64: Chapter 64 The Abyss

Ning Yuan gazed at the outline of the city, which was even more massive than Qingzhou City. A look of shock inevitably surfaced in his eyes; compared to South State City, Qingzhou City seemed somewhat small-minded and petty.

However, as South State was the largest state in the Eastern Region, it was not surprising that its capital was of such a scale.

Ning Yuan and Du Jiaojiao landed not far from South State City and walked toward it at an unhurried pace.

After paying Spirit Stones at the city gate, Ning Yuan successfully entered South State City. He did not linger much and headed straight for the Tianbao Pavilion.

"Wow, what is this?"

"Master, I want this! Buy it for me!"

"..."

Du Jiaojiao, on the other hand, kept looking around, letting out bursts of exclamation from time to time. Whenever she encountered something interesting, she would pester Ning Yuan to buy it for her.

A journey that should have taken half an hour ended up taking several hours to reach the Tianbao Pavilion, making Ning Yuan shake his head helplessly again and again.

Looking at the magnificent and grand Tianbao Pavilion before him, Ning Yuan's eyes once again showed amazement. By comparison, the Tianbao Pavilion in Qingzhou appeared shabby.

The two of them then stepped directly into the Tianbao Pavilion. Upon seeing the environment inside, it was even more extraordinary.

Many priceless Heaven And Earth Treasures were placed around, slowly emitting dense Spiritual Qi. The Spiritual Qi turned into mist and drifted in mid-air, making the entire hall look like a fairyland.

What a grand gesture!

Using rare Heaven And Earth Treasures as decorations was something many low-level Cultivators probably couldn't even imagine.

At this time, an attendant stepped forward a few paces and asked with a polite smile, "I wonder what this guest needs? I can introduce things for you!"

"Do you have any Heaven And Earth Treasures here that can repair the Divine Soul?" Ning Yuan said calmly.

Hearing this, the attendant was startled. Items that could repair the Divine Soul were worth a fortune; this was a major customer. He became even more respectful and said:

"Of course we do! Please follow me to a private booth to discuss in detail, honored guest!"

"Mhm!"

Then, with a joyful expression, the attendant took the lead and guided the way for Ning Yuan.

After a while, the two of them were brought to a room. The attendant immediately opened the door and made an inviting gesture, saying:

"Please come in, honored guest! I will go and notify the steward to talk with you. Please wait a moment!"

After saying that, the attendant left directly. Ning Yuan didn't mind and took Du Jiaojiao into the private booth.

He glanced around and then sat on a chair to wait. Du Jiaojiao stood behind him, alertly scanning the surroundings. During this time, tea and snacks were brought up by a maidservant.

While waiting, Ning Yuan picked up the teacup and took a small sip. He discovered that this tea could slightly increase one's cultivation, which caused a flash of surprise to cross his face.

However, he didn't find it strange upon reflection. After all, the Tianbao Pavilion was wealthy and powerful; using such things to receive guests was no big deal.

Just as Ning Yuan finished a few cups of tea, the door was suddenly opened, and a middle-aged Cultivator walked in. He cupped his hands in apology and said:

"I have been busy with affairs and have kept you waiting, honored guest. Please do not take offense! My surname is Li; you may just call me Steward Li. I heard that you need a treasure to repair the Divine Soul. I wonder if you have an item in mind?"

"Steward Li is too polite. I don't have a specific item in mind yet; please introduce some!" Ning Yuan quickly stood up and returned the gesture with cupped hands.

In the gaps between his words, Steward Li's gaze swept over Ning Yuan, but when his gaze landed on Du Jiaojiao, his pupils couldn't help but shrink. He actually couldn't see through her cultivation.

He himself was at the Peak Nascent Soul stage, yet he couldn't see through her cultivation. There was only one possibility: she was a Soul Transformation Cultivator.

Thinking of this possibility, Steward Li became a bit more polite toward the young man before him. After all, someone with a Soul Transformation Cultivator as a Dao-protector would not have a lowly status or position.

