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 a fancy to 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 inside. Song Changsheng was unsure what kind of jade this characteristic belonged to, 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 a young cultivator's stall. At the time, he had examined it thoroughly 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 quite brilliant. I actually failed to spot any flaw back then. Interesting. If I see him again, I must make his acquaintance."

Song Changsheng was not angered at having been deceived. Instead, he wanted to get acquainted with that stall owner.

He considered his own eye fairly sharp; otherwise, he would not have unearthed a formation base and Kuisui Essence. For that person to deceive his eyes, he truly possessed some real skill.

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

For the time that followed, aside from comprehending that set of formation patterns, Song Changsheng left every day at around ten in the morning and returned only at dusk. Before long, he had toured all of Liuyun Market.

He and Zhu Yiqun also grew more and more compatible in conversation. The two often went out together, and Zhu Yiqun would occasionally display his cooking skills. Song Changsheng not only ate to his heart's content, but his cultivation also surged by a large chunk.

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

This was the wonder of medicinal chefs. The food they made with all sorts of spiritual ingredients and spiritual herbs could produce many unexpected effects; raising cultivation was merely one of them.

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

In certain situations, medicinal cuisine was even more useful than medicinal pills.

Medicinal pills could not be eaten casually, but medicinal cuisine was different. No matter how much one ate, at most one would either stuff oneself to death or become overly nourished. Thus, medicinal chefs were generally honored guests wherever they went.

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

This also revealed from the side that Zhu Yiqun's inheritance was far from ordinary.

Over the course of their interactions, Song Changsheng discovered that Zhu Yiqun truly loved making friends. Throughout this small patch of Ling Province, he had acquaintances everywhere.

Among them were rogue cultivators without a penny to their names, direct lineage disciples of Foundation Establishment Families, and even many cultivators from outside Ling Province. His network was extraordinarily extensive.

During this period, Song Changsheng had also indirectly met quite a few people and expanded his own network, gaining greatly from it.

One should not underestimate connections. Who knew when they might come in handy and play a major role?

After several months like this, the two had grown closer and closer, yet the fog surrounding Zhu Yiqun seemed to grow ever thicker, making Song Changsheng increasingly unable to fathom him...

"Thank you for your hard work, Worthy Nephew." Song Luyuan sincerely said as he accepted the magic artifact Song Changsheng handed over.

"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 puzzlement.

He had already advanced to become 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. The shop did not sell First-Tier Peak Grade magic artifacts either, hence his question.

The Song Clan primarily developed industries related to arrays and artifacts, so the clan had also trained many array masters and artifact forgers.

As Treasure Seeking Pavilion was the Lineage's only shop in Liuyun Market that sold magic artifacts, logically speaking, even having a Second-Tier Low-Grade artifact forger stationed there would have been appropriate.

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 ability, but that we cannot."

"Why?"

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

Their goods are high in quality, complete in variety, and cheap in price. We local powers cannot compare, and can only watch as our business is snatched away bit by bit.

To change this situation, the people in charge of the Six Major Powers joined forces and went to Eight Directions Pavilion to negotiate with them. 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 passed, all of the Lineage's artifact forgers above First-Tier Peak Grade were withdrawn." Deep helplessness showed in Song Luyuan's eyes.

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

Being able to sign such an agreement was already their generosity, leaving the local powers a path to survival. Otherwise, they would not have needed to pay them any heed, much less negotiate.

After hearing this, Song Changsheng felt somewhat heavy-hearted. He had 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 leave small powers like them unable to catch their breath.

"I still need to become stronger quickly!" After leaving the shop, Song Changsheng quietly encouraged himself.

Bzz, bzz.

The Communication Jade Slip at his waist suddenly vibrated. Song Changsheng sent in a thread of spiritual power, and Zhu Yiqun's voice sounded by 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.

Looks like he has run into something urgent. I should go take a look first.

Song Changsheng arrived as quickly as possible at a pavilion south of the market. Zhu Yiqun, dressed in brocade robes, had long been waiting there.

"Brother Zhu, it is truly rare to hear you use the word 'ask.' 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, this can be considered a good thing for you as well."

"Oh?"

"To be honest, over 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. At present, the biggest issue is the array around the outskirts of the ruins. We need an array master to accompany us, and you were the first person I thought of!" Zhu Yiqun said, heavily patting Song Changsheng on the shoulder.