This woman was Lian Sanyue? How could there be such a coincidence in the world?
Zhang Yuanqing couldn't help marveling at the wonders of fate and its unpredictable twists. As it turned out, he had met Lian Sanyue long ago—in Deacon Pang's memory fragments.
On second thought, the phone capable of sending text-message curses was something Deacon Pang had used to assassinate colleagues.
For that purpose, the item's origin had to be kept strictly under wraps. Normal Spirit Realm walkers had limited avenues for acquiring items; Wanbao House, with its vast and varied stock coupled with an impeccable reputation, was naturally the best choice.
"Is the guest here to buy goods, buy intelligence, or take a stroll through the black market?" The woman behind the counter lifted her eyes and exhaled a dense, languid cloud of white smoke.
Her voice was indolent and enchanting. Paired with the way she puffed smoke, she looked remarkably like a wealthy lady from the old days smoking opium—lounging on a couch, indulging in tobacco, her voice pleasantly lazy.
Zhang Yuanqing didn't answer right away. He slid off his backpack, unzipped it, and took out three boxes of limited-edition Cuban cigars.
Placing the three boxes on the counter, he smiled. "A humble token of goodwill."
"Oho, it's you~" Lian Sanyue's eyes brightened at the sight of the cigars. "Li Chunfeng said you were good with people, and he wasn't wrong at all. This gift hits sister right in her sweet spot."
That drawn-out "oho" instantly conjured a vivid image in Zhang Yuanqing's mind—the proprietress of the Dragon Gate Inn.
As for Lian Sanyue seeing through his identity, it was hardly surprising. Giving cigars was his way of declaring who he was; otherwise, why would he have asked Li Chunfeng about her preferences in the first place?
Before Zhang Yuanqing could speak, she narrowed her eyes, clamped the cigar between her fingers, leaned back languidly against the chair, and smiled. "You seem to recognize me?"
Zhang Yuanqing answered honestly, "I saw you in Deacon Pang's memories. He once used that phone to try to assassinate me."
"Oh." She tapped off the ash and said, "Li Chunfeng mentioned that you're looking for a Saint-stage top-grade melee weapon, right?"
Zhang Yuanqing nodded.
Lian Sanyue said in a lazy drawl, "I'm out of stock here. A Saint-stage top-grade item is a rare, elusive creation even for an artificer. Lately, I've been feeling sluggish—I have neither the mood nor the energy to craft one for you. If you need one urgently, craft it yourself."
*Craft it myself? That sounds pretty interesting!*
Zhang Yuanqing asked at once, "How do I craft it?"
Lian Sanyue curled her lips and held out a hand. "Give me the token."
Zhang Yuanqing fished the wooden plaque from his pocket and placed it in her palm.
*Snap!* Lian Sanyue closed her fingers and crushed the wooden plaque. Yet the rune-like patterns inscribed on its back didn't shatter; instead, they hovered in midair and rapidly expanded.
In an instant, their surroundings morphed at breakneck speed. The cramped, cluttered hardware store vanished.
In its place stood a bustling bazaar reminiscent of a produce market. Only, the stalls weren't stocked with vegetables, but an eclectic assortment of goods—ranging from antiques to home appliances, from electronics to daily necessities, everything imaginable.
"A self-contained space. Is this the internal space of an item from the foreign Eternal Night class, or an illusion created by an Illusionist?" Zhang Yuanqing asked.
"Neither." Lian Sanyue toyed with an unlit cigar, answering nonchalantly, "This is a Spirit Realm I pioneered—or to be precise, a faction dungeon."
*Oh, a faction dungeon. My horizons were too narrow; Lian Sanyue's level is probably higher than I imagined...* Zhang Yuanqing said no more. Looking around, he saw crisscrossing paths cutting between rows of stalls, with crowds walking to and fro—at least thirty or forty people.
Some wore Monkey King masks, others wore Ultraman masks, and some were draped in cloaks, creating a bizarre masquerade.
Spirit Realm walkers were neither particularly rare nor abundant. Counting both customers and stall owners, there were nearly a hundred people present—a number already exceeding the total personnel of an official branch in a remote region.
What astonished Zhang Yuanqing the most was that the forty or fifty stalls were packed with a dazzling array of wares, many of which actually looked like items.
Could a modest establishment like Wanbao House really hold this many items?
Since when had items become as cheap and common as cabbages by the roadside?
"So many items and materials?" He looked at Lian Sanyue's glamorous, bewitching face in disbelief.
At his words, Lian Sanyue's lips curled. "Feel free to look around."
*It's still early, no rush on the item...* Zhang Yuanqing nodded and strolled forward. Stopping before a stall, he glanced over it and soon took an interest in one piece.
