Wu Chao Town

Pushing the bamboo raft into the water, Liu Xiaolou stepped onto it, using a bamboo pole to propel himself. The raft spun in the water and immediately began to drift with the current.

After drifting only a dozen yards, a waterfall about ten feet high appeared ahead. The bamboo raft plunged down from above.

Liu Xiaolou tapped his toes, his body lifting slightly. Sensing the raft's tendency to flip, he sank his true essence, exerted force with his rear foot to maintain the raft's forward momentum, and landed steadily on the water surface below the waterfall. He then leaned his waist to the left, guiding the raft to skirt around the submerged rocks ahead, and continued to drift. The entire process was executed flawlessly.

"Hoo hoo—" Liu Xiaolou was having a grand time.

The upper reaches of the Wu Chao River were extremely perilous. In the past, Liu Xiaolou wouldn't have been able to navigate the raft down alone. Now, with a level increase in his cultivation, his movement techniques, perception, balance, and even the conversion of his true essence had improved significantly. Weaving through waterfalls, treacherous rapids, and hidden rocks was an indescribable joy!

In less than half an hour, he had descended the mountain and merged with the downstream river, where the water flow became calm. He began to see fishermen and ferrymen on the river. The riverbanks were lined with lush green rice paddies, the stalks heavy with grain and bent low, looking like they would be ready for harvest in a few more days.

The houses by the river gradually increased in number, and the pedestrians became more frequent. After rounding a river bend, a prosperous small town appeared – Wu Chao Town.

The bamboo raft approached the shore, and Liu Xiaolou leaped onto land. The raft continued to drift downstream, and he didn't care where it went. He would just build another one the next time he descended the mountain.

Wu Chao Town was bisected by a main street running east to west, with shops, eateries, taverns, and tea stalls lining the street. It looked no different from other villages and towns, but the small alleys branching off from it were quite significant. They were not only places for rogue cultivators from Wulong Mountain to trade but also attracted many rogue cultivators from Jingxiang.

The materials and goods traded here couldn't compare to those in the great city of Tanzhou, sixty miles away, but it was the most secure trading place for the rogue cultivators of Wulong Mountain. Logically, Shopkeeper Su of Zhongyi Square in Tanzhou, who had received a generous gift from him, hadn't delivered on his promise. Taking good items there would naturally fetch a high price, but the problem was that the spiritual herb had been taken from Jinping Mountain Villa. Jinping Mountain Villa, like Zhongyi Square, was a branch of the Dongyang Sect's outer sect. Trading at Zhongyi Square would be no different from turning himself in.

Liu Xiaolou had visited many times with his master, Mister Sanxuan, and was very familiar with Wu Chao Town and all its customs. Following the main street eastward, the first alleyway was guarded by two women.

The older one was called Mama Zhang, the madam of the previous generation. It was said she had been quite prominent in her time, but now she was heavily marked by age. The younger one, however, was quite charming. Under thirty and with considerable beauty, she was named Sister Qing. She had once been a famous courtesan within dozens of miles of Wu Chao Town. Now, she no longer personally served clients, but she remained a goddess in the hearts of many rogue cultivators from Wulong Mountain.

Outsiders who first arrived in Wu Chao Town, not knowing the situation, would often follow Sister Qing inside. Because Sister Qing was truly beautiful, considered the singular flower of Wulong Mountain. In reality, locals often chose Mama Zhang.

Although Mama Zhang was old, the women under her were good, and their overall beauty surpassed Sister Qing's companions. Unless Sister Qing herself served them, it wouldn't be as appealing. Otherwise, one would likely regret it.

In the path of cultivation, regulating yin and yang was also an important aspect; otherwise, there wouldn't be such a thing as dual cultivation. Previously, Liu Xiaolou was too young and his cultivation too shallow, so he couldn't speak of yin and yang imbalance. His master hadn't allowed him to practice the Three Xuan Sect's techniques for regulating yin and yang, only to recite and study them, saying they would be discussed only after he turned eighteen and his cultivation advanced further.

