The two arrived at the Lingbao Pavilion early, but after wandering for the entire day, they failed to find any spirit treasures of value. A few items that Ji Changkong considered decent had obvious elemental energy fluctuations, leading the sellers to set extremely high prices. With knowledgeable buyers snatching them up around them, he felt they weren't worth it and didn't make any further moves.

They returned empty-handed by the end of the day.

That night, Ji Changkong fiddled with the thumb ring, constantly pondering the purpose of those ten little insects. Why did they become suddenly and wildly energetic after sucking his blood? Whenever he circulated his Yuan Power, they would immediately emerge from the ring, flying about frantically inside the room.

When his Yuan Power was still, the ten little insects would lie dormant within the ring, emitting only faint life signs. Only someone as sensitive to life auras as Ji Changkong could detect the presence of the tiny things lurking inside the ring.

The ten little flying insects did not feed on Ji Changkong’s blood again that night. When Yuan Power flowed toward the ring, the ten small flies came out, danced around for a while, and then drilled back inside. This caused Ji Changkong to breathe a quiet sigh of relief.

If the ten little flies were to draw blood from him every time, he genuinely feared he wouldn't be able to sustain it.

…

The third day.

The pair arrived at the Lingbao Pavilion at dawn once more, continuing the routine of the previous two days—wandering aimlessly through the hall, searching for spirit treasures useful to them.

Around noon.

Ji Changkong, who had been squinting while engaged in low-voiced conversation and laughter with Bai Qingya, suddenly halted in a deserted corner. His gaze fixed on a small dagger lying on the ground. He asked the seller, "This dagger—is it for trade or for sale?"

The vendor was a mere boy, perhaps fifteen or sixteen, likely a recent cultivator, with faint Yuan Power fluctuations, only at the First Yuan Heaven Realm.

The youth looked up at Ji Changkong, his tone cool and indifferent. "Ten high-grade Yuan Stones. Non-negotiable!"

"This dagger has nothing extraordinary about it; you dare to ask for ten high-grade Yuan Stones? Such a dark heart for one so young!" Bai Qingya shook her head, chuckling softly, and gently tugged at Ji Changkong. "Let’s go; we should look elsewhere."

"Hmph! Another one who can’t recognize true value!" The youth replied with a cold, disdainful expression.

Bai Qingya paid him no mind, smiling without saying anything, only urging Ji Changkong to hurry along. Recalling the previous incident with the jade hairpin, she feared Ji Changkong would be duped again and become an easy mark.

"Why not wait until tomorrow and sell it at the Lingbao Hall? This dagger is quite unusual. After the Lingbao Pavilion appraises it, they will certainly offer a substantial price," Ji Changkong said, showing no intention of leaving, his tone laced with curiosity.

Hearing Ji Changkong speak, the youth finally regarded him with true attention, glancing at him in surprise. His expression then darkened slightly, and he lowered his head. "Appraising spirit treasures at the Lingbao Pavilion requires a fee in Yuan Stones. Selling them at the Lingbao Hall also requires Yuan Stones. I don't have the stones to give them."

"I see..."

Ji Changkong let out a soft sigh. After a moment of thought, he asked, "I only have fifty high-grade Yuan Stones on me. Buying your dagger, I’d be taking great advantage of you. Will you sell it? I apologize, but with only fifty high-grade Yuan Stones on hand, that’s all I can offer."

"Are you mad?" Bai Qingya grew agitated upon hearing his excessively high offer, tugging at Ji Changkong and exclaiming sharply.

The youth had only asked for ten high-grade Yuan Stones, yet he wasn't haggling down; instead, he was adding forty more, claiming he was getting the better deal. What kind of person buys things like this?

"I'll add one Black Jade Yuan Crystal as well! But even with this, you are still at a loss," Ji Changkong said, not looking at Bai Qingya, and continued to raise his offer.

The youth’s eyes lit up; he was clearly tempted. However, he did not agree immediately, hesitating for a moment before saying, "I can give you the item now because I desperately need Yuan Stones. But if I acquire enough Yuan Stones later, you must promise to let me redeem it!"

"Deal!"

Nodding, Ji Changkong took out the fifty Yuan Stones that the Old Master of the Jia family had sent to the Ji family from his spatial ring, and then added a Black Jade Yuan Crystal, placing both before the youth. "My name is Ji Changkong. If you can find me later, I will exchange this dagger back to you!"

