Green Mountain Town Market

Xu Chunniang had been cultivating at the Carefree Sect for nearly three years. Although she had mastered several sorceries, she had no practical combat experience.

A qualified cultivator must possess practical combat abilities commensurate with their cultivation level. Possessing only a high realm without practical experience would not allow one to go far on the path of cultivation.

The outermost areas of the Hundred Monster Mountain Range were not dangerous. Even disciples at the third level of Qi Condensation could explore there.

Xu Chunniang was now at the fourth level. If she were cautious, with the Spirit Void Steps, she wouldn't be afraid of demonic beasts at the fourth or fifth level of Qi Condensation. If she couldn't win, she could always escape.

Although the Hundred Monster Mountain Range sounded terrifying, as long as she didn't venture too deep, her cultivation at the fourth level of Qi Condensation would allow her to barely protect herself.

After deciding to go to the Hundred Monster Mountain Range, Xu Chunniang spent two days preparing a lot of Spiritual Dew.

Although the efficacy of Spiritual Dew had greatly diminished, a bottle of Spiritual Dew could still restore one-tenth of Xu Chunniang's Spiritual Qi, which was not to be underestimated.

After packing the prepared Spiritual Dew, Xu Chunniang headed towards the Treasure Pavilion to buy some necessities.

The first floor of the Treasure Pavilion was crowded with people. After some effort, Xu Chunniang finally bought all the items she needed.

A map of the outer areas of the Hundred Monster Mountain Range, an ordinary herb hoe, five simple jade boxes, and several large cloth bags.

The map cost two Spirit Stones, the herb hoe cost five Spirit Stones, and the five jade boxes cost only one Spirit Stone in total. A few worthless large cloth bags were included as a bonus. After spending a total of eight Spirit Stones, Xu Chunniang was left with a meager one Spirit Stone.

"I only have one Spirit Stone left. I heard that the demonic beasts in the Hundred Monster Mountain Range are treasures all over. Even low-level demonic beasts have some usable materials on them. I hope my trip goes smoothly, and I can earn more Spirit Stones."

The Hundred Monster Mountain Range was located to the north of the Carefree Sect. Xu Chunniang headed north. As she passed the north gate, she was stopped by two disciples guarding the gate.

Both disciples were at the fourth level of Qi Condensation, likely performing guard duty as part of a sect mission.

"Halt! Who are you and where are you going?"

Xu Chunniang showed her Disciple Token. "I am disciple Xu Chunniang. I am going to the Hundred Monster Mountain Range for training."

"Training? You alone? It's not like inside the sect. There are many rogue cultivators who rob and kill."

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

After all, those who went to the Hundred Monster Mountain Range for training in the past, apart from the senior disciples at higher levels of Qi Condensation, always went in groups of at least three people.

This person before them, with only the third level of Qi Condensation, going to the Hundred Monster Mountain Range alone, wasn't she seeking death?

"I don't have good relationships with people, so no one is willing to team up with me."

Xu Chunniang explained softly. What she said wasn't entirely untrue.

However, the more important reason was that cultivation was inherently a solitary journey. She had never intended to find anyone to team up with from the beginning.

"This..."

The two guarding disciples were a bit stunned. They exchanged glances. It was rare to see someone with such poor social skills.

"Don't worry, senior brothers. I am well aware of my own cultivation. I will only be collecting herbs in the outer mountain range to earn some Spirit Stones."

Xu Chunniang indeed only planned to stay in the outer areas. However, her objective was not just to collect herbs.

The two guarding disciples eventually let her pass.

After all, the sect regulations stated that as long as a disciple reached the third level of Qi Condensation, they could freely go to the Hundred Monster Mountain Range for training. There was no rule stating that they had to team up with others.

After taking Xu Chunniang's Disciple Token for registration, the guarding disciple warned her, "Remember, you cannot exceed three months."

Xu Chunniang nodded. She naturally knew this.

To facilitate disciple management, the sect stipulated that the duration of each trip to the Hundred Monster Mountain Range could not exceed three months. Exceeding three months required a separate application.

