After several days of hard travel, the convoy finally reached the War Domain and entered the war fortress of Desolate God's Blade.
The fortress was immense in scale, protected by two layers of walls—an inner wall a hundred zhang high and an outer wall fifty zhang high. The outer wall was further fortified with numerous projecting bastions, making its defenses virtually impregnable.
Desolate God's Blade possessed a history of twenty thousand years, making it the second-newest among the six War Domain fortresses. The newest fortress had been established a mere four hundred years ago and remained relatively modest in scale.
Upon entering the city, the convoy drove straight into a sprawling compound. Though called a courtyard, it spanned more than thirty zhang across, its outer yard easily accommodating the entire convoy.
Thirty Little Pretty Shamans resided year-round in the inner courtyard, a fresh batch rotated in every year. The outer yard housed over a hundred shamans who served as guards and odd-job hands. Tianyu also owned three shops along a commercial street not far away, and he offered a vacant one to Wei Yuan to convert into an artifact-crafting shop.
The shop was structured with a storefront in front and a workshop in back. The backyard was expansive enough for Wei Yuan to install a complete set of smithing equipment, along with an altar and various implements designed to harness sacrificial power.
However, when leaving the market, Wei Yuan had returned the full set of equipment gifted to him by the market master. After all, he knew full well that once he departed, that region would suffer a long economic slump.
Deeply moved, the market master had contributed a faint wisp of karmic luck—an extraordinarily rare gesture from such an old fox among shamans.
The Power Shamans had no concept of what Wei Yuan's departure entailed, and perhaps they would never understand it in the future. Having issued Qingyuan himself, however, Wei Yuan was acutely aware of the aftereffects he left behind.
Desolate iron was not just currency; it was a natural material at the dharma idol grade. Furthermore, the Desolate Realm differed from the Nether Cold Realm in that it was a tangible, physical heaven and earth, meaning desolate iron could be brought back to the Native Realm. By contrast, only nether iron and nether crystals—which were immortal substances by nature—could be transported back from the Nether Cold Realm.
With most of the desolate iron carted off by Wei Yuan, the local circulation of desolate iron would face a severe shortage. Because the Shaman Hunters' equipment had just been upgraded by Wei Yuan, they would not need desolate iron in the short term, so they had not felt the pinch yet.
Yet once their arrowheads were used several times, their spirituality would fade dramatically and degenerate into desolate steel. Desolate steel arrowheads would also wear down, lose their edge, and require resharpening. Consequently, as time passed, equipment prices would inevitably plummet while the value of desolate iron skyrocketed. To make matters worse, upper authorities like Jiumu accepted only desolate iron for tax collection.
This state of affairs would persist until the local Shaman Hunters, through decades of grueling toil, amassed enough wealth to trade with outside territories or smelt desolate iron themselves to bridge the deficit.
Thus, feeling a twinge of guilt and wishing to keep his karma clear, Wei Yuan had returned that equipment. Of course, he had thoroughly studied and recorded every piece of machinery beforehand, erecting a new bookshelf within the chaotic world of his sea of consciousness.
Once Tianyu settled Wei Yuan in the shop, he set off for the fortress castellan's manor to gather intelligence and learn about the latest developments on the battlefield.
Wei Yuan, accompanied by Hunter Thirty-One and Zhengang, spent an entire day touring the fortress. They stepped into every shop they came across, inquiring about the goods and services offered.
Hunter Thirty-One acted as the frontman throughout, while Wei Yuan trailed behind him like an attendant. After all, with Wei Yuan's present appearance, walking straight into a shop would almost certainly get him kicked out. And if he hung bars of desolate iron at his waist like Hunter Thirty-One did, guards would probably arrest him on suspicion. For someone who looked like Wei Yuan right now, even breathing seemed like a crime.
Hunter Thirty-One was a different story. He clearly looked like a formidable Power Shaman, and a few gleaming bars of desolate iron hanging at his waist served as icing on the cake. As a result, no matter which shop they entered, the clerks and shopkeepers welcomed them with overflowing warmth.
Wei Yuan did not merely browse without buying. Whenever he spotted equipment related to processing sacrificial power, he bought it, and he even purchased a miniature altar, having Zhengang haul it back to the shop to set it up first.
