Yunjin Market

Yunjin Market sat atop an emerald-green peak, cloaked in dense mist year-round. As one of the forty-five cultivation markets under the jurisdiction of the Qiwu Sword Sect, it bustled with ceaseless traffic on ordinary days. It was the most famous market town in all of eastern Xu State, one that even Yaoguang Market couldn't begin to rival. Gazing at it from afar, Chen Zhuo could see a sprawl of shanties built from local timber clustered at the foot of the mountain. For a moment, he was left utterly speechless, not knowing what to make of it. "They're cultivators... how can they still live in such squalor?" Chen Zhuo was genuinely at a loss for words. Still, the place didn't quite match the mental picture he had imagined—there was no sewage running through the dirt streets, nor were there fairy maidens emptying chamber pots. It seemed people had merely started throwing together timber shacks from the mountain base upward. The settlement looked cramped and claustrophobic, but by and large, it remained relatively normal, retaining a semblance of order. Looking up from the foot of the mountain toward the summit, however, he saw a magnificent, imposing city built against the terrain, blending seamlessly into the mountain peak itself. Judging by its scale, it could accommodate at least several hundred thousand people! The entire city was enveloped within a defensive barrier. Mountain-patrol cultivators walked the perimeter to the left and right, and streaks of light from figures flying on magical tools flitted past from time to time, presenting the true likeness of an immortal city! Chen Zhuo was somewhat astonished. He had only ever seen spectacles like this on television dramas! Even so, it wasn't enough to truly overwhelm him. After all, Taiqing City boasted millions of cultivators and was the very heart of the Taiqing Domain among the Five Domains—far grander and more imposing than this Yunjin Market. Furthermore, while Yunjin Market could hold several hundred thousand people, its transient population was likely only a few thousand; even claiming ten thousand might be an exaggeration. "Still, the strength of the residents in this shantytown probably isn't anything impressive..." Chen Zhuo pondered silently. At the moment, he wore a pale cyan robe, his hair gathered into a topknot secured with a cap. Coupled with his aloof, detached demeanor, he gave off the distinct air of a scion from a prominent clan. There were no restrictions on entering the shantytown. The moment Chen Zhuo stepped inside, he immediately felt gaze after gaze lock onto him. Of course, most people only lingered on him for a brief second before glancing away. Only a rare few kept their eyes fixed on him. Among them, several harbored deep malice. Chen Zhuo didn't feel the least bit uncomfortable, however, and strode straight into the settlement. "Venerable Immortal, Venerable Immortal!" Before Chen Zhuo had taken more than a couple of steps, several mortal martial artists clad in coarse hemp clothing crowded over. One of them was noticeably stockier; leveraging his solid frame, he muscled his way to the front. Seeing this, the others could only back off, however begrudgingly. The mortal martial artist appeared to be in his thirties, with prominently bulging temples and heavily callused hands. Wearing a flattering smile, he bowed and scraped before Chen Zhuo. "Venerable Immortal, is this your first time here? This humble one is Liu Cong. I grew up in these parts and know every merchant and stall in the shantytown like the back of my hand. I guarantee you'll be satisfied!" Chen Zhuo looked at the martial artist, feeling a faint jolt of surprise. *Yunjin Market... has mortal martial artists too?* Chen Zhuo thought to himself, though he naturally wasn't foolish enough to say it out loud. He merely offered a slight nod and said calmly, "What's the rate?" "That would be... three grains of spirit sand, if you please," the martial artist named Liu Cong said cautiously. *Spirit sand...* Chen Zhuo had no idea what spirit sand was, but from the name, it sounded like a lower-tier substitute for spirit stones. He refused at once: "No need." Succinct and to the point. Where would he get any spirit sand? He had no money to pay the man. Hearing this, disappointment flickered across Liu Cong's face, but he continued bowing and scraping nonetheless. "Safe travels, Venerable Immortal. If you ever have need of me, you can find me here anytime." Chen Zhuo gave a slight nod, then turned and walked deeper into the shantytown. While the shantytown wasn't entirely primitive, it was still a letdown, making Chen Zhuo feel as though he had stepped into some kind of slum. Along both sides of the street, somber cultivators frequently lurked in the shadows, staring coldly at passersby as if sizing up their prey. Chen Zhuo even noticed several vicious-looking cultivators whispering among themselves in secluded corners. The moment they saw Chen Zhuo pass by, they clamped their mouths shut, only resuming their hushed conversation once he had walked away. *There are probably plenty of murder-and-robbery schemes going on in this shantytown...* Chen Zhuo remained vigilant in his heart. As a market under the Qiwu Sword Sect, Yunjin Market naturally maintained the order it was supposed to. Within this shantytown, however, that order existed only on the surface. By the roadside sat numerous vendors seated on the bare ground. They had spread out tattered cloths displaying wares such as talisman papers, spirit herbs, and ores, loudly hawking their goods. Meanwhile, Chen Zhuo quietly observed the cultivation levels of the cultivators around him. He discovered that most of them were merely at the first or second layer of Qi Refining. Cultivators at the third layer were few, and only occasionally would someone at the fourth or fifth layer pass by. One could even say mortal martial artists formed the mainstream here. Compared to the majestic, towering city atop the mountain peak, this place was clearly a slum reserved for rogue cultivators. As Chen Zhuo walked and looked around, he suddenly caught the faint scent of medicinal herbs. Following the fragrance with his eyes, he saw a wooden building not far away whose style differed noticeably from the dilapidated shacks around it. A horizontal board hung above its entrance: *Jishi Hall.* *Selling medicine here... aren't they afraid of getting robbed?* Chen Zhuo's thoughts stirred. He considered seeing whether he could unload his defective Qi Condensation Pill here. In any case, ancient cultivators didn't care about pill toxins, so he might as well sell it to them. To Chen Zhuo's surprise, however, the moment he reached the door, he heard a sharp scolding from inside: "Shoo, shoo! If you don't have the money, get lost! Don't block other customers from looking at the medicine!" "Even low-grade Qi Gathering Powder costs at least fifteen spirit stones! Your entire net worth is barely worth eight or nine spirit stones. Where do you get the nerve to ask us for six spirit stones on credit?" A boy dressed as an apothecary apprentice was barking out harshly, sounding utterly furious. The target of the apprentice's tirade was a down-and-out youth. The youth wore tattered clothes and had a pale complexion. Clearly embarrassed, he could only stammer, "I..." Before he could finish, an old man with snow-white hair and beard behind the counter let out a cold snort. The apprentice redoubled his efforts, sneering, "Go on, scram! Don't get in the way of our business!" The destitute youth turned even paler, spinning around to leave. Seeing this, Chen Zhuo had a different thought entirely. The old shopkeeper of Jishi Hall gave off powerful fluctuations of spiritual energy; he was at least a late-stage cultivator of the seventh layer of Qi Refining or higher. Chen Zhuo couldn't tell his exact realm with the naked eye and would have to find time to let Xiao Yu take a look. As for that youth... He had spirit stones! Nine of them! All at once, Chen Zhuo felt inclined to sell the waste pill to him instead. The reason was simple. This down-and-out youth was only at the first layer of Qi Refining, making him far less dangerous than the shopkeeper of Jishi Hall. And there was another reason... Chen Zhuo needed the youth to take the pill and describe the changes in his condition afterward, so that Chen Zhuo could complete his coursework records!