Chapter 230: 230. Chapter 227: Extreme Spirit Ice Core

230. Chapter 227: Extreme Spirit Ice Core

Dawn.

In Li Xuan's study.

Li Xuan, Huang Shang, Bai He and Yang Wudi sat together, their gazes heavy as they stared at the map on the table, discussing the upcoming plan.

"Clan Leader Bai, if you join the caravan and head straight to Ladi Canyon you'll be far too conspicuous, and you must not underestimate those from the Spirit Hall. Therefore I hope you can first go with Clan Leader Yang to the Po Clan's base, linger there for a while, then head to the border at breakneck speed. That way you can evade the Spirit Hall people." Huang Shang furrowed his brows, thought for a moment, then said to Bai He.

"Feasible." Li Xuan lifted his head, glanced at Bai He and Yang Wudi's expressions, then nodded.

Bai He and Yang Wudi exchanged a look and also nodded.

Huang Shang's plan was far safer than the previous one, and he had considered many more factors; if no better plan emerged, they would ultimately follow this one.

"The caravan will rendezvous with your families near the border; after the rendezvous, we will enter the Star Luo Empire directly. Within the Star Luo Empire, the Spirit Hall's control is relatively weaker. Then I will leverage some contacts, which should allow you and your families to reach the young master's domain unnoticed." Huang Shang continued.

"Not bad, not bad. I didn't expect Young Master Ande's subordinates to have such capable people. With this arrangement, we can be much safer as well." Bai He nodded, said in agreement.

"Then we'll execute this brother's plan." Yang Wudi also nodded.

"Next, we need to study the perspective issue, determine each of your exact travel speeds, and then formulate the detailed plan." Huang Shang said seriously to Bai He and Yang Wudi.

Then Huang Shang, Bai He and Yang Wudi finalized some detailed timing information, while Li Xuan filled in the gaps and offered suggestions.

Huang Shang truly lived up to being a professional merchant; his mind is indeed agile, and the plan he devised is relatively safe.

They studied from dawn until sunrise, and only then did the four of them finalize the plan.

"Since the plan is set, you two may return to rest; from now on just follow the plan." Huang Shang stood and said seriously to Bai He and Yang Wudi.

"Haha, if that's the case, the two of us will take our leave as well—see you at the Tian Dou border!" Bai He and Yang Wudi faced Li Xuan and Huang Shang, clasped fists, and turned to leave the courtyard the caravan had purchased.

Bai He and Yang Wudi are both strong Soul Douluo cultivators; while the sunlight had not yet fully poured down, they slipped away unnoticed.

"Well done, Huang Shang." Li Xuan watched Bai He and the other leave, gave Huang Shang a thumbs‑up, and praised.

"Young master, this is just a habit from years of trade. After a night's vigil, I will take my leave; I need to catch up on sleep. The caravan will stay in De La City for two more days to purchase some of its specialty goods." Huang Shang showed Li Xuan a goofy smile.

"Hurry back to rest; we'll be on the road in two days, and we can't afford poor rest." Li Xuan said kindly to Huang Shang.

"Thank you, young master, I'll go back now." Huang Shang smiled, nodded, then bowed to Li Xuan and turned to leave.

After watching Huang Shang leave, Li Xuan returned to his own room to rest.

The upcoming itinerary passes through the more prosperous cities of the Tian Dou Empire, so during this period Li Xuan will not make many public appearances.

After all, the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect wields great influence in the Tian Dou Empire, so Li Xuan is better off staying out of its spotlight.

……

In the next two days, Huang Shang led his subordinates to mass‑purchase various furs in De La City.

The Extreme North is famed for its furs, and as a transit hub between the Tian Dou Empire and the Extreme North, De La City's furs are cheap, with surprisingly good quality.

Thus these pelts can be used by the domain or resold.

Huang Shang's caravan stayed in De La City for two days; all needed supplies have been bought, the items to be sold have been sold, and today is the day the caravan departs again.

As for the Min Clan members, Huang Shang has already placed them in spots where the caravan rarely appears, so there's little worry of them being discovered.

