Chapter 40

Resolving the Contract

Large flying ships could carry more than 1,000 cultivators. If the dozen or so flying ships floating in the air above the market were all filled up, the number would probably exceed 10,000. Given the current situation of Cloud Mountain Parlour, there was no way it could accommodate so many cultivators.

Especially in safe markets and residential areas, it was already overcrowded. Only Yunhe Alley, which had just been built a few years ago, still had many empty houses, but these empty houses basically already had owners.

“I wonder how the Golden Sun Sect will arrange these cultivators?”

At the entrance of Spring Embroidery Pavilion, Shen Ping looked at the dozen or so large flying ships in the sky above the market, and a trace of worry flashed between his brows.

These flying ships were obviously not from the Golden Sun Sect.

As early as last month, there was a rumor that the Immortal Dao Sect, led by Jin Kingdom, had joined forces with dozens of sects and forces in the Zhao Kingdom and Yu Kingdom to pressure the Sect Master of the Golden Sun Sect, who had moved to a branch sect, to force the main sect to allow other Immortal Dao Sects to establish their sects in Wei Kingdom.

What happened next?

Until now, there had been no news. However, judging from the number of large flying ships today, the main sect might have compromised.

It was said that such a thing had happened a thousand years ago. At that time, the Golden Sun Sect’s Supreme Elder had suppressed many sects by himself and forcefully blocked the door of the Wei Kingdom, causing many immortal sects to return in defeat.

However, he did not know what was going on this time.

“Fellow Daoist Shen, if you know some seniors, you’ll have to travel more recently. The Golden Sun Sect will definitely migrate a large number of cultivators soon. Most likely, they’re moving to the edge of Cloud Mountain Swamp. There are a few cultivation families working together to establish a market there. Moreover, I heard from the boss that the Golden Sun Sect will soon be preparing to build a mining area there. All the cultivators mining there will be arranged there.”

Shopkeeper Chen shook his head and sighed. “Actually, moving there might not be a bad thing. The edge of Cloud Mountain Swamp is relatively dangerous. Demonic beasts often appear, but this marketplace might not be safe in the future. Did you notice that there are demonic sects in these flying ships? I heard that these demonic cultivators…”

Shen Ping did not listen to the rest of his words. Instead, he hurriedly interrupted and asked, “Shopkeeper Chen, did you just say that the Golden Sun Sect wants to arrange for all the mining cultivators to be sent to the mining area?”

Shopkeeper Chen was stunned for a moment before he understood. “Fellow Daoist Shen has a friend who has gone to mine? Then you have to hurry to the Deacon Hall. If you’re any later, even if you’re willing to use spirit stones or talismans, you might not be able to break the contract.”

Shen Ping nodded repeatedly and asked, “Shopkeeper Chen, can the deacon let us go?”

Shopkeeper Chen chuckled and did not say anything else. Shen Ping understood. He cupped his hands and walked out of the Spring Embroidery Pavilion.

A moment later in the outer sect’s Deacon Hall, Shen Ping left with a contract. It would be five to six days before Yu Yan came back next time. He did not know if there would be any accidents during this period, so he could only make the decision for this old neighbor.

“Two Spirit Protection Talismans and one Golden Light Talisman. I’ll have to ask Fellow Daoist Yu for reimbursement later.” He jotted it down in his little notebook.

Ever since Yu Yan was willing to take away the high-rank Poison Dispelling Pill that day, he understood what Yu Yan meant. Otherwise, Shen Ping would not make such decisions without permission.

…

Late at night a few days later, under the illumination of the crystal chandelier in the room, the clean and tidy wooden board kept swaying. Until the brocade blanket slid down did the wooden board calm down.

Shen Ping pulled the blanket and covered his wife and concubine. Wang Yun popped her head out and leaned on her shoulder. She said gently, “Husband, the spirit rice at home is almost gone.”

Bai Yuying also popped her head out and added weakly, “There’s also spirit beast meat.”

