Returning to his room with breakfast, Shi Tian told Shen Xiaoli about the auction that was about to take place in the Jade River City.
"Oh, an auction; it might be interesting. Want to join?" Shen Xiaoli asked.
"Why not? It should be fun." Shi Tian replied with a faint smile.
After a while...
Shi Tian walked through the eastern market boulevard alone.
Back at the inn, Shen Xiaoli had remained behind, sitting cross-legged with her eyes closed. Her new technique still needs time to stabilise.
And so, here he was, enjoying a rare stretch of freedom in a foreign city bursting with activity. The smell of fried beast meat, rare incense, and spiritual wine filled the air.
Shi Tian stopped at a stall selling cloudfruit pastries and bought one for himself. As he bit into the warm, flaky skin and let the faintly sweet filling melt across his tongue, he sighed contentedly.
No fights. No blood. No ice wolves. He liked peace.
He turned down a quiet street lined with curio shops and alchemy boutiques. The rush of the main road gave way to a more refined hum of activity—soft conversation, the clink of jade teacups, and the scent of lotus blossom wine.
Shi Tian paused before a building with a dark-lacquered signboard etched with silver runes:"Velvet Veil Pavilion – Wards, Talismans, and Maps"
Seeing the shop was selling the maps, Shi Tian paused in front of the shop.
He pushed open the door.
Inside, the air was cool and subtly scented with paper ash and incense. Shelves lined the walls, displaying rolls of parchment, jade talismans, and thin strips of spiritual thread. At the back of the room was a large counter behind which stood a woman, quietly sorting through scrolls.
Shi Tian stopped for a moment, a little stunned upon seeing the woman.
She was not the kind of shopkeeper one would expect tucked away in a scholarly ward. Tall, with a graceful, willow-like figure, she moved with the calm elegance of someone utterly in control of her space.
Her waist was narrow, the curve of her hips accentuated naturally beneath the flowing layers of her ash-grey and maroon robes. Though modestly dressed, the fabric clung just enough to hint at the smooth, generous shape of her thighs when she leaned forward to sort a scroll.
Her long black hair was pinned high, leaving her nape bare, and a pair of half-moon spectacles framed her cool, sharp eyes—a contrast to her otherwise mature and temptingly feminine form.
She looked more like a noble concubine hiding in plain sight than a map seller.
She noticed his presence and looked up.
"Looking for something?" She asked, voice low and neutral.
Shi Tian nodded politely. "Yes. I need a detailed map—terrain routes, regional sect territories, and preferably cultivation-safe paths. I am looking for a complete map of the northern region." Although they teleported randomly, thankfully they were still in the northern region; the Red Sun Kingdom was also in the northern region.
The eastern continent was divided into five domains; the northern region was one of five domains.
The woman set down her scroll.
"You're not from around here," she observed.
"No. I was sent here... unexpectedly," he said, not elaborating.
She gave a short nod and moved to the shelves, pulling out a thin jade case. From it, she unrolled a large spiritual map, etched with faint glowing lines that shimmered under the shop's light.
"This covers the entire northern region," she said. "It includes sect borders, territories, beast zones, forbidden valleys, and mountains."
Shi Tian stepped forward and studied the map.
"By the way, can you tell me how to reach Red Sun Kingdom?" Shi Tian asked curiously. As she was a map seller, she must have had better knowledge.
"Hmm, Red Sun Kingdom, I have never heard of it before." The woman thought for a moment and shook her head.
"Here, I want to go there; can you suggest a faster and safer route?" Shi Tian wasn't disappointed because she didn't know the Red Sun Kingdom. He looked at the map and found the location of the red sun kingdom's name on the map and said while pointing his finger.
"If you're looking to go to Red Sun Kingdom, perhaps—you'll need to cross the Mistscale Corridor. But I would suggest you go through this route, although it is a little longer, but it is safer."
"Oh, is there some danger on this faster route?" Shi Tian asked curiously.
"If you are planning to use the faster route, don't." She said, adjusting her posture, and continued, "Some strange things have been lurking near the border of the red mist mountains; something dangerous."
"Huh, what kind of danger?"
"I don't know; I just heard some rumours from the merchants."
"Understood."
"How much for the maps and information?"
"Usually, I don't sell information for free, but look how charming you are. I won't charge you this time. But you have to pay for the maps." The woman glanced at him with a soft smile hanging on her face and said.
"Thank you!" Shi Tian also replied with a smile. He took out a dozen mid-grade spirit stones and placed them on the counter.
"This should cover it." Shi Tian said while placing the spirit stones.
"Hmm, you are so generous." The woman smiled wider and replied.
"Well, I'm generous to beautiful women." Shi Tian glanced at her beautiful face and said with a smirk.
"Oh!" The woman couldn't help but look at him with a new light.
"My name is Yan Ruyin; how should I address you?"
"Shi Tian!"
"Well, Master Tian, it was nice to meet you. You are new in the city; if you need something, you can come here; I sell various products." Yan Ruyin chuckled.
Shi Tian nodded. He was about to leave; at this time, his gaze fell on the neat rows of jade talismans strung behind the counter, hanging like ornaments but humming with spiritual qi.
"You sell talismans. Do you have high-grade talismans? Preferably something that can block an attack from a peak spirit king or even higher."
After what happened in the secret realm and the unpredictable dangers that might come ahead, he likes having some hidden cards.
"You are cautious."
"I call it planning," Shi Tian replied mildly.
Her lips twitched, as if he had said something amusing, though she didn't smile fully.
"I have them, but they won't be cheap."
"No problem; I can afford them."