168: Wait for me to get the Dao base! Come and get the magic weapon!

Heaven has Four Seasons, and the human world has Reincarnation.

Outside Black Ridge City, the scorching sun set, and hot wind blew.

Within the Four Seasons Cycle Formation, a layer of white snow had fallen.

In the Yellow Sand Plains, under such a celestial phenomenon, rain was never seen throughout the year, let alone the frost and snow formed by condensed rainwater.

Many Cultivators and Extreme Martial Warriors also put down their work one after another, visiting each other's homes, some finding a table at Food as Heaven to sit down.

Some called upon three or five friends to light a fire, boil water, and cook meat together.

Common folk wore winter clothes, huddled in their small houses, their faces red from the cold, yet full of smiles.

Near a school, a chorus of chanting voices could be heard.

“Cold comes and heat goes, autumn harvests and winter stores.

Leap years complete the cycle, musical notes harmonize the Yang.

Clouds rise to bring rain, dew condenses into frost.”

The tender voices continuously echoed through the alley, and then a voice full of profound wisdom slowly spoke.

“Thousands of miles away, the world is peaceful, the people are content, and the celestial phenomena are not as annoying as they are here.”

“Mr. Li, isn't it sunny there every day?”

The old scholar, addressed as Mr. Li, was precisely the old gentleman from the Shen Family's library.

It was just that he was idle now, with not many Immortal Seedlings, so he also took on the job of a teacher.

Hearing someone ask, he calmly explained,

“Heaven has four phases: in spring, all things sprout; in summer, they grow vigorously; in autumn, grains are abundant; and in winter, frost and snow cover the land. Only with a Reincarnation does it count as a full year, just like the annual rings on a large tree. Only by passing through a complete year of Four Seasons, experiencing the four stages of birth, growth, decline, and death, and gaining insights, can one truly be considered a year older.”

“I thought the snow was just the City Lord playing around... I heard the City Lord likes snow?”

A trace of reminiscence flashed in Mr. Li's eyes, but he shook his head and said,

“He doesn't like it.”

“Our City Lord is a bit strange; he doesn't like sunny days, he doesn't like rain, he doesn't like snow. What he prefers is the strong wind before the rain and the wondrous natural spectacle that seems like the end of all things.”

“According to him, it is when things are about to happen that his heart is most stirred.”

“So that's how it is.”

“All right, continue reading.”

The tender voices rose again, as a carriage crushed the accumulated snow, passed through the patrolling Yuting Guard, and followed the wide bluestone road, heading towards the City Lord's Mansion, listening to the tender voices.

Inside the carriage were two people.

One was Wang Teng, who had not appeared for a long time, and surprisingly, his cultivation had already Breakthrough to Qi Refining Stage 5.

Time moves forward, and no one stays in place forever.

Wang Teng looked at the chubby Late Stage Qi Refining Cultivator in front of him.

He wore a large cloak, his Realm was stable and not sharp, so he appeared somewhat unremarkable.

The fat on his face obscured his eyes, and though he tried to open them wide, a sharp glint flashed and disappeared.

Clearly, he was deep in thought.

He held two metal balls in his hand, constantly clanging them together.

On his body was embroidered the Four Seas Merchant Guild emblem.

This person was the steward of the Four Seas Merchant Guild, whom Immortal Sen Yan had pressured to establish a branch in Black Ridge City.

However, those who came from Wang Family Market at that time were all high-ranking and left Black Ridge City early after establishing the branch.

They never returned.

After all, the various branches were still under development, and Cultivators of their Rank were far from needed to oversee them.

His return this time was at someone's request.

Firstly, Wang Teng was visiting. Living in Wang Family Market, although the Ten Thousand Seas Merchant Guild didn't need to be overly afraid, that place was ultimately overseen by an Immortal Master, and the entire market was occupied by the Wang Family, so one shouldn't provoke the local power.

Secondly, it was also because of Shen Li. It was rumored that Shen Li had done another major thing: killing a Half-Step Dao Foundation.

This could no longer be called potential; instead, he had already begun to realize his natural talent and turn it into strength.

He had the demeanor of an Immortal Master.

Therefore, the Four Seas Merchant Guild naturally had to evaluate Shen Li.

Hearsay was certainly not as clear as coming to see for oneself.

If he truly possessed the demeanor of an Immortal Master, perhaps a change would occur at this Grand Ceremony.

