Hu Gan entered the Grand Elder's courtyard at a hurried pace, his usually steady demeanor nowhere to be seen.
Even before he fully crossed the threshold, anxiety was already written plainly across his face.
"Grand Elder," he said, bowing quickly, "the situation in the Black-Corner Region has spiraled completely out of control."
Elder Su Qian slowly opened his eyes, the faint spatial ripples around his body subsiding as he withdrew from cultivation. His expression was calm, but his gaze sharpened slightly.
"Explain."
Hu Gan took a deep breath, forcing himself to organize his thoughts.
"Ever since the representatives of those first-rate forces returned from the Sacrificial Shop, the entire Black-Corner Region has gone mad. They're plundering resources everywhere—no bargaining, no hesitation, no regard for price."
His tone grew heavier with every sentence.
"Medicinal ingredients, demonic cores, cultivation techniques, Dou Skills, rare metals… anything with even the slightest value is being swept up. Many forces are buying far beyond their actual needs, stockpiling like they're preparing for a catastrophe."
He paused, his face showing clear disbelief.
"Even Han Feng… that seventh-grade alchemist… has joined the scramble. Feng City's medicinal ingredient reserves are nearly exhausted. His people are stripping entire mountain ranges bare."
For the first time, Elder Su Qian's brows knitted together.
"This level of frenzy is abnormal," he said slowly. "The desperadoes of the Black-Corner Region fear nothing—not death, not annihilation. A mere show of force would never drive them to this extent."
A sharp light flickered in his eyes.
"To make these people act like starving beasts, the Sacrificial Shop must be offering something truly irresistible. Something worth staking their lives and foundations on."
He looked at Hu Gan.
"What have you learned?"
Hu Gan shook his head with a bitter smile.
"Nothing concrete. Everyone who has been there is tight-lipped—completely so. Not a word leaks out, even to their closest allies. If we don't approach the Sacrificial Shop ourselves, I'm afraid we'll remain blind."
Silence fell in the courtyard.
As Grand Elder of Canaan Academy, Su Qian bore responsibility not just for prestige, but survival. A prolonged disruption in medicinal supplies would cripple the Alchemy Department, which in turn would shake the Academy's foundation.
After a moment, he spoke decisively.
"Give the order."
Hu Gan straightened immediately.
"Retrieve the Inner Court's full inventory list—focus on fifth-tier and above demonic cores, as well as rare medicinal ingredients. At the same time, instruct the Outer Court to reinforce security. Warehouses, trade areas, transport routes—no vulnerabilities."
Hu Gan hesitated. "Grand Elder… are we expecting trouble?"
Su Qian rose slowly to his feet.
"In times of chaos, even academies become targets," he said calmly. "Preparation is never wasted."
Then his gaze hardened.
"And prepare yourself. We're paying a visit to the Sacrificial Shop."
When the Canaan Academy delegation arrived outside Sacrifice City, Hu Gan's steps slowed instinctively.
Something was wrong.
The air within a ten-mile radius felt dense, as though space itself had been kneaded and reshaped. Even Dou Qi circulation became slightly sluggish.
"Grand Elder…" Hu Gan whispered. "This is no ordinary restriction. It feels like—"
"Spatial transformation," Su Qian finished quietly. "And refined to an astonishing degree."
His heart sank slightly. Such control meant the one who laid this field possessed mastery over space that surpassed most Dou Zong experts—perhaps even rivals within the Central Plains.
Before they could advance further, a group had already emerged to greet them.
At the forefront stood a middle-aged man in formal attire, his posture straight and his presence restrained yet unmistakably powerful.
"I am Mo Jiao," he said with a polite clasp of hands. "General manager of the Sacrificial Shop in this region. Forgive us for not welcoming you sooner."
Su Qian returned the greeting calmly.
"Elder Su Qian of Canaan Academy. This is Hu Gan."
