“ qián fāng de qīng yáng chéng lǐ ， jiù yǒu yī zuò fāng shì 。” shào nǚ qiǎo xiào qiàn xī 。
“前方的青阳城里，就有一座坊市。”少女巧笑倩兮。
"Up ahead in the city of Qingyang, there's a marketplace," said the young lady with a charming smile.
“ shén me ？” lín xuān dà chī yī jīng ：“ gāi chéng bú shì fán rén de jū suǒ ， zěn me kě néng yǒu xiū xiān zhě de fāng shì hùn zá zài qí zhōng 。”
“什么？”林轩大吃一惊：“该城不是凡人的居所，怎么可能有修仙者的坊市混杂在其中。”
"What?" Lin Xuan was greatly surprised. "This city isn't where mortals dwell; how could it possibly have a market for cultivators mixed among them?"
“ zhè yǒu shén me bù kě néng de ， cǐ chéng dì chǔ yào chōng ， shí fēn fán róng ， jiāo tōng yě fēi cháng biàn lì ， wǒ tīng ēn shī shuō ， shì èr gé zhǔ chá kàn yǐ hòu ， qīn zì xià lìng zài zhè lǐ shè lì fāng shì de ， dāng rán ， yǒu huàn zhèn bǎo hù ， bié shuō fán rén le ， zhù jī qī yǐ xià xiū xiān zhě ， ruò méi yǒu běn mén lìng fú ， xiǎng yě bié xiǎng jìn rù qí zhōng 。”
“这有什么不可能的，此城地处要冲，十分繁荣，交通也非常便利，我听恩师说，是二阁主查看以后，亲自下令在这里设立坊市的，当然，有幻阵保护，别说凡人了，筑基期以下修仙者，若没有本门令符，想也别想进入其中。”
"There's nothing impossible about that. This city is situated at a strategic location and is very prosperous, with convenient transportation. My mentor told me that Second Pavilion Master personally ordered the establishment of this marketplace after inspecting it. Of course, there are illusions to protect it; not even lower-grade cultivators can enter without our sect's token."
“ ó ， zhè me shuō ， guì mén de shí lì hái zhēn fēi tóng xiǎo kě ？” lín xuān wēi xiào zhe shuō 。
“哦，这么说，贵门的实力还真非同小可？”林轩微笑着说。
"Oh, so your sect really has formidable strength?" Lin Xuan said with a smile.
“ qián bèi guò yù le ， bù guò jiù yōu zhōu lái shuō ， wǒ men bài xuān gé què shí shì zuì dà de shāng méng ， shēng yì bù jǐn biàn bù quán zhōu ， shèn zhì yǐ jīng zhǎn xiàng le lín jìn de zhōu fǔ 。”
“前辈过誉了，不过就幽州来说，我们拜轩阁确实是最大的商盟，生意不仅遍布全州，甚至已经展像了邻近的州府。”
"Senior, you're too kind. But in Yanzhou specifically, the Pavilion of Clear Sky is indeed the largest merchant alliance. Our business spans the entire region and even extends to neighboring prefectures."
“ ó ？” lín xuān biǎo qíng yī è ：“ yuán lái guì pài shì shāng méng ， nà qī jué tiān xiàn zài rú hé ， mò fēi yǐ jīng mò luò ？”
“哦？”林轩表情一愕：“原来贵派是商盟，那七绝天现在如何，莫非已经没落？”
"Oh?" Lin Xuan's expression changed. "So your sect is a merchant alliance? Then what about the Seven Sins Heaven? Has it declined?"
“ qián bèi shuō de bù cuò ， qī jué tiān yǔ yīn hún gōu jié ， zì rán bú huì yǒu hǎo xià chǎng ， zǎo jiù shù dǎo hú sūn sàn ， biàn wèi le lì shǐ de chén āi 。”
“前辈说的不错，七绝天与阴魂勾结，自然不会有好下场，早就树倒猢狲散，变为了历史的尘埃。”
"Senior said correctly. The Seven Sins Heaven allied with the Phantom Soul, so they naturally wouldn't have a good outcome. They've long scattered like monkeys without a tree to cling to, becoming mere dust in history."
“ yuán lái rú cǐ 。” lín xuān diǎn le diǎn tóu ， yǎn zhōng yǐn yǐn yǒu yì máng shǎn guò ， yě bù zhī dào zài xiǎng xiē shén me 。
“原来如此。”林轩点了点头，眼中隐隐有异芒闪过，也不知道在想些什么。
"So that's how it is," Lin Xuan nodded, his eyes flashing with an odd light as he pondered something.
