Chapter 2705: Seven Star Valley

The Crimson Cloud Mountain Range stretched for thousands of miles. In its northwestern corner lay a sprawling, giant valley, easily accessible from all directions. Outside the valley stood a towering red stone tablet, over thirty meters high, bearing the three golden characters "Chixia Valley." This was the Wang family's newly established trading post.

Along the streets were buildings of varying heights, including magnificent palaces, simple stone houses, and pavilions.

It was currently afternoon, and the place was bustling with a continuous flow of people, making it very lively.

In the northwestern corner of Chixia Valley stood an eighteen-story green pavilion. A plaque above its entrance bore the three large characters "Qinglian Pavilion." Many cultivators were entering and exiting, making it appear very busy.

On the fifteenth floor, a young woman with picturesque features, dressed in a white gown, sat in a chair. Her skin was as white as snow, and her hair was elegantly coiled high.

This was Wang Yibing. She possessed an Ice Spirit Root and was a fifth-rank Talisman Master. Wang Ruyan had taught her for a period, and after reaching the Soul Transformation stage, she had been assigned to an external post.

Wang Yong'an, Wang Yongqian, Wang Yongyue, and dozens of others stood in formation, their expressions respectful.

A tall, handsome young man in a red shirt stood to one side, his expression indifferent.

This was Wang Yongyan, a cultivator in the early Soul Transformation stage. He was Wang Yong'an's elder brother, though the two had little interaction.

"Yongyan, they are now under your care. Please settle them in," Wang Yibing instructed. She was in charge of managing Chixia Trading Post, a newly opened market for the family, and she hoped to manage it well.

The family had already cleared all obstacles, so she only needed to issue commands. If any difficulties arose, she could request assistance from Qinggang Trading Post.

"Yes, Ancestor Yibing!" Wang Yongyan responded, leading Wang Yong'an and the others downstairs.

A short while later, they appeared in a secluded manor. Wang Yongyan assigned tasks to every family member. Wang Yong'an's task was to maintain the formations, which was simple and easy.

"Alright, the tasks aren't heavy. Since you're new here, first familiarize yourselves with the situation," Wang Yongyan said seriously. "Also, this isn't Qinglian Island. All kinds of people are here, a mixed bag. Be careful. Don't think that just because you're from the Wang family, no one would dare lay a hand on you. Five years ago, ten Nascent Soul stage family members went out, and their soul lamps extinguished. Many people were asked, but no one knew their whereabouts. The Hall of Enforcement searched for a long time but couldn't find them."

He continued, "Not to mention Wang family members, even disciples of the Xuanqing Sect could be attacked. Greed moves people; identity is not a protective charm. As long as there is sufficient profit, rogue cultivators dare to kill anyone."

Wang Yong'an and the others' expressions tightened, and they all assented.

"Alright, you can go rest now! Someone will guide you in familiarizing yourselves with your duties later," Wang Yongyan instructed. Wang Yong'an and the others left one after another.

***

The Seven Stars Mountain Range is located in the central part of the Mysterious Spirit Continent, and Seven Stars Valley is situated there.

Seven Stars Valley is one of the nine major trading posts under the jurisdiction of the Seven Stars Sect. It is perpetually overseen by a cultivator at the Integration stage.

The Seven Stars Sect has a legacy spanning over two hundred thousand years and is renowned throughout the Mysterious Spirit Continent for its formations. Their number of formation masters is second to none among human factions on the Mysterious Spirit Continent.

A streak of white spiritual light appeared on the distant horizon, moving exceptionally fast.

Before long, the white spiritual light slowed down, revealing a dragon boat shimmering with iridescent white light. Wang Mengbin and Bai Yuqi stood on it, both with relaxed expressions.

"Seven Stars Valley? According to the map, it should be right here," Wang Mengbin said, looking down at the ground. He saw no buildings and, even with his divine sense fully extended, detected nothing unusual.

One must know that he was currently in the Mid-Void Refinement stage. It seemed the Seven Stars Sect was quite powerful; the restrictions protecting a single trading post were so formidable.

