Prosperous Dragon Town Procurement

The next morning, the faint sunlight filtered through the thin window curtains like a soft gauze canopy, quietly falling across Liu Feng's face.

That ray of light was like a mother's gentle caress, carrying threads of warmth as it slowly roused him from his sweet dreams.

Liu Feng slowly opened his eyes and comfortably stretched. His muscles and bones gave a soft series of "Ka Ka" sounds as he loosened up, his entire body brimming with vigorous vitality.

Thinking back to the wonderfully refreshing hot bath at Clear Breeze Inn the night before, along with a deep, dreamless night of sleep, he felt all the exhaustion in his body vanish like wisps of smoke. His body and mind were filled with this rare comfort and relaxation.

Liu Feng quickly rose, briskly straightening his clothes. Every movement radiated the vigor and energy of youth.

He then stepped lightly out of his room and went next door, raising a hand to knock on his father's door.

The door opened in response, and Liu Qing was already dressed and ready, standing in the doorway.

Father and son looked at each other and smiled. They went downstairs together, settled the room and meal charges at the inn's counter, and left Clear Breeze Inn.

Prosperous Dragon Town was exceptionally lively in the early morning, like a vivid painting of everyday life.

The shops along the streets opened one after another. Their owners stood at the entrances with eager smiles, warmly calling out to passing customers.

The stalls were filled with a dazzling variety of goods, including fresh, succulent fruits and vegetables in vibrant colors, still beaded with morning dew.

There were also exquisite handicrafts, every piece embodying the craftsman's painstaking effort and exuding a unique artistic air.

There were even all sorts of items needed for Soul Master cultivation, gleaming with mysterious light and depicting the wonders of the Soul Master world.

The vendors' cries rose one after another, weaving into a melody brimming with worldly atmosphere.

"Fresh fruits and vegetables! Come take a look!"

"Top-quality weapons! Essential for Soul Hunting!"

"Wang Mazi's kitchen knives—sharp beyond compare!"

"Powerful rat poison! One pellet and it works!"

These cries, some high-pitched and some drawn-out, added a touch more life to the bustling marketplace.

Liu Qing and Liu Feng weaved through the lively streets. Amid the bustling crowd, the father and son made an especially harmonious sight.

Their attention was drawn to the stalls by the roadside, and they stopped from time to time to browse.

Liu Feng curiously examined everything around him. His eyes were full of curiosity and the desire to explore this world, like a sponge greedily absorbing every new thing around him.

At one stall, Liu Feng saw several gemstones that gave off strange radiance. They came in all shapes and colors, and each seemed to contain a mysterious power.

He could not resist picking up a blue gemstone and studying it repeatedly beneath the sunlight. The light refracted from the gem danced across his face, reflecting the amazement and delight in his eyes.

Liu Qing watched him from the side with a smile, his eyes full of fatherly affection.

He quietly stood behind his son, watching Liu Feng explore this novel world. His heart was full of satisfaction, as though he saw a reflection of his younger self.

Next, they arrived at a medicinal herb shop.

A rich medicinal fragrance filled the shop. The various herbs were arranged neatly, and their labels clearly listed their names, origins, and effects.

Liu Qing carefully selected herbs that could replenish bloodline power. His gaze slowly swept past the shelves as he meticulously inspected every herb, as though searching for precious treasure.

"Boss, do you have the spinal bones of a Hundred-year Tiger-type Soul Beast and a Deer-type Soul Beast?" Liu Qing asked in a calm, gentle voice.

The owner warmly came forward, his face piled with smiles. "Customer, you've certainly come to the right place! These Soul Beast spinal bones of mine were just hunted from the Star Dou Great Forest. Their medicinal effect is excellent!"

As he spoke, he took several spinal bones from beneath the counter and carefully displayed them for Liu Qing.

Liu Qing accepted the Soul Beast spinal bones and gently sniffed them. He nodded in satisfaction. "Mm, they're indeed quite good. I'll take all of them."

