Wan Quan yawned as he stepped out of his dilapidated dwelling, still digging at his ears. No matter how many times he had visited Black Sand City, he never grew accustomed to the ceaseless din that made a good night's sleep impossible.

The defensive enchantments erected during the last calamity were still active, casting a perpetual gloom over the city as dark clouds churned overhead. However, the component designed to muffle sound had long since failed. Sand lashed against the Cloud Barrier, producing a bizarre humming noise akin to the frenzied buzzing of countless wild bees, enough to make the skin crawl on those new to these parts.

The Cloud Barrier was riddled with holes, allowing black hail-like grit to pour through the fissures with a force that could pierce stone, obliterating the dwellings below. No one could live in such conditions, and the area quickly turned into a dead zone, ominously referred to as "Sand Burrow."

Each year, the "Sand Burrow" expanded. Initially, the sect governing the city had used the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches Numeration to label it for convenience, but eventually, they realized the futility. "Sand Burrow," including Black Sand City itself, wasn't worth the effort to manage. In a fit of indignation, the sect abandoned the city, leaving it to become a wild, untamed place.

But Black Sand City was far from barren. Middlemen like Wan Quan, operating in the gray areas of society, relied on it for their livelihood.

He had just completed a deal in the city's southern "YiHai Nest," leaving both parties satisfied. He had earned enough to cover his expenses for the coming months—a cause for celebration. He considered returning to Yin Cave City to rest for a few days.

It was then that he spotted a figure cloaked in a mantle entering through the South City Gate at the end of the main street. Like all those who arrived in Black Sand City from the ground, the newcomer began to shake off the dust. The sight amused Wan Quan so much that he couldn't help but chuckle—until he quickly caught himself and pursed his lips. The cloaked figure, however, was incredibly perceptive and immediately looked his way.

Wan Quan swiftly turned around. He might appear frivolous at times, but he was clear-headed. Anyone who could arrive in Black Sand City from the ground unscathed and alone was not to be trifled with. To openly mock such a person was to court trouble.

"Oh Little Wan, when will you ever change your ways!"

As he critiqued himself, he feigned nonchalance and headed in the opposite direction. After a few steps, when no sound came from behind, he breathed a sigh of relief: thankfully, the person had a good temper.

Picking up his pace, he eyed an alley up ahead and was about to turn into it when, at that moment, someone coughed lightly from behind: "Excuse me..."

Wan Quan's scalp tingled, but he quickly feigned ignorance, turning his head and body around, and as expected, he saw the figure in the gray cloak. The person's face was hidden in the shadow of the hood, indistinct, but he could tell there was a beard. Regardless of his inner thoughts, his face displayed a professionally courteous smile:

"Ah, Senior, how may I assist you?"

Wan Quan had the typical baby face, with fair and clear skin, and when he smiled, he looked like an obedient big kid, which sometimes made business difficult, but in this situation, it was quite fitting.

"I'm new to this place and would like to ask for directions. Young man, do you know any shops around here that purchase beast bones and demon elixir cores?"

The cloaked figure spoke with a clear and polite tone, seemingly not a gloomy or peculiar individual, yet out of place with the atmosphere of the North Wilderness. Mentioning beast bones and demon elixir cores, in the North Wilderness Territory, such items were rather monotonous in origin, and this person had come from the South City Gate—could they have emerged from the Sky Rift Valley? Were they a Young Disciple out for training from a Sect?

With a guess in mind, Wan Quan's smile grew even wider: "Indeed, there are such shops. You go straight from here, turn right at the second intersection, and you'll see Sheng Mao's Shop right on the street; they specialize in these items. If the price isn't right, Senior, you could also try the East City. I believe there's one there too, though I can't specify the exact location..."

As he spoke, he appeared somewhat apologetic. The cloaked figure nodded slightly, whether satisfied or not, thanked him, and went straight in that direction.

Intent on selling beast bones and demon elixir cores, yet not pressing further on his deliberately vague question, it seemed this person was either well-off or unconcerned with minor profits. Most importantly, they had a good temper—an excellent resource indeed. But having just made a tidy sum, Wan Quan had no desire to engage in further tiring schemes and let the opportunity pass him by.

As he mulled over his thoughts, he veered into the alleyway, twisting and turning until, a quarter of an hour later, he was nearly at his destination. Suddenly, an ominous breeze struck the back of his head. He swiftly dodged to the side, but the assailant's skills far surpassed his own. With fluid motion, the attacker clutched his shoulder, and with a slight exertion of force, slammed him against the nearby wall. A huge figure cast a shadow over him, enveloping him in darkness:

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"Hey, Little Wan, long time no see. Business seems to be booming for you."

Upon recognizing the newcomer, Wan Quan's face broke into a wry smile, "I owe it all to your care, Fifth Brother..."

As he spoke, his palm flipped to reveal a scallop-shaped jade piece, which he deftly slipped into the giant's free hand. The giant accepted it with a grin, but his expression quickly turned stern, "You think I'm here for the 'Dragon Palace Shell'... Damn it, why isn't it Ruyi Money?"

"Eh, Random Heart Pavilion just closed two of their shops in Yin Cave City. They're practically on the brink of shutting down. How could I dare give you Ruyi Money? Wouldn't that be setting someone up?"

