Chapter 107: Arriving at Yutian Mountain

"The Wang family from Blue Moon Lake has also sent representatives; this Jadefield Grand Gathering will be lively indeed."

A stir rippled through the crowd, and some cultivators began to whisper.

Just then, a streak of blue light appeared in the sky, approaching Jadefield Mountain from a distance before slowly descending at its foot. The blue light was a magnificent azure steed with wings on its back, carrying Wang Changsheng and Wang Yaozu.

Gazing at the hundreds of cultivators gathered at the mountain's base, Wang Changsheng was secretly surprised. So many cultivators, including numerous Foundation Establishment experts, were merely waiting to ascend—a testament to the renown of the Jadefield Grand Gathering. He also spotted the Wang family cultivators, specifically Wang Ruyan. After several years, Wang Ruyan had successfully achieved Foundation Establishment, and her cultivation was even higher than his, at the second layer of the Foundation Establishment Realm.

Jadefield Mountain was covered with buildings, ranging from simple stone houses to magnificent palaces, and a multitude of cultivators were constantly moving in and out. Wang Changsheng put away the Azure Scaled Steed and, along with Wang Yaozu, dutifully joined the queue to ascend the mountain.

Because of the large number of Qi Cultivation Realm cultivators attending the Jadefield Grand Gathering, those wishing to enter the Jadefield Market had to pay five spirit stones, though exceptions were made for those with invitations. The Wang family cultivators were ahead of Wang Changsheng in the queue. The leading middle-aged scholar presented a gilded invitation to the guarding cultivator, then effortlessly led over a dozen young men and women up the mountain. Wang Changsheng paid five spirit stones and took Wang Yaozu up the mountain.

The street ascended along a slope, with shops on both sides selling a dazzling array of goods. The Jadefield Grand Gathering truly lived up to its reputation as the largest event in the Great Song cultivation world. The number of attending cultivators far exceeded Wang Changsheng's imagination; a casual glance into any corner would reveal several Foundation Establishment cultivators.

About a quarter of an hour later, Wang Changsheng and Wang Yaozu arrived at a teahouse halfway up the mountain. Its name was Yuya Xuan, and Wang Mingzhong had been waiting there for quite some time. Besides Wang Mingzhong, Wang Mingdong, Wang Changge, Wang Changyu, and Wang Changbin were also present.

"Fourth Uncle, Changsheng, you're finally here," Wang Mingzhong exclaimed. Upon seeing Wang Yaozu and Wang Changsheng, Wang Mingzhong eagerly stood to greet them.

Wang Changsheng had already made arrangements with Wang Yaozong: if they managed to bid for a Foundation Establishment Pill, they wouldn't send it back to Green Lotus Mountain directly. Instead, they would dispatch someone to inform Wang Yaozong to bring Wang Changfeng to Jadefield Mountain, thereby avoiding potential attacks from malicious individuals. Wang Changge and the other two also came over to greet Wang Yaozu and Wang Changsheng. The Jadefield Grand Gathering is held every fifty years, and they had come to broaden their horizons. Most of the 'Chang' generation of the Wang family had grown up and begun to assist the family.

Wang Yaozu nodded and asked, "Mingzhong, have you rented a place? Is it spacious enough?"

"Plenty," Wang Mingzhong replied. "Following Second Uncle's instructions, I rented a small courtyard with a two-story pavilion. It can easily accommodate twenty people, let alone seven. The rent is a bit steep though—twenty spirit stones a month."

"Single rooms in inns are even more expensive, four spirit stones a month!" Wang Changge grumbled, pouting. "All prices have risen, even beef noodles! It's truly outrageous!"

Wang Changyu chuckled. "The Jadefield Grand Gathering is a once-in-fifty-year event for the cultivation world of the Song Kingdom, so it's normal for prices to be higher with so many cultivators here to trade. Fortunately, we brought plenty of dried rations and can cook for ourselves, which will save us a good amount of spirit stones."

"Fourth Uncle, Changsheng, you must be tired!" Wang Mingdong suggested. "Come back with me to rest. The Jadefield Grand Gathering won't officially begin for several more days, and it will last for a month."

