After observing for a long while, Li Shan discovered that the items in these shops weren't as high-grade as he had imagined, which surprised him.

Li Shan asked doubtfully, "Why do they seem lower grade than expected? The highest grade items here appear to be only seventh or eighth tier."

Gu You coughed and said, "The really good stuff is kept in the Seven Star Tower. Let's go take a look!" He pointed toward the center.

Li Shan nodded.

Under Gu You's guidance, the two soon arrived at the market's center, where a nine-story tower stood before them.

"This is the Seven Star Tower. As a one-star member, I can only visit the first floor," Gu You explained.

Li Shan gave the nine-story jade tower a strange look and asked, "The Seven Star Tower has nine floors?"

"Isn't that normal?" Gu You countered. "Everyone knows the Big Dipper has nine stars, right?"

After a brief silence, Li Shan asked, "Does the first floor have items suitable for Great Ascension Realm cultivators?"

"Naturally!"

They quickly reached the central Seven Star Tower. Upon entering the first floor, Li Shan was stunned by the dazzling array of rare treasures.

"Ten-thousand-year Purple Marrow Heart!"

"Void Gold Lightning Bamboo!"

"Crimson Sky Fire Qi!"

"Purple Lightning Marten's Thunder Pattern Eye!"

Li Shan's eyes nearly spun from the sight - these were all treasures usable by Great Ascension Realm cultivators! Normally, such items would spark fierce competition among Great Ascension experts if found in secret realms, yet here they were piled up in stacks!

Even Li Shan couldn't help but feel the urge to snatch them, but his attention was soon captured by a middle-aged man at the tower's center. The pressure radiating from him made Li Shan's heart tremble - that soul-deep oppression couldn't be faked!

"An Immortal!" Li Shan gasped.

Hearing this, Gu You also looked at Song Cai with envy. "His surname is Song - a true immortal who lives as long as heaven! He's in charge of the Seven Star Market under the Seven Star Trading Association."

Li Shan asked in surprise, "From your tone, he's not the association's master?"

"How could he be?" Gu You laughed. "Sect Leader, he's just a manager! Someday I'll reach the Golden Immortal realm or higher through my own efforts! My status will far surpass his!"

These words made Li Shan's heart tremble - this implied the Seven Star Trading Association already had Golden Immortals among its ranks!

Only then did Li Shan notice four platforms around Song Cai displaying clearly superior items. Several Great Ascension cultivators were making inquiries, their excited expressions visible though their voices were blocked by soundproofing arrays.

"Let's go take a look!" Li Shan said urgently, quickly moving forward.

"Sect Leader, wait for me!" Gu You hurried to follow.

Upon entering the central area, they immediately heard customers' conversations:

"They actually have Immortal Ascension Water here! Now I have hope for my immortal tribulation!"

"Hahaha! Black Demon Flame! My path to a demonic body is secured!"

Two voices spoke simultaneously, after which the two Great Ascension cultivators glared at each other.

"Demon cultivator?"

"Spiritual cultivator?"

*Ahem!*

Song Cai released immortal-level pressure, suppressing both excited cultivators. "This is the Seven Star Market. All who come here are guests. Fighting is prohibited - violators will face consequences!" His voice pierced the sound barrier, echoing throughout the market.

The surrounding Great Ascension cultivators quickly calmed down - none dared act recklessly before an immortal.

Someone immediately asked, "Market Master Song, how do we trade for these treasures?"

Song Cai smiled. "Ten thousand one-star Star Stones per portion!" He produced a stone resembling a spirit stone but containing pure stellar energy.

"You can exchange your possessions for Star Stones first, then return to purchase. Star Stones can be physical or stored in your Seven Star Card for transactions here," Song Cai explained cheerfully.

Tempted, Li Shan immediately went to exchange his assets. Guided by Gu You, they soon reached an exchange point where a white-haired youth sat boredly reading.

"Want to exchange for Star Stones?" the youth asked upon noticing them.

"Yes. How many Star Stones can I get for everything in this storage ring?" Li Shan asked immediately.

Su Qian casually scanned the contents. Using the Myriad Treasures Heaven-Earth Cauldron's abilities, he instantly calculated the value and produced a list for Li Shan. "These are your items' exchange values. Note that prices fluctuate in real time - what's offered now may change later," he said offhandedly.

Li Shan understood perfectly - in a market connected to multiple worlds, commodity prices would naturally fluctuate, making business here quite risky.

