One person: I, Daoist Master, am a cultivator of immortality!

Sun Yao, Yue Qiluo, and Hong Guniang headed straight for Changbai Mountain after leaving Shanhaiguan. Recently, he noticed that the Angry-Eyed Rooster's intelligence had become increasingly potent, seemingly due to its constant absorption of spiritual energy, creating a rare vortex of spiritual energy around it. This resulted in an abundance of spiritual energy around it, even drawing in spiritual energy from within a hundred miles. Consequently, those close to it experienced subtle changes; for example, Hong Guniang's physique had improved by nearly 30%.

If even Hong Guniang was like this, then Yue Qiluo was even more so. They traveled from Shanhaiguan to the foot of Changbai Mountain, a journey that took them four days. During those four days, Yue Qiluo reached the second level of Qi Refining without using any elixirs. One can only imagine how powerful the effect of Sun Yao's "spirited ascension" was.

Undoubtedly, the Angry-Eyed Rooster, having been by his side all day, would naturally be bathed in spiritual energy. It was this spiritual energy that caused the Angry-Eyed Rooster to undergo a transformation, thereby activating the trace of phoenix blood within it. In that case, Sun Yao would truly have suffered a great loss.

Although they had arrived at the foot of Changbai Mountain, they hadn't yet reached the territory of the Ma family. This was a small town at the foot of Changbai Mountain, where life remained quite simple. Although there were garrison officers present, there were no signs of the Japanese acting with impunity yet. After all, the current leader of the Fengtian clique was still that Northeast King, not the "Little Six" who withdrew from the three northeastern provinces without firing a shot. Although Commander Zhang had the nature of a bandit, there was no doubt that he had done a good job as the Northeast King.

Upon entering the small town, he was greeted by ordinary people hawking their wares on both sides of the street. However, Sun Yao noticed something unusual among these people. As he walked, he came to a fur shop, a place that exuded an inexplicable sense of unease. Just approaching this place made Sun Yao feel as if he had a thorn in his back or a fishbone stuck in his throat. But looking inside, he couldn't find anything wrong with the shop.

"Master Dao, what's wrong? Is there something wrong with this place? Why are you heading this way? Are you perhaps looking to buy a fur coat?"

"Yes, you're right. We're going into the mountains next, and even cotton-padded clothes won't be as windproof and warm as these fur coats. Look at those bearskin coats and sable fur jackets, they naturally generate heat when you wear them, and you won't get cold even if the snow in the mountains is heavy."

As Sun Yao spoke, he led Yue Qiluo and Hong Guniang into the shop. As for the driver, he was naturally in the car looking at the vehicles. After entering the shop, they saw all kinds of furs. Sun Yao looked at the furs and immediately pointed out the bearskin coat and the sable fur coat.

“My sir, you have a very good eye. This bearskin coat is hard to find; it takes a whole group of experienced hunters to hunt down just one bear. Sable fur is an even rarer treasure; it takes about ten sables to make just one sable fur coat.”

A middle-aged man who appeared to be the owner walked out from behind the counter, rubbing his hands together, giving off a mercenary vibe. But Sun Yao felt a chill emanating from him. It wasn't that the man made him feel threatened, but rather that something seemed to be wrapped around him, like some kind of evil, unorthodox practice.

"Hmm, you're quite right. But no rush, let's look around some more." Sun Yao wasn't in a hurry and started wandering around the small shop. In no time, he reached the very back of the shop. There he saw something unimaginable: a white fox fur coat. Fox fur coats are precious enough, but a pure white fox fur coat without a single stray hair was even more valuable.

"Shopkeeper, I didn't expect you to have white fox fur here. Is this one genuine?"

"Sir, what are you saying? We're in business, how could we possibly cheat our customers with inferior or counterfeit goods?" As the shopkeeper spoke to Sun Yao, the white fox fur coat had already been taken off.

Fox fur is not actually rare; even a one-in-a-million white fox fur is not particularly unusual. What makes this white fox fur so special is that it is not only made of pure white fox fur, but it is also the skin of a fox spirit with cultivation.

Sun Yao was very curious. This area outside Shanhaiguan could practically be considered Ma family territory. Especially since it was at the foot of Changbai Mountain, it was like slapping these Five Immortals in the face. How could these arrogant immortals tolerate him being so presumptuous under their noses?

"Oh, you certainly have a good eye, sir. This is our shop's prized possession—a pure white fox fur coat, a once-in-a-century find. Such a beautiful fox fur coat is hard to come by in this world. Would you like to buy it, sir?"

“Boss, you said it yourself, it’s a rare find. Why not buy such a treasure? Name your price, and if it’s right, I’ll take not only this white fox fur coat, but also the fire fox fur coat over there and the sable fur coat.”

Sun Yao waved his hand generously, giving the impression of being extremely lavish. No business owner could refuse such a client.

"No problem, no problem. I'll treat these two fox fur coats to you as 10 large yellow croakers, and as for this sable fur coat, I'll treat it to you as a half-buy, half-giveaway, 5 small yellow croakers, how about that?"

"The boss is really daring to ask for prices. These two fox fur coats cost me 10 large yellow croakers. You should think this place is just the Northeast, not the capital. There aren't that many high-ranking officials and nobles who would spend so much money to buy clothes."

"You don't understand. Things are valued for their rarity. As long as something is rare enough, I believe it won't always remain hidden. After all, good wine needs no bush. As long as a treasure is attractive enough, it won't be difficult to find a buyer in this remote and impoverished place in Northeast China."

The brief conversation ended there, but the few words exchanged between the two had already conveyed a sense of confrontation.

"Okay, but I'll only give you 10 large yellow croakers for these three pieces. If they fit, just wrap them up for me, or rather, just take them off. I want to wear them now."

As Sun Yao spoke, he gestured to Hong Guniang. Seeing his signal, Hong Guniang immediately stepped forward and opened the bundle she was carrying. Inside lay ten large yellow croakers. These ten croakers had been in Hong Guniang's possession since the sale of the house, and Sun Yao hadn't asked her for them. Now they came in handy, saving Hong Guniang the trouble of having her brothers from the Unloading Ridge gang find the money.

"Well... well, alright then. Ten big yellow croakers it is. Consider it a loss for today. It's not easy to find someone who appreciates quality in this small place. Handing these three treasures over to you will save them from gathering dust in my hands."