The Ten Thousand Demon Great Marsh, though named a Great Marsh, isn't entirely muddy swamp.
Three thousand li to the south.
The terrain rises steeply, and the miasma gradually thins.
There is a ridge within it, named Qifeng.
Although Qifeng Ridge doesn't boast towering peaks that pierce the clouds, it excels in its abundant Spiritual Qi, with clouds and mist swirling year-round.
The vast expanse of red maple trees on the mountain burns like fire, illuminating half the sky.
Echoing the surrounding white mist, it truly is an Immortal Cave.
This place is the Lu Family Ancestral Land.
However, at this moment, streaks of light constantly flash across the sky above Qifeng Ridge, descending upon it.
Clearly, something is about to happen today.
As two streaks of light descended, they revealed two figures, one old and one young.
No sooner had the young man landed than he complained to the elder, "This Lu family certainly has good luck. Not only can they occupy this treasure land in this region, but they can also make the surrounding Cultivators obediently come and offer money."
Hearing this, the elder glanced sideways at the young man and sneered, "Luck? You're quite naive."
"What's wrong with what I said?"
The elder shook his head and said, "To be able to occupy this treasure land and make the surrounding Cultivators acknowledge the Treasure Gathering Assembly, it's not as simple as just luck... This Lu family's ancestors were once prominent. It's said that a formidable individual who cultivated a Golden Body of Incense appeared. Back then, let alone the southern part of this Great Marsh, even looking at the entire Eastern Domain, they were a renowned figure."
"It's a pity, though, that wealth doesn't last beyond three generations, and the path of cultivation is the same. After that Old Ancestor died, the Lu family declined with each generation, seemingly on the verge of being swallowed by other forces."
At this point, the elder paused, a meaningful sneer appearing on his Face.
"But the current head of the Lu family is a ruthless character. Seeing the family decline, he gritted his teeth and led the entire clan to pledge allegiance to Qingcheng Mountain."
"Qingcheng Mountain?!"
The young man gasped, shrinking his neck.
Although this was his first time following an elder from his clan to gain experience, he wasn't completely ignorant of the outside forces.
Qingcheng Mountain, as one of the twenty-five Dao Lineages.
Who in the Eastern Domain doesn't know about it?
"The Lu family sold themselves for a good price, becoming a watchdog set up by Qingcheng Mountain on the edge of this Great Marsh. Although the reputation isn't pleasant, this dog chain is made of gold, so who dares to touch them?"
"Furthermore, a Lu Changfeng appeared in this generation of the Lu family. He is a genuine Genius, highly valued by Qingcheng Mountain... With this connection, the Lu family can enjoy their current status..."
The young man listened, dumbfounded, and when he looked towards the mountaintop again, his eyes held a hint of envy.
To be a dog to this extent is also a kind of skill.
As the two spoke, they had already reached halfway up the mountain.
Here stood a massive white jade archway, inscribed with the characters 'Lu Clan' in powerful strokes.
Below the archway stood two rows of burly men in green tight-fitting attire.
Each had a steady aura and eyes like eagles, scanning the passing crowd.
The leading Lu family steward had a large belly and cold, sinister eyes.
"Zhonglian Realm Late Stage, pass!"
"Mountain Gazing Realm Early Stage, pass!"
"Hmm? Demon? Hmph, the Lu family does business without asking about origin or background. As long as you follow the rules and pay the entry fee, you can enter."
Just then, a commotion suddenly arose in the crowd.
"Why?! I am a Lamp-Lighting Martial Saint. Coming to your broken place is giving you Face, and you still want to charge me for a ticket?!"
A middle-aged man in brocade robes, red-faced, pointed at the steward's nose and cursed.
Several attendants behind him also looked indignant.
Just as the old man and the young man witnessed this, the old man shook his head and sighed, "Another one from a small place... Didn't even bother to inquire clearly before coming... Here, what's a Lamp Lighting Realm worth?"
Indeed.
The fat steward looked over indifferently, a smile playing on his lips: "Lamp-Lighting Martial Saint?"
Then he scoffed, his Face full of mockery.
"Let alone a mere Lamp-Lighting Martial Saint, even an Ascending the Tower Martial Immortal, when they arrive at my Lu family's doorstep, if they are a Dragon, they must coil; if they are a Tiger, they must crouch!"
"Don't want to pay? Fine."
The fat steward suddenly waved his hand.
"Throw him down."
Before his words fell.
Two figures suddenly appeared before him.
The middle-aged man, despite being a Lamp Lighting Realm Cultivator, didn't even have a chance to react before he felt his arms tighten, and he was hoisted up.
"You dare... Ah!!!"
The previously noisy crowd instantly fell silent.
This was the Lu family's confidence.
This was the prestige of being backed by Qingcheng Mountain.
The fat steward clapped his hands nonchalantly, a forced, insincere smile returning to his Face.
"Everyone, our Lu family hosts this Treasure Gathering Assembly for the sake of harmonious wealth... As long as you follow the rules, we have good wine and meat to entertain you, and good treasures waiting for everyone."
"But if anyone is so foolish as to try and cause trouble..."
Speaking to this point.
A cold glint flashed in his eyes.
"Then don't blame my Lu family for being merciless."
After this display of killing the chicken to warn the monkeys, the remaining queue moved much more smoothly.
No one dared to complain about the expensive entry fee, nor did anyone dare to put on airs.
Passing through the archway, the scene suddenly opened up.
The peak had actually been flattened, creating a massive plaza several li in circumference.
On the plaza, white jade paved the ground, and pavilions stood all around, with flying eaves and intricate dougong brackets, showcasing extravagance.
At this moment, the plaza was already filled with various stalls.
"So this is the Lu family's Treasure Gathering Assembly..."
The young man stood at the edge of the plaza, his eyes wide as he gazed at the scene before him.
The elder was much calmer, but his gaze didn't linger on the stalls; instead, he looked towards the center of the plaza.
A high platform stood there.
On the high platform were several grand chairs, currently empty.
But around the high platform, elite guards of the Lu family were gathered, each looking as if facing a formidable enemy.
"Those stall vendors are just selling scraps. The truly good stuff is on that platform."
The elder narrowed his eyes and said, "The Lu family holds a Treasure Gathering Assembly every three years. Besides allowing Cultivators from all walks of life to exchange goods, the most crucial part is that the Lu family itself brings out a few heirloom treasures for auction."
"I heard this time, the Lu family has gone all out."
"Oh? What's the story?" the young man asked curiously.
"What exactly it is, this old man isn't clear."
The elder shook his head, then lowered his voice, "But there are rumors that the Lu family's Qilin child, who cultivates on Qingcheng Mountain, sent back a batch of good things a few days ago. It seems to be... from the Immortal Cave of a fallen Chess Playing Great Power."
"Chess Playing Great Power?!"
The young man's eyes widened.
In this Eastern Domain, anything associated with the words 'Chess Player'.
No matter what it is, its value can immediately multiply several times over.
That's a Realm above Ascending the Tower... In the entire Eastern Domain, those who can enter the Chess Player Realm are but a handful... If the news is true, wouldn't Cultivators from the entire Eastern Domain rush here?