Chapter 66: The Xuanzhen Sect Sends a Messenger

Dao techniques are divided into three grades: upper, middle, and lower, and above them lie further powers such as divine abilities.

All Dao techniques and divine abilities are collectively classified under Dao methods; the distinction between the two lies merely in the latter’s greater power—when cultivated to profound depths, even burning mountains and boiling seas, plucking stars and bathing in the sun, becomes trivial.

Yet the fundamental functions of Dao methods are largely limited to these categories: growth, insight, destruction, defense, concealment, elixir and array crafting, and sustenance.

The reason Baoju Zhai dares not lightly accept Dao methods has long been established.

According to Hao Qingyan, this shop’s prosperity to this day stems from a lucky stroke, inheriting the legacy of past generations.

In those days, the dominant force in the southern markets was still the “Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion,” and at its peak, elders from major sects like Divine Flame Cliff, Evil Feasting Mountain, and Flower Goddess Mansion were all honored guests, even extending their reach beyond the impoverished southern lands to establish branches in the central and eastern regions of Dongmi Province.

But this pavilion was betrayed by its rival, the “Six Harmonies Society,” and carelessly acquired a divine ability from Hu Zhao Sect called the “Five Yin Grasping Palm,” unknowingly putting it up for sale in the pavilion.

As a result, in a single night, it was uprooted from Dongmi Province; all its members perished, their primordial spirits utterly extinguished, denied even the chance of reincarnation.

Former allies of the “Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion,” such as Divine Flame Cliff and Evil Feasting Mountain, fell silent, daring not utter a word.

On the contrary, several sect masters hurried overnight to Hu Zhao Sect to beg forgiveness, admitting their failure to discern truth, offering lavish gifts to plead for mercy.

This upheaval shook half of Dongmi Province with shock and dread; every merchant house trembled, fearing they would follow the same fate as the “Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion.”

Yet the “Six Harmonies Society,” the rival of the “Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion,” also did not escape unscathed.

After Hu Zhao Sect uncovered the truth, they allowed no defense or explanation, and directly used a primordial spirit True Person skilled in curses to transform them all into spirit mud puppets—neither able to live nor die, in the most pitiful state imaginable.

The rise of Baoju Zhai and other small shops came precisely from the collapse of these two giants, seizing the opportunity to turn their fortunes.

Had those two still existed, how could they have ever enjoyed such fortune? They would long ago have been crushed by every overt and covert tactic, left with no place to stand.

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“Thus, since then, we dare not lightly accept Dao methods, fearing we might be tricked, fall into a trap, and meet the same end as those two.”

Hao Qingyan sighed deeply:

“Even if we accept Dao methods, we require guarantors, contracts, credentials… we must verify the seller’s identity, sign written agreements, and trace the origin of every Dao method sold—otherwise, no matter how enticing, we dare not acquire it at all; who knows if it’s deliberately meant to lure you into a trap!”

“So complicated?”

Chen Hang frowned: “What of wandering cultivators without connections who wish to purchase Dao methods? Will they come here only to leave empty-handed?”

“Hah! You’re clinging to appearances!”

Hao Qingyan laughed loudly, clapping his hands:

“Do you know how countless ordinary Dao techniques are? Passed from generation to generation, from one person to another—they’ve spread throughout the world! Techniques like Qi Armor and Blood Escape, there are too many to count! What I just mentioned applies only to rare, unnamed ones—we take such precautions. If you wish to purchase Dao techniques…”

He pulled from his space pouch a book five fingers thick and handed it to Chen Hang.

Chen Hang took it in hand.

After merely flipping through it, his expression subtly changed.

“The Dao techniques I’ve obtained… why are they all recorded here?”

He continued flipping to the section on Qi cultivation, and upon seeing it, he could hardly contain himself.

“Guiyuanzi’s Essential Qi Cultivation?”

Chen Hang pointed to a page in the book: “As I understand, this is the Qi cultivation scripture of the Rong family of Rong State—how could it be sold here?”

