“My surname is Li, and these two are my younger sisters.”

Venturing out into the world, Wang Hao had learned from Old Devil Han to use a pseudonym. He looked at the man across from him calmly. “May I ask how you knew we were visiting Wanxiang City for the first time, Fellow Daoist?”

“So it is Fellow Daoist Li. Pleased to meet you!” Han Feng clasped his hands in greeting, his smile amicable. “Actually, it’s nothing special. I simply happened to see you all at the teleportation hall earlier. I hope Fellow Daoist doesn’t read too much into it!”

As he spoke, he produced a jade bottle.

“This is the Face Preserving Pill, genuine and authentic. If the effect isn’t satisfactory, Fellow Daoist Li can come find me for a refund anytime!”

Wang Hao took the pill and sniffed it. The medicinal fragrance was rich; it certainly didn’t seem like a fake. However, he pushed the bottle back.

“What interests me isn’t the pill itself, but the pill formula. I wonder if Fellow Daoist Han would be willing to part with it?”

“What? The pill formula?” Han Feng was slightly taken aback. He observed Wang Hao closely, a realization dawning in his eyes. “My eyes have failed me. So, Fellow Daoist is an alchemist!”

Han Feng shook his head with a regretful smile. “But the Face Preserving Pill formula isn’t something ordinary. I’m just doing some small business; I don’t possess such a formula. However, if you truly want it, leave your contact information. I can keep an eye out for you. If the deal goes through, I’ll only take a ten percent commission!”

This response raised Wang Hao’s opinion of the man.

A refusal was expected; it would be strange if rare pill formulas could be bought casually on the street. But Han Feng’s offer to scout for it proved he had channels. Just being able to obtain finished Face Preserving Pills showed he had considerable capability.

This was a person worth befriending.

“In that case, I’ll take these two pills,” Wang Hao decided. “I also hope Brother Han will keep an eye out for the formula. For now, I’m staying at the Immortal Abode Pavilion.”

“Fellow Daoist Li, although the Face Preserving Pill is considered a second-grade high-quality pill, the main ingredient used is actually third-grade. The price isn’t low.” Han Feng’s expression turned serious as he stared at Wang Hao, gauging his spending power. “Four thousand Spirit Stones per pill!”

Ordinary second-grade pills usually cost a few hundred Spirit Stones. Even something like the Vein Protection Pill, at two hundred Spirit Stones, was considered expensive.

Who would have thought the Face Preserving Pill would be so costly?

“Fifth Brother, let’s not get them. They’re too expensive!” Wang Wenmei quickly intervened.

Four thousand Spirit Stones was equivalent to the price of an entire second-grade mid-tier demon beast! For Qi Refining cultivators like them, it was an astronomical sum.

Wang Hao gestured for them to calm down. He turned back to the merchant. “May I ask if Fellow Daoist Han can truly procure the Face Preserving Pill formula?”

Han Feng hesitated for a moment before dropping his voice. “Fellow Daoist Li, I won’t lie to you. The formula is in the hands of an alchemist. This alchemist… is currently in a bit of a tight spot financially. If you can offer a high enough price, the sale will most likely succeed.”

“Approximately how much?”

“It would need to be at least thirty thousand Spirit Stones. That fellow daoist wants to buy a Foundation Establishment Pill for his grandson; he needs at least that amount.”

Wang Hao felt the price was acceptable. If he could mass-produce the Face Preserving Pill using his farm, the returns would be massive.

“Alright. I’ll take these two pills as a gesture of friendship, Fellow Daoist. I hope you can facilitate the formula deal as soon as possible.”

Wang Hao paused, then added, “Additionally, I have one request. It would be best if that alchemist could prepare a set of the spiritual herbs required for the Face Preserving Pill for me. I’m willing to purchase them at a high price.”

He directly handed over eight thousand Spirit Stones.

Han Feng’s eyes flickered with surprise. He hadn’t expected Wang Hao to be so generous, paying without even haggling. It seemed he even had the funds for the formula ready.

He didn’t harbor any malicious thoughts; he merely wanted to act as a middleman to earn his commission. Wanxiang City had no shortage of wealthy young masters from major families out on training journeys. In his eyes, Wang Hao was clearly one such “fat sheep.”

One didn’t harm fat sheep; one did fair business with them to earn Spirit Stones safely.

His smile grew even brighter as he respectfully presented the Face Preserving Pills with both hands.

