The Little River Bend Market

Li Shuidao and Li Shuilang had studied at the Cultivation Hall for two years. How could they not know the rules of the Five Poisons Sect? Sect disciples were absolutely forbidden from killing one another except during trials.

But rules were dead, and people were alive. This place was far from any village or shop. If there was a great enough temptation, who could say what might happen?

If Jiang Xue learned that Li Shuidao's Spirit Companion really was a Jade Toad, there was no way she wouldn't get ideas.

Even if she didn't act today, she would tomorrow.

Even if she didn't act openly, she would do it in secret.

Better be careful...

It never hurt to keep one's guard up.

"To be honest, Senior Sister, we heard Wang Tianjiao mention that one night two years ago, he released his toad to devour mosquitoes and flies, only to be knocked unconscious on the spot. When he woke up, his Spirit Companion had disappeared. He never said who did it, and we wouldn't dare make any rash guesses." Li Shuidao spoke respectfully from the side, afraid of angering Senior Sister.

"Hmph! He was lying!"

"Two years ago, Wang Tianjiao was dissatisfied with how slowly his cultivation was progressing, so he set his sights on Master's Spirit Field. While no one was watching, he secretly picked the Spirit Grass Master had planted with his own hands. But Master caught him in the act. If Master had reported it to the Law Enforcement Hall, he would not only have lost his life, but also brought shame upon his Lineage. He begged and pleaded, and Master took pity on him, merely confiscating his Spirit Companion. I can't believe that fellow still dared to lie."

"But he's a cripple now. Without a Spirit Companion, his cultivation will never advance. He doesn't even get a single Jade Coin a month. Apart from chopping wood, scrubbing the toilets, and feeding the giant spirit crane, he's really no use at all." Jiang Xue spoke with a cold sneer.

Hearing this, Li Shuilang cast his clansman a grateful look.

Without Li Shuidao, his clansman, he'd never have been able to handle a job that required such extensive knowledge as tending the Spirit Field. Most likely, he would have been sent to the woodshed to keep Wang Tianjiao company.

Besides, his younger clansman had been foresighted enough to strictly forbid him from picking Spirit Grass—not even a single leaf.

If Master, the Golden-Faced Gentleman, or Mistress Qin Yue'e had caught him, the consequences would have been unimaginable.

"I see. So Senior Brother Wang tricked us." Li Shuidao sighed.

"Hehehe... Actually, your guess wasn't wrong either. After Master confiscated the toad, he immediately bestowed it on me, your senior sister. Without that Spiritual Object, I doubt I would have advanced to the middle stage of the Spirit Channeling Realm so quickly." Jiang Xue looked immensely pleased with herself.

Could it have been you who egged Wang Tianjiao on to steal the Spirit Grass?

Li Shuidao swallowed, then gritted his teeth and said, "I never imagined Wang Tianjiao would do something so despicable. I, Li, am ashamed to associate with him."

"The Five Poisons Sect is a place with rules, too. Mistress specifically told me to take you to the market and ensure your safety. Even if you two had designs on me, I would still bring you back safe and sound, then tell Mistress everything you did. Master and Mistress will decide on your punishment."

"We wouldn't dare! Even if we had the courage of bears and leopards, we wouldn't dare show Senior Sister any disrespect."

"Hmph! I didn't think you would." Jiang Xue flicked her sleeve and continued down the mountain path. The Li brothers exchanged a glance, then hurried after her.

Half an hour later, the three arrived at the Little River Bend Market on Poison Dragon Ridge.

"So this is the market?" Li Shuilang's eyes shone as he looked at the bustling crowd ahead, excitement plain on his face.

"I never thought the market would be so crowded. There are more people here than at the Divine Wood City market." Li Shuidao was equally amazed.

