The colossal path of azure bluestone was perfectly smooth. Flanking the path were pre-planned, uniformly constructed houses—all built in the same style, presenting a unified sense of austere beauty.

On either side stood shops of every description, all built impressively grand, as befitted a mid-tier Cultivator Market. Not only were spirit swords traded here, but also mid-sized and even large spirit beasts.

While the architecture, the eaves, and the structures possessed distinct features, subtle, highly ethereal designs—as if placed purely for ornamentation—could be found in the smaller corners. Here, one often saw immortal bamboos, or the shop names inscribed on long plaques were rendered in script so elegant and otherworldly it clearly distinguished them from the common storefronts of the mortal world.

Lu Yuan surveyed the surroundings, noting many things that caught his eye, but first, he needed to sell off his spoils of war—the trophies taken from places like the Asura's Horn. As a rule, at the very end of every Cultivator Market, there was always one shop that purchased such spoils.

These establishments were backed by the Great Jin Dynasty itself, and even the Five Great Immortal Sects. Right, these specific shops were uniformly known as Demon Hunting Establishments.

Lu Yuan and Meng Bai headed straight for the Demon Hunting Establishment, located at the far end of the entire market. This shop was built immensely large, and a banner at the entrance displayed characters proclaiming “Hunter*…” written with a vigorous, sweeping hand—a style of calligraphy both majestic and wild, capturing the fierce spirit of slaying fiends and demons.

It was rumored that these characters were penned by Lie Qianqiu, the current Alliance Master of the Five Immortal Alliance. Lie Qianqiu was indeed a formidable figure in the cultivation world of the Great Jin Kingdom—originally hailing from the South Sea Immortal Sect, though for various reasons, he now stood perpetually on the brink of total severance from them.

This man was famous for his passion for hunting demons, and his wife had also perished at the hands of such creatures. Naturally, after that tragedy, Lie Qianqiu’s hatred for demons intensified, leading him to exterminate them everywhere he went.

Furthermore, this man once fought Yan Cangtian for a thousand moves before finally being defeated. Anyone capable of lasting a thousand exchanges with Yan Cangtian was unequivocally a top-tier master within the Great Jin Kingdom.

Lie Qianqiu was likely the third-ranked Grandmaster in the Kingdom, though without direct confrontation, the exact hierarchy among these supreme masters remained uncertain. Unless, like Yan Cangtian, one challenged their way upward until no one could stand against them—only then would their status as the Great Jin Kingdom’s undisputed number one be confirmed.

Setting aside such matters, they entered the Demon Hunting Establishment. This establishment was quite spacious, housing several cultivators inside.

Upon seeing Lu Yuan and Meng Bai enter, the cultivators seated within barely stirred themselves. Although these regulars were cultivators, they had long since adopted the habits of merchants—their eyes were sharp, immediately discerning that Lu Yuan and Meng Bai were far too young.

Being so young, they couldn't possibly have slain many high-level demons. Consequently, these two youths wouldn't possess much in the way of valuable spoils.

Naturally, the reception they received lacked enthusiasm. Lu Yuan paid it no mind and was about to present his spoils when a burst of laughter echoed: “Oh, isn’t that Junior Brother Lu?

Long time no see.” Lu Yuan turned back. A large group of people surrounded one individual, moving like a constellation revolving around a brilliant star.

As the group drew closer, they recognized the face: Zhao Qiankun, the foremost True Disciple of the Kunlun Immortal Sect. Others were recognizable too, such as Zhao Han, and Huang Yun, who now seemed to trail permanently in the wake of someone as promising as Zhao Qiankun, no doubt having perfected the art of flattery.

Truly, one meets acquaintances everywhere; here was Zhao Qiankun again. However, Lu Yuan never expected Zhao Qiankun to be so forward in greeting him.

Zhao Qiankun entered the Demon Hunting Establishment and laughed heartily: “Junior Brother Lu, you’ve come to sell demon spoils too? Excellent timing.

I’ve also come to liquidate my demon trophies. I wonder if the spoils in Junior Brother Lu’s hands can match mine?” He laughed again, his tone brimming with confidence.

Zhao Qiankun had recently been training in the underground regions. His luck there had been extraordinary; he stumbled upon a massive opportunity that yielded a huge haul of demon spoils, much of it seemingly handed to him.

He was just about to enter the Demon Hunting Establishment to exchange them for spirit stones when he bumped into Lu Yuan. Encountering Lu Yuan immediately piqued his interest.

He certainly had no desire to fight Lu Yuan again; he knew well that he was far from Lu Yuan’s match. It must be said that although Lu Yuan often resided lazily on the North Peak, seldom descending the mountain, his reputation throughout the Great Jin cultivation world was immense.

Now, everyone knew Lu Yuan was the premier figure among the tenth-generation True Disciples, possessing formidable strength. The moment Zhao Qiankun saw Lu Yuan, countless thoughts flashed through his mind.

Having been thoroughly defeated by Lu Yuan once, he harbored significant resentment. He mused internally: Now I have a vast quantity of demon spoils, and I happen to be in the Demon Hunting Establishment.

If I compete with Lu Yuan, and my spoils surpass his in quantity, I can simultaneously quell the humiliation of losing to him previously and dramatically boost my own reputation. Surpassing Lu Yuan, the recognized strongest among the Great Jin’s younger generation—what an honor that would be!

