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The wind whispered through the dense canopy of the mountain forest, carrying with it the faint tang of earth and the distant roars of prowling demon beasts.
*Woosh Woosh Woosh*
Nie Li descended gracefully into the trading town of the thirteen families, his lithe form touching down with barely a ripple of dust.
Behind him, the two Gold-ranked guards from the Silver Winged Family landed with less finesse, their silver armor clanking softly as they steadied themselves. Their faces were taut with lingering fear, their eyes darting nervously toward the young man whose presence commanded their reluctant obedience.
The trading town sprawled before them, a chaotic tapestry of life carved from the wilderness. Stretching for miles, it was a marvel of resilience amidst the demon-haunted mountains. Thick wooden buildings rose from the earth, their timber frames weathered but sturdy, interspersed with defensive posts manned by archers whose keen eyes scanned the skies.
The streets buzzed with activity vendors in plain, threadbare clothes knelt beside makeshift stalls, their voices rising in a cacophony of haggling as they bartered goods atop worn blankets spread across the dirt. (Image)
The air was alive with the clatter of trade, a stark contrast to the perilous silence of the forest beyond.
Nie Li's sharp blue eyes swept over the scene, taking in every detail with the precision of a hawk. He turned to the guards, his voice cutting through the din like a blade. "Tell me about this place. Who comes here, and how do they live?"
The two-star guard, still clutching the elixir bottle Nie Li had gifted him, straightened under the weight of that gaze. "Aside from the thirteen families, Young Master, villagers from the surrounding settlements trickle in to trade. They're a desperate lot, thin and malnourished, barely scraping by. Food's scarce here, you see." His tone carried a faint pride, as if the Silver Winged Family's relative abundance elevated them above the rest. "From what we've heard villagers have it worst. The thirteen families manage, but even they struggle with food and clothing. For others, it's downright depressing."
The three-star guard nodded, his voice gruff as he elaborated. "Most demon beast meat in this realm's got a sour stench, inedible unless you're starving. Only a few kinds can be eaten, but they've been hunted near to extinction. The people survive on mountain berries, fruits, and mushrooms whatever they can forage. Food's the real treasure here, worth more than gold or crystals."
Nie Li listened in silence, his expression unreadable. Food scarcity was a foreign concept to him. In Glory City, demon beasts fell by the hundreds daily, their meat a staple that fed the masses. Vast plantations sprawled within its walls, yielding crops in abundance.
His own inventory, evolved since his breakthrough to peak Black Gold rank, was a testament to his foresight. Though it lacked spirit energy, the soil within had grown fertile perfect for herbs and edibles. He just threw some seeds and a wealth of crops grew there.
Alongside he has a stockpile of demon beast corpses collected for experiments and a generous reserve of food.
At five hundred meters wide, it was a small but thriving domain, and Nie Li couldn't help but wonder what further marvels it might yield when he reached Legend rank.
"What else is traded here?" he asked, shifting the conversation as they wove through the bustling crowd, his curiosity piqued by the unfamiliar economy.
The two-star guard hesitated, then gestured toward the stalls. "Aside from food, Young Master, there's some stones, crystals, gems, some weapons and artifacts, some usual while most useless. One needs to be careful or they get scammed with useless shiny stones."
Nie Li looked around and saw an unrefined Blood Crystal, going for just a scrap of meat. He also recognized Dragon's Soul Stone, traded for a small bag of berries.
Ores and crystals like these are everywhere, but no one knows their true worth.
Nie Li's eyes narrowed as he activated his AI chip, its hum a quiet pulse in his mind.
[Beep! Scanning… Blood Crystal: Enhances physical cultivation, amplifies Qi flow.] [Dragon's Soul Stone: Weapon enhancement material, multiplies combat efficacy by embedding.] [Starlight Ore: Soul force conductor.] [Ember Quartz: Heat resistance amplifier…] The interface scrolled with data, identifying treasures strewn across the vendors' blankets—items of staggering potential, treated as trinkets in this backwater realm.
