Chapter 308 - 296: Shangyuan Immortal Market, Marriage Proposal Notice
Chapter 308: Chapter 296: Shangyuan Immortal Market, Marriage Proposal Notice
Three Spiritual Vessels soared into the air, climbing to an altitude of six to seven hundred zhang. They circled once before heading straight northwest.
"This round trip will take at least seven or eight days. It’s inconvenient to eat on the road, so everyone will take one Fasting Pill."
Once the Spiritual Vessel stabilized, Elder Wu had a senior disciple distribute one Fasting Pill to each of the disciples.
"This taste... it’s a bit bitter!"
Zhu Cong took the Fasting Pill and swallowed it without a second thought, then grimaced.
"A pill this small can really keep you from going hungry?"
Tong Mu held the pill, a look of amazement on his face.
Li Sancai, on the other hand, put the Fasting Pill to his lips, gently bit off a small piece, and then carefully put the rest away in his storage bag.
Zhao Lin glanced over. ’It’s clear their reactions are a reflection of their different upbringings,’ he thought.
As was his habit, he sniffed the pill before opening his mouth and swallowing it. A moment later, he felt a warm, gentle sensation spreading through his abdomen.
Fasting Pills were made from the extracted essence of Spirit Rice, sweet ginseng tendrils, and Cold Cyan Salt. After taking one, a person had no need to eat for ten to fifteen days.
However, they only covered one’s basic daily energy needs. For a substantial replenishment of essential energy, one must still rely on Spirit Rice.
The Spiritual Vessel traveled through the Cloud Layer, with an endless expanse of mountains and land below.
The Chenghua Sect’s territory was vast, but most of it was uninhabited deep mountains and great marshes. Cultivators and mortals alike lived only in "enclaves" that had Spirit Veins.
Places without Spirit Veins were unsuitable for habitation, no matter how good the environment was otherwise.
This was because it was impossible to set up a Mountain Protection Array, which meant there was no defense against any external risks.
Although a large amount of Spirit Stones could also be used to maintain a Mountain Protection Array, the consumption of Spirit Stones would be a bottomless pit that no sect could afford.
After flying for about two hours, turbulent streams of Evil Qi started to appear in the air. The vessel’s hull began to shake and buck violently.
The disciples, who had been laughing and talking just moments ago, fell silent. They clutched the vessel’s railing nervously, afraid they might be thrown out and make a fool of themselves by hitting the outer Array.
Zhao Lin’s Qi Observation Skill had already reached Minor Achievement. Focusing his gaze into the clouds and mist, he could vaguely see streams of faint golden Evil Qi, shaped like swords and halberds, lashing at the Flying Vessel like whips.
’The turbulent Evil Qi is already this strong in the Cloud Layer. I can’t imagine what the higher layers of Evil Qi and Gang Qi are like.’
When he came from the mortal realm, he had traveled in a fully enclosed warship, and he didn’t know the Qi Observation Skill at the time, so he wasn’t clear on the specific conditions within the Gang Qi layer.
Juyan Province was north of Nanhe Province, separated by the Western Ox Continent. The journey was several thousand li long and would take two days even by Flying Vessel.
As the sun began to set, the Spiritual Vessel entered a mountain range. "Everyone must be tired," said Elder Wu. "Flying at night isn’t safe. Ahead is Shangyuan County in the Western Ox Continent. We’ll rest there for the night."
"This is the market of Shangyuan County, called Shangyuan Immortal Market."
The Spiritual Vessel slowly descended. What appeared before them was a broad and towering mountain peak. Arranged around the central area of the peak were rows of tightly packed buildings.
The entire area covered at least a thousand mu. Many cultivators in various Daoist robes moved about, creating a bustling scene.
Most of the disciples were seeing a fabled cultivator market for the first time, and they all stood up to gaze down at it.
Outside the market was a large dock where over a dozen Spiritual Vessels of various sizes were moored. The three Spiritual Vessels from Han Chi County also landed there.