His gaze revealed professionalism and certainty; he had a clear grasp of the quality of medicinal materials.

Just then, someone who looked like a hunter entered the shop. He held an exquisite box containing a Lingzhi that emitted a warm and moist glow.

The Lingzhi had a unique shape, its entire body a faint jade color and covered in mysterious patterns. At a glance, it was clearly no ordinary item.

"Boss, take a look at this Jade Marrow Ganoderma I just picked. Are you buying it?" the hunter said, his voice trembling slightly.

The moment Liu Qing heard the words "Jade Marrow Ganoderma," his eyes immediately lit up.

He quickly stepped forward and carefully examined the Lingzhi.

Jade Marrow Ganoderma was a type of Lingzhi that grew atop jade mines. It was extraordinarily rare and had magical effects in strengthening the body and bones. It was precisely the precious medicinal material he had long been seeking.

"Boss, I'll take this Jade Marrow Ganoderma!" Liu Qing said without hesitation, his tone carrying an unquestionable firmness.

The hunter looked at Liu Qing, then at the owner. "I worked hard to pick this Jade Marrow Ganoderma. It won't come cheap."

Liu Qing gritted his teeth. "As long as it's good, the price isn't a problem." After some bargaining, Liu Qing ultimately bought the Jade Marrow Ganoderma for a high price.

He carefully placed the Jade Marrow Ganoderma into the box, then tucked the palm-sized box into his embrace.

Afterward, they arrived at the largest pharmacy in town—Seven Treasure Pharmacy.

This pharmacy was enormous. Its overall architectural style was elegant and grand, while exquisite patterns were carved into its wooden signboard, giving it an antique air.

Above the pharmacy's entrance hung a striking emblem: a design formed from seven dazzling gemstones. Each gem gave off a unique glow, their lights intertwining to form a mysterious and magnificent symbol.

This was the emblem of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, representing the supreme glory and formidable strength of that powerful sect.

The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was one of the renowned Upper Three Sects on Douluo Continent, famous throughout the land for its powerful support-type Martial Souls.

The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda Martial Soul they inherited possessed unparalleled support abilities, capable of greatly enhancing every aspect of their comrades' abilities. It held an indispensable position in the Soul Master World.

The sect was home to countless experts, playing important roles in all sorts of soul master tournaments and major events across the continent. Countless soul masters took pride in being able to join the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

Liu Qing and Liu Feng entered the pharmacy, where all manner of precious medicinal materials and strange, unusual items filled the shop.

A rich medicinal fragrance permeated the air, mingled with the distinctive scents of various herbs, making it feel as though they had entered a mysterious world of medicine.

Liu Qing walked straight to the counter and asked the clerk, "Excuse me, do you have hundred-year Whale Rubber here?"

The clerk froze for a moment, a trace of surprise flashing through his eyes. Clearly, he had not expected someone to come specifically asking about such an exceedingly rare medicinal material in broad daylight.

He then said politely, "Shopkeeper Liu, please wait a moment. I'll ask our shopkeeper."

Before long, a middle-aged man clad in an ornate robe emerged. His gaze was shrewd and capable, and he was the shopkeeper of this pharmacy.

The shopkeeper sized Liu Qing up and down, a hint of admiration appearing in his eyes. "Shopkeeper Liu, what brings you here? You truly know your goods. We do have a piece of hundred-year Whale Rubber, but the price is rather steep."

Liu Qing asked, "How much?"

The shopkeeper held up two fingers. "Two thousand gold coins."

Liu Qing's brows furrowed slightly. Two thousand gold coins was no small sum.

In an instant, the savings he had accumulated at home surfaced in his mind. Over the years, he had worked tirelessly running the pharmacy for Liu Feng's cultivation, scrimping and saving, but faced with such a high price, his savings seemed somewhat inadequate.

Yet when he thought of Liu Feng's future—the path of a soul master filled with limitless possibilities—a firm resolve rose within him.

For his son, he was willing to give everything. Even if thorns lay thick across the road ahead, he would clear them for Liu Feng.

