Chapter 388: Chapter 384: Wanqiu City Market Chapter 388: Chapter 384: Wanqiu City Market “Such a great place near the East Sea Pinnacle? Naturally, I'll have to see it.” Shen Luo was struck by a thought and spoke.
Previous battles in Hidden Wind Valley and the latest fight had given him a profound understanding of the power of High-Order Runes. His supply of Immortal jade was ample enough to purchase a batch of materials to further refine.
With that, the two of them headed northeast, and after almost half a day, they arrived at a small city by a lake.
Just as Xie Yuxin had previously mentioned, the size of Wanqiu City was not very large, about the same as Chunhua County. However, as it was near the Eastern Sea and the land was not quite fertile, the inhabitants of the city were not wealthy.
Outside the city was a massive lake about ten miles in size. The lake water was an unusual turquoise color, different from ordinary lakes. Many clam cultivators thrived in the lake, which seemed to be their lifeline.
“The massive lake outside Wanqiu City is called Bibo Lake. It is home to a species of specially bred Aquamarine Clams that produce a unique Aquamarine Pearl. Not only are they pleasant to the eye, but they also serve as excellent water-attributed spiritual materials. The Bishui Sect cultivates these pearls, providing the clam cultivators with a living.” Xie Yuxin explained.
“I see.” Shen Luo affirmed nodding his head. He considered whether or not he should take some time to purchase some, to gift his younger brothers, sisters, and his aunt when he returned home.
During their conversation, the duo quickly entered the city. Xie Yuxin seemed very familiar with the place and led Shen Luo directly into the city. Shortly after, they arrived in a remote alley.
Xie Yuxin took out a blue jade talisman. After chanting a few magic spells, the jade talisman revealed a ball of blue light.
She tossed the jade talisman ahead towards the wall, and it surprisingly melted right into it.
The solid stone wall emanated ripples as it rapidly became transparent. Moments later, it morphed into a blue light screen, with countless wavelike shadows flickering on its surface
“The commoners here are more unsophisticated than those in Jianye City. To avoid disturbing them, the Bishui Sect has used prohibitions to conceal the entire market. A special method is required to go in.” Xie Yuxin explained to Shen Luo.
Shen Luo nodded in understanding. This was usually the case for most congregations of monks, to avoid as much disturbance to the mundane world as possible.
While explaining, Xie Yuxin took out a hooded robe and wore it, concealing her body and face.
Seeing this, Shen Luo also brought out a long robe and a bamboo hat with a veil to wear. This was something he had requested to be tailormade before he set out from home.
“I didn't expect Brother Shen to be so prepared. Let's go.” Xie Yuxin slightly smiled at Shen Luo's actions. She then stepped into the blue light screen and disappeared.
Shen Luo also stepped in, and his surroundings immediately changed. The secluded alley vanished without a trace, replaced by a broad street right in front of him.
Behind the two of them, there was a large blue light gate, glittering with streaks of blue light.
There were forty or fifty buildings of varying sizes along both sides of the street. Some were grand and clean, decorated lavishly. Others were extremely rudimentary, hastily put together with just a few wooden planks, revealing a stark contrast.
Most of these building structures were shops, selling a variety of spiritual materials, talismans, and talismanic instruments, etc. There were also a few inns and taverns for monks to stay.
Although there were not many monks walking the street at this moment, there were always people going in and out of the shops, making the place seem rather lively.
The monks here came from different backgrounds. Many, just like Shen Luo and Xie Yuxin, kept their faces hidden, so they did not stand out.
“Despite the chaotic layout of this market, it has some good stuff. Further ahead is a trade square where freelance cultivators set up stalls to sell items. Brother Shen, if you're interested, you can go browse for treasures. I have some personal matters to attend to, so I will leave first. We can meet later at the tavern ahead.” Xie Yuxin had clearly been here before. After a simple explanation, she pointed at a tavern in front and said.
“Alright, Elder Brother Xie, go ahead with your work.” Shen Luo looked interestedly at the bustling market ahead.
Xie Yuxin cheerfully nodded and quickened her pace toward the front.
But after taking a few steps forward, she suddenly stopped.
“I almost forgot to mention this. Like the Ghost Market, fighting is strictly forbidden here in the marketplace since it's watched over by the experts from the Bishui Sect. Absolutely avoid starting fights with anyone.” Xie Yuxin warned.
“Don't worry, I won't cause any trouble.” Shen Luo answered with a light laugh.
Knowing Shen Luo's disposition, Xie Yuxin nodded her head and continued, disappearing into the crowd in front of them.
Shen Luo observed Xie Yuxin's retreating figure, a strange color flashed in his eyes. He quickly looked away and began to stroll around the market on his own.
The market wasn't big; he quickly got a general understanding after a brief stroll around. He then walked into a general goods shop.
Moments later, Shen Luo emerged from the general goods shop and promptly entered another spiritual material shop.
About half an hour later, he walked out of the materials shop, feeling quite pleased with himself.
He had gathered enough materials to create Thunderfall, Fractured, and Binding Talismans, enough for hundreds of attempts. Additionally, he had also purchased some materials for Small Thunder Talisman and Divine Armor Horse Talisman.
However, such purchases considerably depleted his supply of Immortal jade.
“Earning money feels like climbing a mountain, while spending it is like water trickling away.” Shen Luo sighed as he looked at the drastically reduced pile of Immortal jade in his Linlang Ring.
But he had no regret. These spiritual materials, if successfully transformed into talismans, would only increase their worth.
He contemplated whether he should create some High-Order Runes to earn some Immortal jade. The price of High-Order Runes was around seven or eight Immortal jade pieces and could go up to several tens for rare ones, which was much more than the Small Thunder Talisman. If he could increase his success rate, the speed of his earnings would be much faster than when he made Small Thunder Talisman.
And with his current strength, in a small place like Wanqiu City, he did not need to worry too much about being watched.
Just then, a commotion erupted from one side, Shen Luo turned his head towards the noise and saw about seven or eight monks emerging from a lavishly decorated shop.
Most of the monks were dressed in cyan-colored robes with a water stream pattern embroidered on the sleeves. They seemed to be from the same faction. Among the leading trio of monks comprised of two men and a woman, the man on the left had a square face and wore a cyan robe, visually aligning him with the other cyan-robed people.
The woman in the center was in her late teens, wearing an exquisite white robe. With her charming looks and the noble air that radiated from her, she seemed to fall into a class of her own.
The man on the right sported a green shirt, his tall figure and handsome looks standing out.
“Oh? Why is the Bishui Sect's Junior Sect Master, Ye Zhong, here?”
“Based on his demeanor, it seems like he is accompanying the other two. What kind of status do they have that warrants Ye Zhong's company?”
Immediately, whispers started spreading among the nearby people.