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The shops with A-prefix designations were generally in the best locations in Zengtou City—and had the highest rents.

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

Unless one came here deliberately, even passersby would normally never notice it.

Ji Yuan was the same. Had he not specifically come looking this time, he would never have known that a shop was hidden in here.

His first impression upon entering was that it was dim.

What was more, 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 lifted his head and glanced at Ji Yuan before lowering it again.

"Someone's in each one. Wait."

Not knowing what he meant, Ji Yuan could only obediently do as told.

He waited at the side for about half an incense stick's time before the black cloth of one compartment was lifted. A young man in an extravagant 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 upon further thought, it made sense. Given how secluded this place was, as well as its nature, its clientele was most likely the wealthy class from the markets around Cloud-Rain Marsh.

With Wu Yan's status, he was naturally among those they served.

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

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

An utterly ordinary fisherman.

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

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 rebuked them.

Ji Yuan hurriedly apologized. When he turned around again, Wu Yan had already left the shop... His attitude was truly worlds apart from before.

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

Now that he thought about it, 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 several times. It was not that they were fated to meet; rather, Lu Wan had set up a small unlicensed stall selling Talismans.

She had started hawking wares in Zengtou City.

Ji Yuan had seen her several times while passing by.

It was said that when she first began setting up her stall, the Wu Family had come to persuade her. Later, they had even caused a scene in the street. Feeling that they had lost face, the Wu Family had stopped paying Lu Wan any attention.

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

There was only a table and two bamboo chairs facing each other inside. In the chair farther in sat a cultivator entirely shrouded in a black robe, their gender impossible to discern.

The moment Ji Yuan entered, he felt as though everything outside had nothing to do with him. Not the slightest sound reached him, and even the curtain closed on its own.

He instinctively turned back for a look.

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

"First time here?"

Ji Yuan turned back, sat down across from them, and answered calmly, "Yes."

"Has Zengtou City produced some new upstart? 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 need to inquire about such things just to buy something?"

"Not at all. I was merely personally curious." 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 catties of Cold Iron Sand and four Rotbone Flowers."

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

"Wait a moment."

After saying that, the black-robed cultivator fell silent, seeming to discuss something with the people in the compartments to either side. Ji Yuan was in no hurry.

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

"As for the Rotbone Flowers, whether we succeed or fail, we will give you word 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 small amounts separately or mining it yourself."

"If you do buy it, do not make too much of a spectacle of yourself, lest the Water Dragon Sect kill you."

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

The black-robed cultivator laughed. "You must have gone to the Hundred Treasures Pavilion to ask about Cold Iron Sand, right?"

"Yes."

Ji Yuan nodded and admitted it.

"Then you naturally know just how badly the Water Dragon Sect needs this stuff right now. Yet you still want to compete with them for Immortal Resources... You must truly not know whose name Zengtou City bears."

After the black-robed cultivator explained, Ji Yuan broke out in a cold sweat.

Indeed, he had been rather conspicuous in collecting Cold Iron Sand lately.

Not only had he asked around everywhere, but on one occasion, he had even intercepted a deal for Cold Iron Sand right outside the Hundred Treasures Pavilion.

Otherwise, there was no way he could have gathered a whole catty in just three months.

Looking at it now, he had truly come within a hair's breadth of dying 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.

"Ten Spirit Stones, please."

The smile on Ji Yuan's face instantly froze just as he stood up.

Damn it, they aren't even giving me anything, yet they're charging me Spirit Stones—and so damn many... Ji Yuan hesitated only slightly before sensing a heavy aura emanate 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 the black-robed cultivator accepted them did they 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. They are extremely rare... but we know where they can be found."

"We cannot guarantee we can get them. 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 cupped his hands once more and withdrew from the compartment.

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

No matter what, he would wait one month first. If the people of Shop No. A-18 could not handle it by 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 his door asking about it, he said he no longer needed it... On one hand, he worried that the Water Dragon Sect was baiting him into breaking the law. On the other, he worried 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 hovering above the water before speaking slowly:

"Old Ghost, someone has finally come asking about the Rotbone Flowers you have been thinking about day and night."