Ascending from the mortal realm to become an immortal begins with taking charge of a grotto-heaven.

Changing his appearance once again, Zhang Li sold off the Qi Condensation Pills he had refined over the past two months in batches, and acquired another pile of spirit stones.

He then went to Jubaolou with ease.

"I'd like to purchase a few suitable high-grade magical artifacts. Do you have any recommendations?" Zhang Li asked bluntly.

Upon hearing this, the female cultivator who came forward had a glint of light in her eyes, and her face immediately filled with a sincere and enthusiastic smile.

She knew in her heart that this was a big order, so she quickly bowed and led the way, saying:

"Fellow Daoist, do you have any requirements regarding the attributes, type, or style of the magical artifact?"

"One high-grade offensive magic weapon, suitable for fire-attribute techniques, and of a common style; and one high-grade defensive magic weapon, as long as it's of high quality, the style doesn't matter. Let's take a look at the defensive magic weapon first," Zhang Li said after thinking for a moment.

Survival equipment must be the top priority, and it must be of the highest quality.

Under the female cultivator's guidance, Zhang Li browsed through the selections and took a liking to a jade pendant that emitted a faint black glow.

The female cultivator introduced, "Fellow Daoist has excellent taste. This magic artifact is called the Ink Cloud Pendant, a top-grade defensive magic artifact. After being infused with magic power, it can form a shield that envelops the entire body. Its defensive effect is definitely top-notch among many defensive magic artifacts."

"Can we give it a try?"

"Of course." The female cultivator took out the ink cloud jade and handed it to him.

Zhang Li took it, inputted some mana to test it, and nodded in satisfaction.

"How many spirit stones?"

"This Ink Cloud Pendant is priced at 850 spirit stones."

The price wasn't too expensive, and Zhang Li nodded in agreement.

Having easily completed a deal, the female cultivator looked at Zhang Li with a newfound eagerness.

But the procurement is not yet finished.

"I need a high-grade magic weapon for attacking enemies. Do you have any recommendations?"

"Fellow Daoist, please come this way." The female cultivator's smile widened as she led Zhang Li to a wooden shelf on the other side, which was specially used to display fire-attribute magical artifacts. The knife, sword, and short blade were neatly arranged on the shelf, all of which emitted a faint red spiritual light.

Zhang Li's gaze swept over the row of wooden shelves, which were filled with high-grade offensive magic weapons that were compatible with fire-attribute techniques. He skipped over the less common styles and quickly began to select one.

Before long, he took a fancy to a crimson longsword that was somewhat similar in design to the Heavenly Sun Sword he had used before and said, "This one will do. Please take it out and let me see it."

The female cultivator looked in the direction he was pointing, and her smile suddenly froze, replaced by a troubled expression.

"Is there a problem with this ritual artifact? Is it not for sale?"

Zhang Li frowned upon seeing the expression on the female cultivator's face.

"Fellow Daoist, you misunderstand." Upon hearing this, the female cultivator quickly waved her hand and said, "There's nothing wrong with this magic artifact; in fact, it can be said to be the best quality among these superior-grade magic artifacts, but..."

"Let me explain to this guest."

Before the female cultivator could finish speaking, a deep male voice came from the second-floor staircase. A middle-aged cultivator in a brocade robe walked down, his gaze falling on the crimson longsword, then looking at Zhang Li and smiling.

Upon seeing the newcomer, the female cultivator immediately bowed and silently stepped aside.

"Greetings, senior."

The newcomer possessed the cultivation level of the Foundation Establishment stage, and Zhang Li clasped his hands in a salute.

"You're a guest, young friend, you're too kind." The middle-aged manager waved his hand and introduced himself, "My name is Qin Song, and I am the manager of Jubaolou."

After saying that, Qin Song raised his hand and took the crimson longsword down from the jade rack. The sword blade was shimmering with a fiery spiritual light, and the surrounding air was filled with a slight heat wave.

Qin Song brushed the crimson spiritual light flowing across the sword and slowly explained, "Young friend, you have excellent taste. This Burning Cloud Sword is the best among all the first-grade high-quality fire-attribute magic weapons in our shop."

He held the longsword out to Zhang Li and continued, "However, this sword was not forged by the weapon refiners in the building. Instead, it was consigned for sale in the building by a friend of the building owner. It also comes with a scroll of sword manual inheritance, which was sealed inside the hilt."

"Therefore, although this Burning Cloud Sword is only ranked as a high-grade magic weapon, it is much more expensive than other high-grade magic weapons because it contains a sword technique inheritance. The price is 1,800 spirit stones."

No one knows the exact rank of the sword technique sealed in the hilt by the owner's friend, which is why the Burning Cloud Sword has remained unpurchased in the building for many years.

1,800 spirit stones!

This price exceeds the price of a top-grade magic weapon; it's already twice the price of a normal high-grade magic weapon.

No wonder no cultivator has bought it after so many years. No one would spend a lot of money to gamble on a sword technique inheritance whose grade and details are unknown.

"Whether you want to buy it or not, you can take a look before making a decision."

Zhang Li took the Burning Cloud Sword and ran his hand along the crimson blade. As his fingers traced the restrictive patterns on the hilt, a very strange feeling suddenly arose in his heart.

It was as if the legacy sealed within the sword hilt belonged to him and was perfectly suited to him.

This feeling was fleeting, yet it gave him a slight jolt.

"This item is destined for me!"

Zhang Li remained expressionless, respectfully handing back the Burning Cloud Sword, and said, "This sword is indeed a masterpiece among high-grade magic weapons, but..."

He paused briefly, his gaze falling on the sword hilt. "The price of 1,800 is indeed too high. If the sword technique sealed in the hilt is unsuitable or of low quality, then it would be a huge loss. I wonder if Manager Qin could make a slight concession on the price? I can pay 1,500 spirit stones immediately."

"Young friend, you are indeed honest, but my Jubao Pavilion is merely a consignment seller of the Burning Cloud Sword. The price is entirely determined by the consignor, and no one except the Pavilion Master can lower the price on their own," Qin Song said, shaking his head.

Then he changed the subject, saying, "I noticed you just bought a high-grade defensive magic weapon in the building. If you're willing to buy the Burning Cloud Sword, I can arrange to sell you the other magic weapon at a 20% discount. What do you say?"

Although the strange feeling came and went quickly, Zhang Li knew he hadn't misjudged it. He had intended to test Qin Song's knowledge of the sword's inheritance by trying to negotiate, but Qin Song didn't take the bait.

"Fine, I'll have to buy the Burning Cloud Sword eventually anyway. Even with the 20% discount, I'll still save a few dozen spirit stones. I'll agree to this condition."

Having made up his mind, Zhang Li nodded and said, "Alright, I'll do as Steward Qin says and take both magical artifacts."

After saying this, Zhang Li took out enough spirit stones, put them into a storage bag, and handed it to Qin Song.

Having obtained the two magical artifacts, he did not linger in the Treasure Pavilion and quickly left.

Zhang Li originally wanted to buy a high-grade flying magic weapon at the Treasure Pavilion, but unfortunately, after purchasing the Burning Cloud Sword, he didn't have enough spirit stones left in his storage bag, so he had to postpone it for a while.

After leaving Jubao Tower, he continued to stroll around the market for a while before entering a shop that sold spiritual materials.

Although the core of the greenwood is a first-grade high-quality spiritual material, it is not cheap. Zhang Li bought some to test its effects and see the specific amount consumed before deciding whether to grow it himself.

After purchasing the Green Wood Core, he walked straight out of the market and boarded the Black Shadow Boat, heading at full speed towards the Qingxuan Sect.