Canal Dragon Palace
A Water Dragon circled around Zhang Jian, the magic of the Five Dragons Scripture at work, allowing him to glide effortlessly through the vast water domain, not becoming a landlubber unfamiliar with water battles.
The Water Dragon encompassed him, making him resemble a dragon swimming in the depths, piercing through the void to arrive at the depths of the Water Mansion.
"Mr. Zhang, this way please!"
Upon arrival, a beautiful and graceful Dragon Maiden awaited him, her figure alluring, and she appeared completely matured.
From afar, Zhang Jian saw the Canal Dragon Monarch inside the Crystal Palace entertaining several cultivators surrounded by a rich aura of Daoist charm.
The magical power around these figures was immense, and the Pure Yang Qi emanating from them indicated that they were all Primordial Spirit Masters.
Or perhaps some kind of demon god.
Zhang Jian did not stride in immediately; instead, he waited in a side hall.
Upon learning of his arrival, the Canal Dragon Monarch bade farewell to the others and appeared in the side hall moments later.
"I apologize for keeping you waiting!"
The Dragon Monarch bowed slightly, a smile on his face.
He held several crystal jade discs in his hand.
"Mr. Zhang, your participation in our Canal Trade Fair greatly honors us. Here is a token, and also a hundred top-grade Spirit Crystals, which may be of assistance to you!"
"Your Majesty, I'll take the token, but the Spirit Crystals are unnecessary!"
Zhang Jian glanced briefly at the items, taking the token while waving off the hundred top-grade Spirit Crystals.
Spirit Crystals, these special items, are treasures condensed from spirit veins, containing pure spiritual essence, generally categorized into three grades: lower, middle, and upper.
Top-grade Spirit Crystals, of immense value, are condensed from Jade Marrow, each containing extremely pure Jade Marrow spiritual essence, capable of nourishing magical power and even the soul.
A hundred top-grade Spirit Crystals amount to a fortune.
But Zhang Jian had no need for them. Since mastering the Dao Technique, he had slain many powerful cultivators, including Yin Spirit Venerables and even a Primordial Spirit Master, accumulating ample Spirit Crystals.
There was no need to owe the Old Dragon Monarch a favor.
The Canal Dragon Monarch simply smiled and then had the Dragon Maiden lead Zhang Jian to the trading area.
The trading area was located in the central region of the Dragon Palace, under the Divine Office's protection.
With the Canal Dragon Palace's reputation, there was nothing to worry about.
The depths of the water were profound, and only the trading cultivators in the palace emitted bright glows, making them very conspicuous.
At a glance, the Dragon Palace Market resembled a long river.
"Honored guest, if you need anything, feel free to ask me. This market hosts many spiritual artifacts and treasures of heaven and earth, various cultivation techniques, and transaction conditions. I am fully informed!"
At this moment, the Dragon Maiden accompanying Zhang Jian also smiled and explained.
Zhang Jian, with a thought, asked, "Does every esteemed guest of your palace have a Dragon Palace Envoy like you accompanying them?"
The Dragon Maiden shook her head and said, "It's according to the needs of esteemed guests. For a major cultivator like you attending the market for the first time, the Dragon Monarch instructed us to guide and accompany you. Of course, if you do not require our presence, we can also leave!"
"Feel reassured, honored guest; we have already received our salaries from the Dragon Palace!"
Zhang Jian nodded, thinking the Dragon Palace's service awareness was quite good.
Offhandedly, Zhang Jian asked, "Fellow Daoist, do you know where in this market I can exchange for ancient tomes and cultivation techniques?"
Upon hearing the question, the Dragon Maiden replied, "You can call me Green Pearl. In our Dragon Palace Market, the trade of cultivation techniques is always a highlight, with many sects' merchants joining the meeting. They are all gathered in East Gate Square!"
She smiled charmingly, her eyes now resting on Zhang Jian with respect.
"East Gate Square?"
Zhang Jian's gaze shifted, and Green Pearl continued.
"Honored guest, our Dragon Palace Market has five regions: east, south, west, north, and central. They respectively focus on promoting cultivation techniques, magical treasures, spirit medicine and elixirs, and spirit beasts. The fifth area features various relic acquisitions or a mix of strange and rare items, located in Dragon Roar Square, where many other Dragon Palace-sent merchants gather!"
Upon hearing this, Zhang Jian laughed.
"Your Dragon Palace certainly knows how to do business; no wonder you have abundant resources!"
Green Pearl respectfully said,
"Honored guest, the Sheji Divine Dao always adheres to an absolutely neutral stance, ensuring our divine credibility!"
Zhang Jian nodded.
He realized these divine cultivators excel at accumulating wealth. Even Phoenix Spirit, the Mountain God sealed for a thousand years, possessed considerable riches.
Whether fulfilling orders for major sects' spiritual objects or producing various items, each venture generated tremendous fortune.
Even his old father-in-law Bai Nu, whose Dragon Palace once fell into decline, quickly rebuilt it.
This Divine Dao position is truly a golden brand, offering much better credibility than many Immortal Dao lineages.
While one cannot escape, the Divine Dao emphasizes virtue cultivation.
...
Within East Gate Square, it was even grander than the initial area Zhang Jian had just entered. There were numerous vendors and buildings crafted for magical treasure trades.
Zhang Jian looked around and sensed an intense atmosphere of 'bookish' Qi and the aura of runes.
Feeling this ancient, age-old spiritual wave, Zhang Jian's eyes showed a hint of interest.
Green Pearl first pointed out to Zhang Jian several major gateways for the sale of cultivation techniques, operated by the most special forces in the cultivation realm.
For example, Treasure Tower, Heaven's Edge Pavilion, Penglai Pavilion, Mountain and Sea Tower, and others.
These merchants were united, and Zhang Jian had heard of their reputations, knowing many had complex backgrounds, supported by ancient noble families and clans in the shadows.
For instance, Treasure Tower was backed by the Hidden Dao Lineages like the Tongshan Dao, even by ancient Saint King clans.
Meanwhile, Penglai Pavilion and Heaven's Edge Pavilion had influences from Outer Realm Gods.
Mountain and Sea Tower was jointly founded by various factions within the Sheji Divine Dao, even extending to the Outer Void.
Zhang Jian did not enter these merchants directly, as he believed they contained the magic he needed, but hoping to snag a bargain from these experts was unlikely.
Currently, using his materialized Yang God Divine Sense, Zhang Jian discovered many good items at other small stalls at the entrance.
Zhang Jian walked to a small stall near a corner. The vendor, a thin, high-cheekboned, Daoist robe-wearing middle-aged cultivator, possessed a strong spiritual aura, identified as a Golden Core Great Cultivator.
Upon seeing Zhang Jian arrive, especially with a Dragon Maiden accompanying him, the Golden Core Cultivator immediately realized the newcomer was a distinguished Dragon Palace guest.
"Honored guest, is there anything you need? I have many good items here, including several jade slips from relic discoveries, of significant value!"
Zhang Jian's expression was noncommittal, picking up one of the jade slips.
On this jade slip, he indeed detected a very peculiar Forbidden Technique.
It was inscribed using the Ancient Yin Text.
The last time Zhang Jian encountered this Ancient Yin Text was in the "Golden Crow Scripture."