“ xiān shī ， nín ruò bù qì ， jiù qù xiǎo lǎo ér chéng zhōng de bié yuàn xiē xī 。 míng tiān yī zǎo ， zài ràng yǐng ér dài nǐ qù guàng fāng shì 。” zhāng yuán wài yě shí fēn yīn qíng de kāi kǒu 。 liǎn shàng liú lù chū qǐ pàn āi qiú zhī yì 。
“仙师，您若不弃，就去小老儿城中的别院歇息。明天一早，再让影儿带你去逛坊市。”张员外也十分殷情的开口。脸上流露出企盼哀求之意。
"Immortal Master, if you don’t mind, let me take you to my humble courtyard for rest. Tomorrow morning, I'll send Ying'er to show you around the marketplace," said Zhang Yinxing, speaking with great sincerity and hope in her face.
“ yě hǎo ， jì rú cǐ ， nà jiù zài tāo rǎo nǐ men yī wǎn hǎo le 。” lín xuān lüè yī sī suǒ ， zhōng yú diǎn le diǎn tóu 。
“也好，既如此，那就再叨扰你们一晚好了。”林轩略一思索，终于点了点头。
"That sounds good. Then I’ll trouble you one more night." Lin Xuan thought for a moment before nodding.
“ xiān shī tài kè qì le ， xiǎo lǎo ér chéng shòu bù qǐ ， nín zhōng yú de guì kè ， wǒ men píng rì lǐ shāo xiāng yě qiú bù lái ， nín néng guāng lín hán shè ， nà kě zhēn shì péng bì shēng huī le 。”
“仙师太客气了，小老儿承受不起，您终于的贵客，我们平日里烧香也求不来，您能光临寒舍，那可真是蓬荜生辉了。”
"You're too polite, Senior. I can't bear it; you are our esteemed guest, and we would beg for such an honor to have you visit my humble abode."
jiàn lín xuān dā yìng ， zhāng yuán wài huān xǐ yǐ jí ， máng mìng lìng rén qù chéng zhōng tōng zhī ， zuò yī fān ān pái bù zhì ， rán hòu yòu ràng chū zuì hǎo de mǎ chē ， qǐng lín xuān chéng zuò 。
见林轩答应，张员外欢喜以极，忙命令人去城中通知，做一番安排布置，然后又让出最好的马车，请林轩乘坐。
Seeing Lin Xuan's agreement, Zhang Yinxing was overjoyed. She quickly ordered someone to notify the city and make arrangements, then offered him a fine carriage.
jù tǐ xì jié bù yòng duō shuō ， zǒng zhī lín xuān zài xiū xiān jiè fēng cān lù sù ， zhè huí dǎo shì xiǎng le yī cì qīng fú ， dāng rán yǐ tā de chéng fǔ ， bú huì zhēn de liú niàn shén me ， yǔ cháng shēng xiāng bǐ ， xiǎng shòu jǐn jǐn shì guò yǎn yún yān ér yǐ 。
具体细节不用多说，总之林轩在修仙界风餐露宿，这回倒是享了一次清福，当然以他的城府，不会真的留念什么，与长生相比，享受仅仅是过眼云烟而已。
No need to elaborate on the details; in any case, this was a rare comfort for Lin Xuan after years of hardship in cultivation. Of course, with his deep-seated composure, he wouldn't truly miss anything; compared to immortality, enjoyment was but fleeting.
yī yè wú shì 。
一夜无事。
Nothing happened overnight.
dì èr tiān ， tài yáng gāng gāng shēng qǐ ， lín xuān hé zhāng xiào yǐng jiù lí kāi le bié yuàn ， xiàng qīng yáng chéng de xī biān zǒu qù ， tiān sè hái zǎo 。 bù guò chéng zhōng yǐ yǒu bù shǎo zǎo qǐ de jū mín kāi shǐ zuò shì ， suī shuō bù shàng xī xī rǎng rǎng ， dàn yě pǒ wèi xuān nào 。
第二天，太阳刚刚升起，林轩和张笑影就离开了别院，向青阳城的西边走去，天色还早。不过城中已有不少早起的居民开始做事，虽说不上熙熙攘攘，但也颇为喧闹。
The next morning, as soon as the sun rose, Lin Xuan and Zhang Yinxing left their courtyard and headed towards the western part of Qingyang City. The sky was still early, but many residents had already started their day, though not in a bustling manner.
