Chapter 46: The Great Market Gathering

Early one morning, in the southern square of Qianchuan Market.

Lin Tianming, having closed up for half a month to practice alchemy, emerged from seclusion. Since Ye Pinghai was still refining Small Foundation Establishment Pills and not wanting to disturb him, Lin Tianming decided to set up a stall to sell some of his unused spiritual herbs, materials, pills, and magical tools.

He walked to a stone building, already bustling with many cultivators going in and out, all coming to rent stalls. Most were at Qi Refining level eight or below, though there were a few whose cultivation levels he couldn't discern.

Taking a deep breath, Lin Tianming entered the building.

Inside, five Qi Refining cultivators in uniform stood out, their golden robes embroidered with a blazing sun, the emblem of the Zhenyang Sect of Wei Country.

Qianchuan Market was an industry of the Zhenyang Sect, and managing the market was assigned to the sect's inner disciples as part of their duties.

The Zhenyang Sect had over a thousand members, with only those at Qi Refining level five or above receiving formal robes and uniforms. Those below that level were merely considered outer disciples with little status, not even truly part of the sect.

In the Zhenyang Sect, only Foundation Establishment cultivators were considered core disciples, with even higher-status true disciples, each a talented young prodigy.

The Zhenyang Sect controlled two medium-sized markets, of which Qianchuan Market was one. The other was located over ten thousand miles to the north.

Lin Tianming envied the Zhenyang Sect, dreaming of the day when his Lin family could have thousands of members, uniform attire, and manage a market like Qianchuan Market.

Inside the building, four Zhenyang Sect cultivators were assisting cultivators renting stalls. One was available, so Lin Tianming quickly approached and began discussing stall rental.

After selecting a spot and paying five lower-grade spirit stones, Lin Tianming received a golden card.

This card served as his stall permit. The market's enforcement team regularly patrolled to maintain order and check permits. Unauthorized vendors would be fined or even killed if they resisted.

Lin Tianming put away the card and headed to the center of the square.

The square was already filling with over a hundred stalls, with more cultivators arriving. He was surprised by the bustling market.

Finding his assigned spot in the western corner of the square, Lin Tianming spread a piece of animal hide on the ground and sat down.

From his storage bag, he took out eleven bottles of Qi Refining pills, all made without the aid of his Five-Colored Eye. Although less potent than those made later, they were still quite good and should sell well.

He decided against selling the premium Qi Refining pills he'd made later to avoid attracting unnecessary trouble. Those would be for personal use or sold to his family.

In addition to the pills, he laid out over thirty lower-grade spiritual herbs, mostly gathered during his time guarding Qingfeng Town. He kept a few useful herbs and materials and decided to sell the rest.

He also took out a pair of hammers obtained from the red-robed cultivator. Having used the three swords from that fight himself, he planned to give them to Lin Tianyue.

His stall had a variety of items: pills, herbs, materials, and magical tools, mostly obtained from Qingfeng Town.

As time passed, the square filled with hundreds of stalls, surprising Lin Tianming.

"What's special about today that so many cultivators are setting up stalls?" he wondered.

The adjacent stall was run by a female cultivator, around thirty years old, dressed as a noblewoman. Unsure if it was her true appearance, Lin Tianming struck up a conversation to gather information.

"Excuse me, fellow cultivator. What's special about today that there are so many vendors?" he asked.

The woman, seeing the quality of Lin Tianming's items, seemed interested in befriending him.

"My name is Xin Qing, a rogue cultivator. And you are?" she responded.

"I'm Chen Tian, also a rogue cultivator. Nice to meet you, Xin Qing."

Lin Tianming used a pseudonym, opting for a common surname in Wei Country.

"This must be your first time at Qianchuan Market," Xin Qing noted. "Do you not know about the ten-year Great Market Gathering?"

Lin Tianming, embarrassed, smiled and listened as Xin Qing explained the gathering.

Every two years, Qianchuan Market held a small gathering, and every ten years, a Great Market Gathering. The next three days marked the ten-year event, attracting numerous cultivators to buy, sell, or simply enjoy the spectacle. Even Foundation Establishment cultivators might attend.

The Great Gathering featured large-scale auctions with rare treasures, including cultivation techniques, pills, and magical tools. At the last gathering, five Foundation Establishment Pills were auctioned, each fetching over thirty thousand spirit stones.

Lin Tianming was amazed. Even Foundation Establishment Pills appeared, explaining the influx of cultivators.

Reflecting on his family's eight hundred years at Qingzhu Mountain, he realized how difficult it was to compete for Foundation Establishment, with many ancestors sacrificing themselves. If the Lin family struggled, rogue cultivators must have it even harder.

As the square filled, Lin Tianming paused his conversation with Xin Qing, returning to his stall to prepare for potential buyers.