Cultivation: I can solidify equipment attributes

Chapter 511 Invitation to the Pill Gathering

When Li Yuan's escape light landed outside the east gate of Qinghe Market, the scene inside and outside the market had changed again compared to his last visit.

The new commercial street at the end of the main east street is now fully operational, with two rows of three-story wooden and stone buildings lining the street, boasting wide storefronts and neat signs. The two side alleys extending south have also been expanded, with storage areas, inns, and secluded retreat rooms clearly categorized and laid out.

Li Yuan walked around the main street.

The number of shops has exceeded eighty, more than a dozen more than at the time of the auction. The fifteen branches of the Mingyuan Chamber of Commerce are located in the core areas of the main street and the new commercial street, with the largest storefronts, the most complete range of goods, and a constant stream of cultivators coming and going.

Li Yuan paused for a moment in front of a crafting materials shop owned by the Mingyuan Chamber of Commerce, observing the flow of customers.

Inside the shop, six or seven cultivators were selecting materials, while the shop assistants behind the counter were extremely busy. Three more cultivators were waiting at the door, whispering amongst themselves about the latest market prices for spiritual materials.

The fifteen branches of the Chamber of Commerce brought in more than three times the customer traffic of other shops. Stable supply, prices 10-20% lower than individual merchants, and a complete range of products—these three advantages combined were extremely attractive to independent cultivators. Once drawn to the Chamber of Commerce's shops, these cultivators would also browse other shops along the way, revitalizing the entire market's customer flow.

Meanwhile, the Mingyuan Chamber of Commerce's unbranded shops are also operating. These shops are not truly unbranded, but rather have signs with other names.

After walking along the main street, Li Yuan turned into the south side alley.

The shops deep in the alley had small storefronts and inconspicuous signs, and few people went in or out. But Li Yuan knew that the basements of these shops were connected to the black market trading area.

A sweep of divine sense revealed a dozen or so cultivators engaged in a transaction. The fluctuations of spiritual energy were very low, and their auras varied, with several bearing obvious traces of demonic energy.

The black market wasn't large, and its foot traffic couldn't compare to that of the open commercial streets. But Xu Zhang managed it well; the transactions were orderly, and there had never been any trouble.

The initial flow of people in the black market was formed by Xu Zhang having people impersonate demonic cultivators to create a trading circle.

Li Yuan withdrew his divine sense and continued walking forward.

The three-layered defensive array system surrounding the market was operating stably. The detection array, early warning array, and protection array were nested in three layers, with unobstructed spiritual energy circulation. The automatic analysis capability after the permanent Myriad Manifestations Retrospection was enabled to push every detail of the array's operation to the front end of consciousness, making node connections, spiritual energy consumption, and coverage area all clearly visible.

No exception.

After completing his inspection, Li Yuan entered the steward's office of the ward master's residence.

Xu Zhang was already waiting inside, with several documents and a stack of records spread out on the table.

"Master." Xu Zhang stood up and handed over the top document.

"This is a summary of last month's accounts."

Li Yuan took the document and glanced at it.

The monthly income from spirit stones was much higher than expected. Shop rent, transaction tax, black market commission, and guild share all added up to far exceed the income of the Misty Forest Market during the same period.

Qinghe Market has a superior geographical location compared to Wulin Market, situated on a major transportation route in central Liangzhou, where independent cultivators and merchant caravans from both the north and south pass through. Furthermore, with the large-scale entry of the Tianyue Sect into Liangzhou, the activity of cultivators throughout the province has surged, naturally leading to a significant increase in the market's customer traffic.

Li Yuan put the document down.

"What's been going on lately?"

Xu Zhang sat back down in his chair and opened the records.

"There are a few things."

"First, the influx of independent cultivators is faster than expected. In the past month, the number of independent cultivators registered for long-term residence in the market has increased by nearly 40%. Most of them are those who withdrew from the Yuan Yang Sect's territory. After the Yuan Yang Sect was besieged, the independent cultivators who were originally affiliated with the Yuan Yang Sect lost their backing and needed to find a new place to settle down. Qinghe Market has defensive formations, merchant guild channels, and the cost of spirit stones is not too high, making it a good choice for them."

