Green Mountain Town Market

Having cultivated at the Carefree Sect for nearly three years, Xu Chunniang had mastered quite a few techniques, yet she had no actual combat experience.

A qualified cultivator had to possess combat ability commensurate with their cultivation. With only a realm and nothing else, one would not travel far on the path of cultivation.

The outermost reaches of the Hundred Demonic Mountain Range were not dangerous. Even disciples at the third level Qi Condensation could venture there.

Xu Chunniang was now at the fourth level of Qi Condensation. If she was careful, with the Spirit Void Steps, she would not fear even demonic beasts at the fourth or fifth level of Qi Condensation. If she could not win, she could always run.

The Hundred Demonic Mountain Range sounded terrifying by name, but as long as she did not venture too deeply, with her fourth-level Qi Condensation cultivation, she could barely protect herself.

After deciding to go to the Hundred Demonic Mountain Range, Xu Chunniang spent two days preparing a great deal of spirit dew.

Although the effects of the spirit dew had greatly diminished, a single bottle could restore one-tenth of Xu Chunniang's spiritual energy, which was still not to be underestimated.

After bringing the spirit dew she had prepared, Xu Chunniang headed for the Treasure Pavilion. She needed to buy some necessities.

There were many people coming and going on the first floor of the Treasure Pavilion. After some effort, Xu Chunniang finally bought everything she needed.

A map of the outer reaches of the Hundred Demonic Mountain Range, an ordinary medicinal hoe, five crude Jade Boxes, and several large cloth sacks.

The map cost two spirit stones, the medicinal hoe cost five, and the five Jade Boxes cost only one spirit stone altogether. Several worthless large cloth sacks were included as a bonus. After spending a total of eight spirit stones, Xu Chunniang was left with a pitiful single spirit stone.

"Only one spirit stone left. I heard that demonic beasts in the Hundred Demonic Mountain Range are treasure from head to toe. Even low-level demonic beasts have useful materials on them. I hope this trip goes smoothly. Better yet, I hope I can earn more spirit stones."

The Hundred Demonic Mountain Range lay north of the Carefree Sect. Xu Chunniang headed north all the way, but when she passed through the northern gate, two disciples guarding it blocked her path.

Both disciples were at the fourth level of Qi Condensation and were likely carrying out a sect mission to guard the gate.

"Stop. Who are you, and where are you going?"

Xu Chunniang displayed her Disciple Token. "Disciple Xu Chunniang. I am preparing to train in the Hundred Demonic Mountain Range."

"Train? By yourself? That place is nothing like the sect. There are plenty of Rogue Cultivators who kill people and steal their goods."

The gatekeeping disciples frowned as they looked at Xu Chunniang, clearly not quite believing her.

After all, apart from senior brothers and sisters at high Qi Condensation levels, those who went to the Hundred Demonic Mountain Range to train usually traveled in groups. At the very least, there would be three people or more.

This person before them was merely at the third level Qi Condensation, yet she wanted to enter the Hundred Demonic Mountain Range alone. Was she not seeking death?

"I am not very well-liked, so no one is willing to form a team with me."

Xu Chunniang explained softly. That was not exactly a lie.

But the more important reason was that cultivation had always been a solitary road. From the very beginning, she had never intended to find anyone to form a team with.

"This..."

The two gatekeeping disciples were somewhat dumbfounded. They looked at each other. Someone with such poor relations was indeed rare.

"Don't worry, senior brothers. I know my own cultivation very well. I will only gather some herbs in the outer mountains and earn a few spirit stones."

Xu Chunniang truly only planned to remain in the outer reaches, but gathering herbs was not her only purpose.

In the end, the two gatekeeping disciples let her pass.

After all, sect rules stated that as long as a disciple reached the third level Qi Condensation, they could freely enter the Hundred Demonic Mountain Range to train. There was no rule requiring them to form a team before going.

After taking Xu Chunniang's Disciple Token and registering it, the gatekeeping disciple reminded her, "Remember, you cannot stay longer than three months."

Xu Chunniang nodded. Naturally, she knew that.

For ease of managing disciples, the sect stipulated that each trip to the Hundred Demonic Mountain Range could not exceed three months. Anyone staying longer than three months had to submit a separate application.

