章 144: Old man Zhang Li's Den; Negotiating with a Master Collector. Facing the Celestial, Emperor Cloudcrest's Divine Decree.

Deep in the Spirit Beast Market, there stood a renowned store known for fair prices and top-quality products. Folks wouldn't dare show up empty-handed here; it'd be an insult to the folks running the show. Only the most skilled cultivators ventured here, and even then, only occasionally. The store's owner, Zhang Li, lounged in his chair, sipping herbal tea with the air of an elderly sage. His apprentice, Ren Yun, swept the floor with a bamboo broomstick.

"Master Zhang, it looks like business is booming lately," Ren Yun remarked, pausing in his sweeping.

Zhang Li nodded, chuckling softly. "Indeed, with the auction coming up in a month, I'm bound to sell out."

Ren Yun chuckled along. "Glad to hear it, sir!"

Zhang Li reclined in his chair. "Me too, my boy."

Then, Yang Wei entered the store.