Chapter 100: Wenyue Market

The eight righteous sects referred to the Cunyang Sect, Taiyi Core Sect, Wuji Sect, Yuling Sect, Shaohua Mountain, Shangyuan Tranquility Palace, Xuling Sect, and Yuanshen Sect. Each of these powerful sects had a Spiritual Infant grandmaster stationed within, earning them the collective title of the Eight Sects.

In the Small Cold Domain, the names of these righteous sects were not immutable. If a sect's Spiritual Infant grandmaster passed away with no suitable successor, the sect would decline, and another sect would take its place, much like what happened with the Yuanzhao Sect.

In fact, most of the immortal cultivation families in the Small Cold Domain were dependent on these sects for survival.

Yu Lian boasted endlessly, though his words were not much different from what Qin Sang had heard in the Kuiyin Sect.

By the time Yu Lian finished speaking, the sky had already darkened, and everyone parted ways contentedly, bidding each other farewell.

It was only then that Qin Sang brought up his request to Yu Lian; he wanted a geomantic map of the Small Cold Domain’s immortal cultivation world. He didn’t care if the mortal kingdoms weren’t marked, but the locations of the major sects had to be clear.

"Senior Yu, could you kindly point me in the right direction? Where nearby could I purchase such a geomantic map? I’ve been wandering aimlessly ever since I left home to explore the world, like a headless fly. I wish to pay homage to the immortal sects, but without a map, it’s been incredibly difficult."

Yu Lian, of course, didn’t believe Qin Sang’s pretext of wanting to pay homage. He inwardly remarked that this was yet another person seeking immortality.

This sort of thing was all too common. With a smile, Yu Lian replied, "You don’t need to go elsewhere to buy a geomantic map of the Small Cold Domain. My family has one. If you can wait a few days, I’ll bring you a copy at the next gathering on Phoenix Peak."

Qin Sang was overjoyed. "Thank you, Senior! Does your family require anything in return? I have a few spirit stones on me, or I could trade some artifacts instead..."

Perhaps Zhao Yan, fearing too much treasure might expose his identity, hadn’t carried much with him. Nevertheless, the items Qin Sang scavenged from Zhao Yan’s Mustard Seed Pouch were all valuable.

There were three middle-grade spirit stones, along with over a hundred low-grade spirit stones.

Furthermore, besides the mysterious orchid and the black beads, there were also two very practical artifacts.

𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

One was a high-grade artifact called the Sky Shuttle, which allowed flight through the air. Though its speed couldn’t compare to the Empty Wind, it flew much higher and could automatically generate a protective shield against cold winds, allowing it to fly above the clouds. However, it was too conspicuous for immortal cultivators, so Qin Sang rarely used it.

The other artifact was a teardrop-shaped item left behind after burning Zhao Yan’s corpse. Called the Heavenly Star Tear, it was a top-grade artifact that could be refined into the body, and with just a thought, it would generate a protective divine light.

Qin Sang couldn’t help but feel a bit of fear in hindsight. If he hadn’t caught Zhao Yan at the exact moment his spiritual power was exhausted, the ebony sword might not have been able to kill him in one strike.

There were also a few spiritual pills, over a dozen spirit talismans with various functions, all of which Qin Sang had carefully stowed away.

Buying a geomantic map was certainly within his means.

But Yu Lian waved his hand dismissively. "Youniang is my junior. You helped her without expecting anything in return and cured Silang’s illness. How could I ask for your spirit stones? Consider this geomantic map a gift from me on Youniang’s behalf."

"I’ll gratefully accept your kindness, Senior."

Ten days later.

Qin Sang received the geomantic map and bid farewell to Li Youniang and Yu Lian. He mounted the Sky Shuttle, soared into the white clouds, and headed due south toward the Yuncang Marshlands.

Shaohua Mountain’s sect entrance lay on the edge of the Yuncang Marshlands, at the southernmost tip of the Small Cold Domain.

