jiǔ shān zhōu 。
九山州。
Nine Mountain State.
jīng guò wǔ nián de fā zhǎn ， rú jīn zhè wàn xiān méng jìng nèi wéi yī de zì yóu mào yì zhōu ， yǎn rán yǐ jīng fā shēng le tiān fān dì fù de biàn huà 。
经过五年的发展，如今这万仙盟境内唯一的自由贸易州，俨然已经发生了天翻地覆的变化。
After five years of development, this state within the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, which was once the only free trade zone, had undergone a remarkable transformation. What used to be an uninhabited wilderness now teemed with prosperity and bustling activity. The continuous plains were filled with the dwellings of cultivators, surrounding the central Nine Mountain Trading City.
cóng cǐ qián de huāng wú rén yān ， biàn dé dǐng shèng fán huá 。
从此前的荒无人烟，变得鼎盛繁华。
The city had expanded several times over, its scale nearly tenfold from its initial state but still couldn't meet the growing trade demands. Every new arrival in the city was brimming with excitement and curiosity, lost in the myriad of goods on display.
fàng yǎn wàng qù ， lián mián de píng yuán quán dōu bèi xiū shì dòng fǔ zhàn jù ， gǒng wèi zhe zhōng yāng de jiǔ shān mào yì chéng 。
放眼望去，连绵的平原全都被修士洞府占据，拱卫着中央的九山贸易城。
Zhao Xian knelt before a shadowy faceless stone statue, respectfully paying his respects. He then exited the secret chamber, opened his shop door, and began his first business transaction after completing his inventory.
shù fān kuò jiàn ， mào yì chéng de guī mó bǐ qǐ zuì chū de shí hòu kuò dà le jìn hū shí bèi yǒu yú 。 què réng rán mǎn zú bù liǎo rì yì zēng zhǎng de mào yì xū qiú 。
数番扩建，贸易城的规模比起最初的时候扩大了近乎十倍有余。却仍然满足不了日益增长的贸易需求。
Without needing to actively promote it, customers soon filled the store as they shopped for various items. The prices were clearly marked, allowing cultivators to purchase what they needed without any haggling, as goods in Nine Mountain State often sold out almost immediately upon being listed.
chéng zhōng měi yí gè chū lái zhà dào de xiū shì ， liǎn shàng dōu chōng mǎn le xīng fèn 、 hào qí 。 mí shī zài chéng nèi lìng rén mù bù xiá jiē de gè zhǒng shāng pǐn lǐ 。
城中每一个初来乍到的修士，脸上都充满了兴奋、好奇。迷失在城内令人目不暇接的各种商品里。
This was partly due to the fact that all items available for sale here were unique to each state's specialties. But the fundamental reason lay elsewhere...
zhào xiàn guì zài dì shàng ， gōng jìng de bài le bài shàng fāng ， chù zài yīn yǐng zhōng de yī zūn wú miàn shí xiàng 。
赵宪跪在地上，恭敬的拜了拜上方，处在阴影中的一尊无面石像。
Maintaining a broad smile on his face, Zhao Xian sighed inwardly: "No wonder everyone wants to come to Nine Mountain State. They say it’s like lying in a pigsty and making money, and that’s exactly what I’m experiencing."
ér hòu zǒu chū mì shì ， dǎ kāi diàn pù mén ， kāi shǐ le wán chéng jìn huò zhī hòu de dì yī cì shēng yì 。
而后走出密室，打开店铺门，开始了完成进货之后的第一次生意。
"Three years ago, the function of the Heavenly Mirror suddenly shut down, preventing free trade among cultivators. However, with the demand for trade still present, five major trading cities emerged within a short period to replace the mirror's functions."
gēn běn bù yòng tā zhǔ dòng xuān chuán ， mò guò duō jiǔ ， diàn lǐ biàn jǐ mǎn le qián lái gòu wù de xiū shì 。
根本不用他主动宣传，没过多久，店里便挤满了前来购物的修士。
"This Nine Mountain State is one of the largest, with the most diverse range of goods."