It was a palm-sized golden seal resting on a yellow silk cloth, square at the base and topped with a lifelike golden dragon.
Curious, he reached out to pick it up, only for his hand to be slapped away by the stall owner.
"No checking attributes unless you're buying."
The stall owner was a gaunt, dark-skinned middle-aged man with single eyelids and a crafty expression.
"How can I know if I want to buy it without seeing its attributes?" Zhang Yuanqing scoffed. "What kind of item is this?"
"This is a top-grade item I retrieved from a Tang dynasty dungeon—Emperor Taizong of Tang's Heirloom Seal of the Realm!" The vendor raised his chin, speaking with utter conviction. "Without at least five million, you won't be walking away with this."
When Zhang Yuanqing first heard "Tang dynasty" and "top-grade," he was genuinely taken aback. But upon hearing the rest, he immediately noticed something amiss.
He challenged, "The Heirloom Seal of the Realm is made of gold?"
The vendor froze.
A few seconds of silence followed. Zhang Yuanqing understood completely and turned to leave. "Fine, Emperor Taizong's Heirloom Seal of the Realm—keep it as your family heirloom."
The vendor hastily called after him, "Forget it! Clearance price, take it for five hundred thousand!"
Yet the Yuanshi Tianzun he had treated with indifference moments ago was now far beyond his reach.
"Boss, let me see that vase."
"You want to look? Sure, pay a fifty-thousand-yuan deposit first."
"Five hundred, take it or leave it... Wait, this isn't an item, not even a material! It's just random junk picked up from a dungeon, isn't it?"
"Nonsense! That's a vase used by Emperor Kangxi!"
"Impressive. Didn't know you'd cleared Qing dynasty dungeons."
"Boss, how much for this golden tray?"
"A tray used by Emperor Gaozu of Han! Not a material, not an item, but an antique. Fixed price: six million."
"They had screws back in Emperor Gaozu's era? Keep it safe, boss—wouldn't want to break such a priceless antique."
After browsing for half an hour, Zhang Yuanqing returned to Lian Sanyue's side, sighing and grumbling, "This really is a black market. Every single one of them is a rotten-hearted crook."
He had figured it out. Most of the goods on the stalls were random knickknacks hauled out of Spirit Realms—not even qualifying as materials, let alone items.
He had wondered how on earth there could be so many items.
Most vendors here possessed only a handful of genuine materials, padding the rest with a mountain of mundane junk to swindle whoever they could.
Furthermore, neither the vendors nor the shoppers made any effort to conceal their auras. After a single lap, he noticed a substantial number of Saints.
With a half-burnt cigar dangling from her lips, Lian Sanyue managed to look remarkably elegant rather than uncouth. She clicked her tongue. "Many first-timers get scammed here. You're quite clever. Then again, cleverness is the most basic requirement for a genius."
With that, she sashayed forward, crossing the black market.
Zhang Yuanqing followed behind, taking in the artificer's back. Lian Sanyue possessed exquisite proportions, slender where she should be slender and curvaceous where it counted. Her hips swayed with captivating grace as she walked.
She gave off the aura of a worldly innkeeper, always smiling and devoid of the aloof dignity typical of a Dominator-tier powerhouse.
Yet Zhang Yuanqing knew she was far more dangerous than the Five Elements Alliance's elders.
Most elders were inclined toward the orthodox factions; she, on the other hand, was of the Chaotic Neutral alignment.
Passing through the busy market, he followed Lian Sanyue to an arena. The square ring stood empty, with no spectators around.
"The arena opens on weekends. If you're free, you can come watch some life-and-death bouts. If you're short on cash, you can also hop up and fight a few rounds," Lian Sanyue remarked offhandedly.
"Does it pay well?" Zhang Yuanqing asked.
"Two million for winning a match, and the deceased's items are yours. The rule is simple: only one person walks out alive." Lian Sanyue blew a smoke ring and chuckled. "If Yuanshi Tianzun were to fight here, there would definitely be plenty of bettors."
As they conversed, they crossed the arena and stopped before a wooden door. Lian Sanyue twisted the knob. With a click, the door swung open, and a heart-wrenching wail drifted out:
"Give it back! Give me back my items, you cursed thing...!"
*What's going on? Did I walk into a den of thieves? My fortune reading before coming clearly predicted immense luck and prosperity...* Zhang Yuanqing poked his head in to look.
Two burly men were dragging out a masked man.
The masked man wailed at the top of his lungs, mumbling over and over, "Give me back my items... give me back my items..."
Lian Sanyue leaned languidly against the doorframe, one arm folded across her chest and the other holding her cigar, smiling pleasantly. "If you play, you accept the loss. What's there to cry about? Act like a man. Usual rules: want to seal the furnace? One million a day."
The masked man sobbed, "I'm already bankrupt! Seal your mother's furnace!"
