Chapter 53: Chapter 49: South Mountain Pavilion and Little Giant Divine Wood

"Buzz!"

Gu Yuan instinctively gathered mana, placing it as a shield in front of him.

Yet what arrived wasn’t a malevolent enemy, but a stunning beauty like a flower, with fair, tender skin. She wore a long pink dress, her demeanor somewhere between that of a maiden and a young woman, both delicate and enchanting.

"Is it your first time at the market, sir?"

"Do you need a guide? I have lived in the market since childhood and am very familiar with an area of a hundred miles. For just one Spirit Stone, I can help you explore all territories."

Her voice was crisp and melodious, quite pleasing to the ears.

Gu Yuan lifted his head and saw a woman of extraordinary beauty cautiously gazing at him.

Behind her, there were several other equally attractive women, who seemed a step too late, standing in place with regretful expressions.

"Sir, the Moon Bamboo Market is vast, with numerous shops varying in quality. Hiring a guide can save you a lot of trouble."

The woman lifted her head, pleading with Gu Yuan.

Gu Yuan looked up at the pavilions and shops hidden among bamboo groves, then glanced at the pink-dressed ladies beside other cultivators on the streets and nodded.

Hiring a guide when new to a large marketplace is a common practice.

After all, this is not the small-scale bustling of Half Moon Bay. Spanning hundreds of miles, densely packed with shops like a small city, exploring it alone without a knowledgeable guide is indeed time-consuming and labor-intensive.

Having already paid the six Spirit Stone entrance fee, an extra one wouldn’t matter much.

Gu Yuan lifted his hand, and a Spirit Stone fell into the woman’s palm.

"Thank you, sir, thank you!" 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

The woman carefully stored the Spirit Stone, continuously expressing her gratitude to Gu Yuan.

She wasn’t an ordinary person either, possessing some cultivation, but her level was low—only at the Qi Refining Second Layer. Judging by her appearance, she was likely a descendant of both cultivators and mortals, with aptitudes of only a few apertures, allowing her to only do odd jobs to earn Spirit Stones.

"May I know if your visit here is to purchase or to sell?"

Upon storing the Spirit Stone, the woman immediately began her work, softly asking Gu Yuan.

"Both."

Gu Yuan responded softly, then asked the woman, "I’m here looking for a special technique called ’Soul Signing Technique.’ Do you know where it’s sold?"

Gu Yuan didn’t hide his purpose; he asked directly.

He wasn’t worried about revealing his identity.

The Moon Bamboo Market was established by a Golden Core Ascendant, and like the Celestial Star Dark Market, its six Spirit Stone entrance fee guarantees not only the safety of cultivators but also a certain degree of privacy.

As soon as Gu Yuan entered the market, a leaf-like green mask appeared on his face, obscuring his aura and appearance. Without a Golden Core Divine Thought, no one could discern his identity, quite similar to the Celestial Star Dark Market.

"Soul Signing Technique?"

The woman was slightly taken aback.

Guides in the market naturally had some skills. The Soul Signing Technique was an extremely unique method, used either for contracting rare exotic beasts or the highly mysterious Star Spirits.

Star Spirits were so mystical; could it be that this customer before her had acquired some Exotic Beast Spirit Pet?

Curious as she was, she dared not inquire further. After a brief thought, she replied, "To be honest, sir, though this method is marvelous, I’m not sure the market has it for sale. However, if there’s any place likely to sell it, it would be the ’South Mountain Pavilion.’

"This pavilion has vast influence, with sub-pavilions in many markets within the South Mountain Domain. While each sub-pavilion sells different artifacts and spiritual materials, the techniques are universally available."

"Even with just one pavilion, you can communicate across the entire South Mountain Domain."

Gu Yuan had heard of the South Mountain Pavilion.

It’s said there’s a "Mountain Sea Seal" within this organization that has been passed down for thousands of years. This seal can divide into 365 sub-seals, and with one in hand, one can communicate freely across vast landscapes, even expanding and transmitting Dharma Seals, truly a profound mystery.

It is because of this that the pavilion’s influence gradually expanded, distributing its power throughout the South Mountain Domain.

