Urban All-Round Master

Dongfang Ziyue’s face was still indifferent as ever. She flicked her head, and Lin Zifeng understood, stepping sideways to walk into the cave.

Looking around, Lin Zifeng found that most of the vendors at the entrance were selling only daily necessities. He feared that the items used by cultivators would only be seen deeper inside.

With his hands hanging behind his head, Lin Zifeng walked and gazed around. Before long, his eyes lit up, staring at a shop located dozens of meters to the right.

”Finally found it. I didn’t expect that in the Beiyao Ancient Clan, there’s a shop that can sell hundreds of inscription stones at once.”

Murmuring to himself, Lin Zifeng glanced with the corner of his eye and saw the vintage stones that gleamed with a black hue, packed into three baskets made of woven vines.

”Five hundred and eighty-eight pieces... If I buy them all, just say it’s for arranging cultivation formations.”

Murmuring inwardly, Lin Zifeng moved slowly toward the shop with light steps.

As he got closer, Lin Zifeng didn’t ask immediately but rather scanned the vendor who was calling out to customers.

The vendor was robust, with rough arms and a face covered with a scruffy beard, even his voice was very powerful.

To Lin Zifeng’s slight surprise, this mere vendor selling inscription stones had cultivation nearly at the First Layer of the Sub-Saint Realm!

”Indeed, within the Beiyao Ancient Clan, hidden talent lies. How could the person qualified to sell inscription stones here be a nobody?”

Murmuring to himself, Lin Zifeng’s face displayed his trademark smile, and a hint of friendliness was in his voice: ”Shopkeeper, I wonder, how much are these inscription stones?”

The vendor heard this, then glanced at Lin Zifeng with the corner of his eye, issuing a disdainful snort.

Seeing the man so dismissive of him, Lin Zifeng felt displeased but also somewhat puzzled.

Lowering his head to glance at himself, Lin Zifeng realized where the problem was: though handsome and charismatic, the burlap robe Dongfang Ziyue had prepared for him completely concealed his remarkable presence!

In the Beiyao Ancient Clan, the hierarchy was strict, and Lin Zifeng was wearing the burlap robe symbolizing a slave’s status.

With an embarrassed smile, Lin Zifeng saw the vendor unwilling to pay him attention, so he had no choice but to mention Dongfang Ziyue: ”Shopkeeper, you may not know, I’m here purchasing on behalf of my master, Miss Dongfang.”

Miss Dongfang...

Upon hearing these words, a flash of astonishment crossed the vendor’s face, and he quickly turned his head to reassess Lin Zifeng before him.

Although this guy was wearing a burlap robe, he carried an extraordinary air. Could it be Miss Dongfang selected this guy to be her slave?

It’s known that Miss Dongfang Ziyue’s status is second only to the four Lords. Even though he’s just a vendor with some cultivation, he still wouldn’t dare offend her.

”Oh, so that’s how it is. Please forgive me, young brother. I was a bit negligent earlier.” The vendor retracted his gaze, trusting Lin Zifeng’s identity, with a bit of friendliness added to his robust tone.

With a light laugh, Lin Zifeng hadn’t expected Dongfang Ziyue’s status to be so useful within the Beiyao Ancient Clan.

”It’s alright, these inscription stones here, there should be five hundred and eighty-eight pieces, right? I’ll take them all.” Lin Zifeng said calmly, seemingly unconcerned about issues related to money in the Beiyao Ancient Clan.

”Hiss...” Lin Zifeng remained calm, yet the vendor was shocked and took a deep breath.

These five hundred and eighty-eight inscription stones, even given a year, might not be sold entirely. Yet, this guy in front was casually taking them all. Does he not know how expensive these inscription stones are?

Astonished, the vendor smiled apologetically, showing a hint of difficulty in his expression, stammering: ”Young brother, you see, these inscription stones aren’t like those miscellaneous goods outside. Buying so many at once, does Miss Dongfang know?”

Before Lin Zifeng could speak, the vendor continued: ”And don’t forget, according to the clan rules set by the Green-clothed Venerable, buying anything related to cultivators requires a letter from one of the four Lords, otherwise, even if you have more money, I wouldn’t dare sell them to you.”

The words landed in Lin Zifeng’s ears, making his smile turn slightly playful.

Purchasing items related to cultivation requires a letter from the four Lords. This approach is similar to the famous historical ’Knife Ban’ in the Mortal World.

This clan rule seems simple, but it’s designed to stifle any potentially threatening existence to the rulers within the clan from the cradle.

”This Beiyao Ancient Clan is truly extraordinary, certainly those five Venerables and the mysterious three Venerable Lords are uncommon!”

The light smile on his face didn’t fade, but Lin Zifeng inwardly reflected, realizing he should be more low-key within the Beiyao Ancient Clan in the future.

Lin Zifeng understood the principle that there’s always someone better out there. His Saint Realm strength might be unmatched in the Mortal World, but within the Beiyao Ancient Clan, he’s not considered top-tier.

Lin Zifeng stood there, feeling troubled. Surely, he couldn’t go find Dongka and say: ”Lord Dongka, I plan to leave with Dongfang Ziyue and need to arrange a Transmission Array. Could you write me a letter allowing the purchase of inscription stones?”

Such an approach was clearly infeasible. While Lin Zifeng was contemplating, suddenly his eyes lit up as he recalled the stone plaque Dongfang Ziyue had retrieved from the Book Pavilion yesterday.

That stone plaque was Dongka’s personal token, far more effective than a mere letter.

Seeing Lin Zifeng raise his head, the vendor glanced around before walking up to Lin Zifeng with a mysterious look, whispering by his ear: ”Young brother, don’t blame me for meddling. Do you know why Miss Dongfang wants so many inscription stones? You also know, the clan has always been strict on controlling these things.”

Lin Zifeng’s eyes turned, his smile broadening, devising a plan. Instead of taking Dongka’s personal token, he might as well claim that Dongfang Ziyue was buying the stones for her master. That way, the vendor would definitely not dare disobey in the least.

Clearing his throat, Lin Zifeng mimicked the vendor’s mysterious demeanor: ”To be honest, my master is buying these inscription stones for her master, Lord Dongka.”

Yesterday, Dongfang Ziyue had told Lin Zifeng that her master enjoyed studying formations, so this reason wasn’t too implausible.

Even so, the vendor expressed disbelief and was about to inquire when Lin Zifeng casually waved his hand and said: ”There’s no use saying that, I left in a hurry today and forgot to ask my master to bring Lord Dongka’s letter. If these inscription stones are for Lord Dongka, I’m sure you know what to do, right, shopkeeper?”

Lin Zifeng insinuated leveraging Dongka’s identity to persuade the vendor not to sell them in the time he was gone.

Having mingled in this cave for so long, the vendor was already an old hand at this. He grinned fawningly and said: ”Don’t worry, young brother. I’ll be waiting here for you. I won’t sell those inscription stones until you bring the letter.”