Chapter 2153: Master

Wuxia and Xianxia

Receiving no reply, Su Nü pushed open the door. The room was empty, save for a wooden table on which two items rested. She stepped closer and saw a white spherical bead and a jade bottle.

When her spiritual sense lightly touched it, the bead suddenly dissolved.

Su Nü's eyes flickered. She stood silently for a moment, then a thoughtful expression appeared on her face. She looked at the jade bottle and saw several crimson-gold pills inside. Recognizing them as spiritual elixirs capable of quickly boosting her cultivation, she was overjoyed. In her mind, she silently recited, "Thank you, my Lord, for these pills!"

After putting away the jade bottle, Su Nü meticulously searched the room again. Finding no other items, she turned and walked out.

Stepping out of the wooden hut, Su Nü waved her jade hand. The hut and all surrounding traces were erased, leaving nothing behind. She then quietly departed.

Meanwhile, Qin Sang and Yuan Miao had arrived at the location of the trade fair.

It was a long, narrow spiritual island with a river flowing through both ends. The water flowed out from both sides of the island, like a jade belt draped across it, yet the river itself seemed endless and would never run dry.

Along both banks of the river stood two rows of exquisite pavilions. Some people had arrived earlier than them, walking along the bluestone path beside the river.

Qin Sang's gaze was drawn to a person clad in snow-white robes, whose skin was dazzlingly fair. Long white hair flowed behind them, gently swaying as they walked slowly, exuding an ethereal and transcendent aura.

Trailing behind this individual were three peculiar spiritual beasts.

All three beasts had yellow fur. They resembled foxes but were larger, comparable in size to horses. Each had two horns on its back, giving them a majestic and extraordinary appearance. They followed the person docilely, step by step.

"Those are Cheng Huang beasts!"

Yuan Miao whispered, "That person is a master from the Land of the White People."

Qin Sang had heard of the Land of the White People, knowing it was one of the Celestial Tribe's prominent clans, but he was unfamiliar with the origin of the Cheng Huang beasts.

All three spiritual beasts were in the Transformed Form stage, equivalent to the Nascent Soul stage for humans. He wondered what made them special enough to capture Yuan Miao's attention.

"Since ancient times, Cheng Huangs have been known as auspicious beasts," Yuan Miao explained. "If a cultivator can subdue one and live with it day and night, absorbing its essence to harmonize their own energy and replenishing their vitality, it has the effect of prolonging life. Of course, to gain more lifespan, they need to be carefully nurtured. There's a legend from ancient times about extending life by two thousand years. Perhaps the legend is exaggerated, but it can at least add several decades."

Qin Sang realized this. While lifespan held no meaning for Void Refinement cultivators, their descendants, those who hadn't yet reached Void Refinement, were still constrained by their lifespan. Subduing a Cheng Huang beast offered a chance to defy fate and extend their lives.

Elixirs that could extend lifespan had always been fiercely contested, so Cheng Huang beasts were naturally very valuable.

"Because of this characteristic, everyone covets Cheng Huang beasts, and they've become extremely rare in the world. It's said that only one lineage, bred by the Land of the White People, remains in the entire East Sea. A Cheng Huang beast usually recognizes only one master in its lifetime, but the Land of the White People possesses a special beast-taming method that allows them to acknowledge multiple masters throughout their lives. Although the life-extending effect is somewhat reduced, this greatly increases their value for tribes and families."

A strange gleam appeared in Yuan Miao's eyes, clearly indicating he was tempted, as he also had descendants.

Qin Sang's heart also stirred. He had many old friends and descendants from the Storm Realm. Due to the scarce spiritual energy and extreme lack of resources in the lower realm, their cultivation had been stalled. Even with the later emergence of Azure Spirit Qi and some compensation, too much time had been lost, and too much lifespan expended. He feared most of them would be unable to progress beyond the Spirit Transformation stage.

This was a harsh reality: in a few hundred or even a thousand years, they would either perish in heavenly tribulations or die of old age. Only a tiny fraction would manage to break through to the Void Refinement stage.

The cultivator from the Land of the White People led the three Cheng Huang beasts into a pavilion.

Yuan Miao said excitedly, "That person is also here for the trade fair. Let's hurry!"

They landed by the riverside and headed towards the pavilion. Just then, another person walked towards them.

"Oh?"

The person stopped and bowed to Qin Sang, saying, "I am Yu Chang'en. Forgive my interruption, but may I ask for your venerable title?"

"My surname is Qin," Qin Sang replied. "Fellow Daoist Yu, are you also human?"

Qin Sang paused, sizing up the man. Clad in an embroidered robe with a jade belt cinched at his waist, he exuded an an air of nobility, more like a wealthy commoner than a Void Refinement cultivator.

He guessed why the other party had stopped him; the Sea Market had just begun, and non-human races were not yet common.

"Indeed!"

Yu Chang'en was delighted. "I didn't expect to meet a fellow human Daoist so soon! Senior Qin, are you also from Xùn State? May I ask which immortal city your Daoist temple is located in?"

