Saving a Life [Please Follow]

Shops beginning with the A designation were generally in the best locations in Zengtou City, with the highest rents.

But Shop No. A-18 was something of an exception, because it stood right at the corner between two rows of houses.

Unless someone came looking deliberately, even passersby would hardly notice it.

Ji Yuan was the same. If he had not specifically come searching this time, he would never have known that a shop was hidden here.

His first impression upon entering was that it was dim.

Moreover, there were no shelves like those in ordinary shops. There were only three separate, non-connecting compartments enclosed by black cloth.

Other than that, there was an old man sitting outside the compartments, smoking a dry pipe.

The old man raised his head and glanced at Ji Yuan before lowering it again.

"Someone's in each one. Wait."

Ji Yuan did not understand what he meant, so he could only obediently do as told.

He waited beside the wall for about half an incense stick's time before the black cloth over one compartment was lifted. A young man in a luxurious white robe emerged, his brows slightly furrowed.

He, too, instinctively looked up at Ji Yuan.

"You?!"

Their gazes met, and both were somewhat surprised.

"Greetings, Fellow Daoist Wu."

Ji Yuan had not expected to encounter Wu Yan here. But on second thought, it made sense. Given this place's secrecy and nature, the people it served were most likely the wealthy class from the markets around Cloud-Rain Marsh.

With Wu Yan's status and standing, he was naturally one of their clients.

In truth, it was much as Ji Yuan had guessed. That was why Wu Yan had been so shocked to see Ji Yuan appear here.

Ever since Ji Yuan had first appeared at Lu Wan's side, Wu Yan had already investigated Ji Yuan's background.

An utterly ordinary fisherman.

Yet this fisherman knew the secret of Shop No. A-18... even Lu Wan had never known about this.

It seemed Ji Yuan was far less simple than Wu Yan had imagined.

"What are you standing around for? If you want to chat, get outside and chat!"

The old man guarding the door frowned and barked at them.

Ji Yuan hurriedly apologized. When he turned around again, Wu Yan had already left the shop... quite a world apart from his earlier attitude.

Since their parting at the Hundred Treasures Pavilion, this was the first time Ji Yuan had seen Wu Yan.

Looking at it now, it was probably still because of Lu Wan. Otherwise, Ji Yuan could not think of any connection between himself and the Wu Family.

Over the past three months, Ji Yuan had seen Lu Wan a few times. It was not because they were fated to meet; Lu Wan had opened a humble little shop selling Talismans.

That was to say, she had set up a stall in Zengtou City.

Ji Yuan had seen her several times while passing by.

It was said that when she had first set up her stall, the Wu Family had come to persuade her otherwise. Later, they had even made a scene in the street once. Feeling they had lost face, the Wu Family never bothered Lu Wan again.

As these thoughts flashed through his mind, Ji Yuan finally stepped into the black-cloth compartment whose curtain had been lifted.

There was only one table and two bamboo chairs facing each other inside. In the inner seat sat a cultivator completely shrouded in a black robe, impossible to identify as male or female.

The moment Ji Yuan entered, he felt as though everything outside had nothing to do with him. Not the slightest sound came through, and even the curtain closed by itself.

He instinctively turned back for a look.

The black-robed cultivator slightly raised their head and looked at him, then spoke in a hoarse voice.

"First time here?"

Ji Yuan turned back, sat down opposite them, and replied calmly, "Yes."

"Has some new noble risen in Zengtou City? How did you learn of this place?" the black-robed cultivator asked with a faint smile.

Ji Yuan fell silent for a moment. "Do you investigate such things when someone comes to buy something?"

"Not at all. It is merely my personal curiosity." The black-robed cultivator nodded slightly. "Fine. If you do not wish to say, then do not. A visitor is a guest. Tell me, what do you want?"

"Five jin of Cold Iron Sand and four Rotbone Flowers."

What Ji Yuan lacked most at the moment were the materials needed to upgrade the [Fish Pond] and [Pigsty].

"Wait a moment."

After saying that, the black-robed cultivator fell silent, as though discussing something with the people in the compartments on either side. Ji Yuan was in no hurry.

After waiting for a while, the black-robed cultivator finally spoke again.

"As for the Rotbone Flowers, whether we succeed or fail, we will give you an answer next month. Cold Iron Sand is currently a key immortal resource being purchased by the Water Dragon Sect. We do not dare interfere. If you need it, we suggest buying it in small scattered quantities yourself, or mining it personally."

"If you do buy it, do not be too conspicuous, lest the Water Dragon Sect kills you."

"What?" Ji Yuan could not help widening his eyes at that answer, especially the last sentence. "That strict?"

The black-robed cultivator laughed. "If you want Cold Iron Sand, you must have asked at the Hundred Treasures Pavilion, correct?"

"Yes."

Ji Yuan nodded and admitted it.

"Then you naturally know how desperately the Water Dragon Sect needs this thing right now. Yet you still compete with them for immortal resources... I am afraid you truly do not know whose name Zengtou City bears."

After the black-robed cultivator finished explaining, cold sweat broke out across Ji Yuan's back.

Indeed, he had been rather conspicuous in gathering Cold Iron Sand during this period.

Not only had he asked around everywhere, but once, he had even intercepted a deal for Cold Iron Sand right in front of the Hundred Treasures Pavilion.

Otherwise, he could not possibly have gathered a full jin in only three months.

Looking at it now, he had nearly died without even realizing it.

Ji Yuan let out a long breath, rose to his feet, and gave the black-robed cultivator a deep bow... news that saved his life deserved a grand salute.

"That will be ten Spirit Stones."

Ji Yuan, who had just risen, immediately froze with a smile on his face.

Damn it, you're charging me Spirit Stones without giving me anything, and charging this much too... Ji Yuan hesitated only slightly before he sensed a heavy aura emanating from the black-robed cultivator.

At the very least, they were at Late Qi Refining!

Ji Yuan smiled and handed over ten Spirit Stones.

Only after accepting them did the black-robed cultivator withdraw their aura and say, "We do not have Cold Iron Sand, so we will not charge you for that. This is payment for the Rotbone Flowers. That thing is extremely rare... but we know where it can be found."

"We cannot guarantee that we can obtain it. If we do, this will serve as the deposit. If we cannot, we will return it to you next month."

Only then did Ji Yuan breathe a sigh of relief.

"Sorry for the trouble, Senior." He clasped his hands again and withdrew from the compartment.

There was finally news about the Rotbone Flowers, and another weight lifted from Ji Yuan's heart.

No matter what, he would wait a month first. If the people of Shop No. A-18 could not handle it then, he could buy the location from them. Once he reached Late Qi Refining, he would find another way.

After returning, Ji Yuan no longer dared collect Cold Iron Sand.

Even when two cultivators came to ask him about it, he said he no longer needed it... on one hand, he feared the Water Dragon Sect might be fishing for enforcement targets; on the other, he feared that gathering too much would draw attention.

Ten days later.

A flying boat descended from the sky and arrived before a small island shrouded in black mist. The person aboard did not land on the island, merely hovered above the water and slowly said:

"Old Ghost, someone has finally come asking about the Rotbone Flowers you have been yearning for."