Go to the market?

Han Yu had indeed entertained the thought.

For one, Spirit Rice provided little benefit to his current cultivation. He needed to exchange it for items that could genuinely aid his practice and enhance his strength.

Secondly, the medicinal potency of the Mystic Heart Fruit was waning with repeated use, and it wasn’t easy for the crows to scavenge Spirit Herbs and Fruits. He needed to broaden his horizons and decide whether to trade for alchemical pills or barter with others for raw resources in the future.

But was now the right time to visit the market?

Before Han Yu could voice his concerns, Liu Lan asked Sun Kang, “Senior Brother Sun, don’t we have to pass Senior Sister Li’s inspection to leave? That’s so stifling. Wouldn’t it be better to stay honestly in the Spirit Fields and cultivate?”

Sun Kang smiled and explained, “Junior Sister Liu, you’re talking about how things were ten days ago.”

“Senior Sister Li is an Inner Disciple, high above us and focused entirely on her cultivation. Senior Brother Hong is a seasoned Outer Disciple at the sixth layer of Qi Refining; he can’t spend all his time staring at us either. Recently, they’ve both been secluded in practice. Entering and exiting only requires logging your name now. No one is conducting serious interrogations.”

“Traffic to the market has already returned to normal.”

Liu Lan came to a realization. “In that case, we could go take a look… It’s just that my Spirit Rice harvest is still months away. I have nothing to exchange, so I can only watch the excitement.”

“Watching the excitement is exactly why we’re going,” Sun Kang assured her. “The Grand Competition for Inner and Outer Disciples is only two months away. Disciples will be flocking to the market to select items for cultivation and combat. The place is already starting to buzz with activity.”

“Plus, our sect is hosting the Immortal Destiny Grand Ceremony this year. Crowds will flood the Green Grain Market for that too. Many families with cultivator elders will bring their juniors specifically to purchase cultivation resources.”

Hearing this, Liu Lan felt a stir of longing. “Does that mean our Green Grain Market will get livelier over the next six months? I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to go see.”

Sun Kang had just broken through to the third layer of Qi Refining and was in high spirits. Liu Lan was eager for a distraction.

Han Yu, too, intended to seize the chance to expand his knowledge.

Thus, the three agreed to head to the Green Grain Market together in two days.

That night, when the Great and Small Crows arrived, Han Yu instructed them to wait in the wilderness outside the market ahead of time.

If nothing unexpected occurred, they were to remain hidden. If trouble arose, they would serve as one of his trump cards.

Two days later, Han Yu met up with Sun Kang and Liu Lan. He carried thirty catties of Spirit Rice, along with a replica of the Spirit Blood Vine and a Mystic Heart Fruit tucked away.

“Junior Brother Han, you… you’re bringing that much Spirit Rice?” Sun Kang asked, flabbergasted. “Are you planning to stop cultivating entirely?”

“I don’t necessarily have to sell it all. I just thought if I saw something useful, it would be convenient to have the means to trade,” Han Yu explained.

“You can’t bring that much—what if you get targeted?” Sun Kang’s face turned serious. “Junior Brother Han, listen to me. Bring five catties. You’re new to the Green Grain Market; there is no need to carry such eye-catching wealth.”

Han Yu had originally considered buying spells, but seeing Sun Kang’s genuine concern, he decided to heed the advice. He returned the thirty catties to his stash and carried only a small cloth bag containing five catties.

Only then did Sun Kang relax. “With just this amount, we don’t need bamboo hats or veils to hide our identities. We can buy a few small things openly and honestly. No one will harbor ill intentions toward poor laborers like us.”

“The three of us Laborer Disciples traveling together will be safe.”

Saying this, Sun Kang showed that he also carried five catties. He mentioned that once at the market, he could lend some to Liu Lan or Han Yu if they needed it, provided they paid him back the original weight later.

The trio walked along the path leading out of the Spirit Field Department. At the boundary, they found an Outer Disciple surnamed Hua sitting behind a table with a ledger. Everyone leaving had to sign out.

After registering, Han Yu and his companions joined the flow of other Laborer Disciples heading toward the Green Grain Market.

Arriving at the Green Grain Market again, Han Yu couldn’t help but recall the last time Old Daoist Li had brought him here.

Back then, the Old Daoist was likely meeting a contact from the Demon Blood Sect and hadn’t bothered to show Han Yu around. Left to his own devices, Han Yu had managed to copy the Spirit Root Refining Art from a vendor named Zhu Lao San.

Although the technique had massive flaws, in Han Yu’s hands, it was a functional tool for refining his Spirit Root and improving his aptitude.

“Let’s go, Junior Brother Han. I’ll give you the tour,” Sun Kang said, taking the lead.

“This is the Reed Mat Area. It’s mostly mundane items traded by sect servants and the occasional mortal visitor. Outsiders are rare, though; they can’t enter without permission.”

“Over here is the Bamboo Shed Area. This is where most Laborer Disciples and Rogue Cultivators do business.”

“Further ahead are the proper shops. Transactions there are generally fair. The Wanchun Valley enforcers mainly patrol the shop district. As for the Bamboo Sheds and Reed Mats… unless someone dies, they don’t really care.”

“There are also inns and teahouses. Visiting sects or guests for the Immortal Destiny Grand Ceremony usually stay there…”

Sun Kang walked and talked, introducing the lay of the land. Some of it Han Yu knew; some was new information.

After a lap around the market, the trio watched the Inner and Outer Disciples bustling through the shop district before accepting reality and returning to the Bamboo Shed and Reed Mat areas—places where they might actually afford something.

Immediately, a fat man with his shirt unbuttoned to reveal his chest greeted them with a greasy smile.

“Spells, secret arts, pills, talismans—I have it all! Fellow Daoists, see anything you like?”

Han Yu recognized him instantly: Zhu Lao San, the peddler of defective goods. He felt a flicker of amusement but kept his face impassive.

Liu Lan asked curiously, “Do you really have everything?”

Sun Kang quickly interjected, “This is Senior Brother Zhu, a disciple of the Alchemy Hall. He has a wide network and indeed possesses many items, though compared to the standard goods… they are a bit different.”

Zhu Lao San chuckled. “Oho, this Junior Brother knows me? Been to the market a few times, eh? Which department are you from?”

“Spirit Field Department,” Sun Kang replied.

Zhu Lao San laughed loudly. “Spirit Fields! A month ago, an old geezer from your department colluded with a Demonic Cultivator and got five laborers killed. It brought an Elder down on our heads for days of strict investigation. Nearly ruined my business!”

Sun Kang gave an awkward, dry laugh. “That… did happen.”

“So, how about supporting my business to make up for it?” Zhu Lao San’s eyes landed on Liu Lan’s hair. “Look at this Junior Sister’s hairpin—I sold that! She knows best. My goods might work a little differently than the expensive stuff, but they are definitely worth the price!”

Sun Kang shook his head repeatedly. “We didn’t bring much Spirit Rice. We’re just looking around before the competition.”

He signaled Liu Lan and Han Yu to keep moving.

Han Yu had barely taken two steps when a white Spirit Dog trotted into his path, tongue lolling as it panted heavily.