16: The Secret of the Incomplete Map and the Transaction with Ya Fei

As his Soul Realm broke through to the initial stage of Spirit Movement, Xiao Chen felt the entire world become much clearer.

It wasn't just an expansion of his perception range, but also an improvement in his control over energy and himself.

He tried synthesizing blood coagulation powder again and found that the consumption of his soul power had indeed decreased by nearly 10%, and the process of guiding energy transformation was much smoother and more fluid.

With greatly increased confidence, he synthesized ten more portions of blood coagulation powder overnight, and his soul power still felt abundant.

Early the next morning, Xiao Chen, full of spirit, brought the ten newly synthesized bottles of blood coagulation powder to the Mittel Auction House once more.

After delivering the pills, he received three hundred gold coins, and with his previous balance, his cash on hand now exceeded five hundred gold coins!

This was already a considerable fortune.

Steward Li was already somewhat numb to Xiao Chen's "high productivity," but his attitude became even more respectful.

After the transaction was complete, he whispered, "Young Master Xiao Chen, Miss Ya Fei is waiting in the private room.

Please follow me."

It was finally happening.

Xiao Chen took a deep breath, calmed his excited heart, and followed Steward Li up the stairs to the second floor again.

It was still the familiar private room.

Today, Ya Fei was wearing a water-blue long dress, which made her look less alluring and more elegant.

She was sitting by the window, with the ancient incomplete diagram, which had cost two thousand gold coins, laid out before her.

"Young Brother Xiao Chen, you're here.

Please sit," Ya Fei said with a bright smile when she saw Xiao Chen, her gaze sweeping over him, a flicker of imperceptible surprise in her eyes.

She keenly sensed that today's Xiao Chen seemed a little different from three days ago; she couldn't pinpoint exactly how, but she felt his eyes were brighter and his aura was more composed and reserved.

"Miss Ya Fei." Xiao Chen bowed and sat down, his gaze involuntarily falling on the incomplete diagram.

Observing it up close, he could better feel the ancientness of the parchment and the obscure energy fluctuations on it.

"Young Brother seems very interested in this map?" Ya Fei took in Xiao Chen's reaction, chuckled softly, and gently pushed the incomplete diagram towards him.

"Feel free to take a closer look."

Xiao Chen didn't stand on ceremony; he knew Ya Fei's action had a deeper meaning.

He carefully picked up the incomplete diagram; it felt cool and tough to the touch, definitely not ordinary animal hide.

The lines on it were indeed blurry, and the outlines of mountains and rivers were hard to discern, but at several key nodes, there were some extremely ancient symbols carved, emitting faint soul fluctuations.

He concentrated, quietly activating the system's Scan.

[Scan: Unknown incomplete diagram (1/4)]

[Grade]: ???

[Composition]: Contains ancient soul seals and spatial coordinate information (severely incomplete).

[Replicable]: No (insufficient energy, insufficient authority, rule-level blockade).

[Recoverable Energy]: 1000 units (Warning! Forcibly recovering will result in permanent loss of information!)

[System Evaluation]: Confirmed to be related to an ancient soul cultivation inheritance.

Collecting all four incomplete diagrams can unlock the preliminary seal.

The current incomplete diagram points to the area near 'Black Flame City' on the eastern border of the Jia Ma Empire.

Extremely dangerous!

It is recommended that the host's strength reaches the Dou Ling level before exploring.]

One-quarter!

Black Flame City!

Ancient soul cultivation inheritance!

The system's information was even more specific than last time!

Xiao Chen's heart pounded uncontrollably!

An ancient soul inheritance!

For him, this was an irresistible temptation!

More attractive than any pill or Dou Technique!

But he forcibly suppressed his excitement, showing a puzzled expression on his face as he handed the incomplete diagram back to Ya Fei, shaking his head and saying, "This map is too ancient and profound.

I am shallow in knowledge and really can't make anything out of it.

It's just that... the material feels a bit special."

Ya Fei had been carefully observing Xiao Chen's expression.

Seeing that he was curious but didn't show too much shock or greed, she secretly nodded in her heart.

This young man's temperament was indeed steady.

She took the incomplete diagram back, gently caressing it, her tone becoming somewhat distant: "Young Brother has good eyesight.

This map is indeed not simple.

My Mittel Family spent considerable effort to find scattered clues from some ancient texts.

This map is very likely related to an ancient ruin called the 'Illusory Spirit Realm.'"

"Illusory Spirit Realm?" Xiao Chen showed surprise at the opportune moment.

"That's right." Ya Fei nodded.

"According to legend, the 'Illusory Spirit Realm' is not a physical world, but a soul trial ground created by an ancient mighty one.

It may contain long-lost soul cultivation methods, and even... the legendary power of the Soul Origin!"

Soul trial ground!

Power of the Soul Origin!

Xiao Chen's breathing hitched slightly.

This coincided with the results of his system's detection!

Ya Fei indeed knew some inside information!

"Miss Ya Fei, telling me all this, is it...?" Xiao Chen asked tentatively.

He didn't believe Ya Fei would share such an important secret with him for no reason.

Ya Fei smiled enchantingly, her smile carrying a hint of cunning and seriousness: "Because to open this 'Illusory Spirit Realm,' or rather, to find and safely enter this ruin, a special condition must be met."

