Chapter 12: Assembly

Just as Song Qingming was racking his brains over how to go to the marketplace to trade for materials to refine arrays, he didn't expect Uncle Ninth, Song Changxin, to take the initiative to find him the next morning, unexpectedly providing him with an opportunity to collect materials.

After half an hour of travel, Song Qingming followed Song Changxin to a spiritual mountain named Caolu Mountain, located a few dozen miles from Lingyuan Mountain. Although Song Qingming had never been there before, he had heard of it, as it was not too far from the Song family.

This mountain was also a high-grade spiritual vein. It was originally the sect grounds of a small Qi-refining sect. Decades ago, internal strife broke out within the sect. After a period of fighting, the small sect, which lacked deep foundations to begin with, suffered heavy losses and subsequently fell into decline.

In the world of cultivation, most small sects struggle to survive for long. Without the bloodline connections that families possess, cultivators who join halfway through rarely develop a deep sense of identification with the sect in a short period.

Once the previous sect leader passes away, if the successor cannot suppress the veteran cultivators within, it is very easy for everyone to fight over sect power or cultivation resources. The sect then declines and eventually disappears silently into the vast river of history in the cultivation world.

Today, Caolu Mountain has long been occupied by several late-stage Qi-refining rogue cultivators from the vicinity, and it is much more prosperous than it was in the past.

Located near Yunwu Mountain, it is a necessary passage for many cultivators heading deep into the mountain to hunt demonic beasts, and many stop here to rest for a while as they pass through.

These rogue cultivators put their heads together and opened an inn here, specifically for passing cultivators to meditate and rest. Every half month, they hold a small trade fair, attracting nearby cultivators to exchange items, which has earned them quite a few spirit stones.

Upon arriving outside a dense forest on the south side of Caolu Mountain, Song Changxin threw a low-grade sound-transmission talisman from his hand. Not long after, a circular gap appeared in the dense forest ahead, revealing the true appearance hidden by the array. A lively sound of chatter could be heard from the otherwise silent mountain peak.

After the two walked into the array, a large inn appeared not far ahead, with many pavilions and towers on both sides. Under the vermilion gate directly in front of the inn, several people were talking loudly.

"Oh, it’s actually Fellow Daoist Song! I really didn't expect you to come this time. It’s been several months; have you been well?"

After Song Qingming walked closer, he realized that these people were all at the late stage of Qi-refining or higher. One of them, seeing Song Changxin, immediately smiled and raised the horsetail whisk in his hand to greet him; it was clear he was an old acquaintance of Uncle Ninth.

"Many thanks for your concern, Fellow Daoist Wu. I have been busy with cultivation at home during this time. This trip is just to take my nephew out to see the world while I have some spare time. I hope you will all look after him in the future." After speaking, he signaled for Song Qingming behind him to step forward and greet them.

"Junior Song Qingming pays his respects to the seniors." Song Qingming stepped forward calmly and bowed to the group.

"Ah, we are all fellow travelers; there is no need for such courtesy."

"The trade fair is about to start. If we miss out on what we need, it will be a loss. Let’s go inside and talk."

Among the people at the entrance, a cultivator surnamed Zhang, who was a bit impatient and couldn't stand the constant pleasantries, urged everyone to go inside to talk.

Naturally, no one forgot the main purpose of their visit. With smiles and nods, they walked into the courtyard together.

The courtyard was already filled with dozens of cultivators, each with many items placed in front of them. Song Changxin took Song Qingming and found a random spot in the courtyard.

"Qingming, these few mid-grade spirit talismans are priced at five spirit stones. If someone wants all of them, you can give them a discount of two spirit stones. If someone takes a fancy to this Black Water Stone, don't be in a hurry; it must sell for at least ten spirit stones. Also, help me collect some materials used for making talismans—the more, the better."

In the afternoon, seeing that Song Qingming had gradually become familiar with the rules of the place, Song Changxin gave him some instructions and left him alone, hurrying back to Lingyuan Mountain.

