Kuixing Market

Han Changming hurriedly activated ten Fireball Talismans, which transformed into ten Crimson Fireballs that smashed toward the black crows in a single row.

Other members of the Han Clan either activated talismans or deployed magic artifacts.

Wind Blades, Earth Arrows, fireballs, and other spells rained down upon the demonic birds, followed closely by over a dozen shimmering magic artifacts.

As the various spells descended, the black crows attempted to dodge, but a massive wave of cyan Wind Blades shot over, cutting off their escape route.

Two black crows were unable to evade in time and had their wings struck by the cyan Wind Blades, causing their flight speed to plummet. A dozen Crimson Fireballs then slammed into them, transforming into a massive sheet of crimson flame that engulfed their bodies. They let out miserable shrieks as the dozen magic artifacts struck them in succession.

With two sharp cries, the two black crows fell from the sky as a rain of blood, staining a portion of the sea red.

Han Deling waved the White Banner in her hand, and a massive wave of crystalline White Ice Blades flew out, slashing toward the black crows with ferocious momentum.

The black crows were fast, but they were outnumbered; with Han Changming and the others assisting from the sidelines, the demonic birds became flustered.

Just as the two black crows dodged the attacks of several magic artifacts, a dozen White Ice Blades shot over and slashed into their bodies. While the blades failed to kill them instantly, the cold energy they carried slowed their flight speed significantly. A giant pair of Golden Scissors then swooped in, shearing their heads clean off.

This flock of demonic birds was of a low rank, all being first-tier, and in less than ten breaths, more than half of them were dead or injured.

Seemingly realizing that Han Changming and his group were not to be trifled with, they dared not fight any longer, flapping their wings to fly into the high sky and fleeing.

Han Deling did not pursue them and put away her magic artifact.

"Seventh Aunt, why not chase them? They were no match for us," Han Changming asked with some confusion.

"Do not chase a desperate foe. We were lucky to only encounter first-tier demonic birds; if we had run into second-tier ones, it would have been troublesome. We have a mission to complete, so it is inconvenient to pursue them. Besides, demonic birds are naturally fast; if we rashly chased them and ran into a second-tier bird, it would be a disaster," Han Deling explained with a smile.

"That's right! Changming, although you are a talisman maker, you don't need to throw ten Fireball Talismans all at once. It's fine against cultivators, but it's unnecessary against demonic birds. Since they are quite fast, you can wait until they are within thirty zhang before throwing them; that way, your accuracy will be higher," a clan uncle advised earnestly.

Han Changming nodded, silently taking his uncle's words to heart.

"Alright, let's continue on our way!" Han Deling had someone collect the corpses of the black crows, then cast a spell onto the Yellow Gourd.

The Yellow Gourd flared with light, transforming into a streak of yellow light that vanished into the horizon.

A month later, at dusk.

On a massive island, there was a vast expanse of buildings where a large number of figures could be seen moving about.

The island was shaped like a giant starfish; this was Kuixing Market.

A streak of yellow light appeared on the horizon, flying rapidly toward Kuixing Market.

Not long after, the yellow light landed on the island; it was clearly a giant Yellow Gourd, with Han Changming and the others sitting atop it.

"Is this Kuixing Market?" Han Changming looked at the massive city not far ahead, his expression filled with excitement.

The city walls were built from a type of black boulder, their surfaces engraved with countless formation patterns, standing over twenty zhang high like a colossal fortress.

This was the first time Han Changming had seen such a large city, and his shock was palpable.

The wide streets were bustling with people, a constant flow of traffic, and shops lined both sides. The sound of hawking rose and fell, never-ending—a scene of great prosperity.

"Skins of the Red-scaled Fish Demon, excellent material for refining inner armor artifacts! We have even more new arrivals, don't miss out as you pass by!"

"New shop opening! Get five spirit stones off for every hundred spent, twenty off for three hundred, and forty off for five hundred. The more you buy, the more you save!"

"Century-old pill shop, quality guaranteed, come in and take a look!"

"Newly crafted flying knives, forged by a second-tier refiner! Come in and take a look, you won't be cheated or misled!"

Shop assistants stood at their doorways, shouting loudly to solicit customers.

It was Han Changming's first time seeing such a sight, and he was very curious.

He followed Han Deling and the others, continuing to walk forward.

Han Changming saw a spirit beast shop, featuring parrots that could speak human language, massive pythons, giant eagles with four wings on their backs, and spirit insects with two heads.

It was his first time seeing so many interesting things, and he was both curious and excited.

Suddenly, he felt himself bump into a soft object.

"Oh no, I bumped into someone."

Han Changming looked up to see a girl in a red dress, in her early twenties, looking at him with a face full of anger.

The girl in the red dress had a fiery figure and wore a red ru-skirt. Beside her was another girl in a green dress, about eighteen or nineteen years old.

The girl in the green dress had delicate features, snow-white skin, and a pair of large, dark eyes.

Han Changming noticed that a swallow pattern was embroidered on the chest of the girl in the red dress, which seemed to represent something.

Seeing Han Changming staring at her chest, the girl in the red dress glared at him fiercely and snapped, "Can't you watch where you're going?"

Han Changming gave a sheepish smile and said, "I'm sorry, I wasn't paying attention."

The girl in the red dress frowned; she had mistaken Han Changming for a lecher. Just as she was about to teach him a lesson, the girl in the green dress pulled her back: "Sister, let it go! He didn't mean it."

At this moment, Han Deling turned around and looked at Han Changming: "What's wrong, Changming? What happened?"

"Seventh Aunt, I accidentally bumped into this fairy, and I have already apologized to her," Han Changming said honestly.

"Let it go this time, but watch where you're walking."

The girl in the red dress glanced at Han Deling, decided not to bicker with Han Changming, and left with the girl in the green dress.

"Changming, be careful and don't stir up trouble. There are many people in the market, and you never know who might be the descendant of some expert," the clan uncle advised earnestly.

Han Changming agreed repeatedly, never having imagined that he had nearly invited trouble upon himself.

Half a quarter of an hour later, they walked into a two-story cyan pavilion with the three cyan characters "Spirit Talisman Pavilion" written on the plaque.

Several Qi Refining cultivators were in the main hall selecting talismans, and there were not many guests; the pavilion came with a small courtyard.

"Changming, come with me." Han Deling led Han Changming to the second floor.

The area of the second floor was smaller than the main hall and elegantly furnished, with several landscape paintings hanging on the walls and five guest rooms, two of which had doors covered by a layer of soft white light.

"We didn't pick a good time to come; your thirteenth uncle and seventh brother are refining talismans. Sit here and wait for a while, I have some business to attend to, and don't go wandering around." Han Deling gave her instructions before turning to leave.

Han Changming sat in a chair, and with nothing better to do, he took out the Cloud Talisman Scripture and began to browse through it.

I do not know how much time had passed when a voice filled with pleasant surprise rang in Han Changming's ears: "Ninth brother, why are you here?"