During this time, Qin Sang had learned that the non-human races also had contact with Xùn State, one of the Eight Great Heavenly States. Xùn State was located northeast of the Great Zhou, and the Misty Sea was essentially situated between these two states and the River of Evil.

"This Daoist came to the Misty Sea via Kǎn State," Qin Sang said. "I've always heard that Xùn State's landscape is vastly different from other places, with immortal cities built in the sky, hidden among the winds and clouds, not fixed in one spot but flowing with the wind. When the winds are strong, they can travel millions of miles a day while staying in place. Unfortunately, I've never had the leisure to visit."

Yu Chang'en laughed heartily. "It's merely a place plagued by fierce winds! We've long grown weary of the wandering life. How could it compare to Kǎn State, with its outstanding talents and spiritual richness? Senior Qin would surely be disappointed."

Meeting a fellow human in a foreign land instantly fostered a sense of kinship. Yu Chang'en was also attending the trade fair, so they entered the pavilion together.

After some conversation, Qin Sang learned that Yu Chang'en was from the Yu family in Xùn State. The Yu family made their living as merchants in Xùn State, and Yu Chang'en's purpose in coming here was to seek opportunities among the non-human races.

Of the two tribes, Water and Heaven, the Water Tribe was more friendly towards humans. Yu Chang'en had befriended a master from a prominent clan of the Water Tribe and was invited to attend the Yuanqiao Sea Market.

However, after careful inquiry, Yu Chang'en discovered that the channels between Xùn State and the Water Tribe had long been monopolized by several major forces in Xùn State. The Yu family was not among the top-tier powerful clans, making it difficult for them to gain a significant share.

He came to the Celestial Tribe's territory hoping to find opportunities. Hearing about a trade fair, he decided to join the crowd, never expecting to encounter a fellow human.

Learning of Yu Chang'en's intentions, Qin Sang's heart stirred.

A Daoist temple wasn't a one-and-done creation; how to ensure its stable development and increasing prosperity was a question he had to consider.

The Storm Sea could currently accommodate Qingyang Commandery. As more cultivators joined Qingyang Commandery and their cultivation gradually improved, when Qingyang Commandery expanded to its limits, it would inevitably face many new problems.

During this period, the Five Thunders Institute had sent people to search throughout Qingyang Commandery, uncovering some unique products of the Storm Realm. These were carefully cultivated and could be exchanged with the non-human races for necessary cultivation resources, but this only offered slight relief.

Qingyang Commandery was still too small. It couldn't invade external territories or annex other forces to continuously strengthen itself, so it had to find another way.

Qin Sang's first thought was commerce. Their advantage was being one of the rare human forces recognized by the Celestial Tribe, backed by the two prominent clans, Siyou and Zhuyan. He also wanted to establish connections with Jihong and the Jiaojiao Tribe.

To prepare for his journey to the sacred land, these ideas had to be put aside and had not yet been implemented.

With Qingyang Commandery's current strength, it would be difficult to expand significantly. Someone of sufficient standing would need to step forward and open all channels. Qin Sang lacked the energy, and Su Nü also needed to focus on secluded cultivation, making it impossible for her to handle such matters.

Once stable, things would be simpler. Daily affairs could be handled by the younger generation, with a Void Refinement cultivator overseeing and dealing with any occasional tricky issues. Qin Sang could even borrow people from Silu.

Learning of Yu Chang'en's purpose, Qin Sang realized this was an opportunity. He could leverage the Yu family's power to establish a framework for the Qingyang Commandery Chamber of Commerce, and then, by contacting his old acquaintances in Kǎn State, easily get things on track.

If Qingyang Commandery could monopolize trade between the non-human races and the two states of the Great Zhou, there would be no need to worry about cultivation resources. In the future, it might even be able to provide for him, the lord of Qingyang Commandery.

Of course, achieving this goal with only Qingyang Commandery was insufficient. He wasn't the only one with such an idea; someone must have already been secretly working on it. For a small Qingyang Commandery to grow large and claim this lucrative share, open and secret struggles would be inevitable. It would be best to involve Zhuyan, Siyou, and Jiaojiao as well.

With this idea in mind, Qin Sang spent the trade fair contemplating various details, appearing somewhat distracted.

Nevertheless, when the cultivator from the Land of the White People put a Cheng Huang beast up for sale, Qin Sang spared no expense to acquire one.

As the sun set, the trade fair concluded. Qin Sang invited Yu Chang'en to be his guest on a chosen date, and Yu Chang'en gladly accepted.

Back at his cave dwelling, Qin Sang handed the Cheng Huang beast to Li Yufu and instructed him and Yu Nu to prepare for cooperation with the Yu family.

Days passed.

More and more cultivators arrived at the Yuanqiao Sea Market. The Treasure Tree was laden with fruits, appearing vibrant red from afar.

Qin Sang seized this opportunity, frequently moving between various trade fairs. He acquired many desired spiritual items and also witnessed numerous unique treasures belonging to the non-human races, greatly broadening his horizons.

During this period, Qin Sang and Yu Chang'en's interactions became more frequent, and they gained a deeper understanding of each other.

Yu Chang'en was greatly astonished to learn that Qin Sang's Daoist temple was established in the Misty Sea, which also made him more eager.