“That can be arranged,” Han Feng said, standing up. “I will go now to persuade that fellow daoist on your behalf. Given how much he dotes on his grandson, it’s very likely to succeed!”

Wang Hao reached out to stop him slightly. “No rush, Fellow Daoist Han. Since you know we are here for the first time, I hope you can tell me about the local situation and what we need to watch out for.”

“Naturally, no problem at all! Speaking of this overseas region, there are mainly four major powers: The Righteous Path, The Demonic Path, The Loose Cultivators Alliance, and The Four Seas Merchant Alliance.”

Han Feng leaned in slightly.

“Wanxiang City belongs to The Righteous Path. It is the largest city in the Myriad Manifestations Islands. On the spiritual mountain to the east resides a Nascent Soul Senior who is permanently stationed there! Therefore, no one dares cause trouble within the city limits. As long as you abide by the rules inside Wanxiang City, your safety is absolutely guaranteed.”

His tone shifted, becoming darker.

“But outside the city walls is another story entirely. The sea regions not only have third-grade demon beasts but also demonic cultivators and evil cultivators who enjoy preying on passersby. Numerous small and large factions are interwoven there, and wars break out frequently. It is extremely chaotic.”

“If Fellow Daoists wish to hunt demon beasts, I recommend heading north. That is where the territories of the human and demon races interlace. Demon beast resources are most abundant there. Simultaneously, various human factions have restraints in that area. While incidents of killing and robbing do occur, they are far less frequent compared to other zones.”

Wang Hao asked, “What if we encounter high-level demonic beings?”

Han Feng smiled reassuringly. “Both sides have agreements. Human Nascent Soul cultivators won’t attack low-level demon beasts, and similarly, manifested demonic beings won’t easily target humans either. You will most likely encounter third-grade demon beasts at most. Whether you can escape or not depends on your own capabilities!”

Han Feng spoke exhaustively, holding nothing back. He gave Wang Hao a thorough lesson. The two conversed for a full hour and drank two pots of spiritual tea before finally bidding farewell.

After Han Feng left, Wang Wenyan looked at Wang Hao with a slightly complaining expression. “Fifth Brother, those Face Preserving Pills are so expensive! Why did you buy them?”

Wang Hao laughed. “It’s just two pills. Your Fifth Brother is a Foundation Establishment cultivator, after all. These few Spirit Stones are nothing much. Besides, I wanted to befriend Han Feng to obtain the Face Preserving Pill formula.”

He handed the pills to the two women, his tone doting. “My Wang Family started with alchemy. If I obtain this formula, I will naturally earn back a hundredfold in the future! Fifth Brother has many younger sisters, but I get along best with you two. What’s wrong with giving you a little gift?”

The two sisters exchanged a glance and said no more. They smiled sweetly and called out in unison, “Thank you, Fifth Brother!”

Exiting the teahouse, Wang Hao saw that it was still early. He wanted to stroll around a bit more to unlock the map functions of his system.

“You two may wander freely or return to the Immortal Abode Pavilion first,” he told them. “Your elder brother is going to inquire about rental cave dwellings. We have so many people; we shouldn’t stay in an inn forever.”

The two women weren’t the meddlesome type. Since Wang Hao didn’t want them to follow, they didn’t ask further questions.

Not long after parting ways, a man around thirty years old approached Wang Hao. He bowed respectfully.

“Paying respects to Senior.”

“Fellow Daoist, what is the matter?”

The youth smiled ingratiatingly. “This junior is Zhang San. I am very familiar with all parts of Wanxiang City. I accidentally overheard Senior’s conversation earlier. If Senior hires this junior, I believe I can save you considerable time.”

Wang Hao smiled. The guide profession was common in large cities. Zhang San only had a cultivation of Qi Refining Layer 4, which was quite normal for this line of work.

He nodded. “How is the compensation calculated?”

“It only requires four Spirit Stones. This junior will accompany Senior for the entire day according to your requirements.”

Wang Hao tossed five Spirit Stones to him. “I’ll give you five. Just lead the way quickly. I want to tour around Wanxiang City and have you introduce the important shops along the way.”

Zhang San hurriedly caught the stones, thanking him profusely. “Many thanks, Senior! In that case, it is best to hire a carriage to speed things up. Wanxiang City has a flight prohibition order; cultivators cannot fly casually.”

“Fine. You can arrange it,” Wang Hao said. “You don’t need to introduce the small shops. Just inform me about the medium and large shops, plus any specialty goods.”

“Yes, Senior! Please follow me!”