Chapter 725 - 723: Yang Family Treasure Pavilion
Xu Yang sized up Hong Zhi. The young man held his head high; although his cultivation wasn’t high, his gaze was steady, neither servile nor overbearing, and his smile was radiant.
"First, introduce everything about this town to me. You’ll benefit from it."
"Thank you, young master."
Delight flashed on Hong Zhi’s face, and he promptly led Xu Yang into the town, explaining as they walked along.
"Four Spirits Town has been developing for many years now. It’s a real mix of people—here, you’ll see folks from all corners of the Northern Province."
"Black Fire Immortal Mountain has stationed guards outside at Four Spirits Immortal Mountain, so naturally, no one dares to stir up trouble. Also, the ones keeping order in town are those stationed here, some are cultivators from Black Fire Immortal Mountain, some are recruited outsiders."
...
"Aside from them, there are the various great clans and small sects."
"They all rely on Black Fire Immortal Mountain, some strong, some weak. Among them, the six major powers are the strongest, each has a Golden Immortal sitting in command."
"They are, respectively, the Yang Family, the Ming Family, the Ye Family, Flame Dragon Mountain, Lingxi Sect, and the Jiang Family. Besides these six, there are a dozen or so other sects and clans, the strongest of whom are all in the Celestial Immortal Realm."
"This Yang Family, could it be the same Yang Family whose prodigy recently appeared on the Immortal Pride List?" On hearing that the first family Hong Zhi mentioned was the Yang Family, Xu Yang couldn’t help but pause. What a coincidence?
"That’s right."
Hong Zhi nodded, "The Yang Family wasn’t considered especially powerful among the six, but now, with one of the Yang brothers, Yang Yuan, making the Immortal Pride List, they’ve become red-hot. After all, that’s the Immortal Pride List! He’s bound to become a Golden Immortal, maybe even head for Jiuyue Orbit, so his status in Black Fire Immortal Mountain is quite remarkable."
"It’s said that even the previous town guardian dared not carelessly provoke the Yang Family."
So it really is them!
Xu Yang’s brows furrowed ever so slightly, but he said nothing more.
"These families and sects each have their own store in Four Spirits Town. Besides that, they’ve joined forces to set up a trading market, where every year there’s a grand trade fair."
"At that time, over a dozen major powers will bring all sorts of rare and exotic treasures, attracting many from the vicinity. If you’re lucky, you could pick up a major bargain. It’s an incredibly lively event, easily the grandest thing for thousands of miles around."
"Is the market open during normal days?" Xu Yang asked.
"Of course it’s open. Though not as bustling as during the fair, there are still plenty of good treasures. Brother, do you want to check it out?"
"Let’s go take a look."
Hong Zhi immediately changed direction with Xu Yang in tow.
"By the way, has anything unusual happened lately?" Xu Yang asked.
"Something unusual..." Hong Zhi thought for a moment and said, "There actually is one matter."
"In the outer Four Spirits Immortal Mountain, a treasure is about to mature—called Profound Pure Jade Bamboo. The bamboo marrow can help first-rank Immortal Weapon cultivators who are on the verge of breaking through to True Immortal strengthen their foundation. The effect is remarkable. Previously, many young disciples of various powers with poor aptitude—who could barely form a third-grade Immortal Core—managed it after consuming this Profound Pure Jade Bamboo marrow."
"Whenever it matures, the guardian of the Immortal Mountain will take out a portion to distribute to the major powers in exchange for resources. This is also a rule laid down by Black Fire Immortal Mountain, a benefit for the powers loyal to them. After all, the environment needed for Profound Pure Jade Bamboo is extremely demanding—nowhere else has it besides Black Fire Immortal Mountain."
"After all, which family doesn’t have a few lackluster descendants?"
"So even though Profound Pure Jade Bamboo only strengthens the foundation for first-rank Immortal Weapon cultivators, it’s quite valuable."
"Incidentally, these days it’s the rotation for Black Fire Immortal Mountain’s guardian, but strangely, over a month has passed and the new guardian hasn’t arrived yet. The envoys from the major powers are all anxiously waiting in town."
Xu Yang knew very well why it had been delayed for so long.
