I became the Lord of the Eternal World in Tokyo.

It only takes a little time.

Thinking it over, Uesugi Tetsu asked, "Mr. Katsumi, may I touch and examine the materials?"

Sheng Hai bowed and nodded: "Please do as you wish, sir, as long as you do not damage it."

So Uesugi Tetsu wrapped a thin layer of protective energy around his hands to prevent his fingers from directly touching these precious materials.

Since Sheng Hai is so generous, he should naturally act with the courtesy due to a customer.

So...which one should I buy?

Uesugi Tetsu thought to himself—he already had the metal attribute, and soon he would be able to obtain a water attribute defining object in the present world.

Therefore, these two attributes can be ruled out.

After careful selection, only three items remained on the wooden counter set up by Katsumi, which was specially taken out of the shelf by Uesugi Tetsuya and placed next to it.

One each of the Earth, Wood, and Fire elements.

A handful of soft soil exuding a chilling aura that sent shivers down Uesugi Tetsuya's spine; a withered branch brimming with astonishing vitality; and a long, jet-black feather that slightly distorted the surrounding air.

They are [Earth - Hirasaka's Resurrection Soil], [Wood - Yaobikuni's Tea Branch], and [Fire - Ubume Feather].

Among them, the Soul Return Soil, also known as "Nether Soil", is of [Epic] quality and costs 3600 Soul Ash.

The other two materials are both of [Epic+] quality. The tea branch costs 4800 Soul Ash, while the feather costs as much as 6000!

The latter is also priced at the top of the entire Epic+ quality range.

Uesugi Tetsu naturally wanted to buy all three items and then complete the five-element cycle of Qi Sea in one go.

However, both the insufficient reserves of soul ash and the feedback from the empty Qi Sea within his body clearly indicate that he can only purchase one of the three at present.

The former is because whether it's drawing cards later, opening the third Fishing Master event, or ensuring a sufficient supply of Soul Ash, it's necessary to reserve a relatively sufficient amount of Soul Ash.

The latter is that the current empty Qi Sea doesn't seem to have fully adapted to the definition of the Ten-Fist Sword fragments. It's estimated that even allowing the second defining object to enter the Qi Sea will take several days.

Not to mention the third one.

Things should always be prioritized according to their importance and urgency.

Some soul ash can play a greater role at the right time.

"Then, let's buy this one."

Without much hesitation, Uesugi Tetsuya grasped the long, dark, and fiery feather among the three rare materials.

Because of its panel—

The feathers of the Guhuoniao

【Quality: Epic+】

[—One of the three feathers on the neck of the Guhuoniao, containing the power of life, destruction, and curse, it is extremely rare. Legend says it can only be completely removed when the Guhuoniao is on the verge of life and death.]

As for the other two items, they were not explicitly described as rare or unusual in the description.

Since that's the case, there's no need to hesitate any longer.

Moreover, these feathers come from the Guhuoniao, which is also a demon, so they might have a stronger compatibility with the current or future incarnation cards.

"Is the lord certain?"

Sheng Hai's gaze held a hint of surprise.

"determine."

Uesugi Tetsu nodded, and immediately conjured 6000 points of Soul Ash, pouring them into a special gray jar that Katsumi had prepared earlier.

Snapped.

The jar, now filled with soul ash, automatically closed, signifying the completion of the transaction.

Seeing Uesugi Tetsu's decisive demeanor, Katsumi couldn't help but laugh heartily, drawing out his words: "As expected of a worldly-wise sage, you truly have excellent judgment."

【Soul Ash: 4922】

Uesugi Tetsuya stared at the soul ash that had been reduced by more than half in an instant, feeling as if his heart was bleeding.

Meat hurts.

But it's all worth it.

Sheng Hai's voice rose and fell, tinged with emotion: "This Guhuoniao feather is a treasure I have kept for two hundred and nineteen years. It was only because Lord Xingxing requested it that I put it on the shelf."

The gold ingot on his God of Wealth hat jingled and made a crisp sound: "I didn't expect to be chosen by the master at first glance."

"—My feathers have fallen into the hands of a esteemed Worldly Walker. I imagine my old friend would be smiling in his grave if he knew this."

With his hands practically scalded, Uesugi Tetsuya first put the feather back into his backpack, then bowed slightly.

"Thank you very much, Mr. Shenghai."

"Not at all!" Katsumi waved his fan, his gaze sweeping over Uesugi Tetsuya's empty waist.

A hint of regret crept into his voice: "Everything is predestined."

After a pause, just as Katsumi was about to ask if there were any other needs, he heard Uesugi Tetsu's questioning voice.

"Mr. Shenghai, I wonder how much you know about that factory in the distance?"

He asked directly, "If I want the [Factory Core], can I get it from that factory?"

Sheng Hai was taken aback for a moment, which was rare for him.

