"Identity?" the guard asked with a flat tone, his eyes sweeping over Zhi Xuan, scrutinizing his black-and-red robe and his handsome face which bore a strange, pale left eye.

  Zhi Xuan bowed slightly. "I am Zhi Xuan, a wandering cultivator from the star village. I do not possess an Identity Jade, Senior Brother. I will pay the entrance fee."

  He took out ten glittering silver coins and placed them in the guard's hand.

  The guard took the coins, gripped them, and then looked at Zhi Xuan. His eyes narrowed because he sensed a slight, unusual cold aura from Zhi Xuan.

  "Wandering cultivator? Your aura is unstable. What level do you possess?" the guard asked, his voice now slightly sharper.

  Zhi Xuan held his breath. He did not want to show off his Divine Wheel Sanctum to a Zenith level guard.

  "I have just reached Divine Wheel Zenith, Senior Brother," Zhi Xuan replied, deliberately suppressing his aura slightly so that it appeared he had just reached the Zenith level.

  The guard snorted. "Do not look for trouble in Shoutuo City. The power you show is just trash here. Stay obedient to the rules, or you will end up in the Dungeon."

  "I understand, Senior Brother. I am only here to look for some herbs," Zhi Xuan replied calmly.

  The guard merely waved his hand lazily. "Enter. And do not linger near the West Gate. That is the area of the Jade Star Sword Sect."

  Zhi Xuan nodded respectfully. He stepped forward, passing through the magnificent ironwood gate.

  Zhi Xuan stepped past the thick ironwood gate. Instantly, the surrounding hustle and bustle hit him like a wave.

  Shoutuo City far surpassed his imagination. Inside the gray stone walls, buildings soared, some adorned with jade-layered roofs that reflected the increasing morning sunlight. The main street, made of polished black stone, was filled with carts, caravans pulled by low-level spiritual beasts, and a crowd of cultivators in diverse robes and carrying various weapons.

  The spiritual essence in the air of Shoutuo City was incredibly dense, much richer than in Star Village or at the Death Cliff. Zhi Xuan felt his body, newly infused with Taiyin energy, seemed to sing, easily absorbing the purer essence around him.

  "This... this is more than just a trading city," Zhi Xuan muttered, his one blind eye feeling cold, observing the faint energy formations etched onto the street tiles.

  'Of course, idiot,' Ruo Xianxue hissed. 'This city is a hidden defense formation knot. The mortal Empire knows the value of this place. Those at the Divine Wheel and even Consciousness Transformation level gather here to train and seek resources. This is the highest-tier flea market in this mortal world.'

  "I will look for a place to get information. A place where scrolls and rare herbs are sold," Zhi Xuan said, ignoring Ruo Xianxue's mockery about the 'flea market'.

  He turned into a smaller street, moving away from the main crowd. Here, the atmosphere was calmer, filled with specialist shops. There was a spiritual blacksmith's workshop emitting thick smoke and the sound of hammering, and a talisman shop displaying faintly flashing runes.

  Zhi Xuan soon noticed a shop that caught his attention: a small two-story pavilion with an elegantly carved wooden sign.

  'Green Jade Herb Pavilion'

  The pavilion emitted a strong herbal aroma, a mix of sweet fragrance and a calming earthy smell. Zhi Xuan stepped inside. The interior was quiet, filled with dark wooden shelves holding jars and glass bottles, each containing spiritual herbs of different colors and shapes.

  An old man in a green robe, who looked like an Alchemist with Organ Transformation cultivation, was sitting at a jade desk, counting some spiritual coins.

  "Welcome, Young Master," the old man greeted cordially, but his eyes quickly scrutinized Zhi Xuan—from his clean robe to his pale left eye. "What are you looking for? Healing herbs, stabilizing pills, or materials for Breakthrough?"

  Zhi Xuan bowed respectfully. "Senior, I am looking for something rarer. I would like to know, does this Pavilion sell, or have information about, the Five-Element Scroll?"

  Upon hearing the name, the Alchemist's friendly expression faded slightly. He put down his spiritual coins and looked at Zhi Xuan with a more serious gaze.

  "Young Master, you are asking about a treasure that has not been seen in this mortal world for a hundred years. That is an item sought by Kings and major Sects," the Alchemist replied, his voice now softer. "We are just a small herb stall. We do not sell items of that caliber."

  Zhi Xuan nodded, not surprised. "I understand, Senior. What about materials for a breakthrough to the First Ember realm? Like the Flame of Sunrose Flower?"

  "Flame of Sunrose Flower..." the Alchemist muttered, his eyes flashing with recognition. "That is an extremely rare material that emerges from the earth's core. Very good for reaching First Ember. We do not have it in stock, but..."

