Chapter 26: Southern Valley Marketplace (Part 2)
When they emerged, Jiang Yuebai had changed out of her Tianyan Sect disciple attire. She wore a vibrant emerald-green dress, with shades interweaving like young wheat, full of vitality.
Tao Fengnian had also changed into ordinary long robes, a smoking pipe hanging from his waist. He led Jiang Yuebai like a wandering cultivator taking his granddaughter out to play.
"So many people, and such a lively scene."
"At the end of the year, there's usually more free time. Tianyan Sect disciples are busy preparing talismans and magical artifacts for the year-end assessment, and various sects are also recruiting new members. That's why there are more activities in the market."
The year-end assessment of Tianyan Sect mainly targets outer and inner sect disciples. Those who fail the assessment will be demoted, with inner sect disciples being demoted to outer sect and outer sect disciples becoming miscellaneous labor.
After the small assessment, there is a test for menial task disciples at the Foundation Establishment Stage and above to enter the outer sect. She is not eligible for it now, so she doesn't need to worry about it.
Passing through the central market of Southern Valley Marketplace, banners fluttered under the towering ancient trees, and the noise of people filled the air.
"Spirit Crane Sect, Divine Spirit Sect, Hundred Yang Sect, Crimson Sky Sect, Vajra Platform... Are these all cultivation sects?"
"Yes, apart from Tianyan Sect, there are twenty-four other major and minor sects in the Central Realm. Every few years, they recruit wandering cultivators into their sects in various markets across the Central Realm. It's Southern Valley Marketplace's turn this year."
Jiang Yuebai's horizons widened. "I thought there was only Tianyan Sect as a cultivation sect in the world. I didn't expect there to be so many, and they are just from the Central Realm."
"Not only sects, but there are also many cultivation clans in the Central Realm. Their number is countless."
Jiang Yuebai craned her neck and noticed that those wandering cultivators were receiving tokens in front of various sect stalls before leaving.
"What are they getting those tokens for?"
Tao Fengnian explained, "For youngsters like you who join a sect, the assessment mainly focuses on aptitude and temperament. It's different for wandering cultivators. Besides aptitude, they value one's abilities."
"So they receive different tasks, most of which involve hunting demonic beasts deep in the Fei Feng Forest or searching for rare materials. This is a way for various sects to control the number of demonic beasts and gather resources."
Passing through the market center, the streets were crowded, and prosperity was at its peak.
"Come, come, come! Freshly hunted Black Horn Rhinos! Their intact horns can be used to refine eighth-grade magical tools, while their slightly flawed hides can be used for ninth-grade leather armor. Anyone interested?"
On a huge wooden rack by the roadside hung a bronze-skinned one-horned rhinoceros. A robust cultivator brandishing a bone-cutting knife shouted as a crowd gathered, competing in bids.
"It's like how we slaughter a pig at the end of the year in our village. What are they doing?"
Jiang Yuebai pointed her delicate finger, and on a building opposite, a Foundation Establishment Stage male cultivator sat in front of a pill furnace, fully concentrated and engrossed.
A small crowd gathered downstairs, whispering.
"He blew up a pill during his last attempt, and I lost miserably. This time, I'm betting he won't succeed."
"He blew up a pill because you were shouting too loudly down there, disturbing his concentration."
"Exploding pills a few times in alchemy is normal. I observe that he's more stable this time. Judging by his average level, he has a fifty percent chance of success."
Tao Fengnian observed for a while and remarked, "Pill Gambling at Xiancao Tower, where alchemists refine pills publicly. People can bet on their success rate. If they guess correctly, Xiancao Tower will provide rewards. It's a way to attract business, and various places have followed suit."
"Besides pill gambling, there are symbol competitions, array-solving, and other events corresponding to the six arts of cultivation. Publicly refining pills is the most testing for an alchemist's focus, and it benefits them greatly. Grandfather is going to the Xiancao Tower to meet an old friend. There's a bookstore across the street. You can go take a look, but don't wander around, alright?"