Wang Changsheng and Wang Yaozu didn't object. They followed Wang Mingzhong and the others to a small courtyard located in a residential area. Coincidentally, the Wang family cultivators were staying in a golden pavilion right next door.

After entering the courtyard, Wang Changyu and Wang Changbin went to prepare a meal, while Wang Changsheng listened to the reports from Wang Mingzhong and Wang Mingdong. They had been there for over half a month, constantly inquiring about the whereabouts of Heaven and Earth Spirit Water, but hadn't had any luck. However, they had encountered Zhao Yutang and Zhao Ningxuan.

"Heaven and Earth Spirit Water is extremely rare," Wang Mingzhong explained. "Perhaps it will only appear on the day of the auction."

"Uncle-in-law is here too?" Wang Changsheng asked. "Where are they staying? I'll visit him later." Wang Changsheng didn't know many Foundation Establishment cultivators, and Zhao Yutang was one of them. According to Wang Yaozong's introduction, before the main auction began, some familiar Foundation Establishment cultivators would hold private exchange sessions to trade items.

"They're just across the way," Wang Mingdong replied. "It won't be too late to visit after we've eaten."

A short while later, the food was ready. Although Wang Changsheng had long since achieved Bigu (abstaining from grains), the food was made from spirit ingredients and contained spiritual energy, so he ate a bowl of spirit rice.

Once they had eaten their fill, Wang Changsheng and Wang Yaozu left their residence and went to the courtyard across the way. Wang Changsheng knocked on the door, but received no response. He then sent out a sound transmission talisman, but still no one opened the door.

"We must have come at the wrong time; they're probably out," Wang Yaozu said. "Changsheng, Mingzhong mentioned there's a large bluestone plaza at the summit where many individual vendors set up stalls to sell or exchange goods. Let's try our luck there!"

Wang Changsheng nodded and followed Wang Yaozu towards the mountain summit.

Along the way, persistent shouts filled the air. To attract customers, shop assistants called out loudly, and in wealthier establishments, assistants even carried sections of 'echo bamboo' to amplify their voices.

"Fine magical artifacts! A century-old shop, trustworthy!"

"Spirit wine, delicious and affordable! A five-hundred-year-old brand, come and take a look!"

"Spirit talismans from a Zixiao Sect Talisman Master's shop! Excellent quality and reasonable prices, come and see!"

Wang Mingzhong and Wang Mingdong had already browsed these shops and confirmed there was no Heaven and Earth Spirit Water, so Wang Changsheng didn't linger.

About a quarter of an hour later, Wang Changsheng and Wang Yaozu arrived at a very spacious bluestone plaza. A glance revealed numerous stalls of all sizes spread across it. Wang Changsheng had already inquired with Wang Mingzhong: setting up a stall here cost one spirit stone per day. Even at this price, many cultivators eagerly rented spots. The Jadefield Grand Gathering, held only once every fifty years, attracted a vast number of cultivators, including disciples from the Four Great Sects. If one could exchange for a much-needed item, a few spirit stones were a small price to pay. Wang Changsheng noticed that a significant portion of the stall owners in the plaza were Foundation Establishment Cultivators.

As he walked, his gaze swept over the items displayed on the stalls. There was a vast array of goods: century-old spirit herbs, spirit insect eggs, second-tier artifact refining materials, second-tier spirit talismans, and more. Some materials deeply tempted Wang Changsheng, but most were available only for exchange. For example, a clam pearl from a second-tier superior-grade river mussel was offered in exchange for century-old Fire Cloud Grass or other second-tier superior-grade fire-attributed materials. A second-tier artifact refining material, Wu Tu Stone, suitable for forging heavy magical artifacts, was offered in exchange for second-tier wood-attributed materials.

Of course, some items could also be purchased with spirit stones, but their prices were quite high, so Wang Changsheng didn't buy anything. He only had a second-tier puppet beast and three two-hundred-year-old fish mint plants for exchange. The fish mint, a spirit herb discovered where the snake catfish was found, could be used to refine water-attributed spirit medicines. Wang Changsheng had brought three fish mint plants to see if he could exchange them for something he desired.

Suddenly, his eyes lit up, and he stopped in front of a particular stall.