Tianhe Gathering

Wang Changsheng gazed at the three mu of Tier 1 spirit fields before him, his face brimming with delight. In another two days, the spirit grain in the three mu of fields would be ready for harvest.

Wang Changsheng's lips moved slightly. Specks of blue light emerged before him, swiftly gathering into a White Cloud more than ten feet wide.

"Go."

Wang Changsheng pointed toward the sky above the spirit fields, and the White Cloud immediately flew overhead, continuously expanding until it became a giant white cloud that blanketed the three mu of spirit fields.

"Rain, come."

Wang Changsheng gave a soft shout and sent a Hand Seal into the giant white cloud.

The giant white cloud churned, and raindrops as large as beans poured down, bringing a trace of coolness to the three mu of spirit fields.

Half a quarter-hour later, Wang Changsheng withdrew his Hand Seal. The giant white cloud dissolved into specks of blue light and vanished, and the rain stopped as well.

"Ninth Brother, morning!"

A somewhat familiar voice rang out.

Wang Changsheng looked toward the source of the voice and saw Wang Changxing walking toward him at an unhurried pace.

"Morning, Third Brother. Don't you have to take your shift?"

"I asked Third Uncle for leave. The Tianhe Gathering, held once every five years, has begun. I have some spiritual items on hand that I plan to sell at Tianhe Market. Second Sister and the others are also going there to sell goods. I came to ask whether you wanted to come along. I heard that this Tianhe Gathering has spiritual items that can assist with Foundation Establishment, drawing many cultivators there. Opportunities like this are rare—we'll definitely make a fortune. I started preparing half a year ago."

Wang Changxing looked eager to give it a try.

Wang Changsheng was tempted, but then he recalled something and said with difficulty, "I need to tend the spirit grain. I'm afraid I can't go."

"Ah, what kind of problem is that? Just have Third Aunt help you look after it. Second Sister and the others are also handing their duties over to the elders so they can go to Tianhe Market and broaden their horizons. Ninth Brother, you've never been to Tianhe Market, have you? The Tianhe Gathering is held once every five years, and each time countless cultivators attend, bringing all kinds of spiritual items. It'd be far too regrettable if you didn't go."

Wang Changsheng thought it over. What Wang Changxing said did make sense.

The three mu of spirit grain would be ready for harvest in two days. Until then, they only needed to be watered regularly.

"When are we leaving?"

Wang Changxing shook his head and said, "I don't know either. Sixth Uncle is leading the group. If you want to attend the Tianhe Gathering, go speak to Third Uncle first. He should know when we're leaving."

"Thanks. I'll go ask my father right away."

Wang Changxing chatted with Wang Changsheng for a few more moments, then took leave and left.

After breakfast, Wang Changsheng went to the study and told Wang Mingyuan about it.

"The Tianhe Gathering only comes once every five years. Since you've never been, you should go broaden your horizons. I'll have your mother tend the spirit fields."

After a brief ponder, Wang Mingyuan agreed.

Wang Changsheng's face lit up with joy. "Thank you, Father."

"Whenever the Tianhe Gathering is held, it draws a great many cultivators. Dragons and fish are mixed together there—there are all kinds of people. You are not to leave the Market on your own. Follow all of Sixth Uncle's arrangements. Do you understand?"

Wang Mingyuan suddenly recalled something and gave him a solemn warning.

"This child understands."

Wang Changsheng agreed without hesitation.

Wang Mingyuan nodded, removed his Storage Pouch, turned its opening downward, and gave it a shake. More than twenty Spirit Stones fell out.

"There are twenty-three Spirit Stones here. Take them, and spend them sparingly. Keep your eyes peeled and don't let anyone swindle you. Your First Uncle and Fourth Uncle were both deceived before. Don't be greedy for small bargains, or you'll be easily cheated. Pack up. We leave tomorrow morning at the hour of the dragon."

Wang Mingyuan instructed him earnestly.

Wang Changsheng's heart warmed, and he repeatedly agreed.

The next morning, after breakfast, Wang Changsheng followed Sixth Uncle Wang Mingzhan and a group of clansmen away from Azure Lotus Mountain.

Tianhe Market was located in the northwestern part of Guangling Prefecture. It had been established under the leadership of the Red Leaf Ridge Lin Family, together with the Five-Flower Mountain Zhu Family and the White Cloud Ridge Ye Family. It was also the largest Market in Ning Province.

Every five years, the Three Great Families held a grand Auction at Tianhe Market, also known as the Tianhe Gathering.

At first, the Tianhe Gathering had been a method used by the Three Great Families to attract other cultivators for trade. Later, it gradually evolved into a grand festival. Whenever the Tianhe Gathering arrived, cultivators from all over Ning Province flocked to Tianhe Market to sell or purchase goods. According to reliable news, the Lin Family had brought out a spiritual item capable of assisting Foundation Establishment for this Auction, attracting a large number of cultivators.

At noon, the blazing sun hung high in the sky, and not a single cloud stretched across ten thousand miles.

Tianhe Market was bustling with voices. The streets were packed with people, and hawking cries rose without end. Cultivators crowded the Market's entrances and exits, forming a long dragon-like queue.

