Yellow Court Daoist

Seeing Qingyu offer no direct response, Lu Qingfeng continued on his own, "The Luoxia Sect has a marketplace on Bull Head Mountain. After the decline of the Red Rainbow Sect and its three branches, the Luoxia Sect expanded the scale of the market. Nowadays, most cultivators throughout the Juyun Mountain Range conduct their trade at the Bull Head Mountain Market. Even the Loose Cultivators around the mountain range are commonly seen there."

"You seem pretty interested in Spirit Stones, so as your big brother, I'll pass on a Divine Skill to you and help you start a shop in the Bull Head Mountain Market. I guarantee you'll make a fortune."

"How about it?"

During the trip to the Hundred Herbs Garden years ago, Qingyu seemed to have a special fondness for Spirit Stones, something Lu Qingfeng noticed and silently took to heart.

The Bull Head Mountain Market accommodates cultivators from all directions.

With the expansion of the Luoxia Sect, the market has become increasingly bustling. Every day it sees new faces and an array of novel Secret Techniques, talismans, Elixir Pills, and more, dazzling to the eyes.

Opening a shop in the market means meeting a plethora of people and encountering a vast array of items for cultivation.

It's an excellent opportunity to greatly broaden one's horizons and knowledge.

It's certainly better than Qingyu aimlessly passing time on a crane, idling away with little to no engagement.

Earning Spirit Stones is just a secondary benefit.

Of course.

If Qingyu is truly interested in Spirit Stones, she would find even more joy in it.

"Open a shop in the Bull Head Mountain Market?"

Qingyu's eyes shone with intrigue.

This indeed sounded interesting: an antidote to boredom and a means to earn Spirit Stones, all while helping to relieve her brother's worries.

Two birds with one stone!

"Not bad at all."

Seeing Qingyu's interest, Lu Qingfeng felt relieved and a smile spread across his face.

"Will it make money?"

"A lot of money?"

Qingyu asked in rapid succession.

She knew her big brother excelled at Alchemy and Artifact Refining, so he wouldn't concern himself with meager earnings.

"Definitely profitable."

Lu Qingfeng smiled, "I possess a Divine Skill called 'Daluo Cave Gaze.' Once mastered, it allows one to discern the true essence of all things and trace their origins. Many Loose Cultivators in the Cultivation World can't recognize genuine treasures. You could buy them for cheap and make a huge profit. Plus, Luoxia Sect takes a ten percent cut when selling Elixir Pills and Magic Artifacts that I refine, and another ten percent when buying materials. That's a twenty percent margin lost in one go. If you open up your own shop, we could keep that profit for ourselves."

"Daluo Cave Gaze."

"Twenty percent profits."

Qingyu bit her lower lip, weighing the pros and cons, but still found room to grumble, "The Luoxia Sect is really ripping us off!"

Lu Qingfeng remained unfazed upon hearing that.

In reality.

With his status in the Luoxia Sect and how much the sect valued him, whether it was externally selling Elixir Pills and Magic Artifacts or purchasing various materials and Spiritual Medicines on its behalf, they never took a penny from him.

The so-called ten percent sales cut.

Another ten percent for purchasing.

These were all fabrications by Lu Qingfeng.

The Luoxia Sect was sincere and generous in its dealings, and in return, after obtaining the Returning Yang Fruit, Lu Qingfeng considered leaving some fruit or a few Lifespan Extension Pills for the sect.

He also cultivated Alchemists and Artifact Refiners for the sect on Peak Rain Mountain.

But right now, to persuade Qingyu, he had no choice but to paint the Luoxia Sect as the scapegoat.

And, this matter would need to be communicated with higher-ups like Zhou Yuan and Mei Qingyan to ensure everything would be foolproof.

Hearing Qingyu's mutterings, Lu Qingfeng nodded as well, adding, "Indeed. We've lost out on a good number of Spirit Stones these past years. That's exactly why I thought of having you open a shop. First, 'Daluo Cave Gaze' is too valuable of a bargain-hunting skill to waste on me. Second, it's a way to bypass the Luoxia Sect and avoid being skinned alive."

Speaking thus, he sighed, "The Luoxia Sect is pretty good in all aspects; it's just that being such a large establishment, their cuts are exorbitant."

"The Luoxia Sect..."

"The Luoxia Sect is indeed quite good. Twenty percent isn't even that high."

In the end, Qingyu wasn't the type to be ungrateful. When they first arrived in the Cultivation World, the Luoxia Sect took them in. Her second brother was still cultivating within the Luoxia Sect and was highly valued. The Luoxia Sect's seniors also treated her well.

It would really be unappreciative to just write off their kindness over a twenty percent cut.

