Visiting Taiqing and Yuqing, a wild bluff, Immortal Market matters settled, returning to Serene Peak

"Immortal Crystals? You came prepared, didn't you."

Sect Master Tongtian glanced at him and said with mild exasperation, "Do whatever you want with them. No need to ask me again."

"Master, your disciple's cultivation is too low. I can't forge Immortal Crystals with a distinctive mark. Please, help me out here. If outsiders can easily counterfeit Immortal Crystals and swindle the Immortal Market's assets in the future, wouldn't that disgrace our Jie Sect's reputation?"

Qingyuan looked helpless.

"Don't you have quite a bit of merit on you?"

Sect Master Tongtian said with a half-smile, "It has storage value, can facilitate transactions, and can even be absorbed and refined. Where in the Primordial Wilderness can you find something so excellent?"

"Master, my bit of merit isn't even enough to rinse your mouth, let alone support the founding of an Immortal Market!"

Qingyuan's face twisted with worry.

"Enough, I'll help you out!"

Sect Master Tongtian suddenly waved his hand.

In an instant, the scene within Shangqing Hall transformed into a vision of chaos. Vast and boundless Chaos Cloud Mist converged under an invisible hand. The Five Elements Great Dao Law descended like a waterfall through time and space. Countless Law Divine Patterns evolved into an endless chain river, intertwining and merging with the crystals condensed from the Chaos Cloud Mist.

This sight.

Could be called the explosion of the universe, the collapse of the cosmos.

Qingyuan was completely stunned.

With his realm, he couldn't keep up with the process of Sect Master Tongtian crushing chaos with a mere thought to forge Immortal Crystals.

He only felt the universe shattering, countless Great Dao Laws transforming into an immeasurable river swirling around him, dazzling his eyes.

When he came to his senses.

He found himself back inside Shangqing Hall.

Sect Master Tongtian sat cross-legged on his cushion, his expression calm, everything as before.

As if everything that had just happened was merely a dream.

"Didn't you obtain a Top-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure, the Falling Treasure Gold Coin? This treasure is connected to the Gold Coin Great Dao. When you return, use the Falling Treasure Gold Coin to imprint a mark on these Immortal Crystals. They will then gain the recognition of the Heavenly Dao. Used in transactions, they will be acknowledged by the Heavenly Dao, and no one will dare to cheat!"

As Sect Master Tongtian finished speaking, he waved his hand.

A small Qiankun Bag appeared before Qingyuan.

Qingyuan quickly grabbed it and looked inside, instantly stunned by the sheer number of Immortal Crystals within.

The Qiankun Bag was as vast as a Great Thousand World.

And it was packed full of Immortal Crystals.

Each Immortal Crystal was a Law Coin forged from Chaos Cloud Crystal and the Five Elements Great Dao Law.

About the size of a one-yuan coin.

Very thin, crystal clear. The front was engraved with the ever-flowing Five Elements Law, while the back depicted the landscape of the Primordial Wilderness. It had no weight in the hand but exuded an aura of Dao rhythm.

After examining them for a long time.

Qingyuan's face showed satisfaction.

These Immortal Crystals were supreme treasures, whether used urgently to replenish mana and heal injuries, or for daily cultivation and enlightenment.

Using them as currency for trade was indeed endlessly beneficial!

"Thank you, Master. Your disciple will take his leave now."

"Mm, withdraw."

Sect Master Tongtian nodded and closed his eyes to continue his cultivation.

Qingyuan left Shangqing Hall and even closed the door behind him, only to see Water-Fire Boy sidling up with a fawning expression. "Senior Disciple Brother, are you done talking with the teacher?"

"Mm, here's some Immortal Crystals for you. You'll have fun with them soon enough."

Qingyuan smiled and handed Water-Fire Boy a small cloth pouch containing about ten thousand Immortal Crystals.

"Thank you, Senior Disciple Brother!"

Water-Fire Boy escorted Qingyuan out of Shangqing Hall's grounds, then opened the pouch and looked at it with some confusion.

"Immortal Crystals? What are they?"

"I can play with them later? I have to wait a while? They smell pretty good..."

Crunch, crunch...

Before long.

The sound of crunching Immortal Crystals came from outside Shangqing Hall.

After leaving Shangqing Peak, Qingyuan flew toward Taiqing Peak.

Taiqing Peak was shrouded in Taiqing Pure Qi. Entering it, one could feel its calming and mind-focusing effects. Everything in sight felt peaceful and serene.

"Senior Disciple Brother Xuandu? What are you doing here?"

Qingyuan saw Great Master Xuandu sitting cross-legged on the Taiji Diagram at the foot of Taiqing Peak. Beside him, on an innate spiritual treasure table, were various fruits and spiritual items. A massive black boar was prostrating on the ground, trying to curry favor.

