Three streaks of light streaked across the sky, tearing through the sea of clouds and quietly descending.
The radiance faded, revealing Jiang Yuechu and her two companions.
Wang Ziyu stood with his hands behind his back, looking up at the maple-covered Qifeng Ridge before him, clicking his tongue in wonder.
"What a grand undertaking, truly a grand undertaking."
The boy narrowed his eyes, his gaze wandering through the mountains before finally settling on a spot. He said in surprise, "Being a dog for Mount Qingcheng is indeed different; they even went so far as to bring out the Southern Dipper Six Stars Formation to guard their home."
Hearing this,
Jiang Yuechu raised an eyebrow slightly.
She had never cared for these unorthodox arts.
But as her Realm increased,
She more and more understood the pain of being illiterate in such matters.
With such a living encyclopedia by her side, she naturally had to ask a question.
"Is this Formation... very powerful?"
Wang Ziyu glanced at her helplessly.
This woman's strength was terrifying, but regarding common knowledge of cultivation, she truly had nine out of ten holes plugged—she was completely clueless about the last one.
An ordinary Cultivator, if they reached the Denglou Realm, would at least have some understanding of auxiliary paths like Formations and Talismans, even if they didn't intend to specialize in them.
After all, when fighting others in the future, they would always encounter one or two.
If one didn't even recognize the basics, wouldn't they lose the initiative for nothing?
However, he was used to Jiang Yuechu being like this.
He patiently explained, "There are thousands of Formations in the world, and countless ones that can be ranked, but those that can be crowned with the name of the Nine Formations are all peerless Ominous Formations with the power to change heaven and earth."
"This Southern Dipper Six Stars Formation is ranked eighth among the Nine Formations. It draws power from the South Dipper stars. Those within the Formation sustain each other, assisting their Qi mechanisms, which can produce the effects of returning to truth, condensing the spirit, and manifesting all things..."
Jiang Yuechu narrowed her eyes. "Speak in human terms."
"...Tsk."
Wang Ziyu shook his head helplessly. After considering for a moment, he switched to a simpler explanation: "Let's put it this way: once inside this Formation, the Cultivators of the Lu Clan will have an endless supply of Qi. Even if they are heavily injured, they can use the Formation's power to recover in an instant."
Hearing this,
Jiang Yuechu nodded.
Making it sound so complicated... isn't it just carrying a fountain of life?
But if she could cut someone in half with one strike, even scattering their Divine Soul,
Then no matter how fast they healed or how much Spiritual Qi they had,
Dead people don't need healing.
"Oh... it is indeed powerful,"
Jiang Yuechu commented casually, then started walking up the mountain.
"..."
Wang Ziyu shook his head and stopped talking to her, instead muttering to himself, "But it's strange... This Southern Dipper Six Stars Formation, even for a Dao Lineage like Mount Qingcheng, shouldn't be something they can easily give away..."
Where did this Lu Clan get it from?
...
Ascending the steps, they reached the white marble archway after just a few paces.
That fat manager was talking to someone when his voice suddenly hitched, and the fat on his Face trembled violently.
He immediately ignored the person he was talking to and walked straight toward the three of them.
Earlier, he had boasted that even Tower-Ascending Martial Immortals would have to behave here, but that was just grandstanding, like a fox borrowing the tiger's majesty.
Any Tower Ascent expert, placed anywhere in this Eastern Region, should be given sufficient respect and attention.
Let alone three arriving at once!
Thinking of this,
The arrogance that had been on his Face earlier vanished instantly.
He jogged forward, covering the distance in a few steps, and bowed. "To have several Martial Immortals visit is an honor. Please forgive my lack of a proper welcome!"
Hearing this,
Jiang Yuechu only gave him a cold, indifferent glance.
The fat manager felt a chill in his heart from that look. He dared not be negligent and followed beside them with a fawning smile.
"You all look quite unfamiliar. I assume this is your first time at our Qifeng Ridge?"
"Yes."
Jiang Yuechu nodded slightly, clearly having no intention of wasting words.
Seeing this, Wang Ziyu secretly groaned in his heart.
This young lady truly doesn't understand the slightest bit of social etiquette.
Since they came as Loose Cultivators, wouldn't such arrogance slight the Lu Clan's Face?
It wouldn't matter if they wanted nothing... but their goal this time was the family's inherited Golden Body Technique.
No matter how strong they were, they should pay attention to proper etiquette.
Did she really intend to just snatch it?
He quickly stepped forward, a warm smile on his Face. "Indeed. We are just wandering Cultivators from the surrounding areas. We have long heard of the Lu Clan's Treasure Gathering Assembly and came today to broaden our horizons."
