“The martial arts of our military school cannot be attained merely through meditation and cultivation, old brother. Since you have already challenged Liang Si’an to his face, you cannot rely solely on my Dew of Condensed Killing for these three months. You mustn't be lazy yourself; you must only do more meritorious deeds, perhaps to see if you can exchange them for some formidable techniques at the Scripture Hall, and show that fellow what I am capable of!”

Having clashed with the disciples of Sunset Peak and agreed to a challenge at the Sunset Peak Grand Competition by year’s end, Liang Si’an had fortunately not lost his temper on the spot. Huo Zhongguang naturally had no desire to linger either, hastily returning to the Small Bamboo Grove with Feng Zikang.

After reaching the fourth layer of Qi Induction, disciples of the Dragon Tiger Mountain Military School could go to the Merit Hall to claim missions, such as slaying demons or escorting parties. Upon completion, they could exchange their merits for cultivation manuals at the Scripture Hall. This was the most vital method of self-improvement for inner sect disciples who were not direct lineage heirs.

Even for direct lineage disciples, the Master could not compare to the Scripture Hall, which contained knowledge as vast as the sea, encompassing all the sect’s divine arts and magical techniques. Certain unique manuals and skills still needed to be learned from the Scripture Hall.

Feng Zikang nodded: “Master also said that while the level of cultivation is certainly important, in low-level disciple duels, the divine arts and spells cultivated are often the key to victory or defeat. He said that when Senior Uncle Lu was only at the sixth layer of Qi Induction, he had already mastered the 26th layer of the Yellow Grade Third Rank Innate Grand Seizing Hand. At that time, even disciples in the early Foundation Establishment stage couldn't withstand a single move from him…”

“It’s a good thing Liang Si’an isn't his master!”

Huo Zhongguang shook his head, still feeling lingering fear: “My master also said that Junior Uncle Lu was truly an unparalleled genius, a top-tier talent in the cultivation world… Liang Si’an is nothing more than a flatterer. If it weren't for Senior Uncle Lu's painstaking cultivation, he’d be no different from me…”

No matter how skilled Liang Si’an was, he was still far from his master's level. If they had encountered General Lu in his youth, even Feng Zikang, who was currently a Formless Celestial Demon, would likely have been helpless.

“No matter how formidable the predecessors were, as long as we cultivate diligently, we cannot guarantee that one day we won’t reach their level of attainment. Senior Brother Huo must not be discouraged!”

General Lu was a marvel in the cultivation world over the last three hundred years. Feng Zikang had briefly taken over a body once and understood his formidable nature even better.

However, he harbored no sense of being overwhelmed by distance. He only wished to advance bravely. If he could not reach the level of prowess where General Lu stood above his peers, how could he possibly deal with those monks and Daoists?

“Haha, brother has ambition!”

Huo Zhongguang gave a dry laugh, clearly not believing Feng Zikang could reach General Lu’s standard. He himself only saw a glimmer of hope for Foundation Establishment and wasn't thinking about such distant goals: “Brother, let’s go to the Merit Hall in a moment. Aren’t you planning to visit the Cloud-Riding Mirrored Pagoda Market? I’ll take you there right now, how about it?”

“That would trouble Senior Brother!”

The location for fencing stolen goods was very important, and besides, he had heard Ye Tiansheng speak of the miraculous nature of the Cloud-Riding Mirrored Pagoda Market. Feng Zikang was also somewhat impatient.

Huo Zhongguang pulled out a black stone riddled with small apertures from his robes. He recited an incantation, and suddenly the black stone erupted with bright light from every hole. Feng Zikang felt a buzzing in his ears, and the surrounding scenery immediately transformed.

They had been sitting in the thatched hut in the Small Bamboo Grove, but now they stood on a path paved with bluestone slabs. Countless stalls lined both sides, displaying all manner of rare treasures.

In the distance, white mist coiled, and a towering pavilion, piercing the clouds, appeared faintly visible.

“This… this is the Cloud-Riding Mirrored Pagoda Market?”

