Three months later.
Lin Chang'an sat cross-legged, exhaled a long breath, looked at his data panel, and showed a satisfied smile on his face.
[Realm: Qi Refining Fourth Layer (11/100)]
"Indeed, with the supply of Spirit Stones, my cultivation speed has improved significantly."
In just three months, the progress had increased from 2 to 11. At this rate, he wouldn't need three years to break through.
"Spirit Stones, in the end, still need to earn Spirit Stones."
Looking down at the Spirit Stone in his palm, which had already been drained of Spiritual Energy and turned a bit white, Lin Chang'an smiled. With a burst of strength, the Spirit Stone was instantly crushed into powder.
A complete lower-grade Spirit Stone was incredibly hard, but now it was just waste stone.
Getting up, he tidied up his magic robe and cleared the stone dust in the room so that no one would notice.
After all, relying on Spirit Stones for cultivation every day, even ordinary cultivators in great clans were not so extravagant.
"If I go all out and maintain using three Spirit Stones daily for cultivation, my cultivation speed could double again."
However, Lin Chang'an immediately shook his head. This way, he would have to earn over a hundred Spirit Stones each month, not that he lacked the ability.
But there were certain risks. Recently, he was able to cultivate so extravagantly, thanks to the increasingly chaotic market, offering such a good opportunity.
"Brother Lin."
As he walked out of the house, he saw Li Erniu, who had tidied up, and Lin Chang'an went up to greet him.
"I didn't expect that the Young Marquis Shen Lie would organize a chamber of commerce with Little Junior Sister."
On the way, Li Erniu couldn't help but sigh. It hadn't been long, and the old friends were already coming to the Cyan Bamboo Mountain Market.
Lin Chang'an also smiled and nodded, feeling a bit envious inside.
First it was Erniu, and now it was Shen Lie.
Clearly, they all had failed the assessment with low-grade Spirit Roots, but Erniu was already getting married, and even Shen Lie seemed to be getting along with Little Junior Sister.
Among the trio of failures, he had good looks, and they all had similar Spirit Roots, but it always ended up like this. It made Lin Chang'an wonder if good looks were worthless in the Immortal Cultivation Realm.
Left with nothing, Lin Chang'an could only comfort himself, fortunately awakening some talent, promising a better future.
"Shen Lie and Little Junior Sister's chamber of commerce, though not large, was organized under the lead of Commandery Princess Yunyao."
A while back, Shen Lie sent a letter informing them about organizing a chamber of commerce and their arrival at the Cyan Bamboo Mountain Market.
Now, Lin Chang'an was also under the Zhou Family's protection, so the letter naturally reached him through them, unlike before when it had to come via Erniu.
"Yes, the Commandery Princess is truly a genius."
Even Li Erniu couldn't help but admire her, and Lin Chang'an also nodded in agreement, recognizing the Commandery Princess's remarkable determination.
Clearly, the chamber of commerce organized by Shen Lie and Little Junior Sister was backed by Commandery Princess Yun Yao, aimed at preparing resources for Foundation Establishment.
If Commandery Princess Yun Yao succeeded, she would become a mighty Foundation Establishment cultivator, and their statuses would rise accordingly, doubling their years of investment.
A win-win situation.
With a sense of marvel, the two of them arrived at the market gates, ready to welcome the newcomers.
...
However, as time ticked away, it wasn't until noon that they glimpsed the familiar caravan in the distance.
"It's the Young Marquis and his group."
Li Erniu, who had been waiting, beamed with a smile upon spotting the figures.
But Lin Chang'an frowned, noticing that the long caravan seemed slightly disheveled, as if it had endured some challenges.
"Brother Lin, Brother Li."
Seeing those waiting in the distance, Shen Lie also showed a smile, dismounted, and approached with a big hug.
This time, the Young Marquis seemed to have remembered Erniu's surname instead of just calling him Brother Erniu.
"Young Mars... Brother Shen, why do you look so dusty?"
Li Erniu habitually wanted to call him Young Marquis, but quickly corrected himself, showing curiosity seeing the dusty group.
"Don't even mention it, this journey has been unlucky."
Saying it made Shen Lie swing his sleeves in frustration.
"We hired a team of Outer Disciples from Li Huo Palace as guards, and everything was fine until three days away, when we started encountering demon beasts one after another, even running into a Golden Light Leopard."
Hearing this, Lin Chang'an couldn't help but feel a jolt, staring at Shen Lie in astonishment.
"Golden Light Leopard, isn't it a beast that resides deep in the Cloud Mist Mountain Range? How could you encounter it on the outskirts?"
Just then, Lu Qingqing got down from the carriage, smiled warmly at them, and said:
"We've also discovered numerous traces of demon beasts that usually dwell deep within the Cloud Mist Mountain Range. It seems that the upcoming market exploration has drawn too many cultivators, disrupting the beasts' territories."
"Little Junior Sister."
"Junior Sister Lu."
Lin Chang'an and Li Erniu both smiled and cupped their hands in greeting.
Though they were classmates, this Little Junior Sister's relationship with them didn't seem distant.
"Yes, this isn't the first time such a situation has arisen before market exploration."
Li Erniu nodded in agreement, knowing that beasts typically had fixed territories, but with the sudden influx of cultivators, it could disturb them.
"Alright, let's quickly enter the market. Erniu and I have already prepared a welcoming feast for you."
Suppressing his unease, Lin Chang'an greeted Shen Lie's group with a wide smile and made his way into the market.
Despite being dusty, Shen Lie couldn't suppress his delight as he looked at the bustling market.
This time, they had brought quite a bit of goods, all eyeing the Cyan Bamboo Mountain Market. The more Loose Cultivators arrived, the more Spirit Stones they could earn.
As for the beast disturbance, for the chamber of commerce, wasn't it a perfect opportunity to earn Spirit Stones?
...
Gathering Immortals Tower.
Lin Chang'an, Li Erniu, Shen Lie, and Lu Qingqing sat together inside a private room.
As for the caravan's guards, they settled their payment upon entering the market, and the Young Marquis Shen Lie enthusiastically hosted a meal for this group of cultivators at Gathering Talent Tower.
The group, led by one Late-stage Qi Refining cultivator and five Middle-stage Qi Refining Li Huo Palace disciples, also interacted with Shen Lie and Lin Chang'an with bright smiles.
After all, no one dislikes a generous employer.
Moreover, they knew who the real employer was.
"Come, let's have a drink. I never thought we would gather again so soon after our last meeting."
With Spirit Wine and Spirit Flesh on the table, Shen Lie was full of smiles, impressing everyone with his familiar style. It was no wonder Yun Yao chose him to lead the chamber of commerce.
At the dining table, Shen Lie was all smiles, once again bringing up the intentions mentioned in his previous letters.
After all, Lin Chang'an and Li Erniu were locals, understanding the market better than them.
Lin Chang'an put down his wine glass, nodding lightly, and said:
"Erniu and I have been gathering people for you these past few days. They are all locals, with parents as cultivators in the market or children within it."
To start a chamber of commerce, it naturally needed to recruit people, and hiring local market cultivators meant they could quickly integrate and understand.
Lin Chang'an knew that these cultivators, with family ties, tended to be more stable.
"In that case, thank you, Senior Brother Lin and Senior Brother Li."
At the dining table, Junior Sister Lu also raised her glass graciously in thanks.
Seeing this, Lin Chang'an and Li Erniu secretly noted that this Junior Sister's warm approach made her and Shen Lie quite a fitting pair.
Through this banquet, the four of them became even more familiar with each other.