Harvesting Mount Huaihuai, Directional Sense is Zero

After the scare at the black inn, Li Wuyang became much more cautious, no longer easily trusting the "kindness" of strangers. Following the road signs, he headed towards the more central and prosperous areas of the market.

The deeper he went, the grander the buildings became, the wider the streets, and the more powerful the auras of the beings passing by. He even saw some important figures riding rare exotic beasts, accompanied by throngs of servants, parading through the streets.

Although Li Wuyang's "motley crew" drew attention, no one dared to provoke them easily. After all, anyone who could openly display a Sky-Gazing Roarer (even an injured one) must have some backing.

He first found a seemingly legitimate inn and rented a private courtyard, finally securing a stable place to stay. When paying the room fee with a few Mid-grade Spirit Stones, he was once again reminded of the urgency of earning money.

After settling in, he decided to visit the largest trading venue in the market, the "Myriad Treasures Tower," to broaden his horizons, see if there was anything suitable for him, and gather information.

The Myriad Treasures Tower was a nine-story glazed pagoda, radiant and dazzling. Those entering and exiting were either wealthy or noble. Li Wuyang, bringing Huaihuai and Little Fire (who was too large and had to be left in a designated area outside), entered with only Yingying.

The first-floor hall was extremely spacious, crowded with people. All sorts of rare treasures, protected by formations, shone brightly, dazzling the eyes.

There were dedicated sections for magical treasures, elixirs, cultivation techniques, materials, and even spirit beasts and intelligence.

Li Wuyang first browsed the cultivation technique section. He saw a jade slip labeled Nine Revolutions Profound Technique (Fragment) priced at ten thousand high-grade spirit stones, which immediately scared him off. He then saw a book titled Detailed Explanation of Five Elements Evasion Arts for five hundred high-grade spirit stones.

"They're robbing people!" he muttered inwardly.

Moving to the materials section, he saw a fist-sized purple ore flashing with lightning, labeled "Kui Niu Thunder Core," priced at three thousand high-grade spirit stones. He then spotted a seven-colored lotus sealed in a crystal box, the "Seven-Orifice Exquisite Lotus," priced at eight thousand high-grade spirit stones.

He patted the meager contents of his Void-Concealing Pouch; it wasn't even enough for a fraction of the price.

"Alas, I'm so poor..." Li Wuyang sighed, deeply understanding the saying, "Living in the Primordial World is not easy."

Just as he was feeling a bit dejected, his gaze was drawn to an inconspicuous stall in the corner. It sold only broken, ancient, and seemingly useless miscellaneous items at relatively low prices.

The stall owner was an old man dozing off.

Li Wuyang walked over and browsed casually. Suddenly, the Great Dao Imprint in his sea of consciousness stirred slightly, sensing a faint resonance from a black, palm-sized lump of what looked like scorched wood on the stall.

"Boss, how much for this?" he asked, picking up the piece of wood.

The old man raised his eyelids. "Oh, that? Found it in an ancient battlefield. It's useless, very hard, can't even burn it. Ten Low-grade Spirit Stones and it's yours."

Ten low-grade spirit stones? So cheap? Li Wuyang readily paid.

Picking up the piece of wood, it felt heavy in his hand. There was a faint, almost imperceptible fluctuation of life force hidden beneath the scorched exterior. The Great Dao Imprint's resonance became clearer.

"Could this be a treasure?" Li Wuyang's heart leaped with joy. He subtly put it away.

He browsed the market for a while longer but found nothing else particularly noteworthy. However, he used his remaining spirit stones to buy some basic healing elixirs and jade slips introducing the customs and factions of the Primordial World, considering it an investment in intelligence.

Back at the inn, he eagerly began to examine the scorched wood. Carefully scraping off a bit of the charred outer layer with a knife, he revealed a jade-green wood inside, and a powerful surge of life force instantly permeated the air!

"This is... Innate Yi Wood Essence?!" Li Wuyang was both shocked and delighted! This was an absolute treasure for body refinement and healing! Priceless! And he had stumbled upon it for a mere ten Low-grade Spirit Stones!

Indeed, while "Destined by Fate" might be unreliable, it occasionally offered pleasant surprises!

He carefully cut off a small slice and gave it to Little Fire. After swallowing it, Little Fire's flames immediately became more vigorous, its injuries visibly healed, and its aura grew much stronger!

"Good stuff!" Li Wuyang happily put away the remaining majority of the scorched wood.

For the next few days, Li Wuyang wandered the market during the day, familiarizing himself with the environment, and diligently cultivated the Innate One Qi Art at night to consolidate his cultivation. With Little Fire and Yingying guarding him and the inn being relatively safe, his progress was smooth.

One day, he heard that the Myriad Treasures Tower would be holding a medium-sized auction in three days, with many good items up for grabs, and he became interested.

"I need to find a way to get some spirit stones..." he pondered. Sell the scorched wood? Too conspicuous. Sell other things? He didn't seem to have anything valuable.

While he was worrying, an inn employee delivered an invitation. It was from Daoist Master Xuanhe, inviting him to a private gathering at the "Pure Tranquility Inn" in the center of the market.

"Daoist Master Xuanhe?" Li Wuyang remembered the old man who had helped him out of a tight spot. It seemed the other party was indeed paying attention to him. It would be good to go and observe; perhaps there would be an opportunity.

Three days later, Li Wuyang arrived at Pure Tranquility Temple as scheduled. It was an elegant courtyard, and several people were already present. Besides Daoist Master Xuanhe, there was a stern-looking young man with a sword on his back (suspected to be a sword cultivator), a mysterious person shrouded in a black robe, and a noble and arrogant young demon.

Daoist Master Xuanhe smiled and introduced everyone. The sword-wielding youth was known as "Azure Cloud Sword Immortal," the black-robed figure called himself "Mr. Mo," and the young demon was "Young Master Jinpeng." Their backgrounds seemed extraordinary.

Everyone showed a hint of curiosity about Li Wuyang's identity as the "Primordial Dao Child" but didn't pry further, and the atmosphere was quite harmonious.

While sipping tea and discussing the Dao, the conversation naturally turned to the upcoming auction.

Young Master Jinpeng arrogantly declared, "The finale item of this auction, the 'Wind Thunder Wings,' this young master is determined to obtain!"

Azure Cloud Sword Immortal was interested in an ancient sword embryo.

Mr. Mo was taciturn, his objective unclear.

Daoist Master Xuanhe chuckled, "It seems everyone has their desired items. However, auctions depend on wealth and opportunity. As for fellow Daoist Li, you seem new here. If you require anything, perhaps we can exchange favors."

Li Wuyang's heart stirred; this was an opportunity! He pondered for a moment and said, "To be frank with you all, I am quite interested in that 'Seven-Orifice Exquisite Lotus,' but I am short on funds..."

He didn't directly say he wanted to buy it but revealed his need, hoping for a chance to cooperate or trade.

Young Master Jinpeng scoffed, clearly looking down on Li Wuyang's "poverty." Azure Cloud Sword Immortal remained noncommittal. Mr. Mo was still silent.

Daoist Master Xuanhe stroked his beard and said, "Although the Seven-Orifice Exquisite Lotus is precious, it is mainly used to nourish the soul and refine specific elixirs. If fellow Daoist is in urgent need, I might be able to help you look for alternatives."

Li Wuyang expressed his gratitude but thought to himself, it seemed he needed to find another way. Perhaps there would be other opportunities at the auction?