Ever since he had seized the [Wonderful Medicine Pot], a Divine Marvel Magic Artifact, from Cheng Junie's hands, Daoist Yunxiong had shut himself away for a month. With the robust Cultivation of a Dao Expert, he had concocted a vast quantity of wondrous medicines.

"Xiuer, today your master will take you to a nice place."

With a new source of revenue for Yunti Peak, Daoist Yunxiong's complexion had become noticeably more ruddy. After all, he had to support the Cultivation of an entire mountain peak. This included the disciples' food, clothing, and lodging; the upkeep of thousands of spirit beings and workers; the operation of numerous Formations such as the mountain-protecting Formation, spirit-gathering Formation, and tranquility Formation; and various miscellaneous expenses. Every day, a vast amount of Dao money was consumed. Reliance on the income from Yunti Spirit Fruits alone could only barely suffice. There wasn't even a bit of spare cash on hand. This was why Daoist Yunxiong found it necessary to occasionally take on odd jobs, earning extra money to support the household. It was also why Qi Xiu and the others always felt that Daoist Yunxiong was very busy.

Across the entire Cultivation Realm, perhaps only a Dao Expert from the Shenxiao Sect would live such a miserable life.

"Go where? It couldn't be..."

Looking at Daoist Yunxiong, whose face was glowing with healthy color, Qi Xiu wore a strange expression. "Master, you really are vigorous in your old age."

"Get lost! What are you thinking?" Daoist Yunxiong raised his hand, and a flash of lightning struck Qi Xiu, leaving smoke billowing from his seven orifices. Daoist Yunxiong said irritably, "I'm taking you to our Shenxiao Sect's Wanbao Hall. It's a truly excellent place and will be greatly beneficial for your Cultivation. You'll understand once we get there."

"Oh."

Qi Xiu shook his head, spitting out the black smoke from his mouth. Then, master and disciple activated their Thunder Magic Escape Light and departed from Yunti Peak.

The interior of the Shenxiao Sect was vast, boundless, and seemingly endless. This huge Immortal Realm sat atop a mysterious sea of clouds. The outermost perimeter was a ring-shaped continent with numerous mountains, swirling clouds and mist, and halls and pavilions picturesquely arranged, resembling a three-dimensional ink painting. This place was the Outer Sect. All the Outer Sect disciples cultivated and lived here.

Inside the Outer Sect's area were one hundred and eight floating islands. These islands were linked by massive chains, creating a unique geographical landscape. Some of these islands were crystal-clear like jade, some resembled giant seashells covering the ocean surface, others looked like Divine Trees descended from the heavens, and one was a crystal lake emitting a multicolored, warm, and gentle light.

These one hundred and eight islands constituted the Inner Sect. Furthermore, these one hundred and eight islands, along with the seventy-two celestial peaks, also formed the Shenxiao Sect's Sect Protection Array: The Nine Heavens Responding Thunder God Purifying Celestial Venerable's Descent Formation!

「At the core of the Shenxiao Sect」

There loomed a Jade Disk. This Jade Disk was incredibly wide and broad, akin to a Qiong Tian star system. It was larger than the seventy-two celestial peaks, the one hundred and eight floating islands, and the Outer Sect continent combined. On the Jade Disk stood buildings and halls, with pavilions of various styles. Some soared into the clouds with majestic grandeur; others featured winding paths leading to secluded spots, offering their own unique charm. They were embedded upon the Jade Disk, reflecting and complementing the surrounding immortal light and colorful clouds, creating a stunningly beautiful scene.

Within the Jade Disk, a serpentine Jade Belt wound its way, like a beautiful ribbon, connecting all corners of the Disk and allowing for free travel. And in the center of this massive Jade Disk, which resembled an ornament of heaven and earth, stood an enormous city. It seemed to be the heart of the Jade Disk, governing everything. This entity was the Shenxiao Sect's greatest foundation, the supreme Divine Artifact suppressing all else: The Nine Heavens Thunder City!

Under Daoist Yunxiong's guidance, Qi Xiu for the first time grasped the full extent of the Shenxiao Sect. Previously, as a direct disciple, he only had access to the Outer Sect and Inner Sect areas. One was not allowed to enter or exit the Shenxiao Jade Disk without being accompanied by an elder or possessing a Cultivation at or above the Blood-Stained Realm.

Witnessing the grand and majestic scenery of the Shenxiao Jade Disk, Qi Xiu couldn't help but marvel. It was truly befitting of a great teaching passed down from the Middle Ancient Era. Although somewhat diminished compared to its peak glory, its profound foundation was still rarely seen in the present world.

As he crossed the Jade Belt on the outer edge of the Disk, which shimmered like immortal light, Qi Xiu instantly felt as if thousands of gazes swept over him.

"This is your first time here. That's the Sect Protection Array's formation spirit examining your identity. If you're a disciple of our Shenxiao Sect, there will be no problem," Daoist Yunxiong explained.

"What if it's an outsider?" Qi Xiu asked curiously.

"They'll get a 'gentle' tap, roughly equivalent to a casual strike from a Primordial Spirit Boss," Daoist Yunxiong said nonchalantly.

A casual strike from a Primordial Spirit Boss?! Wouldn't that pulverize someone to ashes?

Upon reaching the Shenxiao Jade Disk, Daoist Yunxiong led Qi Xiu to a massive structure resembling a brass basin. Countless golden lights flashed before their eyes. A grand hall, vast and deep, much like a chessboard with golden cushions covering its floor, was revealed to Qi Xiu.

