Chapter 283: Autumn Hongfang Market

Novel:

The ancient cultivator’s cave mansion, where Autumn Phoenix Market is located, is divided into inner and outer layers. Because Autumn Phoenix Market is very famous, later generations commonly refer to the entire cave mansion by that name.

The outer layer lies outside the protective grand formation and is, in fact, the actual Autumn Phoenix Market. Over time, the restrictive spells weakened due to various factors, leading to its early discovery. The owner of Autumn Phoenix Market then built the market there, as a facade.

Later, the market was destroyed by cloud beasts, turning the area into ruins. The remaining restrictive spells were completely annihilated by the cloud beasts, making restoration impossible. Consequently, the site was entirely abandoned, left exposed, and became a cloud beast lair. Therefore, whenever the protective grand formation entered a weakened period, everyone who gathered at Autumn Phoenix Market first had to work together to clear out the cloud beasts inhabiting the area.

There wasn't much to explain about the protective grand formation itself. It contained elements of earth, wind, water, and fire, and incorporated the cycle of yin and yang. Each time one entered, the specific array configuration changed. Yu Kong merely gave a rough account of his previous experience, noting that it was highly unlikely they would encounter the same array this time.

What Yu Kong focused on, and what concerned everyone the most, were several treasure locations within the cave mansion. The cave mansion originally appeared as a majestic green mountain. Although vast, it had been thoroughly explored, and five specific locations were recognized as crucial sites containing treasures.

The first place discovered, and the one most highly valued by the cave mansion's owner, was a location everyone referred to as the Offering Hall. There was no plaque on the Offering Hall, but it was built at the peak of the mountain, the highest point of the entire cave mansion. Inside the hall, a clay statue was enshrined, indicating the cave mansion owner's deep reverence for it. Everyone suspected the clay statue might be the cave mansion owner's patriarch, so some also called it the Patriarch's Hall.

Given its special location, significant meaning, and prominent visibility, the Offering Hall initially became the primary target for intruders. Its restrictive spells were quickly broken, and all the high-quality treasures stored within were swept away. Even afterward, many continued to search the Offering Hall repeatedly; even the clay statue was examined, only to find that it had indeed been thoroughly plundered, before the area was finally left alone. Now, only a few scattered individuals still attempt to try their luck there.

Next was a special existence second only to the Offering Hall: a mysterious jade tablet, embedded in the cliff face of the back mountain. Meditating before this Secret Transmission Jade Tablet offered a chance to receive the cave mansion owner's legacy. It was said that a Core Formation cultivator once tried to take the jade tablet, striking the cliff with his palm, but he couldn't even scratch the tablet and was instead injured by its restrictive spells. The matter was then left unresolved.

However, no one had yet figured out the conditions for obtaining the legacy. More often than not, one would gain nothing, sitting there until the protective grand formation was about to recover, forcing them to leave, having made the trip in vain. Consequently, very few people now went to meditate before the Secret Transmission Jade Tablet.

Besides these, there were seven establishments similar to Spirit Treasure Pavilions, scattered throughout the mountain. These seven locations were currently the primary targets for those entering the cave mansion. The Spirit Treasure Pavilions contained magical artifacts, elixirs, and jade slips, but the treasures and restrictive spells varied significantly among the seven pavilions. Sometimes, the amount one gained depended not only on strength but also on luck.

Yu Kong didn't hide his objective: a Spirit Treasure Pavilion located on the back mountain. Firstly, this pavilion was the furthest away and had strong restrictive spells, meaning fewer people would compete for it. Secondly, he had been there on his previous visit, and with that prior experience, he was confident he could acquire more treasures this time.

"Fellow Daoist Yu, another group has just rushed past. Something might have changed at Autumn Phoenix Market. Shouldn't we speed up?" Everyone watched as more than a dozen streaks of light swiftly cut across the horizon, heading straight for Autumn Phoenix Market. Elder Muteng seemed unable to contain his impatience and pressed the question.

It was understandable that Elder Muteng was anxious. Over the past two days, they had been overtaken by more than just this one group. It seemed the protective grand formation of Autumn Phoenix Market had undergone new changes. Yu Kong scanned the group and said, "It appears you all share Fellow Daoist Muteng's thoughts. Let's move then."

Innumerable cloud beasts occupied the mountain. As time passed, the area had transformed into a cloud beast lair, with no trace of Autumn Phoenix Market remaining.

Amidst the surrounding cloud beasts stood a broken mountain. Its peak had collapsed due to external forces, revealing a jagged, uneven fracture. At the center of this fracture was a bottomless circular sinkhole, from which various colored lights continuously erupted. Within these lights were strange phenomena such as hurricanes and flames. The cloud beasts were terrified of the light and dared not approach, indicating its considerable power.

The sinkhole was the entrance to the cave mansion. Originally obscured by restrictive spells, it had been exposed after Autumn Phoenix Market was destroyed. Jumping into the sinkhole would lead one into the protective grand formation, but at this time, the formation was still in its strong phase. When the weakened period arrived, these lights would become very dim, barely escaping the confines of the sinkhole. That would be the optimal time to enter the formation, as its power would be significantly reduced.

At this moment, many cultivators had already gathered on the peaks distant from the broken mountain. Most had arrived in groups; lone cultivators were rare. Qin Sang followed Yu Kong to occupy a low peak, his gaze fixed on the sinkhole. He knew little about the protective grand formation and couldn't discern much. His eyes then scanned around, finally spotting Ge Yuan and Yun Youzi. The three exchanged a glance before discreetly looking away, appearing completely like strangers.

"No wonder all these old fellows have arrived; the weakened period will be here in less than half a month!" Yu Kong observed for a long time, reached this conclusion, and then muttered, "It's time to start clearing out the cloud beasts."

Although the cloud beasts here were numerous, more and more cultivators were gathering, and each of them possessed considerable strength. Clearing out the cloud beasts would only take some time. Sure enough, no sooner had Yu Kong finished speaking than an elderly cultivator in the late Foundation Establishment stage soared into the air and declared loudly, "Fellow Daoists above the middle Foundation Establishment stage, come with me to hunt down the cloud beast leaders. Other fellow Daoists, work together to encircle and eliminate the cloud beasts. The spoils of war will belong to those who kill the beasts. The true treasures are still within the cave mansion, so please do not let minor gains jeopardize our harmony."

The elder had considerable prestige, and his words were immediately met with responses. Yu Kong dared not defy the elder's command. He turned his head and quietly warned, "Do not separate. Form a defensive perimeter, and stay vigilant. The cloud beasts are too numerous; once combat begins, the situation will become chaotic, and surprise attacks are not uncommon."

Qin Sang and the others had already practiced, so they immediately formed a battle array, with Elder Muteng, the strongest among them, at the forefront. The Xiu sisters, working in perfect coordination, guarded the rear, leaving no opportunity for ill-intentioned individuals to exploit weaknesses. Yu Kong nodded, feeling relieved, and was about to set off when someone from the left suddenly spoke mockingly, "Old Ghost Yu, you truly are terrified of death. Gathering so many people, have you already picked out which ones will be your scapegoats?"

A streak of light stopped before them. It was Sheng Yuanzi!

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