Jade Glass Market

Xu Xuan arrived at Jade Glass Market at noon. Crowds streamed through it like woven threads, with a tower every five paces and a pavilion every ten. Peach and plum blossoms vied for beauty along the roads, while visitors and elegantly dressed ladies passed in an endless procession.

Jade Glass Market stood at the center of the Great Scenery Plains, jointly established by its various clans. Fighting was strictly forbidden within the market, which had rules of its own.

Late-stage Qi Refining cultivators guarded the market. Who would dare cause trouble?

Xu Xuan still wore his plain, old-fashioned black robe, with a middle-grade Qi Refining vestment called [Sleeping Locust Shade] beneath it. An artifact of the wood virtue path, it could dispel calamity and cleanse karmic burdens, repel blood and filth, and constantly purify his body and mend his injuries. Its protection against blades and flames, however, was somewhat lacking.

The Foundation Establishment magic sword [Constant Light] was far too precious, so he had naturally left it at the abbey. This time, he carried a middle-grade Qi Refining magic sword, [Cinnabar Thunder], which belonged to the abbey and had been bestowed upon him by his master during his Qi Refining years.

The Great Red Abbey had once enjoyed some renown in Red Cloud, with Chongyangzi, a Foundation Establishment sword immortal, presiding over it. But nearly nine years had passed since that elder's death. The abbey had declined badly and was now at odds with the Lotus Temple. Though some recognized Xu Xuan, few approached to greet him.

As he walked along the road, golden terraces and jade towers filled his sight, and vendors' cries rang without pause. Many mortals also did business here, showing little fear of the cultivators. Most were likely collateral descendants or servants of aristocratic clans.

Tea shops and taverns flew blue banners high, their braziers filled with glowing charcoal.

Knowing the way well, Xu Xuan arrived before a small shop. Its sign bore the large characters [Many Treasures Shop]. It looked quite old, all its gold paint worn away to expose the pitch-black base beneath.

There were no other customers inside. The cramped shop was packed with miscellaneous odds and ends, mostly ungraded objects that Qi Refining cultivators would not spare a glance.

"Wang Ya, Wang Ya! You've got a customer. Come out."

Xu Xuan entered and, seeing no one, called out several times. Only then did a short old man crawl out from beneath the heaps of clutter. Dressed in a thoroughly ridiculous black outfit, with white hair and beard, he swept his darting eyes over Xu Xuan and approached with a smile.

"Why, it's the master of the Great Red Abbey. What brings you to my little shop? All I have here is junk. I'm afraid none of it could catch your esteemed sect's discerning eye."

Wang Ya adopted a thoroughly humble posture. Though the Great Red Abbey had fallen on hard times in recent years, it was still a lineage that had once been presided over by a Foundation Establishment cultivator. Xu Xuan was formidable in battle, his Sword Qi intimidating. He had fought the old monk Cihai of the Lotus Temple and won by a narrow margin, earning himself some renown.

For someone like Wang Ya, who had spent years scrambling through the world of business, backbone and dignity were long gone. Naturally, his face was all flattery now, his only hope that Xu Xuan had some spirit stones or treasures to spend.

"Do you have any Foundation Establishment-grade Spirit Treasures? Preferably something of the Wu Earth path, of decent quality and presentable enough to give as a gift."

The Chen Household cultivated the earth virtue path, and most of its inherited cultivation methods drew upon mountain roots and earth veins. A treasure of the Wu Earth path would naturally be a fitting gift.

In its dealings with the Chen Household, the Great Red Abbey had exchanged gifts that were either Foundation Establishment resources or top-tier Qi Refining Spirit Treasures. Xu Xuan now hoped to use the birthday celebration to renew their friendship, giving the Lotus Temple something to fear and buying himself time to reach Foundation Establishment.

"You must be joking, Fellow Daoist Xu. This shop is full of junk. I don't even have Qi Refining resources. Where would I find Foundation Establishment Spirit Treasures?"

Wang Ya remained humble, but his words carried a hint of refusal.

Seeing this, Xu Xuan said little. He merely let a trace of his aura seep out, revealing his fifth-level Qi Refining cultivation, and chuckled.

"You may not have one, but you must have information. Most of the illicit trade beneath Jade Glass Market passes through your hands. How could you never come across a Foundation Establishment treasure?"

Wang Ya stiffened slightly, and his entire presence abruptly changed. Before, he had been a caged sparrow, chirping to curry favor. Now, he was a crow in the forest, dark and brooding, no longer that pathetic little old man. His aura rose as well. He, too, was a Qi Refining cultivator, already at the third level.

