Chapter 131: Trading Session

"Huh…"

After Hou Muxian left, Cheng Siyu took a deep breath and began crying again.

He Pingsheng said: "Why didn't you question him just now?"

Cheng Siyu said: "He already said it—what's the point of questioning him further?"

"Forget it. The gift was delivered, and seeing him once has put my heart at rest!"

"Let's go!"

The Hou family will surely host a banquet and feasts.

He Pingsheng didn't care about the rare delicacies—after all, they were cultivators of the Dao; who would crave worldly tastes?

But as the two reached the door, a female cultivator blocked them.

"What?" Cheng Siyu said coldly. "You're trying to block our way?"

In one swift motion, she unfurled the flying sword in her hand.

He Pingsheng was not so hasty.

The woman didn't retaliate; she smiled and said: "I'm Hou Muling, Hou Muxian's sister!"

Hearing this, Cheng Siyu sheathed her sword.

"You've come from afar—why rush to leave so quickly?" Hou Muling said. "Why not stay for the host's wedding banquet?"

He Pingsheng shook his head: "No, thank you. Your household is busy—we won't intrude further."

"Ah…" Hou Muling shook her head. "No need to hurry. Many Qi Refining cultivators came here today; my brother already told them that after the banquet, a small trading session will be held in the back reception hall!"

"Exchanging what you have for what you need benefits everyone—won't you join?"

He Pingsheng's eyebrows twitched.

He had heard of trading sessions before, but had never participated in one since he began cultivating.

What exactly was a trading session?

It was a small gathering where cultivators exchanged items: one offers something, another offers something of equivalent value, and if both agree, the trade is made.

These sessions were small in scale and attendance, but the items were precise and valuable.

He Pingsheng was intrigued.

He wanted to join.

As if sensing his thoughts, Cheng Siyu said: "Fine… let's wait a little longer."

"Hehe… wonderful!" Hou Muling said. "The more people, the better for a trading session. Here are two entry tokens for you both!"

Hou Muling handed He Pingsheng two entry tokens, then left.

Then they waited.

First, they ate!

After the wedding banquet, past noon, He Pingsheng and Cheng Siyu were led by Hou family disciples to a large hall at the back of the mountain.

The hall was bustling, filled with voices.

He Pingsheng glanced around: the hall was thirty zhang long and thirty zhang wide, with dozens of tables arranged in a circle.

Each person could claim one table.

He Pingsheng and Cheng Siyu found an empty seat and sat down.

After about an incense stick's time, all the tables were filled.

Altogether, there were about seventy or so people.

They wore different Dao robes, coming from various sects.

Though the Hou family was a minor clan, bottom-tier among cultivation families, they were still part of the Daoxuan Alliance. When their Sect Master, Hou Muxian, sent out wedding invitations, many sects honored him with attendance.

Over eighty percent of the sects sent disciples to participate.

Of course, most of these disciples were Qi Refining.

A few Foundation Establishment disciples were present, but not many.

"Senior Brother He, greetings…" A female cultivator in a pale white robe walked up to He Pingsheng and bowed. Her attire marked her as a disciple of Tianfu Mountain.

"Hello!" He Pingsheng stood quickly. "May I ask your cultivation name?"

The woman smiled sweetly, revealing two dimples—adorable. She said: "I'm Qiao Xiaoqiao, fellow sect sister to your wife, Qiao Huizhu."

"Junior Sister Qiao, greetings!" He Pingsheng bowed politely.

Qiao Xiaoqiao said: "When I came, my sister said she wasn't sure if she'd meet you—but here you are! Come, Senior Brother He, I have something for you!"

As she spoke, Qiao Xiaoqiao pulled out a green jade slip and placed it in He Pingsheng's hand.

Her cheeks flushed slightly.

He Pingsheng was flustered. "This… Junior Sister Qiao, this isn't right—I've done nothing to deserve it…"

It was awkward.

"Hehe…" Qiao Xiaoqiao chuckled. "Don't worry—it's not from me. It's from your Senior Sister Qiao. If you don't want it, I'll take it back…"

"Shhh…" Qiao Xiaoqiao's bright eyes darted left and right, then she raised her white index finger to her red lips, signaling silence: "Don't look now. Wait till you're back alone, under the covers, and read it then!"

"Go on, go on…"

With that, Qiao Xiaoqiao skipped away, sat down at a nearby seat, and winked at He Pingsheng.

Cheng Siyu said: "That little girl's quite interesting."

Then she sighed: "Your Senior Sister Qiao truly cares for you."

Thinking of it, she grew sadder by the moment.

"Ladies and gentlemen!" At that moment, Hou Muling, dressed in a red Dao robe like a flickering flame, stepped into the center among the tables. "Welcome, Senior Brothers and Sisters, to this trading session!"

"There are no rules here—trade freely for whatever you desire!"

"The Hou family offers a humble start!"

"Everyone, please proceed!"

"Look!" Hou Muling extended her hand, revealing a golden jade talisman. "This is a second-rank talisman: the 【Cloud-Dispelling Talisman】. When used, it clears all clouds within a hundred li radius!"

???

He Pingsheng was speechless.

What?

A second-rank talisman just to clear clouds over a hundred li?

What use is that?

As He Pingsheng puzzled, others were already bidding.

"Hou Daofriend, I have a mid-grade magic treasure: the 【Divine Rope】. I'll trade it!"

"Hou Daofriend, I have a vial of twelve second-rank elixirs: 【Spirit Gathering Elixir】, mid-grade quality. I'll trade it!"

"Junior Sister Hou, I have…"

He Pingsheng was stunned again.

No way!

People really are trading this?

Even Cheng Siyu had raised her hand.

He Pingsheng asked: "Third Senior Sister, what's the use of clearing clouds?"

Cheng Siyu said: "Great use!"

"Imagine a village suffering from floods, while rain pours from the sky!"

"Use this Cloud-Dispelling Talisman to clear clouds within a hundred li—suddenly, the rain stops!"

"Don't underestimate a hundred li. Once cleared, the clouds may be pushed beyond the other side of the mountain, and the flood disaster is lifted!"

"Though common folk can't offer cultivators direct benefits, they silently accumulate sect fortune."

"The stronger the fortune, the more the sect grows unseen."

"It sounds mystical, but it's real."