"Senior, thank you for your patience. These are two top-grade magical tools from our collection, one named 'Molten Fire Refinement' and the other named 'Confusion Bell'. Please have a look,"

said the shopkeeper, opening the first jade box. Inside lay a copper pot, blood-red all over, from which flames occasionally burst forth, exploding into small fireworks in the air.

"This Molten Fire Refinement was crafted by our sect's predecessor, using millennium Fire Essence and engraved with the runes 'Burning', 'Endless', 'Bone Attachment', 'Everlasting Flame'. It can emit flames that cannot be extinguished, and once they attach, they can never be removed,"

the shopkeeper finished explaining, then opened the second jade box. This time, inside lay a small bell, tied up with pink silk ribbons.

"This Confusion Bell is a top-grade magical tool that our store purchased at a high price years ago. It bears the runes 'Illusion Sound', 'Dizziness', 'Mihuan', 'Blinding'. When used, it can emit an extremely harsh bell sound, causing the opponent to temporarily lose vision and fall into dizziness,"

Yuan Ming listened to the shopkeeper's introduction, his brow slightly furrowing.

Although these two top-grade magical tools were not lacking in power, the former indiscriminately affected friend and foe, likely causing accidental harm, while the effects of the latter could be completely replicated by his illusion techniques, essentially making it a useless appendage.

Seeing Yuan Ming frown, the shopkeeper forced a smile and said, "It seems neither of these magical tools meet the senior's expectations. Unfortunately, our shop has no other top-grade magical tools. If you wish to purchase a suitable magical tool, your best chance might be to try your luck at an auction."

Yuan Ming sighed. Auctions tended to mark items up significantly, and even if he found a magical tool to his liking, it likely wouldn't be affordable with just five thousand spirit stones.

But just then, Yuan Ming suddenly asked, "What about having a top-grade magical tool crafted here? What would be the price for that?"

"Crafting a top-grade magical tool is quite difficult, and ordinary spiritual materials simply cannot bear four runes. If we force the imprinting, it might damage the material beyond use, and in such cases, our shop cannot be held responsible. Please consider this carefully," the shopkeeper warned.

"If I provide suitable spiritual materials, what's the success rate of the crafting?" asked Yuan Ming.

"Only about ten to twenty percent," the shopkeeper stated.

Yuan Ming immediately shook his head. Such a low success rate was akin to throwing the spiritual materials into a lake.

If that was the case, rather than letting others gamble, he preferred to try refining them himself.

Yuan Ming did not discuss the matter of crafting magical tools any further. He turned and bought several books related to artifact refining and runes, then left the Red Refining Hall.

Upon returning to his residence, he spent some time creating the list of spirit incense.

After resting for a while and regaining some energy, he suddenly took out the Stealing Heaven Tripod, lit a piece of Black Incense, and inserted it.

Incense smoke spiraled up; Yuan Ming concentrated on the image of Sha Hao. Swirling around him blurred his surroundings, but when they came into focus again, he found himself in a stone house.

At that moment, Sha Hao appeared to be healing, surrounded by ordinary stone furniture with no peculiar features.

The stone house had no windows, and even the door was tightly closed. Eager to discover Sha Hao's location, Yuan Ming immediately employed a Soul Seal, coercing Sha Hao to leave the stone house.

However, no matter how he deployed the Soul Seal, until the Black Incense burned out and the possession ended, Sha Hao showed no response.

Seeing this, Yuan Ming furrowed his brow.

He had specifically created a higher quality Black Incense using incense ashes obtained from Zhenling Sect and applied the Soul Seal targeting Sha Hao, a Foundation Establishment cultivator, but it had no effect?

Was it possible that Soul Seals had no effect on Soul Cultivators?

Yuan Ming pondered briefly, deciding to try again in seven days. If the Soul Seal still had no effect, he would have to hope to catch Sha Hao leaving on his own during a possession.

After all, Sha Hao knew of his identity as a Soul Cultivator. The longer he lived, the more likely Yuan Ming's cover would be blown.

Besides possessing him every seven days, he'd need to think of another way to locate Sha Hao's whereabouts.

…

The Four Symbols Tea House was located on the east side of the lake in the city.

The five Zhang tall building was a pale blue, decorated with water wave patterns painting. Its entrance faced the lake, with eight window panes to the sides from bottom to top. They were interlaced with carved spirit wood and set with glazed tiles, reflecting the lake under the illumination of bright pearls. From afar, the building seemed to ripple like water, not standing on land, but floating-like a fairy pavilion in the lake.

Yuan Ming walked through the main entrance and immediately saw several coral rockeries and columns of jade and sea shells decorated around, blue light unveiled in every corner of the building. Moreover, many spectral fish darted within the coral, making it seem as if he had arrived at a Dragon's underwater palace.

Amazed by the scenery, Yuan Ming was appreciating the view when he saw a beautiful woman wearing Dragon Horns approaching.

"Greetings, superior immortal," the woman bowed slightly, her white dress with hints of blue flowing slightly with her movement, as if she were swimming underwater.

"Your decorations are indeed exquisite," Yuan Ming immediately noticed that the horns on the woman's head were merely accessories, yet even the maids were so deeply into their roles, which he found quite astonishing.

