A figure shrouded entirely in black robes, Lei Dong's face was completely obscured, occasional wisps of chilling ghostly energy emanating from him, keeping people at a distance. Hands clasped behind his back, he strolled through the market. Trailing him was a somewhat obsequious cultivator at the sixth level of the Qi Refining stage, a man in his forties or fifties, clearly possessing a street-smart agility. He bowed and scraped, ceaselessly briefing Lei Dong on the affairs of this Black Mountain Market.

"Senior, this Splendid Pavilion is one of the largest establishments in Black Mountain Market, specializing in implements. The first and second floors house magical artifacts; the third and fourth are for spiritual artifacts. I haven't been to the floors above, but obviously, they sell potent magical treasures." Merely speaking of spiritual artifacts and magical treasures made the Qi Refining cultivator’s face flash with envy. He paused, then lowered his voice: "I've heard the true proprietor behind this establishment is a current Deacon of the Yin Sha Sect. No one dares cause trouble in this shop."

Lei Dong did not stop, continuing forward. He let the garrulous Qi Refining cultivator drone on. This informant, hired by him, had been hustling in the Black Mountain Market for over twenty years. Despite his low cultivation, the sheer time spent scrambling meant he knew the Black Mountain Market like the back of his hand. Paying a hundred spirit stones for a day’s service from this man was proving quite worthwhile; every significant and minor event, the background of every shop’s manager or assistant, was laid bare. He even knew clearly who was secretly involved with whom, and when those affairs were exposed.

Though the market wasn't vast, it was compact and comprehensive. There were no fewer than dozens of shops dedicated solely to magical artifacts, large and small. Furthermore, following the market's tradition, a dedicated street and a plaza had been set aside for cultivators to set up temporary stalls. For a single spirit stone a day, one shouldn't scoff at that income. By day's end, it yielded several hundred spirit stones, sometimes over a thousand. After operating costs were deducted over a year, the market owners certainly amassed over a hundred thousand spirit stones in revenue. Yet, what the owners valued more than that mere sum was the human traffic; setting aside this space for vendors was the best way to draw crowds, making the entire market vibrant.

Of course, these figures were painstakingly gathered by the Qi Refining cultivator Lei Dong hired—a man surnamed Liu—who had secretly observed the market daily for a year. As the saying goes, one relies on the mountain for sustenance, and the water for living. This cultivator, Liu, relied on this very market for his livelihood. Anyone operating here long enough, he knew them all. His primary income came from observing strangers, ingratiating himself, and discerning what they needed. Then, he would seize the moment to subtly nudge them toward purchasing items at a specific store, earning a commission himself. Usually, he hung around the market stalls because that was where the most people gathered, and there was always a chance to find a hidden bargain. Over time, this work sharpened his instincts, forging a pair of Fiery Eyes.

"Senior, while there are genuine goods at these stalls, there are far more fakes. If one is momentarily careless and greedy for a bargain, they will suffer a great loss," Cultivator Liu whispered, warning Lei Dong. Seeing that Lei Dong appeared somewhat perplexed, he continued: "Look at that crippled man over there? He isn't actually lame; his legs are quite agile. Today he is a cripple, tomorrow a blind man—in short, he changes his entire guise daily. Even if he scams a wealthy mark today, tomorrow he'll adopt a new disguise, and no one will recognize him. Moreover, people who make a living this way rarely stay long in one market. The sky is open to all birds; where can they not fly? Once they rake in a significant sum, they pack up and leave immediately."

"Heh, I've learned something new," Lei Dong chuckled, his hands still clasped behind his back. He casually crouched at a stall, picked up a bottle of pills, and upon opening it, saw a swirling plume of hazy energy, which made him laugh again: "A Minor Hazy Spirit Elixir? How audacious?" He sniffed it—the scent was vastly different from the genuine article.

The stall owner immediately managed a dry laugh, his face pale, and admitted honestly: "Senior, this is a replica, a high-grade fake."

The veteran stall operators were the best judges of character. Someone like Lei Dong clearly wasn't one to be trifled with. Furthermore, his air of inscrutable depth and his imposing spiritual pressure felt like he could crush the owner with one hand. Against such individuals, these peddlers invariably kept a respectful distance, never daring to pass off fakes as real.

Lei Dong laughed softly and dropped the bottle, his eyes sweeping across the stall. Tsk, tsk, the wares were certainly numerous: Beast Charms, Jade Slips, Elixirs, Talismans, Magical Artifacts, medicinal herbs, beast bones—a dazzling array. Many items, at a quick glance, looked authentic enough to fool the unwary. He shook his head with amusement; indeed, people of every station possessed the innate instinct and methods for survival.

Those types were relatively honest. There were others who deliberately dressed like naive newcomers setting up a stall for the first time, selling rare items imperceptible to ordinary folk, specifically targeting arrogant fools who thought they were clever enough to pick up a treasure and strike it rich.

Naturally, Lei Dong merely observed these things; he held little true interest. Markets with such long histories usually offered few vacant spots for serious picking. However, this world was fundamentally a realm where the weak were prey to the strong, and the victor was king. Lei Dong’s gaze settled on a shop specializing in elixirs at a corner with high foot traffic.