"In that case, let me introduce some to you. Please!" Steward Li made a gesture for him to sit, and the expression on his face became several degrees warmer.

Ning Yuan took note of Steward Li's change in expression. After all, in this world where strength was respected, this was perfectly normal.

After Ning Yuan sat down, Steward Li followed suit and then asked:

"Then I wonder, what is the cultivation level of the Cultivator whose Divine Soul needs repairing? I will recommend one or two for the honored guest!"

"Nascent Soul!"

Before Mu Qingyao died, her cultivation had already reached the Early Nascent Soul stage, and her strength was no weaker than a Mid Nascent Soul stage cultivator.

Hearing Ning Yuan's answer, Steward Li couldn't help but show a troubled expression. He pondered in silence, seemingly unsure of how to speak.

Seeing his reaction, Ning Yuan's heart sank slightly. He had a bad premonition, but he still spoke first:

"Does Steward Li have any difficulties? Please feel free to speak!"

"Since that's the case, I'll be blunt. This pavilion does not have any treasures to repair a Nascent Soul's Divine Soul! I am truly sorry that I cannot help you, honored guest!"

Steward Li said apologetically. Treasures that repaired the Divine Soul were already rare, let alone those that repaired the Divine Soul of a Nascent Soul Cultivator.

As expected!

Ning Yuan had a faint suspicion before, and now his prediction had come true.

Over the past three months, Ning Yuan had learned a lot of cultivation knowledge and was no longer the novice who knew nothing.

He knew that treasures for repairing the Divine Soul were rare, but he didn't expect them to be rare to this extent—to the point where there weren't even any for the Nascent Soul level.

This caused Ning Yuan to fall into silence, not knowing where to look. Suddenly thinking of something, he looked up and asked:

"Then may I ask Steward Li, do you know where such treasures can be found?"

"This..." Steward Li hesitated for a moment and gave Ning Yuan a look that could be understood but not expressed in words.

Ning Yuan understood instantly. He wanted benefits. However, he didn't feel there was anything wrong with this; the man wasn't his father and had no obligation to help him.

Ning Yuan then took out a storage ring and inconspicuously pressed it into Steward Li's hand, saying with great sincerity:

"If Steward Li knows, I hope you will tell me!"

After Steward Li investigated with his Divine Sense, a satisfied smile appeared on his face. He then tucked away the storage ring.

"Since the honored guest has a request, I will certainly tell you everything! In a few more days, it will be the time when the Yin Qi of the Earth Abyss weakens. You can go in and look for a Heaven And Earth Treasure called the 'nine yang soul returning ganoderma'."

At this moment, Ning Yuan's face looked extremely grim. He hadn't expected that for a hundred thousand Spirit Stones, he would get such a piece of news.

The Earth Abyss was one of the three major Forbidden Grounds of South State; it was no benevolent place. Even a Soul Transformation Cultivator faced the risk of perishing there.

It was filled with Yin Qi, Yao Beasts were everywhere, and Yin Souls roamed freely. If a Cultivator with insufficient strength was invaded by Yin Qi, in a matter of moments, their entire body's blood, Nascent Soul, and Divine Soul would freeze, leading to death.

"Is what you said true?"

"I guarantee it with the reputation of the Tianbao Pavilion. Every word I said is true, without the slightest falsehood!" Steward Li said solemnly.

"Also, this matter is only known to the Tianbao Pavilion and a few others. It was discovered the last time the Tianbao Pavilion explored the Earth Abyss, but it wasn't ripe yet, so it wasn't picked. This time the Earth Abyss opens, the Tianbao Pavilion..."

Ning Yuan immediately understood his meaning. This nine yang soul returning ganoderma would definitely mature this time, and the Tianbao Pavilion would definitely go to pick it. Furthermore, this Steward Li might be one of those people.

Yet he sold out the Tianbao Pavilion for a hundred thousand Spirit Stones. This Steward Li was truly an ungrateful wolf, but if it weren't for that, Ning Yuan wouldn't have obtained such important news.