C36 Mysterious Guest

"How many Inscription Papers does the young master require?" inquired the shopkeeper. "Inscription Papers come in various grades. May I know which one the young master is looking for...?"

"The cheapest, give me ten," Chu Yan interjected before the shopkeeper could finish.

His supply of Spirit Money was running low, and after purchasing the Inscription Pen and papers, he still needed to acquire materials for etching the inscriptions. It was essential to economize where he could.

The shopkeeper, seemingly anticipating Chu Yan's request, produced a stack of yellowed yet durable square papers. "The most affordable is the first-grade Inscription Paper, priced at ten Spirit Money each. For ten, that would be one hundred Spirit Money."

The cost was as Chu Yan had anticipated, so he wasn't particularly taken aback. He paid the Spirit Money, collected the ten Inscription Papers, and inspected them closely.

Each sheet of the first-grade Inscription Paper was cut into a perfect square, roughly the size of two hands. As Chu Yan ran his fingers over the surface, he could sense an extraordinary energy, akin to a gentle breeze, flowing through the paper.

"The Thunder Inscription Mark that the young master also seeks is somewhat pricey. May I inquire as to which type of weapon the young master wishes to have the Thunder Inscription Mark engraved upon?" the shopkeeper asked.

After a moment's thought, Chu Yan responded, "It's for a fourth-grade spear, but I haven't brought it with me."

"The Thunder Inscription Mark, once activated, releases a burst of lightning that can momentarily paralyze an enemy, rendering them immobile. It's best suited for blades such as swords or sabers. On a spear, the effect might not be as potent," the shopkeeper explained thoughtfully. "Since the Thunder Inscription Mark adds an additional attribute to the weapon, it's priced a bit higher than inscriptions that enhance the weapon's inherent attributes. One will cost five hundred Spirit Money."

Despite being somewhat prepared for the cost, Chu Yan couldn't help but inhale sharply at the price—it was even steeper than the Inscription Pen he had just purchased!

However, his initial intent wasn't to buy the Thunder Inscription Mark but to ascertain its price.

Now that he had the information he needed, his mission was accomplished. With a wave of his hand to decline the offer, Chu Yan departed from the Wan Hai Chamber of Commerce, taking with him the newly acquired Inscription Pen and Inscription Papers.

As Chu Yan walked away, the shopkeeper let out a derisive snort, his face twisted with scorn. "Learning inscriptions without a penny to your name, and dreaming of striking it rich with them? You'll be crying before you know it, mark my words!"

Once outside the Wan Hai Chamber of Commerce, Chu Yan made his way to other shops in Evergreen Town. Although Wan Hai was the only place with a resident inscription master, it was far from the only source of inscription materials. Low-grade inscription supplies were not uncommon, and some were even everyday items.

Chu Yan methodically visited each shop, making small purchases before moving on to the next. About half an hour later, he was carrying several bulging paper bags, all filled with materials for crafting inscriptions. Despite their seemingly light appearance, these bags had cost Chu Yan his last three hundred Spirit Money, leaving him penniless once again.

Yet, Chu Yan's face bore no trace of disappointment. His eyes sparkled with excitement and anticipation. His inquiry about the price of a Thunder Inscription Mark at the Wan Hai Chamber of Commerce wasn't idle curiosity—it was strategic.

With the knowledge passed down from the Return to the Ruins Tower, Chu Yan had mastered three types of inscriptions: the Thunder Inscription Mark, the transformational inscriptions capable of altering one's appearance, and the Heavy Equipment Inscription Pattern that added heft to weapons.

Chu Yan's mind raced with calculations: "The materials for the Thunder Inscription Mark cost me one hundred and twenty Spirit Money, plus the cost of the inscription paper, that's one hundred and thirty. But a finished Thunder Inscription Mark sells for a whopping five hundred Spirit Money. That's a profit of three hundred and seventy Spirit Money—nearly triple the investment!"

With these thoughts fueling his urgency, Chu Yan was eager to return to the Lin Family Mansion and start inscribing without delay.

While on his way back, Chu Yan's attention was suddenly seized by a commotion echoing from the streets in the distance. He looked up to find that the hubbub originated from the Wan Hai Chamber of Commerce.

In front of the grand entrance, a lavish carriage had come to a halt, drawing a crowd that was now buzzing with speculation and chatter, the subject of which was unclear.

Chu Yan's eyes were instantly drawn to the six majestic snow-white horses pulling the carriage. Their coats were pure white, unmarred by any other color, and they shimmered in the sunlight, almost too dazzling to behold. But what truly set them apart was the singular red horn, as long as an adult's palm, adorning each of their foreheads, lending them an air of unparalleled nobility and splendor.

"Scarlet Horned Horses!" Chu Yan gasped in awe.

He had encountered these rare creatures before; the Southern Yuan Kingdom boasted one in its stables. Chu Yan's familiarity with them only underscored their rarity and the challenge they presented to any would-be tamers.

The Southern Yuan Kingdom, despite its resources, managed to raise only one such horse, reserved for the most sacred royal ceremonies. To see one was a privilege; to see six was unheard of.

Now, as the carriage outside the Wan Hai Chamber of Commerce stood still, drawn by six Scarlet Horned Horses, Chu Yan's curiosity was piqued. Who could possibly merit such an extravagant escort?

As the carriage door opened and a passenger alighted, Chu Yan strained to see through the throng of onlookers. He caught but a fleeting glimpse of a slender figure in white, disappearing into the commerce chamber, leaving the details of her identity a mystery.

He shrugged off his curiosity. "What does it matter who she is to me? The world is vast, and my future is bright. Once I advance to the Pulse Condensation Period, or even beyond, what's to stop me from having six Scarlet Horned Horses of my own?" With that thought, Chu Yan shook his head, navigated through the crowd, and continued on his way.

By the time Chu Yan made it back to the Lin family residence, lunchtime had already passed. Nonetheless, the servant tasked with delivering meals had left his food on the stone table in the courtyard, which remained pleasantly warm.

Chu Yan quickly finished his meal and retreated to his room, where he shut the door firmly behind him and stepped into the time-space cage.

The Inscription Pen, Inscription Paper, and a variety of other materials he had purchased were all meticulously arranged before him.

Reflecting briefly, Chu Yan resolved to begin with the most straightforward of the three inscription patterns he had mastered—the transformational inscriptions.

As the manager of the Wan Hai Chamber of Commerce had explained, inscription patterns were categorized into nine grades, each with its own upper, middle, and lower tiers.

The transformational inscriptions, which allowed the user to alter their appearance, did not enhance a weapon's power and were thus considered one of the simpler patterns to inscribe, classified as a lower-tier within the first grade.

Armed with ample theoretical knowledge but lacking hands-on experience, Chu Yan decided to use the transformational inscriptions as a starting point to practice his inscription skills.