However, the master himself had no such restrictions. This alley was a place he frequented. When he frequented it, he would usually buy a pear for Liu Xiaolou and have him wait in the alleyway outside by the wall, while he leisurely went inside, emerged refreshed, and then left. The ways of Mama Zhang and Sister Qing were also experiences his master had imparted to Liu Xiaolou over the past two years. Unfortunately, Liu Xiaolou had turned eighteen, and his master had already passed away.

As he passed the alley entrance at this moment, still remembering his esteemed master's teachings, he couldn't help but pause.

Upon his pause, Sister Qing immediately clung to him. "Oh, isn't this Immortal Master Xiaolou? What? Immortal Master Xiaolou, you're eighteen now?"

Liu Xiaolou was startled. He hadn't expected her to know him so well; his master must have revealed it before his death. He coughed dryly. "Cough... yes..."

Sister Qing immediately became cheerful. "That's wonderful! Encountering difficulties in your cultivation? Sent down the mountain by your master? Come, go to my room, and I'll check your pulse..."

As she spoke, she reached out to pull him.

Sister Qing had been a martial artist in her youth and possessed some skill, otherwise, she wouldn't have been able to manage her companions. But in front of Liu Xiaolou, it was nothing. With a gentle tug, Liu Xiaolou shook off her arm.

However, she had long been coveting this handsome young immortal master of the Three Xuan Sect. Now, how could she let Liu Xiaolou escape? She simply threw herself at him, sticking to his body and giggling, "First time? Don't worry, I won't charge a consultation fee. I'll personally check your pulse."

Liu Xiaolou was unsure what to do when Mama Zhang, leaning against the wall nearby, suddenly asked, "Where is your master?"

Liu Xiaolou replied, "My master ascended half a year ago."

At this, the atmosphere instantly cooled. Not only Mama Zhang was stunned, but Sister Qing also stared blankly at Liu Xiaolou, reaching out to touch his head and sighing softly.

Liu Xiaolou nodded to them, broke free from Sister Qing's embrace, and walked towards the next alleyway.

This alleyway had a row of open wooden sheds. Dozens of cultivators were spaced apart, several yards between them, sitting facing each other, conversing in low voices.

Wealth should not be flaunted. Any truly valuable treasures would certainly not be displayed openly for sale; one could only approach them one by one to inquire. Liu Xiaolou could also join their ranks, find a spot to sit, and people would naturally come to strike up a conversation. Buying and selling were mutual, and one could say Liu Xiaolou was there to buy spirit stones, but the only thing he could offer was that spiritual herb.

Liu Xiaolou walked slowly along the wooden sheds, looking at each one. He didn't recognize anyone, so he found an empty spot and sat down, observing slowly.

Not long after he sat down, someone approached him. "Little brother, do you have anything to sell?"

This was Liu Xiaolou's first time coming alone, and he was constantly mindful of his master's instructions: "When you come alone, be extremely cautious. See more and speak less in all matters, lest you be deceived."

His master's words still echoed in his ears, so he dared not say much. He simply replied, "Just looking, just looking."

The person chuckled. "Caution is never excessive, but things must eventually be brought out into the open. If you're not satisfied with my offer, you don't have to sell. I won't rob you, will I? Everyone understands the rules of Wu Chao Town."

In the market of Wu Chao Town, open robbery was forbidden; otherwise, anyone who witnessed it could attack the perpetrator. This was indeed the rule. Liu Xiaolou thought for a moment, then took out the spiritual herb. "I found this outside the mountains. Take a look."

The person examined it for a moment and asked, "What herb is it?"

It seemed he didn't recognize its value. Liu Xiaolou took it back. "Goods are sold to those who are fated. If you don't recognize it, then we are not fated."

The person nodded and went to look elsewhere.

Liu Xiaolou breathed a sigh of relief and continued to wait. Before long, two more people came to inquire. Neither recognized the herb. One shook his head and left. The other did make an offer: a hundred taels of silver or fifty liters of spirit rice, which Liu Xiaolou naturally refused.