He picked up the second most abundant item on the vendors stall after Blood Crystal, Dragon's Soul Stone, its surface shimmering with latent power. Turning to the guards, he held it aloft. "Do you know how to use this?" (image)
The three-star guard scratched his head, his tone matter-of-fact. "In these mountains, we've got mines spitting out all kinds of ores. That one's common enough. We refine 'em into arrowheads lethal against demon beasts. Problem is, once they pierce the flesh, they melt away. Burns through our stock fast."
Nie Li's grip tightened on the stone, his mind reeling. Arrowheads? Disposable? In the outside world, a Dragon's Soul Stone was a rare prize, capable of transforming a weapon's might several-fold when embedded. Here, they squandered it like cheap flint.
He shook his head, incredulous at the waste, then pointed at the two-star guard. "You, go exchange for a thousand Blood Crystals, a thousand Dragon's Soul Stones, and some of these other ores."
He produced an interspatial ring, its surface gleaming faintly, and tossed it to the guard. "It's filled with food. Use it."
From his sleeve, he drew two jade bottles of soul-condensing pills and handed them over as well. "Your reward."
The guard's eyes widened, his hands trembling as he caught the bottles. He uncorked one, inhaling the rich, soul-reviving scent, and a grin split his face. "Young Master, this...this is beyond generous! I'll pay for—"
Nie Li waved a hand, cutting him off, and the guard bowed deeply, euphoria lighting his features.
"Thank you, thank you!" He darted off, eager to fulfill the task.
Nie Li continued his stroll, the three-star guard trailing behind, as he perused the stalls with a keen eye. The clamor of the market faded into a background hum, his focus sharpening on the treasures buried in the mundane.
Then, something caught his attention a small, weathered booth tucked into a shadowed corner, manned by an old man in tattered robes. His frame was frail, his skin stretched thin over brittle bones, and his clouded eyes held no spark of vitality. Before him lay a meager spread of items, pitiful in their scarcity.
Nie Li approached, his gaze settling on a spherical object a metallic shell encasing a sparkling crystal. Within it, strands of a blizzard swirled, shifting shapes in an endless dance of frost and light. (Image)
He extended a hand, lifting it gently, and activated his AI chip searching.
[Beep! Scanning… Database match found: Blizzard Spiritual Gem. One of the Nine Great Spirit Gems. Effects: Multiplies soul force growth for Snow Wind attribute Demon Spiritualists; enhances all Snow Wind combat abilities exponentially. Rarity: Legendary.]
His pulse quickened, though his face remained impassive. This was no mere trinket it was a relic of immense power, lost to time in this forsaken place.
The old man's hoarse voice rasped through the air, feeble yet earnest. "This young master, that's a treasure passed down in my family for over five hundred years. If we weren't declining so, I'd never part with it."
Nie Li met his gaze, his tone neutral. "What's your price?"
The old man pondered, his bony fingers twitching. "Five bags of food, and it's yours."
Nie Li said nothing, though inwardly he sighed. The ignorance here was profound, a relic of this caliber, bartered for scraps. Survival had stripped these people of their heritage, a cruel blessing that they'd endured millennia at all. Their past glory was dust, and they clung to life with no inkling of what they'd lost.
The old man mistook his silence for displeasure, eyes darting fearfully towards the silver wing family guard, his timid voice faltering. "Is five bags too much? Three, no two then?" He glanced at Nie Li, fear flickering in his dim eyes.
Nie Li's gaze drifted to the two scrawny children lurking behind the old man gaunt faces, hollow cheeks, eyes too large for their fragile frames.
He narrowed his eyes, a flicker of pity stirring beneath his cold exterior. "You don't know what this is, do you?" he said, his voice low. "During the Age of Darkness, the use of treasures like this was forgotten. It's been in your family for generations, but it's useless to you neither the knowledge to wield it nor the strength to keep it."
The old man's shoulders slumped, his helpless gaze dropping. "Then… one bags. No less."