After buying a few items, whenever they entered another shop, the clerks saw that Hunter Thirty-One not only wore desolate iron at his waist but also carried bags and parcels in both hands. Their enthusiasm doubled instantly. A few pretty shaman clerks even went so far as to hint that the private parlor in the back was empty, suggesting that if the distinguished guest felt fatigued, he was welcome to rest there for half a day.
Hunter Thirty-One's heart naturally raced, his face flushed crimson, and his eyes grew bloodshot. Still, he remembered that Wei Yuan behind him was the real boss, so he firmly declined the clerk's kind offer.
However, Hunter Thirty-One claimed to have a peculiar quirk: if the pretty shamaness could properly attend to his attendant, then the bars of desolate iron at his waist would definitely be spent in her shop today.
For the sake of the desolate iron, the pretty clerk summoned immense willpower and determination to overlook Wei Yuan's ugliness. Wei Yuan, however, could not overlook the cluster of fleshy whiskers on her chin.
And so, that transaction fell through.
When Hunter Thirty-One departed, the pretty clerk was still reluctant to part, stuffing a slip of paper into his hand and telling him it was her address so he could seek her out that night.
Upon stepping into another shop, Hunter Thirty-One swallowed the slip of paper whole.
Puzzled, Wei Yuan asked, "Isn't that a good thing? Why aren't you going to see her?"
Hunter Thirty-One gave a wry smile and shook his head. "I was born into poverty. While I have some modest talent and ability, it's very limited. I watched decades slip away, falling further and further from ever becoming a Desolate Shaman—some 'limitless future' that turned out to be. The prestige I enjoy now isn't mine; it's yours. The day you don't want me anymore, I'll be thrown right back to what I was.
"These pretty shamans in the big city are bottomless pits. How could I ever afford one? Which Power Shaman in this city doesn't have more wealth and backing than me? Why would one of them take a liking to me? They're not attracted to my money; they just think my money is easy to swindle."
Wei Yuan had not expected Hunter Thirty-One to be so clear-headed.
By then, they had browsed most of the major shops in the city and purchased everything they needed, so Wei Yuan returned to his shop.
The front hall of the shop Tianyu left to Wei Yuan stood three zhang high, ample enough for colossal Desolate Shamans to enter and leave, while the rear section spanned twenty zhang across and contained multiple rooms.
Having surveyed the other shops, Wei Yuan already had a plan in mind. After returning, he reconfigured the shop's layout and drew up a list, sending Hunter Thirty-One off to purchase the necessary supplies.
A few days later, with all preparations complete and the wares fully stocked, Wei Yuan notified Tianyu that the grand opening would take place the following day.
Early the next morning, the street outside bustled with traffic. Power Shamans arrived one after another, their dozens of luxurious carriages nearly gridlocking the entire thoroughfare.
Tianyu stood outside the main entrance, chatting and laughing heartily with over a dozen gargantuan shamans dressed in ostentatious garb. These were his fair-weather drinking companions, whom Tianyu had dragged over to liven up Wei Yuan's opening day.
Before long, the auspicious hour arrived. The main doors swung open, and Zhengang emerged to hang the plaque inscribed with "Craft God of the Great Desolation."
Though the guests Tianyu brought were either wealthy or noble, they were no frivolous dandies. They were battle-hardened elites forged by years on the front lines, endowed with acute divine senses and sharp instincts. A few who originally felt like laughing at the four words "Craft God of the Great Desolation" felt their smirks freeze on their faces in an instant.
Staring at the plaque, the crowd of shamans fell surprisingly silent.
Although Wei Yuan had made this plaque not long ago, it had earned the recognition of countless Shaman Hunters back at the market. Karmic luck had naturally condensed upon it, and shamans with discerning eyes could perceive the subtle marvel within, leaving them unable to mock it.
After gazing at the plaque for a while, the shamans followed Tianyu into the shop.
"Let me tell you, the proprietor of this shop is a good brother of mine! The things he makes are simply magnificent, browse all you want..." Tianyu's boisterous laughter abruptly cut off as he stared dumbfounded at the rather barren interior.
Inside the cavernous hall stood a dozen or so luxurious pedestals of varying heights, each bearing nothing more than a single, nondescript dark iron box.
