I have Immortality In The Cultivation World - Chapter 130

Chapter 130: Chapter 130: Changes in the Marketplace

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Deep within the Great Marsh.

Zhou Yi activated his Identity Token outside the Marketplace.

A short while later.

The Formation’s mist dispersed, and two streaks of escaping light flew towards them, transforming into two Daoists, one clad in purple and the other in blue.

The one in the lead was a handsome young man, followed half a step behind by an elder with white hair.

“Welcome, Junior Brother Sun,” said Xuan Zhou, “This is Huang Xu, Junior Brother Huang. A few days ago, we received a message from the sect that a Daoist friend skilled in the Lightning Method would be arriving. We have been looking forward to this moment for a long time.”

“Older brother is too polite. While I have devoted myself to studying the Lightning Method, I seldom engage in magical duels,” Zhou Yi said, handing over his Identity Token and cupping his hands towards the elder, “I am honored to meet you, Brother Huang.”

Huang Xu smiled and said, “I too am somewhat proficient in the Lightning Method. I must visit you to learn from you when time permits.”

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Xuan Zhou verified the authenticity of the Token, opened the protective Formation, and they entered the Marketplace together.

Three streaks of light flew over the spiritual fields and the trading district, directly descending in the center of the Marketplace.

Cave Dwelling Number One.

At first glance, it covered at least ten acres of land, situated at the very core of the Spirit Vein. There was no need for a Spirit Gathering Array; the dense Spiritual Energy naturally condensed into a mist.

The spiritual mist swirled among the pavilions, towers, galleries, and kiosks, a white expanse merging into obscurity, as if an illusion.

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The escaping light descended in front of the main hall. As the door opened wide, inside sat six fellow Daoists.

Positioned to the left and right, all were Foundation Establishment Cultivators.

The people in the hall nodded to Xuan Zhou and then scrutinized Zhou Yi.

The bearded Daoist on the left laughed, “I had heard from the youngsters in the clan that Lecturer Sun from the Scripture Hall was unparalleled in the Lightning Method. Today, I finally have the pleasure of meeting you.”

Zhou Yi clasped his hands together, “It is my responsibility. May I inquire about the name of this friend?”

The bearded man replied, “I am but a Loose Cultivator, Mo Qu.”

Zhou Yi smiled, “Senior Mo Qu, I am well aware of Mo Xiaoyu, a promising disciple in the Lightning Method. My congratulations in advance, for one day, your clan will have another true expert!”

Even though they knew it was just a courteous remark, no one disliked hearing it, and Mo Qu’s gaze towards Zhou Yi instantly became friendlier.

Zhou Yi spoke while also taking the measure of everyone in the hall; besides Mo Qu, whose aura was a notch higher, signaling a mid-stage Foundation Establishment, the rest were in the early stage.

“Please take a seat, Fellow Daoist Sun.”

Xuan Zhou occupied the chief seat. To his right was the powerful Mo Qu, and to his left was Huang Xu, clearly treating him as a confidant.

Zhou Yi chose a seat at the end of the left side, next to a female Cultivator. After being introduced by Xuan Zhou, he learned that she was known as Hua Yue, a true cultivator.

“Today’s gathering is to welcome Junior Brother Sun,” Xuan Zhou clapped his hands and immediately rows of beautiful maids emerged from behind the hall, carrying jade trays, and setting out Spiritual Wine and Spirit Fruits for everyone.

Zhou Yi’s gaze swept across the hall, taking in the ornate carvings and splendid grandeur: sandalwood ceilings, crystal lamps, golden pillars, jade cases, emerald plates, luminous cups… Any single item placed in the mundane world would be a treasure of incalculable value.

“This brother is rather extraordinary!” Zhou Yi thought to himself, casting his eyes down and placing Xuan Zhou on his list of people to be wary of.

Those with extraordinary desires do extraordinary things!

“For the next ten years, or perhaps even longer, we shall fight side by side to defend against the demonic forces,” Xuan Zhou raised his cup and declared, “I won’t speak empty words. Here I swear to the heavens that unless my soul is scattered and destroyed, Daze Marketplace shall not fall to the demonic path!”

The atmosphere in the hall became slightly tense. Cultivators take care not to swear carelessly, especially such grave oaths. Everyone stationed in the Marketplace is either protecting their family or their heritage, none wanting to fight to the death against the demons.

If Daze Marketplace falls, they would simply move on to another, and if that one falls, move on again.

If the Heavenly Demon Sect truly takes over thirteen spiritual lands of Cloud Continent, one might as well join the demonic path and still live freely.

Huang Xu was the first to concur, “I, Huang, am of the same mind.”

The rest of the true cultivators, under Xuan Zhou’s gaze, swiftly took oaths to share life and death with the Marketplace, and soon it was Zhou Yi’s turn.

