His pace was steady, confident without being hurried. As the head of the most reputable mapping establishment in Savagefang, he was accustomed to handling high-status clients. Even a “young master” escorted by Lin Clan elite guards wasn’t beyond what he had faced before.

At least, that’s what he thought—until he caught sight of Mikael’s robes.

His eyes widened in disbelief. ‘The Wandering Sword Sect… and a Core Disciple at that?’

The confident expression vanished.

In the next instant, the man broke into a full run, his weight jostling with each hurried step as he rushed to close the distance between himself and the arriving group. When he finally stopped, slightly out of breath, he bowed deeply with both hands clasped.

“I must offer my deepest apologies, Honored Core Disciple, for not being present to receive you personally. Had I known someone of your standing would grace our humble establishment, I would have been waiting at the door to greet you.”

Raising his head only slightly, he continued, “Please allow us to make amends for this lapse. Anything you wish shall be offered free of charge—on behalf of the Jade Compass Pavilion.”

‘A sycophant trying to curry favor,’ Mikael realized instantly. After all, their so-called ‘lapse’ wasn’t even a real mistake—just the natural consequence of not expecting an unexpected visit from a prestigious guest. How shocking!!!

It was obvious the manager was using this as an opportunity to win favor by offering free service. A more naive cultivator might have accepted without hesitation—after all, free things were free things—but Mikael understood the subtext all too well.

‘He’s trying to build a connection by giving me something for free. It might seem harmless, but they could easily spin it in public—something like, “A Core Disciple of the Wandering Sword Sect shopped here.” That alone could boost their reputation.’

‘And while me owing them a favor isn’t exactly likely, it’s not impossible either. They’re framing it as compensation for a small mistake, which means whatever they offer probably won’t be worth enough to cancel their supposed “oversight” while incurring a small favor. Still, it’s too much of a hassle. Better to pay with spirit stones and avoid this entire dance.’

“No need. I’ll pay with my own spirit stones. Now, if you could show me your best map of the Savagefang Mountain Range.”

A flicker of disappointment passed through the manager’s eyes at Mikael’s response, but he concealed it well. “Of course, Honored Core Disciple! Right this way, please,” he said, bowing slightly with both hands clasped. His tone remained eager, but carefully measured.

As they walked, he added, “You’ve come at the perfect time. We’ve just received a fresh delivery of high-quality maps—some of our finest work yet, all fully updated with the latest changes in the Savagefang Mountain Range.”

Mikael followed him without comment, the four Lin Clan guards quietly trailing behind. The manager led them up toward the second floor—a level clearly reserved for elite clients. It was quieter here, more refined. The spiritual pressure in the air subtly thickened, the result of several dormant formations layered into the floor and walls. This was where the Jade Compass Pavilion stored its most valuable cartographic works, offered only to those of considerable status.

At the top of the staircase, Mikael’s gaze was immediately drawn to the row of jade pedestals that lined the chamber’s center. Each pedestal held a tightly rolled scroll protected by a softly shimmering spiritual barrier. The formations ensured that dust, moisture, or idle hands could never tarnish the contents. Though the scrolls weren’t unsealed, their outer casings told their own stories—some bound in intricate talismanic seals, others adorned with spirit-thread embroidery or fine silk wrappings that hinted at the precision and effort within.

As they moved deeper into the chamber, Mikael gradually slowed his pace beside one of the pedestals. A particular scroll had caught his eye—its casing wrapped in deep green silk, the surface etched with elegant silver characters. He studied it in silence for a few seconds, his expression calm, gaze quietly discerning.

Noticing the shift in Mikael’s focus, the manager also slowed down. “Excellent eye, esteemed customer. That map was handcrafted by Master Yun—a renowned Spiritual Cartographer with centuries of experience. His work is of exceptional quality. However, if you would follow me, we have even finer pieces further inside.”

“Show me,” Mikael said, his curiosity mildly piqued.

They continued moving across the empty second floor until the manager stopped before a jade pedestal that, at first glance, looked no different from the others.

With a subtle motion, the manager deactivated the protective formation encasing the map. He then retrieved the scroll and extended it toward Mikael with both hands. “If the Honored Core Disciple would take a look, I can guarantee you won’t be disappointed.”

Mikael accepted it and began his examination. The landscape drawn across the scroll was impressively detailed, rendered in a fine ink he couldn’t immediately identify. Every stroke conveyed a sense of depth and artistry. It was beautiful—masterfully done—capturing the wilderness of the Savagefang Mountain Range with striking clarity.

Yet even as he scanned the surface, his brow subtly furrowed.

‘That’s all?’ he thought, disappointed. While the map was undeniably the work of a master, its utility was limited. It simply illustrated the terrain—no more than a refined picture of the mountain range. For the best map shop in the city, he had expected more.

Noticing Mikael’s faint frown, the manager spoke up smoothly, “Esteemed customer, forgive me if I’m mistaken, but... is this your first time using a map crafted by a Spiritual Cartographer?”

Mikael gave a small nod in response.

‘As I thought.’