But the thought of losing twenty percent still pained Qingyu. After mulling it over for a long time, she finally nodded, "I'll listen to big brother. But whether I feel like staying in the market or on Peak Rain Mountain, that's up to me. You can't chase me away, big brother."

"Of course not."

Lu Qingfeng quickly shook his head, saying, "I'm also getting somewhat tired of staying on Peak Rain Mountain. When I have some free time, I'll come stay on Bull Head Mountain too."

Only then did Qingyu nod in satisfaction, agreeing to the plan.

Before the agreement, she hadn't felt much.

But once decided, anticipation began to build in Qingyu, to the point of being eager. One moment she imagined earning heaps of Spirit Stones, the next she fantasized about an incredible find.

Then she thought about her second brother's stunned face upon seeing the Spirit Stones she would earn...

Her mind was completely occupied by the prospect.

Seeing this, Lu Qingfeng felt a weight lift from his shoulders, his smile growing even more relaxed.

...

Starting a shop in the market wasn't urgent.

Lu Qingfeng had mentioned that he wanted to take Qingyu to the Xuanyuan Water Realm. Even with the shop venture on her mind, if he asked Qingyu to stay behind, he'd probably receive nothing but cold stares.

Moreover, the Xuanyuan Water Realm was the central hub for the surrounding Earth Realm, and although Lu Qingfeng was well-travelled and unfazed by it, for Qingyu, such a trip would broaden her horizons and be beneficial for her cultivation.

He summoned the Iron Feathered Flying Eagle and the Crane.

Both Lu Qingfeng and Qingyu mounted one each and hurried toward Jinyun Peak.

...

The Xuanyuan Water Realm was thirty-six thousand li from the Juyun Mountain Range.

On their way, they would pass by Cold Frost Pond, Seven Star Connected Waterfalls, Star Luo Sea, and the Giant Spirit Mountain. Only after crossing the Giant Spirit Mountain could they get a glimpse of the Xuanyuan Water Realm.

Above the sky.

A black eagle soared, its back adorned with a Green Robed Daoist – Lu Qingfeng – with the Iron Feathered Flying Eagle beneath his feet.

Lu Qingfeng stood beside the Iron Feathered Flying Eagle, with Zhou Yuan standing there, too, his hands clasped behind him and a smile on his face; the Curled Feather Pelican flapped awkwardly.

"Cold Frost Pond."

"Seven Star Connected Waterfalls."

"Star Luo Sea."

"Giant Spirit Mountain."

Lu Qingyu stood on a crane, the bird spreading its wings and soaring through the air. He looked ahead, with a sparkle of novelty in his eyes, then turned to Zhou Yuan and asked, "The temperature is dropping. We must be nearing the Cold Frost Pond, right?"

Lu Qingfeng and Lu Qingyu set out from Rain Mountain, heading towards Jinyun Peak to find Zhou Yuan.

They then set off for the Xuanyuan Water Realm.

It had been several days since their departure, and they had just left the Juyun Mountain Range.

"About two or three hundred miles more," Zhou Yuan said with a smile as he glanced below.

"That's soon then."

Lu Qingfeng's face lit up with joy, and curiously he asked, "Senior Zhou, it's so cold at the Cold Frost Pond. Do people really stay there?"

Cold Frost Pond, as the name suggests, is a place where frost shrouds the eight thousand miles of pond year-round, with extremely low temperatures. Oddly enough, the water does not freeze. Its environment, compared to the eternally spring-like Juyun Mountain Range, is unquestionably harsh to the extreme.

Lu Qingyu couldn't help but be curious.

"Of course, people live there."

Zhou Yuan, as the Sect Master of the Luoxia Sect and a Spirit Void True Cultivator, had a far greater understanding of the surroundings than Lu Qingfeng and Lu Qingyu.

He stroked his beard and said with a laugh, "Despite its severe winter-like cold, the Cold Frost Pond is blessed with strong Spiritual Energy. It's a prime spot for cultivators who practice Water Element, Ice Element, or Cold Techniques. In earlier years, it even sparked a round of contention, causing a bloody storm."

"After hundreds of years of strife, a pattern of three sects and four slots was finally established. Numerous Loose Cultivators also scattered across the myriad of islands in the pond. The three sects and four slots control the Spirit Islands, the spirit stone veins, as well as the large Shell Fields and Cold Light Fish Farms—rich in assets. Many Loose Cultivators mainly make a living by diving for spirit shells, hunting for Cold Light Fish, and Ice Skin Fish."

The bounty of the Cold Frost Pond is rich.

Within the unique Cold Frost Spirit Shells are nurtured Cold Frost Spirit Pearls, containing dense, pure Cold Frost Attribute Spiritual Energy, benefiting cultivators practicing such techniques immensely.

