Over the next few days, Song Changsheng remained fully immersed in his cultivation. While the Insight Technique was relatively easy to grasp, Ten-Thousand-Mile Tracking was another matter entirely it drained much of his energy and focus.
Meanwhile, during Song Changsheng's time in seclusion, Song Luhuai had not been idle either. He completed the transaction with Qian Duoyu, selling the goods they had brought along and earning over 30,000 low-grade spirit stones.
This one trade alone was equivalent to more than half a year's total income for the entire Song Clan. With this financial boost, the clan's coffers would be comfortably full for some time, and Song Luzhou would no longer have reason to sigh and worry each day.
On this day, Song Changsheng emerged early from seclusion.
Sun Chuanming was behind the counter appraising artifacts. As before, Song Changsheng quietly took a seat in a secluded corner and began channeling the newly acquired Insight Technique.
Moments later, he began to truly appreciate the mystical power of the art. During his previous observations, the conclusions he reached had often differed wildly from Sun Chuanming's.
But today, while there were still some discrepancies, his results were significantly closer to Sun's and in several instances, they even matched perfectly.
The only real difference now lay in experience. Had Song Changsheng spent more time studying the art of appraisal, and diligently explored the books in Sun Chuanming's collection, he was confident it wouldn't be long before he surpassed his teacher.
He didn't consider this arrogant thinking just the truth.
After all, while Sun was his teacher, both his cultivation realm and innate perception were inferior to Song's. Particularly when it came to the spiritual sense, the gap between them was vast.
What Sun Chuanming currently had over him was merely experience.
After some time, once no new customers entered the shop, Sun walked over to Song and asked, "So, how does it feel?"
Song clasped his hands respectfully and smiled. "I'm still not as skilled as you, Master but not far off."
"With your talent, surpassing me is only a matter of time," Sun Chuanming replied, unfazed. "And if you wish to improve more quickly, I know of a place that could help."
The mention of a shortcut immediately caught Song's attention his eyes lit up. "I would be most grateful for your guidance, Master."
Sun didn't keep him guessing and simply replied, "The marketplace."
"The marketplace?" Though this was his first time in Luoxia City, Song Changsheng had already heard a fair bit about it from Song Luhuai on the road.
Luoxia City, being the southwestern trade hub of the entire Great Qi cultivation world and a famed city of cultivators naturally had venues where cultivators could exchange goods.
These places were known as markets, and due to the city's vast size, there were two major ones: one in the east and one in the west.
Each had a distinct character.
The Eastern Market specialized in large-scale trade, dealing in bulk goods typically brought in by various sects and clans. The volume was high, the variety abundant, and only powerful factions or the city's official forces could afford to trade there. Individuals rarely had the means to participate.
For instance, if the Wang Clan hadn't arranged a private deal with Qian Duoyu, their merchandise would've had to be offloaded at the Eastern Market.
The Western Market, however, was a different story. It consisted mostly of small stalls and shops, resembling a grassroots bazaar much like the Liuyun market in Song's hometown. Here, trades were smaller and more informal, dominated by rogue cultivators and traveling merchants.
In the Western Market, anyone could set up a stall by simply paying a booth fee, and they would enjoy the city's protection while trading.
This made the West Market the most diverse place in Luoxia its goods ranged from genuine treasures to complete trash. The high number of counterfeits was precisely why so many people sought out Sun Chuanming's expertise in the first place.
So why did people still flock to the Western Market?
The answer was simple: hidden treasures.
Though many fakes were deliberately planted by unscrupulous vendors, there were often rare items of unknown origin scattered among them items whose value even the sellers didn't recognize.
These were the pearls in the dust, the gems waiting to be discovered. It gave would-be "bargain hunters" a chance to strike it rich.
Of course, the ones who found treasure were the lucky few with sharp eyes. Most are left with nothing but junk.
But every person who entered the Western Market believed they would be the lucky ones the ones who found the hidden gem, not the fool duped into buying trash.
That belief alone was what kept the Western Market thriving despite its rampant fakes. It was now arguably the liveliest area in all of Luoxia City.
Sun Chuanming had only said "marketplace," but Song Changsheng immediately understood.
"You mean the Western Market, don't you?" he asked.
"Correct. When I first arrived in Luoxia," Sun said with a nostalgic smile, "I often spent time in the Western Market. With nothing but a modest skill in appraisal, I found quite a few bargains and my eye technique advanced rapidly."
"But over time, word of my name spread. The stall owners began treating me like a tiger among sheep. Eventually, they all avoided me, and I stopped going."
