About six days later, in the afternoon, the carriage carrying the three of them rolled into a small town dotted with inns and taverns.

This place was called Yanxia Town. Surrounded by mountains where countless ferocious beasts roamed, it was hardly a desirable dwelling. However, not far from here, past those layers of mist, lay Danling Mountain, the Lingyun Sect’s outpost in the Eastern Lin Cloud Continent.

Whenever the triennial period arrived, this town experienced a bizarre surge of prosperity, allowing its merchants to rake in staggering profits.

When the trio arrived, over thirty thousand people had already gathered here—all youths under the age of eighteen, having traveled great distances. Many among them possessed considerable strength and standing.

In the coming two months, no fewer than sixty thousand more would converge here, vying for the fewer than six hundred spots offered by the Lingyun Sect.

Blended into the crowd, the three were as inconspicuous as a drop of water merging into the ocean.

Entering the town, Zong Shou couldn't help but feel a desire to laugh. In the game Divine Emperor, this location had been deliberately set up as the exclusive novice zone for the Lingyun Sect. All newly admitted disciples were required to train here.

Daily, hundreds of thousands of the Lingyun Sect’s outer disciples could be seen running quests and grinding levels in this small area, practically squeezing the tiny canyon until it burst. He had visited this place several times in his past life. Seeing the familiar architecture around him brought on a distinct wave of nostalgia.

On the north side of the town, they found an inn that seemed reasonably clean. After settling in, Zong Shou bid farewell to Yin Yang, took Chuxue, and walked out onto the street.

He appeared to be strolling aimlessly, yet after navigating only a few alleys, they emerged into a bustling market square.

Due to the sudden influx of population, the small town had become incredibly vibrant, with people shoulder-to-shoulder. At a glance, the paths on both sides were lined with hundreds of stalls.

Most sold weapons and clothing, followed by talismans, various elixirs, and basic manuals on martial arts and spiritual techniques. One could even spot stalls belonging to several renowned merchants.

Zong Shou glanced over everything in a cursory manner. Stopping before a book stall, he couldn't help but let out a quiet chuckle.

It was piled high with cheat sheets such as A Collection of Assessment Records from Past Lingyun Sect Disciples and The Twelve Methods of Bone Verification used by the Lingyun Sect.

In his previous life, he had assumed these were creations of the players. Yet, unexpectedly, similar pamphlets had been peddled here ten thousand years ago.

He walked straight past them, finally halting before an unassuming shop at the end of the street, and stepped inside.

Chuxue followed behind, blinking in surprise before entering as well.

This was a shop specializing in Spirit Master artifacts. She wondered why the Young Master had come here.

The artifacts here were clearly graded, set up specifically for the Spirit Master disciples of the Lingyun Sect. Zong Shou only cultivated the Martial Dao, while she practiced both Spirit and Martial arts. Yet, most of the items here were useless to her at the moment.

Zong Shou casually purchased some talismans, high-grade sandalwood incense, cinnabar ink used for drawing talismans, and some purple beast soul stones sourced from demonic beasts. Afterward, he paused before a wooden rack filled with metal canisters.

These canisters were mostly the size of a fist, cast either from Star Steel or entirely of brass—materials capable of isolating spiritual energy. Some unique ones incorporated special materials, resulting in various colors.

Each had a label affixed to the seal, inscribed with names like 'Gold-Devouring Beast,' 'Three Yuan Ice Soul,' or 'Lingxiao Bird.'

“Young Master! These are guardian spirits; they require mental power to activate—”

Chuxue had just offered a reminder when she recalled that her Young Master had once studied the Way of the Spirit Master at the Lin Hai Academy. Such common knowledge hardly needed stating.

Zong Shou gave a noncommittal sound and scanned the surroundings, the light in his pupils growing increasingly fervent.

One of the strongest growth-type guardian spirits mentioned in the legends of the Divine Emperor era—the only one to rise from the lowest ranks to the Immortal Tier—was found right here in Yanxia Town by that person. After that discovery, it took only sixty short years for that individual to soar to prominence, making a name throughout the Cloud Realm.

