Forging a Magical Treasure with Stardust Sand

"Shopkeeper, how much for this one?"

Chu Bai tapped the ugly, black-spotted block of ice with a fingertip, his tone as casual as if he were picking out a rotten watermelon by the roadside.

The shopkeeper was busy smiling and bowing to a customer spending money like water. Without even looking up to see who had spoken, he glanced in the direction Chu Bai pointed and grunted:

"That's Baleful-Spotted Ice. The Frost Baleful Intent seeped in too deep and ruined the ice. Whatever was inside has long since rotted away. It's scrap. If you want it, take it for twenty Spirit Stones. You'd be helping me clear out my stock."

Twenty Spirit Stones would not even count as pocket change beside the fine specimens displayed on the jade stands.

Chu Bai gave a slight nod and was about to take the Spirit Stones from his Storage Bag to pay.

"Hold on!"

Just then, a voice edged with mockery and arrogance cut in from the side, interrupting him.

"You in the official robes—you don't look familiar. From out of town, are you?"

The crowd parted on its own. A middle-aged cultivator in a brown brocade robe came strolling over, rolling two glossy iron balls in his hand.

He had a thin mustache and sharp, shrewd eyes. At a glance, he looked like a seasoned old hand who had spent years making his way through Profound Ice Market.

He shot Chu Bai a faintly mocking glance, then looked at the Black-Spot Ice and shook his head with exaggerated dismay.

"There's a saying in Profound Ice Market: 'Once black spots reach the bone, even immortals cannot save it.' This Baleful-Spotted Ice has been corroded by foul deep-sea vapors. It looks dreadful, and the Frost Baleful Intent has long since eaten away everything inside.