The reason was simple: the location was excellent, and the shop was attainable. Liu had just mentioned that this establishment originally belonged to a local family whose patriarch was at the late stage of Foundation Establishment. With a peak Foundation Establishment cultivator protecting them, naturally, few dared to harbor ill intentions. But fate had intervened: that peak Foundation Establishment cultivator had recently suffered a demonic deviation while attempting to reach the Golden Core stage, exploding his meridians and dying instantly. The family still possessed two other Foundation Establishment cultivators, true, but one was only at the fourth level, and the other had only recently ascended. Consequently, many covetous parties had begun eyeing this well-situated shop.

They were currently pressuring the family to sell the property at a reduced price.

Of course, now Lei Dong was also in the running. According to Little Liu, several shop owners with considerable backing were planning to acquire this shop. But in Lei Dong's view, these competitors posed no significant threat; they could all be elbowed aside. The one with the most powerful backing was currently the Deputy Head of the Yin Sha Sect's Great Ding State branch—a formidable cultivator at the late Foundation Establishment stage, but already quite old, past eighty years of age.

Lei Dong had considered the matter: seizing a shop from someone else might invite violent conflict. But if he went after a shop not currently owned by that Deputy Head, Lei Dong could act with unimpeachable righteousness. He wasn't afraid to offend the man; letting the conflict escalate would be entirely up to the Deputy Head. With this thought, Lei Dong decided to proactively seek an audience with one of the market's owners.

Cultivator Liu had previously mentioned that the market was jointly owned by two Golden Core cultivators, both indigenous to the Great Ding State and holding considerable status. One was the Valley Master of a place called Hundred Flower Valley; the other was the Golden Core Ancestor of a prominent local aristocratic family.

They had an agreement: they would take turns guarding the market for three years each. Behind the market lay temporary secluded caves belonging to them. They rotated between guarding and remaining in seclusion there, generally ignoring worldly affairs. However, if certain issues arose that Foundation Establishment cultivators couldn't resolve, the guarding Golden Core cultivator would be called upon.

There was another scenario where Golden Core cultivators would intervene: similar to when Lei Dong was selling high-grade spirit ghosts in the past, if the shop owner felt they couldn't handle the transaction alone, they would approach the market owners to collaborate, perhaps ambushing a massive "fat sheep" together. But such opportunities didn't arise frequently; catching one was considered an unexpected windfall.

Certainly, when operating on the territories of other powers and not revealing his identity as a Yin Sha Sect disciple, Lei Dong would harbor fear toward those Golden Core cultivators. But here, on the Yin Sha Sect's turf, and with his current cultivation level not insignificant, he felt not an ounce of apprehension toward the market owners. If they dared to make a move against him, the Yin Sha Sect would eradicate their families and influence by the very next day.

As expected, after politely submitting his visiting card at the seclusion quarters of the market owners, before the servant had even finished pouring tea, Lei Dong heard a burst of hearty laughter: "I wondered who it could be. It turns out to be Martial Nephew Lei from the Myriad Ghost Den visiting my humble abode. This truly brings glory to my humble dwelling."

As the words fell, a robust middle-aged man in brocade robes, glowing with vigor, materialized in the living room. He smiled broadly, treating Lei Dong with the utmost courtesy.

Lei Dong rapidly assessed him, naturally unable to discern his cultivation level. Although Lei Dong hailed from a premier sect like the Yin Sha Sect, he maintained profound respect for those whose strength far surpassed his own. He rose, clasped his hands in salute, and announced clearly: "Junior Lei Dong pays respects to the Family Head." Before arriving, Lei Dong already knew that the current guardian was the Sun Family Head, Sun Yongxing.

"No need for formality, no need for formality. The name of Honorable Nephew Lei has been ringing loud in recent days," Sun Yongxing said, taking the seat of honor and waving a hand at Lei Dong, his face wreathed in smiles. "Seeing you today, you are indeed a talented youth with limitless potential. How is your esteemed master’s health?"

Although Sun Yongxing's words contained an element of polite formality, deep down, he was genuinely intrigued by this young man named Lei Dong. A recent life-and-death duel at the Yin Sha Sect headquarters had rapidly expanded his renown. Even Sun Yongxing himself had heard the young man's name mentioned several times. To defeat Huangfu Ce, the former competition champion, so effortlessly while only at the sixth level of Foundation Establishment—this level of combat prowess truly marked him as an outstanding figure among the younger generation.

Since the other party was so courteous, Lei Dong engaged in polite pleasantries in return. Upon hearing the mention of his master, Lei Dong respectfully replied: "My master's health is stable; he is preparing to attempt a breakthrough to the seventh level of the Golden Core stage." While pulling on his master's prestige, Lei Dong's statement immediately caused Sun Yongxing’s expression to turn solemn and respectful. He praised: "Your esteemed master is indeed a rare genius of his generation; there is hope for him to reach the Nascent Soul stage in this lifetime."