Chapter 46

Hua Xiajiu had never encountered so many cultivators before, especially not such a variety of dazzling, differently shaped and functional spirit artifacts, elixirs, and talismans. It couldn't help but broaden his horizons.

He walked down street after street, entering and exiting many shops. While paying attention to the conversations around him to gather some information, he also sold the items he no longer needed from his storage bag, exchanging them for nearly five thousand spirit stones. This included Ma Zhikuo's blood sword, the middle-aged man with a scar's black knife, and the half-old man with a sallow complexion's duster, all low-grade spirit artifacts. He only kept the black staff from Tian Yimen's Yu Mingfu, which could change its length at will.

Hua Xiajiu originally wanted to buy some elixirs that could refine the soul, but after searching through more than a dozen large and small elixir shops, he found none.

It wasn't until he accidentally overheard someone mentioning the largest shop in Wu Ling City, called Tianxuan Tower, that his heart stirred. He asked passersby for directions and walked towards Tianxuan Tower.

Tianxuan Tower was three stories high, crystal clear, and radiated a treasure-like glow, making it very prominent compared to the surrounding buildings. Hua Xiajiu could see it clearly from a distance.

When Hua Xiajiu approached, he saw that the entire building was made of an unknown jade, looking extremely high-end, grand, luxurious, and of high quality.

Moreover, the name of the shop further solidified his intention to enter. He recalled that one of the three major sects in the continent's cultivation world was called Tianxuan Sect. Since this tower was named 'Tianxuan,' it must have a close relationship with the Tianxuan Sect, and it was likely a shop opened by the Tianxuan Sect in Wu Ling City.

Inside the tower, the railings and counters were mostly made of jade, and as soon as he stepped in, he felt a wave of spiritual energy. The shelves in the hall were filled with elixirs, flying swords, treasure knives, spirit pearls, puppets, and other items, all shimmering with various colors, making the hall look splendid and full of spiritual and treasure-like auras.

More than a dozen cultivators of no weak cultivation were scattered around, each accompanied by a young woman in a light green dress. The young women's voices were as clear as a white spirit spring, softly and gently introducing the items in the nearby counters or answering guests' questions.

Hua Xiajiu only glanced at the cultivators and the young women, but when he looked at the entrance to the stairs leading to the second floor, his pupils involuntarily contracted, and he took a closer look. A middle-aged man in a white robe, dressed like a scholar, was sitting cross-legged on a jade platform, either resting or meditating.

However, a powerful pressure far exceeding that of a Core Formation cultivator emanated from him, either unintentionally after suppressing it or intentionally to intimidate visitors.

"A Soul Out cultivator—"

Hua Xiajiu felt a similar aura from the middle-aged man as he did from Liu Zhongyuan, immediately determining his cultivation level. After witnessing the battle of three Soul Out cultivators in Jiangyuan City and a brief confrontation with an elder of the Ice Blood Sect, nearly dying to his magic, he knew the vast gap in strength between himself and the middle-aged man.

"I need to find a way to purify and solidify my soul, advance to the Core Formation stage, and then quickly cultivate to the Soul Out stage." Hua Xiajiu took a deep breath and thought to himself.

While Hua Xiajiu was lost in thought, a refreshing fragrance wafted over, and he turned to see a girl of about seventeen or eighteen years old standing in front of him.

Hua Xiajiu looked closely and saw that the girl was wearing a tight green dress, with a graceful figure and a beautiful face.

At this moment, the girl smiled before speaking, bowing gracefully to Hua Xiajiu. As she bowed, the hem of her dress naturally fell, revealing the soft, white flesh beneath.

"Brother Daoist! This little sister Xian'er greets you. I wonder if you have come to Tianxuan Tower to sell treasures or to buy items." The girl asked in a soft, clear voice as she stood up.

Hua Xiajiu curiously glanced at the girl's soft areas and said, "I have come to buy elixirs."

Xian'er looked up and saw Hua Xiajiu's handsome and rugged face and his tall, straight figure, her eyes brightening. Then, noticing Hua Xiajiu's gaze, she felt a hint of pride, but when she saw the clear, innocent look in his eyes, a feeling of surprise washed over her, and her cheeks turned slightly red.

Hua Xiajiu found this quite pleasing to the eye and couldn't help but move his gaze from her chest to her rosy face, taking a few more looks. This made the girl's blush extend to her neck.

Xian'er had been working at Tianxuan Tower for two years and had never felt this way before. She forcibly suppressed her strange feelings, her face gradually returning to normal, and she glared at Hua Xiajiu, who was still staring at her. "Brother Daoist! What kind of elixir do you need? Tell me, and I will take you directly to the counter."

Hua Xiajiu, hearing this, recalled his purpose for coming and his expression turned serious. He quickly said, "I want an elixir that can refine the soul. Does your shop have such an elixir?"

Xian'er smiled and said softly, "Elixirs that can refine the soul are rare, but we do have them at Tianxuan Tower. We have two types of elixirs with this effect: the lower-grade Lingdan, Soul Condensing Pill, and the middle-grade Lingdan, Soul Refining Pill. Both are in the counter in front of us. Which one would you like?"

Xian'er led Hua Xiajiu to a counter and pointed at the inside, speaking gently.

Hua Xiajiu followed her finger and saw two white jade trays inside the counter, each holding a jade bottle. The bottles were inscribed with the names Soul Condensing Pill and Soul Refining Pill.

Hua Xiajiu's expression showed a look of longing as he reached out to pick up the two bottles. The girl blinked but didn't stop him, smiling and softly saying, "Each Soul Condensing Pill costs five hundred spirit stones, and each Soul Refining Pill costs two thousand spirit stones."

"What! So expensive!" Hua Xiajiu's face changed, his surprise and dissatisfaction evident, and his voice rose, drawing the attention of other cultivators in the hall. Many of them, with arrogant expressions, looked at him with disdain and ridicule. But Hua Xiajiu was oblivious to this.

Xian'er, seeing this, felt a bit disappointed but didn't show it on her face. Clearly, as the highest-end shop in Wu Ling City, Tianxuan Tower had very high service standards for its salespeople.

"Hmph! These days, anyone and everyone comes to Tianxuan Tower, just to look around and gain some knowledge. As for buying spiritual items, these commoners can't afford it." Before the girl could say anything, a sneer came from a man not far to the left of Hua Xiajiu and the girl. The man's voice was slightly harsh, just loud enough for everyone in the hall to hear.

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