Ning Zhuo paid the Spirit Stones and bought a Jade Slip.
The content in the Jade Slip is a general introduction to the Myriad Images Sect, which is exactly what Ning Zhuo needs most. Although Buddhist Doctor Meng Yaoyin left him a Jade Slip, it did not cover these basic facts.
Following the map guide in the Jade Slip, Ning Zhuo first arrived at a place above Flowing Clouds.
The area of Flowing Clouds is not large, with only one palace, and the plaque bears the words of the Twelfth Branch of the Commerce Hall.
The Myriad Images Sect has eight main peaks and sixteen halls, with the Commerce Hall responsible for internal and external transactions, overseeing numerous merchant teams.
The branch palace is entirely cast in Red Copper, the eaves are crafted into the shape of Piqu beasts swallowing gold, and the bronze abacus hanging from the eaves clinks in the breeze.
Ning Zhuo stepped over the azure-gold colored threshold, landing on tiles that faintly shimmer with auspicious light, and found the layout inside the hall extremely simple.
All walls are lined with tall cabinets, reaching up to the ceiling. Outside the cabinets is a long table, pieced together to form a circle. Inside the table are cultivators handling business, while outside are people evaluating, bargaining, or selling.
At the center of the hall is an octagonal counter in the form of an Eight Trigrams Array.
The octagonal counter is quite large, accommodating at least fifty cultivators inside.
Centrally on the counter stands a white jade square tablet, inscribed on all sides. The tablet’s text rolls by, displaying real-time prices. Ning Zhuo glanced at it and saw words like Heavenly Fire Sand, Mystic Ice Marrow, Flowing Cloud Tea, etc.
He had bought a Guiding Jade Scroll earlier and learned that this octagonal counter in the Myriad Images Sect is known as the Eight-direction Treasure Appraisal Platform.
The cultivators inside are all responsible for appraising.
Some measured the age of medicinal herbs using a ruler, some traced the origins of magic treasures using basins, others utilized the Fake Detection and Truth Array above their heads. The array light sweeps across, revealing the authenticity of goods with various colored halos.
Ning Zhuo surveyed the surroundings, walked to the southwest corner of the counter, expressed his needs, and inquired about the price.
He still wants to purchase information.
Of course, there is information trading in the Commerce Hall.
The cultivator quoted Ning Zhuo, providing five price tiers. After some inquiries, Ning Zhuo fell into contemplation.
The highest tier had an exorbitant price, which Ning Zhuo eliminated first.
As for the second tier, Ning Zhuo also didn’t want to pay.
Even the third tier was quite financially straining for him.
While Ning Zhuo was in the White Paper Immortal City, his full investment was in forming the Qing Jiao Army, with almost all the war funds from Liangzhu Country exhausted in this.
Although he ultimately disrupted the century-old conspiracy of the Lord of Wanchuan, and reaped the spoils.
These war spoils could pile into a small hill, but converting them still requires plenty of time and a relatively lengthy process.
Because these war spoils are all from the Netherworld, taking them out in large quantities would inevitably trigger market fluctuations and cause a stir.
Too much attention!
It would also reveal a lot of Ning Zhuo’s bottom lines.
Although Ning Zhuo had formed an alliance with the White Paper City Lord, he did not use her channels to convert these spoils in a large scale.
His explanation to the White Paper City Lord earlier was only that the Qing Jiao Army had a skirmish in the Netherworld and promptly returned. How could he explain suddenly producing a large amount of war spoils?
The Qing Jiao Army still needs close cooperation with the White Paper Immortal City, revealing falsehoods just after forming an alliance is absolutely detrimental.
Before leaving, Ning Zhuo exchanged Yang Energy with the White Paper City Lord for a batch of Spirit Stones. Knowing full well the importance of Yang Energy to the White Paper City Lord, he did not seize the opportunity to raise the price, fully demonstrating his sincerity for collaboration.
Ning Zhuo used the Ten-Thousand-Li Travelling Dragon to travel, consuming some Spirit Stones. Paying transmission fees consumed most of it.
The use fee for a Teleportation Array is not a headcount matter; it requires actual measurement. The higher the cultivator’s cultivation level, the more treasures they have, the higher the cost increases.
The Ten-Thousand-Li Travelling Dragon at Ning Zhuo’s waist, along with Qing Chi, Sun Lingtong, the Old Chef hidden there, and numerous Mechanical Platforms, all count towards the cost.
Of course, since the Ten-Thousand-Li Travelling Dragon can traverse the void itself, and Sun Lingtong absorbed Void Evil God Bone Marrow, benefiting from these, the fee Ning Zhuo paid was still below the conventional price.