The fat manager wasn't angered by Jiang Yuechu's coldness.
After all, most Tower-Ascending Martial Immortals had eccentric tempers. As long as they followed the rules, their attitude didn't matter.
"Of course, of course... It is the Lu Clan's honor that three Martial Immortals have come from afar."
As he spoke, he surreptitiously glanced at Running Ox out of the corner of his eye.
"Our Treasure Gathering Assembly has always recognized rules over people."
He stepped aside and gestured forward. "Whether human or demon, as long as you enter this archway, you are a guest of the Lu Clan... There is only one thing to note: private fighting is forbidden on the mountain. Any grudges must be settled after leaving the mountain."
Wang Ziyu cupped his hands and smiled. "Naturally."
The fat manager laughed and said no more.
"Please come in, the three of you. The auction on the high platform hasn't started yet. You can browse the market first; perhaps you'll find some treasure that catches your eye."
Jiang Yuechu didn't say a word from beginning to end, walking straight through the archway.
Running Ox shrank his neck and followed closely behind her.
Wang Ziyu nodded to the manager before following them.
Once the three figures were far away, the fat manager straightened his back.
Looking at the departing figure of the young girl, a flash of doubt and surprise crossed his eyes.
To be honest, the Denglou Realm alone wouldn't have made him act this way.
Being a manager at Qifeng Ridge for thousands of years, he had seen at least fifty to a hundred Tower-Ascending Martial Immortals.
But those three just now were quite strange.
The boy and the demon were both genuine Tower Ascent experts.
Yet both of them seemed to follow that Girl in Black Robes, their respectful attitudes appearing genuine.
To make two Tower Ascent experts willingly act as followers, how terrifying must her person and the background behind her be?
He searched through the powers around the Great Marsh in his mind, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't think of any family with such a figure.
As for being Wild Cultivators as they claimed?
Heh...
Who was he kidding?
They likely just didn't want to reveal their origins and were using that as a cover.
Besides,
It was just a few polite words. Better to avoid trouble than to look for it; there was no need to offend such mysterious Jinxes for no reason.
But...
He still had to take precautions.
He turned around and beckoned to a guard behind him. "Send word to the clan. Say three honored guests have arrived, led by a young woman. Tell the Clan Head and the Elders to keep an eye out."
The guard's expression turned serious, and he didn't dare ask questions.
He bowed in acknowledgment and quietly retreated into the shadows.
After doing all this, the fat manager shook his head.
Tsk.
The Lu Clan is backed by Mount Qingcheng and has produced a figure like the Young Lord; their prestige is truly growing.
When they first joined Mount Qingcheng, who around Qifeng Ridge didn't treat the Lu Clan like a watchdog?
But relying on a master's power... is still power.
As of today,
Who would dare not give the Lu Clan some Face?
The fat manager narrowed his eyes, unable to help feeling a sense of pride as if he shared in the glory.
In a few more years, once the Young Lord returns from his studies at Mount Qingcheng,
This Lu Clan likely won't just be a mere watchdog anymore.
Perhaps they really will have a place in the entire Eastern Region.
Thinking of this,
The fat manager's Face was once again covered in smiles.
He continued to welcome guests as if nothing had happened.
...
The white jade-paved square stretched out in all directions, seemingly endless.
Jiang Yuechu and her companions walked in slowly, their gazes scanning the surroundings.
This was the first time she had seen so many people from the cultivation world gathered in one place.
In the past, within the Great Tang, a Mountain Gazing Realm expert could be called an Old Ancestor.
But here, looking around, Martial Venerables of the Mountain Gazing Realm were actually at the bottom of the ladder.
Even Martial Saints of the Lamp-Lighting Realm were not few in number.
Wang Ziyu looked at the dazzling array of stalls while lowering his voice. "Ever since the Lu Clan climbed the great tree that is Mount Qingcheng, they've been thinking about how to turn this backer into their own foundation... and they managed to come up with this Treasure Gathering Assembly."
"On the surface, it's to provide convenience for surrounding Cultivators to trade what they have for what they need, but in reality, every time, the Lu Clan brings out a few bottom-drawer treasures to attract Cultivators, all to consolidate their influence in the southern part of the Great Marsh."
At this point, a hint of curiosity flashed in the boy's eyes.
"Although I've heard of the Lu Clan's deeds, this is also my first time seeing it with my own eyes. Now that I have... the Lu Clan's scale is truly not small."
Beside them, Running Ox curled his lip, clearly not very interested in this so-called Treasure Gathering Assembly.
