Chapter 87: Tianyuanfang City

The Mortal World

Meng Ruhui let out an "oh." "Junior Brother, you must know about the Lecture Hall, don't you? At the end of each ten-day cycle, our Foundation Establishment martial uncles hold sermons in the Lecture Hall. Most disciples gather there to listen. With so many people gathered, some began to exchange goods and resources, trading what they had for what they needed. This gradually became a custom: every ten-day cycle, the Lecture Hall transforms into a marketplace for the sect's disciples in the evening. The sect not only doesn't forbid it but actively encourages it. Even some Foundation Establishment martial uncles sometimes appear at these trade gatherings. However..."

Meng Ruhui's tone shifted. "These trade gatherings are primarily for junior disciples, so the selection of truly valuable items is limited. If you're looking to purchase high-quality magic artifacts or rare treasures, you'll need to visit a cultivation market outside the sect. Exit the sect and head north; you'll find the Tianyuan Market... Tianyuan Market is an enterprise of our Yuanzhao Sect. It's very prosperous and well-known throughout the surrounding cultivation world. Once inside, simply display your waist token, and you'll be protected; there's no need to worry about your safety."

Qin Sang mentally noted the address. He cupped his hands and said, "Thank you for the guidance, Senior Brother Meng. It's still several days until the next cycle's end, so I'd like to visit Tianyuan Market first to gain some experience. Since I'll be making the trip anyway, Senior Brother Meng, is there anything you need me to do for you?"

At his words, Meng Ruhui squinted, studying Qin Sang, then smiled. "Now that you mention it, Junior Brother, there is indeed something. Please wait a moment."

With that, Meng Ruhui produced a mustard seed bag and handed it to Qin Sang.

"Thank you, Junior Brother Qin. Once you're at Tianyuan Market, please deliver this mustard seed bag to the shopkeeper of Huichun Hall. Just tell him it's from Old Meng. In the future, when you buy medicine at Huichun Hall, simply mention my name, and they'll give you a twenty percent discount."

Qin Sang didn't inquire about the bag's contents. After Meng Ruhui departed, he walked a circuit around Guiyang Valley, setting up a simple cave dwelling. He then set off.

Unexpectedly, less than an hour after leaving, Qin Sang reappeared in Xingyun Valley, his expression extremely grim. Only upon reaching the thatched hut did he force a smile and return the mustard seed bag to Meng Ruhui.

Meng Ruhui's expression clouded over. He frowned and asked, "Junior Brother Qin, what is the meaning of this?"

Qin Sang managed a strained smile and said, "Please forgive me, Senior Brother Meng. Just as I was about to exit the sect gate, I suddenly felt a stirring in my heart, a premonition of a breakthrough. I need to enter secluded cultivation to comprehend it, so I'm afraid I won't be able to go to Tianyuan Market for now. I haven't touched or even looked at the contents of the mustard seed bag. Please check them, Senior Brother Meng..."

Meng Ruhui cast a cold glance at Qin Sang, snatched the mustard seed bag, turned, walked into the thatched hut, and slammed the door shut.

Qin Sang inwardly smiled bitterly, knowing he had offended Senior Brother Meng and that his future days might not be easy. But he had no other choice but to face whatever came his way. How much worse could things possibly get?

With a soft sigh, Qin Sang shook his head, activated his Wind-Riding spell, and returned to his Guiyang Valley.

He was exceptionally cautious on his way, frequently looking back as if fearing pursuit. Upon returning to his cave dwelling, he first deployed a mirror array at the entrance using his Illusion Mirror. Only then did he let out a long breath of relief.

Qin Sang sat on his Water-Heart Bamboo meditation mat, his mind clearly unsettled, his gaze shifting restlessly. After a long moment, he slowly unfurled his left palm.

Lying in his palm was a striking black eye!

The eye was completely black, its eyeball seemingly alive, rotating back and forth in Qin Sang's palm. The black pupil appeared sentient. As it swept across Qin Sang's face, he felt as though it held an eerie, knowing smile, capable of peering into his very soul. A shiver ran down his spine.