shāng pǐn jiè shào yǔ jià gé quán dōu yǐ jīng biāo míng ， bù yòng tā zhè wèi diàn zhǔ qīn lì qīn wéi ， xiū shì men biàn kě zì xíng wán chéng cǎi gòu 。
商品介绍与价格全都已经标明，不用他这位店主亲力亲为，修士们便可自行完成采购。
"Not only do cultivators from various states come here to trade, but members of the Five Elders Association also sell their specialties and purchase items."
méi yǒu shén me tǎo jià huán jià ， yīn wèi zài jiǔ shān zhōu ， shāng pǐn wǎng wǎng dōu shì guà shàng qù hòu bù jiǔ ， jiù lì mǎ bèi qiǎng gòu yī kōng 。
没有什么讨价还价，因为在九山州，商品往往都是挂上去后不久，就立马被抢购一空。
Observing the constant stream of people in his store, Zhao Xian felt a deep sense of gratitude: "Thanks to Senior Envoy's help, I wouldn't have been able to buy property in such a small state like Cunyun Sea."
zhè gù rán yǒu néng gòu zài jiǔ shān zhōu zhōng chū shòu de 、 quán dōu shì gè zhōu tè chǎn de zhēn xī chǎn pǐn de yuán gù 。
这固然有能够在九山州中出售的、全都是各州特产的珍稀产品的缘故。
Even though half of his profits had to be turned over, he was still making much faster progress compared to back home.
dàn zuì gēn běn de yuán yīn ， zé shì ……
但最根本的原因，则是……
"Within ten years, not only will I pay off all my debts, but I'll also be able to purchase the Transcendent Art and the [Heavenly Changes] at a discount through the Alliance!"
zhào xiàn liǎn shàng wéi chí zhe bǎo mǎn de xiào róng ， xīn zhōng què shì gǎn tàn yī shēng ：“ nán guài xiàn zài rén rén dōu xiǎng lái jiǔ shān zhōu 。 dōu shuō shì tóu zhū 、 guāng tǎng zhe dōu néng zhuàn de pén mǎn bō mǎn ， dàng zhēn shì chéng bù qī wǒ 。”
赵宪脸上维持着饱满的笑容，心中却是感叹一声：“难怪现在人人都想来九山州。都说是头猪、光躺着都能赚的盆满钵满，当真是诚不欺我。”
"With the potential for becoming an Immortal, my future status will be vastly different."
“ sān nián qián tiān xuán jìng de jiāo yì tū rán gōng néng guān bì ， xiū shì zì cǐ bù néng zì yóu jiāo yì 。 bù guò mào yì de xū qiú shì bù kě néng xiāo shī de 。 yú shì duǎn shí jiān nèi ， tiān xià biàn chū xiàn le wǔ dà jiāo yì chéng chí ， miǎn qiǎng chéng jiē le tiān xuán jìng de jiāo yì gōng néng 。”
“三年前天玄镜的交易突然功能关闭，修士自此不能自由交易。不过贸易的需求是不可能消失的。于是短时间内，天下便出现了五大交易城池，勉强承接了天玄镜的交易功能。”
"Even if things don't go well, I can still become a guest scholar in Cunyun Sea. After all, there are only two Transcendent cultivators stationed there."
“ zhè jiǔ shān zhōu ， biàn shì qí zhōng guī mó zuì dà 、 shāng pǐn shù liàng yě shì zuì duō de de yí gè 。”
“这九山州，便是其中规模最大、商品数量也是最多的的一个。”
Zhao Xian's thoughts turned to his bright future as his eyes grew more intense.
“ bù jǐn jǐn shì wàn xiān méng gè zhōu de xiū shì huì lái cǐ jiāo yì ， gèng yǒu lái zì wǔ lǎo huì de xiū shì zài cǐ fàn mài tè chǎn 、 gòu rù shāng pǐn 。”
“不仅仅是万仙盟各州的修士会来此交易，更有来自五老会的修士在此贩卖特产、购入商品。”
After an unknown amount of time, the successful sale of one item in his store startled Zhao Xian awake. It was a seemingly ordinary white jade statue—a mere decoration with no special functions attached. The only thing noteworthy about it was its lifelike depiction of a woman's face.