Achieve Immortal Master? He dared not imagine such a thing; that was something only true Prodigies could accomplish.

However, obtaining a treasure to forge a Dao Foundation Divine Ability during this celebration should not be a problem.

That would be at least a Half-Step Dao Foundation.

If the Shen Family helped him in the future, he could also achieve Immortal Master and establish roots in the Yellow Sand Plains, especially since Shen Li was still so young.

Therefore, he could not easily offend him.

And he needed to befriend him.

So, even though he knew that the area outside the Yellow Sand Plains had been extremely unstable recently, he still took the risk to come to Black Ridge City!

He quickly arrived at the City Lord's Mansion and entered under the watchful eye of Qiu Ya, an Extreme Martial Warrior.

The Spiritual Qi that greeted him calmed his mind considerably, and he soon arrived at the Bitter Bamboo Forest Hall.

Sensing the aura of the Bitter Bamboo Forest and its bone-chilling coldness, he paused in place, not daring to venture in.

“Greetings, Young Master Shen.”

Shen Li's voice was ethereal, and waves of frost emanated from within and around the Bitter Bamboo Forest.

“Long time no see, Steward Liu.”

“Please sit.”

“Sit... where?”

Seeing only a single threshold, Steward Liu, being old and shrewd,

took out a pair of chairs from his Storage Pouch and invited Wang Teng to sit down.

Only then did he perch on half of a chair.

He opened his mouth and asked,

“Young Master Shen's reputation is increasingly soaring. Even though I am thousands of miles away, I have heard a little, but I am entangled in trivial matters and have had no chance to meet you.”

“Don't talk nonsense.”

“I'm here to sell you some things.”

Steward Liu's smile suddenly froze upon hearing Shen Li's indifferent and impolite words.

He then turned his gaze to Wang Teng beside him.

Seeing this, Wang Teng shook his head helplessly and whispered,

“The reason for the 'True Nature Water' you asked me to find is right here.”

Wang Teng's eyes flickered, not revealing the full truth, but he said in a deep voice,

“His cultivation has gone slightly awry, so, Steward Liu, don't mind it.”

“Awry?”

Steward Liu's brows furrowed involuntarily.

If a problem occurred during the Qi Refining Realm, before Perfection, it meant that this person's Heart-Nature... had a flaw.

Forget it... the matter of befriending and investing can be discussed later.

Merchants pursue profit and do not dwell on past sentiments. Seeing this, Steward Liu's tone softened a little as he said,

“The True Nature Water was purchased from the True Spirit Sect and cost five thousand Low-Grade Spirit Stones.”

“Agreed.”

“What does Young Master Shen wish to sell?”

[Yin Nether Sect Fundamental Spirit Puppet Qi Consumption Method]

[Puppet Control Bell]

[Lonely Soul Resentment Five Directions Grand Formation Diagram]

[Yinming Dao Soldier Method]

[Soul Suppression Minor Art]

[Soul Capturing Pool]

[Spirit Puppet Control Body Minor Art]

Shen Li's fingertips moved, and he dumped all the trash brought from Yanmo Mountain at Steward Liu's feet.

Steward Liu gasped, asking in disbelief,

“Young Master Shen, do you really want to sell all of them?”

“Is there a problem?”

“No... no... it's just that these items are all extremely valuable, even including Magical Artifacts, Qi Consumption Methods.... I didn't bring enough Spirit Stones for a while, or how does Young Master Shen wish to transact....”

[Rank 8 • Cold Sparrow Branch]

[Pine Mountain Wood]

[Long Mountain Ape]

[Kunlun Iron]

All the Materials stored for a long time were dumped at Steward Liu's feet.

The contempt in Steward Liu's heart vanished instantly, replaced by shock and fear. He stammered uncontrollably,

“Young Master Shen....”

The sky shifted, and a massive Magical Artifact appeared above the City Lord's Mansion.

Wang Teng cried out, and before he could say more, he was sucked into it.

The ancient Loulan ship immediately burst forth with powerful might, piercing through the air and vanishing from its original spot.

Only Shen Li's cold commanding voice remained.

“I want to forge a Dao Foundation Magical Artifact.”

“The former is the cost, the latter are the Materials.”

“I need the best Materials to forge one offensive and one defensive item.”

“It must be filled with endless coldness, and its snow must obscure the sun.”

“After I reach Dao Foundation.”

“Come and get it!”