After feeding the two disciples well,
Chen Ye gave them a few simple instructions, telling them to stay at home and not run around.
Then, he activated the Qi Concealment Technique and walked unhurriedly towards the trading area.
In his Storage Bag, there were quite a few trophies obtained from the Tribulation Cultivator.
Firstly, there was a Tier One Middle Grade Wind Blade Talisman, which was still potent, but was rather useless to him, better exchanged for Spirit Stones.
Additionally, there was a Lower Grade Magical Artifact, two Middle Grade Magical Artifacts, and a severely damaged Tier One Middle Grade Magic Robe, scavenged from the three Stone Mirror Association Tribulation Cultivators.
Although these items were of low grade, combined, they were worth a fair amount of Spirit Stones.
As for the Red Flood Dragon Spear,
Chen Ye had intended to keep it for Qing Jun, but realized that the little girl was too short to even wield it...
The trading area was bustling with people, lively and vibrant.
Shouts of vendors and haggling voices rose and fell incessantly.
However, the most conspicuous was the convoy of the Xu Family.
On the largest piece of open ground on the west side of the market, more than a dozen massive beast carriages, wrapped in bronze, were lined up neatly, with complex cloud patterns carved on their bodies, flags fluttering.
On a large black flag, a flamboyant "Xu" character stood out particularly.
Seven or eight guards in unified black gear, at the Qi Cultivation Middle Stage, were vigilantly patrolling the surroundings.
In front of the convoy, a make-shift acquisition platform was set up, where a few middle-aged cultivators looking like stewards in brocade sat, with Spirit Stones and various appraisal tools placed in front of them.
In front of them, from time to time, Loose Cultivators came forward, cautiously presenting their magical artifacts, hoping to sell them at a good price.
"People from the Xu Family... they also came to Yunxi District?"
Chen Ye’s heart stirred slightly.
He remembered that Qing Jun’s background was related to the Xu Family from Moon Rhinoceros Lake.
The flag and the grandeur of this convoy matched that of a prominent clan.
However, there were many families with the same surname in the Cultivation Realm, so it might not be the same branch as Qing Jun’s.
Suppressing his thoughts, he first wandered through the scattered stalls on the periphery.
The Wind Blade Talisman, still potent, was quickly sold for three Spirit Stones.
As for the severely damaged Magic Robe, it drew almost no interest, and was finally bought along with some worthless odds and ends by an elderly cultivator collecting junk for four Spirit Stones, better than nothing.
After dealing with these trifles, Chen Ye turned his attention to the Xu Family’s acquisition platform.
In his Storage Bag, there was still one Lower Grade Magical Artifact and two Middle Grade Magical Artifacts, all obtained from the three Tribulation Cultivators.
Additionally, there was the Tier One Middle Grade Red Flood Dragon Spear.
He initially wanted to keep the Red Flood Dragon Spear for Qing Jun, but the girl was still shorter than the spear; who knew when she’d be able to use it.
Better to exchange it for Spirit Stones while the market was bustling and gain something practical.
He made up his mind and walked over slowly.
When it was his turn, a middle-aged steward with sharp features and a three-stranded goatee glanced at him, seeing his cultivation was only at the 4th or 5th layer of Qi Cultivation, he said indifferently, "What magical artifacts does Fellow Daoist wish to sell?"
Chen Ye didn’t say much and placed the three Tribulation Cultivators’ magical artifacts and the Red Flood Dragon Spear on the acquisition platform.
"Tier One Lower Grade Flying Cloud Shuttle, Tier One Middle Grade Profound Iron Shield, Tier One Middle Grade Moonlight Wheel, and... hmm? Tier One Middle Grade Red Flood Dragon Spear?"
The steward with the goatee showed a hint of surprise, as these artifacts were all decent, especially the Red Flood Dragon Spear, with a faint glow of fire on its body, clearly a fine item.
