Chapter 151: Chapter 150: Grassroots Trade Fair

"The Fire Dragon Returning Essence Scripture is a perfect fit for me, but it has one drawback. After cultivating, my chest fills with Fire Poison. It feels like I’m holding a mouthful of fire in my throat—it’s unbearably uncomfortable..."

Bai Zichen coughed lightly, and sharp pains flared in his throat and chest.

The Fire Dragon Returning Essence Scripture was powerful and allowed for rapid cultivation. In its later stages, one could even transform their body into a fire dragon. It was already one of the top Cultivation Techniques in the Qingfeng Sect.

It only had two major drawbacks: one was the Fire Poison generated during cultivation, and the other was the difficulty of Breaking Realm.

The latter wasn’t a problem for Bai Zichen, but the former was a genuine source of his troubles.

He took a Vermilion Fruit Purifying Heart Pill. A refreshingly cool current of energy circulated through his body, slightly alleviating the symptoms.

’Let’s see... The agreed-upon time with Senior Brother Dai is approaching. I need to return to the Mountain Gate to retrieve my sword.’

’I have my heart set on Dual Swords Unification; I can’t very well use one Tier Two Flying Sword and one Tier One Flying Sword, can I?’

’Only with the Celestial Xin Sword in hand could it be considered truly complete.’

Filled with anticipation, Bai Zichen couldn’t be bothered to ride his Colorful Cloud Robe. He transformed directly into a streak of white Sword Light and returned to the Mountain Gate in less than three hours.

"You have perfect timing, Junior Brother Bai. I finished the Sword Refinement less than two days ago and didn’t even have time to send word to you."

Dai Hui, dressed in loose, casual robes, waved his hand and tossed a flying sword over.

’I wonder if he can maintain this refined, elegant demeanor when he’s performing Artifact Refining.’

"That’s because I so admire your Artifact Refining Skill, Senior Brother Dai. I wanted to witness the methods of a Tier Three Refiner for myself..."

Bai Zichen smiled and raised the Celestial Xin Sword. Its blade was long and slender, with dark red patterns running from hilt to tip.

With a flick of his finger, the Celestial Xin Sword vibrated with impressive flexibility.

"Thank you, Senior Brother Dai, for your work. You’ve given me yet another flying sword."

"I should be the one thanking you, Junior Brother. You always seem to give me an opportunity to refine a flying sword at a crucial moment... The Sound Bamboo Sword was what officially allowed me to step through the door of a Tier Three Refiner, and now the Celestial Xin Sword has given me the inspiration to refine a Magical Treasure."

A Tier Three Refiner’s skill was advanced enough to dabble in the realm of Magical Treasures. 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

However, due to his cultivation level, he lacked the aid of Pill Fire. This made refining a Magical Treasure several times more difficult for Dai Hui than for a Core Formation True Man who was also a Tier Three Refiner.

This was also why cultivators whose Hundred Arts Realm was a level ahead of their own cultivation realm often saw a significant boost in their craft as soon as their cultivation caught up.

In reality, they had already accumulated a sufficient foundation while their cultivation was low.

Once their cultivation rose, they had enough power to fully manifest that potential.

Dai Hui had previously assisted Master Ge Cang in refining a Magical Treasure, but he had never done so independently.

"Senior Brother Dai, your ambition knows no bounds! I wish you an early glimpse into a higher realm!"

"Haha, it’s just a thought... Creating an original Magical Treasure is far too difficult. It’s better to first follow the paths of our predecessors and successfully refine one."

Dai Hui waved his hand dismissively, indicating that while he had the inspiration, his skills weren’t quite there yet.

"That Acquired Thunder God Pearl I helped Ancestor Ge refine last time turned out quite well. Since I have that experience, my success rate should be much higher."

Successfully refining a Magical Treasure independently would essentially mean that Dai Hui had firmly established himself on the path of a Tier Three Refiner.

His actual capabilities would be far greater than what he could currently display.

"That little girl who presented the Acquired Thunder God Pearl has finally reached the Qi Refining Ninth Layer. I heard Ancestor Ge promised her a Foundation Establishment Pill. No matter when she reaches Qi Refining Perfection, she won’t have to wait in line; she can collect it directly."

Upon hearing about the Acquired Thunder God Pearl, Peng Chong, who was also present, gave Bai Zichen a deep look.

