Suiyang Immortal Market

Chen Ganliu searched for most of the day before encountering a dense, verdant mountain forest shrouded in white mist. From afar, it exuded an aura of spiritual essence. He entered the woods, leading his white deer, and after a few hundred steps, the scenery suddenly opened up. Recalling his Senior Sister's words from years ago, he immediately knew this was the location of the Suiyang Immortal Market.

A powerful immortal had used magic to seal this immortal market. Mortals who entered the forest would become lost, wandering in circles before eventually finding their way out, never discovering the market's true location. Only those with magical power could resist the formation's illusions and enter freely.

Although the Immortal Encounter Sect was the state religion of the Great Gan Dynasty, they were not overbearing. They permitted other sects to establish themselves within Great Gan's borders. Near the Suiyang Immortal Market, there were three such sects: the Little Moon Sect, the Golden Bell Sect, and the Jade Mountain Sect.

The first two were ordinary, minor sects, but the Jade Mountain Sect was a branch of the Immortal Encounter Sect. Based on the current timeline, Daoist Five Willows should still be cultivating at the Jade Mountain Sect.

Because of these three sects nearby, the Suiyang Immortal Market was quite large, ranking as one of the six major immortal markets within the Great Gan territory.

This immortal market was divided into large and small markets. During both the large and small market periods, disciples from the three sects and various rogue cultivators would flock to the Suiyang Immortal Market to sell the magic treasures they refined, the spiritual herbs they cultivated, pills, talismans, and even various curious items, all in exchange for cultivation resources. Even when it wasn't a market day, there were resident rogue cultivators, so it was never deserted, appearing like a small town from a hidden paradise.

The Great Market was held once every three years and lasted for no more than a month, attracting immortals from all walks of life, making it even livelier with a greater variety of goods. The Small Market was held every six months. While not as grand as the Great Market, it still saw hundreds of immortals come to trade.

Today happened to be a Small Market day, making it much livelier than usual. One to two hundred stalls were set up randomly throughout the forest, arranged with a sense of order. There were also seventeen or eighteen buildings, scattered like stars. Hundreds of cultivators came and went, occasionally stopping to chat with stall owners. Their conversations were hushed, and the atmosphere was incredibly peaceful, devoid of the vulgar commercialism of the mortal world. Some would leave after browsing, while others would complete transactions, each finding their own joy. Although it wasn't as densely populated or bustling as a mortal marketplace, the immortals conducted their business with an elegant and ethereal air, lacking the worldly hustle and bustle. Often, after a half-day banquet, a deal would be struck, possessing a unique charm.

The Suiyang Immortal Market had no formal management. Only the Little Moon Sect, Golden Bell Sect, and Jade Mountain Sect had established a set of rules. As long as these rules were not violated, everyone was free to act as they pleased. If any rules were broken, leading to disputes, cultivators from the three sects would step in to administer minor punishments.

The opportunity he sought was still two to three years away, but the Green Jade Stone containing the White Emperor's Legacy might have already appeared here. Therefore, Chen Ganliu decided to stay for a while, cultivating and saving up Talisman Coins.

Most cultivators preferred tranquility and found the bustling atmosphere here unbearable, leaving immediately after completing their transactions.

Chen Ganliu, however, was different. He preferred this kind of environment. Although it was an immortal market, it wasn't lacking in worldly conveniences, making life quite comfortable. It was also the only place for rogue cultivators to interact with their peers and gather information.

He eagerly eyed the nearby stalls, wanting to take a look, but then thought that even if he found the Green Jade Stone, he wouldn't have enough Talisman Coins to buy it, nor the ability to seize it by force. As he was lost in thought about how to find the Green Jade Stone and how to acquire it, he heard a clear voice call out, "Little Daoist, why have you come to the Suiyang Immortal Market too?"

Chen Ganliu looked up and saw a familiar, small figure on a large tree nearby. The girl stood on the treetops, her body swaying gently like a willow catkin. This time, she was wearing a lake-green outfit that made her skin appear even more translucent. Her delicate, melon-seed-shaped face was framed by eyebrows as dark and enchanting as ink, as if painted just yesterday.

He couldn't help but smile and say, "Little Fox Immortal! We meet again."

"Are you here to buy something at the Suiyang Immortal Market too?"

The girl leaped down with a grin and patted his shoulder, saying, "Don't call me Little Fox Immortal. You have to call me Third Ancestor Hu."

"Of course, I'm here to buy some things, but I don't know if the Suiyang Immortal Market has them."

Chen Ganliu's heart stirred. He thought of seven or eight reasons to persuade the girl to acquire the Green Jade Stone, but none seemed reliable. Then he heard the girl say, "Do you want to come shopping with me?"

Chen Ganliu chuckled and replied, "Of course, I'm willing to accompany Third Ancestor Hu, but shouldn't there be a proper address?"

The girl tilted her head and thought for a moment. "Forget it, you can still call me Little Fox Immortal!"

Chen Ganliu knew the girl didn't want to reveal her identity, so he didn't press further. Just as he was about to find a place to tie up the white deer, he saw the girl flick her small sleeve. The white deer let out a soft bleat, shrank into a ball, and was taken into her sleeve. She said with a grin, "I'll keep this silly deer for you first."

Chen Ganliu was greatly curious. He pinched the girl's sleeve and looked inside. Indeed, he saw a small white deer lying quietly in her sleeve, unharmed.

The girl's face flushed, and she spat, "What are you looking at? Don't you know that men and women should not touch?"

Chen Ganliu's face also turned red. Fortunately, he was only nine years old after his rebirth, and the girl looked no older than eleven or twelve. It wasn't yet an age where such matters were strictly forbidden. He quickly apologized, "I've never seen such marvelous magic before, so I was a bit rash. Little Fox Immortal, please don't be angry."

The girl chuckled and said, "Alright! I won't be angry."

She put her hands behind her back, acting quite mature, and led Chen Ganliu, her little follower, around the Suiyang Immortal Market.

Chen Ganliu's mind was preoccupied with the Green Jade Stone. He glanced at the stall owner every time they passed a stall, looking for any sign of it. However, after browsing over a dozen stalls with the girl, his eyes began to water. There were so many things he wanted, but he lamented his lack of Talisman Coins.

As the girl passed a stall, she let out a soft "Hmm."

Chen Ganliu glanced over. The vendor was a lazy old beggar who had spread out a dirty mat and displayed a pile of dark, nondescript stones. Seeing nothing he was looking for, he didn't want to linger.

The girl, however, crouched down and asked, "How much are these Spirit Stones?"

The old beggar listlessly replied, "Five hundred Talisman Coins each."

The girl frowned slightly. "That's too expensive! These are all unrefined raw stones. How can they be worth five hundred Talisman Coins?"

The old beggar scoffed, "If they were refined, you couldn't get one for less than two to three thousand Talisman Coins."

As they haggled, Chen Ganliu's mind wandered, contemplating how he could obtain a large sum of Talisman Coins to purchase the Green Jade Stone that held his destiny.

Suddenly, he heard a loud argument. He looked over and saw an old Daoist priest arguing with a stall owner. After listening for a moment, he understood that the old Daoist wanted to buy a Flying Sword from the stall owner but didn't have enough money. Seeing that many people were watching, they both quickly lowered their voices.

In his previous life, Chen Ganliu had cultivated for decades but never owned a Flying Sword. His Senior Sister had one, but she rarely used it due to her long-term illness. In their decades of marriage, he had only seen his wife use it twice.

He sighed, forcing himself not to look or listen.