Nie Li shook his head. "It's no ordinary thing, a treasure beyond your imagining. But you're right: it means nothing to you now. Forget five bags. I'll give your family a house, a lifetime supply of food, a comfortable job for you and your family and if any of your kin shows talent, a place in my academy."
He reached into his sleeve, producing a token—the Overlord Mansion Token. Its surface gleamed with the image of two dragons intertwined, their ruby eyes glowing with an eerie light. (Image)
"Take this, later my people would come to pick you up." He handed it to the old man.
"Take this too," he said, tossing over ten bags of food sacks of grain and dried meat that thudded heavily onto the blanket.
Nie Li turned to the guard, "Tell the protector of this market that this man and his family are under my protection. If anything happens to them, this town ceases to exist."
The guard's face lit up, a gleam of dark amusement in his eyes. He nodded eagerly, half-tempted to sabotage the old man later and watch the chaos unfold on rival families.
But Nie Li's voice cut through his thoughts, cold and unyielding. "That includes your family, fool. Cross me, and the Silver Winged Clan burns with the rest."
The guard's smirk vanished, replaced by a bow of submission, and itching anger but he suppressed it. "Understood, Young Master," he said, his voice tight as he straightened, chastened.
The old man stared at the bounty before him ten bags of food, a token promising salvation his mind reeling. Tears welled in his clouded eyes, spilling down his weathered cheeks as he dropped to his knees, kowtowing with trembling reverence.
"Benefactor…" he choked out, his voice breaking.
Behind him, two skinny youths his grandchildren stumbled forward, their ragged clothes hanging loose on their starved frames.
"Da Niu, Er Niu, hurry!" the old man rasped, tugging at their sleeves. "Kowtow to the benefactor!"
The boys obeyed silently, dropping to their knees and pressing their foreheads to the dirt. Their movements were stiff, mechanical, born of exhaustion rather than understanding, but the gratitude in their grandfather's sobs spoke for them all.
They'd reached the end nothing left to sell, two children starving at home, this gem their final, futile hope. For dozens of days, he'd hawked it to indifferent passersby, praying for few bags of food. Now, Nie Li had given him a future beyond his wildest dreams.
Nie Li watched the scene unfold, his expression a mask of calm. The Blizzard Spiritual Gem rested in his hand, its icy light pulsing faintly. He had no Snow Wind demon spirit to wield it yet but the future was long, and such a treasure would not go to waste in his grasp.
For now, he turned his attention back to the market, the guards trailing him like shadows, as the old man's sobs faded into the clamor of the trading town.
Seeing this scene, the other storekeepers looked at the old man's pile of food with envy. However, they did not dare to do anything; after all, this trading market is managed by the Divine Flames Family. Therefore, they don't dare to cause any trouble here.
The trading town thrummed with life, its chaotic pulse reverberating through the wooden streets as Nie Li and his Silver Wing Family escorts approached a towering structure that loomed over the bustling market.
At its peak hung a weathered sign, the words "Wolf Fang" carved in bold, jagged strokes, swaying faintly in the breeze. The building pulsed with activity customers clad in patched cloaks and worn boots flowed in and out, their voices a low hum of barter and curiosity.
The scent of smoked wood and faint traces of metallic ore wafted from within, mingling with the earthy tang of the forest beyond.
The three-star guard stepped closer, his voice tinged with a mix of pride and unease. "This store belongs to the Ash Wolves Family and the Qing Family, Young Master. The Ash Wolves rank third among the thirteen, just below our Silver Wing and the Divine Flames. They've got ties with the Qing through marriage a solid alliance that makes them a force to reckon with." He hesitated, then added, "If you'd prefer, we've got a Silver Wing store just down the way better goods, finer quality."
Nie Li's blue eyes flickered toward the guard, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. Without a word, he strode past the threshold of the Wolf Fang store, his steps echoing with quiet authority.
The guard gritted his teeth, a flash of frustration crossing his face, but he followed, his silver armor clanking softly as he trailed behind.