"This place lies on the southern slopes of Poison Dragon Ridge. The market opens for one day around the middle of each month. There are cultivation caves scattered across the surrounding twenty li, and their residents gather here to trade goods. Today is market day, so naturally it's packed. When the market's closed, you wouldn't find a dog here." After explaining, Jiang Xue headed into the crowd, and the Li brothers followed close behind.

Jiang Xue stopped and turned around, giving them a cold snort. "Now that we're at the market, we can each go our own way. Why are you following me?"

"There are so many people here. What if we get separated?" Li Shuilang asked, looking flustered.

Jiang Xue looked at them in disbelief. "Are you two children?"

"Senior Sister, this is our first time at the market. If someone bullies us, wouldn't that bring shame on Master?" Li Shuidao said, cupping his fists.

"Don't worry. This may be a market, but it's still within the bounds of Poison Dragon Mountain. The Five Poisons Sect enforces its rules strictly. No one will bully others or dominate the market."

"But if we can't return together when the market closes, with our two young and inexperienced faces, any villain will see at a glance that we have neither Divine Abilities nor Mana. Then we'll be left dead in the wilderness. How will Senior Sister explain that to Mistress?" Li Shuidao said again.

Jiang Xue smiled faintly. "You do have a point. Let me hear you call me Big Senior Sister."

"Big Senior Sister!" The two bowed respectfully and called out in unison.

"Hahahaha... At least you two know how to be sensible. Stay close, and don't fall behind."

The three followed the surging crowd into the market. Stalls lined both sides of the flow of people, displaying all manner of Spirit Grass, refining materials, and spiritual fruits.

"Although this is only a temporary market, there are a few shops here. They're usually closed, and only open on market day," Jiang Xue explained as they walked.

They followed the crowd toward the center, and soon came upon a shop called the Hundred Herbs Hall.

"This shop is run by the Five Poisons Sect. It sells pills, Spirit Grass, spiritual fruits, and spiritual food, and you can trust the quality. Of course, the prices are higher than at the stalls, but not by much. If you don't have a discerning eye, buy from this official shop to avoid getting cheated." Jiang Xue pointed to the shop as she explained.

"Isn't anyone going to do anything about it?" Li Shuilang asked in surprise.

"Hmph! If you get cheated, you have only yourself to blame!" Jiang Xue said coldly.

The three entered the Hundred Herbs Hall. Its furnishings were quite simple. Aside from a few medicinal herbs displayed on the counter, there was little else. A male cultivator beside the counter had just seen a customer off and immediately came over to greet them. "Welcome, honored guests. What would you like to buy?"

"Five packets of Purple Poison Powder and ten Qi Circulation Pills," Jiang Xue said bluntly.

"Certainly! Five packets of Purple Poison Powder are one hundred and fifty, and the Qi Circulation Pills are five hundred. That comes to six hundred and fifty Jade Coins in total." The man smiled as he took the medicinal powder and pills from behind the counter.

Jiang Xue took six and a half strings of Jade Coins from her Storage Bag and handed them to the man.

He gave them a quick count, and the transaction was complete.

"All right, I've finished what Mistress asked me to do. I'll wait for you at the stone by the river bend. Once you've spent all your Jade Coins, come meet me, and we'll return together."

With that, Jiang Xue headed straight out of the market.

"Little brother, why don't we buy two packets of Purple Poison Powder here? Our monthly allowance should be just enough." Li Shuilang asked.

"You buy them. I'm going to look around." Li Shuidao shook his head and wandered through the market alone, his eyes sweeping over the surroundings. Before long, he found the item he'd had his eye on.

It was a sword.

A slender sword.

Its blade was about a foot long, and its hilt was black, covered in intricate, ancient-looking patterns.

Its scabbard was made from a piece of ebony, and a black lotus was carved into the hilt, so lifelike it seemed to bloom there.

Next, Li Shuidao was going to cultivate his toad's second Divine Ability, and he needed a slender sword for it.

If he could get his hands on this sword, he would be able to build up formidable fighting strength in a short time.