zhào xiàn kàn zhe diàn nèi luò yì bù jué de rén qún ， xīn zhōng chōng mǎn le gǎn ēn ：“ yě duō kuī shàng shǐ de bāng zhù ， fǒu zé wǒ yī cóng yún hǎi xiǎo xiǎo de yuán yīng xiū shì ， nǎ lǐ néng zài zhè lǐ gòu zhì yī tào fáng chǎn 。”
赵宪看着店内络绎不绝的人群，心中充满了感恩：“也多亏上使的帮助，否则我一丛云海小小的元婴修士，哪里能在这里购置一套房产。”
However, due to its exorbitant price tag—twenty thousand contribution points—it had remained unsold for over two years in the store.
suī rán diàn lǐ yí bàn de yíng lì yào shàng jiāo ， bù guò jiù suàn rú cǐ 、 zhuàn qǔ gòng xiàn dù de sù dù yě bǐ zài jiā xiāng yào kuài shàng tài duō 。
虽然店里一半的盈利要上交，不过就算如此、赚取贡献度的速度也比在家乡要快上太多。
Today, someone had actually purchased it. This statue was related to an important task given by Senior Envoy!
“ zhǐ yào jī zǎn gè shí nián ， wǒ bù guāng néng huán qīng suǒ yǒu zhài wù 。 shèn zhì hái néng zài lián huì zhōng ， yǐ zhé kòu jià gòu rù huà shén gōng fǎ 、 yǐ jí 【 tiān dì jiāng shēng zhī biàn 】！”
“只要积攒个十年，我不光能还清所有债务。甚至还能在联会中，以折扣价购入化神功法、以及【天地将生之变】！”
Zhao Xian forcibly suppressed his excitement and hurriedly approached: "Friend, please wait!"
“ ruò shì néng chéng jiù huà shén ， jīn hòu dì wèi kě jiù dà bù xiāng tóng le ！”
“若是能成就化神，今后地位可就大不相同了！”
A cultivator wearing a black Daoist robe, hidden in the shadows, paused but ignored Zhao Xian's plea, leaving without a backward glance.
“ jiù suàn zài zěn me bù jì ， huí cóng yún hǎi dāng gè kè qīng 、 yě shì tuǒ tuǒ de 。 bì jìng zhěng gè cóng yún hǎi ， yě bù guò zhǐ yǒu liǎng gè huà shén xiū shì zuò zhèn 。”
“就算再怎么不济，回丛云海当个客卿、也是妥妥的。毕竟整个丛云海，也不过只有两个化神修士坐镇。”
Zhao Xian did not follow him. Instead, he gave a meaningful smile before quietly entering the underground secret chamber to kneel before the faceless stone statue.
zhào xiàn nǎo hǎi zhōng chàng xiǎng zhe měi hǎo de wèi lái ， yǎn shén yù fā zhì rè 。
赵宪脑海中畅想着美好的未来，眼神愈发炙热。
"Senior Envoy, that white jade statue has been sold."
bù zhī guò le duō jiǔ ， diàn zhōng suǒ chén liè de yī jiàn shāng pǐn de chéng gōng shòu chū ， dùn shí jiāng zhào xiàn jīng xǐng 。
不知过了多久，店中所陈列的一件商品的成功售出，顿时将赵宪惊醒。
Even though this was not his first report, Zhao Xian's heart still raced with nervousness as he focused intently on his words.
nà shì kàn shì shí fēn pǔ tōng de yī zūn bái yù diāo xiàng 。 dān chún de zhuāng shì pǐn ， bìng méi yǒu fù jiā shén me tè shū de gōng néng 。 rú guǒ fēi yào shuō zhè bái yù diāo xiàng yǒu shén me tè bié de dì fāng ， nà me yīng gāi jiù shì diāo kè suǒ chéng de nǚ zǐ yàng mào le 。
那是看似十分普通的一尊白玉雕像。单纯的装饰品，并没有附加什么特殊的功能。如果非要说这白玉雕像有什么特别的地方，那么应该就是雕刻所成的女子样貌了。
After praying, he patiently waited. Soon, a cold voice echoed in his mind: "I know."
jué shì tiān yán ， xǔ xǔ rú shēng 。
绝世天颜，栩栩如生。
Silence followed for a moment, but Zhao Xian could sense the divine aura enveloping him and then dissipating. His cultivation level had unexpectedly increased significantly.
bù guò yīn wèi kāi jià guò yú lí pǔ ， gāo dá èr shí wàn gòng xiàn dù 。 suǒ yǐ zài diàn lǐ chén liè le zhěng zhěng liǎng nián duō ， dōu méi yǒu mài chū qù 。
不过因为开价过于离谱，高达二十万贡献度。所以在店里陈列了整整两年多，都没有卖出去。
Overjoyed, Zhao Xian quickly bowed several more times.
