A Chance Encounter at the Marketplace

Hearing Zhou Xuan's somewhat disdainful question, the goat-bearded shopkeeper's aged face flushed slightly, but he quickly regained the shrewdness and slickness typical of a businessman.

He rubbed his hands together, gave two dry laughs, and explained, "Oh, you flatter me, Junior Brother."

"These things, they really don't count as proper merchandise; they're all just worthless trinkets."

The shopkeeper pointed toward that corner, his tone carrying a hint of mystery: "These items were all brought back by some of my acquaintances—disciples and friends of mine who enjoy venturing down the mountain into dangerous lands."

"Some are said to have been scavenged from the cave abodes or ruins of ancient cultivators, while others were picked up after battles with powerful demon beasts."

"To be honest, the vast majority are useless scraps, their spiritual energy dissipated and their Dao Rhyme completely gone."

He shifted his tone, lowering his voice to add secretively: "However, there is a bit of a 'treasure hunting' aspect to this pile."

"What if you, Junior Brother, have a discerning eye and manage to find some treasure in this heap of junk? Such things have happened before."

"Even if we take a step back, although these items are broken, they must have been made of extraordinary materials to survive in such places; at the very least, they are incredibly hard."

"Even if you buy them back to use as filler material for refining Dharma Artifacts, you wouldn't be losing out!"

Listening to the shopkeeper's spiel, Zhou Xuan sneered inwardly.

Old fox!

He talks a big game, but isn't he just trying to sell off a pile of unwanted trash for money?

However, he put on a look of skepticism on the surface and walked back, rummaging through the pile of junk as if he were truly treasure hunting.

System, scan this pile of waste for anything that can be repaired! he thought to himself.

Soon, a series of information appeared in Zhou Xuan's mind.

[Damaged handle of a Tier 3 Flying Sword, 98% spiritual energy loss, requires 800 Gold Touch Value to repair, no special value after repair.]

[Fragment of a shattered Tier 4 Formation Disk, core runes destroyed, requires 3500 Gold Touch Value to repair, value unknown after repair.]

[Unknown Dharma Artifact fragment eroded by demonic energy, Warning! High concentration of demonic energy detected, repair risk is extremely high, not recommended!]

Zhou Xuan's gaze swept over them quickly, and he understood.

The shopkeeper hadn't lied entirely; many of the items here had indeed once been high-grade goods, at least fragments of Tier 3 or higher Dharma Artifacts.

It was just a pity that they were either too thoroughly damaged or the repair costs were frighteningly high, leaving no necessity or possibility for restoration.

To others, they were trash, but to him...

Zhou Xuan's gaze landed on a palm-sized piece of turtle shell.

[Fragment of a Tier 2 Black Water Turtle back shell, can be converted into 5 Gold Touch Value.]

He then looked at a charred piece of wood nearby.

[Remains of a Tier 3 Thunder-struck Wood struck by heavenly lightning, can be converted into 5 Gold Touch Value.]

Very good!

Zhou Xuan felt settled, though he wore a bored expression on his face as he casually pushed those two items to his feet.

He stood up, clapped his hands, and asked with feigned lack of interest, "Shopkeeper, how much for these? If it's too expensive, I don't want them; they look no different from trash."

Seeing him pick two items, the shopkeeper beamed: "Not expensive, not expensive at all! You have a good eye, Junior Brother. How about this: give me one Low-grade Spirit Stone, and you can pick any three items from this pile!"

One Low-grade Spirit Stone for three items?

Zhou Xuan was ecstatic; this price was practically a giveaway!

He suppressed his excitement, pretended to ponder for a moment, and then nodded reluctantly: "Fine, I'll just take one more then."

As he spoke, he bent down and rummaged through the pile of scrap metal.

Finally, as if grabbing something at random, he pulled out a fingernail-sized, rust-covered green copper shard and placed it with the other two items.

"Just these three."

"You got it!"

Afraid he might change his mind, the shopkeeper hurriedly nodded and bowed as he gathered the items and handed them to Zhou Xuan.

Zhou Xuan paid the Low-grade Spirit Stone with a blank expression, then with a thought, he stowed the three treasures, along with the previously purchased Demon Core and Talisman paper, into his Universe Bag.

After doing all this, he felt like a spy carrying a shocking secret, his heart still pounding in his chest.

To avoid suspicion, he added, "Shopkeeper, give me some nails and wooden planks for repairing my house as well."

"Ah?" The shopkeeper was stunned, clearly not expecting this wealthy-looking Junior Brother to buy such mundane items.

But he reacted quickly and nodded immediately: "Yes, yes, of course. How many do you need, Junior Brother?"

These items, naturally, did not require Spirit Stones.

Zhou Xuan took out a few pieces of silver and paid for them.

Only then did he realize that mundane currencies like gold and silver were also in circulation here at Yunlai Market.

But it made sense; there were many mortal merchants here, and even cultivators couldn't eat Spirit Grain and drink Spirit Spring water for every meal—there were always times when they needed mundane goods.

With all his items purchased, Zhou Xuan didn't linger.

That mysterious copper shard felt like a hot iron, burning him with anxiety; he just wanted to return to his shack immediately and study this heaven-sent opportunity!

He bid farewell to the overly enthusiastic shopkeeper and stepped quickly out of the Myriad Things Pavilion, merging into the endless stream of the crowd.

As for the true dens of extravagance, those towering pavilions, he hadn't even dared to approach their entrances.

He knew very well that with his current net worth, he didn't amount to a fart in the eyes of those true Inner Sect Disciple prodigies and scions of noble families.

One must eat a meal one bite at a time, and walk a path one step at a time.

Today's harvest was immense; not only had he earned his first pot of gold and launched his Talisman Money Printing Machine plan, but he had also unexpectedly obtained that mysterious copper fragment—it was an absolute steal!

With excitement in his heart, Zhou Xuan walked with a light step toward the exit of the Marketplace.

But just as he was about to leave the chaotic stall area and was on the verge of seeing the Marketplace gate, a figure so familiar it was etched into his very marrow appeared before him without warning.

Zhou Xuan's footsteps came to an instinctive, abrupt halt.

He froze in place, the joy and ease on his face instantly solidifying.

Not far ahead, a woman dressed in the moon-white long dress of an Inner Sect Disciple was standing quietly in front of a stall selling spirit herbs.

Her figure was graceful, her temperament cold and aloof, and her long, raven-black hair cascaded down like a waterfall. Her stunning profile seemed to carry its own soft glow amidst the bustling crowd, making her appear completely out of place in the noisy environment.

Liu Ruyan!

Zhou Xuan's heart gave a violent jolt, and a complex surge of emotions welled up instantly.

He never expected to encounter her here, in this manner, once again.

At the same time, as if sensing his gaze, Liu Ruyan slowly turned her head.

When she saw Zhou Xuan standing not far away, a trace of imperceptible surprise appeared in her typically calm, cold eyes.

Clearly, she had not expected to run into this old acquaintance she had already severed ties with.

Their eyes met, and the air seemed to freeze in that moment.

The surrounding clamor of voices and hawking of wares quickly faded from Zhou Xuan's ears.

In his world, only that familiar yet strange, beautiful face remained.

However, after only a fleeting moment of astonishment, the trace of surprise in Liu Ruyan's eyes quickly vanished, replaced by indifference and detachment.

She took a step forward and began to walk slowly toward Zhou Xuan.