"Fellow Daoist, please don't misunderstand, I hail from Da Jin and frequently travel to and from the Southern Border, trading various odd insects and exotic beasts. Especially in the black market here in the Southern Border, disciples from various Sects often sell off unique insects and exotic beasts indigenous to the region. Moreover, transactions in the Ghost Market are always kept confidential, as you know, which is why I ask everyone who passes by my stall," the one-armed elder hastily explained.

"Oh! Is that so?" Yuan Ming's expression remained tense.

"This is something I just bought; if you don't believe me, you can verify it." The one-armed elder took out a small blue bag from behind, which appeared to be a Spiritual Beast Bag.

Seeing this, Yuan Ming's suspicions began to fade.

So this person was seemingly selling goods in the black market but was in fact purchasing.

A thought struck him, considering the blue Beast Egg had a somewhat dubious origin and he didn't want to bring trouble upon himself because of it, he decided to take the opportunity to exchange it for some Spirit Stones.

"I indeed have an exotic beast at hand, but I'm not short of Spirit Stones and have no intent to sell, I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint you, Fellow Daoist," Yuan Ming feigned reluctance.

The one-armed elder didn't show much disappointment upon hearing this, but instead calmly called out to him.

His family specialized in breeding snake-like fierce beasts, often acquiring exotic beasts from the Southern Border and then raising and selling them to Sects in Central Earth, where such beasts were rare and highly sought-after.

He also bought Magical Artifacts and spiritual materials at low prices from the Da Jin Square to sell in the Southern Border, doubling profits through these deals.

"If Fellow Daoist isn't short of Spirit Stones, I also collect quite a few other items - spiritual materials, elixirs, talismans - and these two Defensive Magical Artifacts as well, you may pick anything you like," he said.

As he spoke, the one-armed elder took out a Storage Bag and surprisingly offered it directly.

The Storage Bag contained numerous talismans, elixirs, and two Defensive Magical Artifacts, which also seemed to be of Low Grade, judging from their aura.

"I don't need any of these. In fact, I have a Beast Egg, extremely precious, pity you can't afford it," Yuan Ming taunted.

"Is that so? May I take a look?"

"Please do." Yuan Ming brought out the blue Beast Egg, and the elder looked closely at it. It was a variety he had never encountered before, and his face showed undisguised joy.

"I'm not lacking Spirit Stones, but I want to exchange for a Mid-grade Magical Artifact," Yuan Ming stated.

"A Mid-grade Magical Artifact? I'm just a common peddler, how could I possess such treasures? You overestimate me. Why not exchange for something from this Storage Bag instead? Take another look?" the one-armed elder tapped the Storage Bag.

"Then forget about it," Yuan Ming promptly returned the Storage Bag and walked away without hesitation.

The one-armed elder was taken aback, watching Yuan Ming's retreating figure and feeling a surge of anxiety.

As Yuan Ming's silhouette was about to vanish from view, he quickly caught up, calling out, "Fellow Daoist, please hold on, I just remembered, I happen to have a Mid-grade Magical Artifact on me, see if you're interested."

Yuan Ming slowed his pace and walked back.

With a grit of his teeth, the one-armed elder reached into his chest and brought out a small black Jade Box, carefully opening just a sliver.

Yuan Ming's Divine Sense penetrated the box, revealing a pale golden gauze inside, woven from gold silk, measuring three feet long and half a foot wide, neatly folded within, emitting a golden luminescence throughout.

Just by the appearance, the golden gauze was very different from the previous red shield.

Yuan Ming marshaled his Divine Sense towards the gauze's interior, an invisible force within the gauze withstood his probing.

Activating the Moonlight Technique, his powerful Divine Sense burst forth, suddenly breaking through the gauze's resistance and reaching its depths.

The gauze vibrated with a "hum" and radiated bright golden light, leaking out from the cracks of the box as two golden runes appeared momentarily.

The one-armed elder jumped in fright and hurriedly shut the box, the escaping golden light vanishing after a brief moment.

