Hidden Forces; Finding Peace in the Rain

Skyreach Pavilion, as the spirit tea entered his mouth, Ye Jingcheng indeed felt refreshed and invigorated, with a lingering and pleasant taste, as if his thoughts had become much clearer.

But since he wasn't there to enjoy tea, and he didn't see a top-grade third-tier spirit -Spirit Gathering Formation, he was naturally a little disappointed.

His Divine Sense inevitably fell upon the Jade Slip again.

He looked again, but still found nothing. Instead, he discovered that the price of this third-grade high-quality Spirit Gathering Formation was actually higher than he had imagined.

Ye Jingcheng then continued to look at the other spirit medicine and treasures.

Such as some auxiliary medicines for Fourth Stage Crimson Flame Pill and Fourth Stage Golden Scale Pill.

But at this moment, collecting these auxiliary medicines is not very meaningful for Ye Jingcheng.

After all, these Spirit Beast need to advance their bloodline four times, which probably means they need to break through to the Golden Core stage at least.

Of course, Ye Jingcheng saw them and still planned to buy all the spirit medicine.

This time, he came to New An Marketplace in disguise, not afraid of anything. After all, this was the Zhao Kingdom, and even if he showed off his wealth and power, no one would associate it with the Ye Family.

After reading the Jade Slip, Ye Jingcheng Jade Slip it to Chu Yanqing, asking Chu Yanqing to see if there were any treasures she needed.

Chu Yanqing rarely comes out, and the other party needs to refine her own natal magic Law Treasure, which requires a lot of materials, some of which are extremely precious.

After looking around for a while, Chu Yanqing quickly selected several Spirit Material as well.

He then returned the Jade Slip to Ye Jingcheng.

A moment later, a curvaceous and sexy woman walked in. Although she made no wanton movements, Ye Jingcheng could tell from her walk that she was incredibly alluring.

"My name is Shuiyun. I greet you both. You look unfamiliar, so you must be fellow cultivators from other Commandery Region!" The female cultivator's voice was exceptionally sweet, and her eyes were sparkling with tears.

After saying that, she smiled slightly and poured Ye Jingcheng some spiritual tea without making a sound.

"Indeed, they're not from this prefecture, but surely Skyreach Pavilion, a prestigious Golden Core Pavilion, wouldn't bully someone from another prefecture!" Ye Jingcheng said in a less than friendly tone.

"Of course not. I wonder if you have any treasures that catch your eye? I can make the decision to lower the price by 10% for all items!" Ling Shuiyun generously offered again.

Of course, Ye Jingcheng and his companion both knew the meaning behind this remark.

It's just a nice way of saying the price is reduced by 10%; in reality, the price has actually gone up and then down again.

This price reduction is pointless.

"Then thank you very much, fellow Daoist. There are indeed a few treasures that I have my eye on this time!" Although Ye Jingcheng knew perfectly well what was going on, he didn't point it out and instead returned the Jade Slip to Ling Shuiyun.

Several treasures were also marked.

He then spoke:

"Fellow Daoist Yun, do you still have any top-grade third-tier Spirit Gathering Formation and top-grade third-tier spirit-attracting Spirit Stone?"

Ling Shuiyun frowned and began to scrutinize Ye Jingcheng.

"Yes, it is possible, but reservations are required. As you should know, only True Person can craft such a top-grade Spirit Gathering Formation!"

"And third-grade top-quality spirit-attracting Spirit Stone are even rarer; there aren't many in the entire Zhao Kingdom!" Ling Shuiyun paused for a long time before speaking.

Ye Jingcheng noticed the surprised look in the other person's eyes, and saw that they kept looking him over again.

He sensed that the other party had sold it not long ago.

"What's the specific price?" Ye Jingcheng asked.

"The materials for a Tier 3 top-grade Spirit Gathering Formation are currently quite scarce. In addition to 100,000 Spirit Stone, we need to gather at least two kinds of spirit medicine!" Ling Shuiyun also spoke up.