For demons, if they took a fancy to a treasure, they would find out the owner's background and then find an excuse to just snatch it.
Why go through all this human trouble?
Even when its heart material was coveted by the Crimson Silk Demon Emperor... it wasn't angry that the other party wanted to steal its things, but that they dared to do so despite knowing its background.
Jiang Yuechu, on the other hand, watched with great interest.
On her journey, what she relied on was the unreasonable point-adding of her Golden Finger.
She had never cared much for external objects on the path of cultivation, whether they were Medicinal Pills, Talismans, or Magic Treasures.
However,
No one would complain about having more resources in their own hands.
Moreover, relying on the talent 'Flesh and Bone as Furnace', her demand for treasures would only increase.
If there was really something that caught her eye... she could consider it.
Thinking of this, Jiang Yuechu didn't stop her pace, but simply spoke calmly: "What do Cultivators usually use for transactions?"
Wang Ziyu was startled, then gave a bitter smile. "Gold and silver coins are no different from dirt to us. Therefore, most trades are bartering or using valuable information as exchange."
"After all, at this Realm, the only things that catch one's eye are Heaven And Earth Treasures that aid cultivation or life-saving techniques and pills. How can these things be measured with gold and silver?"
At this point, he glanced sideways at the calm young girl.
"If you want to exchange for something, you can look around now. Although the truly good things are all held by the Lu Clan... but..."
He spread his hands, leaving the rest unsaid, but the meaning was clear.
He clearly didn't think the girl had anything sufficient to exchange with the Lu Clan for those top-tier treasures.
Jiang Yuechu nodded slightly, not getting angry.
After all, he was telling the truth.
Compared to this Eastern Region, the Great Tang was indeed a backwater.
Even with the power of the whole country, they probably couldn't find a single treasure that this group of Cultivators would look twice at.
As for herself...
The only thing she could offer was that Ominous Weapon.
Setting aside how she couldn't be stupid enough to trade it, even if she could... it was now fused into her Physical Body.
She couldn't exactly cut off her own flesh to trade.
Jiang Yuechu said softly, "Let's look around first."
Since they were here, they might as well take a look.
As for the Golden Body Technique... since they had already reached the Lu Clan's gates, there was no rush; she had to think of a strategy first.
If she could avoid fighting, it would be best not to.
After all, standing behind this Lu Clan was Mount Qingcheng.
If she really provoked an entire Dao Lineage to come out in full force...
She didn't have the confidence for that yet.
Seeing that she understood the situation, Wang Ziyu said no more. He simply stayed by her side, casually introducing the rare items on the surrounding stalls.
"See that pitch-black stone? That's Ink Jade Iron. It looks unremarkable, but it's an excellent material for refining treasure artifacts and Magic Treasures..."
"That gourd over there has Gu Ants inside. Those things are extremely sinister..."
The three of them browsed as they walked, gradually passing through the outer area and approaching the center.
Compared to the clamor of the outskirts, it was much quieter here.
A high platform stood right in the center. Surrounded by elite guards of the Lu Clan, each one had a steady aura and looked straight ahead.
Wang Ziyu narrowed his eyes and sized up the platform for a few moments.
"In all likelihood, this is the area the Lu Clan will use to auction the finale items... But looking at this setup, it should still be a few days before it starts."
Jiang Yuechu paid no attention to the platform.
Instead, her gaze fell upon a vendor not far away.
Seeing that the young girl wasn't paying him any mind, Wang Ziyu was used to it and followed her gaze.
It was a stall that looked rather deserted.
On a piece of tattered cloth, a single pair of gloves sat all alone.
The texture was clear and translucent, simple and pure white, with the entire body possessing a warm orange-yellow hue.
Although the stall looked meager, the fact that it could be set up in the inner area based on just one item...
...was enough to highlight the extraordinary nature of the object.
"Eh?"
Wang Ziyu let out a soft exclamation of surprise, a flash of astonishment crossing his eyes: "Such a Magic Treasure actually exists?"
Jiang Yuechu raised an eyebrow and asked, "Do you recognize its origins?"
She didn't recognize any Magic Treasures.
However, when her gaze swept over it just now, the crimson crescent blade that had long since merged into her flesh and blood actually sent out a faint sense of longing.
This was the first time she had encountered such a situation.
Wang Ziyu pondered for a moment and said, "Observing its spiritual rhythm and restrained treasure light, I'm afraid it has already reached the threshold of a High Grade Magic Treasure... It's just... it seems a bit strange..."
Magic Treasure?
Jiang Yuechu frowned and asked, "What is the difference between a Magic Treasure and a treasure artifact?"