Li Xuan and Bang Chui entered the carriage and will no longer make easy appearances.

Before departure, Huang Shang carefully inspected the caravan, then gave a shout, and the whole caravan set off.

Under Huang Shang's lead, the caravan slowly left De La City, heading toward Tian Dou City. Along the way, Huang Shang will purchase large quantities of goods in the Tian Dou Empire—some for Ladi Canyon, others to be sold in the Star Luo Empire.

Meanwhile, Yang Wudi and Bai He continue drinking in Wusi City; since the caravan will pause intermittently and linger on the road, they need to set off later so they can meet the caravan precisely.

Of course, the timing was determined only after Huang Shang's careful consideration.

In the days ahead, Huang Shang leads the caravan to continuously purchase all sorts of supplies along the way, while Li Xuan transfers these goods into the Small Cave Heaven.

The volume of purchased supplies became so great the convoy could no longer carry them.

After fifteen full days, Huang Shang's caravans finally reached Tian Dou City; to ensure comfortable lodging, Huang Shang even rented a courtyard as a temporary camp.

Huang Shang led the caravan and parked the wagons in the courtyard.

After dispatching everyone and confirming no one else was nearby, Huang Shang approached Li Xuan's carriage.

"Young master, we've arrived at the temporary base in Tian Dou City; you and the young master may alight and rest well." Huang Shang asked Li Xuan.

"Mm." Li Xuan nodded, then jumped out of the carriage with Bang Chui.

"Huang Shang, Tian Dou City is a bit dangerous for me, so procure the supplies quickly and set out promptly." Li Xuan stood before Huang Shang and earnestly reminded him.

"Yes, young master! I understand. Right this way; I've arranged two of the finest bedrooms for you to rest." Huang Shang nodded, then led Li Xuan and Bang Chui to the rear‑yard bedrooms.

Li Xuan and Bang Chui returned to the room to rest; in the days ahead, their statuses were not suitable for appearing before the public.

……

At midnight, Li Xuan was sitting on the bed reading an ancient text when he suddenly heard a knock at the door.

Bang, bang, bang

Hearing the knock, Li Xuan immediately closed the book and glanced outside.

"Who is it?" Li Xuan slowly opened his eyes, furrowed his brows, and asked at the door.

"Young master, it's me. I've recently received some news and would like to report it to you; may I come in?" Huang Shang's voice came from outside.

"Come in." Li Xuan sat up from the bed and asked Huang Shang outside. Then Huang Shang pushed the door open and entered.

"Young master, I just received word that the Tian Dou Royal Auction will hold its annual auction tomorrow, and the auction catalogue is already out. Do you have any interest in attending?" Huang Shang respectfully handed a booklet to Li Xuan.

"The Tian Dou Royal Auction? The annual auction?" Li Xuan was taken aback by the familiar name, showing an intrigued expression.

"Four years ago, it was also the Tian Dou Royal Auction, also the annual auction."

"Li Xuan met Ning Fengzhi, then used the Great Teleportation Talisman to flee to the City of Slaughter, and never returned to Tian Dou City!"

Li Xuan let out a soft sigh, then took the auction catalogue from Huang Shang's hand and examined it carefully.

It was a picture book; the booklet was small but looked luxurious.

As Li Xuan opened the first page, he froze, staring intently at the items in the picture book.

He lifted the illustrated book and examined the object carefully.

Gradually, Li Xuan showed a smile full of surprise.

"What a drowsy pillow, the Extreme Spirit Ice Core! Great, it's actually the Extreme Spirit Ice Core!" Li Xuan exclaimed to himself excitedly.

But when Li Xuan looked up, he saw a strange expression on Huang Shang's face.

"Huh? What's that expression?" Li Xuan blinked, puzzled, and asked Huang Shang.

"Young master, are you interested in this… this woman's intimate clothing?" Huang Shang asked Li Xuan softly, hesitating.

"Hm?" Li Xuan was momentarily stunned, then recovered and examined the item in the book closely.

It resembled an inverted jade bowl, paired in twos, with gemstone pendants linked by silk threads, utterly crystal clear.