"Thank you for the praise, superior immortal. This month, the theme of the Illusion Array is the Dragon Palace in the sea. If you like, you can go to the counter and cast a vote with one spirit stone," the maid said with a smile.

"Oh? What exactly is chosen in this voting?" Yuan Ming asked curiously.

"Our shop changes the theme every month, and the specific arrangements are determined by the number of votes from the superior immortals," the maid explained calmly.

After hearing this, Yuan Ming smiled slightly, realizing that casting a vote seemed to require only one spirit stone, but in reality, the costs would skyrocket as people competed with each other. Moreover, if the scene one liked became the theme, with only one month's time, the voters would surely visit more often.

"Superior immortal, please follow me, I will take you upstairs for some tea and rest," the maid turned and gestured invitingly.

Under her lead, Yuan Ming entered a small room, four feet square.

The room's structure was entirely made of wood, with only three walls. Painted on the two side walls were scenes of fish playing in water, while the wall facing the entrance displayed an unknown formation with five indentations, seemingly fitted for placing spirit stones.

The maid led Yuan Ming into the room, then pulled shut a wooden lattice door hidden at the entrance.

"Superior immortal, this is a spirit ladder specially crafted by a master hired by our building. You only need to place the corresponding number of spirit stones in the formation, and you will be able to go to different floors on your own."

Upon hearing this, Yuan Ming grew curious—it must be a transmission array, he presumed, and casually placed two spirit stones into the indentations.

Then, he heard a "click" sound, and the entire formation suddenly lit up, with the spirit ladder starting to ascend, reaching the second floor in no time.

However, during the operation of the spirit ladder, Yuan Ming noticed that the wall formation seemed to have only a symbolic role. The spirit stones placed inside were not consumed. Something else must be driving the spirit ladder.

Yuan Ming looked outside and scanned the second floor, seeing that the occupants were Qi refining cultivators, and the utensils and decorations were not luxurious, which made him understand immediately.

The so-called ability to reach the corresponding floor by placing spirit stones was just a fancy way to collect an entry fee. The treatment received for two spirit stones would be vastly different from that for five.

Having figured out the trick, Yuan Ming then took out three more spirit stones and placed them in various parts of the formation.

The spirit ladder slowly ascended, and the scenery at the entrance changed along with it. Soon, Yuan Ming reached the fifth floor. Before he could step out, the calming music of drums and zithers along with the aroma of spirit incense entered the spirit ladder.

The maid opened the wooden gate of the spirit ladder for Yuan Ming. He stepped out and looked left, seeing a raised platform at the southeast corner, where several young girls in pearl-white long skirts danced to the music, while others, dressed similarly, played drums, zither, or blew into reed instruments beside the platform, all elegant in demeanor and harmonious in sound, rendering a sight and sound too refined to interrupt.

In addition, several maids holding jade bottles moved between the tea tables, serving tea and water to the guests, each with a gentle smile, their movements exuding grace.

Whether it was the maids, the musicians, or the dancing girls, all had cultivation, with the lowest being at the Qi refining second level.

In the room, calming spiritual incense bought from Yuan Ming's shop was burning. Whenever the incense burnt down to a quarter of its size, a maid would immediately come forward to replace it, ensuring the aroma remained constant.

Some maids also held trays filled with various types of melons and fruits. Although Yuan Ming couldn't identify them all, he could tell from the fluctuations of spiritual energy that these were no ordinary fruits.

Yuan Ming looked around and saw that the occupants here were all foundation establishment cultivators. Some were alone, others in groups of two or three, dressed differently, including cultivators from Da Jin and Zhao Country, disciples from sects, and independent practitioners.

He observed for a moment, then approached a round table near the platform, greeting the five cultivators seated there with a smile.

"Would my fellow Daoists mind if I join for a cup of tea?"

"Not at all, not at all, please make yourself comfortable," one male cultivator said with a gesture and smile.

Yuan Ming nodded, seeing no objections from the others, and took a seat.

Just as he sat down, a maid immediately came over and placed a cup of tea in front of him.

Yuan Ming lifted the lid of the cup and was instantly struck by a refreshing aroma. He took a sip and felt a warm flow throughout his body, invigorating him.

Meanwhile, the maid who served the tea was about to leave when suddenly a frivolous male cultivator stopped her.

"Xiao Yun, did you like the painting I gave you last time?"

"I cherish the gift from my senior, but alas, I am not well-versed in the art of painting and cannot grasp the profound meanings of the senior's masterpiece. I have kept it high on a shelf to avoid any damage, please forgive my ignorance," maid Xiao Yun said with a graceful bow and then spoke softly.

"It's just a painting, it has no deep meanings. As long as you like it, any form of disposition is acceptable. But about the matter of us becoming Daoist companions that I mentioned last time, have you considered it?" The male cultivator said, smiling, unconcerned.

"Senior, as a foundation establishment cultivator, how can I possibly aspire to such a status? Please, no more jokes," the maid shook her head gently, bowed slightly towards the frivolous man, and then turned and left.

Seeing this, the man's expression revealed a hint of disappointment, while a middle-aged cultivator sitting beside him chuckled,

"Could it be Yu Qingli, who has been so successful in romantic pursuits for so long, also meets his match occasionally?"

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