My Crazy Upgrade System

The Shopkeeper glanced at them outside before slowly pushing the door open, but not by much—just enough for one person to squeeze through.

This was hardly welcoming customers; it was more like he was just cracking the door open so they could get in.

Ink Rat said apologetically, "Sorry, that’s just how Shopkeeper Ye is. This shop has the most Spirit Medicine in all of Guangyun City. If other shops have it, this place has it. If other shops don’t have it, this place has it too!"

"Hmph, come on in..." The Shopkeeper inside heard what Ink Rat said but didn’t seem pleased. On the contrary, his voice remained just as cold.

Led by Ink Rat, Yi Tianyun took the lead and walked inside. Ren Liangchen and the others were filled with confusion, not understanding why Yi Tianyun wanted to buy Soul-Nourishing Grass. He had come over immediately after hearing about it, without a moment’s hesitation.

’They had all heard of Soul-Nourishing Grass. It was a decent Spirit Grass for strengthening one’s soul, but its effectiveness diminished significantly at higher levels. Why does Yi Tianyun value it so much?’

After they entered, what greeted them was not some dim hut. The walls were inlaid with expensive jade stones that emitted a soft glow, making the room as bright as it was outside.

Furthermore, the walls were lined with shelves filled with all sorts of neatly arranged Elixir Pills. When Ren Liangchen and the others saw it, they were instantly stunned.

"Th-This is a fifth-grade Elixir Pill, a Divinity Transformation Pill!"

"And that one, it’s also a fifth-grade Elixir Pill... And a fifth-grade Spirit Grass, a Six Lin Flower... And a sixth-grade Spirit Medicine! Heavens, this place is so well-stocked. There are some things I’ve never even seen before..."

They were utterly dumbfounded. Many Spirit Medicines and Elixir Pills that were impossible to find outside were available here. The highest grade they could see was sixth-grade. There might have been even higher-grade items, but they could only see a small portion of the store for now.

The shop extended further back, but after entering, the Shopkeeper simply settled into a rocking chair, poured himself a cup of tea, and began to savor it slowly, showing no intention of serving his guests.

Yi Tianyun took a careful look at Shopkeeper Ye, and detailed information immediately appeared before him.

Shopkeeper Ye: Spirit King Stage Second Layer cultivation. Not wearing any equipment. Known Martial Arts: Ghost Nether Palm, Ghost Nether Divine Technique, Ghostly Nether Step, etc. Weakness: None. Overall Combat Power: 180,000,000 (Normal State). Killing him can drop rare items such as the Ghost Nether Palm, Ghost Nether Divine Technique, and Ghostly Nether Step.

’As expected of someone at the Spirit King Stage. He has a Combat Power of 180 million without any equipment. He could probably kill a Void Spirit Stage expert with a single backhand slap. To think a Spirit King Stage expert would be holding down the fort in a remote corner like this... it’s quite mysterious.’

’With so many Treasures here, it would be impossible to protect them without that kind of power.’

"That’s a Celestial Spirit Leaf... Using a Celestial Spirit Leaf just to make tea is an incredible waste..." Ren Liangchen swallowed hard. It seemed he had studied this field extensively, as he recognized many of the Spirit Medicines.

Yi Tianyun noticed this as well. The Celestial Spirit Leaf was a fourth-grade Spirit Medicine, yet it was being used to make tea. ’The degree of waste is simply outrageous.’ For a Spirit King, however, it really wasn’t much.

"Shopkeeper Ye, I’ve brought you a customer this time. He’s looking for Soul-Nourishing Grass. You mentioned before that if anyone wanted Soul-Nourishing Grass, I should bring them to you..." Ink Rat said, rubbing his hands together respectfully.

"Oh? Someone looking for Soul-Nourishing Grass?" Shopkeeper Ye slowly set down his teacup, raised his eyes to Yi Tianyun’s group, and asked, "Which one of you is it?"

"That would be me," Yi Tianyun said, stepping forward.

"Those who seek Soul-Nourishing Grass are typically Cultivators who focus on training their souls. Are you a Divine Rune Master?" Shopkeeper Ye asked lightly.

"I am a Divine Rune Master. Is there a problem?" Yi Tianyun replied.

Ren Liangchen and the others were stunned. ’Yi Tianyun is a Divine Rune Master too? Wasn’t he an Alchemist? How can he be a Divine Rune Master as well? Did he say that right?’

"What grade?" Shopkeeper Ye sat up, the eyes in his old face flickering as if trying to see right through him.

"Don’t ask what grade I am. The real question is what kind of Divine Runes you need inscribed, Shopkeeper Ye, or what grade of Divine Runes you need broken. That’s what matters. Stating my grade would be meaningless," Yi Tianyun said with a calm smile.

Shopkeeper Ye narrowed his eyes and said, "You’re a confident one, kid."

"You could say that," Yi Tianyun replied with a faint smile.

Shopkeeper Ye glanced at Ink Rat and asked, "How long ago was it that I mentioned this?"

"Um... about half a year ago," Ink Rat said, wringing his hands.

"It’s been half a year. I’d already forgotten all about it, but you still remembered." Shopkeeper Ye stood up. "I wasn’t planning on going out, but it seems I’ll have to take you all on a trip. That kid of mine is outside trying to find someone to open a box, but he hasn’t returned yet. I have no idea what he’s doing."

"Are you saying that looking for someone who needed Soul-Nourishing Grass was just a way to find a Divine Rune Master to open that box?" Ink Rat asked in astonishment.

"Yes and no." Shopkeeper Ye didn’t elaborate. He clasped his hands behind his back and led them outside, not even bothering to close the main door.

’The shop is full of valuable Elixir Pills, yet he doesn’t even close the door? Isn’t he afraid of being robbed?’

Ren Liangchen and the others were left speechless. Little did they know that the old man before them was a Spirit King Stage expert. How could he not know if someone approached? The fate of anyone who dared to barge in and steal something was easy to imagine.

Under Shopkeeper Ye’s lead, they arrived on the main street. Not far away, a long line had formed, with a dense crowd of people jostling to get in line for something.

As they drew closer, they saw a young man sitting by the side. In front of him was a small box covered in a dense, intricate web of Divine Runes that looked extraordinarily complex. That a box would be covered by so many Divine Runes made one wonder what could possibly be inside to warrant such a seal.

"I have three stalks of Soul-Nourishing Grass here. If you can undo the Divine Runes on this box, they, along with the two Sacred Artifacts beside my apprentice, will all be yours." Shopkeeper Ye then took out a bottle of Elixir Pills and tossed it to Ink Rat. "It’s a good thing you remembered what I said half a year ago. Consider this your reward. I originally wanted to attract some Divine Rune Masters, but I waited and waited, and no one came looking for Soul-Nourishing Grass. I suppose it’s been so long that people have forgotten its uses..."

Shopkeeper Ye shook his head, then looked up at Yi Tianyun and asked, "What do you need Soul-Nourishing Grass for?"

"To refine Soul-Nourishing Pills," Yi Tianyun said simply.

Shopkeeper Ye just shook his head. "What an absolute waste of a precious treasure... But, if you can successfully open that box, I will present you with everything I just promised!"

’So that’s what this is about,’ Yi Tianyun thought as he shifted his gaze back to the box.