The Immortal Market on Shendu Peak is extraordinarily grand, completely different from what Zhang Yan had previously seen.
Sixteen golden bridges were built from the pinnacle jutting out of the sea of clouds, connected with golden locks, suppressed by Xuan Stones, locking thousands of Immortal Boats and stretching out for ten thousand meters, with the largest Immortal Boat among them comparable to the Dragon Country’s Ship, truly immense, unmatched by any mundane great city.
Towers and pavilions soar here and there, penetrating the clouds, allowing cultivators to ride the clouds and traverse freely.
As Zhang Yan traveled along, everything he saw were Daoist cultivators, riding magic artifacts or immortal beasts, all moving in groups of three to five. Among every hundred people, there were a few Xuan Guang Practitioners, and he even spotted several Hua Dan Cultivators from afar. Whenever they passed by, everyone voluntarily gave way, allowing them to go first.
Zhang Yan didn’t want to attract attention, and after circling a few times, he came to a secluded corner, casting his gaze around and noticing a six-story floating building with a jade plaque, inscribed with "Zhenyu Building," though very few people were coming in or out. This update is available on NoveIꜰire.net
Seeing this plaque, a thought stirred in his mind, suddenly recalling that within Elder Yan’s sect, there was a Senior Elder with the surname Yue, who once mentioned this place. It was said that there was an expert in artifact refining within this building, skilled in crafting the Thunder Capturing Gold Plate. However, the owner of this building had no significant background, fearing that spreading this matter would bring trouble upon themselves, so few knew about it.
Since he was here, he thought he might as well go inside for a look.
Zhang Yan immediately adjusted his cloud ride, flying into the building.
Upon reaching the main hall, a person immediately greeted him, treading on a single clear lotus leaf.
This person was short and plump, with a round figure and an amiable smile. Judging from his aura, he too had Xuan Guang Cultivation. He clasped his hands in greeting and said, "I am surnamed Wang, the manager of this Zhenyu Building. May I ask what the honored guest seeks here?"
Zhang Yan did not hide his intent and openly stated, "I am here to seek a Thunder Capturing Gold Plate."
"Thunder Capturing Gold Plate?"
The manager’s smile remained unchanged as he looked Zhang Yan up and down, inquiring, "May I ask where the honored guest learned that there are such items for sale in this humble building?"
Zhang Yan smiled and replied, "A senior of mine visited your esteemed building 212 years ago, used the gold plate obtained here to capture thunder for alchemy, and later succeeded in Condensation Technique, and that is why I came, drawn by its fame."
Manager Wang’s expression changed slightly, taking a few more glances at Zhang Yan, nodding gently. With a wave of his hand, a female attendant went into the inner hall. Soon, she returned, elegantly carrying a lacquer box covered with a brocade handkerchief.
Manager Wang pointed and smiled, "This is a Thunder Capturing Gold Plate crafted by our building’s skilled artisan. Please, honored guest, have a look and see if it meets your approval."
Zhang Yan reached out, lifted the brocade handkerchief, and opened the box. Inside, he found a soft cloth padding, with a golden copper-colored disc-shaped magic artifact atop it, about a foot in size and half a finger thick, with Eight Trigram symbols around its edge and seven holes and apertures arranged in the position of the Big Dipper. Slight infusion of spiritual energy made it hum.
This Thunder Capturing Gold Plate is not particularly rare and is only used to capture thunder radiance, yet its value is higher than typical magic artifacts. This is because the Que Jue Thunder produced on Shendu Peak is not ordinary; with divisions of Essence Thunder and Secondary Thunder. If the gold plate is well-crafted, the thunder radiance captured will also be superior, hence Zhang Yan couldn’t underestimate this object.
He examined it briefly and found the gold plate indeed to be a rare high-grade item. Satisfied, he asked, "Manager Wang, what is the price of this item?"
Manager Wang smiled without giving a direct answer, courteously saying, "I see the honored guest has traveled a long way. Our building has excellent Immortal Tea, which can soothe the spirit and regulate energy. Why not sit down and discuss it while tasting the tea?"
Zhang Yan glanced at Manager Wang, noticing the smile on his face and the seemingly deeper meaning in his eyes, clearly indicating he had something else to discuss. After a moment of contemplation, he nodded, "Alright."
The manager’s face lit up with joy and led Zhang Yan to the back garden. There was an exquisite small pavilion adjacent to a lotus pond, where carp leaped, creating splashing sounds. Stone stools were covered with soft fur cushions, appearing quite elegant.
After the two sat down, the maid served tea and withdrew.
The manager clasped his hands and said, "May I ask how the honored guest is addressed?"
Zhang Yan thought for a moment, borrowing the surname Yue from Elder Yue and invented an alias, "I am Yue Sheng."
"So it is Daoist Yue."
Manager Wang secretly calculated, finding it matched his memories of that person from years ago. Though it was his grandfather who received Elder Yue back then, as a cultivator, his memories remained fresh, and his doubts lessened somewhat.