As the Guiding Talisman dissolved into smoke and sank into his brow, Liu Ba felt the world spin violently. That same familiar dizziness struck once again.
This time, however, he understood.
It was the feeling of his soul detaching from his body.
At this moment, he existed as pure spirit. He could see the phantom city formed of countless overlapping soul banners, hazy and unreal.
His true body, meanwhile, must already have collapsed among that mountain of corpses in the waking world, fallen like an empty husk bereft of mind.
If he tarried too long before returning, once that body decayed fully, he would never make it back again.
But Liu Ba had no intention of lingering.
As his sight cleared, the bustling, brightly lit city spread out before him once more.
Without pause, he followed the path imprinted in his memory, heading straight for the Hundred Beasts Hall—the shop that trafficked in beast souls.
Inside, the scene was unchanged. Rows of cages, large and small, stood neatly upon the shelves, each holding the faint glow of a trapped beast soul.
The shopkeeper, seeing a customer enter, only raised his eyelids lazily. He did not bother to rise in greeting.
Liu Ba paid him no mind and began inspecting the cages on his own.
His purpose was clear: to strengthen Liu Meng's somewhat underpowered soul banner.
After careful consideration, he finally chose five beast souls confined in separate cages.
Three were canine in form, like savage wolves baring razor fangs, fierce and menacing. The other two were avian spirits, wings black as ink, their crimson eyes flickering with bloodlust.
Judging from the aura they exuded, these five beasts had each possessed at least first-layer Qi Refining strength in life.
"Shopkeeper, how much for these?" Liu Ba pointed to the cages.
"Three wolves—two spirit stones apiece. Two birds—one each. Altogether eight spirit stones. No bargaining," the man said flatly, not even lifting his head.
Liu Ba produced eight spirit stones from his pouch and set them upon the counter without hesitation.
Half of his sect stipend vanished in that instant.
Only then did the shopkeeper rise slowly, handing over the cages one by one.
Transaction complete, Liu Ba turned to leave.
Yet unease gnawed at him.
The prices in this Luofeng City were absurdly low.
Whether it was the powerful soul banner for a single stone, or these Qi Refining beast souls for so little, the cost was far beneath reason.
In the Three Talents Market, the dirt-cheap talismans and pills could be explained—there were endless "laborers" to suppress prices.
But here? One spirit stone for a beast soul of such strength?
It was… too cheap.
Especially that soul banner—its might was undeniable, even embedding a refined spirit-gathering formation—yet it sold for only a single stone. How could that be anything but deliberate?
Hidden intent lurked here.
And another question weighed heavier still.
When Liu Wu first entered Luofeng City, he had exchanged a few words with a middle-aged man.
At that time, the man had assumed Liu Wu came to join Luofeng City.
Back then, Liu Wu had thought little of it. But later, Su Mei'er had made it clear: a sect disciple could not touch two core cultivation methods, much less practice them both.
So why had that man been so certain Liu Wu had come to join?
Did he not know Liu Wu cultivated the Xuanpin Art?
Or was he ignorant of the sect's rules?
Or… was there something else at play altogether?
This city was riddled with enigmas, layers upon layers, utterly impenetrable.
Though Liu Ba longed to probe deeper, midnight was nearly past. The old locust tree that marked the city's exit would soon vanish.
If he failed to leave now, he would be trapped until the following night's stroke of midnight.
To remain here even one day longer was to court disaster. In that case, the few spirit stones left in his pouch—and the beast souls he had just purchased—might all be lost for nothing.
With that in mind, he chose prudence. Better to withdraw for now.
There was, of course, another reason.
His avatar Qin Yi had already arrived at the gates of the Ninth Prince's manor.
Much of his focus would soon have to shift there.
Qingshi City, Ninth Prince's Manor
The crimson gates stood tightly shut, twin stone lions glaring from the shadows, solemn and austere.
Qin Yi drew a deep breath, lifted his hand, and rapped upon the bronze knocker.
Dong, dong, dong.
The heavy sound echoed down the silent street.
Moments later, the doors creaked open a narrow crack.
A drowsy servant peered out, eyes half-lidded—until they fell upon Qin Yi. Then the haze vanished, replaced by sudden comprehension.
"You came because of the Prince's notice? Seeking a chance at immortality?" the servant asked, giving him a long once-over.
Qin Yi nodded.
"Show me your body," the man said tersely.
Qin Yi understood. He extended his left hand.
The servant seized it, holding it up to the lantern's dim glow. He studied it carefully. When he confirmed the sixth finger was real, not some illusion trick, his demeanor shifted at once to deference.
"A distinguished guest indeed! Please, please—come in!"
He swung the gate wide and personally led Qin Yi inside, speaking warmly as they walked:
"His Highness gave strict orders—whether guests arrive by day or in the dead of night, they must be well treated. No discourtesy is permitted. See here—these sheds are for lodging. Choose whichever you like."
Leaning closer, he whispered with a hint of care:
"Sir, you look like a refined man. Might I suggest the one at the far end? It's quieter there. More comfortable, fewer disturbances."
Qin Yi couldn't help but marvel.
How stark the contrast between this prince's household and the City Lord's manor of Wangxian Town. Even a mere servant's manner was worlds apart.
He offered thanks and entered the courtyard.
Only then did he take the time to count the mortals beneath the sheds.
Liu Liu had only glimpsed them briefly, but now Qin Yi counted carefully. There were fewer than sixty.
It would take time yet to reach the hundred needed.
With no other option, Qin Yi followed the servant's suggestion and slipped into the quietest shed at the back.
He lifted the curtain and stepped inside.
There was no hurry. After all, this was only an avatar—time was on his side.
And besides, he had other tasks awaiting.
For instance…
A new day had dawned.
Which meant another avatar could now be summoned.
And this one had much to do.
Studying the Rites of Poetry.
Cultivating the Bloodline Substitution Art.
Or perhaps… even attempting to craft a talisman with his own hands.