"But you're new, unknown. This is the perfect time to take advantage of that."
Even now, recalling those early days brought a smile to the old man's lips.
Song Changsheng couldn't help but find the situation amusing. A seasoned appraiser walking into the Western Market must've been like a tiger entering a flock of lambs.
Especially someone like Sun Chuanming a master among masters. Whenever he made a move, there was sure to be a gain. No wonder the vendors all kept their distance.
"I understand, Master," Song said with a nod. "That truly does sound like the ideal training ground for me."
He had already been in Luoxia City for a few days. Apart from the time he'd stepped out to meet with Qian Duoyu, most of his time had been spent holed up indoors. He hadn't properly explored the city yet this was the perfect chance to take a stroll.
But Luoxia was massive, and he would need a guide to get around. At the moment, however, the general store was empty of familiar faces. Song Luhuai and the rest of the younger clan members had likely gone to the Eastern Market to purchase family supplies. Otherwise, Song might have asked him to come along.
Just as he was considering whether to hire someone, a young clerk who had been working near the counter seemed to notice his dilemma. The boy stepped forward and offered enthusiastically, "Young Clan Leader, are you heading to the Western Market? Would you like a guide?"
Song turned toward the voice and saw a youthful-looking boy, about eighteen years old, with refined features and bright, energetic eyes.
Song Xiantu quickly added, "Young Master, this is Qing Luo born and raised here in Luoxia. He knows the city like the back of his hand. With him guiding you, you'll save yourself a lot of trouble."
So he was a local. Just what Song Changsheng needed!
He smiled and nodded. "Then I'll be troubling you, Qing Luo."
Qing Luo quickly shook his head, eager and polite. "Not at all! It's my honor to guide the Young Clan Leader!"
....
After saying their farewells to Song Xiantu and the others, Song Changsheng left with Qing Luo. As they walked along the bustling streets, Qing Luo asked cheerfully, "Young Master, are we going straight to the Western Market?"
"Is there anything interesting along the way?" Song wasn't in a rush he figured he'd take his time and enjoy the walk.
Without hesitation, Qing Luo replied, "There's a branch of the Eight Directions Pavilion up ahead. They say it's the largest one in all of the southwestern region of the Great Qi Empire. It's popular with visiting cultivators!"
Song Changsheng naturally knew the name Eight Directions Pavilion. There was even one in Liuyun Market, and its presence alone suppressed the six great Foundation Establishment factions of Lingzhou.
Though he was curious, a glance at the weight of his money pouch quickly dampened that enthusiasm. The Pavilion may have had plenty of treasures, but the prices were dazzling in their own right.
Noticing Song's lack of interest, Qing Luo quickly added, "A bit further down is an auction house. The City Lord's birthday is coming up soon, and it's said that many people will be coming for it. The auction house is currently preparing for a large event."
The mention of an auction brought back memories for Song he recalled helping that mysterious man bid in the Liuyun Market auction. He had gained a fair bit of insight from that experience.
"This auction is probably on a whole other level compared to the market back home. I should come to take a look when the time comes," he thought, making a mental note. He gestured for Qing Luo to continue.
After a moment of thought, Qing Luo said, "Then I'd say the next place is Tianyin Mountain."
"Tianyin Mountain? What's that?"
Seeing Song's unfamiliarity, the boy's face lit up with excitement as he launched into an explanation. "Young Master, Tianyin Mountain is where the City Lord's cultivation retreat is located right in the center of Luoxia City.
"The City Lord is the only known Fourth-Rank Sound Cultivator in the entire Great Qi Empire, a true master of musical cultivation. His disciples are also well-versed in music and often practice on the mountain.
"Some play the zither, others the xun, the chime-stones, and so on. The music carries for miles and never ceases.
"Sometimes, the City Lord himself plays. They say many cultivators have broken through their bottlenecks while listening to his music. Word spread, and now countless people gather at the foot of the mountain to cultivate. It's become a famous sight of Luoxia City."
Hearing this, Song Changsheng immediately thought of Zhuang Yuechan, who had explored the ancient ruins with him once. She had been carrying a beautiful yao-qin, her melodies elegant yet deadly.
But compared to the City Lord, she didn't even come close. Song had personally experienced the power of that music before a single note was enough to shake his mind. No wonder it could help others break through.
"Zhuang is a native of this city, Zhu is stationed in the borderlands, and that swordsman who might be Xu Dao you really couldn't write this stuff. We've somehow gathered again in the same place without even realizing it."
"Fate is a curious thing." The thought stirred deep reflection in Song's heart and sparked his curiosity toward Tianyin Mountain. He motioned for Qing Luo to lead the way.
