In the cultivation world, spirit stones are currency. Those things could neither be eaten nor drunk; although they contained abundant spirit energy, they were full of impurities. Cultivators would never dare to absorb them directly unless faced with life-and-death situations. Typically, large factions used them to activate formations or control massive enchanted treasures.

However, the legendary supreme-grade spirit stones had such pure spirit energy that cultivators could absorb them directly. Yet, such treasures were entirely out of reach for ordinary cultivators. Setting aside supreme-grade spirit stones, even ordinary ones were scarce enough to serve as a universal currency. Moreover, the issuance rights of this currency were essentially controlled by major sects. The reasoning was straightforward: the stronger the sect, the better spirit veins it could occupy. Spirit stones were mined from various types of spirit veins. Currency, on earth, had no intrinsic value. It was more a reflection of a nation's credit, and these credits are built upon a nation's strength and abundant resources. When a nation's credit collapsed, its currency became nothing more than a pile of worthless paper. In the cultivation world, the principle was much the same.

Sects were so powerful that when they decided to settle cultivation resources using spirit stones, ordinary cultivators had no choice but to comply. Not only did they accept it, but they also exerted all their efforts to earn enough spirit stones. The conflict between the Dajiang Gang and the Poshan Gang was over mountain resources, which essentially translated into spirit stones.

At that moment, Wang Haichao, the leader of the Dajiang Gang, wearily saw off a Foundation Establishment cultivator. "Finally, it’s settled. If we win the deathmatch and secure the mountain’s resource channels, the Lianyun Trade Alliance has promised to hand over the waterway transportation of four other markets to us."

Seated below him was Gao Tingyuan, the second-in-command of the Dajiang Gang. Hearing this, Gao Tingyuan couldn’t help but feel extremely excited. Even just the waterway transportation for Dahe Market alone had made the Dajiang Gang immensely wealthy, enough to support Wang Haichao’s daily cultivation as a Foundation Establishment cultivator. If they secured the transportation rights for the other four markets, how much more would the Dajiang Gang earn? At the very least, it could support the cultivation of one or two more Foundation Establishment cultivators!

Seeing his excitement, Wang Haichao subtly furrowed his brow but quickly smiled. "Little Gao, you’ve been with me for so long; it hasn’t been easy for you. Once we secure the four transportation routes, I’ll do my best to get you a Foundation Establishment pill."

Gao Tingyuan was overjoyed and immediately bowed deeply. "Serving the boss is worth my life!"

Wang Haichao smirked slightly and shifted the topic. "How confident are you about the deathmatch?"

The list of eighteen participants for the Debate Platform deathmatch had already been submitted. However, the battle sequence remained classified. In other words, Gao Tingyuan might face the Poshan Seven Tigers or the Two Blades. Faced with the matter of life and death, Gao Tingyuan’s excitement faded, replaced by a grave expression. "As long as I don’t face Broken Blade Xu Renke, I won’t lose!"

On this point, Wang Haichao was equally aware. Little Gao was exceptionally skilled, particularly in large rivers, which earned him the nickname "River Dragon." However, the Debate Platform had environmental restrictions, and if he encountered certain opponents, he might lose.

"Are you confident about the others?" Wang Haichao asked.

Gao Tingyuan replied confidently, "Among the other eight, the Poshan Seven Tigers, only the Devouring Heart Tiger and the Descending Mountain Tiger Gang could pose a challenge, but I fear them not. The Sick Tiger was strong in the past, but after losing his cultivation path, he indulged in pleasures. I surpassed him years ago."

"What about the Broken Jade Tiger?"

"Haha, just a greenhorn."

"No, I mean the previous Broken Jade Tiger."

Gao Tingyuan froze, "He’s back?"

Seeing his reaction, Wang Haichao shook his head. "It seems you’re not confident, but don’t worry. There are nine participants, and the odds of facing him are low. Besides, I’ve arranged for others."

At the mention of "others," Gao Tingyuan’s expression darkened. Originally, apart from Wang Haichao, Gao Tingyuan was the second strongest in the Dajiang Gang. But recently, a few late-stage Qi-Refining cultivators appeared out of nowhere, each highly skilled, threatening his position.

They’re probably people secretly supported by the Lianyun Trade Alliance. Hopefully, after the deathmatch, they’ll leave as suddenly as they came

. Gao Tingyuan thought to himself.

Suddenly!

Wang Haichao’s expression shifted, and he abruptly stood, reaching out to grab something. However, he caught nothing.

Whoosh!

With a sharp whistle, a small, gleaming sword embedded itself in his desk.

