After the two disciples had a playful moment, they also began to cultivate.
Looking at the sullen Qing Jun,
Chen Ye decided to find a proper Body Refining Technique for Qing Jun.
The Heavy Body Technique was merely a Mortal Martial Art, and Qing Jun did not have a proficiency panel, so learning it would be of little use.
Moreover, it might even affect physical development.
At this time, she is still growing, how could she over-exhaust her body?
Otherwise... she would remain a little ball all her life.
However, at present, Chen Ye had other matters to attend to.
After achieving Perfection in the Heavy Body Technique, his strength surpassed the past.
Weighing the iron sword in his hand, he felt a bit helpless.
It hadn’t been long since it was reforged, yet it needed to be done again...
The current weight of the iron sword was no longer sufficient to increase his proficiency in the Heavy Body Technique.
Coincidentally,
these days, Yunxi District was in the grip of severe cold, and the Market only reopened yesterday.
Chen Ye’s neighbor, Ping Zhuo, had some free time at home as a result.
Chen Ye acted upon his thought, and got up to visit his neighbor.
He found the gate to the neighbor’s yard slightly ajar, with faint meows of a cat coming from within.
Curious, Chen Ye stepped closer, peering inside through the crack of the door.
What he saw made Chen Ye unable to hold back his laughter.
The broad and burly Artifact Refiner, usually stern and unapproachable,
was crouching carefully under the eaves, cradling a snow-white little cat in his arms.
The little cat seemed to have an injured hind leg, wrapped haphazardly with a cloth.
Ping Zhuo was gently stroking the little cat’s head with his rough fingers, murmuring soothingly, his expression tender and contrasting sharply with his usual image.
"Meow..." The little cat seemed to feel more comfortable, making a soft mew and nuzzling against Ping Zhuo’s palm.
Ping Zhuo’s face showed a simple smile, softly saying, "There, there, it’s not hurting anymore, it’ll be better soon."
It was then that Chen Ye realized, so this tower-like man had such a soft side, liking such adorable little things.
Recalling the previous misunderstandings he had about Ping Zhuo’s reticence,
Chen Ye couldn’t help but feel a bit flushed, feeling ashamed in his heart.
Perhaps sensing movement outside the door, Ping Zhuo suddenly lifted his head.
Upon seeing that it was Chen Ye, the tenderness on his face froze, replaced by a moment of fluster and embarrassment.
He awkwardly tried to hide the little cat, yet worried about hurting it, found himself at a loss.
Seeing this, Chen Ye cleared his throat, pushed open the gate, and walked in with a smile, saying, "Taoist Friend Ping, enjoying yourself, I see."
Ping Zhuo’s face turned red, stammering, "Chen... Taoist Friend Chen, what brings you here? This... this is a friend’s little cat, it accidentally hurt its leg, I... I’m just helping to look after it."
Chen Ye, amused, didn’t expose him and simply went along with his story, "Taoist Friend Ping truly has a kind heart. By the way, I came today to ask for your help."
Ping Zhuo, hearing this, felt as if granted a reprieve and hurriedly placed the little cat on a cushion nearby, stood up and said, "Taoist Friend Chen, just say the word. As long as Ping can do it, there’ll be no refusal."
But his eyes kept glancing at Chen Ye, carrying a hint of plea.
Chen Ye understood, didn’t beat around the bush, and explained his intention, requesting Ping Zhuo’s help to reforge the iron sword, increasing its weight.
Hearing it was about Artifact Refining, Ping Zhuo’s spirit lifted. He patted his chest, saying, "Leave it to me! But... Taoist Friend Chen, you see... my situation..."
He pointed to the little cat, looking troubled.
Chen Ye smiled, "Rest assured, Taoist Friend Ping, today’s matter stays with me. It’s just about the iron sword..."
Ping Zhuo, seeing Chen Ye being so tactful, was overjoyed and promptly said, "Worry not, Taoist Friend Chen, I’ll put my heart into forging your iron sword! As for the price, I’ll give you a discount!"
He was willing to pay the price to keep it secret.