Meanwhile, Xuandu was using heavenly materials and earthly treasures that were rarely seen even in millions of years to feed a pig.

Qingyuan watched, the skin on his face twitching slightly.

"So it's Senior Brother Qingyuan. I'm here feeding Zhu Ganglie."

Great Master Xuandu said with a smile: "I often sit here in meditation to comprehend the Dao, and this beast would frequently come to listen on the sidelines. Over time, we became acquainted. Because of its fierce and bold temperament, I even gave it a name—Ganglie. What do you think, Senior Brother Qingyuan?"

"An excellent name."

Qingyuan nodded, then headed up toward Taiqing Peak.

Halfway up the mountain.

He saw two pages with ox-horn braids leading the Green Ox down the mountain. He greeted them: "Where are you two junior brothers off to?"

"Greetings, Senior Brother."

The two pages bowed respectfully and replied: "We're taking the master's mount down the mountain to feed. We recently found another fertile pasture, so this ox is in for a treat."

"Is the Grand Master at home?"

"The master is in Taiqing Hall and hasn't gone out."

"Good, go ahead with your work. I'll go have a chat with your master."

"Farewell, Senior Brother."

The two pages politely led the ox aside to make way, waiting until Qingyuan had passed before continuing down the mountain.

As he ascended further.

He also saw Zhenwu, Du'e, and other registered disciples.

Both were cultivating on the mountainside, practicing austerities by feeding on morning dew and drinking in the clouds and mists. The entire Taiqing Peak gave off a feeling of secluded tranquility, as if cut off from the world, and one couldn't help but be infected by this peaceful and serene atmosphere.

When he arrived outside Taiqing Hall.

After receiving permission from Grand Pure One Laozi, Qingyuan entered the hall to pay respects to Saint Taiqing.

"Qingyuan, it's been many years since you last came to my place. What brings you here today?"

The spirited Saint Taiqing gazed at Qingyuan, a smile on his face.

In the past, when he and his two brothers were not yet enlightened, Qingyuan had been by their side, running errands and coming up with all sorts of strange ideas. Qingyuan was a very interesting young man.

"Grand Master, this disciple wishes to establish an Immortal Market on Kunlun Mountain. This market would facilitate mutual exchange, free trade, and also serve as a place for interaction among us living beings. You must understand, cultivation is not about shutting oneself away. If our Xuan Sect were to create the first Immortal Market in the Primordial Wilderness, it would surely attract a convergence of ten thousand immortals and promote our Xuan Sect's doctrine of teaching and transforming all beings."

Afterward.

Qingyuan explained the function of the Immortal Market.

He smiled: "Grand Master, for example, if you enjoy alchemy and lack some materials, you could simply post a bounty in the Immortal Market. Disciples who take up the bounty would complete the task. On one hand, it saves your time; on the other, it gives the disciples a chance to gain experience. What do you think?"

Saint Taiqing frowned slightly.

Promoting the Xuan Sect's doctrine of teaching and transforming all beings?

That wasn't a bad idea, but...

"Qingyuan, if there are too many people, won't it disturb the tranquility of Kunlun Mountain?"

Qingyuan knew Grand Pure One Laozi was tempted, so he quickly said: "Grand Master, that won't happen at all. You once said, 'Build a hut among people, yet hear no noise of horse and carriage,' and also said, 'A small hermit hides in the wilds, a sign of shallow Daoxing; a great hermit hides in the city, the true path to self-forgetfulness, objectlessness, and the sublimation of non-action.'"

"Moreover, once the Immortal Market is established, most Jie Sect disciples will have something to do. If they're busy, they won't be idle; if they're not idle, no one will stir up trouble. Don't you agree?"

"Most of the Jie Sect disciples have a Stubborn and Wicked Nature and are idle and shiftless. If there's a place for them to let off steam, it might actually make Kunlun Mountain more peaceful."

Saint Taiqing frowned again and asked: "But did I actually say that?"

"Could it have been my master who said it? Since I'm always by the side of you sages, I can't quite remember."

"Then it must have been me. Tongtian doesn't have that kind of insight."

Saint Taiqing looked at Qingyuan and said: "You came to see me, and I doubt it's just about this matter. Tell me quickly, what's the real issue?"

"Grand Master, this disciple is troubled..."

Qingyuan spoke with distress about the matter of currency.

Afterward, he took a Great Thousand Worlds-sized piece of Immortal Crystal from Saint Taiqing's place and left with a beaming smile, heading toward Yuqing Peak.

Taiqing, Yuqing, and Shangqing—the three dojos were not far apart.

But going from Taiqing Peak to Yuqing Peak inevitably meant passing by the back side of Yuqing Peak.

