Black Water Pavilion, Shen Wenxing looked at Shen Yuan in front of him and cupped his hands, saying, "Ah Die, everything at the Jinghe Market is ready. What should our family sell?"

That market is not a common gathering place for ordinary people; what is sold there must be items useful to cultivators.

Over the years, the things obtained by the family were all compiled and organized by Shen Yuan, so Shen Wenxing was not very clear about them.

Shen Yuan pondered for a moment, then stood up and said, "Come to the third floor with me and take a look."

The father and son went to the third floor.

"These are spoils obtained by Wen'an from slaying disciples of Hundred Beasts Mountain."

"Magical artifacts without special marks can be taken out and sold; our Shen Family has no use for them at the moment."

Looking at the plethora of magical artifacts on the antique shelves, Shen Yuan spoke up.

Shen Wenxing carefully selected for a while, put some magical artifacts into the Qiankun Bag, and followed his father to the second antique shelf.

"Ah Die, these things must have been acquired from the Dragon Tamer's Mansion, right?"

Looking at the ancient bamboo slips in front of him, along with that strange object resembling a tree root, Shen Wenxing spoke.

He remembered these items were brought back by his father from the Dragon Tamer's Mansion back then.

This "tree root" has been sitting on the third floor of the Black Water Pavilion for some years now, still unknown what it is.

Shen Yuan nodded, "Let's not touch these things for now."

"I'll take time to study them thoroughly later on."

"The demon beast materials in the family's storeroom can also be brought out for sale."

"As for the demon beast scale hides related to Hundred Beasts Mountain, make sure to separate them beforehand, so it's not easy for people to identify what kind of demon beast they are from."

Shen Wenxing nodded.

He thought the same.

Demon beast materials can be used for artifact refining or alchemy, but both are too troublesome.

What the Shen Family lacks most now are things that can quickly enhance power.

Spirit Crystals, elixirs, Spirit Rice, Techniques, and so on.

"There should still be a few drops of Spiritual Liquid in the Copper Pot; you might want to take two drops as a backup. If you encounter something highly beneficial to our Shen Family in the market, you can secretly exchange it for Spiritual Liquid."

"If it isn't something practically useful, keep the Spiritual Liquid."

Spiritual Liquid is even more precious than Spirit Crystals; it should not be sold unless absolutely necessary.

"I'm planning to take some Cyan Spirit Stones as well,"

Shen Wenxing thought for a moment and said.

Most of the Cyan Spirit Stones gained from jointly mining the Cyan Spirit Stone vein with Luoxia Mountain were given to Luoxia Mountain, but the Shen Family kept a small portion.

This time, during the opening of the market, some can be sold.

After all, each Immortal Sect has its experts in artifact refining, and the Cyan Spirit Stones should find buyers.

"That's fine."

"You can make up your own mind about the rest."

The father and son descended from the third floor; after Shen Wenxing reported some more matters, he left.

Before the first opening of the Jinghe Market, several Immortal Sects and the Shen Family had publicized it well across the Yangnao Land.

After all, each party was after the opportunities and rare items held by the loose cultivators.

If they were only dealing with Immortal Sect disciples, who have all been mingling in the Cultivation Realm for years, there would be no advantage to be gained.

The exchanges would only meet specific needs.

Another autumn began; the reeds on the Jinghe Swamp withered and turned yellow. Over the boundless expanse of the swamp, noble family loose cultivators from all over Yangnao Land slowly gathered by a water margin, waiting for the market to open.

Most of these people wore nervous expressions, clutching their parcels tightly in their arms. Even when meeting familiar faces, they merely nodded in greeting, not daring to engage in conversations.

Before long, a group of Immortal Sect disciples wearing Vajra Sect garb arrived from afar.

The leading man, tall and radiating intense qi and blood, with hair like steel needles, walked at the front of the Vajra Sect disciples.

Seeing this, the surrounding loose cultivators respectfully made way.

The middle-aged man came to the edge of the mudflat, glanced at everyone present, and grinned, "I am Qi Dashan, welcome to Jinghe Market."

