: The Budding Cloud Veil

Zhu Xuanji nodded to the shop assistant, then turned his gaze to Ning Zhuo. "You, kid, are always so eager to get ahead."

"At such a young age, you're already the master of the black market. With your knack for scheming, this 'Walking on Clouds' seems perfectly suited for you," Zhu Xuanji teased Ning Zhuo.

However, Ning Zhuo felt a heavy weight in his heart. He couldn't figure out whether Zhu Xuanji had followed him here.

Ever since Zhu Xuanji had last examined his three dantians, Ning Zhuo sensed that Zhu Xuanji's attention toward him hadn't diminished but was instead increasing!

Ning Zhuo let out a bitter laugh and explained, "Lord Zhu, you must be well aware of my situation. Why mock me like this?"

"If circumstances allowed, I wouldn't want anything to do with the black market either."

As he spoke, Ning Zhuo removed his mask, revealing his true face.

With Zhu Xuanji present, Ning Zhuo wasn't worried about any assassins.

In fact, the previous assassination attempts had been nothing more than an illusion or, at most, a certain trend.

The shop assistant, recognizing the face of the rising young genius, immediately bowed and greeted him warmly. "So it's the talented young cultivator from the Ning family, Young Master Ning Zhuo! It's truly an honor for our shop to have your presence."

The Yun Merchants were indeed skilled in business. Even an ordinary shop assistant could spin flattering words effortlessly, one after another, without repeating themselves.

"Alright, you may leave now." At that moment, another figure gradually appeared.

This Golden Core cultivator had a broad nose, giving off a very steady impression. He was the leader of the Yun Merchants, the Master of the Cloud Whale—Song Fuli.

Song Fuli first greeted Zhu Xuanji, then smiled at Ning Zhuo. "Young friend Ning Zhuo, is it appropriate for me to address you like this?"

Ning Zhuo shrugged, indicating that Lord Song could call him whatever he liked.

With the Yun Merchant leader personally attending to them, the shop assistant immediately bowed obediently and quietly withdrew.

Song Fuli asked Zhu Xuanji what he wished to purchase, offering to accompany him and provide some suggestions.

Zhu Xuanji's original purpose wasn't to buy a flying treasure. After exchanging a few words with Ning Zhuo, he had Zhu Zhen, who was hiding nearby, confirm the target of his investigation.

Zhu Xuanji then said, "I'm just here to look around. The one who really wants to buy something isn't me, but him."

Ning Zhuo added, "I also just want to take a look first. I'm not necessarily going to buy anything."

Zhu Xuanji chuckled. "It seems you lack a flying tool. The Walking Clouds from Flying Cloud Country are among the most classic flying magical instruments and are very practical. Taking advantage of this good opportunity to acquire one is quite suitable."

"Don't tell me you don't have the money. The black market you're managing now must be making a fortune every day!"

Ning Zhuo laughed bitterly again.

Just as he was about to retort, Song Fuli interjected, "What a fortunate coincidence to meet both of you here. As the leader of the merchant group, I'll take it upon myself to offer a 20% discount on any Walking Clouds you purchase today."

Ning Zhuo immediately looked at him, his tone slightly displeased. "Wait, our esteemed Lord Zhu, a Divine Constable of the Divine Constabulary and a member of the Southern Bean Royal Family—his face is only worth a 20% discount? Lord Song, aren’t you looking down on people a bit too much?"

Song Fuli was taken aback.

Zhu Xuanji laughed and scolded, pointing at Ning Zhuo. "You brat, my reputation isn't for you to use for bargaining."

Song Fuli burst into laughter and immediately said, "A 40% discount then. It's 40% off for both of you."

This time, even Zhu Xuanji felt tempted.

A 40% discount was quite low. These Walking Cloud magical instruments were never short of buyers. Song Fuli was selling them at this price purely to build goodwill with Zhu Xuanji and Ning Zhuo, not to make a profit.

