Translator: CinderTL
"I cannot predict the future," Song Wen said calmly. "It's only natural that my deductions might be flawed. Whether Yun Xinghai had been more cautious, refraining from recklessly capturing cultivators of the Longevity Technique, or the Jin Family had anticipated the crisis and eliminated Yun Xinghai preemptively, the Devouring Soul Array would have remained hidden, thus avoiding the Divine Blood Gate's attention. However, we must never rely on luck. We must always prepare for the worst-case scenario."
Ye Bing smiled, her eyes curving into crescent moons as she gazed at Song Wen with warmth. "You truly are meticulous in your planning and thorough in your actions. With you by my side, I feel exceptionally secure."
Noticing the increasingly fervent intensity in Ye Bing's gaze, Song Wen quickly changed the subject. "Immortal Maiden, shall we enter the city now?"
"Very well," Ye Bing replied with a nod, preparing to fly toward Phoenix Feather City.
"Wait," Song Wen called out, stopping her.
"What is it?" Ye Bing turned back, her expression puzzled.
"Immortal Maiden," Song Wen said, "it would be wise to conceal your appearance to avoid unnecessary trouble."
Ye Bing readily complied with Song Wen's request, summoning a wide-brimmed conical hat with a wave of her hand and placing it on her head.
"Will this do?" Her voice drifted from beneath the light veil hanging from the brim of her conical hat.
"Perfect," Song Wen replied.
As he spoke, his aura gradually shifted from completely concealed to that of a mid-stage Divine Transformation cultivator.
Ye Bing was long accustomed to Song Wen's ability to alter his aura. They had witnessed this technique firsthand during their first crossing of the Rotting Miasma Ridge years ago.
The pair soared through the air, quickly reaching the skies above Phoenix Feather City.
"Immortal Maiden, shall we split up to expedite our shopping?" Song Wen suggested.
"Separate?" Ye Bing frowned slightly.
"It would save us some time," Song Wen explained.
"Very well," Ye Bing agreed, though she seemed somewhat reluctant.
"Immortal Maiden, if you encounter any trouble, please send me a message immediately."
Before the words had even left his lips, Song Wen had already descended, landing outside the eastern city gate.
Unlike most cultivator cities, Phoenix Feather City could only be entered through its four main gates; aerial entry was strictly prohibited.
Ye Bing watched as Song Wen blended into the crowd and headed toward the western gate.
Once inside the city, Song Wen made a beeline for the main thoroughfare, entering every sizable shop to make purchases. Spirit stones flowed from his hands like water.
He purchased primarily souls, both human and demon. He accepted any soul of fourth-tier or higher without hesitation. However, he never encountered a single sixth-tier soul. Such souls were exceedingly rare, and no one would offer them for sale.
News of someone buying souls in bulk soon reached the ears of those with keen ears in the city.
Song Wen continued his purchases until he arrived at the city's largest shop.
As soon as he stepped inside, a middle-aged male cultivator greeted him warmly.
"Fellow Daoist, welcome to our humble establishment. What might you be seeking today?"
Song Wen was surprised by the cultivator's enthusiastic smile. This man was actually an early-stage Divine Transformation cultivator.
A Divine Transformation Stage cultivator personally greeting guests in the main hall? No shop in the entire Qicang Domain could boast such prestige.
Sensing Song Wen's skepticism, the cultivator continued, "Fellow Daoist, please don't be alarmed. I am Jin Kaicheng, the steward of this establishment. My subordinate reported that a fellow Daoist had arrived in the city, purchasing high-tier souls everywhere. I presume that is you? As steward, it is my duty to personally welcome esteemed guests like yourself. I hope you won't take offense."
"So that's the reason," Song Wen said. "Though I've purchased quite a few souls, the total cost only amounts to a few thousand high-grade spirit stones. I never imagined it would attract your attention, fellow daoist."
"A few thousand high-grade spirit stones is no small sum," Jin Kaicheng replied. "Might you still need more souls? Our shop currently has a substantial inventory."
"Naturally," Song Wen said. "What are your prices?"
"This place is crowded and noisy," Jin Kaicheng said. "I wouldn't want to inconvenience you. Would you mind stepping into the tea room in the back courtyard for a more detailed discussion?"
"No need," Song Wen said. "Let's talk here."
Jin Kaicheng was slightly surprised by Song Wen's refusal but didn't press the matter further.
"Our shop currently has eight hundred fourth-tier Demon Souls and thirty-two fifth-tier Demon Souls. How many would you like to purchase?"
"If the price is right, I'll take them all," Song Wen said.
The fact that this shop possessed such a vast collection of Demon Souls was beyond Song Wen's expectations.
He had already visited over ten shops, all of considerable size, yet the combined number of high-tier Demon Souls in those establishments didn't even reach half of this shop's inventory.
For Song Wen, this was excellent news, saving him the trouble of visiting multiple shops.
Jin Kaicheng's eyes lit up slightly as he quickly quoted the prices.
"Fourth-tier Demon Souls are priced at twenty high-grade spirit stones each; fifth-tier Demon Souls are priced at two hundred high-grade spirit stones each."
Song Wen narrowed his eyes slightly, his gaze becoming meaningful.
While the prices of souls varied slightly from shop to shop in the city, they were generally consistent.
Yet Jin Kaicheng's prices were more than double the standard rate.
"These prices seem rather steep," Song Wen remarked.
"Fellow Daoist, you misunderstand," Jin Kaicheng replied. "Hunting high-tier demon beasts is fraught with peril; a single misstep could cost one's life. The prices I've quoted are entirely fair."
"Your reasoning is sound," Song Wen conceded. "However, I must apologize for my limited resources. I cannot afford your shop's Demon Souls. Farewell."
With that, Song Wen turned to leave the shop.
"Fellow Daoist, wait!" Jin Kaicheng called out, stopping Song Wen in his tracks.
Song Wen paused and turned back. "Do you have further instructions?"
Jin Kaicheng smiled, a hint of cunning in his expression. "Fellow Daoist, once you leave this shop, you won't find a single Demon Soul for sale anywhere else."
Song Wen's brow furrowed. "What do you mean by that?"
A faint smirk played on Jin Kaicheng's lips, radiating an air of smug confidence.
"I've already instructed my men to purchase all the high-grade Demon Souls in Phoenix Feather City. How else would our shop have such an abundant supply?"
Far from being angered by Jin Kaicheng's words, Song Wen instead wore an amused smile.
"Impressive tactics, fellow daoist. But if I can't acquire Demon Souls in Phoenix Feather City, I can simply travel to other cities. Surely you haven't bought up all the Demon Souls in the entire Qicang Domain?"
Jin Kaicheng's expression turned icy.
"I advise you not to push your luck!"
Song Wen remained calm, his voice measured.
"Does the Jin Family approve of your strong-arm tactics?"
"Since the Jin Family appointed me as steward of this shop," Jin Kaicheng retorted, "they naturally grant me full authority over all internal affairs. No one else has the right to interfere."
A sudden smile bloomed on Song Wen's face.
"Oh? It seems you can fully represent the Jin Family then. In that case, I'll take all the Demon Souls in your shop at your price."
(End of the Chapter)
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𝟏𝟒 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐬 | 𝟖.𝟒𝐤 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 | 𝟏𝟒.3𝐌 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐬 [𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐥.𝐜𝐨𝐦]