"Jinghe Market is jointly established by my Vajra Sect, the four major Immortal Sects, and the Shen Family of Yunzhong. For the next ten years, I will preside over Jinghe Market."

"Regardless if you are disciples from Immortal Sects or loose cultivators from noble families, once you enter the market, you must abide by the market's rules. If anyone dares to break the rules, my fists won't care about your status."

"If anyone feels emboldened by their sect backing them, you may test if your sect can withstand the combined attack of our parties."

As Qi Dashan spoke, his massive fist clenched in the air, causing the surrounding atmosphere to tremble slightly, emitting a low reverberating sound!

Such a display was not only daunting to the surrounding loose cultivators, but even those Immortal Sect disciples looked grim.

Fourth Realm of Body Cultivation, equivalent to a Great Cultivator of Immortal Dao Fetal Breathing!

With such a figure presiding over the market, who would dare misbehave?

"Alright, enough with unnecessary words. At the entrance of the market, there stands a stone tablet engraved with the rules of Jinghe Market. Please take a careful look upon entering."

"Don't make me waste my efforts dragging you out later."

Qi Dashan finished speaking, waved to take out a Jade Token, and activated the Cloud Sea Mirage Array, leading the many Vajra Sect disciples inside.

The last two Vajra Sect disciples stood guard at the array's entrance and shouted deeply.

"Line up, everyone. To enter the market, one must pay a pound of Spirit Rice or a Spirit Crystal Fragment. Alternatively, you can use other equivalent value rare items or medicinal materials."

"If indeed you cannot produce any spiritual objects, you may present the items you intend to sell. After an evaluation by us, we will temporarily allow you in, deducting the entrance fee after the items are sold…"

The two spoke the rules for entering the market.

The many loose cultivators present were stunned upon hearing this.

Since both Spirit Rice and Spirit Crystal Fragments are essential resources for cultivation and greatly needed by them, the entrance fee alone, costing a pound of Spirit Rice, was indeed painful.

But if they didn't enter the market, they couldn't easily sell their items.

If trading privately, they risked being killed and robbed of their items.

While a few hesitated, most had already begun lining up to enter the market.

Western Wilderness Barbarian Race.

On the vast grassland, a huge mansion stood atop a hill, somewhat out of place compared to the surrounding tents and thatched cottages.

This courtyard was naturally built by order of the disciples of Hundred Beasts Mountain after they descended.

As esteemed disciples of the Immortal Sect, they could not possibly live in those cramped felt tents like the barbarians of the Western Wilderness.

Unlike other Immortal Sects, Hundred Beasts Mountain almost never regards the ordinary people of the Western Wilderness Barbarian Race as humans.

Among the entire Western Wilderness Barbarian Race, only those with Spirit Root are given attention, and only those who have successfully undergone Body Tempering can live like normal people.

As for ordinary people, they are no different from livestock on the prairie.

In the spacious courtyard, Yang Xun, the chief disciple of Hundred Beasts Mountain, was sitting cross-legged in a refined pavilion practicing cultivation.

A young man clad in animal skin and marked with strange tattoos hurriedly approached, prostrating himself on the ground, cautiously speaking.

"Master, there is important news."

Yang Xun did not open his eyes, speaking indifferently, "Speak."

The young man dared not lift his head, respectfully bowing his head to the ground, "The Jinghe Market jointly established by several Immortal Sects opened today."

"Oh?"

Yang Xun slightly opened his eyes, a cold smile emerging as he murmured:

"The Jinghe Market was jointly established by the Shen Family and Qiyun Valley, as well as several other Immortal Sects. Now that it's open, the Shen Family and Qiyun Valley must be focused on the Jinghe Market..."

"Qiyun Valley... Shen Family..."

Yang Xun slowly stood up, muttering before speaking indifferently, "The preparations I asked you to make are all ready, correct?"

The young man respectfully replied, "Ten thousand soldiers are ready at any time, and the intelligence has been thoroughly investigated."

Yang Xun was very pleased with what he heard.

"Then let's move, five thousand soldiers to attack Fengxian County, and five thousand to cross Hidden Dragon Mountain to Yunshui Town."