He picked up the Red Flood Dragon Spear, examined it carefully for a moment, then probed it with Spiritual Power, nodding slightly, "The crafting technique of this Red Flood Dragon Spear is decent, well-tempered, but it seems to have been tainted by Blood Evil Qi, slightly affecting its spirituality. The other three are average."
After pondering for a moment, he quoted the price, "Eight Spirit Stones for the Flying Cloud Shuttle, twenty-six for the Profound Iron Shield, twenty-four for the Moonlight Wheel, and... thirty for the Red Flood Dragon Spear. What does Fellow Daoist think?"
The price was fair, not deliberately undercutting, similar to what Chen Ye had inquired at other stalls.
Prominent families value large, stable acquisitions and prioritize reputation, not wanting to excessively pinch on Loose Cultivators.
Especially since the Xu Family was acquiring goods in the trading area, clearly taking advantage of the chaotic market with a surplus of magical artifacts, focusing on volume with thin margins.
Moreover, the price of the Red Flood Dragon Spear was beyond Chen Ye’s expectations.
He recalled Lin Qiongyu mentioned that when crafting this spear initially, only twenty Spirit Stones were used, presumably because Xue Chengjun provided some materials himself.
"Agreed."
Chen Ye nodded. Seeing his prompt agreement, the steward with the goatee smiled, immediately producing eighty-eight Spirit Stones, completing the transaction with Chen Ye.
After the deal, Chen Ye did not leave immediately. He directly asked, "May I ask which Xu Family the senior belongs to? Why acquire so many magical artifacts?"
The steward with the goatee replied frankly, smiling,
"Naturally from the Xu Family of Moon Rhinoceros Lake. These magical artifacts, after some sorting, can fetch a few extra Spirit Stones when sent to other markets. After all, Yunxi District’s ordeal led to a surge in magical artifact availability, lowering prices. Fellow Daoist seems quite interested in my Xu Family? Watching us closely earlier..."
Indeed, when supply exceeds demand, prices drop.
Thus, the Xu Family seized the opportunity to buy in bulk.
Chen Ye’s expression remained unchanged as he laughed, "Not at all, it’s just that the grandeur of the Xu Family is awe-inspiring, making me linger with admiration."
Saying this, he blended into the crowd without lingering further.
The steward with the goatee watched Chen Ye’s back fade away, stroking his beard, unconcerned.
But within the Xu Family convoy, a slender hand lifted the curtain by a crack.
Behind the slit, a pair of somewhat narrow phoenix eyes appeared:
"Seems... somewhat familiar?"
At this moment, in his Storage Bag, Chen Ye’s Spirit Stones had surpassed two hundred and fourteen!
Indeed, committing murder and arson brings wealth...
Most of the Spirit Stones come from the Tribulation Cultivators!
"With these Spirit Stones, whether it’s buying Pills to assist in breaking through the Evergreen Technique or buying good things for my disciples, there’s a lot more leeway."
Chen Ye was in a great mood, and his steps became a bit lighter.
...
Two days later.
The market reopened, everything was waiting to be rebuilt.
The Lingyin Sect’s Outer Sect competition and Steward assessment started today, lasting for three days.
The first day was for assessing Spirit Plant Masters.
As soon as this news came out, the entire Yunxi District became lively.
Because, this grand competition will not only assess the Outer Disciples but also recruit some Loose Cultivators with special skills.
Such as Spirit Plant Masters and Alchemists among these cultivators.
In the Yunxi District central square, today was a departure from the usual hustle and bustle, a large open space was cleared, heavily guarded everywhere, and Lingyin Sect’s disciples were all over the place.
In the center of the square, several high platforms were temporarily erected.
At this time, they were confirming the contributions of the Outer Disciples and preparing statistics for the Loose Cultivators intending to register.
The Lingyin Sect’s Outer Sect competition generally unfolds in three locations.
The other two locations have already completed their competitions, only Yunxi District and nearby areas, most affected by the Celestial Tribulation, delayed until today.