Back then, as the leading Elder, he had led a group of disciples and Clan Cultivators to the Five Mountains Temple to comprehend the Inheritance Stele.

At that time, Bai Zichen was just a child, and along with Su Li and Chen Wei, he had triggered a strange phenomenon from the Inheritance Stele, leaving a deep impression on Peng Chong.

How many years had it been? Su Li, who had always been regarded as the Sect’s genius of the Talisman Dao, had successfully reached Foundation Establishment as expected.

Chen Wei, who had emerged as a dark horse, had been taken under an Ancestor’s care and become a True Disciple, but was still languishing in the Qi Refining Stage.

Conversely, Bai Zichen, the most inconspicuous of the three back then, had now become the most sought-after young Elder in the Qingfeng Sect.

He could already chat and laugh freely with high-level figures on par with Hall Masters.

"In the past two years, the Sect has gained two more Foundation Establishment Elders, Junior Brother Jian and Junior Brother Long. You San from my Artifact Refining Hall has also reached Qi Refining Great Perfection and is preparing to attempt Foundation Establishment within five years..."

Dai Hui was quite gratified by the large influx of new blood into the Sect.

Junior Brother Jian was a Long-Term Steward who succeeded in reaching Foundation Establishment at nearly sixty years of age, a truly inspirational story.

As for Junior Brother Long, a True Disciple, he had failed his Foundation Establishment attempt several years ago but stopped in time, leaving him with minor after-effects.

After re-cultivating to Qi Refining Great Perfection over these past few years, he successfully achieved Foundation Establishment in one go with just a single Foundation Establishment Spiritual Object.

After leaving the Artifact Refining Hall, Bai Zichen had intended to return directly to Feiyue Lake, but he suddenly remembered something and turned to walk down the blue stone steps toward the front mountain.

Ever since he joined the Sect, he had started as an Inner Sect Disciple.

He had never experienced the trials of being a servant disciple or an Outer Sect Disciple, so he knew little about the low-tier cultivators who made up the vast majority of the Qingfeng Sect’s disciples.

It was only upon arriving at Guwu Peak that one could truly appreciate just how many disciples the Qingfeng Sect had.

In the past few years, over a thousand new servant disciples alone had been added, and most of the Immortal Seedlings recommended by disciples stationed elsewhere had also been accepted.

Unlike on Five Finger Peak, the disciples here hurried about, never idle for a moment.

Servant disciples received basically no resources or benefits; if they wanted anything, they had to earn it through their own efforts.

Outer Sect Disciples were slightly better off, but to rank high in the Sect’s minor competitions, assuming similar talent, the contest came down to who invested more Cultivation Resources.

’No one seems to recognize me here...’

With his youthful appearance and the fact that he wasn’t wearing his formal Elder robes, Bai Zichen didn’t stand out among the crowd of Outer Sect Disciples.

"Excuse me, Senior Brother, would you be interested in visiting our trading meet?" An Outer Sect Disciple stepped in front of him, enthusiastically addressing his fellow disciples. "It’s being hosted by Senior Brother Tian, the top ranker in this year’s minor competition. Dozens are participating, and everyone has brought out valuable items to trade. Most importantly, after the meet is over, Senior Brother Tian will share his secrets on how to become an Inner Sect Disciple. You can’t miss it!"

"A trading meet between Outer Sect Disciples?"

Bai Zichen’s curiosity was piqued.

Guwu Peak only had a Tier Two Mid Grade Spiritual Energy Level. Its residents were all Outer Sect Disciples, and servant disciples would often come to visit.

Inner Sect Disciples could choose higher-grade Cave Mansions, so they would definitely not return to Guwu Peak.

Even if they had business, they would just send word for an Outer Sect Disciple to come to them.

He had heard about these trading meets among the lower-level disciples back when he himself was an Inner Sect Disciple.

Consigning items to shops in the Market was not only inconvenient and time-consuming, but the Market also took a commission.

Being able to trade directly with fellow sect members to obtain useful Cultivation Resources was, naturally, the best option.

These trading meets were born out of this demand.

They had no fixed time or place and were generally held once every six months, organized by Outer Sect Disciples with considerable influence.

’I’ll go take a look, then. And while I’m there, I can ask around and find out where Jiangg Shu is.’

Bai Zichen had come to Guwu Peak on a whim, wanting to see how Jiangg Shu was faring after joining the Qingfeng Sect.

