In the far corner of the room, almost blending into the shadows, sat a middle-aged man. His face was partly hidden behind a stack of scrolls, and his posture hadn't changed in the slightest. It was as though he had been sitting there for years, unmoving and unnoticed.
If the man hadn't spoken, Xiao Wei might never have realized he was there at all.
'His presence is completely hidden… I didn't even sense his aura.'Xiao Wei thought.
"Come in or get out. If you want something, speak up"the middle aged man said, his tone calm but firm.
Xiao Wei stepped forward, studying the interior. The shop was cluttered, filled with weapons, dusty manuals and dusty pill bottles—none of which were labeled. It looked more like a storeroom than a merchant's business.
"What do you sell in this shop?"Xiao Wei asked.
The man's lips curled into a faint smirk, and he looked up at Xiao Wei with a gaze that felt like it could pierce through stone.
"Whatever you want"the middle aged man replied casually.
Xiao Wei raised an eyebrow.
"Anything?"Xiao Wei muttered.
"If you can afford it"the middle aged man said, his tone laced with amusement.
Xiao Wei thought for a moment before speaking again.
"I want to buy some Profound Grade Martial Techniques."Xiao Wei said.
At this, the man's eyes flickered slightly, scanning Xiao Wei from head to toe.
"Well then… take a look at this."the middle aged man said.
With a flick of his wrist, the man pulled out a weathered scroll wrapped in deep-blue silk and tossed it lightly through the air. The scroll landed in Xiao Wei's hands without a sound.
Xiao Wei unfolded it carefully. The cover read: Azure Gale Steps — Low Tier Profound Grade Movement Technique.
His eyes lit up.
Just by touching the scroll, he could feel the faint Spiritual Energy that still lingered within the ink. It was authentic. More importantly, it was a movement technique of the Profound Grade, which was rarely seen outside major sects or elite clans.
"It's a Low Tier Profound Grade Movement Technique. A rare movement art. Agile, deceptive, and fast. Suits someone with a slippery style."the middle aged man said before pausing.
"It only costs 5,000 Low Tier Spiritual Stones."the middle aged man added.
Xiao Wei stood inside the dimly lit Cloud Shop, still holding the scroll in his hand when a question popped into his mind—simple, yet essential.
"What's a Spiritual Stone?"Xiao Wei asked, looking up at the middle aged man.
The middle-aged man's expression froze for a moment.
Then, with a look of complete disbelief, he slammed his palm on the table and rose to his feet.
"You… you came into my shop asking to buy a Profound Grade Martial Technique, and you don't even know what a Spiritual Stone is?"the middle aged man muttered.
Xiao Wei opened his mouth to respond, but the man didn't wait.
"Get out! OUT!"the middle aged man barked.
Before Xiao Wei could say anything else, the middle aged man made a sudden flipping motion from his hand. A gust of wind burst from his hand and, in the blink of an eye, Xiao Wei found himself flying out through the broken door.
Bang!
He landed on the dusty street outside, coughing from the force of the expulsion.
"Crazy old man. How was I supposed to know something called a 'Spiritual Stone' was important?"Xiao Wei muttered, brushing off his robes.
Shadow Ming laughing voice echoed in his mind.
Passersby gave him odd looks, but Xiao Wei ignored them. Dusting himself off, he began walking back toward the Dan Clan estate, determined to figure out what exactly he was missing.
Back at the Dan Clan, the courtyard was quiet, with most of the disciples busy training or helping with clan matters. Xiao Wei made his way through the familiar paths until he spotted a familiar figure near the medicinal herb garden.
"Old Ti!"Xiao Wei called out.
The old man turned, a kind expression forming on his weathered face.
"Young Master Wei, you're back. Did something happen in the City Lord Mansion?"Old Ti asked.
"Forget about that. I need to ask you something"Xiao Wei said seriously.
"Do you know what a Spiritual Stone is?"Xiao Wei added.
Old Ti blinked, looking momentarily confused. Then he laughed—a hearty, full laugh that echoed through the courtyard.
"Young Master Wei, forgive me, I don't mean to laugh. It's just… I didn't expect you of all people to ask this, as this is very common"Old Ti said.
"Well, I'm asking now"Xiao Wei replied, folding his arms.
