Jade Bamboo Mountain.

David pushed open the door, a gust of wind whipping snowflakes into his sparsely furnished hut. He exhaled a long breath. This felt like another world entirely.

Back in the Three Kingdoms, he was the wealthy Mr. Dragonheart, living in a luxurious mansion with beautiful maids in Black Rock City. Sure, he faced setbacks occasionally, but money solved most of his problems.

Here, in the magical Southern Wilderness, he was just a low-rank mage. Stuck at the bottom of the world of immortality, he barely scraped by. It was a precarious existence.

David grimaced. Ideally, he'd prefer the Three Kingdoms. But there, the meager mana concentration stifled any hope of extended life. Magic training, the pursuit of immortality, was a dead end in that stagnant land. Here, in the vibrant Southern Wilderness, even a low-rank mage like himself could grasp at the possibility of defying mortality.

A pang of longing flickered across David's face as he jingled the meager amount of mana shards in his pocket. “I need to buy a protective talisman, a low-grade magical weapon for self-defense would be even better."

He hadn't forgotten his true strength. Power wasn't a luxury in the Three Kingdoms either.

His keen senses honed from his magic background, coupled with a few emergency scrolls, gave him confidence that he could hold his own against people like Lei Shen and Piaomiao Mu.

Additionally, his sporadic disappearances, made possible by his ability to travel between worlds, kept those coveting his wealth guessing, maintaining the illusion of Dragonheart Mansion's grandeur.

But David knew this charade wouldn't last forever. The hidden scavengers would eventually lose patience.

David tightened his grip on the mana shards in his pocket, the meager amount a stark reminder of his current standing. Increasing his own strength was paramount. Leveling up as a mage was the most direct path, but unlike the Three Kingdoms, this world offered a wider arsenal - powerful talismans, intricate automatons, loyal familiars, and even enchanted weapons. The Jade Bamboo Market, named after its signature material, was the place to acquire such treasures.

As he approached the market entrance, a shimmering white mist materialized before him, a magical ward rumored to withstand prolonged attacks from Wave Weavers. David readily presented his identification plaque, a simple sign crafted from bamboo and wood. In response, the mist swirled open, revealing the previously obscured shops in all their glory.

The market was a feast for the senses. Buildings constructed entirely of mana-infused Jade Bamboo created a unique, stilted architecture that seemed to defy gravity. The air buzzed with the melodic calls of vendors hawking their wares, their voices weaving through the sweet scent of candied fruits and the earthy fragrance of freshly harvested herbs. Eye-catching names like "The Bannered Flagon," "The Whispering Roses," "The Phoenix's Flask," and "The Dragon's Forge" adorned the grander buildings, promising treasures and wonders within.

David took a deep breath, the vibrant energy of the market invigorating him. This was the heart of commerce for hundreds of miles around, a magical hub where fortunes were made and dreams were pursued. He knew that within these bustling streets lay the tools he needed to rise above his current station. But he also knew that danger lurked beneath the surface.

David moved through the throngs of the market, his senses on high alert. Mages of all ages and genders bustled about, their attire as diverse as their magical prowess. Some sported gleaming swords, others carried worn leather satchels brimming with mysterious ingredients. Fantastical beasts with shimmering scales and monstrous companions with glowing eyes added to the surreal atmosphere. Each weaver, a unique thread in the vibrant tapestry of the market, exuded an aura that dwarfed David's own, a constant reminder of his meager progress in his magical training.

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He swallowed hard, the knot of unease in his stomach tightening. Here, power was the currency of survival, and he was but a pauper in a land of kings. The weight of his inadequacy pressed upon him, a constant prickle of fear that he couldn't shake. He knew that in this unforgiving place, survival was a constant battle, and he was determined to emerge victorious.

After selling a few items, including that skink, David approached a familiar stall, its modest size dwarfed by the gleaming display of colorful talismans and scrolls that adorned its walls. His gaze was drawn to the 'Little Thunder Scroll' prominently displayed in the center, surrounded by other scrolls like stars orbiting the moon.

"Master Ealdwulf," David greeted warmly, a smile spreading across his face. "Congratulations on crafting a mid-level Aer Weaver scroll!”

Master Ealdwulf, the proprietor, appeared to be in his thirties, tall and fair with a neatly trimmed beard. David usually saw his wife helping out, her tall figure gracefully navigating the stall of scrolls and materials. They seemed to have a simple yet comfortable life built on high-quality products and fair prices. Lately, however, a flicker of worry seemed to cloud their usual cheer.

"Oi, David!" the scroll master's voice boomed through the icy air. "How'd that Ice Scroll fare 'gainst them pesky critters?”

David grinned. "Like a charm, especially with the recent cold snap! But today, I am here for some more of these protective talismans.”

"This 'ere talisman don't offer much shelter, 'bout ten shards apiece," Master Ealdwulf grumbled to himself, his brow furrowed deep as the mountain valleys. "Wonder why the lad keeps buyin' so many..." He raised his voice, addressing the boy. "Want any more Ice Scroll, eh? I'll give ya a good deal, thirty shards for one...”

"Master Ealdwulf, you reduced the price again?" David's eyes widened like a child's on Christmas morning.

"Ach, that's because... we are pregnant again!" Ealdwulf sighed.

David offered a sympathetic smile. Providing for two magic training children, potentially three soon, was a heavy burden.

The question of the ice scroll hung in the air for a moment, then…

"What's the price of that 'Little Thunder Scroll'?" He asked. His question surprised Master Ealdwulf.

Ealdwulf's smile tightened a bit. "Ah, the Little Thunder, eh? A right tricky one to craft, that be. Wasted a fair share o' materials on it. Cost ye one and a half crystals, lad.”

David's jaw dropped. "One and a half? Couldn't you, perhaps...?”

Ealdwulf's initial glare softened as his mind drifted to his crystals-guzzling little beasts at home. "Unless ye be wantin' a few more o' them lesser scrolls...”

David sighed, mirroring Ealdwulf's weary tone. "In that case, throw in a Sunfire Ward scroll too." The price was steep, but the promise of a powerful new tool was hard to resist.

David finally secured the "Little Thunder Scroll," a magical punch packing the full force of a mid-stage Aer Weaver. It cost him his entire market haul, even dipping into his savings. But the hefty Sunfire Ward scroll in his hand brought a flicker of reassurance. Though it could only shield him against a couple of early-stage Aer Weaver’s attacks in the unforgiving Southern Wilderness, its protection held a different weight within the Three Kingdoms.

Leaving Master Ealdwulf's stall lighter in pocket but heavier in magical wares, David found himself drawn deeper into the market's labyrinthine alleys. The tantalizing aroma of potent elixirs wafted from a nearby stall, momentarily arresting his steps. A familiar yearning gnawed at him - the insatiable hunger for power, for the elusive breakthrough to the mid-stage Aer Weaver realm. His gaze lingered on a shimmering vial, its contents promising a surge of mana that could shatter the bottleneck that had held him captive for far too long. The price, however, was a harsh reminder of his meager resources.

If he could only trade between worlds freely...mountains of these would be his! But the risk...mages were too versatile, their detection methods a mystery. A pang of envy twisted in his gut as he reluctantly turned away.

"At least wait until I break through late-stage Aer Weaver, to sell the treasures of the Three Kingdoms here." he revised his goal.

Suddenly, a commotion erupted from the far end of the market, a wave of excited whispers washing over the crowd. "Relics...treasures...techniques..." the words drifted down, igniting a spark of curiosity in David's heart. What could have caused such a frenzy?