The sect leader had originally arranged for him to take this post as guardian, but he happened to make a trip to Ice and Snow Immortal Palace, thus the delay.
Profound Pure Jade Bamboo...
Xu Yang nodded slightly. He’d see what to do once he took office.
Right now, he was actually quite curious about Four Spirits Town’s trading market.
If he could snap up some unexpected treasure, it would be a bonus.
At Ice and Snow Immortal Palace, he’d gained great benefits, but he’d also exhausted all his resources.
The Canghai Cyan Flood Dragon Elixir had been entirely consumed as well.
Truth be told, all he had left now, besides a few Immortal Jades and Immortal Crystals of little value, was nothing much.
And even Immortal Jades and Immortal Crystals were running low.
Soon after, an imposing gate at the end of the street came into view.
Inside and outside the gate were like two different worlds—within, it was far more spacious, with orderly buildings.
Along the edges were rows of neatly arranged stalls, and further in stood ancient, elegant pavilions and halls.
"This is the trading market—it can hold over ten thousand people."
"All the major families and sects have dedicated shops here. As for the stalls, you just pay a certain fee and anyone can set one up."
"There are occasionally real finds among the stalls too."
Xu Yang nodded slightly. "Let’s wander and take a look."
With Hong Zhi accompanying him, Xu Yang strolled into the market, leisurely glancing at the goods at each stall.
Scanning over them, there were some curious oddities, but nothing that really moved Xu Yang’s heart.
Though he was only Early Stage of True Immortal, his strength rivaled Middle Stage of Celestial Immortal. Ordinary items hardly caught his eye, and cultivation resources suitable for him were even less common.
"Hong Zhi."
"Oh, another distinguished guest."
A young man approached. Seeing Hong Zhi, he raised his brows slightly.
Hong Zhi’s face changed. He called out respectfully, "Mr. Yang."
The youth gave Xu Yang a scrutinizing look, grinned and said, "Brother, is this your first time in Four Spirits Town?"
"That’s right."
Xu Yang nodded slightly.
"The trading market has quite a few treasures. Why not check out our Yang Family’s shop?"
"Yang Family?"
Xu Yang’s gaze flickered—this guy was a member of the Yang Family too.
"Bro, let’s go see the Yang Family Treasure Pavilion."
Xu Yang abruptly glanced at Hong Zhi, and caught a flicker of pleading in his eyes.
Xu Yang’s heart stirred. He seemed to sense something.
"Lead the way."
Xu Yang said calmly.
The young man immediately looked delighted, stepping aside and gesturing, "Please."
Hong Zhi let out a sigh of relief, frightened as he glanced at the young man.
The young man gave him a look—half warning, half threat.
Hong Zhi quickly lowered his head.
Xu Yang quietly took in every detail, giving nothing away.
Suddenly, he found this quite interesting.
Following the young man, they arrived before the Yang Family Treasure Pavilion. The pavilion was antique and elegant, exquisitely decorated, and grandly imposing.
The young man stepped inside first.
Hong Zhi suddenly lowered his voice, "Brother, you’d best not buy anything."
Hearing this, Xu Yang raised an eyebrow, fixing Hong Zhi with a stare, until the latter guiltily lowered his head.
When he looked up again, Xu Yang had already stepped in, leaving him to sigh bitterly.
Upon entering, a cool, refreshing aura with a faintly intoxicating fragrance immediately washed over, clearing the mind.
The environment inside also made Xu Yang quietly nod in approval.
The counters and main hall were built of exquisite ancient wood, exuding Immortal Spirit Qi; everywhere were jade, bronze, and beast-shaped immortality grass ornaments, making the place even more refined and noble.
"Brother, come this way. What’s on display in front isn’t anything rare."
The young man waved for Xu Yang to follow him to the back.
They entered a spacious room.
It was filled with all sorts of rare and exquisite treasures.
Divine Weapons, Ring-Locked Scales, Immortal Seal Spirit Talismans...
The young man enthusiastically introduced, "These are all specially assembled treasures, first or second tier. Outside, you wouldn’t find them—each one is top grade."
"Brother, see if anything catches your eye."
Xu Yang glanced around, his expression suddenly turning odd.