This demonic eye had been given to him by Zhao Yan.

Recalling the preceding encounter, Qin Sang's hand clenched tightly.

He had inquired about Tianyuan Market with his own intentions. If no one had intercepted him before he reached the market, he would have vanished without a trace, fleeing as far as his cultivation would allow.

However, just as he exited Guiyang Valley, Zhao Yan's voice suddenly echoed in his ear.

"Junior Brother Qin, where are you off to so late?"

Qin Sang's heart tightened. He hastily deactivated his magic artifact, only to see Zhao Yan flash before him, blocking his path and staring at him with a grim expression.

During their time in the Eight Trigrams Forbidden Land, Qin Sang had already realized that Zhao Yan and Yu Hua's relationship was complex, and that Zhao Yan was likely another spy for the Kuiyin Sect. Therefore, he wasn't surprised in the slightest. Feigning innocence, he bowed respectfully and presented the excuse he had already prepared.

"Greetings, Senior Brother Zhao. Senior Brother Meng from Xingyun Valley arranged for me to deliver something to Tianyuan Market. It's getting late, so I was rushing to leave the sect."

Zhao Yan let out a prolonged "oh," his gaze circling Qin Sang's face. He then asked with an enigmatic tone, "Junior Brother Qin, you truly are impressive, to gain Senior Brother Meng's trust so quickly. What exactly did Senior Brother Meng arrange for you to deliver? Would you mind letting me see it?"

Qin Sang's expression faltered. "This..." he began.

Zhao Yan let out an angry snort. His lips moved slightly, not speaking aloud, but transmitting a message.

Upon hearing the transmitted message, Qin Sang feigned shock and gasped, "Senior Brother Zhao, you are also..."

"Shut up!"

Zhao Yan cut Qin Sang off, glaring at him furiously. He said coldly, "Don't forget your identity, or you'll end up like Liu Yi! Give me Meng Ruhui's item!"

Qin Sang hastily retrieved the mustard seed bag Meng Ruhui had given him and handed it to Zhao Yan. This finally dispelled Zhao Yan's suspicions.

Although he had managed to bluff his way through this encounter, Qin Sang now confirmed one thing: it was essentially impossible for him to escape the Yuanzhao Sect, and he would sink deeper and deeper into this quagmire.

This demonic eye was indeed given to him by Zhao Yan. It was supposedly a sect mission. It was fused with his bloodline; if it left his body by even a zhang, it would vanish into thin air and automatically return to him.

Zhao Yan ordered him to find an open area each night, activate the demonic eye, point it towards the sky, and observe the skies above Guiyang Valley. Once the demonic eye had recorded all the changes in Guiyang Valley's array formation, his mission would be complete. After some time, he and Yu Hua would return to check his progress.

The demonic eye had to be embedded in a Yama Banner to be activated.

Qin Sang took out the Yama Banner that the Kuiyin Sect had issued him, which he had never used. Following the incantation Zhao Yan had taught him, he attempted to merge the demonic eye with the Yama Banner, but failed. He tried several more times, each attempt yielding the same result: the demonic eye and the Yama Banner showed no signs of integration.

Qin Sang stared at the demonic eye, a hesitant look in his eyes. After a long period of contemplation, he ultimately retrieved his own Yama Banner. With only a single recitation of the incantation, the demonic eye automatically flew towards his Yama Banner.

Black energy immediately enveloped the Yama Banner, swirling ceaselessly. When the black energy finally dispersed, the demonic eye had vanished. In its place, a demonic eye pattern now adorned the Yama Banner, making it appear less eerie than before.

Qin Sang hastily called forth Yama. After a thorough inspection, he found no significant changes in it compared to before. Only then did he feel relieved.

Clutching the Yama Banner, Qin Sang left his cave dwelling. By now, night had fallen, and the stars twinkled brightly.