Buzhou Mountain? Go Left or Go Right?

The gathering at Pure Tranquility Hall gave Li Wuyang a preliminary understanding of the market's high-end circles, and he realized his current wealth was truly insignificant. The finale items at auctions easily cost thousands or tens of thousands of high-grade spirit stones; he might not even qualify to bid (due to the deposit).

"I need to make money, I absolutely must make money!" Li Wuyang's resolve solidified once more.

He remembered the dozens of low-grade spirit stones he'd confiscated from the wolf demon at the black shop, as well as some miscellaneous materials in his Void-Concealing Pouch. Though they weren't worth a fortune, every little bit counted. He decided to head to the free stall area in the market first and sell these items to get some liquid capital.

The free stall area was a chaotic and lively place. Li Wuyang found an empty spot, spread out a cloth, laid out his miscellaneous items, and priced them. Little Fire dozed nearby (having become lazy after its injuries improved), Yingying flitted about curiously, and Huaihuai stood quietly behind him.

His items were of average quality, and few people showed interest. While he was bored, a stall owner selling talismans next to him leaned over and struck up a conversation: "Fellow Daoist, you look unfamiliar. Is this your first time setting up a stall?"

Li Wuyang nodded. "Yes, just clearing out some things I don't need."

The stall owner was a chatterbox and made himself at home, introducing his methods. "There's a lot to setting up a stall – location, shouting, even how you display things! Look at my 'Golden Light Talismans,' I arrange them in a seven-star formation, and sales have improved quite a bit!"

Li Wuyang couldn't help but chuckle. Did the Primordial World have marketing studies too?

As they were chatting, a customer suddenly approached their stalls. It was a young Daoist dressed simply but with clear eyes. He looked at a few unremarkable, earthy-smelling ore pieces on Li Wuyang's stall, his eyes lighting up. "Fellow Daoist, how much are these 'Earthen Essences'?"

Earthen Essence? Li Wuyang was taken aback. He didn't recognize them at all; he'd just picked them up because they felt a bit heavy. "Uh, you can name a price."

The young Daoist hesitated, then held up five fingers. "Five mid-grade spirit stones, would that work?"

Five mid-grade? Li Wuyang's heart leaped. These worthless rocks were this valuable? Just as he was about to agree, the talisman stall owner coughed loudly and interjected, "Fellow Daoist, that's not fair! Earthen Essence is a top-tier material for refining earth-element magic treasures. The market price starts at least at ten mid-grade spirit stones! Are you trying to rip off this new Daoist friend?"

The young Daoist blushed and quickly waved his hands. "No, no, no, I didn't mean that! I... I only have five mid-grade spirit stones..." He looked genuinely eager to buy them.

Li Wuyang understood. These stones were treasures, and the young Daoist was trying to get a good deal, which the talisman stall owner had exposed. He thought about it; he knew nothing about refining artifacts, so keeping them was useless. It would be better to build good karma. He smiled and said, "It's fine. Since you need them, take them for five mid-grade spirit stones."

The young Daoist was overjoyed. He quickly took out five mid-grade spirit stones, brimming with spiritual energy, and handed them to Li Wuyang. He cradled the ore pieces like treasures, thanked Li Wuyang profusely, and then ran off.

The talisman stall owner shook his head. "Fellow Daoist, you're too honest. You lost at least five mid-grade spirit stones!"

Li Wuyang smiled. "It's okay, I got them for free anyway." He thought to himself, this "Destined by Fate" thing is quite interesting; it can bring unexpected gains.

After selling the stones, a few more people bought some of his miscellaneous items. Li Wuyang finally had a few hundred low-grade spirit stones and a few mid-grade spirit stones in liquid capital.

After packing up his stall, he decided to go gather information. He hadn't forgotten his "ultimate goal"—to find a way back to the Primordial Chaos, or at least to understand what was going on with Primordial Father.

He found a shop with a sign that read "Hundred-Knowledge Pavilion" and walked in.

The shop was elegantly furnished, with dedicated staff to assist customers. Li Wuyang paid one mid-grade spirit stone and received one basic consultation.

He carefully chose his words and asked, "I'd like to inquire about information regarding the 'Primordial Chaos' and the 'Great Dao'."

The old man who received him had a sharp glint in his eyes upon hearing this. He scrutinized Li Wuyang for a moment before slowly saying, "Fellow Daoist, what you are asking about concerns the secrets of the origin of heaven and earth, and its value is extraordinary. A basic consultation cannot cover it. If you wish to delve deeper, you will need to pay... one thousand high-grade spirit stones, or an equivalent item."

Li Wuyang gasped! One thousand high-grade spirit stones! He wasn't worth that much even if he sold himself!

"That expensive?"

The old man said calmly, "Matters of the Primordial Chaos are ethereal and illusory; only those of great power can know, and only those with great fortune can encounter them. Our pavilion's knowledge is also limited, and the karma involved is immense. If you have no intention of delving deeply, it is best not to inquire."

Li Wuyang was helpless and had to settle for less. "Then... do you have any recent special news about Buzhou Mountain? Or, are there any... unusual celestial phenomena or rumors?"

The old man answered more readily this time. "Buzhou Mountain is the pillar of heaven and earth, always a place of both opportunity and danger. There are no special rumors recently. As for celestial phenomena... indeed, several months ago, a streak of light from beyond the heavens fell in the desolate northwestern region. It was suspected to be Chaos Meteorite, sparking searches from various parties, but there has been no confirmed news yet."

A streak of light from beyond the heavens? Li Wuyang's heart stirred. Could it be related to him? But he didn't dare ask more, for fear of revealing himself.

It seemed that obtaining core information would require a tremendous price, one he couldn't afford at the moment.

Leaving the Hundred-Knowledge Pavilion with a hint of disappointment, Li Wuyang walked down the street, feeling somewhat lost. Buzhou Mountain was right before him, but where should he go? News of the Primordial Chaos was out of reach. The Primordial World was vast; where was his way home?

He looked up at the silhouette of the colossal mountain connecting heaven and earth in the distance and murmured to himself, "Buzhou Mountain, oh Buzhou Mountain, tell me, should I go left, or should I go right?"

Yingying on his shoulder seemed to sense his low spirits. She gently nuzzled his cheek, making a comforting "yī yā" sound.

Li Wuyang smiled and stroked her. "It's okay, the cart will find its way when it gets to the mountain! Let's first figure out how to make a fortune at the auction!"