ér jīn tiān ， jū rán yǒu rén zhǔ dòng jiāng qí mǎi zǒu le 。 yào zhī dào ， zhè ge diāo xiàng kě shì guān shàng shǐ jiāo dài de rèn wù ！
而今天，居然有人主动将其买走了。要知道，这个雕像可事关上使交代的任务！
"Thanks to Senior Envoy's blessings, even with my mediocre abilities, I might achieve Transcendence within a century."
zhào xiàn qiáng yā xià xīn zhōng de jī dòng ， lián máng zǒu shàng qián qù ：“ dào yǒu qǐng liú bù ！”
赵宪强压下心中的激动，连忙走上前去：“道友请留步！”
"The so-called prodigies who strut around proudly are far inferior to me."
yī wèi shēn zhe hēi sè dào páo ， yǐn cáng zài yīn yǐng zhōng 、 kàn bù qīng róng mào de xiū shì jiǎo xià yī dùn 。
一位身着黑色道袍，隐藏在阴影中、看不清容貌的修士脚下一顿。
Zhao Xian felt an immense sense of satisfaction and took his duties in the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance more seriously.
bù guò tā bìng méi yǒu lǐ cǎi zhào xiàn ， ér shì tóu yě bù huí ， jìng zhí lí kāi le 。
不过他并没有理睬赵宪，而是头也不回，径直离开了。
...
zhào xiàn yě méi yǒu qù zhuī 。
赵宪也没有去追。
Spirit Wood Realm.
zhǐ shì lù chū le gè yì wèi shēn cháng de xiào róng ， qiǎo rán lái dào dì xià mì shì zhōng 。
只是露出了个意味深长的笑容，悄然来到地下密室中。
Li Fan had already pinpointed the location of the cultivator who bought the white jade statue.
guì bài zài liǎo wú miàn shí xiàng gēn qián 。
跪拜在了无面石像跟前。
"Turns out it was him, and he's still alive."
“ shàng shǐ ， nà ge bái yù diāo xiàng yǒu rén mǎi zǒu le 。”
“上使，那个白玉雕像有人买走了。”
Li Fan’s eyes easily penetrated the disguise of the cultivator. After cross-referencing with his mental list, Li Fan quickly identified the individual: Jia Yiyuan, a receptionist at the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance headquarters.
jí biàn yǐ jīng bú shì dì yī cì xiàng shàng shǐ huì bào gōng zuò le ， dàn zhào xiàn cǐ kè de nèi xīn yī jiù shí fēn jǐn zhāng 。 bì qì níng shén ， bù gǎn yǒu sī háo de zá niàn 。
即便已经不是第一次向上使汇报工作了，但赵宪此刻的内心依旧十分紧张。闭气凝神，不敢有丝毫的杂念。
During the time when the alliance headquarters experienced upheaval, it was Jia Yiyuan's duty shift.
zhào xiàn dǎo gào wán zhī hòu ， biàn nài xīn de děng dài 。
赵宪祷告完之后，便耐心的等待。
After the incident, Jia Yiyuan’s family had been erased from existence. A total of 342 Golden Core cultivators and above were all wiped out without exception. Jia Yiyuan himself vanished without a trace.
bù duō shí ， yī dào bīng lěng de shēng yīn zì nǎo hǎi zhōng xiǎng qǐ 。
不多时，一道冰冷的声音自脑海中想起。
Today, he unexpectedly appeared in Nine Mountain State.