jiē dào píng zhěng kuān kuò ， zú kě róng nà sān liàng bìng xíng de sì lún mǎ chē ， liǎng biān de diàn pù dà duō yǐ jīng kāi mén ， tè bié shì fàn guǎn ， bù shí huì yǒu gè zhǒng cài yáo de xiāng qì chuán chū 。
街道平整宽阔，足可容纳三辆并行的四轮马车，两边的店铺大多已经开门，特别是饭馆，不时会有各种菜肴的香气传出。
The streets were wide and smooth, capable of accommodating three four-wheeled carriages side by side. Most shops on both sides were open, especially the restaurants where various aromas of dishes wafted out from time to time.
ān jìng ér xiáng hé ， fán rén men wèi le zì jǐ de shēng cún máng lù ， xiū xiān zhě men zé zài xuè yǔ xīng fēng zhōng pīn bó ， lín xuān yī shí jiān jìng lüè yǒu gǎn chù ， wēi wēi de chū qǐ shén lái le 。
安静而祥和，凡人们为了自己的生存忙碌，修仙者们则在血雨腥风中拼搏，林轩一时间竟略有感触，微微的出起神来了。
Quiet and peaceful, mortals worked hard for their survival while cultivators struggled in bloodshed. Lin Xuan was momentarily moved as he walked along, his mind wandering.
“ qián bèi ， nǐ zěn me le ？”
“前辈，你怎么了？”
"Senior, what's wrong?"
“ wú shì 。” lín xuān xīn niàn yī zhuǎn ， yǐ huī fù le cóng róng ， zuǐ jiǎo wēi wēi shàng qiào ， lù chū yī sī zì cháo ， kàn lái zì jǐ xīn jìng de mó liàn yī jiù bù gòu ， rì hòu dé duō jiā zhù yì le 。
“无事。”林轩心念一转，已恢复了从容，嘴角微微上翘，露出一丝自嘲，看来自己心境的磨练依旧不够，日后得多加注意了。
"Nothing," Lin Xuan said, his expression returning to normal. A slight smile appeared on his lips, tinged with self-deprecation. It seemed that his cultivation of temperament still needed improvement; he would have to be more cautious in the future.
suí zhe zhāng xiào yǐng qī wān bā guǎi ， zhōng yú zǒu jìn le yī jiào wéi piān pì de jiē dào ， xíng rén jiàn jiàn xī shǎo ， liǎng biān de fáng wū yě dī ǎi pò bài ， háo bù qǐ yǎn 。 lín xuān shén sè rú cháng ， kàn lái fāng shì jiù shè zài zhè zhòng dì fāng 。
随着张笑影七弯八拐，终于走进了一较为偏僻的街道，行人渐渐稀少，两边的房屋也低矮破败，毫不起眼。林轩神色如常，看来坊市就设在这种地方。
Following Zhang Yinxing's winding path, they finally entered a less crowded street where houses were low and dilapidated, unremarkable. Lin Xuan’s expression remained unchanged as he guessed this was where the marketplace was set up.
yòu zǒu piàn kè ， lín xuān yǎn jīng yī mī ， suī rán bù zhì dé yǒu huàn shù jìn zhì ， dàn zhè zhǒng dōng xī ， rú hé mán dé guò tā yuán yīng qī xiū shì de shén shí 。
又走片刻，林轩眼睛一眯，虽然布置得有幻术禁制，但这种东西，如何瞒得过他元婴期修士的神识。
After walking for a while, Lin Xuan narrowed his eyes. Although the place was enchanted with illusions, his divine sense could easily penetrate such barriers.
dāng rán ， lín xuān bú huì shuō pò ， ér zhāng xiào yǐng yě tíng xià le jiǎo bù ， shēn chū shǒu lái ， zài chǔ wù dài shàng yī pāi ， yī kuài bái sè de yù pèi bèi tā qǔ le chū lái 。
当然，林轩不会说破，而张笑影也停下了脚步，伸出手来，在储物袋上一拍，一块白色的玉佩被她取了出来。
Of course, Lin Xuan didn't reveal anything and Zhang Yinxing stopped, reaching into her storage pouch. She took out a white jade pendant in one hand.
cǐ nǚ yī yáng shǒu ， yī dào hóng guāng fēi shè ér chū ， dùn shí qián fāng de jǐng wù yī piàn mó hú ， yī zhàng xǔ dà de tōng dào chū xiàn zài yǎn qián le 。
此女一扬手，一道红光飞射而出，顿时前方的景物一片模糊，一丈许大的通道出现在眼前了。
With a flick of her wrist, a red light shot forth, instantly blurring the surroundings. A passage about ten feet wide appeared before them.
