Back at the Market

Around 10 p. m., Shen Jingchuan landed on the stone floor of the second courtyard of the Shen Residence on his sword, his clothes still carrying the chill of the mountain breeze. As soon as he landed, the door of the side room creaked open, and Xiao Mingshu, wearing a plain cloak, walked out of the room.

"You went to Azure Cloud Stronghold again?"

She stood on the steps, her voice low.

Shen Jingchuan touched the tip of his nose. "I was just worried about the situation on the mountain, so I went to take a look."

"I'm warning you," Xiao Mingshu looked up at him, his tone serious, "You'd better stop interfering in the wars of mortals and ordinary people, or you'll get yourself into big trouble sooner or later."

"I just brought them some food; I didn't do anything else," Shen Jingchuan explained.

Sending food is not allowed either.

Xiao Mingshu frowned:

"If others find out that you're using Storage Ring to transport grain and supplies into the rebel village, that would be using Technique Method to interfere with mortal affairs, which is cheating and breaking the rules. Do you think it's a trivial matter?"

Shen Jingchuan looked at her and suddenly smiled:

"Sis, you're the only one who knows about this, right? Besides..."

"What did you say? Don't forget my surname is Xiao."

Xiao Mingshu's expression changed slightly. He moved his lips but didn't say anything more. He turned around and went back into the house, slamming the door shut behind him.

Shen Jingchuan stood in the courtyard for a moment, then shook his head and smiled bitterly. Come to think of it, Azure Cloud Stronghold is now defending itself on the mountain and resisting the Government Army, which is exactly what Xiao Household family has created.

No wonder his stepsister was unhappy. But he had no other choice; his father-in-law's family, his own wife and children were all on the mountain, and he couldn't just stand by and watch them get surrounded.

He didn't linger, turning back to the west courtyard. He entered the house, closed the doors and windows, took out the Spirit Gathering Formation Plate, and placed it on the table. The plate glowed with a faint spiritual light. He took out a High-Grade Qi Gathering Pill and popped it into his mouth. The pill melted instantly, transforming into warm Spiritual Qi that flowed along his meridians. He sat cross-legged and began refining the medicinal power according to the route of the "Five Phases Spirit Guiding Instruction."

After completing one Greater Celestial Circuit, Shen Jingchuan felt a slight stirring in his heart—the barrier Qi Refining Fourth Layer was now faintly palpable. He was overjoyed, held his breath, and completed another cycle, thoroughly refining the medicinal power and sinking it into his Dantian, making his Qi feel even more solid.

However, he didn't have many High-Grade Qi Gathering Pills left, so he had to use them sparingly.

The Government Army at the foot of the mountain suffered two consecutive defeats, with nearly two thousand casualties. Their morale was low, and it was estimated that they would not be able to organize a large-scale attack on the mountain for a while. The fighting should be able to stop for a while.

He wondered if he should find Xiao Mingshu tomorrow and persuade her to go to the market with him to buy some more cultivation supplies.

And the Xian'er in the Heaven and Earth Ring hasn't absorbed Spirit Stones in a long time; it's time to replenish them.

A lot of supplies have been transported up the mountain recently, and there's still plenty of stock in the warehouses in the modern area, enough to make a fortune at the market.

Thinking it over, he took out another High-Grade Qi Gathering Pill and put it in his mouth, then immersed himself in cultivation once again.

The next morning, when Shen Jingchuan strolled to the front yard, Huan'er had already set breakfast on the stone table. These days, with no one staying at the mansion, Huan'er had personally prepared all the meals.

After the meal, Shen Jingchuan moved closer to Xiao Mingshu and tentatively began to speak:

"Sister, do you think we should go to the market again?"

Xiao Mingshu glanced at him, a slight smile playing on her lips:

"Oh? Aren't you afraid something might happen at Azure Cloud Stronghold? Aren't you going to keep an eye on things down the mountain?"

"Didn't you tell me not to interfere too much in worldly affairs?"

Shen Jingchuan touched his nose.

Xiao Mingshu snorted, but her eyes relaxed. She was happy, as she really didn't want Shen Jingchuan to stand completely against the Xiao Household family.

