The Jade Spring Sect built markets in all directions, with the sect's location in Sunken Jade Valley as the center. The closer the market was to the sect's location, the larger the number of various cultivation materials and Spirit Stone that circulated daily.
Chen Shuangbai descended from the clouds and landed not far from Flowing Immortal Market. Before the disciple of the Dharma lineage could even ask her anything, she saw the bells on the archway start to ring out without any wind, producing a series of melodious sounds.
The disciples on duty immediately turned their gazes towards him. Their previously somewhat bored eyes instantly sharpened, and they all bowed towards Chen Shuangbai, chanting in unison, "Welcome, Senior Brother Shangzong."
To show closeness, the main sect of the Jade Spring Sect and its many lineages often address each other as fellow disciples.
However, to show respect for their family's lineage, those who follow a lineage often add the word "lineage" to their name.
Chen Shuangbai was taken aback. Looking at the bell that was moving without wind, and noticing that his Jade Spring Disciple jade token was also activated, he realized that this was intentional on the part of the sect.
He returned the greeting to his fellow disciples and said, "Thank you for your hard work, fellow disciples."
He was looking for someone, not going back to his parents' home, so naturally he didn't want to make a big fuss.
The disciples of the Dharma lineage hurriedly returned the greeting and respectfully welcomed Chen Shuangbai inside.
Upon contact, Chen Shuangbai immediately sensed the cultivation levels of these individuals. They were mostly at the first Qi Refining First Layer, with the Third Layer of Qi Refinement. However... judging from the graying temples of the leader, he was clearly quite old.
After welcoming Chen Shuangbai inside, the six of them returned to their original state.
There was not a trace of surprise on their faces.
This place is close to the main sect, so it's not unusual for disciples of the Jade Spring Sect to come here from time to time.
Upon entering the market, a hustle and bustle, along with a chaotic atmosphere, immediately envelops you.
The streets are wide and paved with smooth bluestone slabs. Shops line both sides of the street, at varying heights. Some are grand and imposing, with eye-catching signs, either belonging to sects or large merchant guilds. Others are small private shops that sell all sorts of strange items, talismans, and Law Artifact.
What surprised Chen Shuangbai even more was that this place actually had a special area set aside for those Rogue Cultivator, similar to a flea market, where they could sell various kinds of spiritual flowers and herbs, broken talismans, Law Artifact, and the like.
Chen Shuangbai slowed her pace, walking and looking around.
He had been in seclusion in the mountains for a long time, and even Cloud Peak Small Market was sparsely populated. Now that he had come to such a bustling place, he felt particularly nostalgic.
Within the market town, no disciples were seen patrolling, yet no one caused any trouble.
It wasn't that the Jade Spring Sect thought its reputation was great enough to intimidate cultivators across the land; rather, it was because of... that aura that constantly lingered above the market town—
That's a powerful aura that only cultivators at the Foundation Establishment possess!
After a cultivator breaks through from the Great Perfection of Qi Refining to the Foundation Establishment Realm, their spiritual consciousness transforms into Divine Sense. Just a sweep of this Divine Sense can put immense pressure on those Qi Refining cultivators.
It was because of this powerful Divine Sense that no one dared to cause trouble here.
"This place is indeed close to the sect's location, so it's normal for there to be a Foundation Establishment cultivator guarding it. I just wonder if it's one of the twelve Foundation Establishment the sect openly acknowledges, as the Book Spirit mentioned."
Chen Shuangbai walked into the crowd, bypassing the flow of people, and went straight to the center of the market.
We walked and stopped along the way, eventually stopping at the entrance of a rather secluded but elegant little courtyard.
Two servants stood at the door, both strong and powerful, but neither possessed any cultivation.
Having spent a long time in this place as mortals, these two had developed a keen eye for such things. Upon seeing Chen Shuangbai's otherworldly appearance, they immediately recognized her as a cultivator. One of them stepped forward, respectfully bowed, and said, "Esteemed Immortal Master, this is the place of seclusion for the owner of Flowing Immortal Market. May I ask who you are?"
Chen Shuangbai activated his Law Power, and the disciple's jade token floated up, revealing the pattern of the Jade Begets Sweet Spring. He said, "I am a disciple of the Jade Spring Sect, and I have come here to pay my respects to Elder Liu. Please inform him of my arrival."
Upon hearing that it was a fellow immortal master from the same sect as their master visiting, the two men's expressions tightened slightly, and one of them immediately went inside to deliver the message.
Before long, Chen Shuangbai was respectfully invited into the courtyard.
In the main hall of the courtyard, an elderly man dressed in the robes of a disciple of Jade Spring stood waiting for a long time. Upon seeing Chen Shuangbai's youthful appearance, he narrowed his eyes slightly.
Chen Shuangbai stepped forward to greet him, and the jade token of the Jade Spring disciple lit up again. After the two sides verified their identities, the atmosphere became more cordial.
The servant brought tea, steaming hot, and after taking a sip, I felt my body warm up a bit.
The old man also took a sip, then slowly said, "I never expected that after I, Liu Feng, left the sect, a fellow disciple would come to visit this old man."
Chen Shuangbai laughed and said, "Elder Liu, what are you saying?"
"As a member of the Jade Spring Sect at the Late Qi Refining Stage, and also the owner of this bustling Flowing Immortal Market, you command respect from outsiders."
After a brief exchange of compliments, Chen Shuangbai revealed the purpose of her visit.
He took out the talisman and handed it to Liu Ming, saying, "To be honest, Elder Liu, among the many techniques in our sect, I chose the ' Spring Rain and Flowering Wood Sword Instruction,' which perfectly embodies the essence of water and wood. I heard that this sword technique was originally in your possession, and fortunately, with the help of a senior brother, I obtained this talisman. I have come here today hoping to see the original. I hope you will grant my request."
Upon examining the talisman, Liu Feng Law Power and sensed a familiar fluctuation, realizing that Chen Shuangbai had come with the permission of Qinglin's descendants.
He sighed softly, thinking to himself: I never expected that after so many years, Senior Qinglin's descendants would still be alive, and even join the Jade Spring Sect.
He hesitated for a moment before slowly saying, "Since it was entrusted to me by the descendants of an old friend..."
A moment later.
Liu Feng stepped out from behind, now holding a Jade Slip in his hand.
"This is the original text created by the originator of the sword technique. Junior brother, please take it."
Chen Shuangbai, who was about to take it, suddenly paused, and asked incredulously, "What does the elder mean?"
Liu Feng sighed softly, "This sword technique is a treasure gathering dust in the hands of this old man like me. Why don't you take it with you, Junior Brother? If there's an opportunity in the future, you can carry it forward and make it flourish. It's better than letting it gather dust here."
"... Isn't this a bit inappropriate?"
Chen Shuangbai quickly stood up, her tone somewhat surprised and uncertain.
Liu Feng gestured for Chen Shuangbai to sit down and placed the Jade Slip slip on the tea table between them.
"Junior brother, do you know why I left Lush Foliage Pavilion and came here to be a leisurely shopkeeper?"
Chen Shuangbai remained silent.
Flowing Immortal Market was indeed impressive, but compared to the abundant spiritual energy within the sect, it was somewhat desolate for cultivators.
Of those disciples who were sent out, which one did so willingly?
Isn't it all because... they're too old, their potential is exhausted, and there's no hope of reaching the Foundation Establishment?
He knew the truth in his heart, but he couldn't say it aloud.
because...
Some of it is hurtful.