When he arrived at the back side of Yuqing Peak, Qingyuan saw over a dozen figures sitting on a solitary peak, cultivating while enduring the Nine Heavens Astral Wind. He couldn't help but ask curiously: "What fine taste you junior brothers have, cultivating together here?"

He couldn't help but be curious.

Although this Nine Heavens Astral Wind was only a projection, it could still send a Golden Immortal tumbling out of sight.

Yet the Twelve Golden Immortals of the Heavenly Origin Sect weren't even using their cultivation.

They were relying purely on their physical bodies to withstand this astral wind. Wasn't that a bit too intense?

Hearing a familiar voice, Guangchengzi and the other immortals of the Heavenly Origin Sect opened their eyes and saw Qingyuan's admiring gaze. Their state of mind was immediately disturbed, and a surge of anger arose.

"What leisure to cultivate here?"

"If it weren't for you, would the teacher have punished us by sealing our Daoxing and forcing us to temper our minds here?"

"Junior brother, steady..."

"We must hold steady—it won't be easy to climb back up later."

Guangchengzi gritted his teeth and urged his fellow disciples. The immortals closed their eyes and focused, ignoring Qingyuan.

"Since you fellow disciples have such leisure to enjoy the wind here, I won't disturb you. Farewell."

Qingyuan cupped his hands in salute and left with a smile.

Yet.

That very sentence broke the Twelve Golden Immortals of the Heavenly Origin Sect, throwing their minds into chaos.

Then, caught by the fierce Nine Heavens Astral Wind, they were swept away, each letting out a cry of 'Ah' as they flew off to who knows where.

Arriving outside Jade Purity Hall.

Qingyuan had to request permission before entering the hall, bowing in greeting: "Disciple pays respects to Second Martial Uncle."

"Qingyuan, you've been quite arrogant lately, repeatedly shaming my Heavenly Origin Sect."

Venerable Yuanshi's face was expressionless, his voice unreadable in emotion.

"Disciple has come precisely to confess his faults, hoping Second Martial Uncle will forgive him."

Qingyuan pressed his forehead to the ground, respectfully admitting his error.

"Enough. This matter is indeed Randeng's fault."

Venerable Yuanshi said with some displeasure: "I appointed him as Vice Sect Leader of the Heavenly Origin Sect to guide the disciples well, but who knew Randeng would be so eager to prove himself, committing many mistakes."

"Second Martial Uncle sees clearly."

Venerable Yuanshi sneered: "You wouldn't come to me for no reason, boy. Speak—what brings you here today?"

"Disciple wishes to establish an Immortal Market on Kunlun Mountains, and requests Second Martial Uncle's approval."

Then.

Qingyuan laid out his concept for the Immortal Market.

After hearing him out, Venerable Yuanshi frowned: "Your Jie Sect already has enough stubborn and wicked disciples, those with fur and horns, who are rowdy enough. If you bring in outside beings with some Immortal Market, won't it stir up Kunlun Mountains into chaos?"

"Second Martial Uncle, that won't happen at all!"

Qingyuan quickly explained: "The Jie Sect disciples only cause trouble because they have too much idle time. Once the Immortal Market is established, I have ten thousand ways to turn them into workhorses, wage slaves, pitting them against each other. Over time, they'll be too tired to stir up trouble. With something to busy themselves and an industry to cherish, they won't dare cause trouble lightly!"

"In fact, the idea of establishing an Immortal Market came to me from observing you, Second Martial Uncle."

"Building an Immortal Market to facilitate exchange and spread the spirit of the Xuanmen culture can also enlighten beings—this is the way of expounding the Heavenly Dao and following Heaven's will!!"

Hearing this.

Venerable Yuanshi calculated on his fingers, his eyes deep as he fixed them on Qingyuan: "You're full of clever ideas, boy. Build the Immortal Market well, and if it succeeds, you'll have your reward."

"Second Martial Uncle, I want to do it too, but without a medium of exchange for the market, it's hard to implement..."

Qingyuan put on a troubled face, lamenting how poor and helpless he was.

"Enough. You've got plenty of merit on you, boy, and you come crying poverty to me?"

Venerable Yuanshi impatiently told him to shut up.

Not long after.

Qingyuan emerged from Jade Purity Hall, holding yet another Great Thousand Worlds' worth of Immortal Crystals.

"Thank you, Second Martial Uncle!"

Seeing that even the most troublesome Venerable Yuanshi had been handled.

Qingyuan couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief inside.

After descending Yuqing Peak, he flew toward Serene Peak.

Arriving at Serene Peak, this long-unseen home and Dojo, Qingyuan's expression was somewhat dazed.

Another few thousand years without returning home...