"Of course, of course, let me explain. A Spiritual Stone is the most commonly used currency in the Cultivation world. But unlike normal Spirit Coins, a Spiritual Stone is valuable not just for trade—it contains Spiritual Energy. That Spiritual Energy can be absorbed by Cultivators to increase their Cultivation speed or used in formations, pill refinement, or even other important places."Old Ti explained.
Xiao Wei's eyes widened slightly.
"So it's like… fuel for Cultivation?"Xiao Wei muttered.
"You can say that, Young Master Wei"Old Ti nodded.
"But not all Spiritual Stones are the same. They come in three tiers—Low, Middle, and High. The higher the Tier of the Spiritual Stones, the purest the Spiritual Energy t contains"Old Ti explained as he raised three fingers, ticking them off as he spoke.
"One Middle Tier Spiritual Stone is equal to 100 Low Tier Spiritual Stones. And one High Tier Spiritual Stone is equal to 100 Middle Tier Spiritual Stones."Old Ti added
Xiao Wei frowned, mentally calculating.
"So one High Tier Spiritual Stone equals to… 10,000 Low Tier Spiritual Stones?"Xiao Wei said.
"Well, it's correct but a High Tier Spiritual Stone is far more valuable than 10,000 Low Tier Spiritual Stones. That's why most people deal in Low Tier Spiritual Stones for everyday exchanges. But among higher realms, Middle and High Tier stones are much more efficient and pure so they use it for Cultivation"Old Ti explained.
"I see. That's why that shopkeeper kicked me out because I didn't know that."Xiao Wei said thoughtfully.
Old Ti chuckled.
"Many Cultivators come from clans or sects where this knowledge is passed down from early childhood. It's not uncommon for a rogue Cultivator or someone who grew up outside a major clan to be unaware. But now that you know, you should try to get your hands on some Spiritual Stones soon. They'll help immensely in your Cultivation."Old Ti said.
"I'll keep that in mind"Xiao Wei replied with a nod.
Then, without warning, he shifted the topic.
"Old Ti, I'm leaving Kin City."Xiao Wei said.
The old man raised his brows.
"Leaving? So soon?"Old Ti muttered.
"Tell Lady Li that I've gone. Thank her for her kindness. But it's time I move on."Xiao Wei said quietly.
Old Ti bowed respectfully.
"Very well, Young Master Wei. I will deliver your message."Old Ti said.
---
Later that afternoon, after retrieving his belongings and making a final check of his supplies, Xiao Wei stepped outside the city gates of Kin City. He looked up at the vast sky and took a deep breath.
The wind blew gently, tugging at his robes.
He walked forward without hesitation, but just as he reached the edge of the trade road, Shadow Ming voice echoed in his mind.
'Brat, where are we going this time?'
Xiao Wei smiled faintly as Shadow Ming's familiar voice resounded in his thoughts.
"We're heading to your home, Fu City"Xiao Wei said.
There was a long silence before Shadow Ming voice echoed in his mind.
'…Fu City, huh. It's been centuries since I last set foot in Fu City… since I met my Clan.'
Xiao Wei didn't say anything and looked down the wide dirt road that curved far into the horizon.
Fu City wasn't nearby. It was located at the heart of Fu State, hundreds of miles away. He'd be traveling through bandit-filled hills, merchant trails, forested paths, and small villages.
This time, he wasn't going to risk wandering aimlessly.
Using some of the Spirit Coins he had left, Xiao Wei already bought a map of Fu State from one of the shop in the Kin City. The parchment was worn at the edges, but it was still readable.
He unrolled it and traced a path with his finger from Kin City to Fu City.
After studying the map carefully, Xiao Wei traced the path with his finger, noting the cities and landmarks that lay between Kin City and his ultimate destination—Fu City. One name stood out clearly on the worn parchment: Yen City. According to the route, there was no avoiding it—he would have to pass through Yen City to continue on his journey.
Xiao Wei didn't waste time and stored the map in his Storage Ring as he stepped out onto the road, his footsteps soft but certain on the dirt path.
And so, without hesitation or regret, Xiao Wei began his journey—toward the towering peaks and the fate that awaited him in the heart of Yen City.