“ qián bèi ， qǐng ！”
“前辈，请！”
"Senior, please!"
lín xuān diǎn le diǎn tóu ， háo bù yóu yù de zǒu rù qí zhōng ， shào nǚ yě máng jǐn suí qí hòu 。
林轩点了点头，毫不犹豫的走入其中，少女也忙紧随其后。
Lin Xuan nodded and stepped into it without hesitation. The young lady followed closely behind.
yǐ lín xuān de qiáng dà shén shí ， yě bù yòng kè yì sǎo miáo ， suǒ yǒu de yī qiè jiù jǐn rù tā de nǎo hǎi zhī zhōng 。 fāng shì bù dà ， jiē dào jǐn yǒu shù bǎi mǐ zhǎng ， dàn què shí fēn kuān chǎng ， liǎng biān de jiàn zhù suī shì mù zhì jié gòu 。 dàn gōng yì què yǒu dú dào zhī chù ， yóu qí shì zhōng jiān yī zuò ， qì shì xiǎn de fēi cháng páng bó 。
以林轩的强大神识，也不用刻意扫描，所有的一切就尽入他的脑海之中。坊市不大，街道仅有数百米长，但却十分宽敞，两边的建筑虽是木质结构。但工艺却有独到之处，尤其是中间一座，气势显得非常磅礴。
With his powerful divine sense, Lin Xuan didn't need to scan; everything was clear in his mind. The marketplace wasn’t large, with streets only a few hundred meters long but very spacious. Although the buildings were wooden, their craftsmanship was unique, especially one that exuded an imposing aura.
rán ér jiē dào shàng de xiū shì què yuǎn bǐ xiǎng xiàng de duō ， jū rán yǒu shù bǎi rén de yàng zi ， zhè xiǎo fāng shì de shēng yì ， yě wèi miǎn tài hǎo le xiē 。
然而街道上的修士却远比想象的多，居然有数百人的样子，这小坊市的生意，也未免太好了些。
However, there were far more cultivators on the street than expected—hundreds of them. This small marketplace seemed to be doing exceptionally well.
lín xuān shèn zhì kàn jiàn le jǐ míng níng dān qī xiū shì ， dāng rán ， quán shì shēng miàn kǒng ， tā yí gè yě bù rèn shí ， ér qiě dà duō chuān zhe mò shēng de fú shì 。
林轩甚至看见了几名凝丹期修士，当然，全是生面孔，他一个也不认识，而且大多穿着陌生的服饰。
Lin Xuan even saw several Core Formation Stage cultivators, all strangers whom he didn't recognize. They wore unfamiliar attire.
lín xuān yáo le yáo tóu ， zì jǐ lí kāi yōu zhōu ， bù guò shù shí zài ér yǐ ， méi xiǎng dào jiù cāng hǎi sāng tián ， shēng le zhè me dà de biàn qiān 。
林轩摇了摇头，自己离开幽州，不过数十载而已，没想到就沧海桑田，生了这么大的变迁。
Shaking his head, Lin Xuan realized that only a few decades had passed since he left Yanzhou, yet it felt like the world had changed so much.
yě bù zhī dào zì jǐ yǐ qián nà xiē shú rén ， shì fǒu quán dōu píng ān 。
也不知道自己以前那些熟人，是否全都平安。
He wondered if his old acquaintances were still safe.