He glanced back at the rumbling factory, his tone lowering slightly: "Sir, are we going to provoke those factory owners?"

"Not really..."

Uesugi Tetsu thought for a moment, and an idea suddenly popped into his mind.

He said quietly, "It's just a task for the gathering."

—The walking gatherings must have been quite famous hundreds or even thousands of years ago, after all, they were a gathering place for so many people.

—The gathering has been closed for a long time, and there is very little walking on the earth.

Sheng Hai must know about these two pieces of news.

But who was managing the walking rally? Sheng Hai, who personally experienced the era before and after the walking rally, could not possibly be completely unaware.

Uesugi Tetsu's words were tantamount to sending a message to Katsumi.

—I have someone backing me up.

So, you don't need to be afraid.

Sure enough, the next moment, Sheng Hai, who was waving his fan, froze.

Even he took several seconds to process this most important news in recent times.

As for whether this news is true or false, that's not so important...

Even if it's fake, you have to treat it as real.

Sheng Hai immediately said solemnly, "My lord, please convey my greetings to that person."

Uesugi Tetsu nodded slowly: "Yes."

Once he finished speaking, Shenghai started talking non-stop.

"The factory not far away is an outpost built by the factory owners to prepare for the 'second wave' that will come soon. It is a factory that belongs to the [logistics sequence]."

Uesugi Tetsu seized on the key point: "Logistics sequence?"

“Yes,” Sheng Hai explained, “In other words, it is a specialized modular factory specifically designed to produce war resources to ensure the supply of troops at the front lines.”

Sheng Hai put away his fan and concluded, "As a newly built and important factory, it will naturally possess a new type of power source called the [Factory Core]."

"—And logistics factories in remote locations like this are certainly not equipped with very strong defenses."

He shrugged: "At least, it's nothing for a walking adult."

After listening to Katsumi's detailed explanation, Uesugi Tetsu's gaze toward the factory had changed completely.

Not only do we now have the key to unlock that epic-quality map...

More importantly, he learned some of the plans of the Changshi Factory owners from Shenghai.

After pondering for a moment, Sheng Hai waved his hand and summoned a map of the present world.

He pointed upwards,

"Soon, a factory owner plans to test the waters by landing an army here, and you, sir, can take advantage of the opportunity..."

Sheng Hai didn't finish his sentence.

At this moment, Uesugi Tetsu's expression beneath the mask had become serious.

Because the place Katsumi was referring to was... Shizuoka Prefecture!

In the news a couple of days ago, Nanjo said that the place she was being told to go was over there.

It seems this trip to Shizuoka Prefecture will definitely not be simple.

However, this suited him perfectly!

If there aren't many demons, where will the ashes of souls come from?

He nodded calmly: "I understand."

"Besides, there's Boss Shenghai."

Uesugi Tetsu conjured 500 points of soul ash and handed them to Katsumi without further ado, then asked, "Do you have a way to resolve the ghost stories caused by the corruption of thought by willpower?"

"That is... a rather unusual problem."

Sheng Hai accepted the soul ashes.

"Wish power is not a good thing. I usually avoid it and have hardly ever seen it."

He pondered for a moment, then tapped his palm with his fan: "How about this, I'll go and ask again."

"My lord, how about we meet again in two weeks?"

Uesugi Tetsu knew that Katsumi was preparing to use his connections to get an answer for him.

"Thank you for your trouble." He bowed slightly.

The man waving the ukiyo-e folding fan shook his head and smiled, "I also look forward to the next transaction with you, sir."

A gentle breeze blew by, and Sheng Hai and all the merchandise shelves vanished without a trace.

Uesugi Tetsu stood still and glanced at the storage backpack, which was now quite empty.

This time, we've had a very fruitful harvest.

He looked up and focused his gaze on the factory in the distance.

—Next time, let's just tear this factory down.

……

The water pressure is calm and stable.

As noon approached, the sunlight shone down on Uesugi Tetsuya without reservation.

He yawned and suddenly realized that his spiritual energy had increased a little after he had slept.

strangeness.

Even though I didn't use the Spirit Control Technique, the fact that my proficiency level hasn't changed at all is the best proof of that.

Ignoring this trivial matter, Uesugi Tetsu turned his head and found that Kaga Kiyomitsu was not in the room.

"It seems that Jia and Lilizi get along quite well."

After a quick wash, Uesugi Tetsu pushed open the door and walked into the living room, where he saw someone leaning against the wall, meditating and practicing...

Ok?

Uesugi Tetsu blinked and saw that Kaga Kiyomitsu, sword and sheath still attached, was being held motionless in Ririko's arms.

As for the person who was holding Xiao Jia, he has now actually fallen asleep leaning against her like this.

The girl was tilting her head, and glistening drool was almost dripping down her cheeks.

That's really rare.