Before the gate of Qiluo Mountain City Divine Temple in Luandu County.
"Luandu County has been peaceful recently, with no Qi Cultivating Demon Cultivators appearing. Why have you come again…" Li Buxian looked at Yuan Dong and his fellow disciples with puzzlement.
"It’s the neighboring Jiangyang County," Yuan Dong replied with a wry smile. "There was a Qi Cultivator’s market district destroyed by the Lock Dragon Courtyard before, and unexpectedly, it has resurged."
"That place is hidden deep within the Southern Forest Mountains, its location a secret, and it has been in operation for some time now."
"If the Yiyang Commandery government hadn’t caught some demon Cultivators heading to East Ridge, it would still be undiscovered."
"So brazen?" Li Buxian was surprised.
"Just that brazen. I thought it was completely cleaned out, but as soon as the Lock Dragon Courtyard left, they went right ahead and rebuilt the market district," Yuan Dong sighed, shaking his head.
"I left in a hurry last time. Did that person show up?" Yuan Dong asked.
"He did not," replied Li Buxian, shaking his head.
"What a pity," said Yuan Dong, somewhat disappointed.
Da Qian was so vast, and the Lock Dragon Courtyard was always short of hands. He genuinely hoped to guide some talents to join and strengthen the Lock Dragon Courtyard.
"Elder Li, the demon Cultivator causing trouble in Jiangyang County this time seems extraordinary. I wonder if you could lend us some support?" Yuan Dong asked with a chuckle.
Li Buxian laughed heartily and shook his head, "I was wondering why you came to me. Turns out you want to summon reinforcements. But as you know, the City Divine Temple is a fundamental part of Da Qian, and I simply cannot leave Luandu County at will."
Yuan Dong was not annoyed but delighted instead, "Indeed, you cannot leave, but what if demon Cultivators were to break into Luandu County?"
"Then, of course, I would take action to stop them."
"Ha ha! Many thanks, Elder Li!" Yuan Dong was overjoyed.
...
Under the corridor of the Divine Statue Cave Heaven, Chen Mu sat in his chair with his left foot on it, leaning idly against the square table.
He nibbled on a piece of leg bone, cracking and crunching it while staring intently at the images projected on the water screen at the door.
"The market district in Jiangyang County, is that the place Sun Ke often visited?"
"Indeed, it has been discovered," he muttered to himself.
Da Qian was hostile to Qi Cultivators, and the Lock Dragon Courtyard searched everywhere, capturing Qi Cultivators. Small sects and factions were destroyed, and gathering places like market districts were also cleared and dispersed.
The first time he heard of the Pingfu Market in Jiangyang County, he felt that the market would inevitably be discovered by the Lock Dragon Courtyard, he just didn’t expect that day to come so soon.
"I really wish that market could have held out longer, allowing me to sell more Through-Rhino Hundred Miasma Pills and save up enough White Jade Coins for Condensing Aperture," he sighed.
"Such a pity," Chen Mu said, cracking the leg bone in his hand with a snap, lamenting as he slurped on the piping hot marrow.
...
Several days later, in the mountainous area where Luandu County bordered Jiangyang County.
"Sixty Through-Rhino Hundred Miasma Pills actually sold for more than twelve hundred White Jade Coins. Are these Elixir Pills really that popular?" Chen Mu looked at the box of White Jade Coins in front of him with surprise.
"The environment in Da Qian is harsh, with everyone trying to run away, either heading east or south."
"But Southern Shu has just been taken over recently, and with the Lock Dragon Courtyard demolishing temples to capture Qi Cultivators, it’s too chaotic. By contrast, the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains of East Ridge are dense and tall, making them ideal for refuge, hence they have become the preferred choice."
"However, that area is rife with poisonous insects and miasma. Those with ambitions to venture into East Ridge often buy a Through-Rhino Hundred Miasma Pill in advance," explained Sun Ke with a bitter smile.
This reason was initially a lie he had told on the spur of the moment, mainly to give Chen Mu some money under the guise of profits from the sale of the All-Disease Pill.
Who would have thought the lie would turn into truth, with the All-Disease Pill becoming extremely popular. Even though the price had been raised from ten to fifteen White Jade Coins per pill, it still sold well.
The Hundred Thousand Great Mountains of East Ridge?
Chen Mu raised an eyebrow.
He was aware that the Jilong Road had once secretly constructed a ferry at the Lower Courtyard by the Gan River in East Ridge, planning to use the Tongtian River to flee to Hai Province for refuge.
If he were ever to leave behind the Divine Statue, he might well need to check that place out.
"Another thing is, someone claimed that the All-Disease Pill came from the Pill Treasure Pavilion of Jilong Road, specifically concocted for the poisonous miasma of East Ridge, so..." Sun Ke said cautiously to Chen Mu.
"Someone recognizes the Through-Rhino Hundred Miasma Pill? And they’re willing to pay for it?" Chen Mu raised his eyebrows.
Tsk!
He hadn’t expected that after having left Jilong Road for several years, he would still benefit from the reputation associated with his identity as a disciple from Jilong Road.
Not bad for one of the Seven Paths of Yunzhou, dominating the region for hundreds of years. Even after mysteriously disappearing for years, there were still people who acknowledged their legacy.
"Is it truly an exclusive Elixir Pill of Jilong Road?" Sun Ke couldn’t help but stare wide-eyed, "It’s said that only a few Upper Court disciples from Pill Treasure Pavilion of Jilong Road knew how to make this pill. Could it be that you..."
Chen Mu tilted his chin up slightly, looking nonchalant, "Indeed, I am..."
