Chapter 46: Heavenly River Meeting

Wang Changsheng gazed at the three acres of first-grade spiritual fields before him, his face filled with joy. In two more days, the spiritual grain from these three acres would be ready for harvest.

Wang Changsheng's lips moved slightly. Specks of blue light emerged in front of him, quickly coalescing into a white cloud mass about ten feet in size.

"Go."

Wang Changsheng pointed his finger towards the sky above the spiritual fields. The white cloud immediately flew upwards, expanding continuously until it became a gigantic white cloud, covering all three acres of spiritual fields.

"Rain!"

With a soft command, Wang Changsheng cast a spell onto the gigantic white cloud.

The gigantic white cloud churned, and large raindrops poured down, bringing a hint of coolness to the three acres of spiritual fields.

A quarter of an hour later, Wang Changsheng withdrew his spell. The gigantic white cloud dissipated into specks of blue light and vanished, and the rain ceased.

"Ninth Brother, good morning!"

A somewhat familiar voice rang out.

Wang Changsheng looked towards the source of the voice and saw Wang Changxing slowly walking towards him.

"Morning, Third Brother! Aren't you supposed to be on duty?"

"I've taken leave from Third Uncle. The five-yearly Sky River Minor Gathering has begun. I have some spiritual items I plan to sell at the Sky River Market. Second Sister and the others are also going to the Sky River Market to sell their goods. I came to ask if you'd like to go together. It's said that this Sky River Minor Gathering will feature spiritual items that aid in Foundation Establishment, attracting many cultivators. Opportunities like this are rare, and we're sure to make a fortune. I've been preparing for this since half a year ago."

Wang Changxing seemed eager to go.

Wang Changsheng was tempted, but then he remembered something and said with a troubled expression, "I need to look after the spiritual grain. I'm afraid I can't go."

"Oh, what's the big deal? Can't you just ask Third Aunt to look after them for you? Second Sister and the others also entrusted their duties to elders so they could go to the Sky River Market and broaden their horizons. Ninth Brother, you've never been to the Sky River Market, have you? The Sky River Minor Gathering happens once every five years, and each time, a large number of cultivators participate, bringing all sorts of spiritual items. It would be a huge waste if you didn't go."

Wang Changsheng thought about it. What Wang Changxing said made sense.

The three acres of spiritual grain would be ready for harvest in two days; during that time, they only needed regular watering.

"When are we leaving?"

Wang Changxing shook his head and said, "I'm not sure about that. Sixth Uncle is leading the group. If you want to attend the Sky River Minor Gathering, you should first speak with Third Uncle. He should know the departure time."

"Thanks, I'll go ask my father now."

Wang Changxing chatted briefly with Wang Changsheng, then bid farewell and left.

After breakfast, Wang Changsheng went to the study and brought up the matter with Wang Mingyuan.

"The Sky River Minor Gathering happens once every five years, and you haven't been there yet. Go and broaden your horizons. I'll have your mother take care of the spiritual fields."

Wang Mingyuan pondered for a moment and agreed.

Wang Changsheng's face was full of joy as he said, "Thank you, Father."

"Each time the Sky River Minor Gathering is held, it attracts a large number of cultivators, creating a mixed crowd. You are not to leave the market on your own. All your actions must follow Sixth Uncle's arrangements, understand?"

Wang Mingyuan suddenly remembered something and instructed him solemnly.

"Your son understands."

Wang Changsheng agreed without hesitation.

Wang Mingyuan nodded, took off his storage pouch, turned it upside down, and shook out over twenty spiritual stones.

"Here are twenty-three spiritual stones for you. Use them sparingly, and keep your eyes open so you don't get swindled. Your First Uncle and Fourth Uncle have been deceived before. Don't be greedy for small gains, or you'll easily fall victim to scams. Pack up; we leave tomorrow morning at *chen* hour (7-9 AM)."

Wang Mingyuan instructed him earnestly.

Hearing this, Wang Changsheng felt a warmth in his heart and readily agreed.

The next morning, after breakfast, Wang Changsheng, along with Sixth Uncle Wang Mingzhan and other clan members, departed from Qinglian Mountain.

***

The Sky River Market is located in the northwestern part of Guangling County. It was established by the Lin Family of Hongye Ridge, in collaboration with the Zhu Family of Wuhua Mountain and the Ye Family of Baiyun Ridge. It is also the largest market in Ningzhou.

Every five years, these three major families host a grand auction at the Sky River Market, also known as the Sky River Minor Gathering.

The Sky River Minor Gathering was initially a means for the three major families to attract other cultivators for trade. Later, it gradually evolved into a grand festival. Whenever the Sky River Minor Gathering approaches, cultivators from all over Ningzhou rush to the Sky River Market to sell or buy goods. According to reliable sources, the Lin family has put forward a spiritual item that can assist in Foundation Establishment at this auction, attracting a large number of cultivators.

At midday, the sun shone brightly in a cloudless sky.

The Sky River Market was bustling with noise, its streets crowded with people. The sounds of hawkers selling their wares were incessant, and the entrances and exits of the market were packed with cultivators, forming long queues.