“ qián bèi ， zhè fāng shì suī shì bì mén suǒ kāi ， dàn zhǐ yǒu zhōng jiān nà zuò zuì dà de diàn pù ， cái shì wǒ men bài xuān gé de chǎn yè ， nín yào qù kàn kàn me ？” shào nǚ tū rán qīng shēng xì yǔ de kāi kǒu le 。
“前辈，这坊市虽是敝门所开，但只有中间那座最大的店铺，才是我们拜轩阁的产业，您要去看看么？”少女突然轻声细语的开口了。
"Senior, this marketplace is run by our sect, but only the largest shop in the middle belongs to the Pavilion of Clear Sky. Do you want to see it?" Zhang Yinxing suddenly spoke softly.
lín xuān diǎn le diǎn tóu ， tā dào bìng fēi shì yí dìng xiǎng yào mǎi shén me ， zhǐ bù guò fāng shì shì xiū shì men de jù jí zhī suǒ ， ér qiě cóng tā suǒ chū shòu de wù pǐn zhī zhōng ， yě kě yǐ kàn chū yī xiē duān ní ， lín xuān suī cóng zhāng xiào yǐng de kǒu lǐ ， liǎo jiě dào bù shǎo yǒu yòng de xìn xī ， dàn duì fāng bì jìng xiū wèi tài dī ， suǒ zhī dào de bù guò shì zuì jī běn de dōng xī ， ér lín xuān xiàn zài xiǎng dǎ tīng de ， zé shì gēng shēn céng cì de yǐn mì 。
林轩点了点头，他倒并非是一定想要买什么，只不过坊市是修士们的聚集之所，而且从它所出售的物品之中，也可以看出一些端倪，林轩虽从张笑影的口里，了解到不少有用的信息，但对方毕竟修为太低，所知道的不过是最基本的东西，而林轩现在想打听的，则是更深层次的隐秘。
Lin Xuan nodded. He wasn't necessarily looking for something specific; the marketplace was a gathering place for cultivators, and he could glean some information from its offerings. While Zhang Yinxing had provided useful insights, her low cultivation level meant she only knew basic details. Lin Xuan wanted to learn more about deeper secrets.
zhè jiān diàn pù jiào qīng fēng lóu ， nǎi shì yī sān céng de mù zhì jiàn zhù ， lín xuān jìn qù yǐ hòu ， zhǐ jiàn ruò dà de tīng táng zhōng ， líng qì ， yù jiǎn ， fú lù ， hái yǒu gè zhǒng cái liào ， kě wèi yīng yǒu jìn yǒu ， qī bā míng xiū shì zhèng zài nà lǐ shén qíng zhuān zhù de jiǎn xuǎn zhe 。
这间店铺叫清风楼，乃是一三层的木质建筑，林轩进去以后，只见偌大的厅堂中，灵器，玉简，符箓，还有各种材料，可谓应有尽有，七八名修士正在那里神情专注的拣选着。
The shop was called Clear Wind Pavilion, a three-story wooden building. Upon entering, Lin Xuan saw a vast hall filled with various items: divine artifacts, jade scrolls, talismans, and all kinds of materials.
“ qián bèi ， nín xiǎng yào shén me ？” yī míng qīng yī xiǎo sī pǎo le guò lái ， lín xuān shén shí yī sǎo ， xiàn zhè zhǐ shì yí gè fán rén 。
“前辈，您想要什么？”一名青衣小厮跑了过来，林轩神识一扫，现这只是一个凡人。
"Senior, what do you need?" A young attendant in green clothes approached him. Lin Xuan's divine sense revealed that he was just a mortal.
suí hòu tā kàn jiàn le gōng jìng shì lì zài lín xuān shēn biān de shào nǚ ， liǎn shàng bù yóu de liú lù chū yī sī chà yì ：“ zhāng xiǎo jiě ， nín yě lái le ？”
随后他看见了恭敬侍立在林轩身边的少女，脸上不由得流露出一丝诧异：“张小姐，您也来了？”
He then noticed the young lady standing respectfully beside him, her face showing surprise. "Miss Zhang, are you here too?"
“ xiǎo liù ， wǒ shī fù zài me ？”
“小六，我师父在么？”
"Little Six, is my master here?"
“ cáo xiān zi bù zài 。 sān tiān qián yǐ jīng lí kāi ， bù guò xuē lǎo zài 。”
“曹仙子不在。三天前已经离开，不过薛老在。”
"Celestial Lady Cao has left three days ago and isn't back yet. Old Master Xue is here."
