By the coast.
Chen Xun's Void Transmission Disk emitted a signal. He raised his hand, allowing it to hover before him, and sensed Yun Jin's presence.
"Senior."
"Yun Jin, what's the matter?"
"The materials for the formation are ready, and regarding the items you mentioned for convenient transactions, we need you to come to the Lingbao Immortal Pavilion to verify your identity."
"Alright, I'll set off now."
Chen Xun nodded calmly. Over the past century, he had heard of many rare items.
There were even items that could transmit information across the entire Southern Yu Continent, but the threshold for using them was quite high.
At the very least, one had to be in the Void Refinement phase to qualify, as only a primordial spirit at that level could withstand the fluctuations of void energy and summon it to a grand and magnificent civilization of immortal cultivation.
In simple terms, in this grand world, one must be cautious with their words.
These cultivators could indeed trace the world's energy to kill you, unless you were not a living being.
Even Divine Transformation cultivators could only channel energy; they couldn't descend with their primordial spirit or activate these magical artifacts without mastery.
Chen Xun stood up, disappearing from the coast in an instant, stepping into the teleportation array leading to Li Chen Island.
...
Li Chen Island, Lingbao Immortal Pavilion, third floor.
The third floor was like a new world. Outside, the sun blazed, but here it was a night sky, with moonlight cascading down.
An elderly man with a lean face smiled faintly. His profile appeared even more austere in the cold moonlight, hands gently clasped behind his back, exuding an invisible, sharp authority.
This elder was named Yu Wangxian, a human in the mid-Void Refinement phase, and Yun Jin's superior.
At this moment, Yun Jin followed respectfully behind, silent and expressionless, as if unfamiliar with Chen Xun standing before them.
"I am Yu Wangxian. May I know how to address you, fellow Daoist?"
Yu Wangxian cupped his hands, his voice somewhat hoarse. "You must have recently entered the Void Refinement phase, likely from a prestigious sect."
"Heh, Chen Xun."
Chen Xun responded with a smile that didn't reach his eyes, cupping his hands in return. "Hardly prestigious, just an unremarkable small sect."
Yu Wangxian understood, realizing this fellow Daoist wasn't keen on revealing his sect. But in this grand world, revealing one's sect could be quite beneficial.
The Lingbao Immortal Pavilion employed many elders or disciples from various sects, and one might even encounter acquaintances from their own sect, facilitating communication.
But since Fellow Daoist Chen was so reserved, Yu Wangxian refrained from further inquiry.
"Fellow Daoist Chen, I heard from Yun Jin that you wish to purchase the 'Nine Heavens Illusory Dream Star Compass' from the Southern Yu Continent?"
"Yes."
"This set of magical artifacts costs seven million mid-grade spirit stones. The Star Compass directly integrates with the primordial spirit, akin to a life-bound magical treasure."
He paused here, smiling slightly. "If your resources are not abundant, you might want to reconsider."
"Fellow Daoist Yu, seven million mid-grade spirit stones?" Chen Xun's eyes widened slightly, cursing inwardly, why don't you just rob me!
Yun Jin also secretly clicked his tongue. There were other similar artifacts available.
But he didn't expect this senior to choose the most expensive one, which wasn't a big seller at the Lingbao Immortal Pavilion.
Such items were usually purchased directly by sects or other forces' elders, with few individuals buying them.
"Indeed." Yu Wangxian maintained a polite smile, adding, "If..."
"Alright, that's fine."
Chen Xun nodded heavily, his eyes carrying a deep look. "I hope Fellow Daoist Yu can explain this item to me, or if there are any taboos."
"Fellow Daoist Chen, you're quite generous!"
Yu Wangxian's expression shifted slightly. He didn't even have that many spirit stones in his Thousand Mechanism Spirit Seal, so his tone softened a bit. "Please follow me."
He retrieved a golden token from his storage ring, casting a spell, and a room appeared before them.
They entered, and Chen Xun immediately saw the 'Nine Heavens Illusory Dream Star Compass' on the table.
It resembled a formation diagram, not yet refined.
Stars densely covered its surface, as if containing a piece of the starry sky, far from simple at first glance.
It was Chen Xun's first time seeing such an extraordinary item, and his gaze was involuntarily drawn to it.
Yu Wangxian glanced deeply at Yun Jin, his eyes filled with appreciation for bringing in a big client. Yun Jin returned a respectful smile, as if saying it was his duty.
But... Yun Jin thought to himself: I'll take your position one day!
"What a treasure."
Chen Xun praised with his hands behind his back. "The Lingbao Immortal Pavilion is renowned far and wide; I have no doubts about the quality of this item."
"Fellow Daoist Chen has a keen eye. This item was sent by the Immortal Pavilion of the Southern Yu Continent. The materials can't be found in the Mengmu Sea Region, and it's extremely difficult to craft."
Yu Wangxian was in high spirits, becoming more talkative. "Moreover, this item must be inspected by the Nine Heavens Immortal Alliance and cannot be crafted independently, ensuring the privacy and safety of all fellow Daoists."