The shamans were equally baffled. Was this craftsman, who dared flaunt the title of "Craft God of the Great Desolation," truly selling just these shabby iron boxes?
Even though the boxes were forged from desolate iron, in a city where every shaman claimed a net worth in the millions regardless of reality, a few jin of desolate iron dropped on the ground would hardly tempt anyone to stoop and pick it up.
Just then, Wei Yuan emerged from the back hall and smiled at Tianyu. "Care to test your luck? Fifteen hundred for a pull."
Tianyu said, "Fine, I'll support your opening! Give me five to start."
At Tianyu's command, an attendant stepped forward bearing a chest of desolate iron. Tianyu casually picked a box and flipped it open: a rabbit. He opened another: a fox. Then another: a frog.
Unboxing three ordinary spiritualities in a row, Tianyu was seized by sudden irritation. "How can my luck be so foul?!" he growled. "I refuse to believe this!"
Striking out in anger, he tore the iron box clean in half, and a burst of fiery radiance erupted outward! Inside Tianyu's massive palm, a tiny firebird darted back and forth!
The young lords and ladies crowded around to inspect it, marveling in wonder.
Having drawn this little firebird worth three thousand, Tianyu's spirits soared. Pressing his advantage, he cracked open another box: a flaming grasshopper.
Although this grasshopper was also made of Flame God iron, it was utterly mediocre. At best, it was barely worth fifteen hundred, not much higher than the baseline thousand.
A shaman standing only slightly shorter than Tianyu, yet exuding an aura noticeably more condensed, clapped Tianyu on the shoulder and laughed. "Tianyu, this shill routine of yours is far too obvious! Ah well, to give you face, I'll take three boxes too."
He casually grabbed an iron box. The moment he tore it open, a blast of raging flame erupted from within, bursting straight into his face! Had his physique not been extraordinarily robust with facial hair tougher than iron, the blast surely would have singed off every hair of his eyebrows and beard.
Amid the blazing flames, a winged pegasus surged forth and darted straight toward the shop entrance! Caught completely off guard, the crowd of shamans failed to react in time to block it.
Wei Yuan snorted softly and flicked his wrist, sending a slender cord whistling through the air. It instantly bound the pegasus and reeled it back. With a sorrowful whinny, the winged steed dove back into the iron box.
The whirlwind of events left that shaman thoroughly dumbfounded.
Prying the iron box open with both hands, he saw an arrowhead hovering within. Inside the arrowhead stood a winged pegasus, shivering in fear.
"Th-this kind of spirituality?!" The young lord's voice cracked. Grabbing Tianyu, he exclaimed, "Take a look for me! Is this spirituality genuine?!"
"It's obviously a Scenery Command desolate beast! Your luck is downright insane!" Tianyu said.
"Hahaha, wouldn't that make it worth at least ten thousand?!"
"Ten thousand minimum, but such spirituality is so exceedingly rare that it might well double that." The surrounding young masters and ladies all possessed discerning eyes, each offering an estimate higher than the last.
Seeing a rare pegasus appear, the young lords and ladies immediately caught the fever. Yet with so few iron boxes available, there was nowhere near enough to go around. After a bout of jostling and shoving, fists inevitably began flying as expected. Ultimately, their physical brawn settled the contest, leaving more than half of the young masters and mistresses empty-handed.
Those lucky enough to snatch boxes opened them right on the spot, yielding two more Flame God spiritualities.
"Are there any left?!" Having just gotten hooked, the shamans found the boxes already gone! One by one, they glared at Wei Yuan with unfriendly gazes.
Stared down by so many Power Shamans, Wei Yuan felt a touch of panic and quickly said, "I only forged this many over the past two days. If you want more, come early tomorrow."
A broad-framed, inherently domineering pretty shamaness blinked her beautiful, basin-sized eyes and asked softly, "You forged all of these yourself? In just a few days?"
Wei Yuan sighed. "Yes. But I had to pack my belongings and procure equipment and materials, so the time I actually spent working over these past few days was less than a third."
The shamans were astonished. They had assumed Wei Yuan labored day and night, yet he had used less than a third of his time?
One young lord shouted, "How many tomorrow? I'll take them all!"