Next, Song Fuli led the two to the top floor, introducing them to various types of Walking Cloud magical instruments.

Song Fuli explained, "To choose a good Walking Cloud, you shouldn’t only look at its grade but also its quality."

"In terms of grade, of course, Foundation Establishment level is weaker than Golden Core level, and so on."

"In terms of quality, it mainly depends on what kind of magic was used to refine the flying magical instrument and which type of cloud qi was used as the main material."

"In short, the grade only reflects its current state, while good quality represents potential and future growth limits."

"The magical instruments and treasures on this top floor are all of extremely high quality, truly the best of the best."

"Because they use excellent cloud materials, they can advance at least one grade in the future—for example, from Foundation Establishment level to Golden Core level."

Ning Zhuo wasn’t in a hurry. He carefully browsed the Walking Clouds on the top floor.

He was only at the Qi Refining stage, and even if he advanced, he would only reach Foundation Establishment. The most suitable for him would be a magical instrument-level Walking Cloud.

But Ning Zhuo was thinking: Should he get one for Yuan Dasheng and Qi Bai as well?

Yuan Dasheng hadn’t been at the Golden Core level in his previous life, but the new mechanical body Ning Zhuo prepared for him was made primarily of Golden Core-level materials. That meant Yuan Dasheng’s new body would be at the Golden Core level.

Qi Bai had been a Golden Core cultivator in his previous life. Although the materials used for the Nether Envoy·Qi Bai were somewhat ordinary, it contained the Golden Core from his previous life. At full strength, it was undoubtedly a Golden Core-level combatant!

Song Fuli carefully introduced the options to Ning Zhuo and Zhu Xuanji.

Besides the previously mentioned Somersault Cloud, Seven-colored Auspicious Cloud, and Walking on Clouds, there were also Thundering Cloud, Cold Snow Cloud, Black Iron Cloud, Hail Cloud, and more.

After some consideration, Ning Zhuo bought five Walking Clouds.

One was a treasure-level Black Iron Cloud for Yuan Dasheng. This cloud had a large carrying capacity, was very sturdy, and had strong defensive capabilities.

One was an instrument-level Cold Snow Cloud, reserved to pair with the Weather Ball·Ice Crystal Snow. The spiritual awareness of this mechanical ball was second only to Yuan Dasheng’s among Ning Zhuo’s possessions, having reached full spiritual awareness and a self-sufficient stage.

In this regard, even the Nether Envoy·Qi Bai was inferior to it.

Ning Zhuo originally wanted to get a treasure-level Ghost Cloud for the Nether Envoy·Qi Bai.

But they didn’t have any here.

He actually also wanted to choose a Blood Cloud, but they didn’t have that either.

Ning Zhuo also bought two instrument-level Somersault Clouds and one treasure-level Five-colored Auspicious Cloud.

Such a large purchase made Song Fuli stare at Ning Zhuo for quite a while.

"Is the black market really this profitable?" Zhu Xuanji was also surprised.

Ning Zhuo chuckled lightly, changing the subject. "I didn’t expect you, Lord Zhu, who earlier recommended Walking on Clouds to me, to end up choosing this type of cloud yourself."

Zhu Xuanji laughed heartily. "After looking left and right, this cloud still suits me best."

"Esteemed guests, please accept these invitations." Song Fuli took out two platinum-colored invitations from his storage bracelet and handed them to Ning Zhuo and Zhu Xuanji.

Zhu Xuanji unfolded his. "An auction?"

Song Fuli nodded with a smile. "Yes."

"Our Cloud Market’s highest-end trading event is the auction."

"If you two can grace us with your presence, it will surely add luster to the auction."

Ning Zhuo asked curiously, "Senior Song, could you give us a preview of what items will be available at the auction?"

Song Fuli then said, "Mainly some specialties from our Flying Cloud Country."