“You see, Honored Core Disciple, maps of this kind aren’t meant to be viewed with the naked eye. They’re designed to be seen with Divine Sense. Without it, you’re only perceiving the surface.”

He continued with practiced ease, “Naturally, this can be a problem for those below the Spiritual Foundation Realm. But for a cultivator of your standing, it won’t be an issue. Of course, we also offer specialized maps for those not yet capable of using Divine Sense.”

‘I see,’ Mikael mused, then sent a thin strand of Divine Sense into the scroll.

In an instant, the world unfolded.

The map bloomed in his perception, no longer a static depiction but a vivid mental landscape—alive with hidden data. Regions dense with demonic beasts appeared in sharp clarity, their likely strength detailed with precision. Zones rich in herbs and spiritual treasures glimmered like subtle pulses of opportunity. And deep red markings indicated areas of extreme danger—territories stalked by high-tier threats far beyond average cultivators.

‘That’s more like it. With this, I can confidently say all the fawning was worth the trouble.’

His lips curled into the faintest smile before he looked up. “I’ll take it.”

The manager’s expression brightened instantly, a flash of satisfaction slipping through his otherwise polished composure. “An excellent choice, Honored Core Disciple. This is our most refined and up-to-date map, and it will be of immense help in your exploration of the Savagefang Mountain Range. The price is one thousand mid-grade spirit stones, as indicated on the pedestal.”

‘A thousand mid-grade spirit stones,’ Mikael inwardly grimaced. ‘That would’ve hurt under normal circumstances. Fortunately, I received a generous “donation” from that 4th layer demonic cultivator, so I can easily afford it.’

He cast a brief glance at the jade pedestal the map had come from. The price was indeed listed as one thousand mid-grade spirit stones—just as the manager had said. He hadn’t expected the man to be bold enough to try overcharging him, but it never hurt to double-check.

After confirming that everything was in order, Mikael extended a thin strand of Divine Sense from his spiritual sea, guiding it through the protective formation tied to his storage ring. The transaction took only a second—one thousand mid-grade spirit stones quietly flowed into the verification formation embedded at the base of the pedestal.

Buzz.

A faint vibration ran through the jade, subtle enough to go unnoticed by ordinary cultivators. A soft pulse of light traced the runes at its base, confirming the transfer.

The manager’s eyes gleamed. While he hadn’t been able to offer anything for free, consequently currying favor, he had still succeeded in selling one of the shop’s most expensive products. And as the acting manager, a portion of that sale’s commission would be his—a result that instantly brightened his mood.

Still, even as his heart swelled with satisfaction, he maintained a respectful posture, hands clasped in front of him. “The transaction has been received. Thank you for your patronage, Honored One. Would you like me to have the map sealed for transport?”

Mikael gave a slight shake of the head and slipped the scroll into his storage ring without ceremony.

The manager bowed once more. “Should you ever require future updates or specialized commissions for mapping other regions, we would be honored to assist you.”

Mikael responded with a faint nod, uninterested in dragging out the exchange. The transaction was complete. He had what he came for.

Turning on his heel, he exited the Jade Compass Pavilion without a word, the four elite guards of the Lin Clan silently falling into step behind him.

Once outside, the ambient attention from the crowd returned like a tide—dozens of gazes subtly drawn toward him. Mikael didn’t react. As irritating as it was, he was starting to get used to it. Learning to ignore it was becoming second nature.

In this way, the group of five crossed through another part of the city and soon arrived at their second—and hopefully final—destination: Norkal’s General Goods Store.

Unlike the refined architecture of the Jade Compass Pavilion, this store had a more practical and modest appearance. The flow of people moving in and out was constant, signaling steady business.

It was immediately clear that, while the shop maintained high standards, it catered more to the everyday cultivator than the elite. The atmosphere was less formal, but no less efficient.

Without hesitation, Mikael stepped inside, the four guards following behind. He wasted no time.

Moving through the shelves with quiet precision, he began selecting the supplies he would need for his upcoming journey into the Savagefang Mountain Range.

Healing pills. Detoxification pills. Beast-repelling powder. Portable concealment formations. And more. He picked up each item with practiced efficiency, choosing only what he knew would serve him in the field.

He didn’t bother checking the prices.

After all, he was ‘rich’ now. And no matter how much he spent in this store, it wouldn’t come close to the absurd cost of the map he’d just purchased.

Once all the items were safely stored in his storage ring and the payment completed, Mikael headed toward the information section of the store. Without hesitation, he purchased the most expensive packet available.

Compared to the static scroll he’d just acquired, this information packet was far more current. It detailed recent demonic beast movements, shifts in territorial boundaries, and changes within the Savagefang Mountain Range that hadn’t yet been updated in formal maps. For a solo cultivator planning to explore the region, this kind of supplemental intelligence was invaluable.

One particular line from the information broker stood out. “One thing of note—and potentially the most important—is that there are signs of a forming Demonic Beast Tide. It could begin in a matter of weeks… or a few months at most.”

Mikael’s expression didn’t change, but he understood the weight behind those words.

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— End of Chapter —