Before long, the two of them arrived at the base of Tianyin Mountain.
A mountain inside a city is more than one. That alone said much about how vast Luoxia City truly was.
Tianyin Mountain stood about a thousand zhang tall. It was lush with vegetation, wrapped in clouds and mist, with cliffs that resembled a sword piercing the heavens majestic and awe-inspiring.
In terms of sheer height, it didn't compare to Cangmang Peak, but when it came to spiritual energy density, Cangmang didn't even come close.
Across the entire cultivation world of Great Qi, fourth-rank spirit veins could be counted on one hand. One of them ran right beneath Tianyin Mountain enough to support even a Golden Core cultivator in their training.
As Qing Luo had said, music flowed from the mountain day and night. Even from far away, one could hear melodies from zithers, pipa, flutes, and even suona horns.
Though the instruments were many, the music wasn't chaotic it sounded almost like a harmonious ensemble, though the actual composition was difficult to discern.
At the base of the mountain, a crowd had already gathered several hundred people at least. Even Foundation Establishment cultivators could be seen among them, all sitting quietly with eyes closed, immersed in meditation.
"One year from now, the City Lord's birthday banquet will probably be held up there. I wonder if I'll see Zhuang Yuechan again," Song thought as he gazed up the mountain slope, anticipation rising in his heart.
Last time, Niu Dazhuang hurriedly left with Zhuang Yuechan, and they hadn't even exchanged any way to contact each other. Otherwise, he might've invited her down the mountain for a chat.
After listening quietly for a while, Song Changsheng was just about to turn and leave when a clear, elegant zither melody suddenly rang out, rising above all the other instruments and commanding the air.
The music flowed like a gentle mountain stream graceful, soothing, and soul-refreshing. The moment it reached his ears, Song paused mid-step. This melody sounded incredibly familiar.
If he wasn't mistaken, the one playing had to be Zhuang Yuechan. Compared to a few years ago, her mastery of musical cultivation had advanced by leaps and bounds. Even he felt its subtle effects seeping into his mind.
"Zhuang Daoist must have stepped into the mid-tier of Second Rank as a Sound Cultivator by now," Song murmured with a faint smile. If the unnamed swordsman really was Xu Yunhe, then all four of them who had survived that ordeal back had now reached Foundation Establishment.
They had faced life and death together among the very few people Song could truly call friends. Seeing that none of them had faltered on the path, how could he not be happy?
The road to longevity is a lonely one having a few companions to walk it with is truly a blessing.
After a while, the melody came to an end. Song Changsheng clasped his hands in a salute toward the mountaintop, then turned to continue his walk with Qing Luo.
"Young Master, you know the one who was playing the zither?" Qing Luo asked curiously.
"Yes, an old acquaintance," Song replied with a nod.
Admiration immediately filled Qing Luo's face. To him, a disciple of the City Lord was a figure far out of reach. He then frowned in slight confusion and asked, "But isn't this your first time in Luoxia?"
"We met in Lingzhou, back then…" The song began to recount the story in broad strokes.
"In Lingzhou, huh… I haven't even left the city before." Qing Luo looked at him with undisguised envy. This Young Clan Leader didn't seem much older than him, yet was already a Foundation Establishment cultivator with such thrilling experiences.
"Lingzhou is a wonderful place," Song said. "It may not be as prosperous as Luoxia, but it's the root of our Song clan."
"Root…" Qing Luo was stunned for a moment. His father had always told him that their roots were in Lingzhou, that their home was on Cangmang Peak yet he had never once set foot on that land since the day he was born.
"Young Master, what kind of place is Cangmang Peak?"
"It's a place that carries the pride and legacy of our clan. There…" Song began to tell him about it in detail about the Scripture Pavilion, the Council of Elders, the family's trials...
Qing Luo's eyes grew brighter and brighter, and by the end, they shimmered with longing. He muttered to himself, "By my age, I'd be eligible to participate in the clan trials too, wouldn't I…"
The two of them walked and talked like this as the streets grew more crowded, and the noise gradually intensified. In the distance, they could hear the hustle and bustle of vendors calling out to customers.
Qing Luo's eyes lit up as he pointed ahead and exclaimed, "Young Master, we've arrived up ahead in the Western Market!"
Looking out, Song Changsheng saw a vast plaza filled with countless street stalls. Cultivators of all kinds milled about, stopping now and then to inspect items. The whole place bustled with energy and movement.
A smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
"What a perfect place to hunt for hidden treasures."
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