...

The marketplace outside Ruyang City was very lively.

There were even shops selling cultivation techniques.

This place truly was the thriving hub of Martial Dao in the Central Plains Region, far beyond the likes of Bafang City in the Southern Barbarian lands.

Lin Zheyu roamed a few shops selling cultivation techniques, but they were all common techniques with nothing special.

Moreover, the level of the techniques was hardly high, only able to be cultivated to the stage of Qi Blood First Transformation.

Even in the thriving Central Plains, officially, the public dissemination of cultivation techniques was still limited; they didn't want these techniques to be spread indiscriminately.

"If I want to find good cultivation techniques, it looks like I'll have to search the black market."

Lin Zheyu pondered to himself.

The techniques available for public sale weren't just lacking good quality, but were also very expensive, almost always above eight hundred taels of silver.

Inside the teahouse.

The story teller's voice was robust and full of energy.

"How many centuries have passed, a gentleman loses his virtue, a rogue often revels, and even a great man finds it hard to resist the charms of beauty..."

Lin Zheyu sat below, listening to the stories with great interest.

Places like teahouses and taverns were perfect venues to overhear all kinds of news.

Though much of it was hearsay and exaggeration, the rumors being spread were the topics most widely discussed at the moment.

When the story ended, the teahouse became lively.

Some were discussing the story's developments, while others were involved in high-spirited chatter, talking all kinds of gossip.

"Have you heard? A powerful demon has appeared in the Lieyang Mountain Range, destroying several villages."

"Really?"

"When did it happen that several villages were destroyed?"

"It was about ten days ago, but the demon has already been casually slain by a passing powerhouse."

"Phew, thank goodness."

...

"Tomorrow is the day when the Zhao family's fourth lady will openly seek a husband, are you going?"

"The biggest Zhao Family in Ruyang City?"

"No, it's the Zhao Family in Yongping District, I heard they have a Transforming Force Powerhouse in charge, the family's strength is formidable."

"They set up three checkpoints, testing character, literary talent, and martial arts. As long as you succeed in the contest, regardless of your background, you can marry the fourth young lady of the Zhao Family."

"Isn't this considered marrying into their family?"

"Pfft, marrying into the family is good too, it's the Zhao Family, marrying in means avoiding hundreds of years of struggle."

...

"There's been another call for military recruitment, anyone with a clear background can sign up."

"I heard the situation in the Southern Barbarian area is increasingly tense with war, it's the ideal time to make a name for oneself; are you going?"

"I'm not going, I heard the rebel army is extremely fierce and has already conquered several cities, going is akin to sending oneself to die."

"Glory and power are meaningless without life to enjoy them."

...

"You missed out a lot by not coming to Changle Building yesterday."

"A martial artist from out of town stormed into Changle Building looking for revenge, but when he struck, he accidentally brushed against the man at the adjacent table.

Guess what happened?"

"Damn, how would I know."

"Hey, after a while, that man started itching all over, with his skin ulcerating, it was terrifying."

"Damn, a Poison Tao master; what was the strength of the assailant?"

"How would I know, I'm just a martial artist from the Refining Internal Organ Realm, couldn't see through it."

...

Listening to all the gossip, Lin Zheyu gained a lot of knowledge about Ruyang City.

The controls within the city remained strict, with no martial artist daring to act recklessly within the city limits.

Outside the city, there were many powerful factions guarding the area, though control was much looser.

After all, the mobility outside the city was high; if something happened, finding the culprit wouldn't be easy.

In reality, very few are reckless, unless they can judge the opponent's strength and ensure their own victory.

Or unless it's a matter of deep-seated hatred.

Because you never know whether you'd run into an old master pretending to be weak.

Many powerful martial artists, when concealing their aura, are completely inscrutable.

Or are far beyond their realm; though evidently in the Qi Blood Realm, possess strength comparable to those in the Bone Marrow Refining Realm.

Just like Lin Zheyu.

In such situations, martial artists act with extreme caution.

After multiple tests, ensuring no danger and that there is no underestimating risk, they would act.

The rash ones have long been eliminated by society's harsh realities.

Lai Chang is a prime example.

Dusk was approaching, and night was falling.

The marketplace became even busier.

Lin Zheyu left the teahouse and headed to Yingchun Pavilion.

This was the only spring inn in the marketplace, very famous, I heard there were female martial artists in the Refining Internal Organ Realm flaunting their skills.

Lin Zheyu simply came to witness just what kind of tricks there might be.

...

The bright moonlight bathed down.

Outside Yingchun Pavilion, a seductive woman in a thin veil, revealing yet concealing, stood outside enticing guests with her alluring voice.

Lin Zheyu walked out from Yingchun Pavilion, smiling contentedly.

"Hmm, the tricks are indeed numerous, just a bit too pricey, can't come often."

Lin Zheyu chuckled lightly, feeling refreshed.

After traveling for several months, apart from traveling was martial arts practice and studying the Poison Canon, his heart had become utterly exhausted.

This fatigue wasn't a spiritual tiredness, it stemmed from a weariness of the soul.

Today, having wandered around a bit, returning to the vibrancy of society, his soul seemed to have undergone a cleansing, becoming much clearer and more transparent.

"It's just a pity that Jia Yanrong and the others aren't here, missing a lot of fun."

Lin Zheyu lamented to himself.

Enjoying alone is not as good as enjoying together; sharing happiness with others multiplies the joy.

He wondered how they were doing back in Bafang City.

Whether the rebel army was still unstoppable.

Wondering about Senior Brother Han Mo and the master's situation too.

"No more dwelling on unhappy matters, everyone has their own destiny, just strive to be true to oneself."

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