"As for the spirit-attracting Spirit Stone, it will cost 150,000 Spirit Stone, and you must also have two of the following: spirit medicine or elixirs/magic Law Treasure!" Ling Shuiyun said calmly.

They also took a Jade Slip.

Ye Jingcheng took a look and found that the treasures and spirit medicine inside were all at least mid-grade of the third rank or higher.

All things considered, the value of both items exceeds seven or eight hundred thousand Spirit Stone.

Even if the Spirit Vein is upgraded to a top-grade third tier, the price is still a bit high.

After all, besides these, a crucial element of Spirit Vein is a sufficient Spirit Stone.

It would cost at least one or two hundred high-grade Spirit Stone.

Although Ye Jingcheng wasn't short of Spirit Stone, he still spoke in a deep voice:

"Isn't this price a bit too high?"

"Not high, this is the price for all of them. And you probably don't know, but recently, Spirit Gathering Formation and spirit gathering Spirit Stone have been selling extremely well throughout the Zhao Kingdom!" Ling Shuiyun said.

Ye Jingcheng was also taken aback.

"Now some people are even suspecting that it is powerful Aristocratic Clan from other cultivation countries who have come to our Zhao Kingdom to buy Spirit Gathering Formation and spirit-attracting Spirit Stone!" Ling Shuiyun added.

"How long will the Spirit Gathering Formation take?" Ye Jingcheng finally asked after a moment of silence.

The Ye Family does indeed possess the four kinds of spirit medicine mentioned here. These are all rare spirit medicine that can enhance cultivation. These spirit medicine were obtained in the Pill Wasteland Secret Realm. Although Ye Jingcheng used some to refine spiritual pills, he still had some left over.

"A year!" Ling Shuiyun added.

"Of course, it might only take half a year, but since it concerns the cultivation plan of True Person, I cannot make any promises!" Ling Shuiyun added.

After speaking, she looked at Ye Jingcheng and said, "Fellow Daoist, there is a Purple Mansion Trade Fair tomorrow. I wonder if you would be interested in participating?"

"Okay!" Ye Jingcheng nodded.

"Fellow Daoist Yun, I didn't bring Spirit Stone for the Spirit Gathering Formation and the Spirit Stone Attracting Stones, and the spirit medicine also need time to be collected. How about we arrange to pick them up a year from now? Also, could you please get these spirit medicine for me?"

"Of course, but you need to pay a deposit of 30,000 Spirit Stone. In addition, the price of these spirit medicine is 230,000 Spirit Stone. We will reduce the price by 10% and round down to 200,000 Spirit Stone!" Ling Shuiyun said generously.

Ye Jingcheng also took out the Spirit Stone, in exchange for a Skyreach Token given to him by Ling Shuiyun, as well as some auxiliary materials for Fourth Stage Advancement Pill.

"Fellow Daoist Yun, may I inquire who exactly is gathering so many Spirit Gathering Formation?"

"Could something big be happening soon? As an elder of a Golden Core Lineage, do you have any additional information?" Ye Jingcheng asked two questions in a row.

A hint of urgency appeared on his face.

"I'm not entirely sure about that either, but I can tell you, fellow Daoist, that according to our Ling Family's statistics, in the past twenty years, both the Zhao Kingdom and Jin Kingdom have been collecting Spirit Gathering Formation and Spirit Stone -attracting stones!" Ling Shuiyun said.

"Otherwise, the price of the Spirit Gathering Formation and spirit-attracting Spirit Stone wouldn't have increased by at least 30%."

"Therefore, if you are about to break through, you should go into seclusion as soon as possible."

After saying that, he took out a Skyreach Token and poured tea for Ye Jingcheng again.

Fill the teacup before seeing the guest off.

Although Ye Jingcheng wanted to ask more questions, he knew that he wouldn't get any answers even if he did.

Collect Spirit Gathering Formation and spirit-attracting Spirit Stone on a large scale.

This is absolutely a massive undertaking.