"This is Wanbao Hall, the internal trading hall of our Shenxiao Sect," Daoist Yunxiong said. "From Primordial Spirit Bosses down to novice cultivators like you in the Initiate Realm, all cultivators in the sect conduct their buying and selling here. However, Wanbao Hall takes a ten percent tax on transactions here"—he lowered his voice and glanced around furtively—"it's too steep!"

The taxation rule of Wanbao Hall had long been a source of complaint among the disciples, especially for those from peaks like Yunti Peak, which were already struggling financially and not affluent. However, Wanbao Hall was the sole designated trading platform for the entire sect. With its outstanding trading system and after-sales service, disciples had a love-hate relationship with it, ultimately gritting their teeth and accepting the ten percent tax.

"Come, sit down and experience it."

Seated on the golden cushion, Qi Xiu had just settled when a faint, almost imperceptible connection surged from it.

This is…

The moment he touched this connection, Qi Xiu's Consciousness rapidly sank, as if he were entering a vast Realm.

「The next instant.」

A sky full of golden light dazzled before his eyes, and an immense scroll slowly unfurled.

[Yun Chanfeng selling 3,000 jin of Fire Thunder Vines]

[Direct Disciple No. 135 selling Xuanqing Grass, Yidan Flowers, Longhorn Gourds...]

[Direct Disciple No. 159 selling five Earth Vein Volcanoes]

[Punishment Hall selling 700 barrels of Accumulated Thunder Fluid]

Countless lines of text floated on this scroll. When Qi Xiu focused his gaze on one of them, the concise text immediately expanded, transforming into a vivid, moving image that clearly displayed the item's appearance and price. One could even leave messages to place bids. For example, under the listing for Yun Chanfeng selling 3,000 jin of Fire Thunder Vines, more than ten people had already left bids.

"Truly advanced," Qi Xiu marveled, his eyes shining with amazement as he exited the world of the golden scroll.

Perhaps it was due to the technological society of his previous life, but his preconceptions had led him to believe that the Cultivation Realm, being an ancient societal system, couldn't compare to modern technological society in terms of infrastructure and convenience, individual power notwithstanding. Today, however, the scene at Wanbao Hall had shattered his assumptions. This method of transaction, almost like online shopping, was easily on par with the online marketplaces of his previous life.

"Aside from not being able to connect to this trading system in real-time, it's practically perfect," Qi Xiu mused aloud, a playful expression on his face. "It would be great to have a personal terminal one could carry for real-time trading."

"Are you talking about this?"

A peculiar Magic Artifact shaped like a Golden Yuanbao was presented to Qi Xiu. Daoist Yunxiong said nonchalantly, "The Palmtop Wanbao Hall. You can apply for one after you reach the Dao Body Realm."

Qi Xiu was speechless. "..."

Show-off! Such a blatant show-off!

As Qi Xiu re-entered the trading Realm of Wanbao Hall and was engrossed in the floating transaction information, a pure golden, extremely eye-catching message stood out among the others:

[Dao Body Elder No. 27 selling 5,000 Divine Soul Elixirs]

The moment this message appeared, Qi Xiu instantly felt countless gazes converge on it, some so majestic and substantial they almost seemed tangible. He turned to look at his master, opening his mouth as if to speak.

As if sensing his disciple's gaze, Daoist Yunxiong's eyebrows rose slightly, a hint of pride in his expression. "The pure gold transaction display, activated for one hundred thousand Dao coins. Not bad, right?"

Qi Xiu was speechless again. "..."

The sudden appearance of Divine Soul Elixirs in Wanbao Hall caused quite a stir. Medicines capable of healing injuries to the soul had always been rare and practically priceless, often with no sellers despite the demand. After all, items related to the soul, whether Magic Artifacts or medicines, required an expert at the Primordial Spirit Level to create. Perhaps a select few Dao Experts who specialized in cultivating the soul could also accomplish this, but they were exceedingly rare. Moreover, cultivators in the Blood-Stained Realm had a great demand for such medicine. Therefore, the sudden appearance of Divine Soul Elixirs in this trading Realm naturally attracted immense interest.

Looks like Master is going to make a fortune this time.

Glancing at Daoist Yunxiong, who couldn't suppress the upward curl of his lips, Qi Xiu chuckled softly and began browsing the trading Realm for items he might want.

I don't need to buy anything right now, as I'm not lacking my fundamental recordings or Dharma Gates. It's the same with Magic Artifacts. For protection against my Heart Demon, I also have the Tranquil Heart Illuminating Bamboo gifted by Senior Brother Ge.

His gaze swept over the floating transaction information on the massive scroll. Suddenly, one message caught his attention:

[Direct Disciple No. 102 selling [True Elixir Explanation] (both volumes)]

"An alchemy book?" Qi Xiu's interest was piqued.

Among the Mysterious Abilities he possessed, his Alchemy Skill was improving relatively quickly. This was because, aside from practicing Alchemy, one could also increase proficiency by studying alchemy books, pill formulas, reverse-engineering Elixirs, and other similar methods. Among these, reading alchemy books and practicing Alchemy yielded the most proficiency. If he could find enough high-quality alchemy books, his Alchemy Skill could level up rapidly.

"Currently, 'The Secret of the Primordial Dragon-Tiger Scripture' has entered a slow phase," Qi Xiu murmured to himself. "Without sufficient Spiritual Power to supplement it, I can only rely on gradual, diligent effort. If my Alchemy Skill improves, it could also, to some extent, assist in the cultivation of my fundamental recordings."

Nodding, Qi Xiu immediately clicked on this transaction information and began browsing its details.

...

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