A streak of White Light suddenly tore across the sky. Before long, it descended at the Market entrance.

The White Light was a White Flying Boat over thirty feet long. Ten cultivators stood aboard it—Wang Changsheng and his group.

This was Wang Changsheng's first time at Tianhe Market. He had only heard of its prosperity before, but seeing its towering city walls and the dragon-like line with his own eyes, he could not help revealing a look of excitement.

On the way here, Wang Changxing had told him all sorts of interesting stories about Tianhe Market, making Wang Changsheng exceedingly curious about the place.

Wang Changsheng and the others stepped down from the White Flying Boat. Wang Mingzhan put it away, then solemnly warned, "This is Tianhe Market, not a Market run by our Lineage. Dragons and fish are mixed together here, and every sort of person can be found. Remember what I told you."

There were ten people on this trip: four from the "Ming" generation and six from the "Chang" generation.

On the way here, Wang Mingzhan had divided the six members of the "Chang" generation into three groups of two, ordering them to watch over one another and forbidding them from leaving the Market on their own.

"We know, Sixth Uncle. You've said it eight hundred times already. We won't leave the Market on our own."

Wang Changxing readily agreed.

Hearing Wang Changsheng and the others respond, Wang Mingzhan nodded. As the leader, he did not want anything to happen to his nephews and juniors. Otherwise, he would have no way to answer to his brothers back home. For that reason, he had emphasized again and again that they must not leave the Market on their own.

Wang Changsheng and the others agreed in unison. Sixth Uncle was a little long-winded, but he was doing it for their own good.

Wang Mingzhan nodded and led Wang Changsheng and the others toward the line to queue for entry.

Before long, Wang Changsheng arrived at the entrance.

Two cultivators clad in iron armor stood guard at the city gate. One of them, a Middle-Aged Man, held a white Mirror. Whenever a cultivator entered the city, he would glance at the white Mirror.

"Go on through!"

The Middle-Aged Man swept his gaze over Wang Changsheng, then waved a hand to signal him into the city.

Wang Changsheng answered and stepped into the city.

Just then, Two Men and One Woman hurried out of the Market. Walking at the front was a tall, thin Yellow-Robed Elder, unable to hide the delight on his face.

Judging by the fluctuations of spiritual power around the three, they were Foundation Establishment Cultivators.

Several strange cries rang out from the sky. The three Foundation Establishment Cultivators' eyes lit up, and they all raised their heads toward the heavens.

Seeing this, Wang Changsheng turned his head curiously and looked up as well.

Two black dots appeared high in the sky, drawing nearer from afar before landing on the ground.

The two black dots were two Black Giant Eagles more than ten feet tall. Each eagle had two heads and three legs, an exceedingly bizarre sight.

A man and a woman sat atop the backs of the two Black Giant Eagles respectively.

The man was in his twenties, broad and sturdy, with handsome features. He wore a Blue Brocade Robe. The woman wore a Green Hundred-Flower Skirt, with delicate features and snow-white skin. From the powerful Spiritual Pressure radiating from them, they too were Foundation Establishment Cultivators.

A Taiji Pattern was embroidered on the sleeves of both their robes, seemingly representing something.

Upon seeing them, the Yellow-Robed Elder quickly walked over and said kindly, "Yuxin, you've finally returned. Nothing happened on the road, did it?"

The Azure Skirt Girl smiled sweetly. "Grandfather, thank you for your concern. The journey was safe. Let me introduce you—this is Senior Brother Zhao Liancheng. It was thanks to Senior Brother Zhao escorting me this time that I was able to return to the Lineage safely and smoothly. Within the sect, Senior Brother Zhao has also taken great care of me."

"So you are Daoist Zhao. Yuxin has mentioned you to this old man. Daoist Zhao, our Lin Family is but a small clan and cannot compare to the Purple Firmament Sect. If there is anything lacking in our hospitality, please be understanding."

The Yellow-Robed Elder cupped his hands toward Zhao Liancheng and spoke politely.

Zhao Liancheng smiled slightly and said sincerely, "Elder Lin, you are too courteous. It is I who have troubled you."

"No trouble, no trouble. These two are Daoist Zhu and Daoist Ye. When they learned you were returning, they specifically came out to welcome you."

The Yellow-Robed Elder shook his head and introduced the man and woman behind him.

"I am Zhu Wenlue. Greetings, Daoist Zhao."

"I am Ye Ruhui. Greetings, Daoist Zhao."

Zhao Liancheng was a disciple of the Purple Firmament Sect, so neither of them dared slight him.

Zhao Liancheng merely nodded in response.

Lin Yuxin glanced at the cultivators lining up to enter the Market, her willow brows knitting slightly. She urged, "Grandfather, Senior Brother Zhao and I have traveled for more than a month and are somewhat tired. Please let Senior Brother Zhao go in and rest first. Whatever needs to be said can wait until later."

"This old man has been negligent. Daoist Zhao, this way, please. I have already prepared a banquet to welcome you and Yuxin and wash away the dust of your journey."

The Yellow-Robed Elder beamed as he invited Zhao Liancheng and Lin Yuxin into the Market, with Zhu Wenlue and Ye Ruhui following behind.

I wrote it wrong. It should have been Yuxin. Sorry.