Of course, for now, there is nothing to worry about. By absorbing the strengths of dozens of top martial arts and improving this Swallowing Heaven Primordial Transformation Sutra, it has indeed produced some results. With the guiding technique he created himself, in less than a month, he could completely purify it.

However, in the future, he would still need to be cautious.

He tried once more to use inner vision to examine the meridians within his body. He felt that the qi sea was connected to dozens of acupoints, and sure enough, all of them were dual meridians running parallel. They were twisted together like braided strands, mutually repelling yet also interconnected in many places.

Henry Clark gave a helpless smile and stopped paying attention to the situation inside his body, turning instead to sense the outside world.

Before his qi sea was opened, he could hardly perceive the spiritual energy permeating the world.

It was only at this moment that he could use his meager qi to probe the situation within an inch around him.

Yet in the next instant, Henry Clark's expression suddenly froze again, and his brows furrowed once more.

“Why is the spiritual energy here so thin as well?”

Measuring the concentration of spiritual energy within an inch around him, it was naturally far denser than in the later era he came from.

But compared to the virtual, vast, and abundant spiritual energy in the God Emperor game, it was still nothing in comparison.

“What era is this, really? Is it truly thirteen thousand years ago?”

Staring blankly around, at this moment, Henry Clark felt an unprecedented sense of regret.

In the God Emperor world, top spiritual masters and martial cultivators all possessed the ability to seize bodies. He had always been wary of this, which was why he never dared to ask William Harris or Chuxue directly. These days, he could only probe indirectly.

But now, he was more desperate than ever to understand his own situation, the state of this Cloud Realm, and the era he was in.

According to legend, at the end of the ancient era when mythic figures roamed, all the spiritual veins in the world were severed. The inheritance of spiritual masters and martial cultivators was nearly extinct as well. This was the least likely era.

That left only the Cloud Wilderness era, when spiritual energy gradually revived. But this era itself lasted over ten thousand years, only then ushering in the explosive growth of spiritual energy in the God Emperor century.

Lost in wild thoughts, his mind in turmoil, Henry Clark sat in the tub, staring blankly. Only when the demon water in the tub had completely cooled did he stand up, his face ashen.

Just as he finished dressing, Chuxue poked her head in from outside the carriage door, her face beaming with joy. “Young master, the Guling Market has arrived—”

“Guling Market?”

Henry Clark raised his eyebrows slightly, waves of emotion rising in his heart, and in three quick steps, he walked to the carriage window.

Looking out into the distance, he saw a vast marketplace covering several miles, appearing within his field of vision.

This was not the Guling City of his memory; the majestic city walls had not yet been built. Outside, there were only some fences and earthen barriers to keep out wild beasts.

Yet at the sight, Henry Clark first felt his mind relax, then became so excited he could hardly contain himself.

……

After the carriage stopped at the outskirts of the market, William Harris left on his own, destination unknown.

Henry Clark was accompanied by Su Chuxue, wandering around the market.

At this time, the Guling Market was far from its future grand scale, but it was already extremely prosperous. On both sides of the street, almost all the shops were buying beast pelts, beast crystals, and medicinal herbs. The people walking about all carried weapons and exuded fierce auras.

Its location near Longze Plain and the presence of many clean water sources nearby had attracted a huge number of martial artists and spiritual masters. Every day, no fewer than a thousand people came and went.

Yet although this place was teeming with powerful figures, including many ruthless killers, there was no need to worry about personal safety.

This was the territory guarded by the number one sect in the far east of the Cloud Realm. Within the market, private fights and brawls were strictly forbidden. In this world, who would dare to cause trouble here?

This was also why William Harris could rest assured and let him wander freely in this chaotic Guling Market.

Observing the passersby and the many shops along the street, Henry Clark became more and more certain of the era he was in, and finally felt at ease.

It should be between ten and fifty years before the explosion of spiritual energy. Any earlier, and the Guling Market would not yet exist on Longze Plain. Any later, and Guling City would have already begun to take shape. Countless martial cultivators and spiritual masters, sensing the signs of increasing spiritual energy, gathered here to temper their minds and hone their martial skills and spiritual arts.

He was of a calm disposition. His near-obsessive engagement with the ""God Emperor"" game was mostly out of interest. The runes within, and the unattained martial peaks, all fascinated him. In truth, he had no desire to compete with the monstrous heroes of the God Emperor century in the game, and would avoid the mythic figures of the ancient era whenever possible.

But compared to the equally depleted spiritual energy of the late ancient era and the post-God Emperor era, Henry Clark much preferred this bloody God Emperor century. Though dangerous, at least he could continue to research everything he longed to know and pursue the pinnacle of martial arts.

Moreover, in his previous life, he had countless regrets that he needed to resolve one by one in this era, just before the explosion of spiritual energy.

“Huh? Treasure Armory Pavilion, this Guling Market Pavilion actually has a branch of the Treasure Armory?”

Chuxue suddenly spoke, interrupting Henry Clark's thoughts. Following her gaze, he saw a weapon shop, not too big nor too small, but extremely tidy, appear before his eyes.

Chapter 007: A Chance Encounter at the Armory Pavilion