After some thought, he pulled out a jar of Fire Dragon Brew and several spiritual herbs, pushing them toward the youth. "These few items are an extra gift from me, payment for guarding this dagger for me!"

The youth carefully put away the items before him, glancing cautiously around. Seeing that no one was paying attention to them, he murmured softly, "Ji Changkong, I remember you." He stood up, bowed his head even lower to say thanks, and then rushed headlong into the crowd, vanishing in the blink of an eye.

"Changkong, I truly don't know what to say to you. Buying that jade hairpin the day before yesterday for one high-grade Yuan Stone was one thing, but this dagger—how could you offer such a high price?" Bai Qingya exclaimed, stomping her foot in frustration.

Putting the dagger from the ground into his spatial ring, Ji Changkong chuckled lightly. "Sister Bai, I was the one taking advantage. He wasn't wrong; you truly can’t recognize true value!"

"You! You rascal! Hmph!" Bai Qingya shot him a resentful glare before smiling again. "Forget it, forget it. You’re wealthy enough; I’ll just consider it charity. Alas, even if it is charity, setting such a high price is truly heartbreaking..."

"Alright, alright." Ji Changkong comforted her a few times, then continued to wander with her until evening before blending into the crowd and leaving the Lingbao Pavilion.

As soon as they exited the Lingbao Pavilion, Ji Changkong's expression subtly shifted. He suddenly said in a low voice, "Sister Bai, be careful. Someone is following us."

Bai Qingya startled, quickly looking around. After searching for a long time, she couldn't spot anyone suspicious and asked doubtfully, "Changkong, who is following us?"

"Let's go. Don't rush back to the inn; let's wander around a bit more," Ji Changkong whispered, pulling her toward a cluster of Heavenly Masters. When they reached a corner, he swiftly grabbed Bai Qingya's slender wrist and quickly darted into the alley, sprinting away.

At the end of the alley, a white silhouette wearing a terrifying white mask stood silently in the shadows of the wall corner. A pair of icy cold eyes were fixed on Ji Changkong. "Young brother, I invited you last time but couldn't persuade you. Today, I’ve come personally. How about it? Will you grant me some face?"

"The Poison Dragon Pool is rampant with ferocious beasts; if you want to go, go yourself. Why seek me out?" Ji Changkong casually deflected, while quickly signaling Bai Qingya with his eyes to retreat outside.

"Without you! How will the ferocious beasts behave themselves?" The white figure sneered. Seeing that Ji Changkong seemed to be stalling for time, he barked, "It seems young brother is unwilling. Then I have no choice but to request your assistance forcefully. Young brother, please do not take offense!"

With that, the white figure flickered and vanished abruptly into the shadows of the corner. The next moment, a rumbling sound echoed from the ground beneath their feet, and a pair of pale hands actually reached up from under the earth, grasping toward Ji Changkong's ankles.

The Five Elements Heaven Master cultivated earth power primarily; the eyes, body, and hands moved as one, his speed swift as lightning—a Heavenly Master!

A master!

Ji Changkong's expression suddenly turned grave. Without a second thought, he fiercely stabbed downward with the dagger he held in his hand.

The plain-looking dagger suddenly burst with intense silver light, slivers of radiance gathering like mercury into a blinding beam that shot out from the dagger's tip.

Boom!

A massive shockwave erupted. A surging power poured backward along the dagger. Ji Changkong’s right arm, which held the weapon, throbbed painfully, numb and powerless from the jarring force.

That pale hand reaching up from underground was struck by the silver light and hastily retracted back into the soil.

Woo-woo! Woo-woo-woo! Woo-woo-woo-woo!

His left index finger began to wail mournfully. The ten little insects suddenly flew out of the thumb ring and furiously swarmed toward the pale hand that was retreating underground.

"Wugui Insects!"

A cry of shock echoed from beneath the earth. The pale hand dared not expose itself again; the thick earth flipped over, completely concealing it.

The ten little flying insects, like flies sensing blood, danced incessantly over that spot, refusing to leave.

"Go quickly!" Bai Qingya urged sharply.

Turning around, Ji Changkong tightly gripped the dagger he had just spent a great sum to acquire. He and Bai Qingya rushed out of the alley and, in a short time, returned to the bustling main street.

Woo-woo-woo! Woo-woo-woo-woo!

The ten little flying insects emerged from an unknown place and successively flew back into the thumb ring worn on his left index finger.