Xu Chunniang did not intend to stay long. There was less than a month until the grand examination, and she would return before then.

Once she left the mountain gate, her field of vision immediately opened up.

Determination flashed in Xu Chunniang's eyes. Hundred Demonic Mountain Range, here she came!

She hurried northward. Even with Xu Chunniang's speed at the fourth level of Qi Condensation, she traveled for an entire day before barely reaching the foot of the Hundred Demonic Mountain Range.

Xu Chunniang wiped the sweat from her face and took out the map for a look. Twenty more li ahead lay Green Mountain Town.

Green Mountain Town was a market. A market was a place where cultivators gathered, generally formed when large numbers of cultivators lived and traded together over a long period.

The Hundred Demonic Mountain Range was rich in resources, and the Green Mountain Town market had already stood for several hundred years since its establishment.

The Green Mountain Town market stood at the border of the Carefree Sect and fell under the sect's jurisdiction.

Though it was under the Carefree Sect's management, it was not filled entirely with Carefree Sect disciples. On the contrary, Rogue Cultivators made up the larger number here.

After all, the Hundred Demonic Mountain Range had not been established by the Carefree Sect. It was exceptionally difficult for Rogue Cultivators to obtain cultivation resources, while the inexhaustible herbs and demonic beasts here were an excellent option.

Thus, the Green Mountain Town market and the area around the Hundred Demonic Mountain Range were a mixed bag of fish and dragons, with cultivators of nearly every kind.

This was also why the sect allowed cultivators at the third level Qi Condensation to enter the Hundred Demonic Mountain Range for training, yet few disciples went alone.

Within the sect, one only needed to diligently complete sect missions to earn spirit stones and improve one's cultivation. Was that not far more comfortable than competing with Rogue Cultivators outside for resources?

Those Rogue Cultivators would practically risk their lives for scattered scraps of resources. One careless step, and there was truly the risk of perishing!

Therefore, even when sect disciples went out to train, they traveled in teams.

If a team had enough cultivators, then even if Rogue Cultivators wanted to make a move, they had to weigh whether they possessed the ability.

Before nightfall, Xu Chunniang finally reached Green Mountain Town.

Fortunately, one of the benefits of being a Carefree Sect disciple was free entry into Green Mountain Town. Otherwise, after paying the one-spirit-stone entry fee, she would have had to sleep on the streets of Green Mountain Town.

"Junior Sister, this should be your first time in Green Mountain Town, right?"

Two Carefree Sect Outer Sect Disciples dressed in blue stood guard at the entrance to the market. When they saw Xu Chunniang, both wore faint smiles, showing neither prejudice nor discrimination because of her appearance.

"That is right. This is my first time leaving the sect."

Xu Chunniang nodded. The auras of the two senior brothers felt exceedingly profound, and she could not sense their cultivation at all.

There was only one possibility: the two of them had higher cultivation than she did.

"It is getting late today. If Junior Sister needs lodging, you can stay at the Carefree Residence operated by our sect."

A round-faced disciple introduced it, saying, "The prices are quite reasonable, and disciples of our sect receive half off lodging. If you need to buy or sell anything, you can also visit the Treasure Pavilion operated by our sect."

Xu Chunniang nodded, committing every word to memory.

Before coming, she had only known that Green Mountain Town was managed by the Carefree Sect. She had not known the sect also operated businesses here.

Following the directions of the two senior brothers, Xu Chunniang headed to the Carefree Residence. Sure enough, she received a half-price discount with her Disciple Token.

For one spirit stone, she rented a single room for twenty days.

Xu Chunniang secretly clicked her tongue. Prices in the town were not low. Without the discount, one spirit stone would only be enough for ten days.

For a month, lodging alone would cost three spirit stones.

After handing over the last spirit stone on her, Xu Chunniang was now truly penniless. She could only hope that entering the mountains tomorrow would bring some gains.

Tomorrow, she would head into the mountains to stock up. (*^▽^*)

(Thanks to fellow Daoist nnhgj for the monthly pass, and to you in front of the screen for following along! "Who says those who read along and vote do not count as heroes?")