"Does Fellow Daoist have any doubts regarding the grade of this treasure?" the one-armed elder asked.

"This gauze barely qualifies as a Mid-grade Magical Artifact; how should we trade?" asked Yuan Ming. He had just acquired a Mid-grade Defensive Magical Artifact Shuiyun Banner, and upon returning to Biluo Cave, the Three Cave Masters would aid him in refining the Green Fish Sword. With one defensive and one offensive Magical Artifact at hand, his current loadout was sufficient.

However, considering Xi Ying, who had helped him several times, if he kept taking without giving anything back, he would feel uneasy. Perhaps Xi Ying, with his discerning taste, would appreciate this gauze.

"What do you mean 'barely'? This Gold-plated Gauze was prepared as a birthday gift for my daughter, its defensive capability is much stronger than that of ordinary Mid-grade Magical Artifacts. If not for this Beast Egg, I wouldn't sell it for anything, I'm asking for seven hundred Spirit Stones!" the one-armed elder declared emphatically.

"This gauze is only a Mid-grade Magical Artifact. In the normal Magic Artifact Shops, ordinary Mid-grade Defensive Magical Artifacts cost merely five hundred Spirit Stones, let alone one being sold in the Ghost Market? Four hundred Spirit Stones is the most I can offer," Yuan Ming spoke unhurriedly.

"The Gold-plated Gauze I have is made from the silk of Gold-plated silkworms, mixed with soft gold stone, refined iron, and other precious materials. It's simply not comparable to ordinary Mid-grade Magical Artifacts. Moreover, its origin is clear, and once Fellow Daoist purchases it, it can be used freely. Naturally, it can't be sold at the price of items in the Ghost Market," the one-armed elder countered.

"I'm not concerned about the origin of this item, otherwise, I wouldn't be here at the Ghost Market. In fact, I just spent five hundred Spirit Stones to buy this Beast Egg, and I've spent quite a few more Spirit Stones to maintain it recently," Yuan Ming retorted pointedly.

After a brief exchange, the one-armed elder's tone softened considerably. Following some haggling, the Gold-plated Gauze was settled for five hundred Spirit Stones.

Yuan Ming's Beast Egg, meanwhile, was offset to the other party for two hundred Spirit Stones.

A battle of words concluded, with both parties getting what they needed in the end.

Yuan Ming did not continue to stay in the Ghost Market, returning the black cloak to the market's gatekeeper and, with the last remaining mid-grade spirit stone in his storage bag, he left the place.

He took a roundabout route, releasing the soul crow to scout behind him, and only after confirming that he wasn't being followed did he return to the inn.

Upon entering his room, Yuan Ming immediately closed the door and windows tightly and took out the Four Directions Sealing Spirit Talisman, pasting them on the walls and over the doors and windows.

Waves of spiritual energy emanated outwards, merging together to form a barrier-like structure that enveloped the entire room, entirely blocking out any outside noise.

Yuan Ming waved his hand to summon the gold-plated gauze. The golden gauze rose into the air, hovering in the middle of the room, as mana rippled out from it, only to be completely blocked by the barrier created by the Four Directions Sealing Spirit Talisman.

He was quite satisfied with the effect of the Four Directions Sealing Spirit Talisman, and his gaze turned to the gold-plated gauze, prompting him to channel more mana.

The gold-plated gauze shone brightly, suddenly expanding to be more than ten times its original length and several times wider, easily wrapping around him five or six times.

Yuan Ming formed an incantation and pointed, and the gold-plated gauze suddenly tightened. The five or six layers overlapped, forming a thick golden curtain with not a single angle left undefended.

Yuan Ming took out the Green Fish Sword, infused it with mana, and the blade sent out a sword qi more than a foot long, striking the golden gauze curtain.

The golden gauze didn't budge, and his full-strength strike with the Green Fish Sword was as ineffective as a mayfly shaking a tree.

Yuan Ming put away the Green Fish Sword and stretched out his right hand, muttering an incantation.