"For example, premium cloud tea, picked from old tea trees deep in the Vast Cloud Sea. This is a top-tier spiritual food in the world. Long-term consumption may grant a certain chance of comprehending the Dao of Clouds."

"For innate talents to develop into supernatural powers, they must involve some principle. This is a good choice for Golden Core cultivators aspiring to master supernatural powers."

"Another example is the Vast Cloud Seed. If cultivators incubate and nurture it, they might raise powerful cloud beasts like cloud whales or cloud dragons, creating a significant opportunity in their cultivation journey."

"And also, Ruo Shui."

"Its full name is 'Shang Shan Ruo Shui' (Highest Goodness is Like Water), one of the Seven Great True Waters, a supreme water-element merit treasure. Although there are only three drops, it can still transform numerous anomalies and solve countless strange and difficult ailments."

"For instance, if someone is under a curse, using this water can transform the curse power into Ruo Shui, allowing it to flow out."

Ning Zhuo’s heart stirred immediately. He couldn’t help but think: If he obtained Shang Shan Ruo Shui, it would not only greatly assist his Foundation Establishment but also allow him to resolve the various monitoring methods left on him by Golden Core cultivators!

Zhu Xuanji was also moved.

"Shang Shan Ruo Shui..." he murmured softly.

Mainly because this True Water was incredibly practical; it could be used in many aspects of cultivation.

This made Ning Zhuo feel immense pressure.

"If it really goes to auction, how can my financial resources compete with those of Golden Core cultivators?"

He had already spent most of his capital on the Walking Clouds just now.

Facing the auction a few days later, he had even less confidence.

A thought occurred to Ning Zhuo, and he asked, "Senior Song, does the auction only accept spirit stones?"

Song Fuli immediately understood Ning Zhuo’s meaning and smiled. "Of course not just spirit stones!"

"For treasures offered by participating cultivators as payment, we will conduct rigorous appraisals."

"For some treasures, due to our own needs, the appraisal might be several times, even over ten times, higher than the normal value."

Zhu Xuanji asked curiously, "What kind of treasures get these above-value appraisals?"

Song Fuli smiled. "For example, Spirit Stone Mine Mothers, Night Rain Demon Weapons, Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches, the Spontaneous Yin-Yang Rotation Technique, The Budding Cloud Veil... Oh, here is a list."

As he spoke, Song Fuli handed each of them a jade slip.

Ning Zhuo took the jade slip. Since he wasn’t a Foundation Establishment cultivator yet, he could only press it against his forehead to view the contents.

Zhu Xuanji, possessing spiritual sense, had it easier. Just by holding it and channeling his spiritual sense into the jade slip, he could see everything clearly.

"These are all rare treasures of heaven and earth," Zhu Xuanji exclaimed.

"The Spirit Stone Mine Mother, planted deep underground, can transform ordinary stones into spirit stones, creating a spirit stone vein out of thin air."

"Night Rain Demon Weapons are extremely sharp. Great powers often collect them, attempting to uncover the secrets of the Night Rain Imperial Dynasty."

"Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches, regardless of the type, are rare resources, essential after cultivating to the Nascent Soul stage."

"The Spontaneous Yin-Yang Rotation Technique is famously renowned. It's said that practicing this technique allows one to generate a continuous stream of Yin and Yang energies within the body. At times, when Yin and Yang harmonize, engaging in dual cultivation, one's power and cultivation can grow wildly on their own."

"What is this 'The Budding Cloud Veil'?"

Zhu Xuanji's question made Ning Zhuo's heart skip a beat.

Song Fuli glanced subtly at Ning Zhuo out of the corner of his eye and smiled as he explained. "Not long ago, the Mistress of the Ten Thousand Flowers Garden, Immortal Maiden Die Meng, compiled a list ranking all the exotic flowers and rare herbs under heaven."

"Among them, The Budding Cloud Veil is ranked sixth."

"As for its specific function..."

Song Fuli spread his hands. "I don't know either."

(End of )