With so many cultivators here, it shouldn't be difficult to sell a set of arrays. If he could also purchase some usable materials, that would be even better.

To save spirit stones, rogue cultivators choose stable and safe locations to exchange resources and items. This saves quite a few spirit stones compared to going to a marketplace, as one has to pay for the profit margins of the merchants there, whether buying or selling.

Such rogue cultivator gatherings exist in many places in Qinghe County. Song Qingming had followed his elders to attend a few in the past, so he was not unfamiliar with them.

He had originally wanted to ask Uncle Ninth to let him go to the marketplace again this morning to sell the arrays he had made. He didn't expect Song Changxin to suggest taking him to a closer place to do business instead, which saved Song Qingming a lot of trouble.

Of course, Uncle Ninth had also found someone who could help him collect talisman-making materials in the future.

The current gathering spot was organized by the three late-stage Qi-refining cultivators who occupied this place. It is held every half month, attracting fifty or sixty cultivators each time.

The items traded are mostly materials, talismans, and low-grade medicinal pills. If you want to buy good things, you still have to go to Qinghe Market.

Most of the cultivators setting up stalls here are familiar faces, and with the "Three Elders of Caolu" acting as guarantors, the market atmosphere is quite good, and there are very few instances of fraud.

Not long after Song Qingming set up his stall, several cultivators came up to ask how he was selling his arrays.

"Low-grade Five Elements Array, fifteen spirit stones or equivalent value in spiritual rice."

Several people wanted to take out some of their own surplus low-grade spiritual items to trade, but Song Qingming firmly refused. Although these items were of equal value, they were not what he needed; what he needed most urgently was spirit stones.

Seeing that Song Qingming had no intention of budging, the few had to leave in disappointment.

After the people around his stall dispersed, Song Qingming took the opportunity to wander around the neighboring stalls. He slowly discovered that while there were many people setting up stalls to sell things, there were very few who brought out useful items like his.

Most were selling raw materials, ores, obscure spirit talismans, or discarded low-grade magical artifacts.

There were also some cunning individuals who brought out useless items that had been gathering dust for years. Unwilling to sell them at low prices in the marketplace, they tried their luck at this trade fair to see if they could find a buyer who happened to need such things.

Just as Song Qingming was curiously looking around, a crisp voice interrupted him.

"How many spirit stones for this array?"

Song Qingming turned his head and saw a woman in yellow, about twenty years old, asking the question.

"Fifteen spirit stones!"

"Ten spirit stones plus a bottle of Qi-Refining Powder—will you sell it?"

Hearing the soft voice again, Song Qingming was slightly stunned before quickly agreeing.

"Deal!"

Medicinal pills like Qi-Refining Powder, which can increase cultivation, are considered hard currency even if their effects are average. Whether trading with others in the clan or going directly to the family's Treasury Pavilion, they can be exchanged for spirit stones at any time.

After receiving the pills and spirit stones from the other party and confirming they were correct, Song Qingming handed the array to her.

Having successfully completed the trade, Song Qingming felt quite good; he had finally made his first sale.

The day went well. Not only were his two sets of arrays sold, but even Uncle Ninth's talismans were all sold out. The only thing was that black stone he was most worried about—he didn't know what it was, and after displaying it for a whole day, not many people even glanced at it.

In addition to selling these items, Song Qingming also collected many materials for making talismans and refining arrays. The rogue cultivators here often go to Yunwu Mountain to hunt demonic beasts and have plenty of these low-grade materials on hand. As long as the price wasn't lower than the acquisition price in the marketplace, Song Qingming easily collected many of the materials he wanted.

When he left Caolu Mountain, the sky was already at dusk. Song Qingming quickened his pace and managed to return to Lingyuan Mountain just before the sun set.

Before leaving, Song Qingming specifically went to see the masters of Caolu Mountain. These three were veteran rogue cultivators local to Qinghe County who enjoyed befriending nearby cultivators. After Song Qingming explained his intentions, he quickly obtained a pass token just like the one Uncle Ninth had.

He would definitely be coming to this place often in the future.

(End of chapter)