A series of Wood Stabbing Techniques shot out from his palm and then merged into one, transforming into a thick sword-shaped wooden thorn half a zhang long, the Green Sword Skill!

"Go!" Yuan Ming's arm shook, and the wooden thorn, akin to a green sword, shot out like a crossbow arrow, stabbing into the golden gauze curtain.

The golden gauze just trembled slightly and was soon calm again.

Seeing this, Yuan Ming showed a look of satisfaction. Even the Green Sword Skill, a middle-level magic, could only slightly shake the gold-plated gauze. Its defensive power was even more impressive than he had anticipated.

While the Burning Explosion Skill could test the gold-plated gauze's defensive ability to a greater extent, it was very mana-consuming and made too much noise, which might not be completely concealed by the Four Directions Sealing Spirit Talisman. Moreover, he was afraid of messing up and causing more harm than good.

After putting away the gold-plated gauze and the Four Directions Sealing Spirit Talisman, Yuan Ming sat down on his bed and took out the newly purchased "Array Dao Miscellaneous Discussion" from the Ghost Market, carefully flipping through it.

The book explained the basic principles of arrays as well as entry-level knowledge, seemingly prepared for beginners in array studies.

The author of the book had a profound understanding of arrays yet used simple and easy-to-understand terminology, so outsiders like Yuan Ming could easily comprehend it.

After finishing the book, he had a basic understanding of arrays.

"Eh, this is..." Yuan Ming's gaze fell on the content of the last two pages.

These two pages discussed something called "Array Flags" and "Array Plates," special kinds of magic artifacts that could carry array patterns.

Array Masters had to inscribe a set of array patterns on Array Flags and Array Plates in advance so that when needed, they could be arranged in a certain order with the corresponding spirit stones to quickly set up an array.

Setting up arrays with Array Flags and Array Plates was much faster than inscribing array patterns on the spot, but due to a lack of integration with the environment, the power was considerably weaker.

However, the book mentioned that inscribing a set of Array Flags and Array Plates was even more difficult than setting up an array itself, and even skillful Array Masters had a low success rate.

"So, the small flags and the jade plates inside Li Sha Jade Box from White Dragon Island must be a set of Array Flags and Array Plates! It's a pity I don't know what arrays they form," Yuan Ming pondered.

Without the proper knowledge of the patterns and sequences inscribed on the arrays, he still couldn't set up the array; he would have to find an opportunity to study it more closely in the future.

Yuan Ming put away the "Array Dao Miscellaneous Discussion" and took out a stick of Qingxuan Spirit Incense to light. The spiritual energy contained within the incense permeated the room with the smoke, providing a sense of tranquility and delight.

He then returned to his bed, sat down cross-legged, swallowed a Nourishing Origin Pill, closed his eyes, and began to refine it with the Nine Elements Technique.

With a gathering soon at White Deer Hill and tasks assigned by the White Night Scatter Alliance, he needed to seize every moment to cultivate, knowing that increasing his mana even a little could enhance his safety.

While cultivating for a while, he suddenly felt a sensation, called out the incense burner, and placed it on the table. He then inserted the lit Spirit Incense into the burner.

The incense upon the burner immediately transformed, as a stream of blue smoke rose straight up, winding upward in the room, continuous and unbroken, gathering without dispersing.

He felt connected to the smoke, flared his nostrils slightly, and subconsciously took a deep breath. The dispersed blue smoke reconverged into a strand, moving towards him like a living thing.

Yuan Ming felt a cool sensation passing through his nostrils, reaching into his lungs and then sinking into his dantian, giving rise to an indescribably pleasant feeling.

At that moment, he felt as if he was bathing in a cool river on a hot summer day, his whole body relaxed in an instant, as the blue smoke circulated within him before being slowly exhaled.

The spiritual power in the blue smoke remained in his body, while the expelled impure qi took away fatigue.

With each inhale and exhale, the surrounding blue smoke seemed to come alive, swirling around Yuan Ming's body, going round and round, in an endless cycle.

Within this small space, it was as if he was in an illusion.

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