The Black Market

Hua Chunning and Xue Yong's expressions changed drastically.

Although the news of the lord's demise was already known to most of the Old Method sects in the Southern Edge Continent.

However, few dared to say it aloud, let alone speak so lightly and with a hint of mockery like Lin Muyang.

That's an adult!

According to the Daoist scriptures, a great man is one with heaven and earth, possesses boundless power, holds the Great Dao, and is nearly immortal.

Even if they truly perish, as long as a single thought remains in the world, they can still sense the power of the deceased and borrow it from the heavens the Unseen, and could even easily annihilate the [Purple Mansion] Immortal Sect.

How could a mere Qi Refining Qi Refining casually comment on such an existence?

Lin Muyang noticed Hua Chunning and Xue Yong's unusual reaction, and was taken aback for a moment before chuckling, "Fellow Daoists... there's no need for that. My sect leader confirmed with the Nascent Soul of the upper sect that the person has indeed perished, and it wasn't a feigned death."

No wonder the Old Method declined and almost disappeared.

The two people before him were both successors of the Old Method sects of the Southern Edge Continent, yet they were too frightened to speak by a fallen Golden Core.

Perhaps it's because he's been down on his luck for too long that his perspective has become narrow.

It should be noted that the number of Golden Core cultivators produced by the Azure Cloud Sect over the past few hundred years is too many to count on two hands, making it only a second-rate sect in the Central Continent.

Hua Chunning and Xue Yong remained silent, without arguing or explaining the differences between the old and new Golden Core.

"This matter is of great importance." Xue Yong, being from Rosy Clouds Resting Mountain, still had his pride and did not shirk his responsibility. "I, Xue, will report this to Rosy Clouds Resting Mountain and await the Ancestor's decision."

Hua Chunning naturally nodded in agreement and was about to report back to the sect leader.

Lin Muyang nodded in agreement, showing no surprise whatsoever.

The fact that Azure Cloud Sect entrusted this matter to me, the head of Azure Cloud Market, was itself a test and a way to leave room for maneuver.

After all, it would seem too forceful and aggressive for the Azure Cloud Sect leader to directly negotiate with Supreme Mystery Mountain and Rosy Clouds Resting Mountain.

If Supreme Mystery Mountain and Rosy Clouds Resting Mountain refuse outright, the matter will become unmanageable.

"The Du Family Talismans... this is it." After leaving the Flying Immortal Pavilion, Hua Chunning, led by the market manager, arrived at a small talisman shop in a corner of the market.

This small shop belongs to my cousin Hua Yuhe and her husband.

The fact that they were willing to abandon worldly wealth and status to start from scratch in Azure Cloud Market shows that they both have a heart for seeking the Dao.

Hua Chunning didn't mind lending a hand and providing some protection, and it would also give her another source of information in the market.

"But this shop looks like it's doing very poor business; it's probably just barely surviving." Hua Chunning looked at the deserted little shop and gently stepped inside.

There wasn't a single customer in the shop, and only a handful of talismans were on the shelves.

Most of them are auxiliary talismans such as Clothes Cleansing Talisman and mind-cleansing talismans.

The only offensive talisman is the Water Arrow Talisman, but it's not very powerful.

Inside the shop, a middle-aged man was intently drawing a talisman. He seemed to notice someone entering the shop, and for a moment he lost his focus, causing the talisman under his brush to turn to ashes.

Ignoring the cost of the talismans and spirit ink, the middle-aged man hurried out. He glanced at Hua Chunning once before swallowing the welcoming words that were on the tip of his tongue, and bowed respectfully, saying, "Du Qingquan greets the Immortal Master."

Hua Chunning nodded slightly and said softly, "Isn't my cousin Yuhe here?"

Du Qingquan's heart skipped a beat, immediately confirming his suspicions and understanding the identity of the person before him. He still replied respectfully, "Reporting to the Immortal Master, my humble servant has duties in the market and is most likely still busy at this time, unable to leave."

"No rush, they should be on their way back." Hua Chunning trusted Lin Muyang to make the arrangements, so she asked the two about their experience of settling in the market.

After a moment's thought, Du Qingquan recounted the events in detail.

When Du Qingquan and Hua Yuhe were in charge of Danzhou City and enjoyed all the riches of the world, they risked their lives to seize Fubo cave abode, which naturally showed that they had the intention of cultivating themselves.

Although in the end, Liu Zhijian and Lin Muyang reaped the rewards, like the mantis stalking the cicada unaware of the oriole behind, it wasn't a complete loss.