The pavilion even had a presence in barren lands, and in Demon King’s Lands where humans couldn’t tread.

"Does this pavilion also accept artifacts?"

Gu Yuan inquired further.

"Yes, sir, they do, but not all artifacts are accepted. Those of unknown origin might be rejected."

The woman replied softly.

"Then let’s go see this pavilion first!"

Gu Yuan waved his hand.

"Please follow me, sir!"

The woman bowed and then elegantly led the way ahead.

...

...

The South Mountain Pavilion wasn’t far; after a short walk, the pair arrived at a magnificent and towering six-story pavilion.

A Qi Refining Fifth Layer servant in blue ran out to greet them.

"Honored guest, your presence brings light to our humble pavilion. May I know what you seek?"

The servant was very respectful, asking Gu Yuan.

"Soul Signing Technique."

Gu Yuan didn’t engage in small talk and directly stated his intention.

"Soul Signing Technique?"

The servant was also slightly surprised but quickly smiled and said, "You’re in the right place, sir. Other places might not stock it, but at South Mountain Pavilion, rest assured, our techniques and Dharma Seals will surely satisfy you!"

"However, I am not authorized to decide on this matter. Please wait a moment while I invite the steward down."

The servant had some Spirit Tea served and soon brought in an elder at the Qi Refining Ninth Layer.

With the elder in charge, the deal was easily settled.

The elder had the authority to use sub-seals of the Mountain Sea Seal, allowing communication with other sub-pavilions, and quickly found this unique method for Gu Yuan.

However, the price was quite hefty, costing a hundred Spirit Stones, enough to purchase one high-grade Dharma Artifact.

Fortunately, Gu Yuan’s trip to the Shell Field had brought him substantial wealth, otherwise, gathering the Spirit Stones would have been challenging.

Moreover, at the South Mountain Pavilion, Gu Yuan sold all the unused artifacts and pills from his Storage Bag, getting back three-hundred-and-thirty Spirit Stones.

The price was discounted, naturally, but since they were "tainted goods," a price reduction was normal.

After some buying and selling, the number of Spirit Stones in Gu Yuan’s hand had not decreased; it had increased to four hundred.

This was the wealthiest he had been since entering the Daoist School.

"Elder, does the pavilion sell Sword Armor Wood, Phantom Star Flower, or Little Giant Divine Wood?"

Gu Yuan sipped his Spirit Tea and then asked the elder.

Having made a considerable trade, the elder was in a good mood and, knowing the young man before him had a substantial background, maintained a constant smile.

However, upon hearing the names of these three exotic species, he could only smile wryly:

"You are slightly late, sir. Just a few days ago, the pavilion had a Phantom Star Flower and a Sword Armor Wood each, but recently, after the Sunset Glow Sect’s campaign against the Thundering Mountain Range, many exotic woods have sold out."

Gu Yuan felt a bit disappointed at this.

But the elder quickly added, "However, tomorrow the market will host an auction. I’ve received some insider information that a Little Giant Spirit Wood seed will be up for sale during the auction. If you’re interested, you might consider attending it tomorrow."

"But, Little Giant Divine Wood is one of the essential spiritual materials for the ’Giant God Seal,’ so there may be competition from the cultivators of the Sunset Glow Sect. Prepare yourself mentally."

"Sunset Glow Sect, the Sunset Glow Sect is known for the Thunder Seal; since when did they start practicing the Power Dao as well?"

Gu Yuan was somewhat surprised.

The Thunder Seal of the Sunset Glow Sect is formidable, representing orthodox magic cultivation. It’s unheard of for their disciples to practice the Power Seal.

After all, the Power Seal is very rare. Without a complete transmission, the path ahead is precarious, and few dare to practice it.

"That was indeed the case before, but recently after the Sunset Glow Sect breached the Thundering Mountain Range, they uncovered a relic and acquired a Power Seal transmission. Many disciples benefited, and even one at the Qi Refining Ninth Layer managed to directly break through to Foundation Establishment because of it. Therefore, in these past couple of days, spiritual materials for Power Seals have become quite the trend."

"There might indeed be some bidding at the auction!"