And within the belly of the Cold Light Fish are also nurtured Spirit Pearls, their value not inferior to that of the Cold Frost Spirit Pearls.

Moreover, the meat of the Cold Frost Spirit Shells, Cold Light Fish, and Ice Skin Fish, having grown in the Cold Frost Pond under special conditions, is particularly savory and favored by many major sects and advanced cultivators.

The Three Sects and Four Slots and the Loose Cultivators of the pond rely on this industry for their livelihoods, far wealthier than the Juyun Four Sects and the host of Loose Cultivators in the Central Plains of the Juyun Mountain Range.

"With the Xuanyuan Auction nearing, if Immortal Qingyu is interested, she can certainly stay at the Cold Frost Pond for some time on her way back to enjoy the local delicacies. Especially the Cold Frost Spirit Shells, Cold Light Fish, and Ice Skin Fish—these three in particular are top-tier delicacies even in the surrounding Earth Realms."

Zhou Yuan mentioned this with a fond reminiscence; in his earlier years, unable to resist the temptation, he came for the taste and truly found it delightful, leaving an unforgettable impression.

However, as delectable as these foods are, their prices were heart-stopping.

After trying them once, even after becoming the Sect Master of the Luoxia Sect, Zhou Yuan never visited a second time.

"I'll definitely have to try them."

Upon hearing this, Lu Qingyu's eyes immediately lit up.

Lu Qingfeng shook his head as he caught the teasing look from Zhou Yuan. These gourmet foods were not cheap, and judging by Lu Qingyu's expression, Lu Qingfeng was sure he'd have to spend a fair amount of money on the way back.

Unfortunately for Zhou Yuan, he was unaware of Lu Qingfeng's vast wealth, which made this expense trivial to him.

The three continued on.

Zhou Yuan had visited the Xuanyuan Water Realm multiple times before and knew the path well.

Passing through the Cold Frost Pond, then Seven Star Connected Waterfalls, Star Luo Sea, and Giant Spirit Mountain.

These three locations, like the Juyun Mountain Range and Cold Frost Pond, were gathering places for cultivators. Many sects used the natural terrain to define their regions, banding together to fend off external sects while competing amongst themselves.

Their dynamic was similar to that of the Juyun Four Sects.

However, whether it was the Cold Frost Pond or places like the Seven Star Connected Waterfalls, overall resources were more abundant than in the Juyun Mountain Range, and their combined strength also surpassed it.

At present, three sects of the Juyun Mountain Range were in decline, leaving only the Luoxia Sect.

Things had been calm in recent months, but in a year or two, they would undoubtedly become the target of envy, no small pressure.

This trip to the Xuanyuan Water Realm by Zhou Yuan was also in search of allies.

Traveling on their journey, they stepped out from the Cold Frost Pond into the warmth of early spring.

Ahead lay the Seven Star Connected Waterfalls.

Here, seven streams lay out in the arrangement of the Seven Stars, naturally forming a strategic formation beneficial for cultivation.

The Seven Star Sect and the Sky Sword Sect each took part in dividing the Seven Star Connected Waterfalls, both formidable sects under the Xuanyuan Sect and much more powerful than the Luoxia Sect.

Inside the Star Luo Sea.

Countless islands dotted the sea like stars spangled across the sky, teeming with 'Dianxing Stones' and abundant in various treasure beasts and Spiritual Medicines—not less rich in resources than the Cold Frost Pond.

Wave Sea Sect, the Dianxing Sect, and the Xuan Turtle Sect, the Three Great Sects, each claimed their portion of the Star Luo Sea.

They were just as renowned as the Seven Star Sect and the Sky Sword Sect from the Seven Star Connected Waterfalls.

Once past the Star Luo Sea, they faced Giant Spirit Mountain.

This place was more mystical compared to the previous three. The vast mountain range resembled a colossal Giant Spirit in a half-kneeling pose, with its head bowed forward and its back and neck making up the main body of the mountain range. One arm stretched out to one side, forming the largest offshoot.

The other arm reached forward, leading directly to the Xuanyuan Water Realm.

The grand Xuanyuan Water Realm resembled an area held up by the god-like giant's hand, its overall extent no less than that of Giant Spirit Mountain.

Within Giant Spirit Mountain.

The Four Saint Sects, Dawn Sword Sect, Nine Tripods Sect, and Danxia Villa were among the major schools established there. They formed alliances and could even hold their own against the Xuanyuan Sect to a certain degree.

After forty-seven days.

Lu Qingfeng, and the other two, crossed the Cold Frost Pond, the Seven Star Connected Waterfalls, the Star Luo Sea, and overcame the Giant Spirit Mountain, finally arriving at their destination—

The Xuanyuan Water Realm.

...