The interior was a labyrinth of commerce, its multiple floors rising like tiers of a fortress. Each level buzzed with its own rhythm merchants hawking wares, customers haggling over prices, the air thick with the clatter of metal and the rustle of fabric.
The guard cleared his throat, gesturing upward. "It's the norm here, Young Master. Higher floors hold the pricier stuff rare ores, weapons, artifacts. The riffraff stays below."
As they ascended, the atmosphere shifted. The lower floors brimmed with crude tools and unrefined crystals, drawing little more than a passing glance from Nie Li.
The clerks sharp-eyed men and women in ash-gray tunics cast cold, wary looks at the Silver Wing guard, their lips curling with subtle disdain.
The feud between families was no secret, a simmering tension that crackled beneath the surface, yet none dared challenge Nie Li's presence.
His youth, paired with the Gold-rank escort from the haughty Silver Wing Family, marked him as no ordinary visitor, a puzzle they couldn't quite solve.
Floor after floor yielded nothing of note mediocre trinkets and overpriced baubles that failed to stir Nie Li's interest.
It wasn't until they reached the second-highest level, the sixth floor, that his gaze sharpened. There, nestled among a display of weapons, gleamed a pair of twin daggers.
Their blades shimmered with a faint orange hue, their hilts a deep, polished blue, exuding a subtle elegance that belied their lethal design. (Image)
A portly man in a dark robe approached, his round face breaking into a practiced smile. "Greetings, Young Master," he said, bowing slightly. "I'm Tan En, manager of this floor. Those are the Thunderstrike Twins forged from Demonic blue Iron, a rare metal from the eastern mines. They hail from the late Draconic Era, inscribed with lightning runes by a master smith. Fine blades, perfect for swift strikes."
Nie Li lifted one dagger, turning it in his hand as the AI chip hummed to life.
[Beep! Analyzing… Material: Stormfang Iron, often confused by less artisan as Demonic blue Iron. Stormfang iron has high conductivity, lightning affinity. Inscription: Tier 3 Lightning Array, subpar execution, 60% efficiency. Potential: Optimized runes could elevate to Tier 5, ideal for lightning-attribute Demon Spiritualist.]
His mind flashed to Xiao Ning'er the first time he'd seen her, a memory etched in the dust of Glory City's training field. She'd wielded a dagger then, her movements fluid and fierce, her resolve unshakable even under the strain of her Arctic dieases.
These blades, with their lightning essence, were perfect for her. He'd refine their inscriptions later a gift worthy of her.
"What's the price?" Nie Li asked, his tone casual but direct.
Tan En blinked, caught off guard by the question, then glanced at the Silver Wing guard with a sly smirk. "Young Master, on the top floors of family stores, we don't deal in coin. It's barter only depends on what you can offer."
His eyes gleamed with curiosity, sensing Nie Li's disconnect from Silver Wing norms. This boy wasn't one of them his background was something else entirely.
Nie Li met the manager's gaze, unfazed. "Do you take elixirs? I'm an alchemist pills are my trade."
The silver wing family guard shifted uncomfortably behind him, his jaw tightening as the revelation hung in the air. Tan En's internal smile widened, an alchemist, escorted by Silver Wing lackeys? Likely a scion of a master, bending even the proud to his will.
"Of course, Young Master," he said, rubbing his hands together. "May I see them?"
Nie Li produced a handful of jade vials from his sleeve—Body Forging Pills, Soul Gathering Pills, Spirit Nourishing Pills, and a few healing draughts each pulsing faintly with condensed energy.
He handed them over with a neutral expression, though he knew the message was clear: his power was no bluff.
Tan En uncorked a vial, inhaling deeply. The rich, earthy scent of the Body Forging Pills hit him first, followed by the crisp clarity of the Soul Gathering blend.
His eyes widened, a grin splitting his face. "These… these are the real thing. Rare, potent expert work." He sniffed again, marveling at the purity.
