Beast Taming Clan: I Have a Jade Book

Chapter 134: Chapter 135: Overly Cautious

The entrance of Taichang Market is very wide, unlike the several secluded paths of Taihang Market.

There is only one broad avenue here, and besides that, only Purple Mansion Ascendants can fly freely within the market.

Above the valley entrance, it is different as well, filled with a crimson glow, and the sky here remains unchanged.

“Though the scenery is flattering, this is the most genuine sky!” Ye Haiyi remarked meaningfully via sound transmission.

Ye Jingcheng also glanced at the highest peak in the distance.

He then shook his head and turned away, continuing to look at both sides of the valley. Once they entered the mouth of the valley, they saw several cultivators in Daoist robes guarding the market entrance:

“To enter the market, you must pay two Spirit Stones and can only stay for five days. Afterward, you must pay one additional Spirit Stone for every ten extra days; if less than ten days, it’s rounded up to ten!” The broad-faced cultivator leading them spoke sternly, with a look of disdain in his eyes.

However, this disdain somewhat pleased the two.

After all, they were indeed rather weak loose cultivators at the moment.

While they hesitated, many cultivators had already paid the Spirit Stones, received a token, and entered the market.

Regarding the need to pay Spirit Stones for large markets, Ye Jingcheng had long heard of it, albeit reluctantly.

But fortunately, this time the Spirit Stones were recorded on the family’s account.

Otherwise, staying in the market for a month would cost three Spirit Stones, higher than the basic annual salary of a mid-stage Qi Cultivation cultivator in the Ye Family!

“Hold onto your token; without it, you’ll be expelled. Also, don’t cause trouble or engage in magical combat in the market, as such consequences are not something you can bear!” The broad-faced cultivator said, handing over two tokens to the duo.

The two weren’t annoyed, taking the tokens and heading inside.

Passing through a gatehouse, they saw bustling alleys, giving them a sudden sense of enlightenment.

This wasn’t just a market; it was clearly a city for cultivators!

The entrance they just passed was a city gate.

And on both sides of the gate were various alchemy and artifact refining shops.

At the shop doors stood cultivators in rough linen clothes, watching the gate.

When seeing cultivators dressed in luxurious, noble attire, they would come forward and strike up a conversation.

In contrast, no one approached Ye Jingcheng and his companion. After a long time, a lean, dark-faced cultivator finally approached.

“Are the two seniors here at Taichang Market for the first time?”

“Friend, don’t flatter us unnecessarily. Without Foundation Establishment, how can one speak of seniors or juniors?”

“However, to be honest, it really is our first time at this market!”

“This market indeed lives up to being an Immortal Gate Market, far surpassing other markets!” Ye Haiyi exclaimed.

“Of course, this market permanently has Golden Core cultivators stationed, with four Golden Core clan influences, seven Purple Mansion influences, and Foundation Establishment forces as numerous as fish in a river. To open a store here, at least Foundation Establishment influence is required; other markets can’t compare!”

“Moreover, most loose cultivators here are waiting for two grand events!”

“The first is the Immortal Ascension Conference, where martial arts meet magic to ascend Taiyi Sect. Even us loose cultivators, if we have talent or a particular skill, have a chance!”

“The second is the auction. It not only sells Foundation Establishment Pills but is said to have Purple Mansion Spiritual Objects in the grand auction held every thirty years!”

“Now there are still two weeks before the auction. When the time comes, this city gate will be crowded with cultivators!” The thin-faced young man spoke with enthusiasm.

He gestured with his hands, encompassing both the city gate and the street’s end in his explanation.

Ye Jingcheng also noticed that of the shops at the city gate, only a few had fewer than three floors.

In the market, one could judge a shop’s backing by its floors—one floor for Qi Cultivation, two for Foundation Establishment forces, and three for Purple Mansion forces!

This was the same as in Taihang Market.

“Senior, would you need a guide? I’ve lived in the market since I was a child!” The dark-faced cultivator finally offered.

Of course, he did so with a tentative mindset.

