Lin Yi had just stepped through the entrance when a spacious hall appeared before him.
The hall contained numerous counters, all piled high with a dazzling array of items.
Spirit Medicine, pills, weapons, Demonic Crystals, martial arts techniques, and more—it had everything.
"Sir, is there anything you need?"
As Lin Yi examined the many items inside the counters, a blue-robed attendant approached with a beaming smile.
"Do you sell Universe Bags here?" Lin Yi asked casually.
"We do. Universe Bags come in three grades: low, medium, and high. Which grade would you like?"
Upon hearing Lin Yi's question, the attendant's face filled with smiles as he explained.
"A low-grade one will be enough. How much is it?" Lin Yi only wanted the Universe Bag to conceal his belongings, so naturally, he chose a cheaper one.
"A low-grade Universe Bag costs forty-eight Yang Yuan Stones." The blue-robed attendant replied with a smile. He took a Universe Bag from behind the counter and continued, "A low-grade Universe Bag is made from Universe Wood, then inscribed with runes by a Two-Seal Symbol Master. Don't be fooled by its small size—it can hold something as large as this counter. Carrying it with you will save you a great deal of trouble."
"Mm." Lin Yi responded casually, then asked, "Can't you make it a little cheaper? Also, can I pay with Yang Yuan Pills?"
Yang Yuan Stones were rather large, and Lin Yi did not have a Universe Bag on him. If he took out forty-eight Yang Yuan Stones, it would attract far too much attention.
"Yang Yuan Pills are naturally acceptable, but the prices are fixed. We can't lower them. I'm truly sorry." The blue-robed attendant answered.
"Forget it." Lin Yi shook his head slightly and reached into his robes. In reality, he took five Yang Yuan Pills from his Universe Ring and handed them to the attendant.
The blue-robed attendant accepted the Yang Yuan Pills, took two Yang Yuan Stones from behind the counter, and placed them inside the Universe Bag. He then handed the bag to Lin Yi with a smile.
"Sir, please take good care of your Universe Bag. Also, the two Yang Yuan Stones are inside the bag as your change."
Lin Yi nodded slightly, took the Universe Bag, and casually examined it.
Very soon, his attention was drawn to a peculiar rune on the left side of the Universe Bag.
As Lin Yi stared at the rune, his vision suddenly grew somewhat blurry. While everything around him blurred, the rune hidden on the Universe Bag grew increasingly clear.
In this strange state, a special fluctuation suddenly emerged in Lin Yi's mind. It was Spiritual Energy!
Invisible Spiritual Energy seeped out from his mind, thread by thread, and slowly began to take shape before him.
Although the outline was extremely blurry, it closely resembled the complex rune on the Universe Bag.
However, the outline remained incomplete. When the invisible rune before Lin Yi had condensed halfway, a stabbing pain shot through his mind. He abruptly came to his senses, sweat beading on his forehead.
Lin Yi understood what had happened and did not panic. After wiping away the sweat, he prepared to turn around and leave the Curio Building.
In a corner of the Curio Building's main hall sat a gray-robed old man who looked half-asleep. His surroundings were extremely messy, yet no one ever made a sound to disturb him.
Suddenly, the old man's tightly shut eyes snapped open. His gaze shifted and fixed on Lin Yi, intense astonishment flashing through his eyes. He murmured, "What powerful spiritual talent!"
Seeing that Lin Yi was about to leave, the gray-robed old man blurred and suddenly appeared in front of him. At the same time, he extended a withered finger and lightly tapped it toward Lin Yi's brow.
At the old man's movement, Lin Yi instinctively tried to dodge, only to discover that he had suddenly lost control of his own body.
Just then, the system's childish voice rang out in Lin Yi's mind once more.
[Beep! A Symbol Master has been detected approaching the host. As this is the host's first contact with the Symbol Master profession, a Spiritual Energy cultivation manual, Spirit Refining Art, has been awarded!]
I can get a reward for this too?
Hearing the system announce the reward, Lin Yi's heart stirred, and he was quite surprised.
At that moment, the old man's finger stopped at Lin Yi's brow. He then clearly sensed the exceptionally lively and restless Spiritual Energy in the other party's mind, and a delighted expression appeared on his usually stern face.
"Little fellow, are you interested in becoming a Symbol Master?"
The gray-robed old man's words shocked everyone in the Curio Building's main hall.
Many regular customers here knew the gray-robed old man's identity. He was Yan Xuan, president of the Yan City Rune Master Association, and was respectfully known as Master Yan. He held an extremely influential position in Flame City!
No one had expected Master Yan to take an interest in such an unremarkable young man.
"May I ask what you mean, Senior?" Lin Yi cupped his hands toward Yan Xuan and asked.
Yan Xuan smiled warmly. "This old man is Yan Xuan, president of the Yan City Rune Master Association. If you're interested in the path of the Symbol Master, you can follow me and study under my guidance."
"Thank you for your kindness, Master Yan, but I already have a master." Lin Yi's thoughts raced as he cupped his fists toward Yan Xuan.
Lin Yi had a favorable impression of Yan Xuan, but becoming his disciple was unnecessary.
It would not take him long to surpass Yan Xuan, so there was no need for it at all.
Upon hearing Lin Yi's words, everyone in the hall wore colorful expressions and looked at him as though he were an idiot.
Does this fellow not know how many people in Flame City are begging to become Master Yan's disciples? And he actually refused!
"I see. What a pity."
Yan Xuan sounded somewhat regretful, but he did not press the matter.
"Thank you for thinking so highly of me, Master Yan, but I still have something to do, so I'll take my leave first." Lin Yi cupped his fists toward Master Yan, then walked straight out of the Curio Building under the stunned gazes of several people.
After leaving the Curio Building, Lin Yi first found a secluded place and transferred all the Yang Yuan Stones and Yang Yuan Pills from his Universe Ring into the Universe Bag. He then asked around for the location of the Wanjin Merchant Guild.
He had just bought an empty Universe Bag at the Curio Building. If he returned immediately and took a large number of Yang Yuan Stones out of the bag, it might cause unnecessary trouble.
Therefore, Lin Yi decided to go somewhere else to buy Spirit Medicine.
Aside from its internal auction hall, the Wanjin Merchant Guild also had an external commercial district.
Although it was only the outer area, even Fourth-Grade Spirit Medicine was nothing rare there.
A single Fourth-Grade Spirit Medicine was worth one hundred Yang Yuan Stones, and Lin Yi directly bought twenty of them!
If he had not been worried about attracting too much attention, he could have bought even more.
To avoid complications, Lin Yi left the Wanjin Merchant Guild immediately after buying the Spirit Medicine. He then left Flame City and headed straight back toward Qingyang Town.
After returning home, Lin Yi used his mysterious master as an excuse to give Lin Xiao five hundred Yang Yuan Pills, telling him to cultivate with them.
After dinner, Lin Yi returned to his room and used the Stone Talisman to refine all twenty Fourth-Grade Spirit Medicines into pills.
After putting away the pills, Lin Yi's heart stirred, and he took an ancient scroll from his Universe Ring.
He slowly opened the scroll. Written upon it was the content of the Spirit Refining Art.
Before you continue