Lian Sanyue smiled and waved a hand, signaling the brutes to haul him away.
Once the wails faded into the distance, she looked at Zhang Yuanqing with a half-smile. "Go on in!"
Inside, the spacious room was devoid of furniture. In the center stood a two-meter-tall, three-legged bronze furnace. Its oval belly was engraved with flame patterns, resembling the Taishang Laojun's pill-refining furnace.
Beside the furnace stood a half-meter-tall iron hammer.
Zhang Yuanqing cast an inquiring glance at Lian Sanyue. She gave a light laugh.
"That is my shop's prized treasure."
She gestured with her chin, prompting him to inspect the item attributes.
Zhang Yuanqing stepped forward, stopped beside the bronze furnace, and pressed his palm against its belly. A few seconds later, the item profile appeared:
[Name: Hundred-Refinement Furnace]
[Type: Furnace]
[Function: Item Crafting]
[Description: A furnace passed down from ancient times. It once sank to the ocean floor during a catastrophe before finally being retrieved. It was a dedicated crafting furnace for ancient paragons, and countless renowned divine weapons were forged within it. It can deconstruct anything that can be stuffed inside, including rules. It can also produce any implement that can be produced, including rules.]
[Note 1: Sacrificing items or materials is required during use.]
[Note 2: 4%]
"A rule-based item?" Zhang Yuanqing drew a sharp breath. The only thing that could counter rules was another rule.
"And a top-grade one among rule-based items at that," Lian Sanyue corrected. Crossing her arms, she smiled. "It can forge whatever item you desire. Using the furnace is free, but you need to buy the fire stones to ignite it from me—five hundred thousand a piece.
"Additionally, you must provide the sacrificed items or materials yourself, or you can purchase them from me."
Zhang Yuanqing frowned. "Is success guaranteed?"
Sacrificed items would most likely be gone for good. If it failed, that would be a catastrophic loss.
"Did you see Note 2? It needs to store energy. The more items you sacrifice, the more energy it accumulates. Once it reaches 100%, you are guaranteed to forge an item to your satisfaction," Lian Sanyue explained. "The higher the quality of the sacrificed item, the more energy points it adds. However, sometimes an ordinary item might boost it by 50%, while other times an item might only yield 1%.
"I once saw a lucky fellow forge a top-grade Transcendent item using just two ordinary Transcendent items. That's why many people like to come here and gamble—just like that guy earlier."
Zhang Yuanqing thought to himself that the Spirit Realm truly was like a "game"; enhancement mechanics might arrive late, but they never missed an appearance.
Wasn't that masked man just an enhancement junkie?
"What does sealing the furnace mean?" he pondered before asking.
"The accumulated energy remains for seven days before resetting to zero. Sealing the furnace means that if you go bankrupt before succeeding, I won't allow anyone else to use it over the next seven days, saving you from doing all the work only for someone else to reap the rewards." Lian Sanyue flashed a playful smile. "Made up your mind? Want to take a gamble?"
Zhang Yuanqing sank into thought.
*I have plenty of items I don't use anymore. Instead of leaving them idle or selling them off, why not take a gamble? Maybe with just one or two items, I can forge a top-grade one... Hiss, my enhancement level has never exceeded plus ten before. I'm never meant to be an enhancement junkie. Should I just drop it?*
*But I really am short on a top-grade melee weapon. My offensive output is lacking; even if I ambush someone from stealth, I can't pierce heavy armor... Besides, I have the Lucky Necklace...*
A war raged in Zhang Yuanqing's mind. After a long hesitation, his enhancement junkie instinct won out. He nodded.
"I'd like to try."
Next, he touched the large iron hammer beside the furnace. When no item profile appeared, he asked curiously, "What is this for?"
Lian Sanyue curled her lips. "You'll understand its purpose in a moment.
"The furnace can only take one item or material at a time, and each activation requires one fire stone. While refining, place your palm against the furnace and silently concentrate on the category of item you desire. If you don't, it will produce an item at random."
With that, she opened her palm, revealing a dark red stone.
Zhang Yuanqing first brought out the Lucky Necklace and put it on before taking the stone. He leapt onto the rim of the furnace, lifted the lid, and tossed the fire stone inside. After a moment's thought, he drew the Bloodthirsty Blade—an item that had accompanied him for so long, yet could no longer keep pace with his level—and threw it in.
Replacing the lid, he jumped down, pressed his palm against the furnace body, and chanted in his heart:
*I want a top-grade Saint-stage item, melee weapon category.*
Soon, scorching heat radiated from the furnace wall. Wisps of purple smoke puffed from the vent holes on the lid, and loud clanging echoed from within, sounding as if someone were hammering iron inside.