Before Wei Yuan could even respond, the crowd erupted.
"Bah! Why don't you claim this princess for yourself while you're at it?!"
"Hmph, as if he wouldn't love to! Too bad he'd shed a layer of skin within three days!"
...
Wei Yuan waited quietly until their clamor died down before speaking up. "There won't be much stock tomorrow; I've run out of materials."
The big-eyed pretty shamaness said, "Whatever materials you need, you can come pick them out from my boudoir!"
"Oho! Miss Yaolan's spring heart is stirring!"
"She truly cherishes talent!"
"Better hold back some strength, though. Look at his scrawny frame—if she lets loose, he'll probably be crushed to bits."
Watching this pretty shamaness—covered in crimson muscles, her body forged as dense as a solid slab of desolate iron—lean in while blinking two pairs of gleaming, oversized eyes, Wei Yuan abandoned all pretense of aloofness and blurted out, "I lack sacrificial power!"
"Sacrificial power? Why didn't you say so earlier? Isn't that something we have as much of as we want?"
"This young master will give you three hundred to start!"
"Tianyu, what kind of brother are you? The man is impoverished to this degree, and you didn't even lift a finger to help!"
The overlapping waves of voices produced a strangely shrill whistle that pierced Wei Yuan's ears, giving him a headache. After clamoring for a long while and seeing that there truly was nothing left to buy, the young masters and ladies finally dispersed, agreeing to return first thing the next morning.
Watching them leave the shop, Wei Yuan finally let out a sigh of relief, his ears still buzzing. Looking down at the five hundred strands of sacrificial power they had left behind, he still found it hard to believe his eyes. So much sacrificial power, given away so casually by these young lords and ladies?!
Back then, the market master had brought out four strands with the utmost reverence, treating it as an immense shamanic favor.
The young lords and ladies had enjoyed themselves thoroughly and walked away with great hauls. The shaman lord who drew the winged pegasus had directly gifted three hundred strands of top-grade sacrificial power, while Yaolan and another young lady had each contributed a hundred as meeting gifts.
After the crowd departed, Tianyu remained behind. Looking at the five boxes holding sacrificial power on the table, he said, "A single strand of top-grade sacrificial power goes for a market price of a hundred desolate iron. You really struck it rich today."
Wei Yuan said, "They only came to give you face. I'll split half with you."
Tianyu shook his head. "No need to split it; I'm not hurting for this little bit. But there's something I really must say: you can't sell things like this anymore."
"What's wrong with it?"
Tianyu said, "Not counting the gifted sacrificial power, you made just over twenty thousand in sales today, but the items inside those boxes were worth well over forty thousand! That pegasus alone was worth thirty thousand!"
"Is it really that valuable?" Wei Yuan asked.
"Of course it is! A spirituality so delicate, intricate, and adorably grotesque is exceedingly rare. Never mind that it doesn't add much power to the magical arrow—once anyone gets their hands on a rarity like this, who would actually shoot it away? They all take it home to keep in their collections!
"It'll probably be a long time before anyone ever sees a second one like it. In that sense, it's easily worth thirty thousand. Young Master Liuyao genuinely fell in love with it and felt bad taking advantage of you, which is why he gave you that sacrificial power."
Wei Yuan nodded. "A shaman of fine principles."
"That's why I'm saying, if you hadn't met a shaman like Young Master Liuyao, you would've suffered a massive loss today."
"Even you think I took a loss?" Wei Yuan smiled mysteriously. He had Tianyu lay out the five arrowheads opened today, then pointed at the frog, the rabbit, and the grasshopper. "These three spiritualities—would you normally buy them?"
"They're completely mediocre. Why would I buy them?"
"Exactly. Normally you wouldn't spare them a second glance, and even for the fox, chances are you wouldn't buy it either. Yet today, I sold all four to you, and you still felt like you came out ahead."
Tianyu was stunned. Then he said, "Wait a moment... let me wrap my head around this..."
"Take your time thinking it through. I'm going to study sacrificial power." Leaving Tianyu in a daze in the front hall, Wei Yuan carried the several hundred strands of sacrificial power into the backyard, preparing to test forging spirituality using sacrificial power.
Chapter 885