Something's Wrong

"Something's happened!"

After the sect bell rang, the cultivators at the trade fair all changed expression drastically.

"Everyone, assemble in the main hall!"

The sound transmission talisman at his waist grew hot, and a voice full of authority echoed in his ears. Lin Chang'an's face shifted.

"Damn it, this is a major incident."

"Only five years since the last upheaval!"

Hurried figures streamed toward the main hall. Along the way, Lin Chang'an couldn't help but look grim.

Main Hall.

When Lin Chang'an arrived at the main hall, dense crowds had already formed into lines.

"Chang'an."

Seeing Li Han and Qi Feng, Lin Chang'an stepped forward, full of confusion, and lowered his voice to ask, "What's happened in the sect?"

"I heard a Purple Copper Spirit Mine was discovered at Qingshan Mountain Market. The major powers nearly came to blows over ownership of the mine. Now the sect is mobilizing people."

"Purple Copper Spirit Mine!" Lin Chang'an was shocked. But just then, a batch of sect disciple cultivators emerged inside the hall and took up positions around the perimeter.

Elder Lu's trusted man, Zhang Qing, strode out boldly, looked at the crowd, cupped his hands, and smiled. "Everyone, line up to receive your tokens. We set out for the market tomorrow."

"Setting out tomorrow!" Many in the crowd exclaimed in surprise. That was too fast.

But the sect cultivators guarding the perimeter wore cold sneers, while Zhang Qing's face remained calm as he looked at the crowd.

"Don't worry. Once you've stabilized in the market, your families will be brought over as well."

Saying this, Zhang Qing waved at his subordinates and said in a deep voice, "Take a tally. For mining, prioritize body refiners, physical cultivators, and cultivators in the first layer of Qi Refining. Meanwhile, those assisting the sect in garrison duties need to be at Qi Refining second layer..."

Though Zhang Qing's tone was flat, a flicker of excitement showed in his eyes.

"Because of the Purple Copper Mine, the market is expanding the Pill Pavilion, talismans... all need hands. Anyone going to Qingshan Mountain Market gets double resources, while those staying in the sect get half..."

Under the calm tone lay no room for doubt. Many in the crowd turned pale at the mention of mining. Lin Chang'an's heart clenched.

"Ye Fan, Innate Martial Artist, mining..."

"Li Han, Low-grade Spirit Root, Qi Refining first layer cultivator, mining squad leader..."

"Lin Chang'an, Mid-grade Spirit Root, Qi Refining third layer alchemist. Alchemist Lin, here is your token. Once you're at the market, naturally you won't need to mine."

In the hall, figures lined up one by one to register, and the difference between people was laid bare.

"Everyone, bring your tokens and come register."

Sect cultivators began directing them coldly. After each person registered, the cultivator swept a Dharma Plate glowing with spiritual light over their arm.

"Brother Lin, what was that Dharma Plate shining on our arms just now?"

Li Han held his token, examined his arm, found nothing, and asked suspiciously.

Lin Chang'an glanced deeply at the distant Dharma Plate, tucked his token into his storage pouch, and lowered his voice. "That's a Dharma Plate for the Thread-Pulling Technique. Anyone marked by it leaves an imprint. Within a hundred li, the plate can sense their qi."

As Lin Chang'an's words fell, Li Han's face changed drastically.

"Within a hundred li!"

Li Han said in shock, while Lin Chang'an signaled with his eyes toward the registering cultivator's glowing Dharma Plate.

"The red dots increasing on the plate—that's us. So until you have the strength to change your fate, just cultivate well."

He patted Li Han lightly and comforted him. "Mortal martial artists can only do ordinary mining. Qi Refining first layer is squad leader, Qi Refining second layer is garrison guard."

Li Han looked up at Lin Chang'an with envy. "Chang'an, at Qi Refining third layer, you're already qualified to join the sect."

But Lin Chang'an gave a self-deprecating smile. "You're overthinking it. Double cultivation resources aren't easy to take."

Though he hadn't eaten the pig, he'd heard tales of exploitation.

That night, no one could sleep. After registering, they went back to pack.

Dawn, Valley Entrance.

Morning light spilled across the land. At the valley entrance, a dense crowd of waiting cultivators had long since gathered, but the air was thick with oppression.

Just then, the sky suddenly rumbled. As the formation opened, everyone stared dumbfounded at the sight before them.

"This—what is this!"

"A ship!"

Rumble—

A massive Flying Boat tore through the clouds and descended from the sky. Its vast, terrifying aura made scalps crawl, as if a giant beast were dropping from the heavens.

The dreadful pressure made everyone realize this Flying Boat was no mere showpiece.

Under the visual impact, the Flying Boat pierced the sect formation, sending ripples spreading, and appeared before them all.

This enormous Flying Boat measured 44 zhang and 4 chi in length, 18 zhang in width, and could hold a thousand people. Beneath its terrifying Mana Shield, it was clear to all that this was a mobile fortress equally capable of offense and defense.

"Everyone, finish your checks and board the ship. In three months, your families will be arranged for and sent to Qingshan Market one after another."

As the Flying Boat hovered at the mouth of the valley, Zhang Qing stood tall at the prow, shouting orders to the cultivators under his command and beginning the boarding process.

The Flying Boat wove its way through the sky, the scenery outside whizzing past in a blur. Heaven and earth seemed to lie beneath their feet, stunning countless cultivators on board.

"Brother Lin, we're up in the sky!"

Li Han rarely showed such excitement; most people wore expressions of rapt wonder, while only a few had grim faces. At that moment, he turned as if sensing something.

"Brother Lin."

Qi Feng also approached. Facing the two of them, Lin Chang'an forced a strained smile and nodded. The pair seemed to notice something was off and lowered their voices.

"Brother Lin, have you discovered something?"

Facing them, Lin Chang'an's lips moved, but no sound came out. Yet the two seemed to hear something, and their faces showed shock.

Voice Transmission Technique—a basic spell, akin to the sound-transmission-into-the-ear used by mortal martial artists.

Li Han and Qi Feng had long lost the enraptured look they'd worn while sitting on the Flying Boat. Their eyes now held more anxiety.

"Brother Lin, you're not joking, are you?"

Qi Feng nervously swallowed his saliva. Lin Chang'an's gaze swept faintly over the sect cultivators on the ship, and he gave a slight shake of his head.

"Seize every chance to cultivate. Here, we can only rely on ourselves."

Taking a deep breath, Lin Chang'an slowly walked to the front of the Flying Boat, watching the earth race past beneath him. A glint of resolve gradually surfaced in his eyes.

Li Han and Qi Feng exchanged a glance, then looked at the sect cultivators around them with creeping dread.

No wonder these sect cultivators were all sneering coldly. Some of them had grim expressions—they must have already anticipated what was coming.

Thank you for your support, fellow daoists.