Jiushan Province.
After five years of development, this sole free trade province within the territory of the Alliance of Ten Thousand Immortals had undergone an earth-shaking transformation, turning from a desolate wasteland into a bustling, flourishing realm.
As far as the eye could see, rolling plains were occupied by cultivator cave dwellings, encircling and guarding Jiushan Trade City at their center.
Through several expansions, the trade city was now more than ten times its original size, yet it still fell short of meeting the ever-growing demand for commerce.
Every newcomer arriving in the city wore an expression filled with excitement and curiosity, dazzled and lost amid the dizzying array of goods on display.
Zhao Xian knelt on the ground, bowing respectfully toward a faceless stone statue resting in the shadows above.
Then he walked out of the secret chamber, opened his shop doors, and began his first business of the day after restocking his inventory.
He didn't need to do any advertising at all; before long, the shop was packed with browsing cultivators.
Descriptions and prices were clearly marked on every item, allowing cultivators to complete their purchases on their own without the shopkeeper lifting a finger.
There was no haggling, for in Jiushan Province, goods were usually snapped up almost the moment they were put on display.
Part of this was naturally because everything sold in Jiushan Province consisted of rare local specialties from across the provinces. But the most fundamental reason was...
Keeping a bright smile on his face, Zhao Xian inwardly marveled, *No wonder everyone wants to come to Jiushan Province these days. They say even a pig just lying here would make a fortune, and it really is true.*
*Three years ago, the Heavenly Profound Mirror's trading function was abruptly shut down, and from then on cultivators could no longer trade freely through it. But the demand for commerce could never disappear. Within a short time, five major trading cities emerged across the realm, barely taking over the Heavenly Profound Mirror's commercial role.*
*And this Jiushan Province is the largest among them, with the greatest variety of goods.*
*Not only do cultivators from every province of the Alliance of Ten Thousand Immortals come here to trade, but cultivators from the Five Elders Association also sell their specialties and buy goods here.*
Watching the endless stream of people in his shop, Zhao Xian's heart filled with gratitude. *It's all thanks to the Envoy's help. Otherwise, how could a minor Nascent Soul cultivator like me from the Congyun Sea ever afford property here?*
Even though half the shop's profits had to be handed over, the rate at which he earned contribution points was still far faster than back home.
*If I just save up for ten years, not only will I pay off all my debts, but I'll even be able to purchase a Soul Formation technique and an about-to-be-born change of heaven and earth at a discount from the association!*
*If I can achieve Soul Formation, my standing will be completely different!*
*Even at worst, going back to the Congyun Sea as a guest elder would be a certainty. After all, the entire Congyun Sea only has two Soul Formation cultivators presiding over it.*
Envisioning this bright future, Zhao Xian's gaze grew increasingly fervent.
He didn't know how much time had passed when the successful sale of an item on display suddenly snapped him out of his reverie.
It was an apparently ordinary white jade statue. A pure decorative ornament with no special functions attached. If there was anything peculiar about this white jade statue, it had to be the appearance of the woman it depicted.
An incomparable, peerless beauty, carved to life.
However, because the asking price was absurdly high—a staggering two hundred thousand contribution points—it had sat on display in the shop for over two full years without selling.
Yet today, someone had actually stepped forward and bought it. And that statue was directly tied to a task assigned by the Envoy!
Suppressing the surge of excitement in his heart, Zhao Xian hurried forward. "Fellow Daoist, please wait a moment!"
A cultivator clad in a black Daoist robe, concealed in shadow so that his features could not be seen, paused in his tracks.
Yet he paid no heed to Zhao Xian, heading straight out without looking back.
Zhao Xian did not chase after him either.
He merely showed a meaningful smile, quietly slipped down into the underground secret chamber, and knelt before the faceless stone statue.
"Envoy, someone has purchased that white jade statue."
Even though this was not the first time he had reported his duties to the Envoy, Zhao Xian was still extremely nervous. He held his breath and focused his mind, daring not harbor a single stray thought.
After finishing his prayer, Zhao Xian waited patiently.
Before long, a cold voice echoed in his mind.
"I know."
After that single sentence, silence returned.
Yet Zhao Xian keenly sensed a divine aura descend upon him and vanish just as quickly—while his cultivation surged noticeably without any warning.
Overjoyed beyond words, Zhao Xian hurriedly kowtowed several more times.
*With the Envoy bestowing such grace, even with my mediocre aptitude, I might actually achieve Soul Formation within a century!*
*Those so-called chosen prodigies who usually walk with their noses in the air will be far beneath me.*
Immense satisfaction filled Zhao Xian's heart, and he grew even more dedicated to the affairs of the Myriad Realms Association.
***
Spirit Wood Realm.
Li Fan had already locked onto the location of the cultivator who bought the white jade statue.
"So it's him. He isn't dead after all."
The cultivator's disguise naturally could not fool Li Fan's eyes. After comparing him with the list in his mind, Li Fan quickly verified his identity.
Jia Yiyuan, formerly a receptionist at the Alliance of Ten Thousand Immortals headquarters.
During the upheaval at Alliance Headquarters, he happened to have been on duty.
After the incident, Jia Yiyuan's clan was wiped from existence. A total of three hundred and forty-two cultivators at or above the Golden Core realm perished, with none spared.
Meanwhile, Jia Yiyuan himself had vanished without a trace.
Who could have imagined he would appear in Jiushan Province today?
Pondering for a moment, Li Fan understood why he had bought the white jade statue.
This white jade statue had been carved by Li Fan's own hands, and indeed held nothing special.
But the person depicted on it was extraordinary—a very important figure Li Fan had uncovered through covert investigations over these years.
Back when the upheaval erupted at Alliance Headquarters, the Alliance had launched a bloody purge.
Countless cultivators were liquidated, and many innocent cultivators were dragged into the slaughter as well.
Yet wherever there was oppression, there was resistance.
Certain cultivators within the Alliance refused to sit idly by and watch the butchery unfold, extending a helping hand to those innocent souls.
Possessing vast abilities, they managed to save a great number of lives despite the Alliance's heavy-handed manhunt.
The woman carved into this white jade statue was one of these "saviors."
She seemed to have appeared out of thin air, her background completely unknown to the Alliance.
Yet she knew the Alliance inside and out, aware of top-secret orders even before they were officially issued, rescuing people right before the butcher's blade fell.
Infuriated, the Alliance offered bounties for her capture, but without any result.
They could not even ascertain what she looked like.
The only reason Li Fan knew her appearance was because he had conducted soul searching on a cultivator she had rescued.
Regrettably, that cultivator knew very little about his savior.
In his mind, Li Fan had seen only a peerless, breathtaking face.
Chapter 1048