“ wǒ zhī dào le 。”
“我知道了。”
After some thought, Li Fan understood why he would purchase the white jade statue.
zhǐ yī jù hòu ， biàn zài wú shēng xī 。
只一句后，便再无声息。
The statue was crafted by Li Fan, with no special features. However, the woman depicted on it held significant importance; she was one of many individuals Li Fan had secretly investigated over the years.
dàn zhào xiàn què néng mǐn ruì de chá jué dào le lǒng zhào zài zì jǐ shēn shàng de shén shèng qì xī jiàng lín yòu xiāo shī 。
但赵宪却能敏锐的察觉到了笼罩在自己身上的神圣气息降临又消失。
Following the upheaval at the alliance headquarters, a bloody purge ensued. Countless cultivators were punished, and even innocent ones fell victim to this slaughter.
ér zì jǐ de xiū wèi què shì háo wú zhēng zhào de měng rán zhǎng le yī jié 。
而自己的修为却是毫无征兆的猛然长了一截。
But where there is oppression, there is resistance. Some cultivators within the alliance did not sit idly by as these atrocities unfolded; instead, they extended aid to the innocent.
xǐ yuè zhī qíng ， yì yú yán biǎo 。 zhào xiàn lián máng yòu kòu le shù gè xiǎng tóu 。
喜悦之情，溢于言表。赵宪连忙又扣了数个响头。
Despite the high pressure from the alliance's pursuit, they managed to save numerous lives. The woman depicted on the statue was one of these "saviors."
“ yǒu shàng shǐ shǎng cì ēn dé ， jiù suàn yǐ wǒ de zī zhì ， kǒng pà yě néng bǎi nián nèi huà shén le 。”
“有上使赏赐恩德，就算以我的资质，恐怕也能百年内化神了。”
She appeared out of nowhere, with the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance knowing nothing about her life. Yet she had deep knowledge of the alliance, able to anticipate secret orders before their issuance and rescue people from impending execution.
“ nà xiē píng rì lǐ zhǐ gāo qì yáng de suǒ wèi tiān jiāo men ， yě yuǎn bù rú wǒ 。”
“那些平日里趾高气扬的所谓天骄们，也远不如我。”
The alliance was furious, offering bounties for her capture but never succeeding in finding her. Even her appearance remained a mystery.
zhào xiàn xīn zhōng dé yì wàn fēn ， duì wàn jiè lián hé huì nèi de shì wù ， gèng jiā rèn zhēn duì dài qǐ lái 。
赵宪心中得意万分，对万界联合会内的事务，更加认真对待起来。
Li Fan knew what she looked like because he had searched the mind of one of those she saved. Unfortunately, that cultivator did not know much about his savior either.
……
……
In his mind, Li Fan saw only an image of unparalleled beauty. (End of Chapter)
Nine Mountain State.
After five years of development, this state within the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, which was once the only free trade zone, had undergone a remarkable transformation. What used to be an uninhabited wilderness now teemed with prosperity and bustling activity. The continuous plains were filled with the dwellings of cultivators, surrounding the central Nine Mountain Trading City.
The city had expanded several times over, its scale nearly tenfold from its initial state but still couldn't meet the growing trade demands. Every new arrival in the city was brimming with excitement and curiosity, lost in the myriad of goods on display.
Zhao Xian knelt before a shadowy faceless stone statue, respectfully paying his respects. He then exited the secret chamber, opened his shop door, and began his first business transaction after completing his inventory.
Without needing to actively promote it, customers soon filled the store as they shopped for various items. The prices were clearly marked, allowing cultivators to purchase what they needed without any haggling, as goods in Nine Mountain State often sold out almost immediately upon being listed.
This was partly due to the fact that all items available for sale here were unique to each state's specialties. But the fundamental reason lay elsewhere...
Maintaining a broad smile on his face, Zhao Xian sighed inwardly: "No wonder everyone wants to come to Nine Mountain State. They say it’s like lying in a pigsty and making money, and that’s exactly what I’m experiencing."
"Three years ago, the function of the Heavenly Mirror suddenly shut down, preventing free trade among cultivators. However, with the demand for trade still present, five major trading cities emerged within a short period to replace the mirror's functions."
"This Nine Mountain State is one of the largest, with the most diverse range of goods."
