Chapter 31: Zhu Yiqun

PS: After receiving everyone's feedback on the previous chapter, I have seen your original intentions. I have now made major revisions. I am deeply sorry.

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After stepping out of the shop, Song Changsheng turned into a small alley. By the time he emerged, he was wearing a cloak that concealed him completely.

Furthermore, he activated the [Breath Concealment Technique], a secret art from the Dao Sutra. Not only could it hide his aura and cultivation level, but it could even mask the fluctuations of his spiritual power.

Forget a Qi Refining stage cultivator; even a Foundation Establishment cultivator would be unable to see through his true strength without some special means.

The main reason he was being so secretive was simply because he possessed self-awareness.

During this period, he had not only heavily wounded Chang Tianhua but had also humiliated the Earth Fire Sect in the artifact refining competition.

If the Earth Fire Sect didn't want to kill him, Song Changsheng wouldn't believe it.

Although fighting was strictly prohibited within the market, it was better to be cautious just in case.

"The streets are indeed quite empty on ordinary days. I should head to the central plaza to see if I can find anything worthwhile."

He had already learned from Song Luyuan that most cultivators in the market conducted their trades at the central plaza, which was why the streets were generally deserted.

As expected, the central plaza was very lively. Rogue cultivators were setting up stalls everywhere, selling a wide variety of goods. The constant shouting of vendors filled the air, giving Song Changsheng the illusion of being at a massive local fair.

He wandered through the various stalls with interest and found a few things worth stopping for, such as an inconspicuous talisman brush at an old cultivator's stall.

Although it showed no spiritual glow, with Song Changsheng's mastery of artifact refining, he could see its extraordinary nature; it would be a worthwhile purchase for a talisman master.

However, for him, it was unnecessary.

After walking and stopping along the way, he finally paused in front of a stall selling ores. The owner was a middle-aged man with a sharp, monkey-like face. Seeing Song Changsheng stop, he immediately greeted him enthusiastically

"Fellow Daoist, feel free to look and choose. These are all rare raw ores; you won't usually see them like this."

Song Changsheng crouched down, his eyes scanning the various colored ores as he asked nonchalantly, "Fellow Daoist, how much are these stones?"

The middle-aged cultivator rubbed his hands together and said, "One spirit stone each. All of them are one spirit stone."

"Are you trying to scam a fool, Fellow Daoist? These ores haven't been smelted; they are all raw ores and aren't worth that price at all," Song Changsheng sneered.

"Fellow Daoist, look at how you speak! I have quite a few second-grade ores in here. If you buy them, you'll be making a profit."

The middle-aged cultivator smiled in a harmless manner, but Song Changsheng didn't believe a single word he said.

It was true that there were second-grade ores among them, but they were all defective pieces that couldn't be refined at all; the more one bought, the more one would lose.

However, that wasn't his target. His eyes were on an inconspicuous stone in the corner that looked like first-grade Kongming Iron.

But Song Changsheng could vaguely sense a trace of water spiritual energy within it. This was not a property of Kongming Iron, which piqued his curiosity.

"Three spirit stones, and let me pick five. Your goods are only worth this much," Song Changsheng said, producing three spirit stones.

"Fine, fine," the middle-aged cultivator said with a beaming smile as he took the stones.

In any case, these ores were things he had scavenged from abandoned mines; they had zero cost.

Besides the Kongming Iron, Song Changsheng also chose four pieces of decent quality metal ore. Even if there were no surprises within the Kongming Iron, these would allow him to make a small profit.

Having packed away the ores, Song Changsheng continued to stroll. After a lap around, he spent another ten spirit stones on a broken array foundation from one stall and five spirit stones on a piece of broken jade.

Just as he was about to reach the end of the market, a gaunt, elderly cultivator suddenly blocked his path and said mysteriously, "Young friend, I have a map to an ancient ruin here. This old man sees that you possess extraordinary talent and the potential to become a saint or an ancestor. For only one hundred spirit stones, I will sell this ancestral treasure map to you. What do you say?"

As he spoke, he lifted a corner of his Daoist robe to reveal a worn-out animal skin map.

Song Changsheng was instantly speechless. To think he would encounter such a low-level scam.

He originally intended to ignore him, but he wanted to see what kind of forgery it was, so he feigned interest and said, "Senior, you speak so grandly; at least let me take a look. Otherwise, how will I know if what you say is true or false?"

Seeing that Song Changsheng was taking the bait, the old cultivator readily produced the map and said, "You are more than welcome to examine it."

Song Changsheng took it and looked. He found that this fellow indeed had a knack for forgery. Setting aside the truth of the contents, the aging process of the map was indeed convincing enough to pass for the real thing.

Even with his eyesight, he could only find minute flaws. If it were a young, inexperienced cultivator seeing such realistic craftsmanship, they would likely believe it halfway.

Just as Song Changsheng was about to ask a few more questions, a familiar voice rang out in his ear: "You old man, scamming people here again? Fellow Daoist, everything he is selling is fake. Do not be fooled by him."

Upon hearing this, the old cultivator jumped in anger, "Fatty Zhu, what nonsense are you talking about?"

Song Changsheng turned around and saw a large man dressed in fine silks standing behind him.

He had some impression of this person; he had seen him when he first arrived at the market. The man had even tried to become his friend. His name seemed to be... "Zhu Yiqun"?

Originally, he had thought the man was a person of ill intent, but now it seemed he possessed a bit of a chivalrous heart.

Many people could see it was a scam, but he was the only one who stepped forward for a complete stranger.

"Fellow Daoist, every word I say is the truth. Whether you believe it is up to you," Zhu Yiqun said seriously to Song Changsheng, completely ignoring the fuming old man.

Song Changsheng nodded in agreement and said, "Indeed. Although the aging technique on this map is sophisticated, it lacks the true sense of ancient decay that should be present on animal skin."

Upon hearing this, the old man's expression changed instantly. Forgetting his "ancestral map," he immediately vanished into the crowd.

Song Changsheng had no intention of chasing him, as the "Pig Brother" before him was far more interesting.

Seeing this, Zhu Yiqun shook his head with a bitter smile and said, "So you had already discovered it. I was merely being overconfident in my own cleverness."

Song Changsheng cupped his hands and said, "Fellow Daoist Zhu, we meet again."

The fat man was somewhat surprised. "You know me?"

"We had a brief encounter outside the market. I wonder if you still have any recollection of it?"

Zhu Yiqun immediately understood Song Changsheng's identity and couldn't help but smile. "So it is you. I wonder whether I should address you as Fellow Daoist Shen or Fellow Daoist Song?"

This time, it was Song Changsheng who was stunned.

"There is no need to be surprised. After all, your great name is known to everyone in this market. Half a year ago, I also witnessed your exquisite array-carving techniques here. From that moment on, I knew that Fellow Daoist Shen was also Fellow Daoist Song. I felt a connection with you back then, but I didn't expect that upon meeting again today, I would be showing off my meager skills in front of a master."

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(End of Chapter)