Chapter 53: Ghost Mountain Workshop Market

The Mortal World

Qin Sang disembarked from the boat, feeling as if the ground was swaying. For an entire year, he had spent almost every day on a boat.

During that time, he encountered many treacherous mountainous and watery areas that required him to disembark and travel on foot. There were also various unexpected events such as wars, water bandits, and floods. He changed countless boats and traveled intermittently, and by the time he reached Bi-yun Kingdom, a year had already passed.

According to Qin Sang's own understanding, he should now be in the mid-stage of the fifth level of the Underworld Scripture. He still had a considerable distance to go before breaking through to the sixth level, but his Soul Pills were running low. He urgently needed to find Yin Sha Qi or collect souls again.

Without Soul Pills, Qin Sang had no idea when he would ever be able to break through to the sixth level.

"Sir," the boatman said, "just head east from here. You'll reach You Mountain in less than a month. You can hire a carriage at the dock, but you're clearly from out of town, so you should be careful..." The boatman reluctantly saw Qin Sang off the boat.

This passenger had left a deep impression on him. After boarding, he had stayed cooped up in his cabin and never emerged. He only required the boat's crew to deliver three meals a day, was generous with money, and caused little trouble.

As he neared Bi-yun Kingdom, Qin Sang had already inquired and learned that the location marked on the topographical maps of all kingdoms was near You Mountain, the largest mountain range in Bi-yun Kingdom, which aligned with the name "You Mountain Market."

Once ashore, Qin Sang immediately bought a horse with silver. Traveling day and night and changing horses along the way, he reached the vicinity of You Mountain in just five days.

The You Mountain range was an immense mountain range, countless times larger than Gu-ling Mountain. The part within Bi-yun Kingdom was only a very small section. From the local people, Qin Sang heard many legends about You Mountain.

At the edge of You Mountain, the jade plate reacted, automatically emitting a halo to guide him.

Following the jade plate's guidance, Qin Sang delved deep into the mountains, crossing peaks and traversing forests, stopping before a desolate mountain valley.

The peaks on both sides of the valley reached into the clouds, and the entire valley was shrouded in thick fog. It was unclear how deep it was inside, but the jade plate's guidance pointed into the valley.

Qin Sang stood before the valley for a while, his expression hesitant. He found the thick fog in the valley exceptionally eerie, and yet he couldn't see through it.

Just then, the thick fog in the valley suddenly churned.

Qin Sang became secretly vigilant. A moment later, the thick fog parted to reveal a small path, and footsteps sounded from within. Then, a man in a long robe appeared.

The man in the long robe quickly walked out. His gaze swept over Qin Sang, and he immediately trotted over to him, smiling and bowing respectfully. He said with unusual enthusiasm, "Greetings, Immortal! Welcome to You Mountain Market. I've had an eidetic memory since childhood, and as I don't recognize your esteemed face, I presume this is your first visit to You Mountain Market?"

Seeing Qin Sang nod, the man in the long robe began to praise his establishment. "Then, Immortal, you've certainly come to the right place! Our You Mountain Market is the largest market in the entire You Mountain range. We have everything you could wish for, whether it's magic artifacts, talismans, elixirs, or spells. Furthermore, many immortal cultivation families have businesses set up within the market, which will surely ensure your satisfaction..."

Qin Sang's expression didn't change much upon hearing these words. Instead, he kept looking at the man in the long robe strangely and couldn't help but ask, "Are you a mortal?"

The man in the long robe complimented him, "Your eyesight is excellent, Immortal. I am indeed a mortal."

Qin Sang asked skeptically, "Then how did you know I'm an immortal cultivator?"

The man in the long robe exclaimed, "Oh," and pointed to his brow. "Immortal, you might not have noticed, but my master cast a 'Qi Observing Art' on me. It allows me to see the spiritual energy fluctuations on your body, which is how I recognized you as an immortal cultivator."

"So it's the Qi Observing Art. I was negligent for a moment." Qin Sang had a look of sudden realization. He secretly mused that one needed the Qi Observing Art to perceive spiritual energy fluctuations.

This was probably one of the most basic immortal cultivation techniques, just like the Object Manipulation Art, yet he had never even heard of it. He was worse than a mortal, like a country bumpkin. He definitely needed to broaden his horizons today.

The man in the long robe offered a self-deprecating smile, extended his hand, and said, "Please, Immortal."

Qin Sang nodded and took two steps before suddenly remembering, "Does your You Mountain Market not require a token?"

The man in the long robe shook his head. "My master has the magnanimity to welcome guests from all over the world, so naturally, no token is required. In the future, when you arrive here, Immortal, just walk in. The market's restrictive spell will detect your immortal cultivator identity, and the thick fog will automatically part, allowing you to come and go as you please."

Qin Sang uttered an "Oh," and continued walking forward, but in his heart, he wondered, if this jade plate wasn't the token for You Mountain Market, did it have another purpose?

The direction the jade plate pointed was within the market itself.

Qin Sang had intended to extract more information from the man in the long robe, but unfortunately, the small path was not long; he reached its end in just a few steps.

"Immortal, we've arrived at the market. Immortal cultivators can trade freely within the market, but my master has set a rule that I must first explain to you."

The man in the long robe was very respectful towards Qin Sang, but his tone subtly carried a warning. "Whether you are a rogue cultivator, Immortal, or a disciple of a renowned sect, you must not resort to violence within the market. If you have an irreconcilable dispute with someone, you may resolve it outside the market... I shall not bother you further."

Before he finished speaking, the man in the long robe stepped aside, his figure vanishing into the thick fog.

The man in the long robe had guarded the market gate for many years and knew that most immortal cultivators had eccentric temperaments and disliked being disturbed by others. He thus consciously refrained from chattering further, unaware that Qin Sang had actually hoped he would say more.

With the man gone, there was no way to call him back.

Qin Sang sighed helplessly. He looked at the thin layer of mist ahead, composed his expression, putting on a calm face befitting a peerless master, and stepped forward, only to be hit by a wave of noise.

If one hadn't seen it with their own eyes, who would have imagined that an immortal cultivation market could be as noisy as a mortal fair?

The valley was vast, and the entire area had been developed into a market, resembling a mortal city with crisscrossing streets and waterways, numerous shops, shaded willow trees, and people bustling about.

Qin Sang learned from the man in the long robe that the market wasn't exclusively populated by immortal cultivators; a significant portion were mortals, and immortal cultivators were generally not allowed to harm mortals.

After a brief hesitation, Qin Sang fixed his direction and walked deeper into the market.

He walked down a bluestone street, where the crowd visibly thinned out. Apart from immortal cultivators who preferred bustling areas and opened their shops outside, most immortal cultivator establishments were located here.

Mortals dared not venture here casually, as accidentally offending an immortal cultivator could lead to utter disaster.

Qin Sang also knew he didn't have the luxury of being arrogant, so he walked discreetly down the street, actively giving way to approaching people, and subtly observing the surrounding shops.

Just like mortal shops, storefronts all displayed banners.

Treasure Elixir Pavilion, Jade Splendor Hall, Renowned Sword Tower, Joyful Abode... Some names hinted at their purpose, while others left Qin Sang completely bewildered.