At the inception of the Divine Emperor game, many people had visited this very spot in reverence. Unfortunately, that item was set as non-sellable by the system, allowing visitors only to gaze upon it longingly until that destined person appeared.

But what would the reality be like ten thousand years prior? With that person’s emergence still about a decade away, would this item already be here?

In only a moment, Zong Shou’s gaze locked onto one particular wooden canister. Its material was the most common Ironwood, inscribed with a few seals and talismans on the exterior.

However, the label (hè rán - glaringly/conspicuously) read 'Quicksilver Beast King,' which sounded rather imposing.

This item was indeed here!

Forcing down the surging ecstasy in his heart, Zong Shou reached out and lifted the Ironwood canister. With a casual summons, a shop assistant, perhaps thirty years old, approached.

Seeing the item in Zong Shou’s hand, the man clearly hesitated. After a brief pause, he offered a caution: “Sir, this item has sat in our shop for nearly seven years without any inquiries. Never mind the fine-sounding name or the 'Beast King' title; it is actually just a Glistening Slime Beast, slightly mutated. It barely qualifies as a First-Tier spirit beast. A Spirit Master can only nurture ten to twenty guardian spirits in a lifetime. Once chosen, it is nearly impossible to change. I urge the customer to be extremely cautious!”

Zong Shou merely smiled dismissively upon hearing this. He mused that merchants in ancient times truly valued integrity, unlike the cunning merchants of later generations.

After paying with three Second-Tier Beast Crystals, Zong Shou turned to Chuxue and asked, “Did you see a guardian spirit you liked? Shall we buy it too?”

Su Chuxue quickly shook her head, declining with thanks. Her Master had told her that her innate talent was extraordinary, ensuring she would certainly reach the Innate Tier, perhaps even the Heaven Rank. Thus, her expectations were lofty; while the guardian spirits sold here were not bad, they fell far short of her requirements.

She even resolved that if Zong Shou intended to take the Glistening Slime Beast King as his own guardian, she would certainly try to persuade him against such a self-destructive path.

Leaving that shop, Zong Shou wandered around aimlessly. After several hours, he had purchased a full sack of metal—weighing over eighty catties—which Su Chuxue carried. He also exchanged for some wind-element Beast Crystals for replenishment, and dozens of bronze mirrors. Only as the sun began to set did they return to their inn.

He felt ashamed that, as a man, his strength not only lagged far behind Chuxue’s but that even walking a few dozen steps left him panting.

As soon as he entered his room, Zong Shou took out the Ironwood canister. After lifting the seal, he smashed a First-Tier Beast Crystal and a piece of red copper with the Pine Grain Wind Sword, mixed them with a few drops of his own blood, and tossed everything into the canister. He then reapplied the sealing talisman.

His Soul Sea was not yet formed; it was not yet time to truly subdue this item. However, the daily nurturing could commence.

When that person acquired this item originally, he was ignorant and didn't pay it much heed. It was only years later that this future top-tier guardian spirit began to shine.

But Zong Shou was fully aware of its potential now; how could he possibly neglect it as that person once did?

As the son of a Demon King, the financial resources he could command were far beyond what that person could match.

This beast’s future capabilities were extraordinary; it possessed a powerful innate ability the moment it reached the Second Tier. Yet, due to years of severe neglect in its early development, it could never advance a single step after breaking through to the Immortal Martial Realm. Countless people in later generations lamented this waste.

Now that it had fallen into his hands, this regret could finally be rectified.

Immediately after, Zong Shou took out a small basin. He poured the purchased blood ink into it.

This was made from the blood of spirit beasts rich in spiritual energy, emitting a pungent, fishy odor.

Zong Shou paid it no mind, mixing in the cinnabar, stirring until it was completely uniform. He stood up straight and began drawing talisman patterns directly on the floor of the guest room.

In only about half an incense stick's time, the outline of a circular talisman array had taken shape.