Feng Zikang was both astonished and delighted. He had heard the name Mirrored Pagoda Market from his master but was only now witnessing it firsthand. He never imagined it would be so magnificent and magical, truly breathtaking.

“It is!”

Huo Zhongguang still held the Azure Bamboo Five Realms Stone: “Heh heh, brother, if you want to buy anything, old brother will settle the bill for you…”

Feng Zikang smiled faintly but declined his offer. He browsed a few stalls at random, having already firmly memorized the prices of several essential items.

“There should also be a place to consign items within this Cloud-Riding Mirrored Pagoda Market, right?”

“Naturally, there is. Every ten paces, there is a spot to set up a stall. As long as you hang up your item and mark the price, you don't need to worry about it anymore. Of course, if a prospective buyer bargains, you can negotiate through the Azure Bamboo Five Realms Stone. However, many people avoid the hassle and set a fixed, non-negotiable price to avoid unnecessary trouble.”

“I see!”

Feng Zikang thanked Huo Zhongguang and first went to purchase an Azure Bamboo Five Realms Stone. Although this stone was mysteriously inexplicable, it was the cheapest item in the market, marked at only one spirit stone everywhere.

Huo Zhongguang slapped his head and laughed heartily: “Old brother is being thoughtless. Business matters are most private. Since brother doesn’t wish others to know, old brother won’t be presumptuous. Let’s return to the Small Bamboo Grove first. In the future, brother can summon the market himself using his Azure Bamboo Five Realms Stone. If you’re short on spirit stones to buy things, just say the word!”

Although the Azure Bamboo Five Realms Stone could transport one to the Mirrored Pagoda Market, the items cultivators traded were often quite sensitive, usually involving very low-profile transactions. Therefore, entering the market with one’s own Azure Bamboo Five Realms Stone ensured complete privacy, regardless of what was bought or sold.

Huo Zhongguang retrieved his Azure Bamboo Five Realms Stone, and the two instantly returned to the thatched hut in the Small Bamboo Grove. He was eager to head to the Merit Hall to receive a mission, so he took his leave, earnestly urging Feng Zikang not to forget his Dew of Condensed Killing.

Feng Zikang readily agreed. After seeing Huo Zhongguang off, he activated the Azure Bamboo Five Realms Stone once more and entered the Mirrored Pagoda Market.

This time, he was the only person on the bluestone path.

Looking back, white clouds drifted lazily; looking ahead, dense mist billowed. In this expanse of heaven and earth, it seemed he was the only one in existence.

The divine ability of this Cloud-Riding Mirrored Pagoda Market was indeed something descended from the Upper Realms, utterly beyond comprehension, yet wonderfully miraculous.

Previously, he had only glanced around, unable to see clearly. This time, he studied the prices in this magical market in detail and with great seriousness.

The most expensive items were the various divine art and secret technique manuals. Even incomplete fragments sold for thousands of spirit stones or more.

One must remember that at his current stage of Qi Induction, he could only enter the lowest tier of the market. These manuals, at most Yellow Grade Fifth Rank, still commanded such sky-high prices, showing how highly cultivators valued the Dao and rarely parted with such things easily.

Various magic treasures and protective armor/robes were slightly cheaper, but none sold for less than a thousand spirit stones. Feng Zikang’s seized Blazing Sun Axe was a Yellow Grade Second Rank magic weapon, yet it possessed endless subtle uses, not far inferior to Third or Fourth Rank magic weapons. Good items like this would not sell for less than three thousand spirit stones. Armor was even more costly; some basic Yellow Grade First Rank protective garments or robes fetched prices of two or three thousand spirit stones easily.

Pills and talismans were consumables, priced lower, but potent items like the Life Transformation Pill or Vajra Talisman hovered around several hundred spirit stones.

Other miscellaneous items, such as forging materials and medicinal herbs, varied in price depending on their rarity.

His master had given him a storage pouch, and he had also looted quite a few good items from Miao Yuchun. He had initially thought he was quite well-off, but now it seemed he was still an absolute pauper.

Feng Zikang sighed and put the Blazing Sun Axe up for sale at a price of three thousand spirit stones.