Time passed rapidly as Zhang Ergou cultivated.
Inside the room, Zhang Ergou remained in this peculiar state for an entire night.
As dawn broke, he pushed open the door and stepped out into the center of the courtyard, moving his feet freely.
At times his steps were steady, leaving deep footprints; at other times, he trod so lightly that no trace could be found.
Each movement contained a subtle, mysterious aura, his footwork both erratic and profound.
His speed was astonishing, leaving observers far behind, until finally, only fleeting afterimages remained.
As the sky fully brightened and the disciples of Chunyang Peak emerged from their rooms, Zhang Ergou awoke from his profound state.
His eyes gleamed with an unstoppable joy.
"Shadow Mirage truly lives up to its name," he murmured.
Noticing the astonished gazes around him, Zhang Ergou returned to his room, retrieved the Purple Gold Cauldron from beside the window, and held it to his chest.
He glanced at the spiritual liquid that had condensed within. This time, Zhang Ergou did not drink it all at once.
Instead, he stored it in the cauldron, observing its changes.
After a simple breakfast, Zhang Ergou bid farewell to Chunyang Sanren and Liu Cuilan and headed to the back mountain.
Upon reaching the entrance of the hidden cave in the back mountain, Zhang Ergou heard voices within. Had someone occupied his spot?
As he entered, he discovered it was the lively duo, Zilin and the chubby Xiong Bao.
"Zhang Ergou, you're finally here! Boss kept me up all night waiting for you here!"
Xiong Bao, wiping a bit of drool from his lips, complained to Zhang Ergou.
Zhang Ergou wasn't about to fall for his act. Though this chubby fellow appeared simple, he was full of mischief.
If not for Zilin keeping him in check, who knew what trouble he'd stir up.
"Zilin, are you here today to go to the black market?" Zhang Ergou ignored the chubby Xiong Bao and asked.
"Of course not. We'll head to the black market in three days. But we need to prepare some things first."
Zilin's face was full of mystery, her beautiful eyes twinkling with cunning.
"Prepare what?"
"We're going to the Myriad Treasures Pavilion to buy some defensive items, aren't we? Are we just going empty-handed?"
"We'll be lucky if we aren't devoured alive," Zilin said, acting like a seasoned veteran.
It seemed she had done this sort of thing many times before.
"That's true. But I don't recall seeing any defensive items in the Myriad Treasures Pavilion," Zhang Ergou said, scratching his head as he tried to recall.
He had visited the Myriad Treasures Pavilion several times, but he hadn't seen the so-called defensive items Zilin mentioned.
"That's because your cultivation is too low, and you're not qualified to buy those things. Old Wu wouldn't sell them to you!"
The chubby Xiong Bao finally found an opportunity to retort to Zhang Ergou and immediately chimed in.
"Uh!" Zhang Ergou was momentarily speechless, never having heard of such a rule at the Myriad Treasures Pavilion.
This was clearly looking down on disciples with low cultivation.
However, there seemed to be no other way. With low cultivation, one could only be bullied.
"Are there really cultivation requirements to buy those defensive items?"
"Of course there are. Don't let Old Wu's constant smiling fool you; he's very strict about this."
Zilin nodded.
"Even if you're just a little bit short, he won't make any exceptions."
"Then, what cultivation level do I need to reach to be qualified to buy the defensive items you're talking about?"
"Don't underestimate the defensive items in the Myriad Treasures Pavilion. You need to reach the late stage of Foundation Establishment to be qualified to buy them!"
"Why?" Zhang Ergou asked, full of confusion.
"It's because these defensive talismans require a large amount of spiritual energy to activate and exert their effects."
"People with low cultivation, if they carry them, not only won't be protected but will become a burden."
"So that's how it is." Zhang Ergou finally understood.
The cultivation requirement was determined by the talismans themselves, not because Wu Dafei looked down on him with disdain.
He almost misunderstood Elder Wu.
Zhang Ergou silently chanted an apology.
"Let's go, we'll head to the Myriad Treasures Pavilion now." Zilin grabbed Zhang Ergou's sleeve and prepared to leave.
"But I haven't even reached Foundation Establishment!" Zhang Ergou said with a troubled expression.
He had chosen to conceal his true strength from Zilin and the others.
"Oh, why are you being so indecisive? Boss wouldn't have brought you here if she didn't know your cultivation."
Xiong Bao impatiently pushed Zhang Ergou.
"We brought you here because you're the one who's going to pay! You're a rich man now, aren't you?"
Xiong Bao, who had given all his contribution points to Zhang Ergou yesterday, still harbored some resentment.
Naturally, his words were a bit unfiltered.
Sigh! Zilin sighed softly, worried that Zhang Ergou would be angry at Xiong Bao's words.
After all, they hadn't known each other for long, and anyone would be angry to be schemed against like this.
"If you had just said so earlier, it would have saved me a lot of thought!" Zhang Ergou said with a sudden laugh, patting Xiong Bao's head.
"I was planning to use my free time today to exchange my contribution points for some spirit stones. It just so happens that we can do it all today."
With that, Zhang Ergou followed Zilin out of the cave.
The chubby Xiong Bao shuffled his short legs behind them.
When they arrived at the Myriad Treasures Pavilion, Wu Dafei was lounging on a reclining chair, humming a tune with his eyes closed.
"Yo, it's you again, kid. What do you want today? And what have you gotten yourself mixed up with these two little devils for?"
Wu Dafei opened his eyes and glanced at Zilin and Xiong Bao beside Zhang Ergou.
"Old Wu, keep talking nonsense and see if I don't set your beard on fire!" Zilin glared at Wu Dafei indignantly.
"Oh, my dear young lady, I was just joking! Don't take it seriously!" Wu Dafei quickly changed his tune.
Zhang Ergou became even more curious about Zilin.
This girl, who looked no older than twelve or thirteen, how could she make the elders of the Misty Sect so fearful of her?
"No, Old Wu, you must show your sincerity. As compensation for your apology, I don't want much, just one talisman. That's not too much to ask, is it?"
She blinked her large eyes, as if she would yank off his beard if Wu Dafei refused.
"Little grand-niece, I give in. One talisman it is. It's my bad luck, old man."
Wu Dafei said with a distressed and reluctant expression.
"Of course, I won't take your talisman for free. Also, sell me two more talismans. For a total of 20,000 contribution points, isn't that a great deal?"
"Oh, my little grand-niece, I'd rather give you one talisman for free. For others, one talisman costs 20,000 contribution points."
"And you're offering me only 20,000 for two? I'd be losing money, old man."
"Hmm?" Zilin made a move as if to rise into the air.
"No, even if you burn off my beard, I absolutely will not do such a losing business."
Wu Dafei looked resolute in his refusal.
"Heh heh, Old Wu, then how much will you sell it to Boss for?"
The chubby Xiong Bao darted out from behind Zhang Ergou.