After a dozen seconds, the noises ceased, the purple smoke dispersed, and the furnace settled back into calm.
Zhang Yuanqing glanced at the item attributes:
[Note 2: 5%]
A Transcendent item only accumulated 1% energy? Zhang Yuanqing's face darkened.
"Again!"
This time, he tossed in the Insight Spectacles. Once everything quieted down, he quickly checked the attributes:
[Note 2: 7%]
"Again!" Undeterred, Zhang Yuanqing continued.
Beast Whisperer.
[Note 2: 15%]
Swordsmanship Master.
[Note 2: 24%]
Hypnosis Box.
[Note 2: 38%]
Two Transcendent items and three Saint-grade items had yielded a mere 34% energy.
Zhang Yuanqing opened his inventory. His remaining items were the Yin-Yang Robe, Houtu Boots, Flawless Human Skin, Daluo Astrolabe, Mountain God Scepter, Unyielding Visor, Sliding Shoes, Windstrider Gloves, and Little Red Riding Hood.
There were also the Disguise Ring and Lucky Necklace he wore.
Every single one had specific uses and couldn't be sacrificed.
He stared in silence. Then, his expression twisted into a snarl. Grabbing the heavy iron hammer beside him, he bashed the bronze furnace furiously:
"Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! What ancient divine relic? This is straight out of Tencent...! Give me back my fucking items! Give them back!!"
Far from stopping him, Lian Sanyue gloated, "Looks like you've figured out the proper way to use the hammer."
After venting his rage with a flurry of strikes, Zhang Yuanqing took a deep breath. Looking at the glamorous proprietress in her leather bustier, he said, "I want to buy items and materials."
Next, he shelled out seventy million to buy three medium-quality Saint-stage items and a vast pile of spiritually rich materials from Lian Sanyue.
He spent another five million on ten fire stones.
The furnace's energy finally climbed to 85%.
"Great. 85% already, huh..." Zhang Yuanqing chuckled.
Mid-chuckle, his face contorted, and he hoisted the iron hammer to unleash another barrage on the furnace. "You piece of shit! You motherfucker! I'm wrecking you today! Not even Jesus can save you!!"
At this rate of increase, he wouldn't reach 100% even if he emptied his entire fortune.
Tears nearly welled in his eyes.
Lian Sanyue walked over, placed her palm on the furnace belly, and checked the accumulated energy with a frown.
"That's not right... With so many items and materials thrown in, even a Dominator-tier item could have popped out. I've never seen anyone with luck this abysmal." She looked at Yuanshi Tianzun with pity.
"Bullshit! I'm even wearing the Lucky Necklace! Give me another fire stone—I'm sacrificing this piece of junk!" Eyes bloodshot, Zhang Yuanqing tore off the necklace.
*Lucky Necklace?* Lian Sanyue raised an eyebrow and smiled. "So that's how it is. Congratulations, congratulations."
Zhang Yuanqing froze. "What do you mean?"
Lian Sanyue clicked her tongue. "Sometimes, a high cost is its own form of luck."
Zhang Yuanqing calmed down instantly. After thinking for a few seconds, he grasped her meaning.
It was precisely because of the Lucky Necklace's boost that the furnace's energy accumulation was so sluggish. This wasn't bad luck—it was good luck.
The Hundred-Refinement Furnace was gestating a masterpiece among masterpieces.
Taking a drag of her cigar and exhaling a dense puff of white smoke, Lian Sanyue said, "If you still have money, you can keep going. If you're out, I suggest sealing the furnace."
Zhang Yuanqing's anger turned to joy, and he rapidly weighed his options.
He only had a little over ten million left—at most enough to buy one mediocre Saint-stage item, which certainly wouldn't push the energy to 100%. He might as well save the money to seal the furnace. Demanding back the items he had given Guan Ya and the others was out of the question; it would be far too humiliating.
*Seven days. If I work hard and use Little Doubi's treasure-seeking ability, I can collect the Merchant Guild president's scattered items. If that doesn't pan out, I can still turn to Fu Qingyang. Money Prince has nothing but cash; worst comes to worst, I'll just bow my head and beg...*
Having made up his mind, he declared solemnly, "Seal the furnace!"
"Two million a day. Seven days comes to fourteen million." Lian Sanyue's smile was irresistibly charming. "Boss, do come again next time!"
After paying the sealing fee, Zhang Yuanqing bought another token from Lian Sanyue—not expensive, just a hundred thousand.
With mixed emotions, he left Wanbao House. Exhaling a puff of Yin Qi, it landed on the ground and materialized into a plump, adorable infant with sparse baby hair.
Zhang Yuanqing scooped Little Doubi into his arms, gently stroking his head. "Son, for your old man's sake, put in some extra effort over the next few days. We're going on a 007 schedule."
Chapter 371