Beneath the wide-open city gates, a group of fierce-looking guards scrutinized the passing crowd. Each of them wore a badge on their chest, inscribed with the characters "Kuang Yun." This place was a melting pot of various individuals, with many warriors among them. Overall, its strength far surpassed that of Qing Shi Town.

  Most of the people here were adventurers and mercenaries. Whenever they purchased or sold goods, they had to pay a tax—revenues that naturally ended up in the hands of Kuang Yun City's lord. Although some were displeased by this, none dared voice their complaints in the face of such a colossal force.

  The entire marketplace consisted of only two streets, lined with dozens of buildings of varying heights, yet all were lavishly decorated.

  In the middle of the streets, numerous stalls were set up, each displaying an array of items marked with prices or trade offers. The market stretched endlessly, bustling with dense crowds—an unmistakable testament to its significance for cultivators.

  It was Yang Tian’s first time stepping into such a marketplace. His gaze swept over the surrounding stalls, filled with a dazzling assortment of pills, martial techniques, and refined materials.

  After browsing for a while, he felt a sense of helplessness—his pockets were painfully empty. Just as he was about to leave, his dormant Zu Long Ring suddenly trembled.

  "What’s going on?" Yang Tian’s heart quivered as he glanced at the ring, which had quickly returned to normal.

  Taking a step forward, he felt the ring tremble again.

  "Could something nearby be attracting it?" His pupils contracted slightly as an incredulous thought surfaced in his mind. Immediately, he calmed himself and wandered around. As he approached a certain stall, the tremors of the Zu Long Ring intensified.

  His gaze landed on the stall’s owner—an old man over fifty, slouched lazily in his chair. Yang Tian’s eyes then shifted to the stall’s contents: a collection of beast pelts, beast cores, and… a dragon-shaped jade pendant.

  "Young man, see anything you like? Take your time! Everything here is a rare treasure. These pelts come from high-grade beasts—look at this exquisite texture…"

  "Tsk, tsk… you’re not even at the fifth level of the Blood Refining Realm, yet you claim these pelts are from high-grade beasts?" Yang Tian’s lips twitched at the vendor’s attempt to fleece him.

  He briefly examined the beast pelts but discreetly shifted his focus to the dragon-shaped jade pendant. The pendant was blood-red, its surface dazzling, yet it emitted no trace of energy fluctuations.

  Picking up a red pelt, Yang Tian had barely spoken when the vendor enthusiastically started pitching it.

  "Ah, young man, you have an excellent eye! This pelt is top-tier leather. Just look at its color—it came from a high-grade beast and can be crafted into a defensive treasure…"

  This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

  The old man, as if infused with boundless energy, showered him with endless praise, speaking as though the item was a one-of-a-kind divine relic.

  "How much for this Red Wolf pelt? Judging by its toughness, it should belong to a first-tier, third-rank beast," Yang Tian said with a chuckle.

  "Uh… you have sharp eyes, young man!" The vendor’s thick-skinned demeanor remained unchanged, and he held up four fingers.

  Yang Tian shook his head and picked up the dragon-shaped jade pendant. "I'll give you two bloodstones and take this pendant as well. If that’s not acceptable, I’ll walk away."

  "No way! That pendant is an heirloom of mine—just look at its color and craftsmanship…" The old man hesitated, but seeing Yang Tian ready to leave, he quickly relented. "Fine, fine! We have a deal."

  With the transaction complete, Yang Tian sighed in relief. If the old man had refused, he would’ve had no choice but to take a gamble on an item of unknown worth. After glancing around, he turned toward the Fierce Beast Mountain Range.

  At the city’s only entrance leading to the mountain range, a lively commotion filled the air. Groups of mercenaries prepared to enter the dangerous wilderness, where every extra ally meant an added layer of safety.

  The mountain range teemed with countless low-tier fierce beasts and vast swamps brimming with hidden dangers—venomous insects and lethal ants lurked everywhere. Death could strike at any moment.

  Yet, the promise of untold riches lured people in. The mountains contained endless resources, enough to drive cultivators mad. Whether by hunting fierce beasts or gathering spiritual herbs, only those with formidable strength could carve their path forward. Such was the ruthless nature of the cultivation world.

  This was a land soaked in blood, where the greatest threat was not the beasts—but other humans.

  A young man with a refined appearance strode toward the entrance, drawing the attention of many. Several lone adventurers attempted to recruit him, but he politely declined each offer.

  Amidst the stunned gazes of the crowd, Yang Tian stepped into the Fierce Beast Mountain Range alone.

  "Tsk, tsk… does this kid have a death wish?"

  "Judging by his appearance, he’s barely of age. He’s severely underestimating the danger ahead." A group of mercenaries shook their heads, convinced that Yang Tian would soon fall prey to the beasts.

  Just then, a few shadowy figures discreetly followed after him. The surrounding mercenaries looked on in pity, lamenting his impending fate.

  Within the dense forest, Yang Tian halted his rapid strides and leaped into a thicket, his slender frame vanishing amidst the foliage.

  A mile deep into the mountain range, he perched atop a massive tree, regaining his energy. Once he felt recovered, he flipped his palm, revealing the blood-red jade pendant. Under the sunlight, it radiated an eerie crimson glow.

  "What exactly is this thing?" He examined it closely, sensing a faint yet profound aura within the jade—a presence filled with overwhelming dominance.

  "What kind of monstrous artifact is this?" His heart pounded as he felt an inexplicable resonance from deep within his bloodline.

  His expression grew solemn as he infused a trace of his blood energy into the pendant.

  "Something’s happening…" His eyes lit up as the pendant absorbed the energy, releasing a faint blood-red glow. Encouraged, Yang Tian poured more of his vitality into it.

  As time passed, the pendant’s glow intensified. But just as he was about to stop, he realized his life force was being siphoned uncontrollably.

  "Damn it, stop!" He growled, trying to suppress the energy drain, but the suction force only grew stronger, sending waves of pain through his core.

  "Stay calm… Stay calm!" His mind raced—if the jade continued to absorb his life force, all his painstaking efforts would be wasted.

  "I can only rely on you now!" Clenching his teeth, Yang Tian focused his mind on the Zu Long Ring, sending out a desperate plea.

  As his face turned deathly pale, the jade pendant’s eerie glow flared even brighter.

  Roar!

  Suddenly, the Zu Long Ring reacted. It radiated a domineering aura, forcibly suppressing the chaos within Yang Tian’s body.

  In that instant, the dragon-shaped jade pendant hovered midair, spinning violently as if awakened from an ancient slumber.