Chapter 207: Xuan Gui Fu Hai Formation

At the entrance archway of the Fangcun Mountain marketplace.

Several guarding cultivators inspected passing cultivators with haughty airs, but upon seeing Qin Ming transformed into a bearded giant descend, they immediately switched to groveling, smirking postures, bowing deferentially: "Esteemed elder, are you entering the marketplace?"

"Might I ask your name?"

"I'll process your registration at once."

The Qi Refining cultivators waiting in line also wisely stepped aside, casting curious glances at this bearded, aura-laden Foundation Establishment cultivator.

"I am Long Dao Ren!"

Qin Ming replied in a deep, gruff voice, his coarse aura radiating unmistakably.

"Oh! So you're Elder Long! Please, come in! I'll activate the formation for you immediately." The gatekeeper recorded his details and let him pass.

As Qin Ming entered the marketplace, merchants and traders bustled in all directions, cultivators of every type flowed like a dense tide, and shops on both sides displayed dazzling wares.

This was the largest cultivation marketplace he had ever visited—even several times bigger than the former Qingyang Marketplace.

Qin Ming walked steadily along the main road; nearby cultivators, seeing this burly Foundation Establishment elder, quickly cleared a path.

He had no interest in admiring the marketplace's splendor or browsing the surrounding shops.

He headed straight for the largest establishment within: "Yunhuo Pavilion"—undoubtedly one of Lei Yuanzong's properties.

"Esteemed elder, please come inside—proceed to the fourth floor."

The female hostess on the first floor, seeing a Foundation Establishment elder arrive, immediately offered a professional smile and ushered Qin Ming upward.

Yunhuo Pavilion was vast, eighteen stories tall, built and decorated with ancient elegance and luxury, crafted with meticulous materials and workmanship, exuding the prestige of a regional power—its grandeur fully displayed.

After Qin Ming ascended, the many Qi Refining cultivators dining below sighed in relief.

"Who is that elder?"

"I didn't expect a Foundation Establishment elder to come here today."

"This elder… isn't from around here, is he? I don't recall ever seeing him."

"Shh, don't gossip recklessly—some Foundation Establishment elders are unpredictable. Watch your tongue."

"Exactly, exactly—eat your food, eat your food!"

…

The room on the fourth floor was decorated in ancient, elegant, solemn style.

After half a cup of tea.

A middle-aged cultivator in a blue robe embroidered with gold thread and crimson brocade appeared, radiating the spiritual pressure of mid-Foundation Establishment, his every gesture exuding calm composure.

After entering the private chamber, he sized up the coarse-featured bearded giant before him, bowed slightly, and smiled: "I am Han Lin, stationed by Lei Yuanzong in Fangcun Mountain and manager of this Yunhuo Pavilion. Pleased to meet Elder Long!"

"Might I ask, Elder Long, from which sect do you hail? I know many Foundation Establishment cultivators across the Wei Kingdom, yet I've never heard your name."

"I'm just a mountain villager, rarely seen beyond my home. It's natural you haven't heard of me," Qin Ming replied coolly.

Lei Yuanzong, as a colossal force, maintained intelligence networks throughout the Wei Kingdom's cultivation world, keeping records on every Foundation Establishment cultivator.

But his false identity had only appeared twice before—in Tianhe Marketplace and near Qianye Spirit Island—so the man's ignorance was perfectly reasonable.

"I see. Elder Long is visiting Fangcun Mountain for the first time. What are you seeking to purchase? Our Yunhuo Pavilion can't claim much, but our cultivation resources are plentiful."

Han Lin's tone was steady, every word dripping with sincerity.

"I heard your pavilion sells third-rank formations. That's why I came all this way," Qin Ming said bluntly.

At these words,

Han Lin, seated across from him, froze in surprise, his expression shifting as he re-examined the unassuming bearded giant.

Third-rank formations were no ordinary cultivation item. Not only did they require a third-rank spiritual vein to activate, but their cost was far beyond the reach of ordinary cultivators.

Only major clans or powerful sects—with at least several Foundation Establishment cultivators—could afford such resources.

Ordinary free cultivators couldn't even afford a single hair of a third-rank formation.

"Heh! I didn't expect Elder Long came specifically for a third-rank formation. May I ask your origin?"

"We do sell third-rank formations at Yunhuo Pavilion—and I daresay, across the entire Wei Kingdom, fewer than three fingers' worth of places can offer them."

Qin Ming replied: "Heh! Just a reclusive free cultivator, not worth mentioning. But I recently heard rumors of a beast disaster—so I've had to liquidate my entire fortune just to buy a chance at survival."

"Oh? Elder Long's information is remarkably sharp. This rumor has only reached the upper echelons of major sects," Han Lin said, genuinely surprised.

This "Elder Long" was clearly no mountain villager—how could a villager possess such critical intelligence? But as long as he had spirit stones, any guest was welcome—unless he was a fugitive or a demonic cultivator, all were acceptable for trade.