Li Yuan nodded.

"The second thing," Xu Zhang's tone became cautious, "is that the shop owner surnamed Fang from the South China Sea Travel Service has left."

"When did you leave?"

"Two days ago. The shop closed down, and everything was moved out. They left under the cover of night. I sent someone to follow them, but they lost them."

"Where have they gone?"

"I don't know." Xu Zhang shook his head. "However, our informant in the black market sent back a message. In the half month before he left, this guy surnamed Fang not only inquired about the remnants and relics of ancient sects in the shops that were openly owned, but he also asked several people in the black market. His method of inquiry was more direct than that of the shops that were openly owned. He specifically sought out those dealers who traded spiritual materials of unknown origin, asking if anyone had any remnants of ancient sects, fragments of magical artifacts, or old items engraved with sect patterns."

Li Yuan didn't speak, he just nodded.

"The third thing." Xu Zhang picked up a letter from the table and handed it over.

"It was handed over by the Mingyuan Chamber of Commerce."

Li Yuan took the letter and unfolded it.

The letter was printed on high-quality paper, made of spirit silkworm silk, with ink stains carrying faint spiritual energy fluctuations. It was not an ordinary message, but a formal invitation.

The letter was sent by Baijingfang City.

Brief Summary: Baijing Market will host a Golden Core level alchemist gathering early next month. Several third-tier alchemists will participate in the exchange, including alchemists from the sea. A trade fair will also be held during the gathering, inviting Golden Core cultivators from all over to participate.

At the end of the invitation was a line of small print, handwritten by the president of the Mingyuan Chamber of Commerce: If Master Li is interested, the Chamber of Commerce can reply on his behalf to confirm his participation.

Xu Zhang said from the side, "When the people from the Chamber of Commerce delivered this letter, they also asked if Master Li had any expertise in alchemy. I didn't say much, only that Master Li would consider it himself."

The Chamber of Commerce was unaware that they were third-tier alchemists.

Li Yuan carefully put away the invitation.

The Golden Core level alchemist gathering. All attendees are third-tier alchemists, with cultivators from the sea region also participating; the number of attendees should be considerable.

This is a good opportunity.

Firstly, it allows me to meet other third-tier alchemists and understand the current market conditions and technical levels of third-tier pills. Secondly, the Pill Gathering will inevitably involve a large volume of pill-making material transactions, providing an opportunity to purchase some scarce auxiliary materials for third-tier pill refining. Thirdly, White Mirror Market is one of the largest markets in Liangzhou, and I hadn't had a chance to explore it thoroughly the last time I visited.

"I'm replying to confirm my participation," Li Yuan said.

Xu Zhang nodded, put away the letter, and prepared to contact the Chamber of Commerce.

"There's one more thing," Li Yuan called out to him.

Xu Zhang turned around.

"Prepare a batch of third-tier alchemy auxiliary materials; I'll give you the list later. Also, acquire a batch of materials for Heavenly Origin Pills; I'll take them with me."

"clear."

After Xu Zhang left, Li Yuan sat in the steward's room for a while.

The Pill Gathering is at the beginning of next month, which is more than half a month away. During this time, the daily progress of making talismans to advance the permanent control of the Ink Spirit must not be interrupted, and the refinement of the natal magic weapon must also continue. Arrange the things at hand before setting off, so that you can focus on participating in the Pill Gathering and the Trade Fair when you arrive at White Mirror Market.

Li Yuan got up, walked out of the steward's office, and headed to the seclusion room in Qinghefang Market.

As I passed through the new commercial street, my gaze swept over the former storefront of Nanhaixing. The doors were tightly shut, and the plain white plaque bearing the three characters "Nanhaixing" above the door had been removed. The storefront was empty; through the crack in the door, I could see that all the shelves had been moved, leaving only a few bare wooden stakes.

Li Yuan withdrew his gaze and continued walking forward.