Watching from the side, Liu Feng understood that the price had put his father in a difficult position, but he also knew that his father was willing to give anything for him.

He gently tugged at his father's sleeve.

Liu Qing patted Liu Feng's hand, signaling that he need not worry. His eyes were filled with determination and fatherly love.

He silently calculated that although his Blue Silver Pharmacy was not large, it had been operating in town for many years and had an excellent reputation.

If he could buy the Whale Rubber on credit first, then perhaps he could gather the money in short order through his connections and medicinal material channels.

Moreover, this Whale Rubber was crucial to Liu Feng's cultivation. If he missed this chance, he feared he might never find another opportunity like it.

With that thought, Liu Qing took a deep breath and said to the shopkeeper, "Shopkeeper Ning, to be honest, I left home in a hurry today and did not bring enough gold coins with me. Could I come settle the bill at your shop tomorrow? Or you may come to my Blue Silver Pharmacy tomorrow to collect the payment. I guarantee it with my reputation—I will not put you in a difficult position."

Shopkeeper Ning pondered briefly. They were all acquaintances in the herbal trade, and he had heard a little about Blue Silver Pharmacy. He knew Liu Qing to be an honest businessman.

Besides, the man before him was also a Soul Grandmaster. Two thousand Gold Soul Coins was not much to a Soul Grandmaster.

"Fine. Since you're being so frank, I'll trust you this once. Just come settle the bill tomorrow." Shopkeeper Ning smiled, trust evident in his eyes.

Liu Qing was delighted and hurriedly thanked him. "Thank you for accommodating me, Shopkeeper Ning. I, Liu Qing, will certainly not break my word."

The shopkeeper then introduced the Whale Rubber with a smile. "This Whale Rubber is an exceptionally precious medicinal material. It comes from whale-type Soul Beasts in the deep sea, and after special processing, it possesses powerful nourishing effects. It can stimulate the body's qi and blood, and is especially effective in bed. Particularly when one reaches middle age, it is inevitable that one may find oneself lacking in vigor. Taking it with warmed wine can greatly enhance its effects. Many soul masters and nobles covet it, but it is simply too rare—something money alone cannot easily buy."

As he spoke, the shopkeeper waggled his brows at Liu Qing. A middle-aged soul master buying Whale Rubber—there was no need to think about what he intended to use it for. Especially since he had heard that Shopkeeper Liu's wife had passed away; he was likely buying it to enjoy himself at one of the town's brothels.

Liu Qing accepted the Whale Rubber and examined it carefully.

The piece of Whale Rubber was semi-transparent and gave off a faint yellowish glow, as though it contained endless energy within.

He silently thought that he had to use this Whale Rubber to prepare the most suitable medicine for Liu Feng, stimulating his qi and blood so that he could achieve twice the result with half the effort in spear training and physical conditioning, helping him travel farther along the path of cultivation.

After purchasing these items, Liu Qing and Liu Feng bought some other daily necessities in town as well.

Seeing his father buy so many precious things for him, Liu Feng's heart was filled with gratitude.

Liu Qing rubbed Liu Feng's head and said with a smile, "Xiao Feng, as long as you cultivate properly and become a powerful soul master, none of this amounts to anything."

His voice was gentle yet resolute, and his eyes were full of expectations for his son.

Afterward, the father and son set off on the road back to Liu Family Village.

Along the way, Liu Feng walked with light steps, chatting and laughing with his father.

At times, he excitedly recounted the novel things he had seen at the inn the night before. At other times, he curiously asked his father about Soul Beasts and herbs.

Liu Qing patiently answered his son's questions, his eyes filled with affection.

Sunlight filtered through gaps in the leaves, casting dappled light and shadow and edging their figures in gold.

Wildflowers bloomed freely along the roadside in a riot of colors, and the breeze carried waves of fragrance.

Birds sang merrily from the branches, as though they too were cheering for Liu Feng's growth.

Liu Feng took a deep breath of the fresh air, savoring the beauty of nature.