When Chen Sheng expressed his intention to leave to the Wang Clan's clan leader, the other party tried to persuade him to stay, yet also knew that this Seventh Tributor was not someone meant to remain in a small pond.

In the end, they gifted him a jade scroll as a token of goodwill.

The Bibo Sea region is remote, its most abundant spirit veins merely Tier Three Middle Grade, and the strongest cultivators are just a few Master Fake Pill, not even matching the Chu Country.

Though tranquil, it is a good place to retire but not a place suitable for cultivation.

Chen Sheng swept over the jade scroll with his divine sense, immediately discovering it recorded basic information about the Eastern Domain of the Yue Country.

"Clan Leader Wang is quite thoughtful. The records in this jade scroll are rather detailed, not much different from the information I collected earlier."

Chen Sheng nodded slightly and transformed into a streak of azure light, leaving Jade Pearl Island, heading towards the broader Eastern Domain Plain.

The sea breeze gradually faded behind him, replaced by the fresh scent of grass and trees on the plain.

A month later, a vast expanse of buildings sprawled across thousands of miles emerged on the horizon, like a giant beast lying dormant on the earth.

The flowing spiritual light of a Tier Three High Grade protective array weaved between the buildings like colorful ribbons, creating a far more magnificent sight than any Immortal City in the Chu Country.

"This is Pingyang Market."

Suspended in the air, Chen Sheng gazed at the pillar of spiritual energy stretching between heaven and earth, its spiritual energy surging to near Quasi-Tier Four levels.

"The market in the Yue Kingdom's cultivation realm is indeed extraordinary, while a Tier Two Market in the Chu Country could only be a small street corner gathering here."

He was long used to such scenes, having already experienced the prosperity of the Yue Country.

Although not as grand as here, the Bibo Sea Market was already three times more magnificent than Qinghua Immortal City.

Now he simply concealed his aura, revealing fake pill-level mana fluctuations, and slowly descended to the market entrance.

In the ranks of cultivators guarding the city, the white-faced Foundation Establishment cultivator in the lead initially had his eyes closed in meditation. Upon sensing this aura, he immediately opened his eyes, a respectful smile spreading across his face:

"Please come in, Senior! You seem to be new here; is it your first time to the Plain Market? Over there are attendants who can provide you with answers and guidance."

He pointed obliquely to the rear, where dozens of Qi Cultivators in blue-grey uniforms stood at attention, wearing wooden plaques labeled "Market Guide" at their waists.

Seeing a high-tier cultivator approach, they all held their breath, not daring to make any movements.

Chen Sheng's divine sense swept over them like a wisp of smoke, ultimately focusing on a thin, yellow-faced middle-aged man.

The man appeared to be in his thirties or forties, at the eighth layer of Qi Cultivation, impeccably dressed without a single wrinkle, his gaze steady.

"I'll choose him."

The selected Hu Si trembled all over, looked up abruptly, a wild joy flashing in his eyes; being someone the Foundation Establishment captain referred to as "Senior" indicated at least a Tier Three Master!

He rushed forward, bent his knees and performed a standard bow:

"Little Hu Si greets Senior! Would you like a cave residence to settle in or to find a specific shop?"

Chen Sheng spoke flatly:

"First, tell me about the market conditions."

"The major forces, high-tier cultivators, the more detailed, the better."

Having said that, Chen Sheng waved his sleeve, carrying Hu Si, transforming into a streak of escape light, traveling through the city.

The market is enormous!

Escape light, mounts, flying vessels—all common sights, and the market's administrators had specially planned suitable paths according to the cultivators' levels, allowing them to pass quickly.

It was Hu Si's first time being taken along by a high-tier cultivator, the speed astonishing, yet he dared not slack, leading the way while quickly introducing:

"The Pingyang Market was jointly constructed by the Celestial Puppet Sect, Cyan Grain Valley, and the Profound Fire Pavilion, three Golden Core powers, with the most core spirit vein being the Quasi-Tier Four 'Plain Earth Core Vein'.

"There are seven Golden Core cultivators constantly residing, and over twenty Fake Pills.

"These high-tier cultivators include the stationed representatives of the three groups, some large commerce associations branch leaders, some elders of medium-sized sect families, and wandering loose cultivators..."

Arriving at a splendid building complex, Hu Si pointed to a left area adorned with puppet runes on the pavilions:

"That's the station for the Celestial Puppet Sect. Sect Leader, Master Celestial Puppet, is a late-stage Golden Core cultivator and said to possess a Tier Three Top Grade puppet capable of contending with Golden Core Perfection Cultivators.

"This place is permanently overseen by Master Qianji, a mid-stage Golden Core cultivator who is the junior brother of Master Celestial Puppet.