Cultivators with these abilities have advantages using the teleportation array. If cultivators wander from place to place without a settled abode, and often use teleportation arrays, this yearly accumulated advantage saves a significantly considerable amount of Spirit Stones.
Ning Zhuo hesitated between the third and fourth highest price tiers.
Just as he was about to inquire from the selling cultivator about the differences between these two tiers, two cultivators approached Ning Zhuo.
One of them smiled and initiated conversation: "Daoist Fellow, I am Shen Xi, and this is my cousin Su Lingkou. We both come from Nine Palace Immortal City."
Ning Zhuo’s mind lit up, quickly recalling that they seemed to be part of the same group boarding the teleportation array to arrive here.
One of Ning Zhuo and Wen Ruanyu’s transit points was indeed Nine Palace Immortal City.
"I am Ning Zhuo, fortunate to meet both Daoist Fellows." Ning Zhuo greeted.
Shen Xi explained his intent: "I do not intend to pry, but both of us share the same objective as you, wishing to purchase information on the Myriad Images Sect here."
"With my humble suggestion, why not join forces with us to acquire a Jade Slip of the third tier? How do you find this?"
Ning Zhuo carefully studied the two in front.
Shen Xi has a slender build, his complexion resembling cold jade, and his eyes and brows exude warm ink-like gentleness. His right palm bears a thinly callused surface, currently holding a round Jade Pendant, consistently rubbing it.
His hair is tied with an ebony hairpin, inlaid with Sumeru Mustard Seed Stone, radiating Magic Treasure-level aura. His plain azure gown overlays a dark silk cloud-patterned robe with Yin Yang Glazed Buttons at the corners, naturally emitting protective clear light. The Jade Pendant in his hand is also a Magic Array Plate.
Shen Xi’s cultivation level is Foundation Establishment Stage, notably stronger than Ning Zhuo.
On the other side, Su Lingkou has a light complexion and lively eyes.
Her hairband consists of a plain silver circular buckle, and she wears a honey-hued slanted short jacket paired with a moon-white pleated skirt, her wrists tied with multicolored cords.
She too possesses Foundation Establishment Cultivation, but the aura of the hairband’s magic treasure is not concealed.
Their appearances are only above average but reveal a grand temperament.
Magic treasures are typically used by Golden Core and Nascent Soul level cultivators, but they each possess one or two pieces, reflecting notable wealth. Their outfits are all Magic Artifacts and closely connected—a clear sign of sets. Just this external appearance alone makes them stand out and emerge from the crowd.
In comparison, Ning Zhuo’s appearance, aside from his conspicuously large head, has a handsome aura. Neither his attire nor treasures are remarkable (though the Mechanical Dragon is coiled at his waist, it is covered by outer wear and its aura deliberately restrained).
Ning Zhuo smiled at the two cultivators: "That is a great proposal!"
But immediately, he turned with difficulty to the selling cultivator, asking whether joint purchasing observes trading rules?
The cultivator waved his hand, saying it was permissible, but reminded Ning Zhuo of the potential risks. For instance, one cultivator might preview first, and use Divine Sense to erase some critical information, capable of doing so imperceptibly.
Hearing this, Shen Xi offered his palm to Ning Zhuo: "The Jade Slip can first pass to Daoist Fellow Ning’s hands."
Ning Zhuo thanked him without reservation.
With both parties collaborating, the Jade Slip was handed to Ning Zhuo by the selling cultivator. He immediately took out a blank Jade Slip and began transcribing the contents.
Meanwhile, Shen Xi questioned the selling cultivator: "The contents of the Jade Slip can be replicated. If multiple parties pool funds and buy them, then sell cheaply at an inflated price, wouldn’t this severely impact the Commerce Hall’s information business? Isn’t there a rule about this in the sect regulations of Myriad Images Sect?"
The selling cultivator waved dismissively: "Though our Myriad Images Sect’s size and numbers are among the top super sects, our sect regulations are sparse."
"It is precisely due to fewer restrictions that allow such a massive number of disciples to fully unleash their potential, keeping Myriad Images Sect the top sect in Flying Cloud Country!"
"Of course, such low-buy high-sell scenarios have occurred, and after a while, they are always targeted and heavily penalized."
"Clearly, you are newcomers. Allowing you to do so is my personal decision. Though you might deceive me, ultimately, it’s only for a single piece of information."
The selling cultivator’s answer was remarkably straightforward, also heard by Ning Zhuo as he transcribed the Jade Slip.