Zhou Yi pointed to the heavens and swore, “I swear, should I dare to abandon the Marketplace, may I lose two hundred years of life on the spot!”

Xuan Zhou felt there was something odd but couldn’t pinpoint any fault and praised, “Junior Brother Sun is truly unique. Even when taking oaths, he’s different from ordinary people. Interesting indeed!”

The atmosphere suddenly relaxed as these words were spoken.

Zhou Yi gained a clearer understanding of Xuan Zhou’s strength, roughly capable of taking on everyone in the hall by himself.

The true transmission of the Dan Ding Sect had reached the pinnacles of Foundation Establishment. Loose Cultivators of Foundation Establishment level such as Mo Qu and Hua Yue would be defeated within three to five exchanges before him.

“In the Cultivation World, it is ultimately martial strength… and the survivors are king!”

While Xuan Zhou’s oath made the scene somewhat awkward, the atmosphere of the banquet warmed up again afterward, especially when a procession of dancing girls, who were all female cultivators, arrived shortly after.

The red sleeves fluttered as they danced lightly veiled, appearing in the center of the hall to dance gracefully.

“Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful!”

“Such enjoyment, Brother, makes the rest of us feel embarrassed.”

“Drink up, drink up!”

“The dancers look familiar, aren’t they invited from the Phoenix Cry Pavilion?”

“Let’s go together tomorrow!”

“…”

Cups clinked, and after the drunkenness dispersed, everyone went their separate ways!

The cave dwelling assigned to Zhou Yi was number nine, its land and Spiritual Energy were no less than that of number one, and the interior decorations were simple and rustic.

…

The next day.

Zhou Yi concealed his aura and headed to the Marketplace’s trading area.

“Prices for talisman-scripted Magic Artifacts and life-saving pills have skyrocketed. The prices for cultivation resources have dropped quite a bit; after all, with the demonic cultivators’ aggressive approach, who has the time to cultivate in seclusion and practice their spells?”

To Zhou Yi’s surprise, not a few stalls or even shops were selling the four arts of cultivation.

Although the inheritances were more basic, Zhou Yi was not picky and bought them all as he encountered them.

“Six basic pill recipes, they haven’t sold control fire or Golden Core Technique spells, still holding back some tricks!”

“The ‘Comprehensive Artifact Refining’, starting to make a name for itself but it’s really just a beginner’s inheritance, comes with several designs for low-grade Magic Artifacts restrictions. Gathering a few more volumes of artifact refining insights might improve my Mountain and River Cauldron, advancing it to a top-tier Magic Artifact sooner!”

“The Complete Collection of Intermediate Talisman Scripts, a whole five thousand Spirit Stones, bought it!”

Ordinary cultivators often focus on one or two pieces of compatible inheritance and concentrate on studying them, after all, their lifespan is limited, and a jack-of-all-trades typically masters none.

Zhou Yi aspired to be a hexagon-shaped cultivator, so for him, the more arts of cultivation he learned, the better, as Spirit Stones could always be earned slowly, but inheritances, once missed, are hard to come by again.

Spending Spirit Stones so freely, it wasn’t long before six or seven ordinary-looking cultivators took turns following behind him.

“Finally, they bite. I was afraid you wouldn’t take the bait.”

Zhou Yi purchased a few bottles of Qi Nurturing Pills, suitable for early and mid-stage Qi Refinement, as well as two mid-grade Magic Artifacts.

Using his newly purchased Magic Artifact, he left the Daze Marketplace.

An hour later.

Zhou Yi came back with a solemn expression; the news he had gleaned from a Soul Search was worse than he had anticipated. Many of the Loose Cultivators in the marketplace had joined the demonic path, and out of the eight tails that followed him, three were spies from the Heavenly Demon Palace.

“Good thing I have the Blood Burning Escape Technique, otherwise it would be time to make a quick getaway!”

In the blink of an eye.

Half a year passed without any significant incidents.

The Loose Cultivators in the marketplace, lured by pills and inheritances, split into two factions that were at each other’s throats, either slaughtering to refine demonic practices or killing Demon Heads for rewards.

Zhou Yi practiced daily, pondering over the four arts of cultivation.

As he delved deeper into the study of Formation, Talisman, Dan, and Weapons, he discovered commonalities between them, which were the restriction patterns.

“According to the classics, restriction patterns were derived by ancient powerhouses who pondered the heavenly truths, hence their usefulness in channeling Spiritual Energy between heaven and earth. The four arts of cultivation seem different, but actually, they all relate to restrictions; pill patterns, formation patterns, Magic Artifact restrictions, and even talismans are primarily composed of restrictions!”

“Once you master one art deeply, you’ll find parallels in learning the others!”

Steeped in the most complex of these arts, Formations, Zhou Yi then returned to study the other three, experiencing the sensation of solving middle school math problems with a high schooler’s knowledge.