Cultivating Immortality in a World of Chaos

Chapter 5: The Market

The Qingzhu Mountain Market, named after its signature bamboo, primarily consisted of stilts-supported buildings made from spirit-grade green bamboo.

Despite being called a market, it actually comprised only around dozens of structures, forming a single street. Alongside these, temporary stalls filled any available space between the streets and squares, collectively creating the most bustling cultivator marketplace within hundreds of miles.

As Fang Xi approached the market entrance, he noticed a faint white mist - this was the protective formation guarding the market, rumored to withstand attacks from Foundation Establishment cultivators for extended periods.

Showing respect, he produced a bamboo token containing his identity as a spirit farmer.

With a flash of spiritual light, the mist parted, revealing the previously obscured buildings inside.

“Drunk Immortal Building,” “Hundred Refinements Shop,” “Pill Cauldron Pavilion,” “Craftsman’s Tower,” “Thousand Machines Hall”… several prominent structures immediately caught his eye.

These were the key trading places in the market, handling hundreds to thousands of spirit stones daily.

Fang Xi glanced briefly at the Drunk Immortal Building, subtly adjusting his stance, yet without changing expression, turned away as if the enticing sounds nearby meant nothing to him.

Trivial charm techniques won’t disrupt this young master’s dao heart!

If only his funds weren’t so meager…

It must be said, the aura of female cultivators compared to ordinary maidservants was distinctly different - akin to the contrast between a standard smartphone and its premium PROMAX version.

On the main thoroughfare, various scattered cultivators passed by.

Scholars, monks, Daoists…

Elderly, women, children…

Some bearing swords, others carrying large crimson flasks, with spirit birds perched nearby, or riding on demonic beasts…

A vibrant array of individuals, each unique in their own way.

The former Fang Xi would have been captivated for hours, earning ridicule as a naive newcomer.

Now, however, he viewed these scenes from a more discerning perspective.

‘Middle Stage Qi Refinement, Middle Stage Qi Refinement, Late Stage Qi Refinement…’

‘As expected… Even if there are a few Early Stage Qi Refinement cultivators, they’re mostly servants or junior disciples being introduced to the world.’

‘Cultivation truly values power above all; it’s not easy navigating this realm.’

Fang Xi pursed his lips thoughtfully.

Given the choice, he’d prefer to stay hidden within Great Liang’s world.

Unfortunately, Great Liang simply lacked longevity potential.

With such low concentrations of spiritual energy, making significant progress in cultivation techniques was virtually impossible, let alone breaking through major cultivation barriers.

Moreover, even the local Qi and Blood martial arts didn’t seem particularly longevity-focused…

Fang Xi wouldn’t consider hunkering down in such a small world unless driven to desperation.

He scanned various stalls and began selling his stonedrakes along with other materials he had accumulated over recent days.

These items were too insignificant for large shops, where they would likely be scoffed at; thus, this market was the only viable place to offload them.

“Brother Liu, let me tell you, these pristine stonedrakes are truly not expensive… And this spirit grass, I nearly wore out my legs searching for it…”

After much persuasion, almost drying up his saliva, Fang Xi managed to secure three spirit crystals.

He oriented himself, heading towards a nearby square and confidently approaching a specific stall.

It was run by a married couple, their modestly sized cloth display barely half a meter wide, yet filled with an array of diverse spirit talismans.

There were Low-Grade First-Order Protection, Frost, Flame Talismans, and more…

With a quick glance, Fang Xi noticed right in the center, like a moon surrounded by stars, a Little Thunder Talisman!

“Symbol Master Zong, congratulations on successfully creating a Mid-Grade First-Order paper talisman…” He smiled and offered his well-wishes to the stall owner.

Symbol Master Zong appeared to be around thirty years old, tall and stout with fair skin, sporting two small whiskers. His friendly smile gave him the demeanor of a worldly businessman.