Mo Jiao's eyes lingered on Su Qian for a brief instant, a glimmer of recognition flashing through them. He immediately stepped aside.
"So it is the Grand Elder himself. Please, allow me to notify the Lady."
Even as he spoke courteously, Su Qian felt a chill.
This man… was also a Dou Emperor.
And his Dou Qi circulation was unlike anything Su Qian had encountered—dense, reinforced, faintly inhuman.
They followed Mo Jiao into the inner courtyard.
Every step made Su Qian more alert.
The patterns engraved into the stone floor appeared decorative at first glance, but upon closer inspection, they formed a massive, interlocking array. Its structure was alien, its logic unfamiliar—far removed from any formation system he knew.
Inside the VIP hall, Snow Princess was already waiting.
She set aside the scroll in her hand and rose gracefully.
"Grand Elder Su Qian of Canaan Academy," she said with a faint smile. "I've long heard of your reputation."
Su Qian cupped his hands. "You honor me. Forgive our unannounced visit."
After they were seated, Su Qian spoke directly.
"I'll be frank. I've come for two reasons. First, to formally acknowledge your shop's establishment in the Black-Corner Region. Second, to understand exactly what it is you offer."
Snow Princess gestured lightly.
Mo Jiao presented a list.
The moment Su Qian opened it, his pupils contracted.
Sixth-grade medicinal pills.
Seventh-grade medicinal pills.
Even… eighth-grade.
Hu Gan couldn't restrain himself. "You can refine eighth-grade pills?!"
"As long as materials and remuneration are sufficient," Snow Princess replied calmly. "Though few here can afford such a thing."
Su Qian continued reading—until his gaze stopped at a particular section.
"Refining services?"
Mo Jiao answered smoothly. "Artifact Refiners. Like alchemists, but their craft lies in forging spirit artifacts—equipment that amplifies Dou Qi. They are also divided into nine tiers."
He produced a crimson longsword.
"This Flame Spirit Sword can amplify fire-attribute Dou Skills by thirty percent for a Dou Emperor."
Su Qian took the blade.
The moment his Dou Qi flowed into it, scorching energy surged in response—alive, responsive, obedient.
"Excellent," he said quietly. "Such a weapon would be treasured even in the Central Plains."
Snow Princess added another item—a simple ring.
"A Spirit Storage Ring. Stores a peak Dou King's full-force Dou Qi strike. One-time release in battle. Rechargeable."
Su Qian's mind raced.
This wasn't merely commerce.
This was strategic dominance.
"What are the conditions to become an Artifact Refiner?" he asked.
Snow Princess answered without hesitation.
"Fire-attribute Dou Qi, sufficient soul talent, and material perception."
Su Qian nodded slowly.
"Then… is the legacy for Artifact Refiners for sale?"
Snow Princess produced another list.
Su Qian's expression shifted as he read the prices.
First-tier: acceptable.
Second-tier: steep.
Third-tier: painful.
Fifth-tier: staggering.
And beyond that—blank.
Unpriced.
Meaning unattainable.
Yet even so, Su Qian knew—this knowledge alone could reshape Canaan Academy's future.
After a long silence, he spoke.
"We will purchase the most basic inheritance."
Snow Princess nodded.
Six jade slips and a thick tome were placed before him.
"Fifty thousand sacrificial coins."
Su Qian paid without hesitation.
When the transaction concluded, Snow Princess added two extra books—Basic Refining Knowledge and Refining Aptitude Assessment.
A gesture of goodwill.
Su Qian accepted them solemnly.
"Canaan Academy looks forward to long-term cooperation."
After leaving Sacrifice City, Hu Gan finally exhaled.
"Grand Elder… this changes everything."
Su Qian looked back at the city, shrouded in distorted space.
"Yes," he said quietly. "It does."
Then his gaze hardened.
"Summon every fire-attribute instructor and student when we return."
"This opportunity—"
"We will not miss it."