Qi Refinement Fifth Layer

Shangyu Market, outer city.

A small three-story building rose from the ground in the heart of the market.

This was the busiest part of the outer city. To the north stood the Demon Hunting Pavilion, where hunting teams gathered and dispersed.

To the south was the Gathering Immortals Pavilion, the largest restaurant in all of Shangyu Market.

To the east was the Wind and Moon Pavilion, a paradise for Rogue Cultivators.

To the west stood a host of shops, such as the Wondrous Pill Pavilion.

At the center, the signboard on the newly built three-story building was still covered with red cloth.

The four large characters for "Star Radiance Merchant Association" were faintly visible beneath it.

Ordinarily, the Lin Household would not have easily relinquished such a central spot on such a bustling stretch, much less handed it over to an unknown power.

Everyone could not help wondering what the Star Radiance Merchant Association's background was.

Those who knew the inside story, however, all thought it only natural.

The owner of the Star Radiance Merchant Association was none other than Fairy Caiyi, a True Disciple of the Azure Wood Palace who had already reached the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage at a young age.

She was an expert widely acknowledged to have a chance of breaking through to the Golden Core realm.

And this was the day the Star Radiance Merchant Association opened for business.

The Lin Household and the Lu Household had sent people over early with congratulatory gifts, only for them to leave in a hurry.

They were the local hosts, so naturally they had to show the courtesy due from hosts.

But they did not want to appear too eager to curry favor, so they did not stay long.

Everyone else belonged to the various minor powers in Shangyu Market, such as gangs, shops, and even hunting teams.

They stood in a long line, each carrying a congratulatory gift in hopes of making Fairy Caiyi's acquaintance.

Even if they could not meet her in person, maintaining a good relationship with the merchant association would still be immensely beneficial.

"Old Wang, what brings you here too?"

"Hehe, it's Senior Caiyi's merchant association. Naturally, I had to come show my support."

"That's true. You've been filling your pots and bowls to the brim lately, and you've just broken through to the Qi Refining Eighth Layer. I imagine you'll soon be gathering resources for the Foundation Establishment Realm, won't you?"

"Can't say, can't say."

Wang Hu shook his head, though his face was full of high spirits.

With the Spirit Stones he had earned recently, he had broken through to the Qi Refining Eighth Layer in one go, taking another step along the path of cultivation.

The Foundation Establishment Realm was no longer so far out of reach, and he could begin preparing the resources he needed. All of this would require the merchant association's help.

With his current strength, he was among the best in the outer city, and ordinarily had no need to stand in line here.

But he did not want to leave the merchant association with the impression that he was overbearing, so he stood there and waited obediently.

As he waited patiently, a voice suddenly came from behind him.

"Brother Hu, what are you doing here?"

Wang Hu turned around and saw that it was Qin Fei.

He was just about to answer when he suddenly noticed something different about Qin Fei's presence.

"You broke through to the Qi Refinement Fifth Layer?"

"I got lucky. But you, Brother Hu, have reached the Qi Refining Eighth Layer in just the few days since we last met. Congratulations indeed."

Wang Hu laughed heartily. On second thought, it made sense. He had broken through himself, and Qin Fei had earned at least as many Spirit Stones as he had, so it was only natural for Qin Fei to break through too.

Still, he had been stuck at his level for years, while only a few months had passed since Qin Fei's last breakthrough.

Looked at that way, his own breakthrough did not seem quite so worth celebrating.

That's someone with a master's teaching for you. If I had a sect to look after me, I might have reached Foundation Establishment by now.

Wang Hu comforted himself with that thought.

Of course, he only thought it to himself.

"I wanted to pay a visit to the person in charge of the merchant association, so here I am, waiting in line."

"Is it about Foundation Establishment?"

"More or less. Foundation Establishment is still a long way off, but I have to make some preparations in advance."

Seeing this, Qin Fei nodded in understanding.

He glanced around and, rather than continue speaking aloud, switched to voice transmission.

"Brother Hu, I was just looking for you about something. Come with me."

