Chapter 53

Qin Sang got off the boat, feeling the ground sway beneath his feet.

For a year, he had spent almost every day on the boat.

During this time, there were many places with high mountains and dangerous waters where he had to disembark and walk. There were also wars, pirates, floods, and various other accidents, which led to numerous boat changes. After many stops and starts, it had been a year since he arrived in the Biyun Kingdom.

According to Qin Sang's own understanding, he should now be at the mid-stage of the fifth level of the *Yōumíng Scripture*. He still had a considerable distance to go before breaking through to the sixth level, but his soul pills were running low, and he urgently needed to find yin sha qi or collect more souls.

Without soul pills, Qin Sang didn't know when he would be able to break through to the sixth level.

"Sir, you just need to head east from here. It won't take you more than a month to reach Youshan. You can hire a carriage at the dock, but you look like an outsider, so be careful..."

The boatman reluctantly saw Qin Sang off the boat.

This passenger had left a deep impression on him. After boarding, he stayed in the cabin and never came out again, only needing the crew to deliver three meals a day. He was generous and caused no trouble.

As they approached the Biyun Kingdom, Qin Sang had already gathered information. The location marked on the geomancy map of the various kingdoms was near the largest mountain range in the Biyun Kingdom, Youshan, which matched the name of the Youshan Market.

Once on shore, Qin Sang directly bought a horse with silver, traveling day and night, changing horses along the way, and reached the vicinity of Youshan in just five days.

The Youshan mountain range was a vast mountain range, many times larger than the Guling Mountain. The part within the Biyun Kingdom was only a small segment. From the locals, Qin Sang heard many legends about Youshan.

At the edge of Youshan, the jade disk began to react, automatically emitting a glow to guide the direction.

Following the guidance of the jade disk, Qin Sang delved deep into the mountains, crossing mountains and forests, and stopped in front of a desolate valley.

The peaks on both sides of the valley soared into the clouds, and the entire valley was shrouded in thick fog, making it impossible to know how deep it went. The direction indicated by the jade disk was inside the valley.

Qin Sang stood in front of the valley for a while, his expression hesitant. He felt that the thick fog in the valley was truly bizarre, and he couldn't see through it.

At this moment, the thick fog in the valley suddenly churned.

Qin Sang was on high alert. After a moment, the thick fog parted to the sides, revealing a small path. Footsteps could be heard from inside, and then a man in a long robe appeared.

The man in the long robe quickly walked out, scanned the area, and upon seeing Qin Sang, ran up to him with small steps, smiling and bowing, saying enthusiastically, "I greet you, Immortal. Welcome to the Youshan Market. I have a photographic memory, and since I don't recognize you, I assume this is your first visit to the Youshan Market?"

Seeing Qin Sang nod, the man in the long robe began to boast, "Then you've come to the right place. Our Youshan Market is the largest market in the entire Youshan mountain range. Whether it's magical artifacts, talismans, elixirs, or spells, we have everything. Many cultivation families also have their businesses set up here, ensuring you will leave satisfied..."

Qin Sang's expression didn't change much, but he looked at the man in the long robe curiously and couldn't help but ask, "Are you a mortal?"

The man in the long robe flattered, "You have a keen eye, Immortal. I am indeed a mortal."

Qin Sang asked in confusion, "Then how did you recognize me as a cultivator?"

The man in the long robe said, "Oh, you might not have noticed, but my master has bestowed me with a Qi Perception Spell. It allows me to see the spiritual energy fluctuations around you, which is how I recognized you as a cultivator."

"So it's the Qi Perception Spell. I was momentarily negligent."

Qin Sang's expression showed understanding. He pondered that it seemed one needed the Qi Perception Spell to detect spiritual energy fluctuations. This might be a basic cultivation spell, like the Object Control Spell, which he had never heard of. He felt like a bumpkin and decided to broaden his knowledge today.

The man in the long robe smiled apologetically, gesturing, "Please, Immortal."

Qin Sang nodded and took a few steps, then suddenly remembered, "Does your Youshan Market not use tokens?"

The man in the long robe shook his head, "My master has a generous spirit and does not set any token requirements. When you come here in the future, just walk in. The market's restrictions will detect your status as a cultivator, and the thick fog will part, allowing you to come and go freely."

Qin Sang said, "Oh," and walked forward, but he was puzzled. The jade disk wasn't a token for the Youshan Market; could it have another purpose?

The direction indicated by the jade disk was inside the market.

Qin Sang wanted to get more information from the man in the long robe, but unfortunately, the path was not long, and they soon reached the end.

"Immortal, we have arrived at the market. Cultivators can freely trade within the market, but my master has set a rule that I must explain to you."

The man in the long robe was very respectful to Qin Sang, but his tone carried a warning, "Whether you are a solitary cultivator or a disciple of a prestigious sect, you must not engage in combat within the market. If you have a dispute that cannot be resolved, you can settle it outside the market... I will not disturb you further."

Before he finished speaking, the man in the long robe stepped to the side and disappeared into the thick fog.

The man in the long robe, who had guarded the market entrance for many years, knew that most cultivators had peculiar temperaments and disliked being disturbed. He was very considerate and stopped talking, not knowing that Qin Sang was hoping he would say more.

Since he was gone, there was no way to call him back.

Qin Sang, feeling helpless, looked at the thin layer of fog ahead, composed his expression, and walked forward with the calm demeanor of a great master, only to be met with a burst of noise.

If he hadn't seen it with his own eyes, who would have thought that a cultivation market would be as noisy as a mortal market?

The valley was vast, and the entire valley had been developed into a market, resembling a mortal city with streets and alleys, shops lining the streets, willow trees providing shade, and people bustling about.

Qin Sang learned from the man in the long robe that not everyone in the market was a cultivator; a large part of the population was mortal. Cultivators generally did not attack mortals.

After a brief hesitation, Qin Sang determined the direction and walked into the market.

Walking down a street paved with blue stones, the number of people around him noticeably decreased. Most cultivators who liked the hustle and bustle had their shops on the outside, while the majority of cultivator shops were here.

Mortals did not dare to come here casually, as they might accidentally offend a cultivator, leading to disaster.

Qin Sang knew he didn't have the capital to be arrogant and walked low-key, stepping aside when he encountered people, and discreetly observing the shops around him.

Like mortal shops, the shops here had signs hanging in front of them.

Treasure Pill Pavilion, Jade Flower Hall, Famous Sword Tower, Joyful Market...

Some names gave hints, while others left Qin Sang puzzled.