As the middle-aged man in green robes laughed, the four hall masters in the stone pavilion immediately rose and walked out to greet him, cupping their fists with courteous expressions.
Even Lin Changkong, the rather proud master of the Golden Gang Sword Hall, adopted a humble manner.
After all, a market master was effectively the administrator of all Qingyuan Market. The pressure of Primordial Qi that the new market master, Zhou Xuan, had revealed earlier also made everyone realize that he was a Divine Ability Master with a deep foundation.
In terms of strength, he was no weaker than any of them.
"Greetings, Market Master Zhou Xuan."
The four hall masters, all renowned throughout Qingyuan Market, cupped their fists to Zhou Xuan in welcome.
"Haha, I have long known the names of all four hall masters." Zhou Xuan laughed heartily and cupped his fists. He was just as courteous to them, for Divine Ability Masters were important figures anywhere. Even as master of Qingyuan Market, he could not treat them lightly.
Qingyuan Market was especially close to the "Black Rain Zone." Every year when the rainy season broke, "Rain Spawn" would burst through the seal and form a "Black Tide" that ravaged the surrounding lands. At such times, the strength of the market administration was not enough; support from the Divine Ability Halls and Divine Ability clans was also needed.
Otherwise, if the market city fell and suffered heavy casualties, he would be held accountable even if he survived.
With both sides eager to establish friendly relations, they exchanged pleasantries, and the atmosphere grew warm.
While these important figures talked, the youths from the four Divine Ability Halls kept stealing glances behind Market Master Zhou Xuan. A girl in emerald-green robes stood there, her skin whiter than snow. Against her green clothes, she resembled frost and snow exposed amid lush grass.
Her dark brows were like distant mountains, and her almond-shaped eyes were bright. Her waist was exceptionally slender, yet above it her figure curved into a remarkably full, heavy swell-plump fruit on a slender branch.
In both looks and bearing, she far surpassed Gao Yu and Lin Zhao of the Golden Gang Sword Hall.
Not only was Lü Xiao of the Red Sand Hall staring straight at her face, but even Wang Chen of the Golden Gang Sword Hall cast discreet glances her way from time to time.
Lu Ming also looked at her twice, but quickly withdrew his gaze. Thanks to Jingyi, he was quite resistant to a pretty face.
"Hehe, allow me to introduce everyone. This is my niece, Zhou Fuling. She condensed her Divine Ability Dharma Mark a few days ago and became a Great Divine Ability Practitioner. She has now come with me to Qingyuan Market to gain experience." Seemingly noticing the youths' furtive glances, Market Master Zhou Xuan could not help smiling and took the initiative to introduce her.
"What? She's already a Great Divine Ability Practitioner?!"
At Zhou Xuan's words, Wang Chen, Lü Xiao, Gao Yu, and the others could not help changing color. They gazed in shock at the green-robed girl before them, who seemed to be about their age.
Even the four Divine Ability Masters, including Lu Jin and Lin Changkong, gave Zhou Fuling a second look. Such speed in cultivation showed that her talent was exceptional. More importantly, of course, the cultivation resources she enjoyed were also first-rate, far beyond anything the disciples of their Divine Ability Halls could compare with.
Under their astonished gazes, Zhou Fuling smiled faintly and addressed them with easy poise. "Hello, everyone. I hope we'll have many chances to exchange pointers in the future."
Wang Chen and Lü Xiao greeted her with smiles and eagerly responded.
"Miss Fuling, you've only just arrived in Qingyuan Market. If you're interested, we can show you around sometime."
Zhou Fuling smiled and nodded.
Lu Ming stayed to one side and did not go forward to speak. He glanced at Zhou Fuling's eyes and could faintly sense the slight distance hidden beneath her smile. Clearly, she did not think much of outstanding disciples from Divine Ability Halls like them; she simply had the good breeding not to show it.
That was only natural. Zhou Xuan had been able to descend upon Qingyuan Market and take the post of market master, so he presumably had some backing. As his niece, Zhou Fuling was naturally no ordinary person either.
Lin Zhao of the Golden Gang Sword Hall, on the other hand, looked rather displeased when she saw Wang Chen, whom she admired, also fawning over Zhou Fuling.
As the younger generation talked, Lu Jin suddenly cupped his fists to Zhou Xuan. "Market Master Zhou Xuan, there is a matter in which I would ask you to accommodate me."
"Oh? Please, Hall Master Lu, speak freely," Zhou Xuan said with a smile.
"Some days ago, my Thunderfire Hall placed in the top ten at the Divine Ability Hall competition in Fengyang Prefecture. By convention, the market administration would grant a reward, but since the position of market master was vacant at the time, the matter was put aside..." Lu Jin said slowly.
The reward was substantial. By past convention, it consisted of three "Mark Condensation Pills," worth five thousand grains of Heavenly Gold Sand at market price-not a small sum.
Hearing this, Lu Ming's gaze grew somewhat conflicted. Zhang Yue had represented the Thunderfire Hall and secured that top-ten placing. Though the hall had also invested many resources in it, Zhang Yue's role had been irreplaceable, no matter how one looked at it.
Given Lu Jin's temperament, after the disgraceful affair of Zhang Yue leaving the hall, he would never mention anything connected to him again.