The giant, Fifth Brother, offered a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes, "Little Wan, you've certainly thought things through, and you don't disappoint the praise I've heaped upon you in front of Lord Hong."

Wan Quan's slender frame shuddered, "Lord Hong?"

"Little Wan, sometimes it's better to be lucky than early, and your luck has turned," Fifth Brother said with an envious tone. "Lord Hong himself has personally offered to bring business your way..."

Wan Quan's gaunt figure shrank back, "Fifth Brother, please don't scare me! I'm just a Toothman, I can't handle the deals that come from Lord Hong's side!"

"Tsk, don't be so modest. This is something only you can handle. Who else has a kind heart and gives directions to strangers? Right now, in the entire North Wilderness, you're the only living soul who's had dealings with him. If not you, then who?"

"Directions? Are you talking about..."

"The one who just entered through the south gate."

Fifth Brother's voice dropped to a whisper, "You don't need to know the rest. We've already set things up at Sheng Mao's shop, pricing it low enough that no one can resist. The deal's bound to fall through, and since you're a middleman, take the opportunity to step in and lure that person to this spot..."

The guy was actually staring from the sidelines, reacting so swiftly. It was clear that something big was afoot!

Wan Quan groaned inwardly, but outwardly he complained, "That's quite a distance away!"

"Would I need you if it weren't far?"

The towering Fifth Brother rebuked sharply, "Put that clever tongue of yours to good use. I'll give you five days. You must lure the person to the spot by the eve of the 'Ghost Grip Festival'... Don't worry about the reward; you'll be well compensated. Of course, if you fail, you won't have to worry at all!"

The chill in his words cast a shadow over Wan Quan's face. Yet Fifth Brother burst into laughter, straightening his leaning frame and patting Wan Quan on the shoulder, "Speaking of Lord Hong seeking you out, he has never dealt with you before. However, at the Red Tooth Store, he's a regular and has quite the impression of the place!"

At the mention of "Red Tooth Store," Wan Quan's body jolted and he hung his head. After a long pause, he lifted his face again and said through clenched teeth, "I'm in! But, Fifth Brother, you have to be clear with me about who this person really is..."

"Who should I ask if you're asking me?"

Fifth Brother blurted out, feeling somewhat embarrassed as he was a man who valued his pride. After thinking it over, he decided to embellish what he'd heard and shared, "It's said to be that one who uses smoke and mist..."

※※※

Yu Ci strolled leisurely toward East City, all the while marveling at how each place had its own customs. In Black Sand City, the shopkeepers' methods of overcharging were brutally straightforward. He wasn't sure about the going rate for Ghost Monkey Sharp Teeth, but to think that the hardest part of a Golden Elixir beast's body could only be exchanged for a single Ruyi Money truly broadened his horizons.

This was the North Wilderness.

The wilderness with its black sands billowing to the skies, the strongmen blocking the roads, and the shopkeepers ready to fleece their customers... Only the young man who had given him directions earlier seemed to have a touch of humanity.

Lost in thought, he suddenly sensed something and saw a figure turn the corner, coming face to face with him. Both were taken aback.

"So it's Senior..." The "humane" young man was the first to smile, "Has Senior managed to negotiate a good price?"

Yu Ci chuckled heartily, and the young man across from him couldn't help but feel puzzled. Approaching to inquire, it wasn't long before his fair face took on a hint of embarrassment. "This is my mistake, having forgotten the shopkeepers in Black Sand City take advantage of newcomers. I hope you, Senior, will be magnanimous and not take offense."

"It has nothing to do with you."

At that moment, Yu Ci felt that the sandstorms of the city had subsided, making the hood he wore rather pointless. He lifted it to reveal his face and, running a hand through his well-groomed beard, he asked, "Young man, how might I address you?"

"The younger generation is called Wan Quan. You, Senior, may simply call me Little Wan."

"Then, Little Wan, may I ask if Black Sand City is always this deserted?"

"Deserted?"

Wan Quan was taken aback before realizing what was meant. Indeed, at this hour, Black Sand City was nearly as quiet as a city of the dead. Most people were holed up at home, leaving the streets sparsely populated. Around the South City Gate where they stood, they were the only two in sight. No wonder the man had approached him for directions—who else was there to ask?

"It really is 'misfortune that one cannot evade'!" He sighed inwardly while also making a judgment—this man was certainly an outsider, likely never having ventured to the North Wilderness before... Wait, that's not right?

He scrutinized the stranger's features more closely. The man sported a beard, yet his face was quite young, and despite having been upset in the Shengmao shop just moments before, he now appeared completely composed, his ability to maintain calm truly remarkable.

The more Wan Quan thought, the stranger it seemed, and he forgot to explain until he heard another call, "Little Wan?"

"Ah, my apologies, it's a bit complicated to explain, and I've only heard bits and pieces."

Wan Quan quickly found an excuse and adjusted his mood, smiling as he explained, "Although Black Sand City may be run-down, it's not short on people. It's just that beneath this area lies a Grand Magnetite Mine. It's said that the magnetic force from within wreaks havoc, especially at this time, when it's at its strongest. Those with insufficient Cultivation Levels or those unaccustomed to it tend to feel lethargic and unwell, preferring to sleep it off at home. Over time, it has become a local custom."

"I see, that's quite enlightening."

With a smile, Wan Quan seized the opportunity to ask, "If I may be so bold, Senior, what is your Honorable Name?"