"Where are we going? I've been in this line for ages. If I leave, I'll have to start over. Don't go messing around."

Wang Hu did not know why Qin Fei had suddenly started using voice transmission. He did not feel it was his place to ask, so he could only reply in kind.

"I can take you inside."

"Inside where?"

"The merchant association, of course. Come with me and you'll see. There are too many eyes and ears here."

Half believing him, Wang Hu nodded and followed Qin Fei out of the line.

"Old Wang, you're not waiting anymore?"

"Something urgent came up. I'll come back another day."

The two disappeared at the end of the street. When they appeared again, they had arrived at the merchant association's back gate.

"Qin Fei, are you sure we can get in here? If they drive us out, this old face of mine can't afford the embarrassment."

"Don't worry."

Qin Fei gave him a reassuring look, then raised his arm and knocked gently three times on the courtyard gate.

"Knock, knock, knock."

Before long, the gate opened, revealing two young men dressed as guards.

"Who are you? The rear courtyard doesn't receive guests. Please leave."

The corner of Wang Hu's mouth twitched. He thought that he should never have listened to Qin Fei. Now look what had happened: he had wasted his time in line and been turned away.

Qin Fei, however, was not the least bit flustered. He patted his Storage Bag, and a red card appeared in his hand.

"An invitation! So you're honored guests. Please, come in."

At the sight of the red card, the two guards hurriedly put on smiles, their attitudes taking a complete turn.

Wang Hu was happier than anyone. When he learned they could go in, his face lit up with a smile.

"Not bad, Qin Fei. You even managed to get an invitation. You really are something, kid."

Qin Fei smiled faintly and explained casually:

"The person in charge of the merchant association is a friend of mine. Come on, let's talk inside."

Well before the merchant association opened, Tiezhu and the others had sent Qin Fei an invitation.

He had chosen to enter through the back gate because there were too many people at the front. If he went straight in without waiting in line, he would inevitably attract attention.

He did not want to show off for no reason.

Upon entering the merchant association, they were greeted by an elegant little courtyard.

A little bridge, flowing water, birdsong, and the fragrance of flowers.

A small pavilion stood in the very center of the courtyard, where three people were chatting and laughing.

When they saw Qin Fei arrive, they all stood to welcome him.

"Brother Qin, you're here."

Tiezhu was first to greet him. Then he noticed Wang Hu following behind and looked surprised.

"This fellow Daoist has such profound cultivation. May I ask who he is...?"

"This is fellow Daoist Wang Hu. Weren't you looking for someone reliable? I've brought him to you. As for the terms, that's up to you."

The merchant association had everything ready for its opening, from its sources of goods to its sales channels. All it lacked was a team to escort shipments.

The times had been unsettled lately. In particular, ever since that group of refugees arrived, Bandit Cultivators had repeatedly caused trouble.

So it was best for the escort captain to be both highly capable and someone whose background was well known.

Qin Fei had immediately thought of Wang Hu and recommended him to the others.

Wang Hu was still bewildered at this point. Only after Qin Fei finished explaining did he understand.

His hunting team had not gone into the mountains for a long time, and its members were full of complaints. They were in need of steady, long-term work.

Now that such an opportunity had landed at his door, how could he not be delighted?

He immediately followed Xu Meiniang, who was in charge of the matter, to discuss it.

Before leaving, he did not forget to cast Qin Fei a grateful look.

After they left, Tiezhu hurried over.

"Brother Qin, there was an outsider here just now, so I was too embarrassed to ask. Have you broken through to the Qi Refinement Fifth Layer?"

Qin Fei nodded lightly in acknowledgment.

"This really defies the heavens. You're almost catching up to me."

Qin Fei said no more about it and brought up another matter instead.

"I heard Tang Zhan say you found the formation I wanted?"

He had come this time, first to recommend Wang Hu, and second to present his opening gift.

His third reason was the formation Tang Zhan had mentioned.

"That's right. The formation is somewhat unusual. Wait here, I'll go get it for you."