“Oh, this one?”

Hao Qingyan leaned over, glanced once, and chuckled:

“This was sold personally by the founding ancestor of Rong State, Guiyuanzi—back when Baoju Zhai didn’t even exist. I heard he traded it to the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion for thirty beautiful mermaid girls, hehe! That old master was quite the charmer!”

Chen Hang remained silent.

He continued flipping and saw “Golden Man Substitution,” “Minor Summon Wind and Mist Technique,” “Blood Armor Technique,” and more—dense as stars in the sky.

Moreover, the prices of these lower-grade Dao techniques were absurdly cheap—just a dozen talisman coins could buy one, far cheaper than talisman weapons.

Hao Qingyan, perceptive as ever, volunteered an explanation.

According to him, these middle- and lower-grade Dao techniques were not only widely circulated but also weak in power, requiring immense time and effort to cultivate—far less convenient than talisman weapons.

After all, whether it’s breath retention or true Qi, the total amount is finite; using more for Dao techniques means less for wielding talisman weapons—there’s always a fixed limit.

Furthermore, the power of middle- and lower-grade Dao techniques mostly falls short of talisman weapons, and due to their widespread circulation and long cultivation time, if prices weren’t set low, few would buy them.

After hearing all this, Chen Hang temporarily abandoned the idea of selling Dao methods.

In his original plan, this “Jingu Valley Market” was meant to be a true realm where he could simulate others’ mental images, extract Dao methods from their primordial spirits, and sell them.

Like a chicken laying eggs, which then hatch more chickens—endlessly self-renewing.

But he never imagined these merchants imposed such strict constraints on Dao method sales—and moreover, they themselves had amassed a vast collection of all kinds…

After receiving several thousand talisman coins from the sale, Chen Hang had intended to purchase a flying sword.

But he learned that the “Jingu Valley Market” had not yet officially opened, and nearby major merchants had not yet moved their prized treasures here—they were still en route—and so he made an arrangement with Hao Qingyan, asking him to notify him once the goods arrived.

After a few more casual words, Chen Hang did not linger, declined Hao Qingyan’s offer to see him off, and returned to Hongye Island.

With these talisman coins in hand, he could advance both his Qi cultivation and his Tai Su Jade—why waste time chatting here?

His cultivation light shot away at great speed, like a streaking star, vanishing in an instant.

On a floating pavilion-boat, a man on deck had just glimpsed Chen Hang’s figure and was about to call out, when the light vanished in an instant, swallowed by the vast misty waters.

“Did Brother Chen have some urgent matter? Why such haste—he didn’t even acknowledge us!”

Zhou Xingling laughed and scolded, turning to his fellow disciples: “After we meet our master, we must drag him out and force-feed him a whole round of wine!”

Several White Crane Cave Daoists who had spoken with Chen Hang laughed heartily, but Zhu Wanzi remained silent, lowering her head.

Zhou Xingling understood her thoughts but could not offer comfort; he merely sighed and continued steering the pavilion-boat forward.

After half a watch, the boat finally descended upon a small islet, where flowers carpeted the ground, petals fluttering beautifully.

Nearby, in an elegant waterside pavilion, two men sat playing chess; Zhou Xingling and the others dared not disturb them, standing silently to the side, bowing in wait.

Only after half a cup of tea had passed did a short, white-haired old man chuckle and drop his piece, ending the game.

“Xingling.”

The short old man smiled: “You’ve been here at Fuyu Lake for a long time—I told you to befriend the world’s talents, to make allies—have you gained anything?”

“Master, there is one man—his name is Chen Hang.”

Zhou Xingling immediately bowed: “This younger brother is truly learned beyond heaven and earth—I am far beneath him.”

“Chen Hang? That Chen Hang from our Xuanzhen Sect?”

Before the old man could reply, the man across from him spoke first:

“Tell me in detail!”

“Yes.”

Zhou Xingling bowed again: “Elder Gu Jun.”

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