beasts. Could they be from the Extreme East?" The shopkeeper's enthusiasm increased.
"That's right. The Extreme East is barren, but I heard the Ten Thousand Demon Mountain Range is rich in spiritual materials and filled with demon beasts, so I came to take a look," Yuan Ming replied.
"You're correct. The Ten Thousand Demon Mountain Range is abundant in Spiritual Energy, unlike the remote places such as the Extreme East. Are you planning to become a demon beast hunter?" the shopkeeper inquired.
"Exactly. So, before hunting, I came to inquire about the prices of demon beasts here, which are worth hunting, and which areas of the Ten Thousand Demon Mountain Range are dangerous, and which are relatively safe?" Yuan Ming nodded and asked.
"Senior, when it comes to that, you've asked the right person. Although our store has limited wealth, it has been passed down from our ancestors and has existed in Yin Mountain City for over a thousand years, making us very familiar with the Ten Thousand Demon Mountain Range. However, these are precious pieces of information passed down from our ancestors, so you see…" The shopkeeper made a show of reluctance.
Yuan Ming took out a few Mid-grade Spirit Stones and tossed them onto the counter.
"The higher the price for a demon beast, naturally the harder it is to hunt, but there are exceptions for some demon beasts, for instance..." The shopkeeper laughed heartily and began to talk about the various demon beasts within the Ten Thousand Demon Mountain Range and their activity areas.
Though the shopkeeper spoke confidently, his knowledge of the Ten Thousand Demon Mountain Range was just average, and the demon beasts he mentioned only inhabited the perimeter of the range, reaching at most level five.
"Shopkeeper, I've heard that there are level six demon beasts deep within the Ten Thousand Demon Mountain Range. Is this true?" Yuan Ming asked.
"Of course it's true. The depths of the Ten Thousand Demon Mountain Range are within the territory of the Ten Thousand Demon Country, incredibly dangerous. Even the Returning Void and Dharma manifestation powers rarely return unharmed from there; I advise you not to think about it." The shopkeeper waved his hand repeatedly.
"Ten Thousand Demon Country? Is it a nation formed by the Demon Clan?" This was the first time Yuan Ming heard the name.
"Indeed, the Ten Thousand Demon Country is a power formed by powerful demon clans within the Ten Thousand Demon Mountain Range. It is said to have countless sixth-level Great Demons and is extremely hostile to the Human Clan's cultivators, killing them on sight. They are notoriously ruthless, and the beast tide that occurs every hundred years in the Ten Thousand Demon Mountain Range is orchestrated by the Ten Thousand Demon Country." The shopkeeper showed signs of fear.
Yuan Ming's expression grew solemn. He wanted to ask more about the Ten Thousand Demon Country, but seeing that the shopkeeper only knew hearsay and wasn't clear about the place, he had to give up.
"If it's your first time going out to hunt beasts, I suggest you form a team, find someone experienced to accompany you, the chances of success will be greater," the shopkeeper suggested.
"May I ask where I can form a team?" Yuan Ming inquired.
"In this city, any shop that collects demon beasts can arrange team formations. Follow me this way..." The shopkeeper said, leading Yuan Ming to a wall inside the store with a red notice board affixed to it.
Yuan Ming took a closer look and saw it was a reward list, with different types of demon beasts and varying reward amounts.
"Anyone with a target in common and wanting to team up can register here with us. We help connect and form teams. Would you like me to recommend a few reliable hunter partners for you?" the shopkeeper asked cautiously.
"I'll think about it some more." Naturally, Yuan Ming would not really go out of the city to hunt beasts, so he merely said noncommittally.
He didn't linger in the shop and soon took his leave, a slight frown crossing his face.
Without turning back, Yuan Ming could sense that ever since he left the Ten Thousand Goods Immortal Trip, a figure had been tailing him, now once again catching up.
He didn't return directly to his residence but instead gradually moved towards a less populated area.
Upon reaching a deserted alley, Yuan Ming stopped, turned around, and looked behind him.
To his surprise, the person didn't bother hiding and openly appeared before him. It was the dashing silver-haired man he had encountered earlier while drinking mutton soup.
"You..." Yuan Ming was just about to question when the person interrupted him first.
"Fellow Daoist, don't misunderstand. I am Xuan Ye, not one with sinister intentions." The silver-haired man's voice was quite magnetic, his tone steady.
Yuan Ming sized up the silver-haired man, trying to sense his cultivation level, a look of surprise flashing in his eyes.
The person before him had a restrained aura, making it impossible to ascertain his true cultivation level.
...
A friendly recommendation for the work "Knife Cutting Heaven" by the author Shao Ye Bu Tai Leng.
The gods above show no mercy, and monsters run rampant below.
The wavering flame of the Human Clan can never illuminate the world.
So draw the blade...
Slay the gods above, cut down the demons below, and only then shall I, the earthly rogue, be worthy of the butcher's knife in my hand...
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