"On the right is the medicine field of Cyan Grain Valley, whose alchemists specialize in refining healing pills..."

Listening to his introduction, Chen Sheng compared it with the information previously gathered from Bibo Sea, occasionally nodding slightly.

His purpose for coming here was simple—to prepare for joining a Nascent Soul level force.

While in Bibo Sea, although he could gather much information, he was ultimately limited by the circle he moved in, lacking comprehensiveness and detail.

If he made a wrong choice, he couldn't switch allegiance easily!

This market's network of Golden Core and Fake Pill cultivators was sufficient to help him gain a wealth of information.

At the same time, Chen Sheng intended to process the carcass left by the Unihorn Demon King, refining it into a magical treasure or trading it for other talismans and spiritual materials to enhance his strength.

The Yue Country is enormous!

The nearest Nascent Soul power is tens of millions of miles away, a long journey. With a stronger foundation, Chen Sheng could have more confidence.

Not to mention, many such markets have commerce caravan of Nascent Soul-level affiliated commerce associations, gaining favor with them beforehand would provide added security for Chen Sheng if he traveled with them later on!

Seeing his approval, Hu Si became even more enthusiastic, and he elaborated on which shop's magical artifacts and elixir pills were the most authentic and which talisman master's talismans offered the best value for money.

...

Soon, Chen Sheng had a clear understanding of the entire market.

He motioned for Hu Si to withdraw, rewarding him with ten spirit stones, and a trace of disappointment flashed in Hu Si's eyes, but he dared not express it.

Chen Sheng perceived all of this; he had done so deliberately. Coming to a new place, how could he reveal his wealth, drawing trouble upon himself?

Immediately afterwards, he transformed into a rainbow light, crossing the bustling outer city to reach a core area where the spiritual energy became suddenly dense.

The cave residences here were built along the mountain; each courtyard was surrounded by carved stone railings, filled with spirit plants, and spiritual energy nodes on the ground condensed into faint white mist.

Clearly, a residence for high-tier cultivators!

Chen Sheng waved casually, and soon a Foundation Establishment cultivator respectfully stepped forward to lead the way.

Before long.

The Foundation Establishment cultivator pointed to a courtyard with blue tiles, his voice filled with some pride:

"Please see, Senior, this estate covers ten acres, with gardens and rockeries inside, thirteen spiritual energy nodes hidden underground, reaching Tier Three High Grade purity, and specially designed fire chambers for alchemy and artifact refining."

"Eight thousand lower grade spirit stones a year is a reasonable price for the core area."

Chen Sheng's divine sense probed into the cave dwelling, and he saw the spiritual qi gushing out like a spring beneath the ground. The quality of the earth fire had also reached tier three high grade, perfectly adequate for his needs.

Indeed, it was an excellent place for cultivation, even better than the Pill Hall Peak!

He spoke:

"Twenty thousand lower grade spirit stones for three years."

The Foundation Establishment Cultivator looked troubled:

"Senior, this price is really... I need to consult the elder."

After the time it took to drink a cup of tea, a purple shadow flickered out from the neighboring cave dwelling.

The newcomer was a middle-aged cultivator in a purple robe, his features were square, and his gaze was sharp as an eagle's, exuding the mana fluctuations of a Golden Core early-stage cultivator.

Chen Sheng couldn't discern more details, only feeling as if a thin mist obscured his view. Although his pupil technique was a Qinghua Sect secret technique, barely reaching tier three, it was indeed insufficient in the Yue Country.

"Jin Kaiyuan from the Celestial Puppet Sect, greetings to Fellow Daoist."

The purple-robed cultivator cupped his hands with a friendly yet dignified attitude.

Chen Sheng's heart stirred slightly, for the Celestial Puppet Sect was one of the three founders of the Market. He returned the greeting:

"Loose Cultivator Tingyu, greetings to Fellow Daoist Jin."

Jin Kaiyuan waved a large hand:

"Since you've taken a liking to this cave dwelling, it's fate."

"Let's go with what you said, twenty thousand spirit stones for three years. My cave dwelling is right next door, feel free to knock if you need anything in the future, and we can grow closer."

A trace of cunning flashed in his eyes as he seemingly casually swept his gaze over Chen Sheng.

Chen Sheng nodded in agreement:

"Thank you, Fellow Daoist Jin."

This was exactly what he wanted, to integrate into the circle of high tier cultivators in the Market, so he could quickly access the intelligence of Nascent Soul influences.

