The Golden Sparrow Sword was forged from Western True Gold. When pushed to its limits, it produced a sharp, bird-like cry and was renowned for its speed.

This short, golden sword was the very Flying Sword Meng Zhaode had prepared for himself when he planned to switch his path to Sword Cultivation.

Among Tier One Flying Swords, the Golden Sparrow Sword was considered top-tier.

To be honest, if sold in the Market, it would fetch at least two or three hundred more Spirit Stones than the Ink Bamboo Sword.

But after lying idle for a century without the nourishment of Spiritual Qi, the sword’s interior had grown stagnant and dim, and its Magical Power no longer flowed smoothly.

’In this condition, it needs to be reforged in a Sword Furnace to absorb enough Five Metals Essence Qi for repairs.’

Bai Zichen flicked the Golden Sparrow Sword, which let out a dull thud like a piece of dead wood.

’I’ll try nurturing it with the Sword Nurturing Technique later and see if that works.’

If the Golden Sparrow Sword could be repaired, it would be far more useful than the Ink Bamboo Sword in many situations.

He made up his mind to use the Sword Nurturing Technique as soon as he got back.

If that didn’t work, he would ask Elder Peng Chong to help him get assistance from the Artifact Refining Hall.

The Star River Sword Array had left a tremendous impression on Bai Zichen. Even though he knew he couldn’t possibly succeed in forming the array, he couldn’t stop himself from wanting to try.

’But gathering twelve Flying Swords is just too much. A typical Sword Cultivator already struggles to maintain a single Lifebound Flying Sword... Twelve at once? No amount of wealth could sustain that kind of expense!’

Bai Zichen did a quick calculation of the cost of twelve Tier One Flying Swords and couldn’t help but be taken aback, to say nothing of High-Tier Flying Swords.

The prerequisite for the Star River Sword Monarch’s unrivaled combat prowess was that he possessed ten times the wealth of an ordinary Nascent Soul True Monarch.

However, with the backing of the former Taibai Sword Sect, gathering so many Flying Swords was probably much easier.

In addition to these items, the Mid-Grade Storage Bag also contained two Tier Two Talismans: a Yellow Turban Strongman Talisman and a Ban Breaking Talisman, both of which were quite valuable.

"Elder Meng, if I ever reach the day of Core Formation, I will surely fulfill your last wish!"

After sorting through Meng Zhaode’s worldly possessions, Bai Zichen bowed from afar in the direction of the abandoned cave, reaffirming his promise.

...

In a private room on the third floor of a teahouse on the central street of the Qingfeng Sect Market.

Lang Zhongping rapidly dealt with the miscellaneous affairs at hand. A line of stewards waited outside for an audience, ready to report on recent matters requiring his decision.

His conversation with each steward lasted no longer than the time it took to drink a cup of tea. No matter how difficult the issue, Lang Zhongping would offer a solution after a moment’s thought.

For issues that couldn’t be settled immediately, he would write down his opinion and either pass it on to the other Stewards for discussion or submit it to the two Market Elders.

As one of the four Stewards in charge of the Market’s day-to-day affairs, Lang Zhongping oversaw all trade with the Cultivation Families, making him a man of considerable power.

A single decision from him could affect a Cultivation Family’s revenue for years, and even more Loose Cultivator Clans depended on his favor to survive.

Lang Zhongping had a reputation among the Qingfeng Sect’s Stewards for his mastery of administrative matters. In the two years since his transfer to the Market, the annual Spirit Stone revenue submitted to the Sect from his domain had risen steadily.

However, now in his early fifties, he still harbored a sliver of hope for the Great Dao and dedicated half of every month to his Cultivation.

"Lord Steward, I hear the Sect is considering separating the Market to establish it as its own Hall?"

This steward, having finished his report, didn’t exit the private room. Instead, he took two steps forward and began to probe quietly.

"Where did you hear that? Establishing a new Hall would have massive repercussions. It’s not something for us to comment on. Until the Sect Leader and the two Ancestors have spoken, it’s all just baseless talk!"

Lang Zhongping’s expression remained neutral. This steward was his confidant, entrusted with important and private matters.

Anyone else would never have dared to ask such a question.