"Name your offer, Young Master."
Nie Li tilted his head, considering. "Fifty Body Forging, fifty Soul Gathering, fifty Spirit Nourishing, and fifty Spirit Condensing Pills. For the daggers."
Tan En's jaw slackened, his mind racing. The Thunderstrike Twins were valuable but elixirs were a rarity here, their shelf life a mere century before they crumbled to dust. With alchemists scarce, these pills could tip the balance for the Ash Wolves, pushing Silver ranks to Gold, maybe even Black Gold.
"A generous deal," he said, bowing low. "Done."
The guard's face flushed, his fists clenching, but he held his tongue. Tan En's respect deepened, his tone turning deferential. "Forgive my boldness, Young master said he was an alchemist right?"
Nie Li glanced at him, nodding lightly. "Correct."
Tan En's voice dropping to a reverent hush. "I'm Tan En, Lord Alchemist. Our Ash Wolves Family has long sought a master of your craft. If you'd consider joining us, I'd relay any request to our Patriarch—"
"Enough!" the guard snapped, stepping forward, his face red with indignation. "Maintain your store's decorum and stop harassing the Silver Wing Family's honored guest!"
Nie Li raised a hand, silencing the outburst. "Just show me around, Manager Tan En."
Tan En bowed again, eager to please, and led Nie Li through the store even up to the seventh floor, a sanctum reserved for elite patrons. The air there was thick with history, the shelves lined with artifacts from the Age of Darkness gleaming swords, ancient talismans, ores pulsing with latent power. Nie Li's eyes gleamed as he bartered more pills for treasures: a curved blade for Du Ze, a set of throwing knives for Lu Piao, scrolls of faded Legend-rank inscriptions the AI chip could restore. His haul grew, each purchase cementing Tan En's awe.
Later, he visited the Divine Flames Family store, claiming a sleek black sword suited for Duan Jian, an attributeless flying knife, and more inscription scrolls flawed but salvageable. At the Silver Wing Family's outlet, he spent freely, gathering items for his friends, the academy, and his own research, his pill reserves dwindling but his influence soaring. The guards trailed him, their unease overshadowed by the weight of his growing presence.
....
Meanwhile, in the shadowed courtyard of Sikong Yan, tension simmered like a brewing storm.
The elder stood over his son's bedside, his venomous gaze fixed on Sikong Han's bruised form. Bandages wrapped the young man's chest, his breathing shallow but steady—a testament to the healers' skill, yet a wound to Yan's pride.
A Black Gold rank expert, a noble of the Silver Wing Family, reduced to this helpless, humiliated by a brat's casual brutality. His fists clenched, knuckles whitening as rage coiled in his gut.
The heavy wooden doors creaked open, admitting Elder Sikong Wei, a wiry man with gray-streaked hair and a cautious demeanor.
Yan turned, his voice a low growl. "Elder Wei, I want revenge. The Patriarch forbids us from touching the boy's friends outright, but he's house-arrested them in the courtyard. We can snatch one quietly, as a contingency. My guards say there's a girl, likely close to him. If we take her, we hold his lifeline. We secure the treatment, then blame some rogue servants offer them as compensation. The Patriarch won't care if it's clean."
Wei's brow furrowed, his thin lips parting in hesitation. "Yan, that's a risk. If he—"
Yan cut him off, his voice rising. "The Patriarch plans to wed Hongyue to that wretch! What of your son, Wei? He's the strongest of his generation but without that tie to the lineage, his path to Patriarchy ends. This is our chance. I've weighed the risks. Worst comes to worst, I'll take the fall and offer myself for the family. But I'll have my vengeance. It's not just for me, it's for us all. We can't sit passive while he toys with us. We need an ace."
Wei's eyes flickered, doubt warring with ambition. The courtyard stretched silent around them, the weight of Yan's words settling like ash. The Silver Wing Family teetered on a knife's edge salvation or ruin hinging on a boy they couldn't control, and two elders plotting in the dark to tip the scales.