He sorted his thoughts in his mind.

What he’s experiencing now is the simulation.

First is the era of Xiang Wuji’s Demon Venerable, when the Human Race had already risen, and Jiuzhou Cultivation Realm was stable.

Next is the era close to Ouyang Yun and others, ten thousand years after Xiang Wuji, Jiuzhou Cultivation Realm, at least Changzhou South Wilderness, had no major upheavals.

Then there’s Pei Min’s era, an indeterminate Pocket World, without any reference value.

Finally, it’s now Zhong Heng’s simulation, where Jiuzhou Cultivation Realm is shattered, certainly after Ouyang Yun, but the number of years since Xiang Wuji, Ouyang Yun, and others is unknown.

Jiang Ming’s eyes lit up as he looked at the simulated text on the golden scroll.

No matter what, the new era where Zhong Heng resides has made great progress in cultivation technique inheritance and array inheritance.

Perhaps it could provide unexpected assistance to Jiang Ming.

[After meticulous consideration, you discover that the Three-Phase Qi Refining Technique seems to have undergone countless revisions, almost maximizing cultivation efficiency.]

[Though it doesn’t match the major sect inheritances you knew from your previous life, it’s also an excellent cultivation technique within those Golden Core Sects. And according to the instructions, this technique is a general cultivation technique, widely spread.]

[At the same time, the array is much more exquisite than the arrays you knew from your previous life.]

[But unfortunately, you have Five Spirit Roots, which are unsuitable for cultivating the Three-Phase Qi Refining Technique. You can only practice the Breathing Technique derived from martial arts, which is highly inefficient. You need a suitable cultivation technique.] 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

[Hiding in the mountains for half a year, you estimate that Shallow Cloud Mountain’s attention on you might have decreased, and the commotion might have passed.]

[According to your memories from your previous life, you made a simple disguise for yourself. Just minor changes, yet you seem like a different person.]

[You begin your trek over mountains and water towards Three Clouds Market.]

[Three Clouds Market is at the boundary between Shallow Cloud Mountain and another Cultivation Sect, the Gold Devouring Sect. You spent over a month to finally reach Three Clouds Market.]

[You used the method from Master Weidao’s inheritance to activate the market’s switch...]

[A Concealment Array appeared before your eyes, and you involuntarily activated your River Map analysis ability, discovering unexpectedly that the array before you is a Fourth-Order Concealing Defense Array. It seems to be layered with detection, enemy elimination, and enemy trapping, forming a comprehensive large array.]

[You didn’t stay long and entered Three Clouds Market...]

Zhong Heng changed into a green robe, his appearance significantly altered, though still ordinary, now bore no resemblance to his former look.

Overall, he gave the impression of a clean, capable young person... or perhaps a teenager?

Indeed, Zhong Heng was now only twelve years old, despite his good development and stable mind, the youthful vigor on his face couldn’t be hidden.

Zhong Heng made hand seals, and a mountain path before him suddenly rembled like ripples on the surface of water.

Behind the ripples lay a brand-new world.

The streets were clean, with stalls lining the roadside. They seemed to have been organized well, giving a comfortable appearance.

At the same time, some puppets could be seen automatically cleaning the streets.

Of course, as in Zhong Heng’s previous life, upon entering the market, lower-level cultivators would promptly offer guidance in exchange for compensation.

However, Zhong Heng’s cultivation was too low, only at Qi Refining Second Layer, but he was still a cultivator, and soon a mortal came forward.

"Is it your first time here, little brother?"

The one who came was a teenager around Zhong Heng’s age.

"Yes... show me around the market." After Zhong Heng spoke, he tossed a piece of Spirit Stone fragment.

The teen was elated, as other guiding cultivators secretly gritted their teeth, not expecting this Qi Refining Second Layer novice to be so generous, indicating he might be a young master from a certain family out for training.

The fragment was quite valuable.

A year as an outer disciple of Shallow Cloud Mountain only earns one Low-grade Spirit Stone, which translates into ten pieces of Spirit Stone fragments.

Of course, outer disciples are the lowest tier of Shallow Cloud Mountain, while Outer Sect Stewards earn more, and this is just the basics, the larger income being from task rewards.