"Senior Sister Li, do you have confidence in this grand competition? I’ve heard that there are three or four disciples from Peach Mountain District who have broken through to the late-stage Qi Cultivation..."
Junior Brother Liu, on duty, was probing with his questions.
The setup of the Lingyin Sect’s Outer Sect and Inner Sect is not a progressive hierarchy but a parallel cultivation system based on the differences in disciples’ talents.
Highly talented disciples directly master into the Inner Sect, receiving the Sect’s meticulous cultivation.
Other disciples have to participate in the Outer Sect competition, and only the top ten can enter the Inner Sect.
Li Qiuyun’s face darkened, she sighed and said:
"This batch of Outer Disciples has no less than twenty late-stage Qi Cultivators; it will be hard to compete against them."
Junior Brother Liu imperceptibly sighed in relief, quickly comforting her:
"Senior Sister Li, you have only been in Yunxi District for half a year. Just accumulate more contributions, breakthrough to late-stage Qi Cultivation, and it will be a sure thing. If all else fails, after stationed here for three years, you can return to the Sect."
Junior Brother Liu had already been stationed in Yunxi District for two years, having no expectation of advancing to the Inner Sect.
He only wanted to peacefully stay for another year and then go back home,
During this time, having Senior Sister Li accompany would naturally be better.
Besides... if Senior Sister Li really enters the Inner Sect, he could never reach such heights in his lifetime.
Li Qiuyun fell silent, thinking about having to stay in this remote wilderness for another year, she felt despondent.
The reason is simple,
Firstly it’s remote here, secondly the cultivation path is slow if not practiced diligently, busy all day with Sect contributions, where’s the time for cultivation?
"I haven’t seen my parents in half a year, I wonder if they’re doing well at Moon Rhinoceros Lake..."
After a while, Li Qiuyun murmured quietly.
After all, she was a young girl who had just left the ivory tower, how could she not miss her parents?
Seeing her sadness, Junior Brother Liu racked his brains and suddenly his eyes lit up:
"Senior Sister Li, there’s another way! The Sect has a rule, if loose cultivators pass the assessment and become a Steward, they need to return to the Sect for three months of training, and local Outer Disciples will accompany them to help the new Steward get familiar with the Sect. After the three months, return together."
"In this way, Senior Sister Li can also reunite with your parents... Though it’s only three months, if this Steward performs well, it could add a significant contribution for Senior Sister Li!"
Li Qiuyun listened and sighed lightly:
"Junior Brother Liu, being a Sect Steward isn’t so easy. Only one or two pass each year, most are from the loose cultivators of Moon Rhinoceros Lake District. Yunxi District is just a newly established market for a few decades, it doesn’t even have Cultivation Clans... Alas..."
The reason the Sect combined the Steward assessment with the Outer Sect competition is that very few loose cultivators pass the assessment.
It’s a simple reason,
To pass the assessment, one needs a certain level of proficiency in one of the many Immortal Cultivation arts.
This is not an easy task.
Heritage, talent, and time are all indispensable.
Heritage alone leaves many loose cultivators far behind... Surely no one can practice the basic Three Spirit Plant Skills proficiently, can they?
Junior Brother Liu pretended to comfort and said: "Perhaps, the Sect has recently been aggressively recruiting Spirit Plant Masters? This cold disaster has affected a large number of Spirit Fields inside the Sect, maybe they’ll lower the standards."
He glanced around at the many loose cultivators,
The Spirit Plant Master assessment had nearly a thirty percent increase in participants compared to previous years.
Among them were some medicinal farmers with small fame in Yunxi District.
But Junior Brother Liu secretly laughed to himself.
No matter how low, it couldn’t possibly reach these people!
Their so-called Spirit Plant Technique might not even be as good as some Outer Disciples...
Wait, what is this?
In the next moment, Junior Brother Liu’s face darkened, he actually saw Chen Ye!