In the Great Tang, she had only heard of treasure artifacts, and that was only because Wandering Dust Master had mentioned it to her once.
As for others, there were also the legendary Dao Weapons.
She really didn't know what this 'Magic Treasure' was.
Wang Ziyu explained, "The reason a treasure artifact is called a treasure artifact is simply that it contains a single worldly Spiritual Seal. For Realms below Tower Ascent, it might be of some use, but once one reaches the Tower Ascent stage and the Primordial Spirit manifests, a mere Spiritual Seal can no longer satisfy us."
"And a Magic Treasure..."
The boy pointed at the pair of gloves.
"...is where a complete Inner Scenery is directly sealed within. How can its power be compared to a treasure artifact?"
Jiang Yuechu naturally knew about Inner Scenery.
After Mountain Gazing, a Martial Artist would convert their Spiritual Seal into an Inner Scenery...
But she hadn't expected...
...that there were actually methods to seal an Inner Scenery inside an object...
She didn't ask any more questions for now and walked straight toward the stall, intending to take a closer look.
Before she even got close, she heard a passing Cultivator questioning the stall owner.
"Fellow Daoist, how are you trading this treasure?"
The stall owner wore a bamboo hat and had a withered, thin frame.
Hearing the question, he only slowly raised his head.
Under the shadow of the bamboo hat, his Face could not be seen clearly.
He only heard his raspy voice say indifferently, "This Seat is not trading for items."
The questioning Cultivator was stunned.
Not trading for items...
Then why the hell are you setting up a stall?
What?
Could it be you're just here to show off?
The stall owner ignored the strange looks from the surrounding Cultivators.
He simply said to himself in a raspy voice, "This Seat has come this time seeking only one thing. If it can be accomplished, this item will be given for free."
A High Grade Magic Treasure, for free?
As soon as these words came out, the few people who were originally just stopping to watch the fun all became interested.
Jiang Yuechu also pricked up her ears.
She didn't have anything valuable to trade in the first place.
A deal like this, where one only performed a task without taking money, was clearly much friendlier for her.
But interest was one thing.
Most people who could come here were not fools.
To give away such a High Grade Magic Treasure for free, the task the other party requested was undoubtedly extremely troublesome.
It was likely even far beyond the value of this item.
But even if they were clear in their hearts, asking a question didn't hurt.
The Cultivator from before bolstered his courage, cupped his hands, and said, "I wonder what matter is worth Fellow Daoist bringing out such a heavy treasure?"
The stall owner slowly raised his head, a ferocious look appearing at the corners of his mouth: "Kill a person."
Hmm?
Everyone was stunned.
Just killing a person?
The Cultivator pressed, "Who is it?"
"Wang Canglan."
"..."
As soon as these three words came out, the color instantly drained from the Faces of the several Cultivators who had been surrounding the area.
Without a word, they turned and left.
It was as if just hearing this name was some sort of terrible taboo.
In the blink of an eye, only Jiang Yuechu and her two companions were left in front of the stall.
The stall owner had clearly expected this scene.
Seeing the crowd scatter like birds and beasts, he didn't have much of an expression, only a trace of self-mockery curled at the corners of his mouth hidden under the bamboo hat.
He himself was at least at the initial stage of Tower Ascent. If it were an ordinary person, why would he need to bring out such a heavy treasure and beg others to act here?
But even if it was expected...
...having been here for so long, there wasn't even one person who dared to ask the reason clearly...
He felt increasingly helpless in his heart.
Jiang Yuechu glanced sideways at the boy beside her.
"Is this person very powerful?"
Hearing the young girl's question...
...even someone like Wang Ziyu, a direct descendant of Taie, had a bitter expression: "Naturally, he is powerful... Let's put it this way, below Tower Ascent, those who can claim a steady victory over this person within the Eastern Region can probably be counted on one hand."
"This person hails from the Chunyang Lineage. The Chunyang Lineage is ranked among the five luminaries imperial thrones and is itself one of the top Dao Lineages."
"His natural talent is even more monstrous. At only one thousand three hundred and seventy-five years old, he is already in the late stage of Tower Ascent and is hailed as the person with the most hope in the Eastern Region to step into the ranks of the Chess Players."
Hearing this...
...Jiang Yuechu nodded thoughtfully.
Compared to a cheater like herself, stepping into the late stage of Tower Ascent at only one thousand three hundred and seventy-five years old...
...this Wang Canglan indeed counted as a top Prodigy.
Seeing the young girl's thoughtful look, Wang Ziyu's heart skipped a beat. He hurriedly grabbed her sleeve and said urgently in a low voice, "You... you couldn't really be considering it, could you?"