"Could it be that you robbed and plundered the inheritance and resources of a Jilong Road Qi Cultivator?!"
"What great skill, sir!" Sun Ke exclaimed in awe.
What kind of thought process is that, to jump straight to murder and robbery?
"Can’t I simply be from Jilong Mountain myself?" Chen Mu asked, his face turning dark.
From Jilong Mountain?
Ha!
Jilong Road is a legitimate sect of the Mysterious Gate, which proper disciple would ever use malevolent methods like breeding gu and poisoning?
He soon realized, wasn’t this just big talk with nothing to back it up, flatly denying the truth?
Gongsun Ke immediately nodded repeatedly, his face full of admiration, "Exactly, exactly, you have never ambushed Jilong Road disciples, you are indeed a direct disciple of the Pill Treasure Pavilion!"
Damn it!
How come nobody believes me when I tell the truth!
Read 𝓁at𝙚st chapters at ƒrēewebnovel.com Only.
Seeing the other person’s face full of admiration, Chen Mu rolled his eyes in frustration.
Forget it, whatever, let it be.
He then turned to the subject of Lock Dragon Courtyard, "Is the Market District you often visit located in Southern Forest Mountains?"
How does this demon cultivator know about the establishment of my market?
Gongsun Ke’s face tensed.
"Lock Dragon Courtyard has discovered that base. Stop selling Elixir Pills for a while. You don’t want to get caught up in that."
Gongsun Ke’s expression instantly became solemn.
Without the Market District operating, how would he earn White Jade Coins?
His face couldn’t help but look ugly.
Chen Mu noticed Gongsun Ke’s expression and thought he was worried about his own safety. After thinking for a bit, he said, "If you encounter danger, you can come to Luandu County. As long as you enter the territory of Luandu County, I can sense and find you. As long as the situation isn’t too dangerous, I can always help you escape."
Gongsun Ke is just a little wild cultivator lackey. Even if Lock Dragon Courtyard’s influence comes after him, how formidable could their people be?
With my Yin Wind Escape perfected, and the Netherworld Ferry’s shrinking earth technique, it would be no problem to help Gongsun Ke escape.
This guy has helped me earn quite a lot of White Jade Coins. I can’t just stand by and do nothing. I don’t plan on replacing this middleman for now.
Upon hearing this, Gongsun Ke’s eyes instantly brightened.
Look, the money I’ve been giving out recently has finally come in handy, hasn’t it!
This man dares to ambush even the direct disciples of Jilong Road. Last time that black-skinned dog from Lock Dragon Courtyard was so frightened by just one encounter that he ran away. This just shows the might of Gongsun, the demon cultivator. Stay tuned for updates on freewebnovel
With such an ace up his sleeve for protection, the Market District may not need to be disbanded so quickly after all.
A sharp glint flashed in Gongsun Ke’s eyes.
…
Days passed as the sun rose and the moon set, time flowing slowly.
Even though Luandu County was often covered in fine drizzling rain, the weather was getting increasingly hotter.
Under the gate tower of Divine Statue Cave Heaven.
The pitch-black Primordial Furnace sank into the middle of a square table, filled with shiny, ruddy braised pork that made one’s mouth water just by looking at it.
The space around the stove was also filled with seasonal vegetables, fish balls, meat slices, and pastries, among other dishes.
Chen Mu popped a fried Moon Beet Pearl into his mouth, chewing while checking the experience on the grey wall.
Netherworld Grand Summary: 9914/10000/Ninth Rank;
Giant Spirit Divine: 1296/10000/Sixth Rank;
Nine Cups Calculation Scripture: 8664/10000/Second Rank;
Lingbao Pivot Scripture: 8160/10000/Fourth Rank;
"Finally, I’m about to reach Perfection in Condensing Aperture," Chen Mu couldn’t help but smile.
After more than ten years, Jilong Road has been traveled, and I’ve spent too much time on the Netherworld Grand Summary. Now that perfection is imminent, I’m in high spirits.
"The Giant Spirit Divine Secret Technique has entered a new stage as well. It’s a pity I can’t display it properly here, otherwise I’d love to try out what a five-fold increase in strength feels like."
"Nine Cups Calculation Scripture… hmm, better not mention this crazy secret technique."
"On the other hand, I still need to keep practicing the Lingbao Pivot Scripture." Chen Mu narrowed his eyes and looked up at the threshold.
Countless unseen forces extended from Divine Statue Cave Heaven, some enveloping the sky and some penetrating the ground, truly like a Heavenly Net covering the entire Luandu County.
"If I can fully understand this prohibition, perhaps it could help me escape from the Divine Statue Cave Heaven."
After a moment of fleeting thoughts, Chen Mu stopped pondering and opened the water screen in front of the door, finding a channel of singing ladies from the brothels. He nodded his head to the music while enjoying the lavish spread of dishes on the table.
But it didn’t take long for the exchange between Yuan Dong and temple server Li Buxian in the corner of the water screen to catch Chen Mu’s attention.
The Market District still hasn’t been broken up?
Chen Mu couldn’t help raising his eyebrows.
The Market District chief, Crafty Old Ghoul, held a meeting and then changed locations, fleeing around the three counties surrounding Luandu County?
Impressive!
Real Person Yunlong? Is this person the mastermind behind the scenes, the backer of the Market District?
To be able to contend with Lock Dragon Courtyard for such a long time, not simple!
Chen Mu chuckled as he ate the braised pork leisurely, casually commenting.
But, Real Person Yunlong? Why does this name sound so familiar?
Forget it, these matters of the great personalities must be unrelated to me. Eat my food, eat my food!