Qin Sang also gained some insight into Yu Chang'en's character and the Yu family's strength. Yu Chang'en was a flexible individual with foresight, adopting a humble demeanor in front of Qin Sang. In their brief discussions, he consistently expressed the Yu family's willingness to contribute manpower and resources, while maintaining that Qingyang Commandery would remain the primary partner in their cooperation.

As the saying goes, "good things take time." This alliance could not be finalized with just a few words. Even though both Qin Sang and Yu Chang'en were willing, they still needed to return, gather their people, discuss details, and weigh the pros and cons.

Li Yufu and Yu Nu provisionally selected some candidates for forming the chamber of commerce, including Hall Master Mu of the Six States Hall and others. They would immediately begin preparations upon their return.

Qin Sang, meanwhile, set a date with Yu Chang'en for the Yu family's masters to visit Qingyang Commandery. If Qin Sang had not yet returned from the sacred land by then, Su Nü would receive them.

One day.

Qin Sang and Yu Chang'en had a pleasant conversation. Just after seeing him off, Qin Sang happened to encounter Su Nü returning.

"Have you encountered any trouble recently?" Qin Sang stopped Su Nü and asked in a low voice.

Su Nü paused, then forced a smile. "I still couldn't hide it from Brother Qin."

Qin Sang frowned. Su Nü had been disappearing for long periods these past few days, and her expression seemed off. Even though his attention was focused on the trade fair and Yu Chang'en, he had still vaguely sensed something amiss.

"If it concerns your own secret, I won't press you further," Qin Sang said. "But if you've offended someone, even if we are not their match, we can ask Patriarch Yuan Xiang to mediate on our behalf."

More than two hundred years had passed since their reunion. Throughout these years, whenever he had a request, Su Nü had given her full support, even at the cost of delaying her own cultivation. It could be said that without Su Nü, Qingyang Commandery would not have been established so quickly and smoothly.

If Su Nü encountered trouble, he would certainly reciprocate.

"Thank you for your concern, Brother Qin."

Su Nü sighed softly. "Because it's a private matter for me, I've been hesitant to trouble you, Brother Qin. Please don't be offended."

After a moment of hesitation, Su Nü softly said, "I discovered traces left by my master."

"Your master? At the Yuanqiao Sea Market?"

Qin Sang was surprised.

He recalled Su Nü mentioning that her master had guided her for a period before leaving, subsequently disappearing without a trace. Su Nü had said her master was a human cultivator, but that might not be the complete truth; if her master deliberately concealed their identity, Su Nü wouldn't be able to discern it.

"I only found vague traces, and it's unclear whether they were left recently or long ago. I've been searching everywhere these past few days, but haven't found any more clues, and..."

A puzzled look flashed in Su Nü's eyes. "Those traces actually point beyond the Yuanqiao Sea Market, deeper into the River of Evil!"

That night.

The bright moon hung in the sky, its light like water.

Qin Sang and Su Nü quietly left the Yuanqiao Sea Market. As soon as they flew beyond the cloud and mist, they immediately felt chaotic power permeating the void.

The sea below churned with terrifying black waves. The Yuanqiao Sea Market seemed like the sole sanctuary in an apocalyptic world.

The murky qi had receded some distance, and they could distantly see a black curtain at the edge of the sky. The two slowly flew towards it. Upon reaching the murky qi, they felt a power comparable to the Black Tide of Heavenly Might. Facing the terrifying scene before them, both wore solemn expressions.

"The situation deep within the River of Evil is unknown. It's best if we don't go there in our true forms," Qin Sang said.

Su Nü nodded in agreement.

Qin Sang looked around, then flickered down to the sea surface. His true essence condensed into a piece of profound ice, which bobbed with the waves.

The two landed on the ice. Qin Sang manifested his Dharma Body, while Su Nü took out a palm-sized stone carving. The carving, made of an unknown material, was grayish-white with a blank expression.

Su Nü infused it with her true essence, and the stone carving's expression immediately became lifelike. Then, Su Nü lightly touched the carving's brow with her index finger, and a hint of black light, containing what seemed to be a complex rune and a faint trace of Su Nü's primordial spirit aura, merged into the carving's body.

The stone carving quickly grew, transforming into a stone ghost general that charged into the murky qi alongside Qin Sang's Dharma Body.

*Rumble...*

Passing through the black curtain, Qin Sang immediately felt as if heaven and earth were collapsing, far more chaotic than the scenes he had witnessed at the River of Evil's edge.

Qin Sang's Dharma Body paused slightly, gazing into the distance, but unfortunately, he didn't see the array of minor realms like he had years ago. He turned his attention to the stone ghost general, noting its subdued aura as it performed a secret art to sense their direction.

A moment later, the stone ghost general raised its hand and pointed to the front-right, speaking in a voice identical to Su Nü's: "There!"

As they passed, the sky and earth changed color, accompanied by wind and thunder, triggering even greater chaos.

Su Nü occasionally had to stop to re-sense and adjust their direction. Moving in this stop-and-go manner, they ventured deeper and deeper, and the sights within the River of Evil grew increasingly mystical and terrifying.