"Yes, yes, Grandfather, go ahead. I'll stay around here and look."
Tao Fengnian handed Jiang Yuebai a paper crane for communication and made his way through the crowd into the Xiancao Tower.
Jiang Yuebai watched the pill gambling for a while but found the speculations of those people boring and hadn't seen any alchemists using pill furnaces. She suddenly lost interest and looked around.
"Ladies and gentlemen, this Divine Lock of Ingenious Mechanisms can't be unlocked in just a few more years of practice. If you're not quick-witted, don't embarrass yourselves. Get lost quickly!"
At the entrance of a nearby alley, a group of children and a few adults surrounded a small stall, each holding wooden objects with furrowed brows.
The stall owner was a rough-looking female cultivator. She sat on a complicated and delicate wooden chair, gears and mechanisms scattered everywhere. A blanket covered her knees, seemingly concealing her legs. She was using a file to shape a piece of wood, covered in sawdust.
Curious, Jiang Yuebai walked over and saw that the stall was full of mechanical puppet items, with a wooden sign beside it.
【Unlock the Nine-path Divine Lock of Ingenious Mechanisms and receive a Seventh-Grade Flying Core Boat. Limited to children under ten years old.】
"What's a Flying Core Boat?" Jiang Yuebai asked.
Without lifting her head, the female cultivator blew away the sawdust and looked carefully at Jiang Yuebai.
"You seem clever. I've been here for half a month, and no one has succeeded in solving it yet. It costs three low-grade spirit stones to attempt once. However, the challenge must be completed within a quarter of an hour. Have you thought it through?"
Before Jiang Yuebai could speak, a seven or eight-year-old boy beside her suddenly burst into tears.
"I can't unlock it!"
Once he cried, the other children who were struggling with the puzzle started crying as well.
"It's too hard, I don't want to play anymore."
"All you do is cry, I wasted three low-grade spirit stones on you. You worthless brat!"
The man took off his shoe and chased after his own child, disappearing into the alley.
The female cultivator chuckled and raised an eyebrow. "Little one, do you still want to challenge it?"
Tao Fengnian had also changed into ordinary long robes, a smoking pipe hanging from his waist. He led Jiang Yuebai like a wandering cultivator taking his granddaughter out to play.
"So many people, and such a lively scene."
"At the end of the year, there's usually more free time. Tianyan Sect disciples are busy preparing talismans and magical artifacts for the year-end assessment, and various sects are also recruiting new members. That's why there are more activities in the market."
The year-end assessment of Tianyan Sect mainly targets outer and inner sect disciples. Those who fail the assessment will be demoted, with inner sect disciples being demoted to outer sect and outer sect disciples becoming miscellaneous labor.
After the small assessment, there is a test for menial task disciples at the Foundation Establishment Stage and above to enter the outer sect. She is not eligible for it now, so she doesn't need to worry about it.
Passing through the central market of Southern Valley Marketplace, banners fluttered under the towering ancient trees, and the noise of people filled the air.
"Spirit Crane Sect, Divine Spirit Sect, Hundred Yang Sect, Crimson Sky Sect, Vajra Platform... Are these all cultivation sects?"
"Yes, apart from Tianyan Sect, there are twenty-four other major and minor sects in the Central Realm. Every few years, they recruit wandering cultivators into their sects in various markets across the Central Realm. It's Southern Valley Marketplace's turn this year."
Jiang Yuebai's horizons widened. "I thought there was only Tianyan Sect as a cultivation sect in the world. I didn't expect there to be so many, and they are just from the Central Realm."
"Not only sects, but there are also many cultivation clans in the Central Realm. Their number is countless."
Jiang Yuebai craned her neck and noticed that those wandering cultivators were receiving tokens in front of various sect stalls before leaving.
"What are they getting those tokens for?"
Tao Fengnian explained, "For youngsters like you who join a sect, the assessment mainly focuses on aptitude and temperament. It's different for wandering cultivators. Besides aptitude, they value one's abilities."
