I am in Yellow Maple Valley, and I have a demonic beast clone!

Chapter Ten: Purchasing a Top-Tier Magical Artifact! Heavenly Thunder Child!

The next day, dawn was breaking.

Zhou Ding once again set off for Huangfeng Valley Market.

Judging by the timeline, there are probably only about six months left until the "Crimson Forbidden Land" opens.

He doesn't have much time left to prepare.

When cultivators in the Qi Refining stage engage in combat, they value the advantages of magical artifacts and talismans most.

Now his magical power is pure, his divine sense is strong, his physical body is tough, and his foundation is already quite strong.

However, in terms of external resources, apart from the newly acquired Golden Light Blade, which is a powerful top-tier offensive magic weapon, and the intermediate-level "Prison Wood Talisman," there are no other powerful means that can be relied upon in the treacherous forbidden area.

Especially in terms of defense, relying on just one high-level defensive magic weapon is clearly not enough in a life-or-death battle.

Zhou Ding's purpose in coming to the market was very clear.

Purchase a top-tier defensive artifact to significantly improve survivability.

If you have the resources, you should also not miss out on other treasures that can enhance your strength.

He remembered clearly that in the original story, before entering the Crimson Forbidden Land, Han Li spared no expense to purchase several top-tier magic artifacts, a talisman, and the terrifyingly powerful "Heavenly Thunder Seed" at the largest shop in this market, "Wanbaolou".

These items later proved invaluable in the forbidden area, helping him escape danger and turn peril into safety.

The fact that Wanbaolou could produce these items demonstrates its profound cultural heritage.

Zhou Ding hoped that he could also gain something from this experience.

Stepping once again into the grand and bright main hall of Wanbaolou, Zhou Ding had already changed into a black cloak that concealed his appearance.

He kept his aura under control and walked with ease. Immediately, a middle-aged cultivator who looked like he was in charge came up to him with a professional and enthusiastic smile on his face.

"Fellow Daoist, welcome to Wanbaolou. What would you like to see? Our shop has a complete range of magical artifacts, elixirs, talismans, and spiritual materials, all of superior quality. We are sure to find something to your liking."

Zhou Ding didn't mince words. His voice, coming through his cloak, was slightly deep: "I've heard that your establishment often has rare and exquisite items coming out. I've come here today to see the real gems. There's no need to waste time on ordinary goods."

Upon hearing this, the manager's eyes flashed with a sharp light, and his smile became even more enthusiastic: "Fellow Daoist is indeed a person of discernment! Please follow me to the private room on the second floor. Transactions involving rare items require the personal attention of our shopkeeper."

Zhou Ding nodded slightly and followed the steward up to the second floor, entering a quieter, more elegant room with well-maintained security.

Before long, a middle-aged manager, dressed in a brocade robe, with fair skin, a long beard, and shrewd, bright eyes, entered the room. He cupped his hands and smiled, saying, "Honorable guest, I am sorry for not welcoming you sooner. I am the manager of this establishment. May I ask what kind of rare items you require? Attack, defense, support, or perhaps a special treasure?"

Zhou Ding was straightforward: "Top-tier defensive magic artifacts are the priority. In addition, if there are other powerful treasures that can turn the tide at crucial moments, we can also take a look."

Manager Wan stroked his beard and smiled: "Fellow Daoist, you've come at the right time. Recently, the restaurant has received a few rare treasures that ordinary customers don't get to see."

After saying this, he clapped his hands, and immediately four servants in blue robes, each carrying a sandalwood box about a foot long, filed in and placed the boxes in a row on the jade table in front of Zhou Ding.

Manager Wan opened the first wooden box. Inside, red brocade was laid out, and on it lay a set of gleaming throwing blades.

In the center stands a simple, ancient-looking mother blade, about a foot long, surrounded by eight smaller, similarly shaped sub-blades. All the blades gleam with a faint golden halo, exuding a sharp and menacing aura.

"This is a set of 'Golden Cicada Mother-Child Blades'."

Manager Wan explained, "Made primarily of century-old refined iron mixed with a small amount of refined gold, this weapon was meticulously forged over three days and three nights by one of our late-stage Foundation Establishment level weapon-refining masters. The main blade is the primary weapon, with eight secondary blades as secondary weapons. In combat, one only needs to control the main blade to simultaneously wield all eight secondary blades from different angles, making it impossible to defend against. It is incomparably sharp and is a top-tier offensive magic weapon, priced at five hundred spirit stones."

Zhou Ding glanced at it and realized that this set of flying blades was indeed extraordinary, with a variety of combinations and attacks.

However, he already possessed the Golden Light Blade, a top-tier attack weapon of the metal element. Although it was not as agile and versatile as this set of mother and child blades, it had the advantage of concentrated power per unit and was easier to control.

More importantly, he has limited financial resources and must use his spirit stones on the most critical areas; his offensive methods are sufficient for the time being.

He shook his head slightly, indicating to look at the next item.

Manager Wan understood and opened the second wooden box.

Inside was a neatly folded, dark black inner armor that felt cool and soft to the touch.

The scales are as fine as fish scales, yet as thin as silk, gleaming with a dark and restrained luster.

Zhou Ding reached out and touched it, finding it exceptionally tough and highly elastic.

"This armor is called the 'Ink Scale Armor'."

Shopkeeper Wan's eyes gleamed with pride: "Using the toughest and softest reverse scale from the neck of the level-two demon beast 'Black Water Python' as the main material, weaving it with rare 'Ink Crystal Silk' using a secret technique. Worn as an inner garment and an outer robe, it doesn't appear bulky at all. Its defensive power is no less than that of heavy armor, and it can effectively neutralize blunt force impacts and sharp weapon penetration. The armor itself carries a trace of the Black Water Python's moist spiritual energy, and it also has good resistance to damage from fire poison, cold, and other exotic energies. This is a top-grade, exquisite defensive magic weapon, priced at six hundred spirit stones."

Zhou Ding's heart stirred.

The close-fitting inner armor does not hinder movement, provides comprehensive defense, and can resist special damage. This is exactly what he needs most to save his life!

He remained expressionless, simply nodding and turning his gaze to the third wooden box.

Manager Wan carefully opened the third wooden box.

The box was lined with soft blue silk, and in the center was a single bead, about the size of a longan, perfectly round, deep blue in color, with fine silver electric patterns running across its surface.

The bead lay there quietly, yet it exuded a chilling, violent aura that seemed capable of destroying everything, causing the surrounding air to subtly distort.

"This item is called 'Heavenly Thunder Seed'."

Shopkeeper Wan's voice unconsciously lowered, carrying a hint of solemnity: "Legend has it that this item was created by a high-level cultivator in the Core Formation stage, who used great magic to intercept the naturally generated lightning power between heaven and earth, and repeatedly condensed and compressed it using secret methods. Although this item is a one-time consumable, the destructive lightning power it contains is extremely terrifying. According to the seniors in this building, even a Foundation Establishment stage cultivator, without special protective treasures or timely escape, would hardly escape being reduced to ashes if struck head-on by this lightning. This building also has limited stock, and this one is priced at... 1,200 low-grade spirit stones."

Zhou Ding's pupils contracted slightly.

Thunder God!

One of Han Li's trump cards in the original work, which allowed him to turn the tide!

Its power is not an exaggeration. In battles between Qi Refining stage cultivators and even early Foundation Establishment stage cultivators, it is a deadly weapon that can almost ignore the difference in cultivation level!

If one can obtain this item, their chances of survival in the Crimson Forbidden Land will greatly increase!

He suppressed his desire, nodded, and gestured to look at the last item.