"This… involves a third-rank formation transaction. I must humbly ask you to verify your spirit stones—at least ten thousand lower-grade spirit stones, or one thousand mid-grade spirit stones, to proceed." Han Lin smiled as he explained.

The bearded giant Qin Ming had become laughed freely, flashing a row of white teeth, and immediately placed two bags of spirit stones before Han Lin. Han Lin gave a slight nod, then opened both bags—each contained exactly five hundred mid-grade spirit stones.

Having demonstrated his financial strength, Han Lin no longer doubted his purchasing power.

His smile deepened instantly—this deal, if completed, would be another major achievement. He enthusiastically poured Qin Ming a cup of spirit tea and began his pitch: "Our pavilion currently offers three third-rank formations."

"The first is the Hunyuan Star River Formation—a lower-tier third-rank formation that harnesses mountain and star energy, offering both offense and defense, priced at eighteen hundred mid-grade spirit stones."

"The second is the Doutian Xuanling Formation—a lower-tier third-rank formation. Besides its formidable defense, within its range, consuming mid-grade spirit stones grants spatial teleportation ability, priced at fifteen hundred mid-grade spirit stones."

"The third is the Xuan Gui Fu Hai Formation—a mid-tier third-rank formation, famed for its extreme defensive power, capable of effortlessly blocking all attacks below late Foundation Establishment."

"However, this formation possesses only defensive capabilities, no other functions, and requires a mid-tier third-rank spiritual vein to achieve its maximum defensive effect."

"With only a lower-tier third-rank spiritual vein, its effectiveness drops drastically—I must clarify this beforehand. Price: twelve hundred mid-grade spirit stones."

Han Lin finished, sipped his spirit tea, and waited for Qin Ming's response.

"Does your pavilion have any higher-tier third-rank upper-grade formations?" Qin Ming suddenly asked.

Puff! "Cough! Cough!"

Han Lin spat out his tea in shock, frantically wiping his robe.

The "Elder Long" across from him had just made a shocking remark.

"Cough! I won't lie, Elder Qin—our sect's protective formation is a third-rank upper-grade one…" Han Lin's face twitched—he couldn't possibly sell Lei Yuanzong's own sect protection formation.

"Heh! I see. I was too abrupt," Qin Ming chuckled awkwardly.

After brief thought, he chose the mid-tier third-rank formation: "Xuan Gui Fu Hai Formation."

Qin Ming immediately pulled out another two hundred mid-grade spirit stones and handed them to Han Lin—his spirit stone reserves halved.

But he wasn't worried—he could always auction off a Foundation Establishment elixir if needed.

The deal was sealed: money exchanged for goods.

Han Lin produced a shell-shaped object and dozens of earth-yellow formation flags, handing them to Qin Ming, then smiled: "Elder Long, keep these well—this is the formation's core, and these are the flags."

"Also, this jade slip contains detailed instructions on how to deploy the formation. Simply follow the steps—it's very simple."

Qin Ming stored the formation and jade slip, sighing inwardly—buying formations truly was a bottomless pit of spirit stones. His goal achieved, he bowed to Han Lin: "Manager Han, pleasure doing business. I have urgent matters—must take my leave."

"Heh! Elder Long, don't rush off—why not stay a few more days in the marketplace?"

"Let me, as host, properly entertain you," Han Lin strained to persuade this super-client.

Not just anyone could casually produce twelve hundred mid-grade spirit stones to buy a formation.

With Han Lin's decades of experience managing Yunhuo Pavilion, he didn't need to guess—this "Elder Long" was almost certainly a master of some high-level cultivation art.

The only other possibility was a "bandit cultivator," but Han Lin had already secretly scanned him with special tools—no signs of disguise.

Nor was he on any wanted list in the Wei Kingdom—his origins seemed clean.

"I appreciate your kindness, Elder Han. We'll have many chances to drink together in the future," Qin Ming bowed.

Han Lin, seeing Qin Ming hadn't outright refused, leaned forward eagerly: "Do you belong to any sect? Would you consider joining Lei Yuanzong? Our treatment of guest cultivators is always exceptional…"

Qin Ming was used to such overtures—he declined with three sentences.

Han Lin was deeply frustrated. He'd hoped to subtly probe his background, but "Elder Long" was utterly impenetrable, his words flawless.

Though disappointed, this was their first meeting—he couldn't push too hard.

Besides, he'd already secured a major deal. With Elder Long's resources, future dealings were certain.

Thinking this,

Han Lin pulled out a jade token and handed it to Qin Ming: "Elder Long, your purchase qualifies you as a VIP of our pavilion. Any future needs—come directly to me."

"Within the Wei Kingdom's cultivation realm, there's little we can't procure—and you'll receive a twenty percent discount."

Qin Ming accepted the token without protest: "Thank you."

He then departed under Han Lin's respectful escort.

Passersby on the street stopped to stare—few cultivators merited Han Lin's personal farewell.

Qin Ming left Fangcun Mountain marketplace but didn't hurry back.

Instead, he circled wildly around nearby hills.

(End of Chapter)