Chapter 445

Chapter 445: Procuring Materials

Upon arriving at Jinyun Immortal City, Zhou Luo’s most immediate impression was the city’s overwhelming strength.

The cultivators walking the streets were either at the half-step Foundation Establishment or already in Foundation Establishment, completely dominating Qinyuan City.

If he had come directly to Jinyun City seeking the Foundation Establishment Dan back then, it might have been easier than in Qinyuan City.

But the two were separated by two vast regions. At that time, he was only at Qi Refinement.

Traversing those regions without guidance from a powerful expert would have left him prey to bandits and evil cultivators, stripped of everything.

Even now, while traveling here, they had encountered several ambushes.

Fortunately, they were both at late-stage Foundation Establishment. Facing such sneak attacks meant nothing to them.

In the world of cultivation, securing a corner safely is the best choice without sufficient strength.

Even loose cultivators aimed to settle in an Immortal City rather than roam the wilds. The risks were far too high.

Zhou Luo and Ye Qian walked deeper into the inner city.

Unlike Qinyuan City, both parts of Jinyun City radiated prosperity. The only difference was the concentration of spiritual energy.

Entering the inner city required payment in spiritual stones.

For Zhou Luo now, this was trivial.

Once inside, they headed straight for the Tian Xia Restaurant.

This branch stood five stories tall. Majestic and lavishly decorated, it exuded opulence.

The first floor was packed, filled with cultivators dining, chatting, and laughing cheerfully.

For cultivators, eating was essential. It replenished spiritual energy, offered culinary pleasure, and forged bonds.

As Huoyun Country’s premier chain restaurant, its spiritual cuisine—top-tier and loved by countless cultivators.

"Esteemed guests, would you require a room or a meal?" A lovely, neatly dressed woman at the counter smiled at them.

"Secure us a fine room." Zhou Luo placed a token on the counter.

This token was claimed from Long Yunshuang long ago. After he’d saved her life, she’d asked what he desired—he chose this token.

He’d reckoned her status within Tian Xia Restaurant would ensure the token’s value. With branches in every city, it would surely save him trouble.

Just as expected.

The woman froze at the sight of it. Her beautiful eyes locked onto its pattern, darted to Zhou Luo, then she bowed urgently.

"Sir, please wait. I’ll inform the manager immediately."

Moments later, an elderly man in resplendent robes hurried over.

Shock etched his aged face as he appeared before Zhou Luo.

"An honor to host you, sir. Please, come upstairs," he implored sincerely.

The Tian Xia Restaurant’s steward gestured them toward the upper floors.

This scene naturally caught the eyes of the guests on the first floor. They stopped what they were doing one by one, looking toward the man and woman before the counter with expressions of astonishment.

"How odd. Who are these two? To think even Elder Liu himself was stirred."

"Judging by their looks, they might be important figures sent from the upper echelons. But they’re so young—perhaps they’re royal family disciples?"

…

Clearly, this scene left many stunned.

A short while later, Zhou Luo and Ye Qian followed the elder up to the fifth floor.

The fifth floor of Tian Xia Restaurant was exclusively reserved for distinguished guests. Only individuals of immense prestige and stature could reside here.

It seemed the token Long Yunshuang had given him was quite significant.

Zhou Luo showed no sign of discomfort. Once they settled in, he dismissed the elder.

After the door closed, Ye Qian spoke in wonder, "Husband, that token must be quite remarkable."

"It might become useless before long," Zhou Luo shrugged.

This was Long Yunshuang’s token. Should she meet her true end, the token’s authority would likely vanish in name only.

"I’ve already Delivered the Message to a few Junior Sisters," Ye Qian declared, sitting cross-legged upon the specialized Dao platform for cultivation. After speaking, she closed her eyes to begin her practice.

For her now, cultivation was perhaps the only thing left to pursue.

Had the matter of the Xuanming Jade Essence not been so crucial, she wouldn’t have left Zhou Fu at all.

Fortunately, within the VIP chamber of this restaurant, an energy-gathering formation was present. She needn’t fear a shortage of spiritual energy.

"I’m stepping out for a look around," Zhou Luo announced as he moved toward the door.

Since this was his first time here, naturally he intended to explore.

Especially now that his Ten Thousand Refining Spirit Body Technique had cultivated his body to the toughness of a top-tier Foundation Establishment magical artifact. The next step was to temper his physical form to withstand the might of true spiritual artifacts.

If he succeeded, he might well have the strength to challenge even a Golden Core master.

Now, arriving in Jinyun Immortal City, he hoped to find potent magical artifacts for body refinement.

After leaving Tian Xia Restaurant, Zhou Luo headed straight for the largest trading center in the inner city.

This was a vast commercial district crowded with countless shops, lining the streets in orderly rows while cultivators flowed in bustling streams.

Selecting a shop that seemed relatively large, he entered and inquired about magical artifacts.

One had to admit—Qinyuan City and Jinyun Immortal City were utterly incomparable.

Back in Qinyuan City, even acquiring a mid-quality Foundation Establishment magical artifact was difficult. Here, however, even top-tier Foundation Establishment magical artifacts were available.

Only their prices felt rather steep.

Given his current pace of body refinement, though top-tier artifacts offered great benefit, their cost made them somewhat impractical.

So he settled for purchasing several mid-quality Foundation Establishment magical artifacts along with four or five high-grade Foundation Establishment magical artifacts.

Just these consumed almost several hundred superior-quality spiritual stones.

Given the exchange rate of one superior-quality stone to one hundred medium-quality spiritual stones, this was equivalent to tens of thousands.

Indeed, magical artifacts carried a heavy price tag.

Come to think of it, Zhou Luo was himself a weapon refiner, though only at the First Level.

Had he attained Second Level weapon refiner status, he wouldn’t need to squander so many spiritual stones on finished artifacts. He could simply procure materials and craft them himself.

Then, he could not only supply his own needs but also send pieces to Yao Yuan Pavilion, expanding his business ventures.

Regrettably, all these years he’d never drawn the lot for a Second Level weapon refiner talent.

After securing these materials, Zhou Luo continued browsing elsewhere.

Due to the appearance of the Xuanming Jade Essence, vast numbers of Foundation Establishment cultivators had gathered within the city, all eager for a chance to obtain it.

It seemed his competitors were many.

Zhou Luo took the chance to inquire about other materials for forming the Golden Core, then spent heavily to purchase over a hundred additional types.

Forming the Golden Core required five primary materials and three hundred sixty-five supplemental ingredients. Seizing this chance to gather some was ideal.

Thankfully, he’d brought abundant spiritual stones to this Immortal City, allowing such extravagance before the auction even began.

Two hours later, he returned to their Tian Xia Restaurant chamber.

Dressed in a white long dress, Ye Qian sat in meditation upon the Dao platform, circulating her cultivation manual. The glow of the setting sun streamed through the window, bathing her form in a soft, glimmering radiance.

Her fair skin took on an ethereal, sacredly beautiful quality under this light, perfectly complementing her exquisite, porcelain features to create an aura that evoked both awe and tenderness.

In that moment, Ye Qian resembled a celestial maiden sprung from a painting, her entire being radiating an enchanting allure.

Zhou Luo closed the door and strode directly toward her.

"Qian Qian," he declared, "it’s getting late. Shall we begin dual cultivation?"