It also requires a large Lineage and influence.

The amount of Spirit Stone consumed was countless, which also indicates that someone was secretly accumulating power.

With so many Spirit Gathering Formation, it is highly likely that a massive mountain Spirit Vein, like the Taichang Mountain Range, will appear.

Furthermore, with more of these Spirit Vein, they are more likely to be gathered into Fourth Stage or even Fifth Stage Spirit Vein using Array!

Such news either indicates the emergence of a new Fifth Stage power, or that someone is preparing to break through to the Nascent Soul.

No wonder the prices of Spirit Gathering Formation and spirit-attracting Spirit Stone have risen so much, and they even need to be pre-ordered.

Ye Jingcheng pondered the Golden Core Faction of the Zhao Kingdom and Jin Kingdom, but ultimately still had no clue.

As for Nascent Soul sects, Ye Jingcheng wouldn't even consider them.

The Spirit Vein of Nascent Soul sects are all Fifth Stage Spirit Vein, and if they wanted to collect Spirit Gathering Formation and spirit attracting Spirit Stone, they would not need to do it in secret.

Only when subordinate forces have accumulated enough power and are ready to fight back will they do so.

Of course, Ye Jingcheng wouldn't completely believe Ling Shuiyun's words. He could easily find out such information by continuing to investigate.

Because of concerns about the emergence of new Nascent Soul forces, it wasn't just Ye Jingcheng who was worried; others were too.

The resources of the nearby cultivation kingdoms are limited. The emergence of a major power will not only lead to a fierce battle within the Cultivation World, but also a reshuffling of resources.

After leaving Skyreach Pavilion, Ye Jingcheng continued to browse through all the shops in New An Marketplace.

Apart from the Ling Family, none of the other Lineage possessed even a mid-grade third-level Spirit Gathering Formation or a spirit-attracting Spirit Stone.

Even the Jia Family, who had purchased the Gold Condensation Pill.

After a day of shopping, Ye Jingcheng bought mostly refining Spirit Material for Chu Yanqing, aside from some spirit medicine.

After all, Ye Jingcheng had his Lineage help him collect things before, but for Chu Yanqing, even if she could get the Ye Family to collect things, it would mostly be for what she needed at the moment.

But now, with Ye Jingcheng, she doesn't need to worry about so much; she can buy anything that's useful.

The following day, Ye Jingcheng and Chu Yanqing also attended the Purple Mansion Trade Fair.

However, the trade fair did not go as Ye Jingcheng had hoped. Although it was called a trade fair, there were only about ten Purple Mansion cultivators present, all of whom were from various Purple Mansion Aristocratic Clan in New Peace Commandery and the Ling Family Purple Mansion.

Ye Jingcheng has now broken through to the late stage of the Purple Mansion, and ordinary third-tier treasures are truly not worth his attention.

In the end, I only bought a White Ganoderma Crane Spirit Beast.

However, this white crane Spirit Beast Cubs was not bought by Ye Jingcheng himself, but by Chu Yanqing.

Moreover, this cub can advance three times. Although its talent is not very high, it is still acceptable.

The key is that Chu Yanqing likes it.

Since the idea of raising Spirit Beast was rarely mentioned, Ye Jingcheng naturally wouldn't refuse.

Ye Jingcheng also attended the auction, but just like at the trade fair, he didn't gain anything significant.

Clearly, he overestimated the value of ordinary auctions these days.

Now, if he wants to make a profit, he needs to attend a transnational auction or trade fair hosted by a long-established Golden Core Faction.

Otherwise, the final treasures are usually Purple Palace Jade Liquid, or some elixirs that increase the chance of breaking through to the Purple Mansion, as well as some high-grade third-tier Law Treasure.

But none of these things held any appeal for Ye Jingcheng.

If the Gold Condensation Pill were to appear, Ye Jingcheng might have some ideas.

After all, there is a chance of failure when breaking through to the Golden Core stage, and other members of the Ye Family also need to Gold Condensation Pill.

