Qi Condensation Ninth Layer

According to Song Changsheng's estimate, this fragmented jade should have been a fragment of a magic artifact, though he could not determine its grade.

He had taken an interest in this item because he had sensed fluctuations of spiritual power within it. On the surface, it was merely First-Tier Turmeric Jade, utterly ordinary.

Yet upon carefully examining its fracture, he could see a faint white color within. Song Changsheng was unsure what kind of jade this was characteristic of, but it was certainly not Turmeric Jade.

"It looks somewhat like Second-Tier Yellow Essence Jade, but why are there such fine patterns on it...?"

Song Changsheng leaned closer and looked it over carefully for a while, his expression gradually turning strange. "I actually misjudged it. This is a man-made counterfeit—not even Turmeric Jade."

Thinking back, he had bought it from the stall of a young cultivator. He had inspected it thoroughly at the time and only purchased it after deciding it was extraordinary.

Yet he had still been played by that stall owner, losing five spirit stones for nothing.

"This person's counterfeiting methods are truly superb. I actually failed to spot any flaws back then. Interesting—if I see him again, I must get acquainted with him."

Rather than being angered by the deception, Song Changsheng instead wanted to befriend that stall owner.

He considered his own eye fairly good. Otherwise, he would not have unearthed the formation base and Kuisui Essence. For this person to deceive his eyes, he truly had some real skill.

Although the fragmented jade had been rather unexpected, his gains today had indeed been considerable. His trip around the market had not been in vain...

Over the following days, apart from comprehending that set of formation patterns, Song Changsheng went out nearly every day at Si Hour and returned only at dusk. Before long, he had explored all of Liuyun Market.

He and Zhu Yiqun also became increasingly compatible in conversation. The two often went out together, and Zhu Yiqun would occasionally show off his cooking, allowing Song Changsheng to feast to his heart's content while his cultivation surged by a large chunk.

It had only been two months since Jade Food Pavilion, yet he had completed his transformation from the Qi Condensation Eighth Layer to the Qi Condensation Ninth Layer.

This was the wondrous aspect of medicinal chefs. The food they made from various spiritual ingredients and spiritual herbs could produce many unexpected effects, with raising cultivation being only one of them.

They were like a combination of alchemists and spirit chefs, possessing the strengths and characteristics of both professions.

In some circumstances, medicinal cuisine was even more useful than medicinal pills.

Medicinal pills could not be consumed recklessly, but medicinal cuisine was different. No matter how much one ate, one could only stuff oneself to death or overnourish oneself. Thus, medicinal chefs were generally honored guests wherever they went.

However, the inheritances of medicinal chefs were exceedingly scarce, and the threshold was high as well. They were truly a rare breed.

This also indirectly revealed that Zhu Yiqun's master and inheritance were far from ordinary.

During their time together, Song Changsheng also discovered that Zhu Yiqun truly loved making friends. Throughout this little patch of Ling Province, he had acquaintances everywhere.

Among them were penniless rogue cultivators, direct lineage disciples of Foundation Establishment families, and even many cultivators from outside Ling Province. His network was extremely broad.

During This Period, Song Changsheng had also indirectly gotten to know quite a few people and expanded his own network, gaining greatly from it.

One should not underestimate connections. Who knew when they might prove immensely useful?

After several months like this, the friendship between the two deepened. Yet the fog surrounding Zhu Yiqun seemed to grow thicker and thicker, making Song Changsheng increasingly unable to fathom him...

"Thank you for your hard work, Worthy Nephew." Taking the magic artifact Song Changsheng handed over, Song Luyuan spoke sincerely.

"Clan Uncle, I have always had a question. Why does the shop only accept orders up to First-Tier High-Grade? The Lineage does not lack First-Tier Peak Grade artifact forgers, does it?" Song Changsheng asked in confusion.

He had been a First-Tier Peak Grade artifact forger for a period of time, yet he had never received an order for a First-Tier Peak Grade magic artifact. Nor did the shop sell First-Tier Peak Grade magic artifacts, hence his question.

The Song Clan's primary development lay in industries related to formations and artifacts, so the clan had also trained many array masters and artifact forgers.

As the Lineage's only shop in Liuyun Market that sold magic artifacts, Treasure Seeking Pavilion should, by all reason, have even had a Second-Tier Low-Grade artifact forger stationed there.

But why did it stop at First-Tier High-Grade?

Faced with Song Changsheng's confusion, Song Luyuan sighed. "Sigh, do you think the Lineage does not want the market for First-Tier Peak Grade magic artifacts? It is not that we lack the capability, but that we cannot."

"Why?"

"Because of Eight Directions Pavilion. From the day Eight Directions Pavilion entered Liuyun Market fifty years ago, markets for magic artifacts, talismans, medicinal pills, and the like were almost entirely seized by them.

Their goods are of good quality, comprehensive in variety, and low in price. We local powers cannot compare to them and can only watch our business be gradually snatched away.

To change this situation, the people in charge of the Six Major Powers joined forces and went to Eight Directions Pavilion to negotiate. In the end, they signed an agreement.

Within the market, Eight Directions Pavilion would sell goods below First-Tier Peak Grade at the same prices as us.

And in exchange, First-Tier Peak Grade goods could only be sold by Eight Directions Pavilion. Although Second-Tier goods were not included in the agreement, we still could not compete with them.

As time went on, all of the Lineage's artifact forgers above First-Tier Peak Grade were withdrawn." Song Luyuan's eyes revealed deep helplessness.

Eight Directions Pavilion's influence spread across the Five Continents of the Human Race. How could a strand of hair possibly compare to a thigh?

The fact that they could sign such an agreement at all was already due to the other party's generosity, leaving local powers a path to survival. Otherwise, they would not even have needed to acknowledge them, much less negotiate.

After hearing this, Song Changsheng felt somewhat heavy-hearted. He had also purchased Cultivation Resources from Eight Directions Pavilion before, but this was the first time he had heard of such hidden circumstances.

In This World, the casual actions of great figures could crush small powers like theirs until they could barely breathe.

"I still need to become stronger as soon as possible!" After leaving the shop, Song Changsheng silently encouraged himself.

Bzz, bzz.

The Communication Jade Slip at his waist suddenly vibrated. Song Changsheng sent a thread of spiritual power into it, and Zhu Yiqun's voice came to his ear. "Changsheng, are you free today? Come meet me at the usual place. I have a favor to ask."

Song Changsheng raised his brows, somewhat surprised. He had known Zhu Yiqun for nearly a year, and this was the first time he had heard the word "ask" from his mouth.

It seems he has run into some urgent matter. I should go and see first.

Song Changsheng hurried to a pavilion in the southern part of the market. Zhu Yiqun, dressed in fine brocade robes, had already been waiting there.

"Brother Zhu, it is truly rare to hear the word 'ask' from your mouth. Go on—what can I help with?" Song Changsheng sat down beside him and spoke directly.

Zhu Yiqun sat beside him and smiled mysteriously. "Actually, it can be considered a good thing for you as well."

"Oh?"

"To be honest, more than a year ago, several friends and I obtained a map to the ruins of an Ancient Cultivator's Abode. We have already gone there to verify it. The information is true, and the ruins remain intact.

We have made many preparations for this, and our greatest problem now is the formation surrounding the ruins. We need an array master to accompany us, and you were the first person I thought of!" Zhu Yiqun heavily patted Song Changsheng on the shoulder.