"You certainly are well informed. Come with me."

Unwilling to say more, Wang Ya led Xu Xuan to a small courtyard and opened an array, revealing a deep, dark tunnel.

"After you, fellow Daoist." Wang Ya stepped inside first, beckoning Xu Xuan to follow.

Xu Xuan silently tightened his grip on the talisman in his hand. Within his qi sea, [Cinnabar Thunder] stirred, ready to strike at any moment. Only then did he follow.

After they had walked down the tunnel for an indeterminate time, the passage suddenly opened into a brightly lit cavern as large as the entire Jade Glass Market. Cultivators moved about everywhere inside, each either wounded or stained with blood. Clearly, none were people to trifle with.

With a single glance, Xu Xuan recognized several rogue cultivators notorious in the outside world, most of whom made their living licking blood from a blade's edge. He dared not look too closely, lest he provoke a confrontation.

"Do you know what business I'm in, Fellow Daoist Xu?"

Wang Ya now seemed like an entirely different man, his tone dark and deep, like a veteran demonic fiend.

"I've opened a ghost market beneath the market above. These rogue cultivators trade here in things they've obtained through murder, robbery, or grave digging. The two parties never meet in person. Only my people act as intermediaries."

Wang Ya led Xu Xuan into a cave residence with blue bricks and white walls, illuminated by lamps burning merfolk oil. He opened an array and asked Xu Xuan to wait, then soon returned with a wooden box.

"Take a look, fellow Daoist. This is a spiritual treasure of the Wu Earth path. Its provenance could just about be called clean."

The box was carved from green wood and engraved with a levitation talisman array. Clearly, the object inside was extremely heavy, for even Wang Ya struggled to hold it.

Xu Xuan took it with a steady hand, earning a more appreciative look from Wang Ya.

When he opened the box, earth qi gushed out in a yellow haze. Inside lay a pearl that looked neither quite like wood nor quite like stone. It was strange indeed.

"An [Earth Mother's Benevolent Pearl] of the Wu Earth path. It came from Heavenwater Commandery to the north. A cultivation lineage there was destroyed, and someone fled here with its treasures, only to be killed. That's how it ended up here."

Xu Xuan had heard of the [Earth Mother's Benevolent Pearl]. It could nourish a cultivator's body, and when paired with the proper cultivation method and refined appropriately, it could make the body as immovable as a towering mountain. Cultivators of earth virtue prized it highly.

"It's a fine treasure, but what about the price?"

Xu Xuan felt uncertain. He had only twenty mid-grade spirit stones on him. An ordinary Foundation Establishment treasure or Foundation Establishment Pill cost thirty, while those of better quality went for fifty mid-grade spirit stones or more.

"The seller will only accept a Foundation Establishment treasure of the wood virtue path. Nothing else."

Xu Xuan was troubled. To guard against unexpected circumstances, he had brought one of the sect's last-resort Foundation Establishment Spirit Treasures, a [Red-Patterned Firestone] of the Bing Fire path, worth roughly thirty mid-grade spirit stones. But it was not of the wood virtue path.

"They won't take spirit stones? Only an exchange?"

Xu Xuan asked one last time, with a touch of hope.

"For anyone else, naturally, they wouldn't agree. But since it's you, Fellow Daoist Xu, I could mention your name and perhaps negotiate a little. It's just that-"

Wang Ya smiled, greed showing on his face.

Xu Xuan took an upper-grade Fetal Breath artifact from his mustard-seed pouch, handed it to Wang Ya, and said quietly:

"I hope you'll do what you can, fellow Daoist."

Wang Ya nodded and accepted it. The wrinkles on his face bunched together as he smiled.

"Rest assured, fellow Daoist. I know the seller well. Let me go ask again."

Wang Ya left. Xu Xuan waited for an hour before he returned, smiling.

"Have you worked something out?" Xu Xuan asked eagerly.

"Indeed. But when that person heard you were the Abbot of the Great Red Abbey, they asked to speak with you in person. If things work out, you can take this [Earth Mother's Benevolent Pearl] without spending a single coin, and gain plenty of other benefits besides."

Wang Ya leaned closer, his expression mysterious.

Xu Xuan did not believe his spiel. Nothing in this world came with benefits and no strings attached. He would have to meet the seller and discuss the details.

Wang Ya led Xu Xuan farther down the tunnel to a deeper cave residence.