When the Market was first established, it was merely a branch of the Miscellaneous Affairs Hall.

As its scale expanded and the annual contribution of Spirit Stones to the Sect grew, so too did the Market’s importance.

First, it was separated from the Miscellaneous Affairs Hall, then it gradually developed a leadership structure of two Elders and four Stewards.

Rumors of it becoming its own Hall had been circulating for years, but Lang Zhongping knew it wasn’t that simple.

The Qingfeng Sect’s structure of Five Halls and seven departments had existed for a thousand years. Adding a new Hall would entangle countless interests and affect numerous positions.

It wasn’t something that could be accomplished just because a few Elders were interested and some mid-level Stewards were scurrying about to make it happen.

For a Steward with real power like Lang Zhongping, getting involved in such a matter could get him utterly crushed with a single misstep.

In any case, according to his intelligence, business in the Market had increased by an average of thirty percent over the past few months due to the war between the Righteous and Demonic Dao. The outskirts had been expanded with many new residences, and an estimated thousand more Loose Cultivators had settled near the Market.

The rent for the next round of shop leases in the Market could be raised again, so he had no reason to worry about his performance evaluation.

"Yes, yes, of course... The Xuu Family would like to invite you to Rumeng Tower tonight, my lord. Are you free? If you have other plans, I’ll decline on your behalf to the Xuu Family Patriarch."

"The Xuu Family... Is that the one that wants to rent East Street Shop B3 on a thirty-year lease?"

Lang Zhongping immediately pulled up information on the Xuu Family in his mind. They were an unremarkable Loose Cultivator Clan that had visited him several times, hoping to rent a well-positioned shop.

Having a shop in the Market’s core district, regardless of what one sold, guaranteed a stable, secure income.

Even if the clan itself had no stable products, with a little effort they could establish supply channels with outside Loose Cultivators and earn a modest living selling raw materials.

In recent years, as the Market grew ever more prosperous, the few remaining shops were no longer sold. In fact, they had even repurchased several shops at high prices from owners who desperately needed Spirit Stones due to some misfortune.

The shops available for rent were offered on ten, twenty, or thirty-year leases.

"You little rascal, how much did Elder Xuu pay you to be his messenger?"

"Truly, I can’t hide anything from you, my lord... I only agreed because Elder Xuu mentioned he wanted to give his granddaughter to you as a concubine. You’re all alone here in the Market, my lord, with no one to attend to you. Otherwise, no matter how many Spirit Stones the Xuu Family offered, I would never have dared to relay his message."

"You... honestly," Lang Zhongping sighed. "Fine. I’m free tonight, so I’ll go see what sort of scheme Elder Xuu is plotting. The Sect doesn’t grant thirty-year leases lightly these days."

Lang Zhongping pointed a finger at the young steward. He recalled the beautiful young woman he had seen trailing behind the Xuu Family Patriarch at the last banquet, and a flicker of heat in his chest made him agree.

"Heh heh, but how many years they can rent for is just a matter of a single word from you, my lord."

Seeing the matter settled, the young steward felt he had earned the ten-Spirit-Stone tip from the Xuu Family Patriarch. He cheerfully prepared to leave and make the arrangements at Rumeng Tower.

"Lord Steward, an Inner Sect Disciple named Bai Zichen is here to see you. He’s waiting in the VIP room on the second floor."

Two soft knocks came from the door, followed by the voice of a Firework Daoist from the other side.

"At this hour... My lord, perhaps you could see him later?"

’A meeting at this hour means he’ll be late for the banquet,’ the young steward grumbled internally, annoyed that this Inner Sect Disciple had such poor timing. But when he turned his head, he saw Lang Zhongping had already leaped up from his couch.

"Quick, invite Junior Brother Bai up... No, I’ll go down to see him. You, go to the storeroom, get out the finest Spirit Tea, and brew a pot."

Lang Zhongping straightened his Daoist Robe and hurried toward the second-floor VIP room in just a few quick strides.

The young steward was left dumbfounded. Since when was his Lord Steward so enthusiastic?

He remembered a True Disciple visiting the Market last year, and Steward Lang hadn’t even stooped to greet him personally.