A single Spirit Stone fragment is indeed enough to buy most of a month’s Tier One Qi Condensing Pills.

However, now Zhong Heng had hundreds of Spirit Stone fragments on hand, nearly a hundred Low-grade Spirit Stones, and four Middle-grade Spirit Stones.

The reward of a Spirit Stone fragment was quite impressive, but not enough to make others envious.

"Alright, young master, please follow me." The teenager smiled warmly, quickly put away the Spirit Stone, and his tone became noticeably more respectful.

"This is Pill Cauldron Tower, the largest pill merchant in Three Clouds Market. While there are other lesser pill shops that might be cheaper, their quality isn’t as good as Pill Cauldron Tower."

"This is Jinshan Pavilion, run by the Gold Devouring Sect, the quality of the magical artifacts is quite good, especially Gold Attribute Magical Artifacts, which are exceptional. Some cultivation families under Shallow Cloud Mountain frequently come here to purchase..."

"This is Hundred Treasures Pavilion, a comprehensive shop backed by Miyou Business Alliance, selling pills, magical artifacts, talismans..."

"There are a lot of talisman shops as talisman is the easiest to acquire among the Four Skills of Cultivation."

"What? Arrays? Young master, there are too few Array Masters, no shop sells Array Discs."

"Mostly you have to invite an Array Master to place an array, they have resident Array Masters in several shops. I know a few that are reasonably priced, perhaps you can try them out..."

"This is the branch of the Gold Devouring Sect..."

"This is the branch of Shallow Cloud Mountain... though both sects are quite harsh on Loose Cultivators, as it’s better to use disciples they’ve trained personally..."

......

"This is Thousand Mechanism Pavilion, which apparently has Ascendant Master Mulu, a Golden Core Realm Loose Cultivator, listed on the back. They primarily deal in selling intelligence and cultivation techniques... notably skilled Puppet Masters, and their Artifact Forgers and Array Masters are considered quite good..."

That Spirit Stone fragment spent well, the teenager showed Zhong Heng around the entirety of Three Clouds Market, introducing almost all the items in the market, even recommending some cost-effective small Loose Cultivator stalls.

Zhong Heng looked towards the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion before him, not looking particularly impressive.

"Thousand Mechanism Pavilion..."

[You’ve arrived in front of Thousand Mechanism Pavilion.]

[The number of Loose Cultivators in Three Clouds Market far exceeded your expectations, at least twice more.]

[The Cultivation Realm has changed, some Great Powers have integrated cultivation technique into martial arts, bridging the gap between immortals and mortals, which led to a surge in the number of lower-level cultivators and consequently, the upper-level ones as well.]

[Sects generally grow stronger, but resources are scarce, making conflicts more intense, and the number of Loose Cultivators also soared.]

[Loose Cultivators’ biggest problem is lacking a path into sects, not being able to join organizations.]

[Thousand Mechanism Pavilion is your best chance.]

[You step inside, and soon someone appears to ask if you need assistance. You are surprised to find that it’s actually a realistic puppet.]

[You explained your fabricated background, describing yourself as a youngster who accidentally acquired Master Weidao’s inheritance.]

[Soon you met a True Master, a tall woman named Qian Hua, who glanced at you several times and inquired about specific details of Master Weidao, which you vaguely mentioned, but she didn’t dwell much on it.]

[Despite your youth, she was initially reluctant to hire you, but considering you’re a heir of Master Weidao’s legacy, she let you work as an attendant at Thousand Mechanism Pavilion.]

[Meanwhile, she wanted to buy the inheritance from you, believing you were too young, and couldn’t possibly draw arrays, let alone place them...]

[You hesitated briefly but then mentioned your ability to set up arrays.]

"Array? You?"

Qian Hua, tall and cold, like an iceberg; her speech was also chilled.

"I can."

"For Elder Wei’s sake, come here..."

Qian Hua scrutinized Zhong Heng.

Too young.

Besides, array aptitude is exceedingly rare. How could some random kid from the wild have it, let alone superior talent?

Some array materials were brought out; Thousand Mechanism Pavilion was wealthy enough for these materials to set up most standard arrays.

Zhong Heng hesitated, and ultimately chose the most assured Spirit Gathering Array...