The cultivators here were all at Qi Refining. Wang Ya led Xu Xuan into a side room, then gave a chuckle and left ahead of him.

Inside sat a young gentleman in blue, handsome and refined beyond the mundane. A pretty maid stood beside him, brewing tea and attending to his needs.

"Please, have a seat, fellow Daoist."

Seeing Xu Xuan enter, the man's eyes lit up, and he rose to greet him.

"I am Liu Qiuqi, a disciple of the Liu Clan."

The Liu Clan-presumably the one on the Great Scenery Plains. It was on good terms with Returning Spring Valley, and the two showed signs of forming an alliance.

But the Liu Clan's Foundation Establishment cultivator had also died in the demonic beast calamity six years ago. Its circumstances were much like those of Xu Xuan's Great Red Abbey.

"Xu Xuan, of the Great Red Abbey."

Xu Xuan returned the greeting and sat at the table. The maid served him spiritual tea. He quietly sampled a few sips, finding only a faint bitterness on his tongue and no flavor he could discern, though his thoughts did feel a little clearer.

"This is [Jade Leaf], produced exclusively by my clan. What do you think, Fellow Daoist Xu?"

The other man's brows lifted as he looked at Xu Xuan.

"Fine tea. But I'm a rough sort, so I couldn't tell you much more than that," Xu Xuan replied honestly.

"Are you interested in my [Earth Mother's Benevolent Pearl]?"

Liu Qiuqi grew serious as he turned to business, shedding his earlier air of an elegant young gentleman.

"I am. But I don't have a spiritual treasure of the wood virtue path. If you wanted one of fire virtue, I could find it."

"There's no rush, fellow Daoist. I have a bigger deal waiting for you. If it succeeds, you're welcome to take the [Earth Mother's Benevolent Pearl]."

Liu Qiuqi spoke earnestly, as though he had arranged everything entirely for Xu Xuan's benefit.

Xu Xuan did not rush to agree. Instead, he first asked carefully:

"What is this matter? Please explain it clearly, fellow Daoist. If it involves murder and robbery, I'm afraid I won't be able to join you."

Liu Qiuqi shook his head and took out a feather fan, waving it lightly. It was actually an upper-grade Qi Refining artifact. It seemed the Liu Clan still had a more substantial foundation than the Great Red Abbey.

"No, no, you've misunderstood. Abbey Master Xu, are you aware of the current situation between the Seven Azure Peaks and the Great Scenery Plains?"

"The situation? Please enlighten me, fellow Daoist."

Liu Qiuqi's expression darkened, as though this had troubled him for a long time. He took out a map and carefully pointed things out to Xu Xuan.

"When the Demon Calamity swept through, both Green Peaks and Great Jing suffered. Almost all the Foundation Establishment cultivators and promising late-stage Qi Refining disciples of the various sects died. Those left are people of our generation."

"Don't let my youthful appearance fool you. My clan has effective methods for preserving our looks. I'm already in my forties."

As he spoke, Liu Qiuqi's aura climbed. He, too, had reached the fifth level of Qi Refining.

"Even if people of our generation have a chance of reaching Foundation Establishment, the earliest will probably be forty years from now."

Xu Xuan nodded, though he estimated that another thirty years of diligent cultivation would let him break through.

Liu Qiuqi raised his spiritual tea and drained it in one gulp, as though the cup were full of strong liquor.

"Between the Seven Azure Peaks and the Great Scenery Plains, only the Chen Household and the Zhu Clan currently have Foundation Establishment cultivators presiding over them. The Chen Household's old patriarch suffered a hidden injury and has little lifespan left. He has no appetite for expansion. But the Zhu Clan's patriarch is in his prime, brimming with ambition."

Liu Qiuqi took out a vermilion brush and marked five factions, one after another. Xu Xuan's Great Red Abbey was among them.

"To reach Foundation Establishment, the Sixth Layer of Qi Refining is a threshold. Only those who reach it before fifty have any hope. You of the Great Red Abbey, myself of the Liu Clan, and the younger members of the Hollow Sword Gate, the Wu Clan, and the Duan Clan all have a chance. But-"

The room was dim, the merfolk-oil lamps casting a ghostly blue light. Liu Qiuqi's handsome face twisted until he looked like a malicious ghost, and he spoke in a chilling voice:

"The Wu Clan's young heir encountered bandits yesterday and was beheaded. His corpse had hundreds upon hundreds of blade wounds. When will it be your turn or mine?"