  The old man leaned forward, lowering his voice, emitting a slight, calming spiritual aura. "You have come at the right time, Young Master. Shoutuo City will hold a Silver Moon Auction in three days. Rumor has it that this year's Silver Moon Auction will feature some extremely rare items for Divine Wheel and First Ember cultivators, including high-level core herbs that might be comparable to the Flame of Sunrose Flower."

  "Silver Moon Auction," Zhi Xuan repeated, an idea forming in his mind. An auction was the perfect place to spread information or listen to exaggerated rumors.

  "And finally, Senior," Zhi Xuan lowered his voice, letting a hint of his Divine Wheel Sanctum's cold aura seep out, just enough to show that he was no ordinary match. "Have you ever heard rumors of the Poison Sect operating in this region? Or the name Young Master Gu?"

  The Alchemist's expression immediately changed. His face turned ashen, and he quickly waved his hand, emitting a spiritual energy wave that closed the Pavilion door with a soft thud.

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  "Young Master, I beg you," the Alchemist whispered in a panicked, almost pleading tone. "That name is taboo. I do not know. Nothing. They... they are everywhere. Go! Never mention that name in the open again! You could bring disaster to my Pavilion!"

  Zhi Xuan sighed. The fear was real. He did not press further, realizing he had gotten all he could from the terrified Alchemist.

  "I apologize, Senior. I will leave immediately," Zhi Xuan said. He bowed again, then turned and left the now-closed Pavilion.

  'See, Ruo. You called it a flea market, but they are afraid to even utter the name of the Poison Sect,' Zhi Xuan thought as he walked back to the main street, blending into the crowd.

  'That only proves that Young Master Gu is a ruthless monkey,' Ruo Xianxue countered. 'Fear is a stronger currency than silver or jade. The Silver Moon Auction is a good place, but your focus should be on finding Young Master Gu's base.'

  Zhi Xuan continued walking, heading toward the western part of the city as the gate guard had suggested earlier. This area was much more luxurious, with large mansions surrounded by high gardens and guarded walls.

  "The West Gate is the area of the Jade Star Sword Sect," Zhi Xuan remembered. As he walked, Zhi Xuan heard loud laughter from a luxurious tea house. The tea house was located right next to a towering wall, and it appeared to be filled with young cultivators in light blue robes who had a shining sword emblem on their chests. They were Disciples of the Jade Star Sword Sect.

  Suddenly, their conversation became clearly audible to Zhi Xuan, who now had senses enhanced by the Taiyin essence.

  "I heard Young Master Gu brought back very good items from his adventure in Zhao Country," one of the disciples, a Divine Wheel Zenith youth who looked arrogant, said.

  "Of course! Young Master Gu is truly extraordinary. He was even able to convince the Elders to let him stay in the Jade Residence here, in the heart of Shoutuo City," the other chimed in. "With protection from the Jade Star Sword Sect, no one dares to disturb him. Moreover, he is pursuing Holy Fairy Zhu Qinglan. Having a connection with that ancient clan is our good fortune!"

  "But isn't he involved with the Poison Sect?" a third disciple whispered, his tone hesitant.

  "Hush! Do not be stupid! The Poison Sect is just an excuse. Young Master Gu is merely a genius Alchemist, supported by his wealthy family. He only uses the Poison Sect's power to clear his path," the first disciple replied while sipping his tea. "He is at the Three Foundations Transformation stage and is close to reaching the Five Elements! We must be careful not to offend him!"

  Zhi Xuan stopped, hiding behind a large willow tree, letting his cold aura envelop him, masking his spiritual fluctuations.

  'He is here,' Zhi Xuan hissed, his voice thick with tension. 'Young Master Gu is protected by the Jade Star Sword Sect, and he is at the Three Foundations Transformation stage.'

  'Three Foundations Transformation, monkey. That means he is at least two full realms above your Divine Wheel Sanctum,' Ruo Xianxue reminded with a cautious tone. 'He has gone through three great forging processes, and his strength cannot be compared to an ordinary Consciousness Transformation cultivator. Do not be reckless.'

  Zhi Xuan gritted his teeth. Three Foundations Transformation. A vast distance. He realized he had underestimated his enemy.

  "But this is also good news," Zhi Xuan countered. "We know where he is—at the Jade Residence, protected by the Jade Star Sword Sect. And he will be in Shoutuo City at least until the Silver Moon Auction."

  Zhi Xuan turned around, moving away from the noisy Jade Star Sword Sect Disciples area.

  "Ruo, we have three days until the auction," Zhi Xuan said. "I need an Identity Jade for the Auction, and I need more information about Young Master Gu. I also need a way to get rare spiritual herbs like the Flame of Sunrose Flower."