Yet now he had brought up the competition result of his own accord, in front of everyone. What was it for?
It was for none other than Lu Ming, to secure as many cultivation resources for him as possible. For that, Lu Jin did not hesitate to swallow his pride.
"Oh?"
Hearing this, Zhou Xuan smiled. "If that is the case, then naturally the reward should be granted according to convention."
"Wait. Market Master Zhou Xuan, don't let him deceive you." Just then, a voice suddenly rang out with a cold laugh. It was Shi Tong, master of the Red Sand Hall.
Seeing Shi Tong butt in, Lu Jin's face immediately turned colder.
"What do you mean by that, Hall Master Shi?" Zhou Xuan's smile faded slightly, and he frowned.
"Market Master Zhou Xuan, you've only just arrived in Qingyuan Market, so there's something you don't know. The Thunderfire Hall placed in the top ten at that Divine Ability Hall competition in Fengyang Prefecture thanks to a member of the hall named Zhang Yue. By convention, that reward should go to Zhang Yue... but amusingly enough, Zhang Yue left the Thunderfire Hall a few days ago and joined the Great Golden Crow Hall."
"So, by convention, the reward should be canceled as well. Hall Master Lu's request is plainly an attempt to take advantage of your recent arrival and deceive you." Shi Tong's voice dripped with mockery, and he did not forget to stir up trouble.
The disciples of the other three Divine Ability Halls all looked at the Thunderfire Hall members with strange expressions. Lü Xiao and the others from the Red Sand Hall even laughed out loud.
They presumably all thought Lu Jin had grown senile, daring to bring up such a disgraceful affair in public.
Yet there was no emotion on Lu Jin's aged face. Instead, he calmly said to Zhou Xuan, "Market Master Zhou Xuan, Zhang Yue did indeed contribute a great deal to that result, but my Thunderfire Hall also invested heavily. I do not believe the hall's contribution should be disregarded because he left."
Zhou Xuan glanced at Shi Tong and Lu Jin, who were facing off against each other, and understood that there was considerable enmity between the two Divine Ability Halls. Having just arrived, he had no wish to become entangled in such matters, so he immediately asked the masters of the Golden Gang Sword Hall and Mountain Moving Hall, "What do Hall Master Lin and Hall Master Shen think of this?"
Shen Tai, master of the Mountain Moving Hall, remained silent, clearly unwilling to get involved.
Everyone's eyes turned to Lin Changkong. As master of the foremost hall in Qingyuan Market, his words obviously carried the most weight.
Under their gazes, Lin Changkong lifted his eyelids slightly. "Hall Master Lu, this reward isn't entirely clean for you either. Why insist on getting involved with it?" he said calmly.
Lu Ming's heart sank at those words, and he gave Lin Changkong a startled, puzzled look.
The Golden Gang Sword Hall had always been happy to see the Thunderfire Hall and Red Sand Hall fight. After all, as the leader, it naturally wished for the second and third halls to beat each other bloody.
But this time, Lin Changkong had changed his stance. Beneath his indifferent manner, Lu Ming faintly sensed a trace of inexplicable hostility.
Why was that?
Lu Jin's expression also darkened slightly. He gave Lin Changkong a long look, but said no more. With two hall masters opposed, the reward would presumably come to nothing.
For a moment, the atmosphere grew tense and oppressive.
Seeing this, Zhou Xuan pondered briefly, then suddenly smiled. "There's no need to argue, everyone. I have a suggestion..."
The four hall masters all gave him face and looked over.
Zhou Xuan smiled. "I was going to activate the Yuan Qi Earth Veins today anyway. When I do, the Primordial Qi of heaven and earth will gather here and form the 'Primordial Qi Pavilion.'"
He pointed to the towering stone pavilion in the very center. It was spacious, with several stone meditation cushions visible inside. "Let the Divine Ability practitioners of the four halls enter the 'Primordial Qi Pavilion' and undergo Primordial Qi Infusion. If one of the last three remaining is a Thunderfire Hall disciple, then the previous reward will be granted as usual, as a prize. If not, it will be canceled. What do you say?"
Zhou Xuan's proposal offended neither side. It gave the Thunderfire Hall a way forward while leaving the Red Sand Hall no reason to keep pressing the matter.
Lu Jin understood that this was the new market master's final concession. He said no more and cupped his fists. "Then we shall do as you say, Market Master."
Shi Tong narrowed his eyes and considered it. Under Zhou Xuan's arrangement, someone from the Thunderfire Hall would have to finish in the top three during the "Primordial Qi Infusion" to obtain the reward.
Shi Tong glanced at Wang Chen and Lin Zhao of the Golden Gang Sword Hall. Those two were bound to have what it took to last until the end, not to mention Lü Xiao of his Red Sand Hall and Luo Yan of the Mountain Moving Hall.
On the Thunderfire Hall's side, Yuan Da was a good-for-nothing with a Low-Grade Divine Ability Bone and no potential whatsoever. Gao Yu might be able to contend for a place, but even she might not succeed...
At that thought, a smile appeared on Shi Tong's face, and he nodded his agreement to Zhou Xuan.
"The market master is fair indeed. Let's do that."