The Marketplace was built on the shore of a small lake, forming a circular street. People bustled back and forth along the street, which was lined with shops and nurous stalls.
Outside the shops, there were dense rows of residences, all of which were Cultivator dwellings.
This made the entire Marketplace resemble a small Immortal City.
As soon as Zhang Chi got close, he discovered that the Spiritual Qi here was indeed more abundant than outside.
But it was far inferior to the Cold Iron Mine.
However, so buildings were situated on branches of the Spiritual Vein, where the Spiritual Qi was even denser.
The center of the lake, in particular, was the source of a Tier Two Spiritual Vein, and the Spiritual Qi there was nothing short of astonishing.
But a complex of waterside pavilions stood there—the very residence of the Chen Family’s Foundation Establishnt guardian.
’The Spiritual Vein here is better, but aside from the Chen Family Cultivators, it’s probably incredibly difficult for an outsider to secure a good spot.’
As Zhang Chi pondered this, he beca more determined to first find a major power to join.
After all, the major powers occupied all the Spiritual Veins. The only way to get a share was to join one.
As a Loose Cultivator, it was also extrely difficult to obtain various precious cultivation resources.
Finding soone for guidance was even more impossible, and he could be killed or captured at any mont.
Although he had the Jade Pendant, which could help him find places with abundant Spiritual Qi unsuitable for ordinary Cultivators, these locations were usually occupied by major powers as well.
Take places like mines, for example. A Loose Cultivator would have no chance of entering unless they beca one of the Mining Slaves.
If he joined a major power, he would also have a chance to obtain a good Cultivation Technique, which was equally crucial.
The Blood Fla Technique was decent, but he wouldn’t mind swapping it for a better option if one ca along.
In fact, because he cultivated the Blood Fla Technique, several Cultivators had tried to kill him over the past half-month under the pretext of Exorcism and Defense of the Dao.
Fortunately, those Cultivators didn’t have high Cultivation, and he always used the Blood Escape Technique to get away early, giving them no real chance to get close.
Fighting was forbidden in the Yuquan Mountain Marketplace, ensuring safety even for a Demon Cultivator. Otherwise, he really wouldn’t have dared to co here directly.
"Greetings, Fellow Daoist. To enter our Yuquan Mountain Marketplace, you must pay one Spirit Stone. You cannot stay overnight unless you register for lodging."
Just as Zhang Chi was about to step inside, two heavily ard Marketplace Guards reached out and stopped him.
Zhang Chi glanced around and saw that the Cultivators entering were indeed all presenting a Jade Token that seed to be proof of lodging.
The other Cultivators were stopped by different Guards and obediently paid the entrance fee.
"Here!"
Zhang Chi was reluctant, but he had no choice but to take a Spirit Stone from his robes.
"Welco, Fellow Daoist."
The two Guards took the Spirit Stone, and seeing how straightforward Zhang Chi was, their faces imdiately broke into smiles.
"Fellow Daoist, is this your first ti here? Where are you headed? Need us to give you directions?"
"We have Cloaks and masks, would you be interested, Fellow Daoist? While they’re not true Magical Artifacts, they can use the Marketplace’s Grand Array for defense, block Divine Sense probes, and prevent others from leaving a tracking Seal on you."
They then took out a black Cloak and a tal mask and began to enthusiastically pitch them.
"How much?"
Hearing this, Zhang Chi stopped in his tracks.
’The Chen Family really knows how to do business. But I do need sothing like this.’
"Ten Spirits each."
The Guard’s spirits lifted.
"That expensive?"
Zhang Chi’s expression turned sour.
He had nineteen Spirit Stones in total. He had thought he was reasonably well-off, but now he couldn’t even afford a single set of concealing gear.
He did have so Cold Iron he could sell, but now was clearly not the right ti to take it out.
"It’s not expensive. If you think it is, you can also rent it for two Spirits a trip. But we recomnd buying it—it’s more cost-effective. After all, you’ll definitely be coming here often in the future," one Guard said.