“ ó ， xuē lǎo zài cǐ chù ， wǒ kě yào bài huì tā lǎo rén jiā yī xià de ， qián bèi ， nǐ yì qǐ me ？” zhāng xiào yǐng de liǎn shàng liú lù chū yī sī xīng fèn shén sè 。
“哦，薛老在此处，我可要拜会他老人家一下的，前辈，你一起么？”张笑影的脸上流露出一丝兴奋神色。
"Oh, Old Master Xue is... he's a mortal but greatly admired by the two Pavilion Masters. The Pavilion of Clear Sky wouldn’t have reached its current scale without his contributions. Moreover, he has unique insights into cultivating spirit herbs; you should meet him even if your cultivation is profound."
“ ó ， xuē lǎo shì ……”
“哦，薛老是……”
"Oh, there are such figures. I must meet them," Lin Xuan said with a smile.
“ xuē lǎo shì fán rén ， rán ér què jí shòu liǎng wèi gé zhǔ shǎng shí ， wǒ men bài xuān gé néng yǒu jīn rì de guī mó ， tā gōng bù kě méi 。 ér qiě xuē lǎo zài rú hé zhòng zhí líng cǎo fāng miàn ， yǒu zhe fēi cháng dú tè de jiàn jiě ， qián bèi nín suī rán xiū wèi jīng shēn ， dàn yě kě yǐ jiàn shàng yī jiàn 。”
“薛老是凡人，然而却极受两位阁主赏识，我们拜轩阁能有今日的规模，他功不可没。而且薛老在如何种植灵草方面，有着非常独特的见解，前辈您虽然修为精深，但也可以见上一见。”
Following the young attendant, they went to the third floor where the atmosphere was fresh and elegant. Before they could settle in, an elderly man with white hair and eyebrows walked by.
“ ó 。 hái yǒu zhè děng rén wù ， nà wǒ kě yào bài huì yī xià de 。” lín xuān wēi xiào zhe shuō 。
“哦。还有这等人物，那我可要拜会一下的。”林轩微笑着说。
"Oh, Ying'er, when did you arrive? You didn't notify me; if I had known earlier, I would have seen your master, Celestial Lady Cao, who has returned to the main hall according to the Great Pavilion Master's orders..."
yú shì gēn zhe nà míng xiǎo sī ， liǎng rén lái dào sān lóu ， shàng miàn bù zhì de qīng xīn dàn yǎ ， rán ér pì gǔ hái méi yǒu zuò rè ， jiù yǒu yī míng bái xū bái méi de lǎo zhě zǒu guò lái le 。
于是跟着那名小厮，两人来到三楼，上面布置的清新淡雅，然而屁股还没有坐热，就有一名白须白眉的老者走过来了。
The old man's voice was like a thunderclap. But before he could finish speaking, he saw Lin Xuan standing beside him and his expression changed dramatically, showing surprise, confusion, and then anger.
"Up ahead in the city of Qingyang, there's a marketplace," said the young lady with a charming smile.
"What?" Lin Xuan was greatly surprised. "This city isn't where mortals dwell; how could it possibly have a market for cultivators mixed among them?"
"There's nothing impossible about that. This city is situated at a strategic location and is very prosperous, with convenient transportation. My mentor told me that Second Pavilion Master personally ordered the establishment of this marketplace after inspecting it. Of course, there are illusions to protect it; not even lower-grade cultivators can enter without our sect's token."
"Oh, so your sect really has formidable strength?" Lin Xuan said with a smile.
"Senior, you're too kind. But in Yanzhou specifically, the Pavilion of Clear Sky is indeed the largest merchant alliance. Our business spans the entire region and even extends to neighboring prefectures."
"Oh?" Lin Xuan's expression changed. "So your sect is a merchant alliance? Then what about the Seven Sins Heaven? Has it declined?"
"Senior said correctly. The Seven Sins Heaven allied with the Phantom Soul, so they naturally wouldn't have a good outcome. They've long scattered like monkeys without a tree to cling to, becoming mere dust in history."
"So that's how it is," Lin Xuan nodded, his eyes flashing with an odd light as he pondered something.
"Immortal Master, if you don’t mind, let me take you to my humble courtyard for rest. Tomorrow morning, I'll send Ying'er to show you around the marketplace," said Zhang Yinxing, speaking with great sincerity and hope in her face.
"That sounds good. Then I’ll trouble you one more night." Lin Xuan thought for a moment before nodding.
"You're too polite, Senior. I can't bear it; you are our esteemed guest, and we would beg for such an honor to have you visit my humble abode."
Seeing Lin Xuan's agreement, Zhang Yinxing was overjoyed. She quickly ordered someone to notify the city and make arrangements, then offered him a fine carriage.
