Chapter 9: The Market
In the following days, Lin Daofeng continued his routine within the spiritual field.
Outwardly, nothing changed, but within, his perception had deepened. The more time he spent among the spiritual plants, the clearer that faint connection became. It no longer required deliberate focus; it existed naturally beneath his awareness.
With the spirit vine, he could sense the condition of spiritual plants more clearly—the flow of qi within them, their balance, even faint traces of instability. At times, when he focused, he could perceive vague impressions. Not words, but something close—discomfort, weakness, stability. It was subtle and fragmented, not something he could rely on completely, yet it was enough.
Because of this, his efficiency improved. His actions became more precise, no longer relying on guesswork. When adjusting soil or guiding qi, he instinctively chose the correct approach. The plants under his care gradually became more stable than others.
Even Daoxin noticed. "You're adapting quickly," he remarked one afternoon.
Daofeng simply nodded. He did not explain.
The Spiritual Rain Technique, he continued practicing daily. Progress was slow, but steady. More importantly, he did not use the droplet again. The change in the peach tree had already drawn attention. A second anomaly would not pass unnoticed. That single use had been a calculated risk. Now, restraint was more important than progress.
Two months passed quietly. The rhythm of the spiritual field remained unchanged—work, observation, cultivation. Yet beneath that routine, Daofeng's understanding continued to grow.
One day, Lin Daoxin approached him. "I'm heading to the market tomorrow. Do you need anything?"
Daofeng paused briefly. "…Seeds. Low-grade spiritual plant seeds."
Daoxin nodded. "Then come along."
The next morning, they departed. A flying sword rose beneath their feet as the wind brushed past. The spiritual field shrank below, blending into the vast expanse of Qingshan Mountain.
Daofeng stood steady. This was not his first time riding a flying sword, but he still observed carefully—the balance, the flow of qi, the precision required. Flight was not simply movement; it was control.
They traveled for nearly half a day. Mountains passed beneath them, forests stretching endlessly. Occasionally, scattered settlements appeared, small and distant.
Eventually, the outline of a settlement emerged.
Green City Market.
It was not large, but it was stable and structured. Built upon a second-tier low-grade spiritual vein, it allowed continuous activity without attracting excessive attention. Loose cultivators gathered here, often renting nearby caves.
The market was jointly maintained by four foundation families—the Lin, Chu, Ye, and Han families. A Foundation Establishment cultivator was always stationed here, with responsibility rotating among them. Above all stood the Azure Cloud Sect, taking half of all profits.
Entry required one low-grade spiritual stone. Fighting was prohibited. Under these rules, stability was maintained.
They descended near the entrance and entered after paying.
The streets were lively. Voices overlapped, movement filled every direction, yet everything remained controlled. No chaos. No disorder.
Daofeng's gaze moved across the crowd—loose cultivators, clan members, merchants. Some cautious, some confident, some desperate.
They made their way toward the center, where several large buildings stood prominently. Among them was the Lin Family Spirit Hall.
From the outside, the structure was imposing yet refined. Formation patterns lined the edges, maintaining stability. Inside, the atmosphere shifted—the noise softened, and order became clear.
Shelves lined the walls, displaying herbs, pills, talismans, weapons, and manuals. Everything was organized. Disciples moved calmly, assisting customers.
At the counter, a young clan member stood. "Cousin," Daoxin greeted.
Daofeng nodded slightly.
After a brief exchange, they were led upstairs. The third floor was quieter, with a spiritual gathering formation maintaining dense qi.
A man stood near the window—Lin Yuntian, ninth layer of Qi Refining, a first-order high-grade alchemist.
"Uncle," Daoxin greeted.
"What brings you here?"
"Buying seeds."
Yuntian's gaze shifted to Daofeng. "…For field work?"
"Yes."
"Third layer," Yuntian said. "You've just started."
Daofeng remained silent.
"Don't rush into purchasing blindly," Yuntian continued. "Understand the market first." He glanced at Daoxin. "Take him around."
Daoxin shrugged. "You go ahead. I'll stay here."
Yuntian nodded, then looked at Daofeng again. "Observe more. Prices, quality, differences. Only then choose."
Daofeng nodded. "Understood."
He turned and left.
The moment he stepped back into the market, the atmosphere shifted again—noise, movement, life.
Stalls lined both sides of the street. Loose cultivators displayed goods, some genuine, some questionable.
Daofeng walked slowly, his gaze moving across items—seeds, herbs, tools.
At one stall, small packets of seeds were laid out. Their aura was faint and uneven. He paused briefly and extended his perception.
Through the vine, he sensed them—weak, inconsistent. Some viable, some nearly dead.
"…Not all usable."
He moved on.
Another stall offered better quality—more stable qi, but higher price. He noted it silently.
As he continued walking, his thoughts shifted inward. The vine remained steady, absorbing faint traces of essence from the surroundings. But compared to the spiritual field, the difference was clear.
Here, the essence was scattered.
Diluted.
Its absorption had slowed.
He focused briefly.
No droplet had formed.
Only a faint, continuous accumulation.
"…Still forming."
Based on the previous accumulation and current rate, the conclusion became clear.
"…Around six months."
A long time.
That single droplet had not been easily obtained. It was the result of steady accumulation, not something he could rely on frequently.
Which meant its usage had to be controlled.
Even more than before.
His previous action, though successful, had been risky. Now he understood that clearly.
He shifted his attention back to the market.
Nothing here could replace it.
Nothing could replicate it.
That made it both valuable and dangerous.
He continued walking, observing, comparing, evaluating.
This was different from the clan. There, resources were structured. Here, everything required judgment.
And judgment carried risk.
As he moved deeper into the market, the variety increased—rare herbs, unfamiliar materials, tools with unclear functions.
Some items attracted attention.
Others remained ignored.
Daofeng did not get distracted. He maintained a steady pace, calm and observant.
This was his first real look at the cultivation world beyond the clan.
Not grand.
But real.
And within that reality, he saw something clearly.
Strength alone was not enough.
Understanding was equally important.
Step by step, he observed.
And quietly, he began to understand.