Fang Xi had also met his cultivation partner, a female cultivator surnamed Lu, who delivered paper talismans and materials. He vividly remembered her impressive physique.

This husband-and-wife team operated efficiently; she prepared the talisman paper while he drew the symbols. With their high-quality yet affordable offerings, they enjoyed a comfortable lifestyle. However, recently, it seemed as though financial pressures from spirit stones had increased significantly for them.

“Oh, it’s young Fang…” Symbol Master Zong greeted warmly, “How did the Frost Talisman fare against those insect pests last time?”

“Absolutely remarkable! During these bitterly cold days, the Frost Talisman’s potency seems enhanced, leaving the stonedrakes no chance to escape…” Fang Xi nodded appreciatively. “Give me a few more Protection Talismans…”

‘These talismans are only meant for protection during seclusion, costing one spirit crystal each. I wonder why this lad needs so many…’ Symbol Master Zong shook his head inwardly, grumbling to himself. However, respecting privacy is paramount among cultivators, so he refrained from asking.

After exchanging several Protection Talismans, Symbol Master Zong queried, “Would you like any more Frost Talismans? I can offer them at a discounted rate, three spirit crystals per talisman…”

“Symbol Master Zong, did you lower the price again?” Fang Xi’s eyes lit up, reminiscent of a bargain-seeking aunt from his past life.

“Sigh, well… my wife is pregnant again, you see!” Symbol Master Zong sighed.

Cultivators harness the world’s spiritual energy through their spiritual roots to perform incredible feats, yet conceiving heirs remains challenging for them. Even if children are born, there’s a chance they might possess no spiritual root at all, remaining mere mortals.

However, Symbol Master Zong was an exception; he already had three offspring, with two possessing spiritual roots. Now expecting his fourth child, it was rumored that the Situ Clan showed great interest in him, hoping to borrow his lineage, but he politely declined…

Fang Xi nodded sympathetically. With potentially two, or even three, future cultivators as descendants, the pressure must feel like carrying three monumental burdens.

The tragic plight of middle-aged men from his previous life seemed vividly reflected in Symbol Master Zong, and Fang Xi could almost sense his once-lustrous hair rapidly thinning ahead of its time.

Nevertheless, this wasn’t his concern.

“My Frost Talisman and Flame Talisman are excellent for self-defense or eliminating pests, whether metaphorically or literally…”

As Symbol Master Zong fretted over his spirit beasts consuming precious spirit stones at home, he suddenly heard Fang Xi inquire, “I wonder what the price is for this ‘Little Thunder Talisman’?”

If a low-grade first-stage paper talisman equaled an attack from the Initial Stage of Qi Refinement, then without a doubt, a mid-grade talisman reached the level of Middle Stage Qi Refinement!

Rarely taken aback, Symbol Master Zong quickly displayed a pained expression, as if it physically hurt him to part with it. “This mid-grade talisman took me great effort to create, wasting countless sheets of talisman paper. If you truly want it… I’ll let it go for one and a half spirit stones…”

“One and a half?” A look of distress crossed Fang Xi’s face. “Could you perhaps make it slightly cheaper?”

“Cheaper still?” The Symbol Master’s eyes widened momentarily, but then, as if weighed down by the burdens of life, his expression softened. “Unless you buy a few more low-grade talismans.”

“In that case, add one more low-grade ‘Golden Light Barrier Talisman’,” Fang Xi responded, also showing signs of reluctance.

In the end, Fang Xi successfully acquired a Little Thunder Talisman, capable of unleashing power equivalent to a Middle Stage Qi Refinement expert’s strike, along with several low-grade paper talismans.

This purchase not only depleted all his earnings from selling materials at the market but also significantly dented his savings.

Fortunately, feeling the Golden Light Barrier Talisman tucked securely in his robes, Fang Xi sensed a greater sense of safety.

Although in the southern wilderness’s cultivation world, this talisman could only withstand one or two initial attacks from an Early Stage Qi Refinement cultivator, its effectiveness was far more significant in Great Liang.