No need to elaborate on the details; in any case, this was a rare comfort for Lin Xuan after years of hardship in cultivation. Of course, with his deep-seated composure, he wouldn't truly miss anything; compared to immortality, enjoyment was but fleeting.
...
Nothing happened overnight.
The next morning, as soon as the sun rose, Lin Xuan and Zhang Yinxing left their courtyard and headed towards the western part of Qingyang City. The sky was still early, but many residents had already started their day, though not in a bustling manner.
The streets were wide and smooth, capable of accommodating three four-wheeled carriages side by side. Most shops on both sides were open, especially the restaurants where various aromas of dishes wafted out from time to time.
Quiet and peaceful, mortals worked hard for their survival while cultivators struggled in bloodshed. Lin Xuan was momentarily moved as he walked along, his mind wandering.
"Senior, what's wrong?"
"Nothing," Lin Xuan said, his expression returning to normal. A slight smile appeared on his lips, tinged with self-deprecation. It seemed that his cultivation of temperament still needed improvement; he would have to be more cautious in the future.
Following Zhang Yinxing's winding path, they finally entered a less crowded street where houses were low and dilapidated, unremarkable. Lin Xuan’s expression remained unchanged as he guessed this was where the marketplace was set up.
After walking for a while, Lin Xuan narrowed his eyes. Although the place was enchanted with illusions, his divine sense could easily penetrate such barriers.
Of course, Lin Xuan didn't reveal anything and Zhang Yinxing stopped, reaching into her storage pouch. She took out a white jade pendant in one hand.
With a flick of her wrist, a red light shot forth, instantly blurring the surroundings. A passage about ten feet wide appeared before them.
"Senior, please!"
Lin Xuan nodded and stepped into it without hesitation. The young lady followed closely behind.
With his powerful divine sense, Lin Xuan didn't need to scan; everything was clear in his mind. The marketplace wasn’t large, with streets only a few hundred meters long but very spacious. Although the buildings were wooden, their craftsmanship was unique, especially one that exuded an imposing aura.
However, there were far more cultivators on the street than expected—hundreds of them. This small marketplace seemed to be doing exceptionally well.
Lin Xuan even saw several Core Formation Stage cultivators, all strangers whom he didn't recognize. They wore unfamiliar attire.
Shaking his head, Lin Xuan realized that only a few decades had passed since he left Yanzhou, yet it felt like the world had changed so much.
He wondered if his old acquaintances were still safe.
"Senior, this marketplace is run by our sect, but only the largest shop in the middle belongs to the Pavilion of Clear Sky. Do you want to see it?" Zhang Yinxing suddenly spoke softly.
"Sure!"
Lin Xuan nodded. He wasn't necessarily looking for something specific; the marketplace was a gathering place for cultivators, and he could glean some information from its offerings. While Zhang Yinxing had provided useful insights, her low cultivation level meant she only knew basic details. Lin Xuan wanted to learn more about deeper secrets.
The shop was called Clear Wind Pavilion, a three-story wooden building. Upon entering, Lin Xuan saw a vast hall filled with various items: divine artifacts, jade scrolls, talismans, and all kinds of materials.
"Senior, what do you need?" A young attendant in green clothes approached him. Lin Xuan's divine sense revealed that he was just a mortal.
He then noticed the young lady standing respectfully beside him, her face showing surprise. "Miss Zhang, are you here too?"
"Little Six, is my master here?"
"Celestial Lady Cao has left three days ago and isn't back yet. Old Master Xue is here."
"Oh, Old Master Xue is... he's a mortal but greatly admired by the two Pavilion Masters. The Pavilion of Clear Sky wouldn’t have reached its current scale without his contributions. Moreover, he has unique insights into cultivating spirit herbs; you should meet him even if your cultivation is profound."
"Oh, there are such figures. I must meet them," Lin Xuan said with a smile.
Following the young attendant, they went to the third floor where the atmosphere was fresh and elegant. Before they could settle in, an elderly man with white hair and eyebrows walked by.
"Oh, Ying'er, when did you arrive? You didn't notify me; if I had known earlier, I would have seen your master, Celestial Lady Cao, who has returned to the main hall according to the Great Pavilion Master's orders..."
The old man's voice was like a thunderclap. But before he could finish speaking, he saw Lin Xuan standing beside him and his expression changed dramatically, showing surprise, confusion, and then anger.