After spending a few more days in New An Marketplace, Ye Jingcheng left the market and embarked on his journey back to Soaring Cloud Peak.

The two of them were in no hurry along the way, treating it as a leisurely journey.

Enjoying this rare moment.

Chu Yanqing at Soaring Cloud Peak for over thirty years was actually somewhat repressed. Even though she didn't say it, Ye Jingcheng could tell from the month they spent together.

He finally got out; if he were to rush back, that would be selfish of him.

Moreover, he is now in the late stage of the Purple Mansion and is not far from the peak of the Purple Mansion. He needs to prepare for both travel and mental training at the same time.

Both breaking through to the Golden Core stage and breaking through to the Purple Mansion Foundation Establishment involve the Heart Demon Tribulation.

It also tests the cultivator's character.

The stronger one's will, the weaker Heart Demon Tribulation become.

Such a mindset and temperament require a wealth of experience and a calm, unwavering attitude.

Ye Jingcheng acknowledged his shortcomings in this regard, given the great secrets he carried and the heavy burdens he bore.

The breeze, without warning, suddenly became urgent.

Heavy rain poured down, accompanied by distant lightning and Thunderclap.

The rumbling sound echoed throughout the heavens and the earth.

Two figures strolled along a mountain path.

But he showed no sign of urgency.

They seemed completely unconcerned that the heavy rain would soak them.

Instead, they were all smiles, teasing and joking around.

The two were Ye Jingcheng Chu Yanqing, who had returned from the Zhao Kingdom.

What should have been a journey of less than half a month took the two of them more than three months to complete.

During this time, one can enjoy the lake and flowers, rise with the sun, and rest with the moon.

He began a life of traveling thousands of miles in the mortal world.

"Brother Cheng, did you ever play in the rain when you were a child?" Chu Yanqing rarely asked.

His face now showed no trace of the weariness he had shown before.

Instead, it exudes a youthful innocence and a rare sense of joy.

Ye Jingcheng knew that Chu Yanqing, like him, carried a lot on her shoulders, probably because she had received Lineage education and expectations since Lineage.

With the destruction of the Chu Family, Chu Yanqing hadn't truly laughed in a long time.

But during those three months, Ye Jingcheng saw a smile on her face every day.

"Of course I have!" Ye Jingcheng nodded. Not counting his previous life, even in White Cloud Town, he had experienced it.

At that time, he could only live outside the Ascension Hall, relying on the old town mayor's support.

"I haven't!" Chu Yanqing said.

These words startled Ye Jingcheng.

"My life was planned out when I was three years old. What I could and couldn't do was written down clearly!" Chu Yanqing said, looking up at the sky.

"But getting wet in the rain and playing around are forbidden."

"I started memorizing the materials for Spirit Artifact when I was five years old, the properties of those Spirit Material, the array patterns, and even the names and techniques of the key figures from nearby forces!"

"In other people's eyes, I can't be worse than anyone else."

The rain poured down, soaking the two of them and wetting their hair.

It also blurred their vision.

"However, I don't hate him!" Chu Yanqing then smiled and spoke again.

That smile seemed to bring her complete relief—relief for the Chu Family, and relief for all her unpleasant past.

"Thank you, Brother Cheng!" Chu Yanqing said.

"There's nothing to thank me for. I should be thanking you!" Ye Jingcheng shook his head.

Chu Yanqing did not continue to answer.

He just kept smiling.

She knew Ye Jingcheng probably wouldn't understand.

But she knew that a family head, or someone on whom the hopes of the entire Lineage were placed, could never be idle.

Her father was like that, and so was she afterward; she also saw Ye Jingcheng as such.

Unlike her father, who couldn't find the time, Ye Jingcheng did.

I spent three months accompanying her on her journey back to the mountains.

Together, we savor this precious moment in life.

Life is only a few hundred years long, and how many years can one truly enjoy?

"Brother Cheng, wait for us to go back, I'm not waiting anymore..."