But she also knew that the Lin Household had been driven to desperation by her younger brother, forcing them to seek refuge on the mountain. Shen Jingchuan protecting his family wasn't inherently wrong. She sighed softly and nodded.

"Fine, let's go again."

"Then let's leave today."

Shen Jingchuan's spirits lifted. "The Shen Household has sent another large batch of good goods. Let's sell them quickly and exchange them for more Cultivation Resources so we can break through faster."

Xiao Mingshu didn't ask about the type of goods or the quantity. Shen Jingchuan was always reliable, and she trusted him.

He nodded and instructed Huan'er to pack his bags.

Huan'er was quick and efficient, and soon she had everything ready. She then drove out the four-wheeled carriage that Shen Jingchuan had modified to be equipped with aircraft cannons.

Big Black, Little Black, and Treading Snow all stayed at Azure Cloud Stronghold. There was only one carriage left in the mansion, so the three of them rode together in the carriage and set off.

The journey was smooth and uneventful, and they arrived at the market town in just over two days. They checked into the Yuelai Inn, where they had stayed before, and after settling their luggage and resting for a while, Shen Jingchuan suggested taking Huan'er out for a stroll and looking for ways to sell their goods.

As soon as the three of them stepped into the inn, they were met by two market inspectors in dark brown uniforms.

Upon seeing Xiao Mingshu, the leader quickly stepped forward, cupped his hands in a respectful bow, and said in a humble tone, "Fairy Xiao, it's been a long time. Have you just arrived at the market?"

The patrolling monk bowed and said:

"Fairy Xiao, our Steward Wang would like to invite you both to the Hall of Affairs for a chat."

Xiao Mingshu glanced at Shen Jingchuan, her eyes questioning.

Shen Jingchuan was also taken aback—the market manager suddenly contacted them; could it be that their recent large volume of goods coming in and going out had attracted attention?

He himself wasn't afraid, and could leave at any time, but with Xiao Mingshu and Huan'er by his side, he still had reservations. So he lowered his voice and said:

"Sis, you rest in the shop first, I'll go with them."

The patrolling monk quickly replied:

"Young Friend Shen, there's no need to worry. Our manager instructed us to invite you both to come along; there's no other intention."

Shen Jingchuan knew perfectly well that they had been spotted the moment they entered the market, and there was no way to avoid it within the territory of Spirit Creek Market. He nodded slightly to Xiao Mingshu, indicating that they should take it one step at a time.

Xiao Mingshu remained calm. Although her cultivation level wasn't high, she was, after all, a member of the Great Qian royal family.

Although the cultivation forces of the Great Qian Kingdom were only at the bottom of the entire cultivation world, Spirit Creek Market was still located within the Great Qian territory, so the other party should at least give them some face. They immediately nodded slightly.

"Lead the way."

The patrolling cultivator stepped aside to lead the way, taking the two towards the heart of the market. Huan'er followed closely beside Xiao Mingshu. After turning two corners, they arrived at a neat, gray-blue courtyard house. A wooden plaque hung above the door, inscribed with the four characters "Spirit Creek Market".

Upon entering the hall, a middle-aged man dressed in a dark blue long gown was sitting at the tea table brewing tea. Seeing them enter, he immediately put down the teapot, smiled, and rose to greet them.

"Fairy Xiao, Young Friend Shen, come, have a seat."

Shen Jingchuan felt a chill run down his spine—this person had actually recognized both of their surnames in one breath, it seemed the market knew the backgrounds of the cultivators coming and going very well.

The middle-aged man raised his hand in a gesture of invitation, introducing himself:

"I am Wang Cheng'an, and I am the manager of Spirit Creek Market."

The two quickly stepped forward and bowed.

"Greetings, Steward Wang."

After the two were seated, Wang Cheng'an picked up the teapot and personally poured a cup of tea for each of them, taking a sip himself first.

Shen Jingchuan looked at the tea in the teacup in front of him, which shimmered with a very faint spiritual light. It was clearly spiritual tea brewed with spiritual spring water, a considerable effort indeed.

Neither of them drank, and they looked at Steward Wang.