"The market is protected by an Array. You cannot use Magic casually. Remember that!"
As everyone disembarked from the Spiritual Vessel, Zhou Hongfang gave a careful warning.
There were four guard cultivators in front of the market. Zhou Hongfang stepped forward and presented her personal jade tablet.
"Ah, it’s Dean Zhou from Han Chi County in Nanhe Province. Please, come in!"
The lead guard cultivator spoke, then pointed a ruyi-scepter-like magical treasure in his hand towards the market. The market’s restrictive ward immediately parted to both sides.
"Whoa, why can’t I control my Spiritual Power anymore?"
"Me too! What’s happening?"
As soon as they stepped into the market, everyone felt an invisible pressure, and several disciples cried out in alarm.
Zhao Lin felt it too. His Innate apertures seemed to be blocked by something. The moment he tried to circulate his Spiritual Power, a powerful pressure descended from all directions, immobilizing it.
"Stop shouting! Didn’t I just tell you? The market has a Protective Array; you can’t use Magic here."
Elder Nie snapped, his face grim.
A realization dawned on Zhao Lin. He had once pondered a certain question.
Purple Mansion and Golden Core Cultivators were usually busy with their cultivation and held revered statuses; it was impossible that they would squat in the market every day acting as watchdogs.
But if there were no high-level cultivators standing guard, couldn’t any random high-level cultivator just come and wipe out the entire market?
Now, it seemed that with things like Arrays, such worries were unnecessary.
An Array couldn’t change the Laws of Heaven and Earth, but it could strengthen or weaken certain laws, forming a small world of its own.
Three Mountains Sword Array, Golden Wind Divine Hammer, Cloud Thunder Skill...
Arrays relied on Spirit Veins and were extremely powerful. No matter how strong an individual cultivator was, it would be very difficult to stand against an entire Array.
At this thought, Zhao Lin gained a deeper understanding of the world of cultivation.
’Arrays are the most complex of all the Daoist arts, but once you master them, you can be said to have mastered the very core of cultivation.’
’Unfortunately, the art of Arrays doesn’t seem very profitable. Plus, the barrier to entry is extremely high and it takes an incredible amount of time. Otherwise, it would be an excellent path to choose.’
...
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Near the entrance of the market, there was a huge notice board in a conspicuous spot.
The notice board was made of hundreds of bamboo slips pieced together, on which were written various commissioned announcements.
The disciples walked over curiously to take a look.
"Look, someone’s looking for a Dao companion!"
A disciple who had joined the sect three years ago suddenly pointed at a notice in the middle and shouted excitedly.
He then read it aloud: "Fish follow the water and grass to live; birds choose a good tree to perch. This humble girl, obsessed with cultivation, has never been married."
"Having cultivated to the Purple Mansion Realm, I look back suddenly to find myself still utterly alone, with only my shadow for company."
Reading this, everyone collectively gasped.
The disciple paused for a moment, then continued reading: "I wish to find a like-minded soul, with no restrictions on age or cultivation level. I wish to take your hand and grow old with you, to support each other on the path of cultivation."
"My heavens, a Purple Mansion Realm cultivator! I just wonder what she looks like in person?"
A disciple with thick brows, big eyes, and a rather rough-looking face rubbed his hands together, his own eyes shining as he spoke.
"What, Senior Brother Wang, are you tempted?"
A disciple next to him teased.
"Who wouldn’t be tempted? A Purple Mansion Realm cultivator! If I actually succeeded, my future cultivation would be set!"
"A Qi Refining paired with a Purple Mansion... you’d call her ’Senior’ outside, but ’wife’ at home, haha."
"A female Purple Mansion Realm cultivator is at least a hundred years old. And she’s never been married? You have to wonder what she looks like."
"Heheh, be careful you don’t get recruited as a cultivation furnace and get turned into a pile of medicinal dregs."
The disciples all chimed in with their opinions.