The small sword bore a yellow talisman that fluttered without wind, followed by a cold, stern voice. "Keep your people in check. Don’t cause trouble in the inner city."

It was a flying sword messenger unique to the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect, far superior to ordinary sound transmission talismans.

The color drained from Wang Haichao’s face, leaving it pale as snow. He slowly raised his head and glared at Gao Tingyuan.

"You sent people to the inner city?" Gao Tingyuan was also startled at that moment.

The sword had been astonishingly fast. If it intended to kill him, it would have done so effortlessly.

After all, even Wang Haichao, a Foundation Establishment cultivator, had failed to catch it off guard. This indicated that the person who sent the flying sword message was at least at the Foundation Establishment Realm.

He forced an awkward smile and said, "Boss, I only sent two people to investigate Luo Chen, the one related to my subordinate’s death."

"Good-for-nothing failure!" Wang Haichao cursed before angrily saying, "Didn’t I tell you not to stir up trouble until the matter was settled?"

Gao Tingyuan dared not speak, lowering his head instead.

Taking a deep breath, Wang Haichao restrained his anger and said, "Let me repeat, until the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect’s Golden Core Adept departs, no trouble in the inner city. Keep things restrained even in the outer city."

"Understood, boss!"

"Go now, and prepare well for the deathmatch."

After he left, Wang Haichao rubbed his temples. He then retrieved a list from his storage pouch. "This guy’s ambition is growing too big. Keeping him around might become a problem in the future!"

After disembarking from the large ship, Gao Tingyuan’s face was as dark as the bottom of a pot.

Just then, Duan Sanfu approached, only to receive a slap across the face. "Where’s Skinny Monkey?"

Duan Sanfu, stunned by the slap, instinctively replied, "He’s in the inner city, keeping an eye on that guy."

"Are you sure he hasn’t been exposed?"

"I think… I mean, he shouldn’t have been. Even if he was, it’s not that big of a deal..."

Slap!

Another slap landed.

"Good-for-nothing failure." Gao Tingyuan stormed off in anger, leaving Duan Sanfu frozen in place, his cheeks bearing symmetrical red handprints.

Two days later, the entire Dahe Market was bustling with activity as twenty to thirty thousand cultivators began moving. They dropped whatever they were doing and headed toward the inner city. Today marked the grand opening of the Debate Platform, an event of the highest caliber in the area. Even if they couldn’t sneak into Fallen Phoenix Mountain to witness the event, getting close to the action was still worthwhile.

Moreover, it was rumored that the Jade Cauldron Sword Pavilion had set up a gambling den in the inner city, offering bets on the eighteen blood duels between the two factions. The minimum bet was one spirit stone, with no upper limit. Even the poorest cultivators could afford to wager one or two spirit stones.

If they couldn’t watch, placing a bet still counted as participating in this grand event! Years later, it could serve as a topic of conversation.

In the northern courtyard of the city, Murong Qinglian woke up early to prepare attire for her husband, Qin Liangchen. In the courtyard, Bai Meiling and Feng Xia looked somewhat dejected. They couldn’t attend the event, as today’s bustling city offered the perfect opportunity for the Hall of Hundred Herbs to do business. As workers, they couldn’t leave their posts.

Accompanied by Murong Qinglian, Qin Liangchen stepped out wearing a brand-new enchanted robe.

"Big Brother Qin, make sure to win!"

"Old Qin, may victory be yours, and return safely!"

Qin Liangchen laughed heartily, "Alright, I’ll throw a banquet when I return, and we’ll all have a feast!"

As he laughed, the backroom door across the way suddenly swung open. A young man in gray robes, with a wooden hairpin on his head and long hair tied neatly, walked out. Qin Liangchen’s eyes lit up. "Little Luo, have you advanced your cultivation realm?"

"Thanks to the bowl of tiger bone soup Sister-in-law gave me, I’ve benefited from your good fortune, Big Brother Qin."

Luo Chen smiled faintly, the spirit energy of the fifth stage of Qi-Refining subtly fluctuating around him. Moments earlier, his cultivation progress bar had reached one hundred, advancing him from the fourth to the fifth stage of Qi-Refining.

What he said was true. Over the past two days, he had taken three Qi-Nourishing pills, gaining three progress points. Practicing the Long Spring Art further increased his spirit energy. The final catalyst was that small bowl of tiger bone soup. It not only strengthened his vitality but also contained significant spirit energy. After refining it over two days, he finally succeeded!

Qin Liangchen clapped Luo Chen on the shoulder and laughed heartily. "Good! Excellent! Your advancement is a great event worth celebrating. It’s the perfect boost for me. Today, I’ll surely crush my enemies!"