She paused, then said word by word, "It requires someone with naturally strong soul power, but whose Dou Qi cultivation is not high, preferably... someone who has never cultivated Dou Qi!"

Xiao Chen's pupils suddenly constricted!

Strong soul, low or even no Dou Qi!

This condition was practically tailor-made for him!

He finally understood why Ya Fei had sought him out!

It wasn't because of the blood coagulation powder, nor was it because of his appraisal ability, but because she valued his "inability to cultivate Dou Qi" and his potential for "strong soul power"!

Ya Fei looked at Xiao Chen's shocked expression, knowing her words had taken effect, and continued, "Although my Mittel Family has considerable influence, there are very few clansmen who meet the conditions, and their identities are sensitive, making it unsuitable for them to easily venture into danger.

And Young Brother, you happen to meet the conditions, and... I can tell that your soul power is far beyond that of ordinary people."

Her words were half inference, half test.

She couldn't directly perceive Xiao Chen's soul realm, but from Xiao Chen's previous performance (appraisal, calmness in the face of crisis) and the "different" feeling he gave her at this moment, she made a bold guess.

Thoughts raced through Xiao Chen's mind.

Ya Fei's proposal presented both risks and opportunities!

The Illusory Spirit Realm was clearly fraught with danger; even the system recommended exploring it only at the Dou Ling level.

But the allure of the ancient soul inheritance was too great!

Moreover, this might be his only shortcut to obtaining a complete soul cultivation technique!

"What does Miss Ya Fei need me to do?" Xiao Chen asked in a deep voice, not immediately agreeing.

Ya Fei appreciated his caution and said earnestly, "I need Young Brother to represent my Mittel Family, go to Black Flame City, and find and open the Illusory Spirit Realm.

Of course, not now.

We need time to prepare, gather more information about the ruins, and wait until Young Brother has a certain level of self-preservation ability."

"In return," Ya Fei's tone became extremely enticing, "my Mittel Family will fully support Young Brother's cultivation!

We will provide all the resources you need!

Including but not limited to gold coins, medicinal herbs, magic cores, and even... all the ancient texts and information on soul cultivation we have collected!

Moreover, anything obtained in the Illusory Spirit Realm, Young Brother can choose first!

We only need information about business operations or certain specific items within the ruins."

Full support for cultivation!

Soul ancient text information!

Priority choice!

These conditions were indeed generous!

It was equivalent to the Mittel Family providing money and effort to cultivate him, then letting him explore a ruin that might contain immense treasures, with both sides sharing the results.

For Xiao Chen, who was currently lacking resources and urgently needed to improve his strength, these were almost irresistible conditions.

But he still remained calm: "Miss Ya Fei, this matter is of great importance.

Please allow me a few days to consider.

Moreover, my strength is low, and I'm afraid I won't be able to handle it in the short term."

"That's natural." Ya Fei smiled.

"Exploring ruins is not a task for a single day; we have enough patience.

Young Brother can take his time to consider and grow.

During this period, our cooperation remains effective, and the auction house will continue to support you as always."

She put away the incomplete diagram, then took out a thicker, ancient-looking book and handed it to Xiao Chen: "This 'miscellaneous records of the soul' is the most detailed ancient text on soul matters in my family's collection.

Although it doesn't contain specific cultivation methods, it includes many descriptions of soul characteristics, pill recipes for nourishing the soul, and some techniques for soul application, which might be helpful to Young Brother."

Xiao Chen solemnly took the book; it was heavy in his hand, and he could feel the weight of knowledge.

"Thank you, Miss Ya Fei!"

"Don't mention it, we are partners." Ya Fei stood up, personally escorted Xiao Chen to the door, and said meaningfully, "I look forward to Young Brother's future growth.

Wutan City, perhaps, is just your starting point."

Leaving the auction house, Xiao Chen walked back to the Xiao Family, his heart unable to calm down for a long time.

The Illusory Spirit Realm, ancient soul inheritance, the full support of the Mittel Family... immense opportunities unfolded before him like a scroll.

Risks certainly existed, but the path of cultivation was inherently like sailing against the current, seeking fortune in danger.

With the system's assistance and the Mittel Family's resources, he might just be able to carve out a place for himself in that Illusory Spirit Realm!

"The most urgent task is to quickly improve my strength!

At least to a level where I can protect myself!" Xiao Chen clenched his fists, fighting spirit burning in his eyes.

He touched the 'miscellaneous records of the soul' in his arms, then thought of the massive amount of medicinal herbs he was about to acquire, and a clear plan formed in his mind: frantically synthesize blood coagulation powder, accumulate funds and energy, and at the same time, deeply research soul knowledge, improving his soul realm and application techniques!

This would lay a solid foundation for his future exploration of the Illusory Spirit Realm!

Returning to his small room, Xiao Chen immediately plunged into a new round of effort.

Batch synthesis, soul cultivation, studying ancient texts... time flew by in his tireless efforts.

Under the sky of Wutan City, a new star was accumulating power at an astonishing speed, just waiting for the opportune moment to soar into the sky!

And this meeting with Ya Fei officially opened the prelude to his journey into a wider world.