As the sun of the next day rose, Wei Shen emerged from "The Quiet Gazelle Inn," his steps calm and steady. He was no longer the savage phantom who had entered the city the day before, but now a mysterious young man in simple, dark clothes, with neat black hair and a face that held a sharp beauty and a coldness that did not match his age. The new mask was perfect, allowing him to move in this human world without arousing suspicion… or at least, without arousing the wrong kind of suspicion.
"Blackrock City" was fully awake. The streets were teeming with life; the sounds of vendors, the rattling of cart wheels, and the chatter of passersby all blended into a vibrant noise Wei Shen was unaccustomed to. He noticed that people avoided him slightly, and that some girls cast fleeting glances at him that mixed curiosity with admiration, while some young cultivators looked at him with caution or suppressed jealousy. It wasn't because of his clothes, but because of the cold, aloof aura that surrounded him, and the deep glint in his eyes that suggested a power not to be trifled with.
He wasn't wandering aimlessly. He was conducting a systematic reconnaissance. His first goal was to understand the economy of this city and how he could convert the spoils in his "storage bag" into "spirit stones"—the true currency of power in the world of cultivators.
He headed towards the city's main market. It was a noisy, open-air place, lined with dozens of stalls selling everything: low-grade spiritual herbs, first and second-level beast cores, crudely made weapons and armor, and some cheap paper talismans.
Wei Shen spent a full hour strolling through the market, buying nothing, but observing, listening, and analyzing. He assessed the prices of materials, comparing them with the quality on display. He noted that most of the vendors were just ordinary humans or cultivators in the early stages of Qi Condensation, and that the goods offered here were too trivial for his needs.
"This place is for the common folk," he concluded. "I need a place where real cultivators do business."
By listening to some scattered conversations, he picked up a name that was repeated several times: "Thousand Treasures Hall." Following some better-dressed cultivators, he found his way to a quieter, more refined side street, where a large three-story building stood, made of polished "black oak," with a large golden sign on which was written "Thousand Treasures Hall."
Wei Shen stood before the building for a moment, then entered with quiet confidence.
The hall's interior was spacious and elegant, smelling of fragrant sandalwood. Glass shelves displayed various types of spiritual materials, far superior to what he had seen in the outer market. There were a few customers, most of whom appeared to be inner disciples from small sects or members of wealthy families in the city.
An old man with a short white beard and intelligent features approached him. "Welcome to the Thousand Treasures Hall, young master. How may I serve you today? Are you looking for something specific, or do you wish to sell some materials?"
Wei Shen looked at him coldly. "I'd like to sell some things first."
He didn't want to reveal all his treasures at once. He started by taking out some first and second-level beast cores he had from his previous hunts, and some of the "steel tiger claws" he had taken from the "Rock Tiger."
The old man examined them with an expert eye. "Decent quality. First and second-level beast cores, and rock tiger claws. I'll give you two hundred low-grade spirit stones for this collection."
A light, sarcastic smile almost touched Wei Shen's lips. The price was far below the true value, especially for the claws. "These cores are from freshly killed beasts; their energy has not yet dissipated," Wei Shen said in a calm but unshakeable voice. "And these tiger claws are from a beast that was on the verge of breaking through to the second level; their hardness is above average. Three hundred and fifty spirit stones, and that is my final price."
The old man looked at him with faint surprise. He hadn't expected this expertise and confidence from a young man who looked so young. After a moment of thought, he nodded with a smile. "You have an expert eye, young master. Three hundred and fifty it is. A deal."
After completing the transaction, Wei Shen felt he now had a good financial foundation. But his goal wasn't just to collect spirit stones. He needed information.
"I am looking for spiritual weapon forging techniques," he said directly to the old man. "But not those primary principles taught in small sects."
The old man's smile widened. "You've come to the right place, but at a slightly wrong time. We don't sell high-level technique manuals directly. Such things are very rare and only appear on… special occasions."
"And what are these special occasions?" Wei Shen asked coldly.
"The Silver Moon Auction," the old man replied, lowering his voice slightly. "It's the largest auction in 'Blackrock City,' held once every six months. And the next one will be held a month from now. I've heard whispers that they will be offering the 'Blue Flame Scroll' this year, an authentic forging technique from the 'Molten Flame Sect' that was destroyed long ago. It's said to be Earth Grade, capable of creating true spiritual weapons."
A cold glint shone in Wei Shen's eyes. "The Silver Moon Auction… Interesting." Then he asked, "And what about the forges in this city?"
"There are private forges belonging to the major families," the old man said. "And there is the 'Hammer and Anvil Guild,' which is the official guild for craftsmen and forgers in the city. You can rent a forge there if you're a member or if you pay a hefty price. But their standards are strict."
Wei Shen thanked the old man with a curt word and placed two spirit stones in his hand, then left the hall.
He now had two clear goals: the "Silver Moon Auction" to obtain the forging techniques, and the "Hammer and Anvil Guild" as a potential workshop.
He spent the rest of the day wandering the city, heading this time towards the "Dragon's Goblet Tavern," the place he had heard was a meeting point for mercenaries, adventurers, or wandering cultivators—call them what you will—and the best place to gather unofficial rumors and information.
He found a table in a dark corner, ordered a cup of tea, and began to listen.
The conversations revolved around everything: prices of beast cores, the danger of certain areas in the "Forest of Lost Souls," and the bounties offered by the major families. Then he heard what he was looking for.
"Have you heard about the sudden disappearance of the Fallen Leaf Sect?" a large man with a scar on his face said. "No one has come out of there for more than two weeks. It's like the earth swallowed them!"
His companion replied, "I heard they angered a stronger sect and were wiped out. That weak sect was always a source of trouble."
Wei Shen smiled faintly as he sipped his tea. They didn't attach much importance to the matter, which was perfect for him.
Then the conversation shifted to the "Silver Moon Auction." The talk confirmed what the shopkeeper had said. The auction was a major event, and the "Wang Family," the most powerful family in "Blackrock City" and famous for their arms trade, would be the biggest competitor for the "Blue Flame Scroll."
Wei Shen left the tavern when he felt he had gathered enough information for the day. His mind was working rapidly, laying out plans and strategies.
"First, wealth," he decided. "The auction will require an immense amount of spirit stones. I must sell more spoils, and perhaps… make some quick 'investments'."
"Second, entering the auction. I will obtain that technique, the 'Blue Flame Scroll,' no matter the cost, and no matter who stands in my way."
He looked up at the sky of "Blackrock City," which was beginning to be painted with the colors of dusk.