"Never mind that this person's own strength is formidable and far beyond your or my imagination... even if you truly managed to succeed by luck, the Chunyang Lineage would absolutely go insane."
"When that time comes, let alone you, even the Great Tang behind you would be turned to ashes in an instant!"
"There are so many treasures in the world, why must you be obsessed with this one?!"
The young girl, however, was unmoved.
She calmly pulled her hand away and said softly, "I was just asking."
With that...
...she walked straight toward the stall.
Wang Ziyu's outstretched hand froze in mid-air, his Face full of helplessness.
This girl... she probably really doesn't know how to spell the word 'death.'
How could she know the dominance of the Chunyang Lineage?
Never mind the precarious Great Tang behind her.
Even his Xuanzhen Grotto-Heaven, which also belongs to the Twenty-Five Orthodox Lineages, is unwilling to easily make an enemy of them.
In contrast to Wang Ziyu's helplessness...
...seeing someone walking straight toward him, the stall owner's heart stirred, and a trace of joy actually surged forth.
Regardless of whether the newcomer could do it, as long as someone was willing to listen to him finish this matter, it would be a good start.
Thinking of this...
...he forced a slight smile onto his stiff Face and cupped his hands: "This Fellow Daoist..."
Jiang Yuechu raised her hand, interrupting his pleasantries.
"Let's get straight to the point."
"Uh..."
The stall owner narrowed his eyes and finally took a good look at the young girl before him.
He didn't develop any contempt just because she looked young.
Among practitioners, there were countless who were skilled in retaining a youthful appearance; how could one judge a person's foundation based solely on looks?
Moreover, the aura of the young girl before him was far above his own.
Perhaps in terms of age, she could even be his ancestor...
Thinking of this, he became even more respectful and changed his address: "Yes, Senior. This Junior is surnamed Zhou, and I come from the Pill Cauldron Sect..."
The matter was actually quite simple.
The Pill Cauldron Sect had been established in the Eastern Region for thousands of years. They were not good at fighting and only specialized in the path of Alchemy.
Being indifferent to worldly affairs, they were considered stable.
Five hundred years ago, they suddenly met with disaster. Two great demons broke in and took everyone in the Sect away, forcing them to refine a certain type of pill.
In fact, it was not unusual in the cultivation world for Alchemy Sects to refine pills for some large forces.
After all, Alchemy was time-consuming and labor-intensive, and their combat power was weak. Relying on the strong was also a way to survive.
Generally speaking, even if they were favored by a large force...
...they were usually invited with kind words, treated as honored guests, and given plenty of offerings and Face.
After all, they wanted people to work with all their heart and soul.
But this time, it was different.
That group of demons had no intention of letting them go.
This refining had lasted for five hundred years.
During these five hundred years, the Sect's Disciples worked day and night, reduced to Pill Slaves. If they dared to disobey or mentioned wanting to leave, they would immediately turn into a corpse.
"Because I was traveling outside, I luckily escaped. For the past five hundred years, I have been running around, just to save my fellow Disciples..."
But the more he investigated, the more desperate his heart became.
The two great demons came from Spirit Mountain.
And everything they did was by the order of Wang Canglan of the Chunyang Lineage.
After finding out the truth, he also knew that with one person's strength, trying to save people from the hands of the Chunyang Lineage was no different from an ant trying to shake a tree.
He had no choice but to use a favor he was owed from years ago to find a Grotto-Heaven Immortal Master, and only then did he manage to see the other party through a series of connections.
But the other party only replied with one word.
Get lost.
If it weren't for the fact that the Immortal Master who mediated still had some Face, he would probably have been kept there as well by now.
"Although that Immortal Master was willing, he was powerless. He only said that the Chunyang Lineage is powerful, and he... also didn't dare to make an enemy of them for the sake of the Pill Cauldron Sect."
At this point...
...Stall Owner Zhou's voice was already extremely raspy.
His Face, hidden under the bamboo hat, revealed a thick sense of despair.
He slowly lowered his head and stopped speaking.
In fact, if anyone else were to make a choice, since the Pill Cauldron Sect was targeted by such a behemoth as the Chunyang Lineage, an Alchemy Cultivator who luckily escaped should have given up on his thoughts.
Find a mountain and live under an assumed name.
With this skill of Alchemy, whether he relied on any force or became a Loose Cultivator like a wild crane, he would be able to live a stable and prosperous life for the rest of his life.
But his wife, children, and parents were all in the Sect.
What kind of scene was five hundred years of being a Pill Slave?
How could he not care?
How could he be at peace?