After Chen Sheng entered the residence, Jin Kaiyuan stood in place, holding a Communication Jade Scroll, nodding slightly:

"So this Fellow Daoist Tingyu is actually a pseudo sword cultivator, no wonder he's so 'frugal'. "

The "Celestial Derivation Pupil" technique he practiced was quite exquisite, of tier three high grade, and coupled with another secret technique, it could obscurely perceive the Qi Treasure Light without anyone noticing.

In his view, the other's treasure light was dim, with only a faint surge of sword qi emanating from the dantian, confirming he was undoubtedly a sword cultivator!

The poverty of sword cultivators was almost universally known.

Anything good that comes into the hands of a sword cultivator would be exchanged for the essence of the five elements, to be fused into their lifebound flying sword.

However, the lifebound flying sword of a sword cultivator is highly compatible with the sword cultivator's vitality, spirit, and qi.

Other than the sword cultivator themself, anyone else obtaining this sword could only use it as high tier spiritual material, extracting some essence to repurpose it.

As for why Jin Kaiyuan said the other was a pseudo sword cultivator, it was because of the incongruous pill qi on the other's body, clearly a fake pill.

In the cultivation realm of Yue Country, true sword cultivators disdained forming fake pills, always refining golden cores.

Because later on, they need to fuse their lifebound flying sword into the golden core, turning it into a sword pill, thus achieving true life and spirit cultivation, leading to insights into sword heart, sword intent, and even more profound swordsmanship.

In Jin Kaiyuan's view, this "Fellow Daoist Tingyu" was merely a pseudo sword cultivator who had strayed from the right path, weaker than true sword cultivators, yet still requiring the nurturing of a flying sword, making his poverty understandable.

Inside the cave dwelling, Chen Sheng waved his sleeve, and thirty-six array banners inscribed with wind and thunder patterns shot out, setting up the "Spirit Locking and Shadow Concealing Array" around the area.

A light blue array light enveloped the cave dwelling like a cocoon, even concealing the flow of spiritual qi.

Chen Sheng sat cross-legged on the Cold Jade Bed, with a slight movement of his sword heart, he sensed the previous probing gaze from Jin Kaiyuan.

He mused:

"Celestial Puppet Sect's pupil technique does have some cleverness."

"It seems my Qi Concealment Technique needs updating. Even a Golden Core early-stage cultivator can see through my background."

The Qi Concealment Technique he previously practiced was a Qinghua Secret Technique, sufficient in the Chu Country, where Foundation Establishment cultivators and fake pill cultivators couldn't discern his depth.

Now, in the Yue Country, with high tier cultivators abound and a myriad of intricate secret techniques emerging, it was inadequate.

Especially the subtle spirit light that flashed in Jin Kaiyuan's eyes earlier, very concealed, if not for Chen Sheng's Sword Heart Clarity, he might not have detected the other's probing.

"Fortunately, I came prepared."

Chen Sheng reached into his robes and took out an inconspicuous black iron ring.

This ring was simple in style, its surface covered in fine patterns.

At first glance, it seemed no different from ordinary iron. As he activated it with sword essence, the patterns on the ring suddenly lit up, revealing the glow of tier three concealing spirit runes.

His divine sense probed inside, and a massive corpse floated quietly!

It was the corpse of the Unihorn Green Bull Demon King, with the demon pill, cow hoof, sharp horn, and fur all intact, exuding a faint golden core mid-stage pressure.

Besides, there were several tier three spiritual materials: mixed copper purple essence, thousand-year blood ginseng, blood pattern grass,

dozens of bottles of tier three elixirs, ranging from healing pills to replenishing essence pills, even a tier three middle grade Profound Essence Barrier-Breaking Pill.

As well as one hundred and eight Wind and Thunder Swords, core array banners... Finally, there was a mountain of spirit stones, roughly counted to be as many as five million.

This was nearly all of his belongings, from his previous life as a tier three middle grade alchemist and a Qinghua Giant, the accumulation of over a century working in the high-end market.

This ring was personally refined by him, integrating dozens of tier three intricate runes, becoming a small tier three array with the spirit stones inside.

To ordinary divine sense, it would only feel like an inferior magical artifact.

Even Chen Sheng himself, with his Sword Heart, occasionally overlooked its existence.

The previously exposed storage ring was just for cover, holding only a few hundred thousand spirit stones, a few bottles of tier two elixirs, and some ordinary array banners.

Perfectly fitting the image of a "poor sword cultivator" in Jin Kaiyuan's eyes.

Chen Sheng's gaze swept over the demon king's corpse's sharp horn, which still held a trace of death qi.

He had already made a plan in his mind:

"First, refine this corpse into a protective magical treasure, then find some high tier ores to nurture the Tingyu Sword. This should rapidly enhance my strength."

"Once my strength increases further and I've gathered more intelligence, I'll participate in the recruitment of those Nascent Soul influences."

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