Walking deeper into the cultivation market, Yunyouzi stopped and started along the way before finally coming to a halt in front of a shop called "Tianfeng Tower." He lifted his foot and stepped inside.
The shop was merely a crude stone hut formed of packed earth and stone, only a single story high. Giving it the grand name of a "Tower" seemed rather comical. The shopkeeper was a hale and hearty old man seated inside, fiddling with a magic tool in his hands, his aura deeply concealed.
Qin Sang, disguised as someone who had only just entered Foundation Establishment, followed Yunyouzi inside. Upon discovering that even he could not see through the old man's depth, he felt a secret jolt of vigilance.
He knew well that behind these shops stood powerful factions, some even belonging directly to the major sects. For this man to preside here at Wuya Valley, neither his status nor his strength could possibly be simple.
"Greetings, Fellow Daoist. This old Daoist would like to purchase a map of the first two layers of Wuya Valley. Does your esteemed shop have any for sale?" Yunyouzi asked, cupping his hands in greeting.
Although the second layer did not experience sudden changes as frequently as the first, buying a map to cross-reference their bearings was the prudent choice, just in case.
The shopkeeper set down what was in his hands. Seeing the cultivation levels of Qin Sang and Yunyouzi, a beaming smile immediately spread across his face. Rising quickly, he hurried out to welcome them. "Honored guests, what an honor to have you grace my humble shop! Please, come right in!"
Once the three of them sat down, the shopkeeper poured tea and said, "Fellow Daoists, you have truly come to the right place. My humble shop does indeed sell maps, categorized into three tiers, each with slightly different focuses and levels of detail. Which tier are you looking to purchase?"
Yunyouzi thought for a moment before replying, "The two of us are newcomers hoping to harvest spiritual herbs in Wuya Valley. The more detailed the map, the better..."
The smile on the shopkeeper's face deepened. Stroking his long beard, he said, "The most detailed is naturally the top tier, but as for the price..."
Yunyouzi spoke with the air of a wealthy man. "As long as the map is detailed enough, price is no object!"
After paying the spirit stones, the shopkeeper produced a jade slip. But after examining it, both Yunyouzi and Qin Sang furrowed their brows in unison.
Qin Sang looked at him with clear dissatisfaction and demanded, "Is Fellow Daoist making sport of us? In the early sections of this map, there are a few routes marked out in great detail, but further in, it turns into pure chaos! In the heart of the first layer, there are barely any markings at all. And you dare call this the best map?"
The shopkeeper did not seem the least bit surprised by Qin Sang's reaction. He immediately pleaded his case, "Fellow Daoist, there is something you do not know. Wuya Valley is constantly changing; a map that satisfies your demands simply cannot exist. The beast tide in Wuya Valley only subsided recently, and these few routes were explored through the concerted efforts and manpower of several merchant guilds at great pains. As long as you follow these paths, provided no major upheaval occurs, your safety is practically guaranteed."
Qin Sang snorted and feigned indignation. "What use is safety? These routes don't even reach halfway through the first layer, and there are hardly any resources along the way! There isn't a single note about Huanglong Grass! What good is this to us? Are we supposed to go in just for sightseeing and come right back out..."
Tugged back by Yunyouzi, Qin Sang put on an embarrassed look, though he still seemed full of grievances.
"You two are going to harvest Huanglong Grass?"
A look of realization dawned on the shopkeeper's face, and he hurriedly explained, "It seems you two truly are visiting Wuya Valley for the first time...
"To be honest with you, there are indeed places in Wuya Valley where Huanglong Grass grows, but they are all scattered across perilous areas deep in the heart of the first layer.
"Had you come a while ago, several such spots had indeed been mapped.
"However, after the recent beast tide, earth-shaking changes swept through Wuya Valley. Previously safe areas being overrun by beasts or turned into demonic dens are completely commonplace now. The spiritual herbs inside have naturally either been devoured or destroyed by those beasts.
"I dare not write recklessly on the map, lest I bring harm upon you two.
"If you insist, I can give you a map marking those old locations, and you can explore them at your own pace.
"Besides that, there is another way..."
The shopkeeper paused mid-sentence and abruptly fell silent.
Yunyouzi pressed his palm against the tabletop and said in a grave voice, "If Fellow Daoist has a way to resolve our dilemma, remuneration will not be an issue."
Having secured the promise, the shopkeeper smiled with satisfaction and leaned slightly forward. "You could find a guide to lead you in... If you trust me, I can make an introduction."
"A guide?" Yunyouzi showed a hesitant expression. "Could anyone know Wuya Valley better than you?"
The shopkeeper nodded. "When it comes to knowing Wuya Valley best, it isn't us, but the desperate daredevils who roam within it.
"The moment the beast tide ended, before the valley had even settled down, they charged inside regardless of the danger. They were the very first to scout Wuya Valley out.
"They refuse to sell their maps to us easily. Besides, the valley is ever-changing; only they understand the latest developments.
"In truth, if you walk around the market more or head toward the entrance of Wuya Valley, you can easily encounter people claiming to be guides. But they are a mixed bag, and most cannot be trusted.
"As the shopkeeper of Tianfeng Tower, I stake the reputation of Tianfeng Tower as my guarantee that anyone I dare recommend possesses a certain level of credibility."
Yunyouzi and Qin Sang exchanged a glance.
They knew the shopkeeper was telling the truth. The reason they had sought out Tianfeng Tower in the first place was for security, to avoid running into treacherous scoundrels and wasting their time.
Someone recommended by the shopkeeper might not be completely reliable, but the shopkeeper had to consider Tianfeng Tower's reputation before acting, so under normal circumstances, he would not dare act recklessly.
They pretended to discuss it among themselves, after which Yunyouzi said, "In that case, we must trouble Fellow Daoist to introduce us. Once we meet with this guide, we shall make our decision."
The shopkeeper had no objection and immediately took out several voice transmission talismans, sending them flying out.
Before long, a voice transmission talisman flew back into the shop. The shopkeeper caught it and inspected it, his face brightening with joy. "As luck would have it, there is a guide who has assembled a group and is preparing to set off. This person knows a place where Huanglong Grass grows and is willing to lead the way. If you are interested, I can take you over right now so you can discuss the details in person."
Hearing this, Yunyouzi and Qin Sang stood up at once.
"This way, please, Fellow Daoists!"
The shopkeeper led the way, bringing them to a wooden cabin behind the mountain ridge. "This is the place..."
As he spoke, the shopkeeper sent out a strand of spiritual power, activating the wooden cabin's restriction.
*Creak!*
The door was pushed open from the inside, and a young man who looked to be in his early thirties walked out.
The young man's cultivation was not concealed; it was on par with Yunyouzi's.
For some reason, despite being an immortal cultivator, his face was deathly pale without a trace of blood. His frame was gaunt and emaciated, giving off an impression of utter frailty like a mortal depleted of qi and blood—a truly astonishing sight.
"Kong Xin greets Senior!"
The young man bowed to the shopkeeper, then shifted his gaze to look over Yunyouzi and Qin Sang. "Greetings, Fellow Daoists."
Chapter 365