Chapter 19: Wealth and Power
Under the guidance of the gatekeeper, Yao Yan quickly arrived at a shop that specialized in selling maps.
The guard enthusiastically introduced the place, "Young Master, this shop carries maps for most of the Shennong Mountain Range. It should meet your needs. If you want even more detailed maps, you'd need to go up to the floating islands…"
"No need. This is fine. Thank you."
Yao Yan cut him off and tossed him a Tier 1 Qi Recovery Pill before striding into the store.
The guard looked at the pill in his hand and sighed. It was clear Yao Yan didn't want to linger. Just getting a pill for showing the way was already an enormous gain. To ask for more might offend him—and not all Yao Clan members had a good temper.
Yao Yan entered the shop and found it spacious, neat, and well-organized. Several people were already browsing—some mercenaries, others adventurers.
"Young Master, is this your first time in Shennong City?"
A young clerk approached. He had a sharp eye and quickly recognized that Yao Yan was no ordinary person.
Yao Yan nodded. "Yes. I've come to purchase maps. Besides the Shennong Mountain Range, I'd also like maps of other regions—detailed ones, if possible. Price isn't an issue."
"Then you've come to the right place, Young Master."
The clerk's eyes lit up with joy, and he became even more attentive. Gesturing politely, he said, "Please, Young Master, allow me to take you to a private room."
Yao Yan didn't refuse and followed him inside.
The private room was tastefully decorated, even luxurious. Graceful maidservants stood by, offering tea and snacks without lacking in courtesy.
After inviting Yao Yan to sit, the clerk finally asked, "May I ask, Young Master—are you from the Yao Clan?"
"Branch family."
Yao Yan's expression didn't change as he answered calmly.
He didn't intend to hide his identity. In the Shennong Mountains, the Yao Clan's name was as good as gold. No one would risk provoking a member of the Yao Clan, even a branch member—especially one so young. No one knew who might be backing him.
Even a Dou Sect-level expert would have to think twice before making a move.
The clerk wasn't surprised. He had already guessed as much. Core clan members of the Yao Clan were usually surrounded by guards and only visited shops on the floating islands, not in lower city areas. They were easy to spot—they all had a gourd-shaped clan mark on their forehead.
Only branch members on training journeys would visit shops like this.
And judging from Yao Yan's looks and aura, he clearly wasn't some struggling lowborn.
"I am Wang Xiao, a registered disciple of the Shennong Sect. I manage several shops in Shennong City. If you need anything, Young Master, feel free to ask. I will do my utmost to assist you."
Wang Xiao spoke with growing seriousness.
A Great Dou Master acting so confidently… Yao Yan thought, amused. With his soul strength, he could see through Wang Xiao's cultivation at a glance. After some consideration, he said, "Let's talk about the maps first. What's the price of your most detailed ones?"
Wang Xiao replied with a question instead, "That depends on the kind of detail you need. If you're looking for a detailed map of the surrounding ten-thousand-li radius, we can provide that. It includes marked danger zones and magical beast territories, all verified by the Shennong Sect—no errors. For regions farther out… I'm afraid we can't help."
Ten thousand li… well, on the Dou Qi Continent, that wasn't far. Travel between two territories often required spatial tunnels.
"A thousand li will suffice. In addition, I want a map of the Dou Qi Continent—preferably one with inter-regional routes marked."
Yao Yan voiced his request. He was primarily trying to find the location of the Jia Ma Empire.
If he remembered correctly, the Jia Ma Empire was located in the northwest corner of the Dou Qi Continent—barely a speck on most maps. It might be easier to locate Canaan Academy or the Black-Corner Region, as both had some fame.
"Please wait a moment."
Wang Xiao stood and left.
Roughly half a tea's time later, he returned with two jade tokens, handing them to Yao Yan. "If you're an alchemist, you can read them using soul force. If not, Dou Qi will work—it's just a bit more troublesome."
He didn't elaborate. After all, most Yao Clan members were alchemists, and even if they weren't, their soul force far surpassed others.
Yao Yan nodded and injected soul force into the tokens. Instantly, a 3D-like map unfurled in his mind. Centered around Shennong City, it detailed everything within a thousand-li radius.
As long as no major battles had happened recently, the information would be accurate.
The map of the Dou Qi Continent was far less detailed.
Yao Yan skimmed it and frowned—there was no mention of the Black-Corner Region or Canaan Academy.
"Is something wrong, Young Master?"
Wang Xiao tensed. The maps he had provided were top-quality. If Yao Yan left without paying, things could get complicated.
Fortunately, Yao Yan was not that kind of person. He smiled and said, "The maps are excellent. I just remember hearing about a Dou Qi academy called Canaan Academy during clan lessons. I'm curious—have you heard of it?"
"Is it the one located in the Black-Corner Region?"
Wang Xiao thought for a moment before responding.
Yao Yan pretended to ponder. "That sounds right."
"In that case, this map wouldn't have it. You'd need a specialized map for the Black-Corner Region. I can fetch it for you, but it won't be as detailed as these two."
Wang Xiao warned him in advance. The Shennong Sect remained primarily within the Shennong Mountains and didn't have much intelligence on other areas.
The only reason they knew about the Black-Corner Region was its infamy—it was one of the continent's most chaotic zones. Rumors of women being taken by force on the streets were common. If you had the guts, anything went. In fact, many of the women who survived there were more terrifying than the men.
Still, the region held no attraction for true powerhouses. Its location made it unfit for cultivation due to thin ambient energy—especially for those above the Dou Venerate level.
And so—
The Black-Corner Region became even more lawless.
It was said this chaos was tolerated—because the continent needed a place like that.
Its existence made sense.
"No problem," Yao Yan replied calmly.
Wang Xiao said nothing more and went to retrieve the map. Soon, he returned with a slightly rougher jade token. Unlike the earlier maps, this one was very simple. Aside from the location of Canaan Academy and basic terrain, no other cities or factions were marked.
"The Black-Corner Region is infamously chaotic. Factions rise and fall daily. Some cities are even wiped out entirely. It's hard to keep track of anything."
Wang Xiao explained helplessly.
Yao Yan nodded with satisfaction. "No problem. I'll take all three. I don't have coin on me, but I'd like to pay with pills."
He raised his hand and took out over a dozen bottles from his ring, containing a mix of Tier 3 and even rare Tier 4 pills.
"Tier 3 Qi Recovery Pill, Tier 3 Energy Pill, Tier 4 Qi Gathering Powder, Tier 4 Explosive Qi Pill…"
Wang Xiao opened each bottle one by one—and was left speechless. His breathing grew rapid. As a registered disciple of the Shennong Sect, he had decent knowledge. He was well aware of how valuable these pills were.
Truly worthy of the Yao Clan name.
To him, these were priceless treasures. To Yao Yan, they were pocket change.
Yao Yan stroked the little Greenwood Fox in his arms and smiled gently. "That should be enough to cover the cost. If there's extra, help me exchange it for coin."
(END CHAPTER)
Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.
Read 30 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Kira1997