"Remember, in this battle, do not spare lives. Even if it costs the lives of ten thousand, we must tear a piece of flesh from the two families!"

"Spirit Medicine, Spirit Rice, worldly wealth and livestock, take what you can, and what can't be taken, kill and burn!"

The cold killing intent emanated from Yang Xun.

The young man kneeling on the ground trembled slightly, showing a hint of unease on his face close to the ground.

Yang Xun seemed to see through his thoughts, and spoke indifferently:

"In stepping into Immortal Cultivation, you must understand that racial and familial emotions are worthless; only the supreme realm is the most enchanting."

"You are now at the peak of the Fourth Layer of the Qi Cultivation Realm. Upon your return, I shall grant you Immortal Fate to break through to the Fifth Layer."

The young man was overjoyed, hurriedly kowtowing in respect:

"Thank you, Master!"

"Master's teachings, Alai Gu shall remember!"

Yang Xun slowly turned, a flash of light in his hand as he retrieved a blood-red elixir and tossed it to the Moon-white Giant Wolf.

"The effect of the Blood Infant Pill is indeed impressive, but it is regrettably challenging to refine."

"Remember, the primary task this time is to capture as many infants as possible."

"Go."

The young Alai Gu listened, respectfully kowtowed, and then got up and left.

That night.

Deep in Hidden Dragon Mountain, Huang Qingzhou sat cross-legged in a wooden cabin practicing cultivation.

Since taking this job of guarding the border, he had spent several years in the mountains.

Being without Spirit Root and already of advanced age, he thought his realm would not progress significantly in this lifetime.

Yet, after years of battling the Western Wilderness Barbarian Race and the mountain demons, enduring the elements, eating raw and drinking blood, he unexpectedly discovered a peculiar sensation.

Remaining strong in old age, accumulated thinly but advancing thickly, having broken through the Qi Cultivation Realm in just a few years, his cultivation had reached the Third Layer.

Such rapid advancement was not at all inferior to those vigorous young juniors.

Years ago, his daughter married Shen Wenxing, and grandchildren were born one after another. Huang Qingzhou intended to live peacefully at the Martial Arts Hall, teaching disciples Body Tempering, spending leisurely time with grandchildren, and living quietly.

But now, seeing the Shen Family rise to its current state, Huang Qingzhou's heart ignited with passion once more, ready to stake his old bones to defend this hard-earned legacy for his son-in-law and grandchildren.

"Woooo—"

A deep horn sound broke the night sky!

"Enemy attack!"

"Those dog-ridden barbarians are attacking!"

Amidst the noisy cries, a figure hastily entered the wooden house.

"Elder Huang, the Barbarians are attacking!"

A clan soldier at the Middle Stage of Postnatal, reporting with a sword in hand!

Huang Qingzhou suddenly rose, eyes narrowing as he spoke deeply, "How many are there?"

"Not sure, a dark mass, all people!"

"Estimated to be several thousand!"

Upon hearing, Huang Qingzhou's expression turned grave.

Since he guarded this place, although the Western Wilderness Barbarian Race occasionally harassed, they mostly sent hundreds or thousands to scout for spiritual objects or ore veins, never launching a massive invasion.

"Not good!"

"This is surely Hundred Beasts Mountain's retaliation!"

A brief reflection led Huang Qingzhou to understand, the Barbarians' massive assault was definitely Hundred Beasts Mountain's retaliation for previous events.

After negotiations in Anyang City, Shen Wenxing sent a letter warning him to guard against Hundred Beasts Mountain's retaliation.

If faced with a massive Barbarian invasion, avoid dying in battle; survival is paramount.

Hundred Beasts Mountain may not regard Barbarian lives, but the Shen Family cannot let the clan members die in vain.

"Send out two troops, one to Dragon Coiling Mountain Martial Arts Hall for reinforcements, and another to report to the Patriarch. The rest should fight and retreat, delaying as much as possible!"

"Yes!"

After the clan soldier left upon command, Huang Qingzhou paused briefly, then grabbed the Horse-Cutting Saber beside him and charged out.

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