The Market of Wutan City
Lou King stepped out of the Xiao family estate, leaving the silent corridors of his past behind. With every step he took, the massive gates of the Xiao residence grew smaller, and the rhythmic pulse of the city began to take over. The dusty road ahead was teeming with life; people hurried to and fro, their shadows stretching across the cobblestones in the afternoon sun.
As he delved deeper into the heart of the city, a cacophony of sounds flooded his senses. The air was thick with the scent of roasted meats, incense, and the raw, metallic tang of monster remains. Merchants were shouting at the top of their lungs, hawking fine silks, shimmering jewelry, and-more importantly-Monster Cores and medicinal pills.
Lou King eventually reached the Great Bazaar. The main thoroughfare was lined with grand shops, while the narrow sidewalks were cluttered with makeshift stalls. Some sellers didn't even have a table; they simply sat on the ground, spreading their wares over tattered cloths, hoping to catch the eye of a passing cultivator.
Lou King scanned the crowd, his eyes sharp and calculating. Behind him, a tall, imposing figure followed like a silent shadow. Both were draped in heavy black cloaks, their hoods pulled low to obscure their faces.
"Master," a voice whispered from beneath the dark fabric. It was Ba Ji. "Why have we donned these dark robes, and what is our purpose in this crowded place?"
Lou King didn't turn around, his gaze fixed on the road ahead. "The cloaks are for anonymity, Ba Ji. We cannot afford to be recognized while we gather resources. We are here for two reasons: to find a way to break the seals binding your power and to gather the resources necessary for my own cultivation."
They stopped at a weathered stall run by a middle-aged man with sun-darkened skin. Spread out before him was a grim collection of trophies: two glowing Monster Cores, dried monster hides, jagged bones, curved horns, and a handful of yellowed teeth and medicinal herbs.
"Brother," Lou King said, his voice muffled by his hood. "What is the price for these Monster Cores and the rest of the lot?"
The merchant looked up, squinting at the mysterious cloaked figure. After a brief pause, he grunted. "The Earth Monster Core is 500 gold coins. The Wind Core is 450. The rest of the materials-the bones and hides-will cost you 350."
Internal shock flickered in Lou King's eyes, though his outward expression remained stone-cold. Over thirteen years of grueling work and careful saving within the Xiao family, he had managed to amass only 5,078 gold coins. His average earnings were a measly 10 to 30 coins a month. The prices here were a harsh reminder of how expensive the path of a cultivator truly was.
[ Lou King's strategy was clear. He needed Monster Cores not just for power, but for Soul Points. A Tier 1 Monster Core usually sells for 400 to 1,000 gold coins. However, if an Alchemist refines that core into a pill, the value jumps to 500-2,000 coins depending on the quality (Low, Mid, or High). Lou King planned to buy Tier 1 cores for 400-500 coins, convert them into 1 to 10 Soul Points, and then use those points to "buy" high-quality Level 1 pills from his system. Because Wutan City suffered from a shortage of skilled Alchemists, he could sell these pills at a premium.
His ultimate goal was much higher.
He needed to accumulate enough wealth to purchase a Tier 3 Monster Core. With a Tier 3 core, he could perform an Undead Summoning for Ba Ji to fight.
By defeating and consuming the essence of these undead summons-specifically ten Third-Order (Thread Level) undead-Ba Ji could absorb enough energy to shatter the seals on his power and level up rapidly. ]
After arriving in the bustling markets of Wu Tan City, Lou King moved with a calculated purpose. He wasn't there for souvenirs; he was there for power. He spent a staggering of gold coins on high-quality Monster Cores and rare medicinal herbs. Despite the heavy spending, Lou King was a shrewd negotiator. He spent the entire morning hopping from stalls to shady shops, sniffing out the best deals to maximize his profit. By the time the sun reached its zenith, he had exhausted much of his currency but filled his inventory with treasures
.
With only 135 gold coins remaining, he and his first summon, Ba Ji, headed to a local hotel. After a hearty meal, they retreated to their room. While Ba Ji stood guard, Lou King lay on the bed, feeling the exhaustion of the day.
"System," he whispered.
A translucent screen shimmered into existence:
Host: Lou King
Age: 19
Cultivation Level: Dou Shi (One-Star)
Secret Techniques: Necromancer (Summoning: 2, Awakening: 3), Undead Flame, Ice Source Annihilator
Technique: Ice Crystal
System Space: Death Scythe: Soul Eater
Soul Points: 0
Menu: [SHOP] [SPIN] [FURNACE] [QUEST BOARD]
Lou King lined up the 11 Monster Cores he had purchased. To any other cultivator, these were materials for alchemy or weapons, but to a Necromancer, they were raw energy.
He tossed the first core into the System Furnace. The room's temperature seemed to rise as the furnace roared to life, melting the crystal into pure essence.
Ding! "4 Soul Points obtained."
A smirk played on his lips. He didn't stop there. He dumped the remaining cores into the furnace all at once. The notification pings became a rhythmic melody. By the time the last core evaporated, his Soul Points had jumped from 4 to 63.
Beside the cores lay a grim collection of body parts: the fur of a Green Wood Wolf, the heavy plating of a Stone Shell Tortoise, and the majestic primary feathers of a Blue Ice Eagle.
Lou King contemplated the difficulty of obtaining these. A Rank 1 beast usually required a team of Dou Zhe to take down. A flying beast like the Blue Ice Eagle was even harder-almost impossible for commoners to catch.
He knew that in Necromancy, the ritual consumed the physical catalyst. Once a part was used to summon an undead, the rest of that specific creature's remains would vanish into the void.
Lou King gripped the Blue Ice Eagle's feather. He needed a mount-a way to traverse the vast empires from above. He entered the Undead Space, a cold, dark dimension where his summons resided.
He began the ritual. Black, necrotic energy swirled around the feather, lashing out like dark lightning. But the first attempt failed. Then the second. Unlike his first summon, which the system facilitated at a 100% success rate, this required his own focus and luck.
He didn't give up. On the tenth attempt, the dark energy solidified. A piercing, ethereal shriek echoed through the space.
The Blue Ice Eagle stood before him, reborn in undeath. Its body was a brilliant, haunting blue. Its wingspan was massive, capable of creating localized blizzards. Its eyes glowed with a ghostly white light, and its talons, sharp as tempered steel, scratched the ground, ready to shred anyone in its path. As an Ice Element beast, it could now launch Ice Spikes infused with Lou King's necrotic energy.
Lou King was satisfied. He had one summoning slot left. He planned to use his remaining materials to summon a "sacrificial" beast-something the Blue Ice Eagle could "consume" to strengthen its own undead rank.
As night fell over Wu Tan City, Lou King closed his eyes. Tomorrow was a big day. The Auction House awaited.