Chance Encounter in the Market

This day, Morning Light had just begun to seep through, and a faint mist still lingered among the forests of Qingyun Peak, when Shen Hao tucked a few inner cores from recently hunted demon beasts into his pocket and set off toward the Inner Sect Market. The Inner Sect Market was nothing like the Outer Sect Market. Nestled in a gentle valley between the three main peaks of the Inner Sect, it was several times larger. At its entrance stood two massive stones carved with the words "Linlang Pavilion," their surfaces shimmering with spiritual energy and faint flowing light.

As he stepped into the market, the clamor of voices washed over him. On both sides of the street, stalls lined up in close order, displaying a dazzling array of goods: not only piles of Low-grade Spirit Stones, but also various Pills in jade bottles, cultivation Jade Slips inscribed with arcane runes, Artifact Refining Materials glinting with cold light, talismans painted with strange patterns, and even the occasional glass vial filled with demon beast Essence Blood. Disciples came and went in an endless stream, most wearing blue Dao robes, their faces carrying expressions of urgency or calm. The sounds of haggling rose and fell, a scene of bustling prosperity.

Shen Hao's purpose for this trip was clear: to exchange the most valuable item in his hand—the Ironback Bear Inner Core—for Mid-grade Spirit Stones to support his subsequent cultivation. He walked slowly along the street paved with Green Stone slabs, his gaze sweeping past stall after stall, until he finally stopped before one that specialized in purchasing demon beast inner cores. The stall owner was a slightly plump Middle-aged Cultivator, a shrewd smile fixed on his face, busy weighing Spirit Stones for a disciple.

Just as Shen Hao was about to step forward, a familiar voice suddenly called out from behind him, carrying a hint of cheerful excitement: "Senior Brother Shen!"

He turned to look back and saw Zhang Shan running toward him eagerly, his blue Dao robe dusted with dirt, clearly just back from training in the Back Mountain. In the short time since they last met, Zhang Shan's aura had grown noticeably steadier, and his brows carried a spirited confidence—his cultivation had clearly advanced. "Junior Brother Zhang, you're at the market too?" Shen Hao asked with a smile, his gaze falling on Zhang Shan's tightly clenched right hand.

Zhang Shan nodded quickly, raising the bulging little pouch in his hand, his face brimming with excitement. "I just hunted a Qi Refining Second Layer Swift Wind Wolf in the Back Mountain. I took its inner core to exchange for some Spirit Stones, and I'll also buy some Body Tempering Pills to consolidate my newly broken-through Early Qi Refining Third Layer cultivation." As he spoke, his eyes inadvertently swept over the pitch-black inner core in Shen Hao's hand, which radiated a dense Earth Spiritual Energy. His pupils suddenly contracted, and a flash of intense surprise crossed his face. "Senior Brother Shen, this... this is an Ironback Bear inner core, isn't it? You actually hunted an Ironback Bear!"

The Ironback Bear's reputation among the demon beasts of the Inner Sect's Back Mountain was formidable. Not only was its cultivation as high as Early Qi Refining Fourth Layer, but it was also renowned for its iron-hard hide and brutal, overwhelming strength. Even an ordinary cultivator at Mid Qi Refining Fourth Layer would have to expend tremendous effort—and might even suffer severe injuries—to hunt one alone. Zhang Shan found it hard to believe that Shen Hao could take down such a troublesome beast by himself.

Shen Hao smiled without offering much explanation. He simply handed the inner core to the Middle-aged Cultivator stall owner. The stall owner took the core, examined it carefully, brought it to his nose to sniff, and then a glint of sharpness flashed in his eyes. He made a gesture to Shen Hao. "Junior Brother, this Ironback Bear inner core is of excellent quality, rich in spiritual energy—truly top-grade. I'll give you three Mid-grade Spirit Stones for it. How about that?"

The price was fair. Shen Hao didn't hesitate and nodded. "Deal." The stall owner deftly took three lustrous Mid-grade Spirit Stones from his storage pouch and handed them to Shen Hao. The stones were cool to the touch, their spiritual energy far purer than Low-grade Spirit Stones. Shen Hao put them away and turned to look at Zhang Shan, who was still staring in awe.

"Senior Brother Shen, your strength is really getting stronger and stronger," Zhang Shan said enviously, his tone full of admiration. "In two months, it'll be the Inner Sect Grand Competition. With your strength, you're sure to get a good ranking—maybe even take first place and claim that Foundation Establishment Pill!"

Shen Hao patted him on the shoulder, his eyes carrying encouragement. "You're not bad either. You've made rapid progress during this time. Cultivate well, and aim to make a name for yourself in the Inner Sect Grand Competition too. Don't let your hard work go to waste."

The two were chatting by the roadside when suddenly, from a nearby talisman stall, a burst of arguing broke out, drawing the attention of many disciples around them. Shen Hao and Zhang Shan exchanged a glance, both curious, and walked over to see what was happening.

There, an Inner Sect Disciple in a blue Dao robe, his face flushed red, was glaring angrily at a White-haired Old Man behind the stall, cursing loudly. "This broken talisman of yours doesn't have the effect you claimed at all! I bought your Iron Armor Talisman to deal with a Qi Refining Fourth Layer Rock Thorn Pig, but the talisman shattered after blocking just one hit! I almost got seriously injured by that pig! Give me back my Spirit Stones right now, or I'll go to the market steward and report you for fraud!"

The White-haired Old Man, however, remained completely calm. He slowly stroked his white beard and said unhurriedly, "Disciple, you can't just say whatever you please. This Old Man's talisman is clearly marked as a Low-grade Defense Talisman. At most, it can block a full-force strike from a Qi Refining Third Layer cultivator, or an ordinary attack from a Qi Refining Fourth Layer demon beast. If you insist on using it to withstand a Rock Thorn Pig's full charge, of course it will shatter. That's your own improper use—how can you blame this Old Man?"

His words were reasoned and sound, and the surrounding disciples nodded in agreement. The Inner Sect Disciple was left speechless, his face cycling through shades of white and red. He opened his mouth but couldn't get a word out. Finally, he let out a cold snort, shot the old man a fierce glare, and pushed through the crowd to leave in dejection.

Shen Hao's gaze fell on the yellow paper talismans inscribed with red characters laid out on the stall, a strong interest flickering in his eyes. Talismans were also an important tool for cultivators. They required no expenditure of one's own Spiritual Power—just a trace of spiritual energy to activate. A powerful talisman could often play an unexpected role at a critical moment, whether to save one's life or turn the tables on an enemy. For him right now, it was undoubtedly an excellent way to supplement his combat strength.