In the lower right corner of the book were a few small characters marking the item simply.

"For exclusive use by the ancient imperial concubines."

Seeing those words, Li Xuan instantly realized what the object was.

In an instant, Li Xuan's complexion reddened at a visible speed.

What did I just do?!

He was staring intently at this thing.

In fact, Li Xuan was after the pale‑blue, crystal‑clear gem set in the center of the object.

It is a Seed of an Immortal Grade spirit plant.

A Seed of the Extreme Spirit Ice Core, an Immortal Grade spirit plant.

It is an extremely rare and special Immortal Grade spirit plant.

The maker likely treated the item as a mere gemstone for decoration, but Li Xuan, being a top‑tier medicinal farmer, recognized it at a glance.

More importantly, it is a fire‑attribute Immortal Grade spirit‑plant Seed.

That is why Li Xuan is so excited! He has been at Level 38 for a while now; lacking a suitable Fourth Soul Ring, he hasn't devoted much time to cultivation lately, since without a Soul Ring to absorb, reaching Level 40 offers little benefit.

He could absorb this Extreme Spirit Ice Core to become his Fourth Soul Ring.

"Huang Shang, listen to my explanation. I want the Seed in the middle of this thing! The Seed! It's crucial for me! It's the key to breaking through to Level 40," Li Xuan hurriedly explained to Huang Shang.

If he can't explain it well, his reputation will be ruined! "Oh? ~ Oh!" Hearing Li Xuan's words, Huang Shang was stunned, took the book from Li Xuan's hand, and examined it carefully.

"It's clearly an ice‑blue gem; how could it be a Seed?" Yet this is his direct superior, so if he says it's a Seed, it must be a Seed.

It's not, either!

"Hm, young master, it indeed is a Seed!" Huang Shang, reluctantly, nodded seriously at Li Xuan.

Seeing Huang Shang's demeanor, Li Xuan realized that no matter what he said, Huang Shang would not believe him.

"Fine, few know this item. I won't go to the Tian Dou Royal Auction this time, but Huang Shang, I'll give you one million Soul Coins; you must acquire this for me. It concerns my Fourth Soul Ring, it's vital," Li Xuan said seriously to Huang Shang.

Ning Fengzhi will definitely attend this auction; Li Xuan prefers to avoid any chance of meeting him, so he will not attend and will have Huang Shang bid on his behalf.

After hearing Li Xuan, Huang Shang also nodded earnestly; he knows Li Xuan bears a grudge against the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect.

Then Li Xuan continued to examine other items in the book, but aside from this one, the rest held little value, so he closed the book and returned it to Huang Shang.

"Here, this is one million Soul Coins; you must help me acquire that item," Li Xuan handed a Soul Guide Device to Huang Shang.

"Yes, young master. This trip to the Tian Dou Empire, besides escorting you, requires procuring large supplies. Master Si Long wants me to purchase a batch of Tian Dou‑exclusive ores, so I brought plenty of Soul Coins. Apart from the caravan's two million basic funds, there's an additional one million territorial funds—enough. You need not give me money," Huang Shang smiled at Li Xuan, refusing the Soul Guide Device.

"Take it. Go out once, try to procure more supplies; this money is of little use to me here," Li Xuan nodded at Huang Shang and then tossed the Soul Guide Device to him.

"Very well, young master." Huang Shang hesitated briefly, then nodded and took the Soul Guide Device Li Xuan tossed.

Because of Li Xuan's Small Cave Heaven, the procurement exceeded the plan by far; after all, the space inside the Small Cave Heaven is enormous.

Thus they could buy even more, and Huang Shang knew that traveling to the Tian Dou Empire was not easy, so any extra purchase helped.

"Huang Shang, from now on I'll hide within the caravan and won't appear again. The caravan's affairs are yours, and after the auction ends, deliver that item to me immediately," Li Xuan said after a moment's thought.

The Tian Dou Empire is still territory of the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect, and the Sect is likely still hunting Li Xuan, so he should conceal his movements to avoid direct conflict.

After all, Li Xuan does not wish to face those two Title Douluo again.

(End of chapter)