Noting Ping Zhuo’s readiness, Chen Ye casually asked, "I noticed Taoist Friend Ping seems to be on the way to the Spirit Treasure Pavilion on duty? With such severe cold, why is Taoist Friend Ping still working on artifact forging?"
Hearing this, Ping Zhuo let out a wry smile, "Alas, isn’t it the Jade Lizard Association urging us to rush a batch of Magical Artifacts?"
He paused, then added, "But rest assured, Taoist Friend Chen, your iron sword will be my priority."
During their conversation, Ping Zhuo recalled something and cupped his hands to Chen Ye:
"Speaking of which, I must admire Taoist Friend Chen. When the Beast Tide struck, and the Market was in chaos, you managed to protect your disciples at the first moment, truly a man of strong emotions and loyalty!"
Ping Zhuo hailed from a Sect, unlike the usual Loose Cultivators.
Common Loose Cultivators might praise outwardly but secretly disdain, yet he genuinely admired Chen Ye’s actions.
These words made Chen Ye feel embarrassed.
He realized, indeed, the disciples of Major Sects and ordinary Loose Cultivators differed greatly in character.
Don’t be fooled by Ping Zhuo’s appearance, he was a genuine Cultivator at the Qi Cultivation Seventh Layer!
Equivalent in level to Kong Hongxuan.
Even higher in status than Kong Hongxuan.
But their temperaments were worlds apart...
Even Li Qiuyun, whom Chen Ye met, though high and aloof in attitude, would not go too far on the surface.
Of course, Chen Ye didn’t harbor any prejudice against Loose Cultivators.
As the saying goes, "from poor mountains and evil waters come the unruly folk,"
Without being ruthless, a Loose Cultivator finds it hard to survive.
After settling the sword reforging arrangement with Ping Zhuo and paying a deposit of fifteen Spirit Stones, Chen Ye took his leave.
Not far from Ping Zhuo’s house, he ran into Hee Qi.
Upon seeing Chen Ye, Hee Qi’s face lit up with a hint of joy, he quickly approached and said, "Brother Chen, what a coincidence to meet you here. I was just looking for you, could we have a word?"
Seeing Hee Qi’s serious demeanor, Chen Ye nodded.
Hee Qi glanced around, lowered his voice, and said:
"Brother Chen, are you financially comfortable lately? I’ve found a great place where you can get a lot of good stuff at reasonable prices, only... the place is a bit special. Would Brother Chen be interested in going together?"
"Brother Hee, are you talking about the black market?" Chen Ye frowned.
Truth be told.
Chen Ye didn’t want to go to such places.
He has never eaten pork, but he’s seen pigs run.
No need to guess to know that places mixed with all sorts of characters are the easiest to encounter Tribulation Cultivators.
Seeing Chen Ye’s concern, Hee Qi laughed freely:
"Brother Chen, with the friendship between us, how could I harm you? If you must say so, it could be called a black market, but the proper term is the Formless Ghost Collection."
Upon hearing the term Ghost Collection, Chen Ye felt even more uneasy.
Seeing Chen Ye’s doubtful look, Hee Qi praised:
"Brother Chen, indeed cautious and careful, acting prudently! Which is why I trust Brother Chen!"
By now, Chen Ye was used to Hee Qi’s flatteries, sighed:
"Brother Hee, enough joking; perhaps you could explain this Formless Ghost Collection to me?"
With no choice,
He owed Hee Qi a life debt, so he couldn’t refuse.
He had to listen patiently as Hee Qi explained:
Hee Qi lowered his voice, a mysterious air about him:
"Brother Chen, this Formless Ghost Collection, as I said, is indeed special. It doesn’t have a fixed location or time like common markets. Now that times are unsettled... hence, the Formless Ghost Collection convenes soon."
"The term Formless refers to the participants, most of whom conceal their appearances, unknown to each other’s true identities. Because of this, it makes transactions more unconstrained."
"As for the ’Ghost’ part, it has multiple meanings. Firstly, it implies the time and place of the market’s occurrence are unpredictable. Secondly, it refers to the goods circulated at the event, a plethora of items, some with unclear origins, or rare treasures hard to find in usual Markets, even certain... um, not so suitable for open trade items might be traceable at the Ghost Collection."