"Not only do cultivators from various states come here to trade, but members of the Five Elders Association also sell their specialties and purchase items."
Observing the constant stream of people in his store, Zhao Xian felt a deep sense of gratitude: "Thanks to Senior Envoy's help, I wouldn't have been able to buy property in such a small state like Cunyun Sea."
Even though half of his profits had to be turned over, he was still making much faster progress compared to back home.
"Within ten years, not only will I pay off all my debts, but I'll also be able to purchase the Transcendent Art and the [Heavenly Changes] at a discount through the Alliance!"
"With the potential for becoming an Immortal, my future status will be vastly different."
"Even if things don't go well, I can still become a guest scholar in Cunyun Sea. After all, there are only two Transcendent cultivators stationed there."
Zhao Xian's thoughts turned to his bright future as his eyes grew more intense.
After an unknown amount of time, the successful sale of one item in his store startled Zhao Xian awake. It was a seemingly ordinary white jade statue—a mere decoration with no special functions attached. The only thing noteworthy about it was its lifelike depiction of a woman's face.
However, due to its exorbitant price tag—twenty thousand contribution points—it had remained unsold for over two years in the store.
Today, someone had actually purchased it. This statue was related to an important task given by Senior Envoy!
Zhao Xian forcibly suppressed his excitement and hurriedly approached: "Friend, please wait!"
A cultivator wearing a black Daoist robe, hidden in the shadows, paused but ignored Zhao Xian's plea, leaving without a backward glance.
Zhao Xian did not follow him. Instead, he gave a meaningful smile before quietly entering the underground secret chamber to kneel before the faceless stone statue.
"Senior Envoy, that white jade statue has been sold."
Even though this was not his first report, Zhao Xian's heart still raced with nervousness as he focused intently on his words.
After praying, he patiently waited. Soon, a cold voice echoed in his mind: "I know."
Silence followed for a moment, but Zhao Xian could sense the divine aura enveloping him and then dissipating. His cultivation level had unexpectedly increased significantly.
Overjoyed, Zhao Xian quickly bowed several more times.
"Thanks to Senior Envoy's blessings, even with my mediocre abilities, I might achieve Transcendence within a century."
"The so-called prodigies who strut around proudly are far inferior to me."
Zhao Xian felt an immense sense of satisfaction and took his duties in the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance more seriously.
...
Spirit Wood Realm.
Li Fan had already pinpointed the location of the cultivator who bought the white jade statue.
"Turns out it was him, and he's still alive."
Li Fan’s eyes easily penetrated the disguise of the cultivator. After cross-referencing with his mental list, Li Fan quickly identified the individual: Jia Yiyuan, a receptionist at the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance headquarters.
During the time when the alliance headquarters experienced upheaval, it was Jia Yiyuan's duty shift.
After the incident, Jia Yiyuan’s family had been erased from existence. A total of 342 Golden Core cultivators and above were all wiped out without exception. Jia Yiyuan himself vanished without a trace.
Today, he unexpectedly appeared in Nine Mountain State.
After some thought, Li Fan understood why he would purchase the white jade statue.
The statue was crafted by Li Fan, with no special features. However, the woman depicted on it held significant importance; she was one of many individuals Li Fan had secretly investigated over the years.
Following the upheaval at the alliance headquarters, a bloody purge ensued. Countless cultivators were punished, and even innocent ones fell victim to this slaughter.
But where there is oppression, there is resistance. Some cultivators within the alliance did not sit idly by as these atrocities unfolded; instead, they extended aid to the innocent.
Despite the high pressure from the alliance's pursuit, they managed to save numerous lives. The woman depicted on the statue was one of these "saviors."
She appeared out of nowhere, with the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance knowing nothing about her life. Yet she had deep knowledge of the alliance, able to anticipate secret orders before their issuance and rescue people from impending execution.
The alliance was furious, offering bounties for her capture but never succeeding in finding her. Even her appearance remained a mystery.
Li Fan knew what she looked like because he had searched the mind of one of those she saved. Unfortunately, that cultivator did not know much about his savior either.
In his mind, Li Fan saw only an image of unparalleled beauty. (End of Chapter)