KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK... The next morning, a series of knocks roused Shen Haoran from his cultivation.

"Brother Haoran, are you up?" Ji Lingxuan’s voice called from outside. Shen Haoran quickly got out of bed and opened the door.

Outside, Ji Lingxuan stood in a pale yellow dress, her long black hair cascading freely down her back. Her dewy skin seemed to glow in the morning sunlight. For a moment, Shen Haoran was completely captivated.

"Ahem... Brother Haoran!" Stared at so intently by Shen Haoran, Ji Lingxuan’s face turned bright red, and she shyly lowered her head.

Shen Haoran snapped back to his senses, scratching his head and pretending nothing had happened. "What are you doing up so early?"

"I was bored, so let’s go check out the trading hall downstairs!" Ji Lingxuan said, then took Shen Haoran’s hand and started pulling him along. Before he could even voice an opinion, he was dragged out the door!

Shen Haoran watched Ji Lingxuan’s beautiful figure walking ahead of him and smiled warmly. ’She must know she’ll be leaving soon.’ Ji Lingxuan was always trying to find ways to spend more time with him. It was the only thing she could do right now.

The two arrived at the trading hall. It was a self-contained space, a massive plaza filled with stalls. The endless shouts of vendors were a stark contrast to the tranquil morning outside.

"Come on, come on! A Spirit Core from a Tier Three Wood Spirit Beast! Only ten Spirit Revitalizing Pills to take it home! A fair price, honest dealing!"

"Top Grade Dragon Power Pills! The real deal, step right up and buy!"

"Agarwood Fruits! A godsend for your cultivation! Limited stock! Once they’re gone, they’re gone! Hurry, hurry!"

...

The barrage of shouts assaulted Shen Haoran, making him feel dizzy. It took him a moment to recover.

"Let’s go, let’s go! Let’s look around!" Ji Lingxuan had rarely seen such a lively scene. She pulled Shen Haoran into the plaza, weaving between the various stalls. A constant smile graced her face as she looked at the dazzling array of goods.

Shen Haoran followed behind Ji Lingxuan, casually scanning the items at the stalls. ’Maybe I’ll find something I need.’ However, the elixirs and medicinal herbs were all too Low Level to hold much appeal for him.

He browsed casually, and just as he was about to suggest they leave, his eyes fell upon an exquisitely crafted necklace. Seeing it, Shen Haoran’s heart skipped a beat. ’I don’t think I’ve ever given Ji Lingxuan a gift!’

Approaching the stall, Shen Haoran picked up the necklace. It was made from an Ice Spirit Core strung together with several Crystal Gemstones. It felt cool to the touch and was quite beautiful. When Ji Lingxuan saw it, her big eyes were glued to it. Girls love beautiful things, and Ji Lingxuan was no exception.

"Good eye, young man!" the stall owner immediately began his sales pitch when he saw Shen Haoran pick up the necklace. "That’s a Crystal Necklace made from the Spirit Core of a Tier Four Ice Spirit Beast, crafted by a Master Level artisan. If an Ice Attribute Martial Artist wears it, it can even speed up their cultivation. It’s the perfect gift for home, for travel, or for your girlfriend!"

"Do you like it?" Shen Haoran asked, ignoring the owner and turning to Ji Lingxuan.

Ji Lingxuan nodded, the affection in her eyes impossible to hide.

"How much for it?" Shen Haoran asked the owner.

"Five Spirit-Breaking Pills. Price is firm!" the owner stated confidently.

"Five Spirit-Breaking Pills? Isn’t that a bit much? This is just..." Shen Haoran was about to haggle when Elder Yan’s voice interrupted him.

’Kid, look at that moss-covered stone fragment. Don’t the runes on it look a little familiar?’ Elder Yan said softly in his mind.

At his words, Shen Haoran glanced discreetly at the stone fragment Elder Yan mentioned. When he saw the runes on it, his heart leaped. ’Aren’t these the same as the runes on the Golden Token in my Sea of Consciousness? Could this be another Mysterious Token?’

’Kid, you should buy it. We can study it back home. Anything related to that Golden Token can’t be taken lightly,’ Elder Yan said gravely.

"Mhm!" Shen Haoran agreed. He then turned to the owner and said, "Five Spirit-Breaking Pills is a bit of a rip-off. How about this: throw in that stone fragment, and I’ll give you the five Spirit-Breaking Pills."

"Done!" Seeing that Shen Haoran wanted the broken stone, the owner agreed without a second thought. ’I’ve studied that piece of junk before. It’s just a Pill Furnace Fragment with no value whatsoever. Getting five Spirit-Breaking Pills for it is an absolute steal!’

Seeing the owner agree, Shen Haoran smiled imperceptibly. He then took out five Spirit-Breaking Pills and tossed the fragment with the strange runes into his Storage Ring.

After stowing away the fragment, Shen Haoran handed the exquisite necklace to Ji Lingxuan. ’This is the first time I’ve ever given a girl a gift!’

But just as Ji Lingxuan reached out to take it, another hand suddenly shot out and grabbed the necklace.

"I’ve taken a liking to this thing, too! How about I take it for ten Spirit-Breaking Pills?" A familiar voice rang out. Shen Haoran turned his head and saw the sinisterly smooth-looking man who had blocked their path yesterday.

He remembered Luo Tian telling him yesterday that this man’s name was King Chao, the grandson of Black Wind Stronghold’s Grand Elder.

Now, both he and Shen Haoran had a hand on the necklace, and neither was willing to let go.

SWISH! Shen Haoran’s hand moved, forming a two-fingered jab that struck King Chao’s wrist. King Chao yelped in pain and instinctively released his grip, and the necklace fell into Shen Haoran’s hand.

"Ever heard of ’first come, first served’?" Shen Haoran said coolly, handing the necklace to Ji Lingxuan.

Seeing Shen Haoran’s nonchalant expression, King Chao shot him a venomous glare. "You dare hit me? You’re courting death!"

This King Chao actually attacked without another word!

Shen Haoran’s eyes narrowed. As the incoming fist approached, the muscles in his body began to tense. Terrifying power instantly gathered in his right fist, ready to clash with King Chao.

However, just as Shen Haoran was about to strike, a paper fan appeared before him. The seemingly fragile fan blocked King Chao’s punch—a blow powerful enough to shatter boulders. Then, with a gentle flick, the fan sent King Chao flying, spitting blood. He crashed through several stalls before finally coming to a stop.

"I can’t stand people who try to steal from others." A calm voice spoke. Everyone’s gaze shifted over, wanting to see who would be so bold as to send the local tyrant flying with a single flick of a fan.

Shen Haoran also looked at the figure who had appeared before him. He was dressed in spotless white, giving him an otherworldly air. He wasn’t old, with a handsome face and an extraordinary presence.

Shen Haoran’s expression grew solemn as he looked at the young man. Just by standing there, the man felt like a great mountain, his presence so immense that it left Shen Haoran struggling to breathe.

’He’s so strong!’ Shen Haoran was shocked.

"It’s been a while, Cousin." Just as Shen Haoran was warily observing the man in white, the man smiled and greeted Ji Lingxuan, who was standing behind him.

"Cousin?..."