"Fellow Daoist Jiang, I trust you've been well."
Inside a cave dwelling in the valley's rocky wall, Li Ling once again met Jiang Binghua, leader of the Fushan Five Friends, whom he had first met at Seven Waters Pass.
Jiang Binghua was now the valley's acting master, but he still dared not slight Li Ling and his wife. He greeted them warmly. "I never expected the honor of a visit from you two."
Li Ling handed over a gift list. "Congratulations to all five of you on settling here. We've prepared a few modest gifts as a token of our regard."
Jiang Binghua accepted it with a puzzled expression, glanced over it, and immediately brightened with delight.
These were all supplies used by ordinary mortals. Though useless to most rogue cultivators, they were quite valuable to him.
"Charcoal delivered in the snow! How thoughtful of you, Fellow Daoist Li!" Jiang Binghua did not stand on ceremony and accepted the gifts at once.
As they spoke, the other members of the Five Friends arrived, and Li Ling took the opportunity to ask about affairs in the valley.
Although neither party was subordinate to the other, and they were not accountable to Li Ling for their work, anyone with eyes could see that this couple were highly favored disciples under the Old Ancestor. Their questions still deserved careful answers.
Jiang Binghua therefore seized the chance to pour out his woes, recounting the many difficulties of taking over Spirit Valley.
As for the Market Gathering, it had all but withered away. Only a little over a hundred cultivators still kept it going out of habit.
They had also recruited some friends and relatives of their own, barely managing to maintain basic operations.
"Fellow Daoist Li, as you know, Market Gatherings are held on