"That’s right. The Chen Family is the only one who sells these in the entire Marketplace, and it’s always been this price. We’d never rip you off. If you were to buy a Magic Robe with the sa effects, it would cost at least a hundred Spirits," the other Guard chid in.
"Fine, I’ll rent a set. But it has to be cheaper—one Spirit Stone," Zhang Chi said after a mont’s thought.
He noticed that many of the Cultivators hurrying along the street were wearing these Cloaks and masks.
When they saw the Guards pitching to him, these Cultivators didn’t show any strange expressions.
This ant the Guards really hadn’t been lying.
"Fellow Daoist, you drive too hard a bargain! We’ll lose money like that. Besides, we have a no-haggling policy."
"Yeah, wouldn’t that be the sa as waiving your entrance fee?"
"Alright, then I won’t rent it."
"Hey, wait, Fellow Daoist!"
After a bit of back-and-forth, they quickly settled on a price of one Spirit Stone.
The Guard put on a gloomy expression, as if he’d just taken a huge loss.
Zhang Chi also felt the sting.
He had already spent two Spirit Stones before he had even started shopping.
Zhang Chi carefully inspected the Cloak and mask he received. Finding them intact and indeed capable of blocking Divine Sense, he put them on right there on the spot.
’Not bad at all. It’s a sha this thing relies on the Array and can only be used inside the Marketplace!’
Completely concealed and with even the aura of his Demon Technique masked, his sense of security soared. Only then did he truly enter the Marketplace.
The mont he left, the two Guards broke into smiles and went back to stopping other Cultivators, collecting fees, and making their sales pitch.
As for Zhang Chi, he encountered so Low Tier Cultivators and mortals who worked as guides.
But he paid them no mind.
He had heard from Xiao Yunhong long ago that the Ten Thousand Treasures Tower was in the most conspicuous spot on the Marketplace street and was very easy to find.
Strolling and observing his surroundings, he arrived before the Ten Thousand Treasures Tower a few monts later.
’As expected of a chain store that’s spread all across the Great Abyss!’
After a glance at the magnificent yet tastefully immortal-style entrance, Zhang Chi strode inside.
"I’m here to deposit or withdraw an item."
A sweet-faced, elegantly dressed young shop assistant, only at the first level of Qi Cultivation, ca forward with a smile, but before she could even speak, Zhang Chi stated his purpose directly.
"Of course, please follow , sir."
The young shop assistant nodded respectfully and imdiately led Zhang Chi into a room.
The room was filled with storage lockers, their surfaces shimring with esoteric runes. This was the item deposit area.
"Sir, you just need to state the passphrase, confirm with a drop of blood on the Jade Token, and place the fee in the compartnt that extends from below the locker to retrieve your deposited item."
"Depositing is free; you only pay upon withdrawal. VIPs, however, are exempt from the storage fee."
After her brief explanation, the young shop assistant imdiately withdrew and thoughtfully closed the door behind her.
The door was protected by an Array Restriction, so there was no need to worry about being spied on.
’It’s actually self-service. This is good, though—much more discreet. It saves from the social suicide of that guy’s Secret Order,’ Zhang Chi thought in surprise.
Next, he cleared his throat and recited, enunciating each word, "Xiao Yunhong has the potential for Divinity Transformation!"
CLICK!
A crisp sound ca from one of the storage lockers in the room, and a Jade Token instantly popped out from underneath it.
Zhang Chi took out a small vial and dripped so blood onto it.
After absorbing the blood, the Jade Token flashed with light and retracted. Then, the locker opened.
Evidently, Xiao Yunhong was indeed a VIP.
Delighted, Zhang Chi stepped forward and imdiately spotted a black Storage Bag.
Zhang Chi enveloped his hands in Spiritual Power, took it out, and began the Refinent process on the spot.
Although Xiao Yunhong was still alive, he was extrely far away, and his Cultivation was suppressed.
Therefore, the Storage Bag was not much different from an ownerless item.
As a result, Zhang Chi successfully completed the Refinent very quickly.
But when Zhang Chi sent his Divine Sense inside to check it, he was startled on the spot.
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