Reviewing the list, he found treasures valued lower than expected, while spirit stones, spirit crystals, herbs, and materials fetched higher prices.

Frowning, Li Shan asked, "Only 110,000 one-star Star Stones?"

"No cheating! Fair trade!" The white-haired youth shrugged.

"I'll take it," Li Shan said.

"Physical Star Stones or stored in a membership card?"

"I don't have a card. How do I get one?" Li Shan didn't plan to visit just once.

Su Qian became serious, glancing at Gu You, who shrugged to indicate he hadn't explained.

"The Seven Star Card serves as identification for both internal and external members of the Seven Star Trading Association. Internal members fully join the association, enjoying great benefits like purchase discounts and access to headquarters training - achieving immortality becomes easy! The catch? No betrayal allowed," Su Qian explained cheerfully.

"What about external members?" Li Shan pressed.

"Simple - temporary membership representing you as a guest of the association. No binding relationship, just limited access to the Seven Star Market and eligibility to earn Star Stones through tasks."

"I'll take temporary membership," Li Shan decided.

"Temporary membership costs 10,000 one-star Star Stones, granting ten free market entries. Subsequent visits cost ten one-star Star Stones each," Su Qian continued.

Li Shan winced at the steep price. He gave Gu You a questioning look. "You could afford this?"

"I'm an internal member - no charge," Gu You said calmly.

Shocked, Li Shan asked, "Then why join the Backing Mountain Sect? Doesn't that violate the no-betrayal rule?"

"Joining forces below Golden Immortal level doesn't count as betrayal against the association," Gu You explained.

Li Shan fell silent. This was like him not caring if his disciples joined mortal families or kingdoms - the Seven Star Association viewed him similarly, as an insignificant figure.

After some thought, he asked Su Qian, "If I start as an external member but later join internally, can I get a refund for this fee?"

Su Qian's mouth twitched at this outrageous question. Giving Li Shan a strange look, he said, "Yes."

"Then I'll take temporary membership for now," Li Shan sighed.

Nodding, Su Qian reached into the void and produced a new Seven Star Card. "Input your magic power and soul energy to bind it," he instructed.

Following the directions, Li Shan soon held his own Seven Star Card.

"It's preloaded with 103,823 one-star Star Stones and ready for use," Su Qian said.

"Thank you!" Accepting the card with a respectful bow, Li Shan withdrew. He'd sensed Su Qian's vast energy fluctuations - this was clearly another immortal-level being deserving of respect.

"Enough for ten portions of Immortal Ascension Water. I wonder if that's sufficient to temper an immortal body," Li Shan murmured.

"Not enough - you'll need ninety more," Gu You replied.

"You know about this?" Li Shan asked, surprised.

"Of course. As an internal member, I have access to such information," Gu You said calmly.

"By the way, I forgot to ask earlier - how does one increase their Seven Star Card's star rating?"

"Spend money or complete tasks," Gu You answered simply.

Understanding, Li Shan returned to the Seven Star Tower to find many Great Ascension cultivators already queuing to purchase treasures, each holding a Seven Star Card.

Noticing that nearly all cards belonged to external members (Gu You's internal card had different patterns), Li Shan nervously joined the queue. Soon, it was his turn.

"What would you like?" Song Cai asked.

Surveying the four items - Immortal Ascension Water, Black Demon Flame, Divine Power Crystals, and Yellow Spring Water - Li Shan hesitated at the last one. "Is this the legendary Yellow Spring Water from the Underworld that heals all soul injuries?"

Song Cai shook his head.

Disappointed, Li Shan sighed.

Song Cai continued, "It is Yellow Spring Water, but only treats certain injuries. Fundamentally just another cultivation resource - though it does heal most injuries for mortal beings."

Suppressing the urge to argue that this was indeed Yellow Spring Water, Li Shan quickly said, "I'll take five portions of Immortal Ascension Water and five of Yellow Spring Water!"

"Done!"

With a swipe, 100,000 Star Stones vanished from Li Shan's card as Song Cai handed him ten packaged items.

"Use these immediately after opening," Song Cai reminded.

"Thank you, Market Master Song!" Li Shan turned to leave.

Suddenly, Song Cai called out, "Wait!"

"What is it?" Li Shan asked, quickly securing his new treasures.

"Would you like to learn about our buy-now-pay-later service?" Song Cai asked cheerfully.