The next day, Yun Che bid farewell to his parents.

  His mother, with red eyes, stuffed a dozen boiled eggs and a few pancakes into his bag. His father silently patted his shoulder and simply said, "Be well out there."

  Yun Che knelt and kowtowed three times before turning and leaving.

  He didn’t head to the market immediately. Instead, he made a stop at Wang Hao’s house. He left behind a bottle of pills and a note: "Wait for my return."

  Wang Hao stared at the note for a long time.

  After leaving the town and heading north, Yun Che no longer tried to conceal his presence. He used his speed-enhancing technique to move swiftly. He still didn’t use any flying artifacts—the Frosted Azure Glory Sword had been destroyed, and he had no other flying tools.

  The 300-mile journey wasn’t far for a cultivator. Yun Che rushed at full speed, and by evening, he had reached a desolate ice field.

  The area was surrounded by mountains, and a faint gray mist covered the valley at its center. At the entrance, an old, weathered stone tablet stood, with the words Cold Crow Valley carved on it.

  Inside the valley was the Cold Crow Market.

  Yun Che stopped at the entrance of the valley and, using the Breath-Concealing Technique, adjusted his aura to the level of the 5th layer of Qi Condensation—this was his chosen cultivation level. Too low and he might be taken advantage of; too high and he’d attract unwanted attention.

  As he walked into the valley, the gray mist parted slightly to reveal the true nature of the market.

  Rather than a "market," it was more like a chaotic encampment. Dozens of simple stone houses and wooden sheds were scattered on both sides of the valley, with a narrow dirt road running through the middle. The street was crowded with people, most of whom were dressed in coarse linen robes. Their auras were mixed, with many at the 3rd or 4th layer of Qi Condensation, and occasionally some at the 5th or 6th layer.

  There were several makeshift stalls on the side of the road, mostly run by rogue cultivators. Animal hides were spread on the ground with herbs, ores, low-level talismans, and occasionally a few broken magical tools on display.

  Shouting, bargaining, and hushed conversations filled the air. The smell of herbs, blood, and dust mixed in the atmosphere.

  Yun Che casually scanned the area and quickly realized that this was a den of mixed characters. Several cultivators with cold auras lurked in the shadows, their hawk-like gazes sweeping over the passersby.

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  He lowered the brim of his hood and walked slowly into the market.

  The first thing he needed to find was a place to exchange spirit stones. He needed to sell the Ironwood Jade Ganoderma for spirit stones and then buy Red Yang Grass.

  In the middle of the market, there was a slightly more organized stone building with a wooden sign at the entrance. The sign read Wanbao Pavilion in crooked, slanted characters—clearly not a reputable business.

  Yun Che hesitated for a moment before stepping inside.

  The interior was dimly lit. Behind the counter sat a gaunt old man who was flipping through an old ledger by the light of an oil lamp. Upon sensing someone enter, the old man didn’t look up but asked, "Buying or selling?"

  "Selling," Yun Che lowered his voice, "Wood-type spiritual material, over 300 years old."

  Only then did the old man raise his eyes, squinting at Yun Che. After a moment, he extended his bony hand, "Show me your goods."

  Yun Che took out one Ironwood Jade Ganoderma from his storage bag—he only planned to sell one. He opened the box, and the green spiritual light illuminated the dim room.

  The old man’s eyes flashed with light as he took the box and examined it carefully. His fingers lightly traced the surface of the ganoderma, and he leaned in to smell it.

  "Ironwood Jade Ganoderma, about 320 years old," the old man said slowly. "It’s in decent condition, but the roots were damaged during harvesting, so the medicinal power has lost about 10%. What do you want in exchange?"

  "Mid-grade spirit stones, or an equivalent amount of Red Yang Grass," Yun Che replied.

  "Red Yang Grass?" The old man raised his eyebrows. "For healing?"

  Yun Che didn’t respond.

  The old man didn’t press further but mused, "This ganoderma, in the market, would be worth about 15 mid-grade spirit stones. I have a Red Yang Grass here, about 80 years old, priced at 12 spirit stones. I’ll give you 3 extra spirit stones along with it. How about that?"

  Yun Che wasn’t very familiar with market prices, but Li Han scoffed in his mind:"Old fox. This ganoderma in perfect condition would be worth at least 20 mid-grade spirit stones, even with the damage to the roots, it’s still worth no less than 18. That Red Yang Grass is only worth 10 at most."

  Yun Che remained calm."I want 20 mid-grade spirit stones for the ganoderma. The Red Yang Grass is separate."

  The old man shook his head. "Kid, your price is too high. This is Cold Crow Market. You can check with other places if you don’t believe me."

  "Then I’ll check with someone else." Yun Che reached for the box.

  The old man pressed it down and smiled."Don’t rush. Alright, 18 spirit stones for the ganoderma, 10 for the Red Yang Grass. I’ll throw in an additional 8 mid-grade spirit stones. That’s the best I can do."

  Yun Che pretended to hesitate for a moment before nodding."Deal."

  The old man smiled and took out a jade box from beneath the counter. Inside it lay a small plant with fire-red leaves resembling flames. He also placed 8 mid-grade spirit stones on the counter and pushed them toward Yun Che.

  Yun Che checked everything carefully, put the items away, and turned to leave.

  As soon as he stepped out of Wanbao Pavilion, he immediately noticed several pairs of eyes on his back.

  Sure enough, he had been targeted.