"Mm." Chen Xun looked at Yu Wangxian, still waiting for an answer to his earlier question.
"Fellow Daoist Chen, please have a seat."
Yu Wangxian gestured with a smile, his eyes carrying a hint of envy, reluctant to part with such an item. "I'll explain it to you now."
"Alright."
Chen Xun nodded, sitting down with him. Yun Jin stood to the side, pouring tea, his brows slightly furrowed, sensing that the senior seemed different from before.
Yu Wangxian had already taken out the Immortal Pavilion's Spirit Seal, cupping his hands slightly. "Fellow Daoist Chen?"
"I almost forgot."
Chen Xun paused, realizing he had forgotten to provide the spirit stones first. "My apologies for the oversight, Fellow Daoist Yu."
"Fellow Daoist Chen, no need to apologize. I understand." Yu Wangxian waved it off, unconcerned.
The energies of two Thousand Mechanism Spirit Seals instantly connected, and Chen Xun began to confirm with his divine sense.
At that moment, an inexplicable force swept over him, but it vanished in an instant.
Seven million mid-grade spirit stones disappeared from his Spirit Seal, and Yu Wangxian's eyes showed satisfaction as he put away the Immortal Pavilion's Thousand Mechanism Spirit Seal.
The room trembled slightly, and the restrictions around the 'Nine Heavens Illusory Dream Star Compass' vanished, ready to be taken.
The transaction for seven million mid-grade spirit stones was completed in an instant. Yun Jin sighed inwardly, knowing this deal had nothing to do with him. The Immortal Pavilion still had a similar contribution value assessment.
The higher one's cultivation, the broader their circle, leading to bigger deals and higher positions, complementing each other.
"Fellow Daoist Chen, the 'Nine Heavens Illusory Dream Star Compass' can be directly refined with your primordial spirit. Inside, there are various Star Compass Pavilions you can join at will."
Yu Wangxian began his introduction, though he hadn't bought one himself, he knew its capabilities. "Usually, people use a pseudonym to join. The Southern Yu Continent is full of hidden talents, and the biggest taboo is to avoid speaking recklessly inside."
At this point, his expression turned solemn. "You can purchase various information or cultivation resources within the Star Compass, but it's best not to explore secret realms with others."
"Once you enter a secret realm that even Void Refinement cultivators explore together, the energy there is completely cut off from the grand world's energy, beyond the control of the Nine Heavens Immortal Alliance."
"Many fellow Daoists have fallen there, and even investigators find it hard to trace."
"There may be many ill-intentioned individuals inside the Star Compass, possibly even starry sky thieves, so you must be cautious about hiding your identity."
"If the Star Compass remains undamaged, it can last for ten thousand years, but it cannot be passed down to your descendants, so be mindful."
Yu Wangxian now seemed like a different person, exuding a highly professional demeanor, leaving Chen Xun somewhat bewildered, his lips slightly parted.
Even Yun Jin was taken aback, greatly expanding his knowledge, thinking he would say the same in the future!
"Thank you, Fellow Daoist Yu, for the clarification."
Chen Xun truly believed him, standing up and cupping his hands. "I will remember your words, Fellow Daoist Yu."
"Heh, Fellow Daoist Chen, could we exchange the energies of our Void Transmission Disks?"
Yu Wangxian's white beard fluttered, his face kind. "As fellow cultivators in the Void Refinement realm, we should keep in touch. If you need to buy something, it will be more convenient. Relying on a junior in the Divine Transformation phase might waste unnecessary time."
Upon hearing this, Yun Jin's expression turned slightly sour. Though the words were harsh, they were true; a Divine Transformation cultivator wouldn't know the true needs of a Void Refinement senior.
Chen Xun's gaze sharpened. This was an open attempt to poach a client, but if he refused, Yun Jin might face trouble.
He quickly thought it over, a slight smile appearing on his lips. "Of course, please."
With that, they both took out their Void Transmission Disks, exchanging pleasantries, agreeing to keep in touch. Li Chen Island often held Dao discussion gatherings, and the Void Refinement circle was indeed large.
Chen Xun cupped his hands in response, agreeing, then quickly left for his Chengfeng Villa.
After the big client Chen Xun left, Yu Wangxian's expression returned to calm.
He turned to Yun Jin, asking indifferently, "Does this Fellow Daoist Chen have a sect or affiliation?"
"I don't know, senior. I met him on the first floor and didn't dare inquire further."
"Mm, you handled this well."
Yu Wangxian pondered for a moment. "Go claim a bottle of Jade Purity Profound Pills; it's your due reward."
Yun Jin seemed overjoyed, bowing deeply. "Thank you, True Lord Yu!"
Yu Wangxian, in a good mood, offered a few more words of advice before leaving, leaving Yun Jin alone in the room. The third floor wasn't a place he should be.
His previously joyful and respectful demeanor gradually faded as he calmly headed to the second floor.
