Translator: CinderTL
Tancang Market.
Disguised as a handsome young master, Song Wen stood suspended in mid-air, his gaze sweeping across the market, which spanned no more than twenty to thirty miles.
The market's layout was chaotic, with buildings scattered haphazardly and streets winding in irregular patterns.
Song Wen had come here solely because Tancang Market was the closest human settlement to Yuncang Ridge.
Located in the southwestern corner of the Southern Nether Continent, Yuncang Ridge lay a hundred million miles from Great Tan City, yet still fell within the jurisdiction of the Spirit Jade Palace.
Compared to the Myriad Swords Pavilion, which occupied the northwestern part of the Southern Nether Continent, Yuncang Ridge was far closer.
If Mi Man's information proved accurate, Song Wen might actually find those Myriad Swords Pavilion cultivators here and obtain the True Yang Grass from them, saving him the arduous journey across mountains and seas to the pavilion itself.
The Myriad Swords Pavilion cultivators would likely pass through this market to reach Yuncang Ridge. Even if they hadn't visited before, Song Wen could gather intelligence here. After all, many cultivators passing through the market were headed to Yuncang Ridge and might have encountered the Myriad Swords Pavilion cultivators there.
After casually questioning a few people on the street, Song Wen entered the largest shop in the market.
As soon as he stepped inside, a maidservant hurried over.
"May I ask, Senior, what you wish to purchase?"
Song Wen's expression remained haughty, not even glancing at the maidservant.
"Your cultivation is too low to serve this young master. Summon your steward."
Sensing the overwhelming aura emanating from Song Wen, the Foundation Establishment Stage maid dared not utter a word of protest.
"Senior, please wait a moment. This junior will fetch the steward immediately."
With that, the maid hurried toward the shop's rear courtyard.
Moments later, an elderly man in the early Divine Transformation Stage emerged.
His cloudy eyes brightened slightly when he saw Song Wen, resplendent in luxurious robes.
"Young master, welcome to our humble establishment. What brings you here today?"
Song Wen merely glanced at the elder before shifting his gaze to survey the vast hall, stretching hundreds of feet wide.
"Your shop is indeed rather small."
The elder's expression froze for a moment, taken aback.
What does the size of this shop have to do with you, a mere customer? Why would you even comment on it?
Yet the elder showed no displeasure, instead adopting an even more deferential tone.
The more arrogant the visitor, the greater their backing must be. Politeness could only benefit him.
"Young master is correct. Our humble establishment is indeed cramped and simple. We beg your indulgence."
"Hmm." Song Wen nodded slightly, seemingly pleased by the elder's deference. "This young master has heard you sell information about Yuncang Ridge. Tell me, have any members of the Myriad Swords Pavilion entered Yuncang Ridge recently?"
The old man's eyes flickered as he scanned the other customers in the shop before transmitting his response through divine sense.
"Young Master, several days ago, some disciples from the Myriad Swords Pavilion did indeed visit Tancang Market. Many people in the market saw their group."
"Really?" Song Wen's face lit up with excitement as he finally turned to face the old man. "Do you know where they went? And what was their cultivation level?"
A hesitant expression crossed the old man's face as he continued to transmit through divine sense.
"Young Master is likely aware that this shop belongs to the Shi Family of Huilong Mountain. Our Shi Family is merely a mid-sized power, and even our highest-ranking Ancestor has only reached the Void Refinement Stage. How dare we casually reveal the whereabouts of disciples from the Myriad Swords Pavilion, one of the three great sects?"
Song Wen's expression darkened, his gaze turning icy as he transmitted back.
"You fear offending the Myriad Swords Pavilion, but you dare offend the Spirit Jade Palace!"
The old man's pupils constricted slightly. "Young Master is from the Spirit Jade Palace?"
A flash of arrogance crossed Song Wen's eyes. "This young master is Jiang Yushan of the Spirit Jade Palace's Alchemy Peak, a disciple of True Lord Bai Wei. I've come today on my master's orders to discuss matters with fellow daoists from the Myriad Swords Pavilion. You need not worry—this won't bring you any trouble."
The old man clasped his hands in a respectful bow toward Song Wen.
"Though Tancang Market is located in a remote area, this old one has long heard of Senior Bai Wei and the young master's esteemed names. To meet you both today is truly a stroke of three lifetimes' fortune."
Song Wen glanced at the bowing old man, thinking to himself, The world is indeed full of hypocrites.
This old man might have heard of Bai Wei, but he certainly hadn't heard of any "Jiang Yushan."
"Now, can you tell this young master what you know about the Myriad Swords Pavilion?" Song Wen asked telepathically.
The old man replied telepathically, "Reporting to the young master, the Myriad Swords Pavilion group consists of six members: four men and two women. One is a Void Refinement Stage cultivator, and the other five are Divine Transformation Stage cultivators. They rested in the market for over ten days before entering Yuncang Ridge from the northwest corner. As for their specific destination, this old one knows nothing."
Song Wen nodded in satisfaction, acting as if this information were his due. He showed not a hint of gratitude for the old man's cooperation.
"Do you have a detailed map of Yuncang Ridge?"
The old man hastily produced a jade slip and presented it respectfully to Song Wen.
"Young master, please take a look."
Song Wen accepted the jade slip and probed it with his divine sense.
Instantly, a vast topographical map appeared before him.
The map covered an area spanning tens of millions of miles, but it was crudely drawn. Only the region near Tancang Market was detailed; most other areas were left blank.
"Why is this map so rudimentary?" Song Wen asked, his dissatisfaction evident.
The elder replied, "Young Master, your discernment is keen. The skies above Yuncang Ridge are perpetually shrouded in dark clouds that never dissipate. These clouds not only block the sun's rays, plunging the entire ridge into perpetual darkness, but also interfere with cultivators' divine sense, severely suppressing their perception. The map in your hand is the result of our Shi Family's painstaking efforts to purchase fragmented maps from cultivators who ventured into Yuncang Ridge, piecing them together bit by bit."
"If that's the case, I'll have to make do," Song Wen said. He flipped his hand and produced a storage pouch, tossing it to the elder. "These spirit stones are your reward."
The elder caught the pouch and bowed repeatedly in gratitude.
"Thank you, Young Master."
"The information you've given me is accurate, correct?" Song Wen pressed.
"This old one wouldn't dare deceive you, Young Master," the elder assured him.
"Good. If I discover any falsehoods, don't blame me for razing your shop and leveling the Shi Family."
After delivering this threat, Song Wen strode out of the shop.
With the elder's obsequious farewells ringing in his ears, Song Wen exited the shop, soared into the air, and flew northwest.
Once Song Wen had completely vanished from sight, the elder exhaled deeply.
He clutched the storage pouch in his hand, a flicker of disdain crossing his face.
Ten measly high-grade spirit stones? What an insult! This map alone is worth far more than that.
Spirit Jade Palace disciple, indeed!
Not a single good thing comes from those great sects.
(End of the Chapter)