Compared to Nine-Peak Mountain, there was far less conflict in this area. Though it was safer, the path to immortality was also far more uncertain. Many wandering cultivators didn’t even dare to hope for the Foundation Building Realm. Some cursed the heavens, while others, like Li Youniang, lived as ordinary mortals. Still, others abandoned their pursuit of immortal cultivation entirely, choosing instead to indulge in a life of debauchery.

Qin Sang, however, had never given up. He would fight for his chance.

His journey to Shaohua Mountain was an attempt to test his luck, to see if the sword will decree of the Song Family's ancestor still remained.

In truth, Qin Sang wasn’t very confident. He had no idea what his chances were. Song Hua was an immortal cultivator, but his sister, Song Ying, had no spiritual root and was merely a mortal.

He had already been in this world for eleven years.

Eleven years might pass in the blink of an eye for an immortal cultivator, but for mortals, it was an entire decade of worldly change.

Song Hua had died on the banks of the Chenshui River and had not returned for eleven years.

At that time, Song Ying was just a ten-year-old girl. How had she managed to survive alone in an immortal cultivation market for eleven years? Could she have kept their family business going?

Or worse—perhaps she had already perished.

Still, Qin Sang decided to make the trip. It would be great if he could join Shaohua Mountain, but if not, settling down in a market near Shaohua Mountain would also make it easier to find malevolent yin qi and connect with higher-level cultivators.

The Soul Pill he had saved from the Kuiyin Sect would only support him up to the ninth stage. While returning to the Kuiyin Sect was out of the question, that was not the only place where malevolent yin qi could be found.

With malevolent yin qi, he wouldn’t need to worry about his cultivation. As for obtaining a Foundation Building Pill, he could think of a way over time.

...

Shaohua Mountain. Wenyue Market.

Qin Sang stood outside the market, filled with emotion. This was the third immortal cultivation market he had found.

It had now been two years since he set off from Nine-Peak Mountain. A month ago, he had arrived at the borders of the Yuncang Marshlands and had been awestruck by the vast, boundless wetlands. It was then that he located Shaohua Mountain’s sect entrance.

Shaohua Mountain lay on the edge of the Yuncang Marshlands, its sect entrance marked by dozens of sword-like peaks, exuding an air of sharpness reminiscent of sword cultivators.

As Qin Sang traveled, he continued to cultivate. His cultivation had now reached the late eighth stage, but he was stuck at the bottleneck before the ninth stage, unable to break through no matter how anxious he was.

However, with only a few Soul Pills remaining, Qin Sang had to make preparations soon.

There were four well-known immortal cultivation markets near Shaohua Mountain, each of considerable size. Qin Sang had searched them one by one, starting with the closest, but had not yet found the Song Family. Wenyue Market was the third one.

By now, Qin Sang was well acquainted with the rules of these markets. Immortal cultivators only needed to pay some spirit stones to stay in the market for extended periods, and they could even purchase property in the immortal cultivation markets.

Ordinary residences where mortals lived could easily be afforded by immortal cultivators, and with Shaohua Mountain’s backing, safety and credibility were guaranteed.

However, in the immortal cultivation markets, houses rich in spiritual power and conducive to cultivation were extremely expensive. Though Qin Sang had ample savings, he would have to spend nearly everything to barely afford one.

Blending inconspicuously into the crowd, Qin Sang began his inquiries in Wenyue Market, following the usual process.

Before long, he emerged from a shop, a hint of delight on his face—he had finally found what seemed to be the Song Family's residence.

Shaohua Mountain had strict rules: immortal cultivators were forbidden from showing off or humiliating mortals in the market. Though Qin Sang was eager, he could only walk slowly through the crowd, making his way from the market entrance to its deepest part.

Compared to the bustling outer sections, this area was much quieter. Large, spacious courtyards, brimming with spiritual qi, indicated that this was an ideal place for a cave dwelling. Clearly, only immortal cultivators or their descendants lived in this area.

Even the shops along the street were serene.

Qin Sang stopped in front of a large mansion and saw the plaque above the gate bearing the name "Li Residence." He couldn’t help but frown.

Turning his head, he noticed what appeared to be a refining shop across the street. His heart stirred, and he walked over.