Chapter 51

It seemed harvest season had arrived, with a faint scent of grain drifting from the fields on both sides.

Wang Yu glanced left and right, seeing that most fields grew the same variety of rice—entirely emerald green, with grain heads as large as thumbs, yet only two or three grains per stalk bore actual fruit, the rest shriveled and dry.

A smaller portion of fields cultivated fruits and vegetables, but even these seemed much larger than those outside.

Most fields were separated by simple fences or hedges, with people dressed in varied attire working within. The dwellings built among the fields were small, each consisting of just two or three stone rooms forming a modest courtyard.

As Wang Yu followed the green-robed elder past one field and saw what the two laborers were doing, his lips twitched slightly.

One, dressed as a scholar, held a net bag in one hand and a thin black sword in the other, swiftly stabbing between the rice stalks—each thrust impaling an unknown black insect, then flipping it into the net bag in his other hand.

In another field, a burly warrior clad in gleaming half-armor wielded a heavy bronze hoe, laboriously digging into the earth.

Each strike of the hoe struck the ground with a dull “clang,” like chiseling stone.

The three continued down the field path, seeing monks with copper basins floating above their heads, pouring water continuously, and beautiful young women swinging enormous sickles to harvest rice…

As Wang Yu marveled, a black dot appeared in the distant sky, swiftly flying toward them, arriving above the trio in moments.

It was a giant crane, the size of a grown man, its feathers gray, its crest emerald green, its eyes blazing red, upon whose back sat a middle-aged man in a black robe, a precious sword strapped to his back, his waist bulging.

“Are you newcomers to Guangyuan Market? I’m the on-duty officer. Only those with cultivation reaching Qi Refinement Third Layer or higher may enter Guangyuan Market. Activate your cultivation method—I’ll test you.” The man did not dismount from the crane but pulled a golden disc from his sleeve and looked down at the three.

Without waiting for Wang Yu’s consent, he aimed the disc downward.

Wang Yu felt the tangible wind pressure and faint stench from the giant bird’s flapping wings, his thoughts shifting—but he glanced around and saw several nearby farmers pointing and watching, as if this were routine.

“Follow this Daoist’s instructions—it’s mandatory for first-time visitors to the market,” the green-robed elder said calmly, unbothered. He raised one hand in a seal, and his body instantly surged with magical energy.

The Princess of Tianhe, hearing this, obediently activated her method; green light flowed over her skin, emitting a faint herbal aroma.

Seeing this, Wang Yu activated the third-layer incantation of Yin Water Art, and a faint chill subtly rose from his body.

“Acceptable—one at Qi Refinement Third Layer, one at Fourth, one at Sixth—all meet the entry requirements. Proceed directly to the entrance to register. If you have no permanent lodging, you may stay in the market no more than three days.” The man glanced at the disc, nodded, gave a few final warnings, then rode the crane away.

This Hua Elder is only a mid-stage Qi Refinement Sixth Layer cultivator?

Wang Yu gave the elder a surprised second look—when suddenly, the elder spotted a familiar figure in the distance and beamed.

“Young friend, I think I see an old acquaintance—I’ll take the Princess to pay a visit. You may go ahead into the market; we’ll meet again in the valley someday.”

With that, the Hua Elder walked toward another field nearby.

Seeing this, the Princess hesitated, then tossed Wang Yu a talisman, whispering: “Wang Daoist, this is my message talisman. As long as we’re not too far apart, you can contact me through it.”

Then the white-robed woman hurried after the Hua Elder.

Wang Yu looked at the talisman in his hand, then at the retreating figures, thought for a moment, stuffed the talisman into his storage pouch, and led the donkey slowly toward the valley.

At the valley entrance, he saw a massive archway, its three golden characters clearly inscribed: “Guangyuan Market.” On either side stood several upright silver-armored soldiers and a conspicuous small wooden hut.

These soldiers were broad-shouldered and thick-waisted, wielding spears and blades—but when Wang Yu extended his spiritual sense, he detected no magical energy from them. After a quick glance with his Qi-Observation Art, he realized their blood qi was robust, rising nearly an inch above their skin, far surpassing ordinary humans—each nearly equal to Master Zhu of the Black Tiger Fist Dojo.

Could these be the protection force warriors Hua Elder mentioned?

Wang Yu muttered to himself, stabled his donkey in a nearby animal shed, then headed straight for the wooden hut.

When he stepped out again, he held in his hands a white wooden plaque and a thin booklet.

One side of the plaque bore simple carvings; the other, the characters “Guangyuan.” The booklet’s cover read: “Guangyuan Essentials.”

These two items cost him one spirit stone!

Wang Yu winced inwardly but could only show the plaque to the soldiers beneath the archway, then slung a large bundle over his shoulder and entered the valley.

Upon entering the valley mouth, he saw a dense cluster of buildings of all kinds.

The front half of the valley consisted mostly of crude stone cottages, with occasional dilapidated wooden pavilions scattered haphazardly.

The rear half, bounded by an invisible arc, featured neat rows of blue-stone tiled houses extending up the mountainside, strikingly clean and orderly.

The entire valley wasn’t large—capable of housing fifty to sixty thousand people normally. Several main roads cut through it, yet few pedestrians walked the streets; those who did moved with urgent haste.

Wang Yu opened the thin booklet given during registration and skimmed it quickly.

Moments later, his face lit with understanding. He tucked the booklet away and walked straight ahead along the street, glancing occasionally at the buildings on either side, as if searching for something.

Soon, he checked into a seemingly humble inn called “Yunlai Inn.”

Meals and lodging included—one spirit stone for three days.

Standing at the inn’s entrance, Wang Yu touched his sleeve pouch and for the first time felt his expenses for food and lodging in Guangyuan Market might become a problem.

In the following time, he wandered the front half of the market, his eyes wide with wonder.

Not least among the sights were the cultivation practitioners’ attire.

It was autumn, yet he saw young women in short sleeves, elderly men wrapped in thick fur coats, burly men coiled with pythons, and Daoists wearing masks…

Yet without doubt, all were cultivators—but he also saw ordinary mortals without any magical energy, though their numbers were relatively few.

Wasn’t it required to be at least Qi Refinement Third Layer to enter the market? Were these mortals somehow special?

Wang Yu grumbled inwardly, his gaze constantly shifting—he noticed many shops lining the street, but most sold everyday goods, ironware, and clothing, none of the cultivation items he most wanted: talismans, cultivation methods. Transactions used ordinary gold and silver, yet prices were five to six times higher than in Tongzhou City.

As he puzzled over this, he reached the boundary between the front and rear sections of the market, where a large square suddenly opened up. Though not bustling, it was crowded with people.

Around the square stood numerous stalls of varying sizes, and even a patrol of soldiers dressed identically to the gate guards walked among them.

Wang Yu perked up, entered the square, and glanced at the nearest stall.

On a large black cloth lay three items: a small packet of pale red soil, an ancient-looking dagger, and a dark brick etched with several golden patterns.

He remained expressionless, continued walking, and surveyed other stalls—most displayed mysterious-looking objects, yet few people paused before them.

The stall owners sat silently behind their wares, utterly indifferent, as if waiting for customers to come to them.

Wang Yu changed his mind, abandoned the mysterious stalls, and walked toward those where people had actually stopped.