Moreover, Zhao Zhi, the second-ranked True Disciple of the tenth generation at the Kunlun Immortal Sect, had been aggressively rising in prominence lately, making Zhao Qiankun’s position difficult to maintain. If he could trump Lu Yuan now, overshadowing him, it would provide a significant advantage in his rivalry with Zhao Zhi.

In that instant, Zhao Qiankun formulated this stratagem, aiming for a tripartite gain. Lu Yuan paused, realizing he was being provoked.

Zhao Qiankun continued from where he stood: “When we were in the Tenth Sub-Hall, there was a Patrol Leader named Gongyang Sanguang; rumor has it he was quite fond of gambling. Sometimes, I enjoy a little wager myself.

How about this, Junior Brother Lu, we bet on who has the greater quantity and quality of demon spoils? Surely Junior Brother Lu isn't afraid to gamble?

It’s not a large stake—just two hundred spirit stones.” Lu Yuan smiled. He possessed an incredible abundance of demon spoils: those collected during his time in the Tenth Sub-Hall, those from the Seventh Sub-Hall, and the massive haul from the battle at the Seventh Branch Fortress.

For Zhao Qiankun to challenge him specifically on the quantity of demon trophies was laughable. Clearly, this Zhao Qiankun sought a victory over him to publicly shame him.

Fine, Lu Yuan thought, though I usually maintain a detached disposition, if someone tries to slap my face, it’s simply not my nature to fail to slap back. Humans possess this peculiar psychology: the moment gambling is mentioned, interest flares.

It wasn't to the extreme of Gongyang Sanguang, who insisted on stripping everyone down to their last possession for satisfaction, but it wasn't far off. The cultivators within the Demon Hunting Establishment instantly shed their earlier lethargy; a two-hundred-spirit-stone wager was no small sum.

“Asura's Horn: seventeen pieces from the Qi Refining stage, eight pieces from the Body Tempering stage.” Hearing this, the shopkeeper of the Demon Hunting Establishment froze, then looked at Zhao Qiankun again. This young man is quite formidable, isn't he?

Eight pieces of Body Tempering stage Asura’s Horn! Body Tempering stage trophies are notoriously hard to acquire.

“Sand Demon Bone Spikes: six pieces from the Qi Refining stage, two from the Body Tempering stage.” The Sand Demon Bone Spikes were also highly valuable; surprisingly, Zhao Qiankun had so many. “Earth Demon Bone Spikes: seven pieces from the Qi Refining stage, three from the Body Tempering stage…” The Earth Demon Bone Spikes were no less precious.

“Flame Orbs: four pieces…” Only Body Tempering stage Flame Yakshas condensed Flame Orbs; four was quite impressive. “Earthwalker Spider Shells: five from the Qi Refining stage, three from the Body Tempering stage.” These were the shells of the Earthwalker Spiders.

“Scarlet Sand Swords: five blades…” “Earth Swords: three blades.” “Earthwalker Spider Soldier Weapons: twenty-one pieces.” “Asura Bone Sabers: seventeen pieces…” “Two mid-sized Earth-elemental spirit beasts, eight small ones.” “Three mid-sized Sand-elemental beasts, ten small ones.” As the shopkeeper read off the spoils, he gasped audibly. So many… so many trophies.

He hadn't expected such a young cultivator to possess such a vast collection. Normally, it would be incredibly difficult for someone so young to acquire these items.

He couldn't help but wonder how this young man managed it. (Incidentally, items like the Scarlet Sand Swords could be sold at other shops, though the Demon Hunting Establishment accepted them too; the choice was up to the seller.) As the shopkeeper recited the list of demon spoils, Meng Bai was visibly shaken, and Zhao Qiankun’s followers erupted in cheers.

“See that? That’s our Senior Brother!” “Senior Brother is truly mighty!

So many demon spoils!” “Yes, yes, I never thought there would be this many!” “Senior Brother is truly the paragon of slaying fiends and eradicating evil—acting on behalf of Heaven!” “Senior Brother is truly amazing!” “Senior Brother is invincible!” The entourage surrounding Zhao Qiankun specialized in flattery; once they began, the praise came in a relentless torrent. Zhao Qiankun felt utterly exhilarated.

In truth, the majority of these spoils came from a single, dying Body Tempering Seventh Layer cultivator he had chanced upon during his recent subterranean venture. These trophies were overwhelming in quantity; just the spoils from Body Tempering stage demons numbered around twenty items alone.

With Zhao Qiankun's own strength, felling even one Body Tempering stage demon was a huge effort, let alone twenty. He was well aware of Lu Yuan’s formidable capability, but Lu Yuan had only been underground for about two months; how could he possibly have accumulated so many spoils?

By defeating Lu Yuan this time, he could secure widespread fame, making his name known across the land, with Lu Yuan serving merely as his stepping stone. I am truly brilliant, he thought, despite my inferior strength to Lu Yuan, I can leverage circumstance to make him my stepping stone.

I truly am a strategist capable of plotting the downfall of nations. Zhao Qiankun grew increasingly pleased with himself.

Zhao Qiankun looked toward Lu Yuan, and now most of the others turned their attention to him as well. Given the sheer volume of spoils Zhao Qiankun displayed, even the famously renowned Lu Yuan was likely to lose.

Zhao Qiankun was inwardly triumphant, while his subordinates were already strategizing what kind of superlative praise they would use later to make Senior Brother Zhao the happiest.