A streak of white light suddenly cut across the sky. Not long after, the white light landed at the market's entrance.

The white light was unmistakably a white flying boat over thirty feet long, carrying ten cultivators—it was Wang Changsheng and his group.

This was Wang Changsheng's first visit to the Sky River Market. Before, he had only heard about its prosperity. Seeing the market's tall walls and the long queues with his own eyes, a hint of excitement appeared on his face.

On the way, Wang Changxing had told him various interesting stories about the Sky River Market, making Wang Changsheng even more curious about it.

Wang Changsheng and the others disembarked from the white flying boat. Wang Mingzhan put away the flying boat and earnestly cautioned them, "This is the Sky River Market, not a market run by our family. It's a place where all sorts of people gather, good and bad. Remember what I told you."

There were ten people on this trip: four from the "Ming" generation and six from the "Chang" generation.

On the way, Wang Mingzhan had divided the six "Chang" generation members into three groups of two, instructing them to supervise each other and not to leave the market on their own.

"We know, Sixth Uncle. You've told us this eight hundred times! We won't leave the market on our own."

Hearing Wang Changsheng and the others' reply, Wang Mingzhan nodded. As the leader, he certainly didn't want any of his nephews and nieces to get into trouble, as he wouldn't be able to account for it to his brothers back home. For this reason, he had repeatedly emphasized not to leave the market on their own.

Wang Changsheng and the others agreed in unison. Sixth Uncle might be a bit long-winded, but it was for their own good.

Wang Mingzhan nodded and led Wang Changsheng and the others towards the queue, lining up to enter the city.

Soon after, Wang Changsheng reached the entrance.

Two cultivators in iron armor guarded the city gate. One of them, a middle-aged man, held a white mirror. Whenever a cultivator entered the city, he would glance at the white mirror.

"You may pass!"

The middle-aged man glanced at Wang Changsheng, waved his hand, and motioned for him to enter the city.

Wang Changsheng acknowledged him and stepped into the city.

Just then, two men and one woman hastily emerged from the market. Leading the way was a tall, thin old man in a yellow robe, his joy barely concealed on his face.

Judging by the spiritual energy fluctuations from the three, they were clearly Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Several strange cries echoed from the sky. The three Foundation Establishment cultivators' eyes lit up, and they all looked up towards the sky.

Seeing this, Wang Changsheng curiously turned his head and looked up at the sky.

He saw two black specks appear high in the sky, descending from a distance until they landed on the ground.

The two black specks were unmistakably two gigantic black eagles, each about ten feet tall. The eagles had two heads and three legs, appearing quite bizarre.

Seated on the backs of the two gigantic black eagles were a man and a woman, respectively.

The man was in his twenties, sturdily built, with handsome features, dressed in a blue brocade robe. The woman wore a green floral dress, with delicate features and fair skin. Judging by the powerful spiritual pressure emanating from both of them, they were also Foundation Establishment cultivators.

On the sleeves of their robes, there was a Tai Chi symbol, seemingly representing something.

Seeing the two, the old man in the yellow robe quickly walked over and said cordially, "Yuxin, you're finally back! Was everything alright on the way?"

The girl in the green dress smiled sweetly and said, "Grandfather, thank you for your concern. The journey was safe. Allow me to introduce you, this is Senior Brother Zhao Liancheng. We are indebted to Senior Brother Zhao for escorting us this time, which allowed your granddaughter to return safely to the family. Within the sect, Senior Brother Zhao has also shown great care for your granddaughter."

"So it is Fellow Daoist Zhao. Yuxin has mentioned you to me. Fellow Daoist Zhao, our Lin family is a minor clan, incomparable to the Purple Cloud Sect. If there are any shortcomings in our hospitality, please bear with us."

The old man in the yellow robe cupped his hand towards Zhao Liancheng and spoke politely.

Zhao Liancheng smiled faintly and sincerely said, "Elder Lin, you're too kind. It is I who have caused you trouble."

"No trouble at all, no trouble at all. These two are Fellow Daoist Zhu and Fellow Daoist Ye. They came out specially to welcome you, having learned of your return."

The old man in the yellow robe shook his head, pointing to the man and woman behind him as he introduced them.

"I am Zhu Wenlue, greetings, Fellow Daoist Zhao."

"I, Ye Ruhui, greet Fellow Daoist Zhao."

Zhao Liancheng was a disciple of the Purple Cloud Sect, so the two dared not be negligent.

Zhao Liancheng merely nodded in response.

Lin Yuxin glanced at the cultivators queuing to enter the market, her delicate brows slightly furrowed. She urged, "Grandfather, Senior Brother Zhao and I have traveled for over a month and are a bit tired. Please, let's invite Senior Brother Zhao inside to rest first. We can talk about everything else later!"

"This old man was negligent. Fellow Daoist Zhao, please come this way. I have already prepared a feast to welcome you and Yuxin."

With a beaming smile, the old man in the yellow robe invited Zhao Liancheng and Lin Yuxin into the market. Zhu Wenlue and Ye Ruhui followed behind.