Upon learning that the Hua Household had split into legitimate and illegitimate branches, with the legitimate branch going to Supreme Mystery Mountain and the illegitimate branch remaining in Rejuvenation Valley and joining the New Method Azure Cloud Sect, the two immediately went to Rejuvenation Valley.

Unfortunately, a married daughter is like water spilled from a bowl—gone forever.

The Hua Household's collateral branch in Rejuvenation Valley refused to take in the two.

The two could only return to Danzhou and linger there for some time. They even witnessed Liu Zhijian slaying the dragon with his sword, which spurred them on, so they came to Azure Cloud Market again to look for opportunities.

Hua Yuhe, taking advantage of her surname and her connection with Lin Muyang, found a managerial position in the market.

Du Qingquan has inherited the talisman-making skills from his ancestors and has learned the Body Refining methods of the Azure Cloud Sect. Now he can breathe in Spiritual Qi and can barely be considered Qi Refining cultivator. So he opened this small shop to sell talismans. Although it is hard work and he is poor, he has managed to gain a foothold in the market.

Hua Chunning listened and nodded slightly.

From Du Qingquan's calm words, it's not hard to guess the hardships and bitterness the two of them had endured along the way.

This is already an anomaly among Rogue Cultivator.

The vast majority of Rogue Cultivator can only work as farmers and tenants, toiling away every day until they are drained of blood and tears, all for a slim hope of cultivation.

In comparison, my joining Supreme Mystery Mountain and going to the [Wu Earth Secret Realm] to Qi Ingestion and enter the Dao is almost like being favored by Heaven.

"..." Hurried footsteps came from outside the door. Hua Yuhe rushed over, glanced at the two people in the shop, and smiled, "... You didn't even tell me you were coming beforehand, so I could have prepared in advance."

Hua Chunning smiled and said, "Cousin, you don't need to be so polite. Just call me by my name, just like when I was little at home."

"Okay." Hua Yuhe nodded emphatically, her eyes slightly red, her heart churning with emotions.

Hua Chunning was a noblewoman from the main branch of the family, while he himself was from a branch of a concubine's family, making their relationship almost equivalent to that of mistress and servant.

When I was a child, I said I was Hua Chunning's playmate, but in reality, I was just a maid or servant.

Hua Chunning was young at the time and not arrogant or wicked. She was quite kind to those around her and was very casual in her interactions with them.

However, later, he called Hua Chunning's name in public several times, and was severely punished by the clan for inappropriate speech. He was soon expelled from Rejuvenation Valley and married off to Danzhou.

Hua Yuhe was aware of the difference in their status now, even greater than before, but a sense of resentment lingered in her heart. She kept talking about how rapidly Azure Cloud Market was developing, how highly regarded she was in the market, and how promising her future was.

The implication is that it's fine for the sisters to catch up, but there's no need for them to put on a show of favor.

Du Qingquan listened from the side with a worried expression, but did not say anything to stop it.

Hua Chunning sighed inwardly, naturally able to sense her cousin's complex emotions.

The friendship hasn't ended, so I'm eager to get closer to them.

He harbored resentment and refused to back down.

Hua Chunning listened quietly, and from Hua Yuhe's few words, she was able to see a completely different Azure Cloud Market.

Hua Yuhe released her complex emotions, which she had been hiding deep inside, by introducing the market and her own duties. She felt extremely relieved. Seeing Hua Chunning looking thoughtful, and then glancing at the shops and Du Qingquan, she smiled and said, "It's not just that. Take this little talisman shop in front of us, for example. Although its location is remote and inconspicuous, and it doesn't usually have many customers, it's no worse than the Azure Cloud Sect's talisman shop in the center of the market!"

"It's just that Qingquan is used to keeping a low profile and doesn't like to show off!"

Du Qingquan's expression changed slightly, and he hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but then stopped.

"Oh?!" Hua Chunning looked up at Du Qingquan Quan, not knowing much about this cousin-in-law, and asked with a smile, "I wonder what's so special about your talismans, brother-in-law?!"

Hua Yuhe was quite pleased to hear him call her brother-in-law. Ignoring Du Qingquan's suggestive glances, she continued, "Qingquan has inherited talismanic arts, but unfortunately, he has wasted many years in the mortal world and has never been able to improve."

"I never imagined that after arriving in the market and escaping the shackles of the mortal world, my skills would improve so much!"

"However, he was a low-key person and did not want to compete with the Azure Cloud Sect's talisman shops, so he deliberately concealed his skills and only sold some common, inexpensive talismans in the market."

"The truly powerful talismans are all sold in the black market outside the main market while concealing one's identity!"