After he had spoken to the Transmission Hall to get Jiangg Shu accepted as an Outer Sect Disciple, he hadn’t seen her again.

Jiangg Shu, however, sent him a handwritten letter every six months, detailing her recent situation and some amusing stories from her cultivation.

But now that he was on Guwu Peak, he found himself interested in this so-called trading meet.

Perhaps it was because he had never experienced this part of sect life during his own growth that he wanted to understand the lives of low-tier disciples.

Seeing Bai Zichen nod, the Outer Sect Disciple excitedly led him along a winding path through the forest.

"My name is Lin Yong. You look unfamiliar, Senior Brother. I don’t think I’ve seen you before?"

Disciples like Lin Yong, who were responsible for recruiting others, received a reward for every person they successfully brought in.

Moreover, since the host this time was a newly-promoted Inner Sect Disciple, they were even more eager to perform well and leave a good impression on Senior Brother Tian.

"I usually stay in my room to cultivate and rarely go out."

Bai Zichen gave him a casual scan and saw that this dark, thin Outer Sect Disciple only had a cultivation of the Qi Refining Fifth Layer.

He subconsciously adjusted his Qi Concealing Techniques, controlling the Magical Power fluctuations on the surface of his body to mimic that of the Qi Refining Sixth Layer.

The trading meet was set up on a covered terrace in the forest, where more than a dozen disciples had set up stalls along the stone steps.

At the head of the terrace, a few people were seated behind a long table.

They must have been of higher status, as many Outer Sect Disciples were gathered around them.

Bai Zichen glanced at them before turning his attention back to the stalls.

The stall setup was similar to the outer square of the Market, but since the vendors and customers were all fellow sect members, the quality of the goods was comparatively more reliable.

At the very least, you wouldn’t find people picking up a couple of unknown items and daring to boast that they were relics left behind by a Core Formation True Man, as was common at the Market’s open-air stalls.

Or passing off a torn piece of cloth as a Treasure Map to an Ancient Secret Realm.

Bai Zichen browsed with great interest. The items were mostly Tier One Items: various Spiritual Materials, Talismans, and outdated Magical Artifacts being traded away.

Occasionally, a few bottles of Elixirs that could enhance one’s cultivation would appear, only to be immediately surrounded by a large crowd and quickly sold.

’This Ring looks rather interesting...’

As Bai Zichen passed a stall, he sensed a faint trace of Sword Qi. He crouched down and picked up a Brass Ring.

The Brass Ring was engraved with the shape of two flying swords and contained a strand of Sword Qi.

"Senior Brother, are you interested in the Sword Qi Ring?"

The stall owner was a fresh-faced female disciple who looked to be sixteen at most, like an unripe fruit still waiting to blossom.

She put on a serious expression, trying to appear calm and adult-like as she peddled her goods.

"This is a Mid-Grade Magical Artifact passed down in my family. Just infuse it with Magical Power, and it will release a strand of Sword Qi that is nigh-invincible, almost comparable to the destructive power of a Top-Grade Magical Artifact... I’m only selling it for one hundred and twenty Spirit Stones. It’s not expensive at all."

Bai Zichen slipped the Brass Ring onto his index finger, and a sharp Sword Qi flashed for an instant.

After toying with it for a moment, he discovered its secret.

By continuously infusing it with Magical Power without activating the Sword Qi, the two flying swords on the Brass Ring would slowly begin to spin, then leap up as two phantoms of light, clashing and moving with the speed of lightning.

"Who was the original owner of this Magical Artifact?"

Bai Zichen slipped the Brass Ring off, tossed it in his palm a couple of times, and looked at the young girl as he asked.

"It was my grandfather. He was once an Inner Sect Disciple of the Qingfeng Sect, but after failing a Sect mission and suffering heavy injuries, he returned home to marry and have children."

The young girl stared nervously at the Brass Ring, not even blinking.

"Before my grandfather passed away, he gave the Brass Ring to me... If you want to buy it, Senior Brother, I can lower the price by ten Spirit Stones. That’s the absolute lowest I can go."

"My grandfather was a master at the Qi Refining Great Perfection realm, you know! The Brass Ring was a Magical Artifact he wore constantly, never taking it off. It’s definitely not a Mortal Grade item. If I weren’t in desperate need of Spirit Stones to buy Elixirs, I would never have taken it out to sell."