Feiyun Market

This was an extraordinarily bustling trading market. The clamor surged like rolling waves, rising and falling without pause, filling every corner of the space.

Countless cultivators moved through it like a weaving shuttle, their figures crossing as they created the noise and prosperity of the place.

Before one stall, several young Qi Refining cultivators gathered around a pile of low-grade magical artifacts, whispering among themselves, pointing here and there as they debated.

"Though this spirit sword isn't high-grade, its glow is fairly stable when spiritual power is poured into it. It should be decent." A cultivator in green narrowed his eyes slightly and scrutinized the spirit sword with a sharp gaze.

Upon hearing this, the stall owner immediately plastered a flattering smile across his face and hurriedly agreed. "Young brother, you truly have a good eye. I happened to find this spirit sword in a mysterious ancient ruin. The price is absolutely fair—I never cheat the young or the old. Feel free to pick it up and try it."

Not far away, a graceful female cultivator sat properly before a stall, with dozens of talismans laid out before her.

"Fire Spirit Talismans, Water Spirit Talismans, Quicksand Talismans, Dungeon Talismans, Earth Spike Talismans, and all kinds of other first-tier low-grade talismans! Come take a look! Fair prices, excellent value!" The female cultivator spoke in a crisp, pleasant voice, like an oriole leaving its nest. Amid the noisy market, it sounded especially sweet.

A plain-looking Qi Refining cultivator crouched on the ground before several freshly picked spirit herbs spread out in front of him. He continuously shouted, "Fresh spirit herbs! Good for pill refining, medicine, or even eating raw—don't miss out as you pass by!"

His voice was rough and loud, drawing the attention of many passersby.

"Excuse me, how much is this cultivation method?" A dark-skinned, sturdy youth pointed at a booklet titled "Minor Spell Compendium" on a cultivation method stall. His immature voice carried a hint of nervousness.

"Five Low-grade Spirit Stones." The young stallholder did not even raise his head, his expression indifferent, as though he cared little about the sale.

"The spells inside are all basic spells for the Qi Refining stage. Many main cultivation methods come with them already. Your price is far too high." The youth frowned slightly, attempting to bargain.

"Three Low-grade Spirit Stones at the lowest. I won't go any lower. If you don't want it, leave. Don't block the way for others." The stallholder showed no intention of yielding.

"One Low-grade Spirit Stone. If you won't sell it, forget it." The youth stood up as if preparing to leave, a resolute look on his face.

"Then go. Hurry up and leave. It's not even dark yet, and you're already dreaming." The stall owner replied directly, his tone filled with disdain.

The youth's expression changed, and he rose to leave the stall.

However, before he had taken more than a few steps, he heard the stall owner call out, "Come back. You look extraordinary—one day, you'll surely achieve great things. I'll consider it making a friend."

The youth froze at first, then brightened with delight. He turned back, paid the Spirit Stones, and stored the booklet in his Storage Pouch. Afterward, he continued strolling leisurely through the market, glancing at this item and asking about that treasure from time to time, looking thoroughly at ease.

This youth was none other than Zhang Tie, who had traveled thousands of miles from the Black Phoenix Kingdom and arrived in the Qin Kingdom after a full month on the road.

After arriving in the Qin Kingdom, Zhang Tie quickly noticed that the Spiritual Qi here was far denser than in the Black Phoenix Kingdom, and cultivation was indeed much faster.

Moreover, the mortals here were not as ignorant about Immortal Cultivators as those in the Black Phoenix Kingdom. In many places, one could hear all manner of rumors and news concerning Immortal Cultivators.

When Zhang Tie briefly stopped to rest in Feiyun City, a border city of the Qin Kingdom, he happened to encounter two cultivators at the third layer of Qi Refining in a bustling tavern.

Without hesitation, he hurried forward to ask about Immortal Cultivation sects.

Unfortunately, the two knew little themselves. Still, they told Zhang Tie where this market was located and advised him to come here to inquire further.

Thus, Zhang Tie hurried without pause to this place known as Feiyun Market.

This place primarily catered to Qi Refining cultivators, and its owner was a Foundation Establishment cultivator from an Immortal Cultivation family.

The market had a clear rule forbidding anyone from fighting or causing trouble within its grounds. Violators would be killed on the spot, without the slightest mercy.

Zhang Tie wandered through the market, looking east and west, his gaze filled with curiosity and exploration.

As he wandered, he spotted five people chatting leisurely in a quiet pavilion in the distance. Two of them were engrossed in a game of chess.

Zhang Tie promptly walked over.

"Greetings, fellow Daoists. I am Liu Ye, and I would like to ask you for some information." Zhang Tie clasped his hands and bowed, his expression sincere. "May I ask if you know of any Immortal Cultivation sects nearby, and when those sects recruit disciples?"

"Brother Wang, you know this well. Answer this little brother's question." A middle-aged man with short hair turned to a young man beside him.

"Since Brother Zhao has spoken, I'll tell him."

The young man called Brother Wang paused slightly and cleared his throat. "Fellow Daoist Liu, I can tell at a glance that you haven't been here long. What you're asking isn't really a secret. Most fellow Daoists who often spend time here already know it well."

"In the entire Qin Kingdom, there are only two sects with Core Formation cultivators overseeing them. One is the Golden Sun Sect, and the other is the Flowing Cloud Sect. The rest aren't worth mentioning.

"As for recruiting disciples, unless one possesses exceptional aptitude or talent, one must wait for the Ascension Conference, which is held once every five years."

"Then how long until the Ascension Conference? And what are the requirements for accepting disciples?"

"In a little over a month, they should begin recruiting disciples. As for the requirements, they depend on Spiritual Root aptitude. The better the Spiritual Root, the better the treatment.

"Although the minimum requirement is simply possessing a Spiritual Root, ordinary Mixed Spiritual Roots generally will not be accepted. At worst, one must have a Quadruple Spiritual Root." The young man called Brother Wang explained patiently and unhurriedly to Zhang Tie.

"Thank you, Fellow Daoist Wang, and thank you as well, fellow Daoists. I'll be on my way first." Zhang Tie clasped his hands and bowed again, then turned and walked deeper into the market.

As he walked, Zhang Tie quietly calculated in his heart.

There was still more than a month before the sects began accepting disciples. Though that was not an abundance of time, he could use it to learn more about their recruitment procedures.

Naturally, Zhang Tie did not want to have a Mixed Spiritual Root. Otherwise, would he truly have to become a wandering cultivator with no one to rely on? Zhang Tie shook his head, set aside those thoughts, and headed toward the market's exit.

He now intended to visit the areas near the two sects. If one sect did not want him, he could still hurry to the other and try his luck.

After leaving the market, Zhang Tie did not pause again. He used the Wind Riding Art and sped away.

If you enjoy this book, please remember to add it to your bookshelf so you won't have trouble finding it next time.