Bai Yuqi glanced below. Forming a hand seal, the white dragon boat slowly descended into a patch of green bamboo forest.

Wang Mengbin extended his divine sense again, still detecting nothing unusual.

"Everyone says the Seven Stars Sect's formations are formidable, and today we've finally witnessed it," Bai Yuqi said, her expression excited. "It truly lives up to its reputation. The entrance should be straight ahead." She put away the white dragon boat and strode towards the bamboo forest ahead.

Wang Mengbin followed. After they had walked over a hundred paces, ripples appeared in the void ahead, and the surrounding environment changed. A sprawling, giant valley came into view.

Outside the valley stood a green stone archway, carved with the three golden characters "Seven Stars Valley."

Looking into the valley, the streets were paved with large green bricks, clean and neat. Even before entering, a clamor of sounds reached their ears.

Wang Mengbin and Bai Yuqi walked into the valley. Shops lined both sides of the streets. Their business scope was mostly related to formations, including formation materials, repairing formation plates and flags, setting up formations, and so on.

After thousands of years of development, the Wang family had opened shops in various major trading posts. Firstly, to collect cultivation resources; secondly, to provide convenience for family members.

Wang Mengbin and Bai Yuqi came to Seven Stars Valley mainly because Bai Yuqi wished to exchange knowledge of formations with other formation masters.

In the past, the Wang family's strength was weak, relying entirely on Zhenhai Palace for support. Now that Wang Changsheng had advanced to the Integration stage, family members felt much more confident venturing out.

Pedestrians flowed like water through the streets, and shouts of vendors were constant.

A quarter of an hour later, they arrived at the entrance of a nine-story green pavilion. The green pavilion was ornately carved and painted, with upturned eaves and intricate dougong brackets. A plaque above its entrance bore the three golden characters "Qinglian Pavilion."

This was a shop opened by the Wang family, which could provide them with convenience.

Upon entering Qinglian Pavilion, a spacious and bright hall greeted their eyes. Numerous puppet beasts were displayed on the shelves, and more than ten Wang family members were introducing products to customers.

"This grandson greets Ancestor Mengbin and Ancestor Yuqi!" A middle-aged steward, upon seeing Wang Mengbin and Bai Yuqi, quickly bowed.

The Wang family currently had over a hundred thousand cultivators, so it was impossible for them all to know each other personally. Most higher-cultivation family members had portraits, with the exception of hidden agents. Once a family member entered the cultivation world, they were expected to memorize the faces of the family's ancestors.

"Who is in charge here? Where is he now?" Wang Mengbin casually asked.

"It's Uncle Shaobing. He's upstairs. I'll notify him immediately," the middle-aged man respectfully replied.

"No need. You carry on with your work; we'll find him ourselves," Wang Mengbin said, waving his hand, and strode upstairs. Bai Yuqi followed.

Qinglian Pavilion primarily sold puppet beasts and purchased various materials.

The second floor sold second-rank puppet beasts, and the third floor sold third-rank puppet beasts. The business was quite good.

Arriving on the sixth floor, a tall, thin elder in a green robe was reviewing ledgers.

Upon seeing Wang Mengbin and Bai Yuqi, the green-robed elder quickly stood up and said, "This grandson, Wang Shaobing, greets Ancestor Mengbin and Ancestor Yuqi."

Wang Shaobing was a cultivator in the Mid-Soul Transformation stage, considered to be of moderate cultivation within the Wang family.

"Dispense with the formalities. We've come this time because we'd like to meet some formation masters. Do you have any connections?" Wang Mengbin went straight to the point.

"Yes, this grandson has a good relationship with Fellow Daoist Sun and Fellow Daoist Li from the Seven Stars Sect," Wang Shaobing replied truthfully. "Their master, Reverend Qianyuan, is right here in Seven Stars Valley. This grandson can introduce you."

"Good. Contact him immediately, and we'll pay a visit! After all, this is the Seven Stars Sect's territory," Wang Mengbin instructed. It was quite convenient to have a family member's help. Without an introduction from a cultivator, even if they met Reverend Qianyuan, he wouldn't tell them much.