Because he observed their distinctive conversation style, one at the Qi Cultivation Ninth Layer and the other at the Eighth Layer.

And most importantly, they were willing to talk.

“What are your charges?”

“Three Spirit Stones for two days, including all market information, strengths and weaknesses of each shop that I have summarized, and I can even explain some of the forces behind them…” The thin-faced cultivator was overjoyed at the mention of fees.

Seeing a potential deal, he began elaborating formally.

“An old friend just sent me a sound transmission, apologies!” Ye Haiyi then directly left.

Ye Jingcheng quickly followed, his sickly face showing some fatigue.

Leaving the cultivator with self-doubt, he could only withdraw dejectedly.

Ye Jingcheng walked along the street with Ye Haiyi.

In his heart, he recalled an acquaintance his elder brother Ye Jingteng mentioned.

But since they came incognito, naturally they couldn’t act overtly here.

Crossing the street and turning aside, there was a plaza, and at the center stood a pillar adorned with various beast pattern motifs.

This pillar emitted spiritual light, seemingly an extraordinary treasure.

Surrounding the pillar were numerous stalls arranged in a circular fashion.

Upon first glance, Ye Jingcheng felt as if treasures were everywhere, making it overwhelming for a moment.

The lively scene inside made him curious.

Compared to the dazzling shops, the treasures at the stalls filled loose cultivators and young cultivators with longing.

After all, there were always tales about loose cultivators’ lack of discernment and many treasures to be found.

Of course, Ye Jingcheng knew these were exaggerations.

Merely a narrative created by loose cultivators, but in reality, these loose cultivators were astute, adept at reading others’ expressions, sometimes even surpassing family cultivators.

Of course, for Ye Jingcheng, he had an advantage; he could discern good spirit plant seeds and spirit beasts.

“Brother Tang!” A voice was heard from afar, and soon a chubby-faced cultivator stumbled over.

“Brother Meng!” Ye Haiyi also extended his hand.

The two embraced each other warmly.

After a long time, he finally looked at Ye Jingcheng.

“Haobo is doing well. We haven’t seen each other for years, and he has reached the Qi Cultivation Eighth Layer!”

“Master Meng, you’re flattering me!” Ye Jingcheng also spoke up.

Through the Jade Talisman, he knew information about this person. His name was Meng Xuan, and he was a close friend of Elder Tang!

He also ran a resale business in the market, having two sons under him, but neither had a Spirit Root. Only one grandson had Three Spirit Roots, which was quite precious, and this made Meng Xuan entertain thoughts about establishing a sect.

“The room is ready. Do you want to take a stroll, or go directly?”

“Let’s take a stroll first, this time it’s because of Haobo’s illness!” Ye Haiyi couldn’t help but sigh, his face full of gloom.

“Do all you can and leave the rest to fate. It might be resolved once Haobo breaks through to the Foundation Establishment!” Meng Xuan said, and then fell silent.

Ye Jingcheng then strolled around the street stalls, but his previous expectations were evidently a bit too optimistic. Although there were Spirit Beast Cubs for sale, their potential was really low.

Or, it was that there were many sharp-eyed people here, and good Spirit Beast Cubs were already bought or placed in the major auctions.

It was some Magical Artifacts, minerals, and Elixirs that were in no shortage of quality items being released.

Of course, the majority consisted of ordinary Magical Artifacts, Basic Magic, common materials, and even insights on Alchemy and Artifact Refining being sold, with not low prices marked on them.

It shows how this world holds inheritance in high regard.

Apart from that, Spirit Medicine and Spirit Medicine Seeds were quite abundant as well.

Ye Jingcheng saw several rare Spirit Medicines among which he found several that were suitable for the advancement of Five Poison Bees. After spending dozens of Spirit Stones and bargaining multiple times, he finally used a leaving threat before the stall owner relented.

“Haobo, nice. You have a bit of your grandfather’s style. These stall owners all harbor the mindset of ripping off someone, never being lenient!” Meng Xuan said beside him.