"So they receive different tasks, most of which involve hunting demonic beasts deep in the Fei Feng Forest or searching for rare materials. This is a way for various sects to control the number of demonic beasts and gather resources."
Passing through the market center, the streets were crowded, and prosperity was at its peak.
"Come, come, come! Freshly hunted Black Horn Rhinos! Their intact horns can be used to refine eighth-grade magical tools, while their slightly flawed hides can be used for ninth-grade leather armor. Anyone interested?"
On a huge wooden rack by the roadside hung a bronze-skinned one-horned rhinoceros. A robust cultivator brandishing a bone-cutting knife shouted as a crowd gathered, competing in bids.
"It's like how we slaughter a pig at the end of the year in our village. What are they doing?"
Jiang Yuebai pointed her delicate finger, and on a building opposite, a Foundation Establishment Stage male cultivator sat in front of a pill furnace, fully concentrated and engrossed.
A small crowd gathered downstairs, whispering.
"He blew up a pill during his last attempt, and I lost miserably. This time, I'm betting he won't succeed."
"He blew up a pill because you were shouting too loudly down there, disturbing his concentration."
"Exploding pills a few times in alchemy is normal. I observe that he's more stable this time. Judging by his average level, he has a fifty percent chance of success."
Tao Fengnian observed for a while and remarked, "Pill Gambling at Xiancao Tower, where alchemists refine pills publicly. People can bet on their success rate. If they guess correctly, Xiancao Tower will provide rewards. It's a way to attract business, and various places have followed suit."
"Besides pill gambling, there are symbol competitions, array-solving, and other events corresponding to the six arts of cultivation. Publicly refining pills is the most testing for an alchemist's focus, and it benefits them greatly. Grandfather is going to the Xiancao Tower to meet an old friend. There's a bookstore across the street. You can go take a look, but don't wander around, alright?"
"Yes, yes, Grandfather, go ahead. I'll stay around here and look."
Tao Fengnian handed Jiang Yuebai a paper crane for communication and made his way through the crowd into the Xiancao Tower.
Jiang Yuebai watched the pill gambling for a while but found the speculations of those people boring and hadn't seen any alchemists using pill furnaces. She suddenly lost interest and looked around.
"Ladies and gentlemen, this Divine Lock of Ingenious Mechanisms can't be unlocked in just a few more years of practice. If you're not quick-witted, don't embarrass yourselves. Get lost quickly!"
At the entrance of a nearby alley, a group of children and a few adults surrounded a small stall, each holding wooden objects with furrowed brows.
The stall owner was a rough-looking female cultivator. She sat on a complicated and delicate wooden chair, gears and mechanisms scattered everywhere. A blanket covered her knees, seemingly concealing her legs. She was using a file to shape a piece of wood, covered in sawdust.
Curious, Jiang Yuebai walked over and saw that the stall was full of mechanical puppet items, with a wooden sign beside it.
【Unlock the Nine-path Divine Lock of Ingenious Mechanisms and receive a Seventh-Grade Flying Core Boat. Limited to children under ten years old.】
"What's a Flying Core Boat?" Jiang Yuebai asked.
Without lifting her head, the female cultivator blew away the sawdust and looked carefully at Jiang Yuebai.
"You seem clever. I've been here for half a month, and no one has succeeded in solving it yet. It costs three low-grade spirit stones to attempt once. However, the challenge must be completed within a quarter of an hour. Have you thought it through?"
Before Jiang Yuebai could speak, a seven or eight-year-old boy beside her suddenly burst into tears.
"I can't unlock it!"
Once he cried, the other children who were struggling with the puzzle started crying as well.
"It's too hard, I don't want to play anymore."
"All you do is cry, I wasted three low-grade spirit stones on you. You worthless brat!"
The man took off his shoe and chased after his own child, disappearing into the alley.
The female cultivator chuckled and raised an eyebrow. "Little one, do you still want to challenge it?"
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