Xu Chunniang did not plan to stay for too long. There was less than a month left until the grand examination, and she would return before it.

After exiting the mountain gate, the view ahead immediately opened up.

A trace of determination flashed in Xu Chunniang's eyes. Hundred Monster Mountain Range, here I come!

She hurried north. Even with Xu Chunniang's fourth-level Qi Condensation speed, she traveled for an entire day before barely reaching the foothills of the Hundred Monster Mountain Range.

Xu Chunniang wiped the sweat from her face, took out the map, and glanced at it. Twenty more li ahead was Green Mountain Town.

This Green Mountain Town was a market town. A market town, as the name suggests, was a place where cultivators gathered. Such places were typically formed when a large number of cultivators lived and traded together for a long time.

The Hundred Monster Mountain Range was rich in resources. The Green Mountain Town market town had a history of several hundred years since its establishment.

The Green Mountain Town market town was located on the border of the Carefree Sect and was under its jurisdiction.

Although it was under the jurisdiction of the Carefree Sect, it was not entirely populated by disciples of the Carefree Sect. On the contrary, rogue cultivators made up the majority.

After all, the Hundred Monster Mountain Range was not established by the Carefree Sect. It was difficult for rogue cultivators to obtain cultivation resources, and the inexhaustible herbs and demonic beasts here provided an excellent option.

Therefore, the Green Mountain Town market town and the Hundred Monster Mountain Range area were a mixed bag, with almost all types of cultivators present.

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

Staying within the sect, one could earn Spirit Stones and improve their cultivation by diligently completing sect missions. Wasn't this much more comfortable than competing for resources with rogue cultivators outside?

Those rogue cultivators would risk their lives for meager resources. If they were careless, there was a real risk of perishing!

Therefore, even when sect disciples went out for training, they would do so in groups.

For a group with a large number of cultivators, even if rogue cultivators wanted to make a move, they would have to consider whether they had the ability to do so.

Before nightfall, Xu Chunniang finally arrived at Green Mountain Town.

Fortunately, as a disciple of the Carefree Sect, one of the benefits was free entry into Green Mountain Town. Otherwise, after paying the entrance fee of one Spirit Stone, she would have to sleep on the streets of Green Mountain Town.

"This junior sister must be visiting Green Mountain Town for the first time, right?"

Guarding the entrance to the market town were two Outer Sect Disciples of the Carefree Sect, dressed in green robes. Seeing Xu Chunniang, they both smiled, showing no prejudice or discrimination due to her appearance.

"That's right, this is my first time leaving the sect."

Xu Chunniang nodded. She could sense that the aura of the two senior brothers was profound, and she couldn't discern their cultivation levels at all.

There was only one possibility in this situation: their cultivation was higher than hers.

"It's getting late today. If junior sister needs accommodation, you can go to the Carefree Residence, which is run by our sect."

One disciple with a round face spoke up, "The fees are very reasonable, and sect disciples get a fifty percent discount on accommodation. If you want to buy or sell anything, you can also visit the Treasure Pavilion, also run by our sect."

Xu Chunniang nodded, committing all of this to memory.

Before coming, she only knew that Green Mountain Town was managed by the Carefree Sect, but she hadn't realized the sect had businesses here.

Following the directions of the two senior brothers, Xu Chunniang headed towards the Carefree Residence. As expected, she received the fifty percent discount by showing her Disciple Token.

She rented a single room for twenty days at the price of one Spirit Stone.

Xu Chunniang secretly clicked her tongue. The prices in this town were quite high. Without the discount, one Spirit Stone would only be enough for ten days of lodging.

For a month, accommodation alone would cost three Spirit Stones.

After handing over the last Spirit Stone she had, Xu Chunniang was completely penniless. She could only hope that she would have some gains when she went into the mountains tomorrow.

Tomorrow, I'll head up the mountain to stock up. (^▽^)

(Thanks to fellow Daoist nnhgj for the monthly ticket, and to you in front of the screen for reading! "Those who follow and vote are heroes too")