“It’s truly due to the shortage of Spirit Stones that I made Master Meng laugh!” Ye Jingcheng shook his head with a bitter smile.

“Haobo, these stalls only become exceptionally grand three days before the auction. By then, Foundation Establishment Cultivators will even set up stalls!” Meng Xuan added further while beside him.

Then he glanced at the sky, looked at Ye Haiyi, and exchanged a gaze.

Meng Xuan led Ye Jingcheng and Ye Haiyi toward a group of cottages.

Most of these belonged to Loose Cultivators, far cheaper than a restaurant.

Only one Spirit Stone per month, but don’t think it’s little. If you were to leave here, you’d need to pay an additional Spirit Stone every ten days.

This is a bigger cost instead.

Some Loose Cultivators don’t even dare to leave the market!

And this is where the market is cunning; either create benefits within the market or be exploited when leaving!

Of course, there are many opportunities to earn in the market, including guiding, being an assistant, and setting up street stalls can all generate Spirit Stone income.

It’s known that only a circle in the center of the stalls on the square doesn’t charge a fee.

This aspect is better compared to the Taihang Market.

In the cottages, Loose Cultivators reside as well, including female Loose Cultivators. Ye Jingcheng even spotted Xu Xiuqing not far away, and she was also there.

Seemingly feeling Ye Jingcheng’s gaze, Xu Xiuqing also raised her head and then walked over.

“This young woman, thanks the two Daoist friends for their great kindness!”

“It was the Fairy herself who was skilled in magic, it has nothing to do with this old man!” Ye Haiyi was disinclined to acknowledge.

Turning directly and entered the room Meng Xuan prepared for Ye Jingcheng and himself.

Ye Jingcheng naturally followed closely.

The room’s setup was quite simple, a bed, a table, along with three stools, which in the Mortal World would seem shabby.

However, in the Cultivation World, a month for a single Spirit Stone could be considered extremely ironic.

Ye Haiyi took out an Array and arranged it around the room.

Once finished, he directly took out a Jade Talisman and crushed it on the spot.

This Jade Talisman was a Sensing Jade Talisman.

In the Cultivation Realm, communication is divided into two types, one is the Sensing Jade Talisman, and the other is the Sound Transmission Talisman.

The former leaves no trace, has scant information, and requires prior agreement, while the latter contains lots of content, can break Arrays, but emits a Spiritual Light.

Of course, there are shared aspects; both have distance limits.

For instance, transmitting to a clan from here in the market is absolutely impossible.

After sending the Jade Talisman, Ye Haiyi sighed in relief.

It seemed the matter was halfway done.

Ye Jingcheng took out some tea leaves on the side and began brewing tea, although this tea was just ordinary Mortal Tea.

Being a Loose Cultivator, brewing tea every day doesn’t fit their current personas as a sickly fellow and a Loose Cultivator.

After pouring a cup for Ye Haiyi, the latter thoughtfully looked at Ye Jingcheng:

“Do you think grandpa is being overly cautious?”

Ye Jingcheng shook his head, though still retained some doubt in his eyes.

Yet, he saw Ye Haiyi’s sleeve open, revealing the once Red Thousand Rat, now miniature-sized.

“The Li Family, Xu Family, Mo Family, Chen Family, Chu Family have all sent people here…” Ye Haiyi sighed.

Though he hadn’t used Divine Sense, the Red Thousand Rat’s tracking ability, over a thousand miles, was never wrong.

Through the years, the Ye Family certainly has figured out the key members of the various families.

“However, don’t be overly tense. Come in naturally, as nobody knows someone from the Ye Family is here!”

“Including our vendors!” Ye Haiyi showed confidence.

Ye Jingcheng nodded as well.

“There’s an alchemist auction in a few days, your illness is due to an incompatible Innate Spirit Root, remember not to expose it, and keep distance from that Ms. Xu!”

“At least for these two months, you must act this way!” Perhaps feeling it was too harsh.

Ye Haiyi added a few words.

Ye Jingcheng nodded; at this moment, anyone with ties to the Taihang Market might be exposed.