Forging Immortality through the Dao Seed

"This place is as desolate as ever,"

Zhang Jing withdrew his gaze, pausing momentarily in place, a faint smile appearing on his face.

As it happens, Zhang has come to attend to business.

As soon as he finished speaking, he lifted his foot slightly, and the ground beneath his feet began to distort. When his foot came down, he was already a hundred yards away.

"Haha, esteemed guest, we meet again. Are you here to purchase those four innate divine items you had your eye on last time?"

Behind the counter.

Upon seeing that familiar figure, the Shopkeeper grinned and inquired.

His words made no mention of the bribery mentioned before.

The reason was simple: there was not enough time.

Even if this esteemed guest had incredible abilities, it would be nearly impossible to gather the required one hundred thousand Copper Coins.

Of course, the Shopkeeper also harbored another thought: matters of bribery should naturally be initiated by the other party seeking him out. One cannot reverse this order; only then could he maintain maximum initiative and find opportunities to raise the price.

Earning just fifty thousand Copper Coins at a time was a bit too little.

"Indeed so. May I ask, Shopkeeper, are those mid-grade innate divine items still available?"

Zhang Jing walked up to the counter at a leisurely pace and nodded with a smile.

"Of course, they are still reserved for our guest."

The Shopkeeper answered without hesitation.

"Much appreciated!"

He expressed his gratitude, yet his eyes remained as calm as still water.

He didn't believe a word of such nonsense. As for deliberately reserving items, it was more likely that they hadn't been sold yet.

But the excuse didn't really matter, as long as the items were still there.

While the two conversed.

Suddenly, as if realizing something, the Shopkeeper couldn't help but rub his eyes, his plump face showing an expression of utter astonishment: "Esteemed guest... your status?!"

Within his words, the form of address quietly changed.

Zhang Jing nodded without speaking.

On the other side, disbelief was written all over the Shopkeeper's face.

Nobility! How could this be possible!

One must know, Bliss Fairy Island only opens for a century each time, and the naturally born nobles would not exceed a count of ten fingers; their status and privileges are far beyond what others could imagine.

Of course, 'nobles' who advanced their status through bribery were not counted in this.

Because there was quite a difference between the two.

Moreover, in such a short time, it was almost impossible for the other party to have gathered one hundred thousand Copper Coins, which means—

"An existence that passed the sixth floor of the God-Demon Tower?"

The Shopkeeper silently speculated.

After all, advancing to nobility through the Star-picking Tower required too many victories, which was impossible at this current point in time!

Coming back to his senses.

He moved nimbly over the counter and eagerly led the way: "Esteemed guest, this way, please."

On the spot.

Zhang Jing, who had witnessed the Shopkeeper's change of demeanor from start to finish, was momentarily taken aback before quickly following.

His gaze swept over the fat figure in front of him from time to time, his eyes flickering uncertainly.

This noble status... perhaps it was not as simple as he initially thought?

Zhang Jing pondered ceaselessly.

He suddenly thought back to the grand voice inside the God-Demon Tower from a long time ago, which hinted: the higher one's status, the more privileges they would possess within Immortal City, specifics left for self-exploration.

...

...

Before long.

The Shopkeeper expertly retrieved four mid-grade innate divine items from behind the counter and categorically placed them into antique jade treasure boxes.

"Four pieces, a total of seven hundred and twenty Copper Coins. Please accept them, Shopkeeper."

Glancing at the treasure boxes, Zhang Jing immediately took out the seven hundred and twenty Copper Coins he had prepared beforehand and handed them to the Shopkeeper with a smile.

During his last visit, he had learned the prices in detail. Naturally, he came prepared this time.

However.

To his surprise, upon hearing this, the Shopkeeper repeatedly waved his hands and explained with a smile, "Guest, according to regulations, nobles only need to pay half the original price in Copper Coins for any treasures within the Ghost Market."

"Three hundred and sixty Copper Coins?" Zhang Jing asked in surprise.

The Shopkeeper nodded.

Wait a moment, Zhang Jing suddenly realized the emphasis in the Shopkeeper's recent words—all treasures, meaning—

"Does this apply to the higher-grade innate divine items as well?"

He pressed on.

"Indeed, any and all items sold in the Bliss Ghost Market can be purchased at half price. However, these half-price treasures cannot then be sold on Bliss Fairy Island," the Shopkeeper explained.

So that's how it is!

This restriction seemed reasonable; otherwise, nobles could exploit this privilege to near-infinitely fleece the Bliss Ghost Market.

Zhang Jing mused thoughtfully.

"May I ask, Shopkeeper, what other privileges do nobles have?"

"Guest, you can also select a vacant shop in the Bliss Ghost Market at no cost, and you do not need to pay transaction fees to the market. Other privileges are for the guest to explore on their own; I am not authorized to inform you," the Shopkeeper replied.

"What are the transaction fees?"

"All shops within Bliss Ghost Market must pay a ten percent fee on the Copper Coins earned from trades to the market."

...

...

Time flew by, and before long, a night had passed.

In the room.

Zhang Jing sat cross-legged, his mind still dissecting the various experiences in the Bliss Ghost Market, especially the multitude of information that the Shopkeeper had intentionally or unintentionally revealed.

After some time.

"Self-exploration, that is quite interesting," he mused darkly.

His thoughts returned to reality.

With a thought from Zhang Jing, a three-eared Copper Incense Burner appeared in front of him.

With materials ready, the time for the Five-Color Cloud Flag to advance to a spiritual treasure was tonight.

Thinking this, he took a closer look at the incense burner in front of him, an inexplicable uncertainty arising in his heart.

Zhang Jing knew very well that the Five-Color Cloud Flag could ascend to the cusp of becoming a spiritual treasure, and now had the chance to fully transform into one. The Immortal Seed in the Southern Bright Incense Burner was certainly of paramount importance, but this three-eared Copper Incense Burner was also an indispensable factor.