“Little gluttons.” Shen Ping pinched Bai Yuying’s face and said with a smile, “Tomorrow, I’ll go to the market and buy more. By the way, how much spirit herbs, spirit tea, and spirit wine do we have left?”

Wang Yun said in a low voice, “Husband, don’t buy those. They’re quite expensive. I heard from Senior Feng that the price of talismans in the market has fallen quite a bit. Save as much as you can. Sister Ying’er and I can’t eat them.”

Bai Yuying hesitated for a moment. “Spirit beast meat is not cheap either. Husband, buy less tomorrow.”

Shen Ping did not reply.

In the past two months, the prices of medicinal pills, talismans, dharma artifacts, robes, array discs, and other items had been falling. Even the price for the high-ranked Poison Dispelling Pill had dropped. Although it was because other sects and forces had entered the Wei Kingdom one after another, it was still a little unusual for it to drop so quickly.

Spirit stone reserves were strategic for every sect. Behind it was probably a game between the upper echelons of the various sects. Today, more than ten large flying ships had arrived. The price might continue to fall in the future.

However, he was not anxious because of this. Other than the annual rental fee that did not decrease for the time being, all the other items in the market had decreased. Even the rare treasures at the auction of the True Treasure Pavilion had decreased. Overall, the purchasing power of spirit stones had not decreased.

On the contrary, there has been an increase.

Previously, he had sold high-level talismans and stored some spirit stones. Coupled with the increase in the efficiency of making talismans, maintaining his previous quality of life was not a big problem.

For now, the only thing he had to worry about was the safety of the market. If their safety was not guaranteed, it would be useless no matter how many spirit stones they had.

“Tomorrow is the auction. I hope that the Purple Jade Blood Vine Root or the White Whisker Tree Ginseng can eliminate the poisonous insects in Fellow Daoist Yu’s body. With Fellow Daoist Yu’s strength and my preparations, as long as we don’t encounter a Foundation Establishment cultivator, it won’t be too difficult to deal with them.” Shen Ping pondered.

These were only his theoretical judgments. It was an empty talk. If he wanted to make an accurate estimation, he had to ask Yu Yan, an experienced cultivator who often fought.

“Husband, if Senior Yu enters the family, let her be the elder sister.” Wang Yun suddenly said.

Shen Ping snapped out of his thoughts and said gently, “Don’t think too much. You must be exhausted just now. Hurry up and rest.”

Wang Yun’s lips moved slightly, but she did not say what she wanted to say. She retracted her head. Shen Ping opened the attribute panel. Looking at his wife’s favorable impression of him and the silver light that kept flickering, he fell into deep thought again.

…

The next day, the True Treasure Pavilion in the market.

Mu Jin’s smile was still as sweet as ever. “Fellow Daoist Shen’s talisman crafting efficiency is getting higher and higher. Among the high-grade talisman masters that we’ve worked with in the True Treasure Pavilion, you’re definitely ranked at the top.”

Shen Ping said casually, “Recently, I’ve been cultivating the Dao of Talismans in the Talisman Treasure Hall, and I’ve gained a lot of insights.” Instead of continuing the topic, he asked, “Fellow Cultivator Mu, I heard that the Golden Sun Sect will be moving many cultivators to the edge of the Cloudy Mountain Swamp in the near future. May I know the exact details of this news?”

Mu Jin smiled and said, “Fellow Daoist Shen, don’t worry. The wooden token that you used to live in Yunhe Alley belongs to our True Treasure Pavilion and is not within the range of migration.”

Only then did Shen Ping relax. He took out the auction token and quickly arrived at the auction hall. As the auction proceeded, the cultivators gradually fought until their faces turned red. There were even some who did not hesitate to introduce themselves for a rare treasure and wanted to use their power to suppress others.

However, those who dared to do so usually had the background of an inner or outer sect elder of the Golden Sun Sect. Most rogue cultivators would give up when they heard that.

“The next item is a hundred-year-old White Whisker Tree Ginseng!” Hearing the emcee’s shout, Shen Ping’s face under the bronze mask immediately revealed a look of joy.