“Let’s go, let’s go… continuing to browse will only add to my sorrow…”

Standing before a stall selling medicinal pills, Fang Xi found his feet rooted to the spot.

He was currently at a stage where diligent progress seemed within reach. With the aid of a medicinal pill, he might just break through to the Fourth Layer of Qi Refinement, entering the Middle Stage!

However, medicinal pills were generally even pricier than paper talismans!

‘What a pity… Other transmigrators thrive by trading between worlds, living such carefree lives. How did I end up in this predicament?’

Fang Xi had always been cautious about engaging in inter-world trade. Only after ensuring some self-defense capabilities in Great Liang did he feel safe enough to subtly introduce items from the cultivation realm.

Yet, within that cultivation realm itself, he dared not reveal anything extraordinary.

After all, his cultivation base was too weak, and cultivators possess numerous diverse abilities; there might be unique methods to detect such things!

‘At least…I should wait until Late Stage Qi Refinement, no, at least Middle Stage Qi Refinement…’

Fang Xi had always been cautious and meticulous, even more so after obtaining such extraordinary opportunities that defied fate.

Who wouldn’t prefer peaceful progress, avoiding unnecessary conflicts, steadily cultivating towards Foundation Establishment and Core Formation? Who the hell would willingly engage in life-or-death battles on the brink of death?

Just as Fang Xi prepared to leave Qingzhu Mountain Market, a sudden commotion erupted on the street. Like a contagion, it rapidly spread outward.

Amidst the noise, snippets like “ruins,” “treasures,” “cultivation techniques” could be heard faintly.

Fang Xi paused momentarily, quickly picking up the news from nearby cultivators.

“What? A small arcane realm discovered at Violet Serenity Mountain, possibly remnants of ancient cultivators? Already, some cultivators have retrieved ancient cultivation techniques and Foundation Establishment spirit items?”

This information ignited the desires of every cultivator like a spark to gunpowder!

Ancient cultivation techniques! Foundation Establishment spirit items!

These were treasures they might never obtain despite striving their entire lives.

The cultivation world operates this way: even bottom-tier wandering cultivators, laboring tirelessly throughout their existence, may never reach the threshold of Foundation Establishment.

But with a stroke of divine fortune, obtaining ancient treasures and miraculous medicinal pills could propel one like a mighty garuda soaring nine thousand miles against the wind, destined to ascend as a celestial being!

Take Fang Xi for example!

His spiritual root was unremarkable, merely low-grade with a slight wood affinity, and he practiced the commonplace Everlasting Spring Art. Even after sixty years, he might not reach the pinnacle of Qi Refinement, unable to surmount the formidable barrier to Foundation Establishment!

It was widely known in the cultivation world that beyond the age of sixty, a cultivator’s chances of achieving Foundation Establishment significantly diminish.

However, armed with top-tier techniques and aided by medicinal pills, breaking through to Foundation Establishment within five to ten years becomes highly plausible!

This is precisely the opportunity countless cultivators fervently seek!

“What kind of Foundation Establishment spirit item did they find?” A female cultivator, eyes reddened with envy, grabbed hold of a nearby male cultivator who seemed informed, demanding loudly.

“It’s a bottle of ‘earthflame fiendish qi’! Highly valuable for overcoming blood qi barriers,” the male cultivator murmured, his face filled with longing and aspiration.

“Pity it wasn’t a Foundation Establishment Pill,” lamented an elderly cultivator nearby, shaking his head regretfully.

“Where would you find a Foundation Establishment Pill from ancient times?” chuckled a scholarly-looking individual beside them. “Present-day achievements may well surpass those of antiquity. The Foundation Establishment Pill, perfected over nearly a millennium, is the premier creation of Master Shu Tong, the foremost alchemist. It harmonizes all three Foundation Establishment stages, enabling breakthroughs swiftly…and increases your chances of success by a remarkable thirty percent!”