  'Three days? You have a lot on your plate,' Ruo Xianxue scoffed. 'Identity Jades can be bought from the black market or forged. For herbs, you must rely on the auction. And Young Master Gu... you need to find someone brave enough to talk about him without fear.'

  Zhi Xuan nodded. He touched the Jade Bottle where the Moth's Reincarnation Essence was contained. This mission could not be forgotten, but the Poison Sect was a more urgent threat.

  "Alright. First step: find accommodation and a place that sells Identity Jades," Zhi Xuan decided. "Second step: find an informant who is not afraid of death."

  He turned, now stepping in the opposite direction from the Jade Star Sword Sect. His destination was the city center—the busiest, most anonymous place, and the most likely to house the black market.

  "Let us start operating in Shoutuo, Ruo," Zhi Xuan whispered, his eyes emitting a sharp Jade light, full of cold determination. "I must cut this poison root before it reaches Star Village."

  Zhi Xuan walked down the main street, keeping his expression calm and his eyes focused only on what was ahead of him. He had to quickly find accommodation and a place to inquire about the Five-Element Scroll and the Poison Sect.

  Zhi Xuan saw a large sign hanging over a four-story building. 'White Cloud Inn.' It looked clean and well-maintained.

  As he walked toward the entrance, a sharp voice called out to him from behind.

  "Hey, boy! Stop!"

  Zhi Xuan stopped and turned around. Behind him, the purple-robed cultivator with the sword on his back—the one he had met on the path—stood there, his face full of suspicion. Next to him stood another young man in the same robe, but with a First Ember Stage aura.

  The purple-robed cultivator, who seemed to be named Luo, pointed at Zhi Xuan. "I smell something familiar from you. You... the cultivator who gave silver coins to that mortal just now!"

  The First Ember youth next to him—who seemed to be his senior—frowned and looked at Zhi Xuan with cold eyes.

  "What do you want, Senior Brother Luo?" the First Ember youth asked.

  The purple cultivator, Luo, snorted. "I saw this boy giving money to a mortal, as if he were a saint. But I also sense a strange aura on him, Senior Brother Wei. He is hiding his level."

  Zhi Xuan clenched his jaw. 'Trouble comes on its own,' he thought, annoyed that his good deed had made him suspicious.

  'Let me speak,' Ruo Xianxue hissed. 'You are too naive.'

  "Good afternoon, Senior Brothers," Zhi Xuan greeted, trying to maintain his composure. "I am not hiding anything. I am a Divine Wheel cultivator looking for lodging."

  Senior Brother Wei, who was at First Ember, crossed his arms and stared at Zhi Xuan. "A Divine Wheel hiding in a dirty robe and possessing an unnatural cold aura. Your eye is also pale. Did you just come out of the Ice Prison, boy?"

  Zhi Xuan smiled. "I just completed a spiritual journey at the Death Cliff, Senior Brother. And yes, I do have some flaws. However, I am not looking for trouble."

  Senior Brother Wei took a step forward, pressing Zhi Xuan with his aura. The pressure of First Ember felt heavy, like an iceberg.

  "Shoutuo City does not like suspicious 'flaws' or 'spiritual journeys'. What kind of spiritual journey makes you blind in one eye, huh?"

  Zhi Xuan felt the essence energy around him tremble from Wei's pressure. This was a test of strength.

  'Hold on, monkey. Do not use your full strength, or you will attract greater attention,' Ruo Xianxue advised.

  Zhi Xuan mustered his spiritual essence, letting his Divine Wheel Sanctum aura open slightly, just enough to resist Wei's pressure, but not enough to reveal his full Sanctum level. His blind eye flashed, emitting a subtle Jade light.

  Wei was surprised. His pressure should have made an ordinary Zenith cultivator kneel, but Zhi Xuan only stood tall.

  "It seems you have a solid foundation, boy," Wei said, pulling back his pressure. He realized that Zhi Xuan was more than just an ordinary Zenith.

  "Thank you for the compliment, Senior Brother," Zhi Xuan replied. "If you will permit me, I would like to rest."

  Wei stared at Zhi Xuan for a moment, his face showing doubt. "Alright. Go in. But I know your face and aura now. If I hear of any trouble in the city, especially involving a cold aura, I will look for you first."

  Zhi Xuan bowed. "I promise, Senior Brother. I am only here to purchase herbs. No trouble."

  The purple cultivator, Luo, looked dissatisfied, but he kept silent. Wei then turned around, signaling Luo to follow him.

  Zhi Xuan watched them leave for a moment, then sighed in relief. He had successfully avoided a major conflict.

  "That was a good test, Ruo," Zhi Xuan whispered. "Now, I must find a way to inquire about that Five-Element Scroll, and how to find the Moth's reincarnation spot."

  He turned, entering the White Cloud Inn.