112: Chapter 112 Investigating the Purchase of Maps at Wanbaoge, Sensing the Undercurrents of the Demonic Tide

Stepping through the doors of Wanbao Pavilion, a unique scent mixed with various spiritual materials, Medicinal Pills, and Magical Artifacts rushed to meet him.

The space inside the shop was spacious and bright, with soft lighting. On rows of neat mahogany shelves, a dazzling array of goods was displayed, ranging from the lowest-tier Spiritual Plants and Ores to extraordinary Magical Artifacts and Talismans; everything was available.

Several shop assistants wearing uniform cyan long robes were busy behind the counter, either introducing goods to customers or calculating accounts.

Ye Qing's gaze swept across the shop, finally landing on a seemingly clever Foundation Establishment Early Stage assistant who was holding a feather duster and cleaning dust off the shelves.

"Fellow Daoist, what can I help you with? Our shop has a complete variety of spiritual materials, Magical Artifacts, Medicinal Pills, and Talismans, all at fair prices. We guarantee you will be satisfied!" Seeing a customer arrive, the assistant hurriedly put down the feather duster, put on a professional smile, and came up to greet him.

Ye Qing nodded slightly: "I need a map of the 'Great Wilderness Region' and its surrounding areas, as detailed as possible. Additionally, I would like to inquire about some information."

Hearing this, the assistant's smile widened: "As for maps, our shop has several types with different specifications and levels of detail, and the prices vary accordingly. I wonder which kind Fellow Daoist needs? As for information... what aspect would Fellow Daoist like to inquire about? Our shop is well-informed; as long as it is not too secretive, we can usually provide some answers."

"The map should be the most detailed one, and the wider the coverage, the better. As for the information..." Ye Qing paused, then asked seemingly casually, "I have been in seclusion for many years and have just come out to travel. I heard that recently, there seems to be some movement from the 'Heavenly Demon Imperial Court'? And what about the 'Sunset Plains', has it been peaceful lately?"

Upon hearing the words "Heavenly Demon Imperial Court", the assistant's smile stiffened slightly, and he subconsciously lowered his voice: "Fellow Daoist, you have just come out of seclusion, so you might not know. The last six months have indeed not been peaceful. Over at the 'Heavenly Demon Imperial Court', it is said that a new 'Patrol Envoy' has taken office. They are ruthless and ambitious, constantly provoking at the border and testing our Human Race's defensive lines. Over at the 'Sunset Plains', several monster-hunting teams have already encountered ambushes by elite Yao Race forces and suffered heavy losses. There are even rumors that the Yao Race is secretly assembling a large army in the direction of 'Black Wind City', seemingly intending to launch a large-scale attack on the several cities occupied by our Human Race."

The assistant lowered his voice even further as he said this: "The City Lord's Mansion has already strengthened its guard and begun recruiting Loose Cultivators, issuing city defense missions. It is said that even the Nascent Soul Old Ancestor who oversees this city has personally spoken, telling all shops to stockpile supplies and prepare for a long-term defense. In short, a storm is coming! If Fellow Daoist intends to go deep into the wilderness to hunt monsters or search for treasures, it is best to wait and observe for a while longer, and wait until the situation becomes clearer."

Ye Qing listened quietly, and in his heart, he had a clearer understanding of the situation in Zhenbei City and its surrounding areas.

It seems that this war between the Human Race and the Yao Race is not just groundless rumors, but a real event, and it has already reached the point of being on the verge of breaking out.

"Thank you for informing me." He nodded and said to the assistant, "Get me the most detailed map."

"Alright! Please wait a moment, Fellow Daoist!" The assistant hurriedly replied, trotted behind the counter, and took out a palm-sized, yellowish animal hide scroll from a jade box sealed with a strip of paper. He held it with both hands and carefully handed it to Ye Qing.

"Fellow Daoist, this is our shop's treasured 'Detailed Map of the Great Wilderness Region and the Surrounding Ten Thousand Li Territory'. It was drawn a hundred years ago by a Nascent Soul Senior who traveled the world. It marks the main mountain ranges, rivers, cities, dangerous areas, and the distribution range of some Yao Race tribes; it is extremely detailed. The price is three hundred Mid-Grade Spirit Stones."

Three hundred Mid-Grade Spirit Stones, when converted to Low-Grade Spirit Stones, would be thirty thousand; the price was indeed quite high.

Ye Qing did not haggle, paid the Spirit Stones readily, and took the animal hide scroll.

He did not open it to check on the spot, but instead put it into his Storage Pouch and cupped his hands at the assistant: "Thank you. If there is any more latest news about the Yao Race's movements, I hope you will let me know. I am currently staying in a private courtyard at 'Yuelai Inn' in the west of the city. If there is news, you may come to inform me, and there will definitely be a generous reward."

"Rest assured, Fellow Daoist! If there is any news, I will definitely notify you as soon as possible!" The assistant quickly patted his chest in assurance.

Ye Qing said no more, turned around, and left Wanbao Pavilion.

Walking out of the shop, he looked up at the scorching golden sun in the sky and narrowed his eyes.

"Heavenly Demon Imperial Court... Patrol Envoy... The great war is about to begin... It seems that the stable time left for me to develop is running out."

He calculated in his heart, but his footsteps did not stop, and he walked towards the direction of Yuelai Inn in the west of the city.

The urgent priority is to return to his accommodation first, carefully study the detailed map he just obtained, and have a comprehensive understanding of the geographical layout of this world.

Then, based on the actual situation, formulate the next step of his Cultivation and action plan.