Night spread darkly across the heavens, and the celestial river shone overhead. A huge treasure ship lay anchored in the waters off Nine-Wan Island, its scattered lights turning the sea below into another glittering starry sky.
Guests gathered aboard the enormous treasure ship, where the Market Gathering following the founding ceremony had now been relocated.
The Money Guild and the Rare Treasures Tower knew how to seize a business opportunity. They were also helping the Incense Accumulation Sect entertain its guests, so they had simply brought over a treasure ship stocked with rare curios and unusual treasures for the visitors to purchase.
By now, however, the treasures appearing at this Market Gathering were no longer the subject of everyone's conversation. Instead, they discussed the distinctive Incense-Burning Banquet held that day, and True Person Zixu's fleeting, breathtaking appearance during it.
"I never imagined a Nascent Soul cultivator would actually come in person."
"What sort of background do you think Fellow Daoist Li has? Why do I feel True Person Zixu attaches an extraordinary amount of importance to him?"
"Who knows? Perhaps he encountered some great fortune and inherited a senior's Incense Path legacy. Or perhaps he's that person's blood descendant..."
"Whatever the case, the Incense Accumulation Sect has secured its footing here."
"Yes. With a Nascent Soul cultivator backing it, it certainly has some potential. It might not endure as long as those truly great sects, but a few hundred or even a thousand years shouldn't be a problem."
"The Money Guild seems ready to take this opportunity to issue bonds to fund them. Do you think we should invest?"
"If you have money to spare, you ought to put in at least a little. This is practically guaranteed profit with no risk of loss."
"I've already made preparations. Once I