Chapter 17

About six days later in the afternoon, the carriage carrying the three people entered a small town filled with taverns and inns. This place was called Yanzha Town, surrounded by mountains, where countless fierce beasts roamed, making it an unsuitable place to live. However, not far from here, through the layers of mist, was the Danling Mountain, the base of the Lingyun Sect in the eastern part of Yunlu.

Whenever the three-year period arrived, this place would experience a畸形的繁荣. The merchants here would earn a fortune.

When the three arrived, there were already more than thirty thousand people gathered. They were all youths under eighteen, who had traveled long distances to get here, and many of them had some strength and status.

In the next two months, at least another sixty thousand people would gather here to compete for the less than six hundred spots in the Lingyun Sect.

The three blended in like a drop of water in the ocean, barely noticeable.

Entering the town, Zongshou couldn't help but smile. In the game "Divine Emperor," this place was specially designated as the Lingyun Sect's exclusive新手区, where all new disciples had to train.

Every day, hundreds of thousands of Lingyun Sect's outer disciples would run missions, kill monsters, and level up in this small area, almost bursting the small valley.

He had visited this place a few times. Looking at the familiar buildings around him, he felt a sense of nostalgia.

They found a relatively clean inn on the north side of the town. Zongshou greeted Yin Yang and then took Chuxue to the street.

Seemingly strolling leisurely, they crossed a few alleys and arrived at a market.

Due to the sudden influx of people, this place had become bustling, with people rubbing shoulders. Looking around, one could see dozens or even hundreds of vendors on both sides of the road.

Most sold weapons and clothing, followed by talismans and some medicinal pills. There were also martial arts and spiritual techniques manuals, all of the most common and basic kind. Even some famous merchants could be seen.

Zongshou browsed casually, and when he reached a book stall, he couldn't help but laugh.

On the stall were books like "A Collection of Lingyun Sect Disciples' Examinations" and "Twelve Methods of Bone Examination in the Lingyun Sect."

In his previous life, he thought these were created by players. But it turned out that similar booklets had been sold even ten thousand years ago.

He walked past and stopped at a nondescript shop at the end of the street.

Chuxue followed behind, blinking in surprise, and then entered.

This shop specialized in spiritual artifacts. She wondered why the young master had come here.

The artifacts here were clearly graded, specifically for the Lingyun Sect's spiritual disciples. Zongshou practiced martial arts, and while she practiced both martial and spiritual arts, most of the items here were not useful to her.

Zongshou casually bought some talismans, high-quality sandalwood incense, blood ink for drawing talismans, and some purple beast soul stones from demons. Then he stood in front of a wooden rack filled with metal jars.

Most of these jars were fist-sized, made of star steel or entirely of yellow copper, materials that could block spiritual energy. Some had special materials added, giving them various colors.

On the seals, labels read "Gold Devouring Beast," "Three-Element Ice Soul," "Spiritual Sky Bird," and so on.

"Master! These are spirit guardians, which require mental power to activate—"

Chuxue reminded him, then remembered that her young master had also studied the way of the spiritual master at the Linhai Academy. These basics didn't need to be reminded.

Zongshou nodded, his gaze scanning around, and the light in his eyes grew increasingly intense.

This was one of the strongest spirit guardians in the Divine Emperor era, the only growth-type spirit beast that could ascend from the lowest class to the immortal stage.

It was found by someone in Yanzha Town and, in just sixty years, achieved a meteoric rise, becoming famous in the Cloud Realm.

At the beginning of the Divine Emperor game, many people came here to pay respects, but unfortunately, this item was set as a non-sellable item by the system, waiting for that person to appear. They could only look to satisfy their curiosity.

But what about in the real world ten thousand years ago? With about ten years until that person's birth, was this item already here?

In just a moment, Zongshou's gaze locked onto a wooden jar. The material was the most common ironwood, with some talismans carved on the outside as a seal.

However, the label read "Mercury Beast King," which was quite intimidating.

This item was indeed here!

Suppressing his excitement, Zongshou picked up the ironwood jar. He casually summoned a middle-aged shop assistant.

Looking at the item in Zongshou's hand, the assistant was clearly surprised. After a brief hesitation, he warned, "Sir, this item has been in our shop for nearly seven years without anyone asking about it. Don't be fooled by its name and the title of 'Beast King.' It's actually just a water-adhering beast with a slight mutation, barely a first-stage spirit beast. A spiritual master can only nurture ten to twenty spirit guardians in their lifetime. Once chosen, they are almost impossible to change. Please be very careful!"

Zongshou smiled, not at all concerned. He thought that merchants in ancient times were indeed honest, unlike the cunning merchants of later times.

He paid with three second-stage beast crystals and then turned to Chuxue, "Did you see any spirit guardians you like? We can buy them together."

Chuxue shook her head, politely declining. Her master said she had exceptional talent and would surely reach the innate realm, and even the celestial realm was within reach. Therefore, her standards were high. The spirit guardians sold here, though good, did not meet her requirements.

She was determined to advise Zongshou if he intended to use the Mercury Beast King as his spirit guardian, to prevent him from ruining his future.

Leaving the shop, Zongshou wandered aimlessly. After a few hours, he bought a whole bag of metal, weighing over eighty pounds, which Chuxue carried. He also bought some wind-type beast crystals and several bronze mirrors. They returned to their inn as the sun set.

Embarrassingly, he, a man, was far weaker than Chuxue. Even walking a few dozen steps left him panting.

Once in his room, Zongshou took out the ironwood jar. He opened the seal, placed a first-stage beast crystal and a piece of red copper inside, cut them with a pine-patterned wind sword, mixed them with a few drops of his blood, and then resealed the jar with the talisman.

His soul sea was not yet formed, so he couldn't subdue the item yet. However, he could start nurturing it daily.

When that person obtained this item, he was clueless and didn't take it seriously. It wasn't until a few years later that this future top-tier spirit guardian began to shine.

But now, Zongshou knew the item's capabilities and would not neglect it like that person.

As the son of a demon king, the financial resources he could mobilize far exceeded those of that person.

This beast had extraordinary abilities. When it reached the second stage, it possessed a powerful special ability. However, due to a lack of early nurturing, it failed to advance further after reaching the immortal martial realm. Many people in later generations regretted this.

Now that it was in his hands, he could make up for this regret.

Next, Zongshou took out a small basin and poured the blood ink into it.

This was made from the blood of spirit beasts with abundant spiritual energy, and it had a pungent smell.

Zongshou didn't mind, mixing the cinnabar and stirring until it was thoroughly blended. He stood up and began drawing talisman patterns on the floor of the guest room.

In about half an hour, a circular talisman array took shape.