Volume One, Chapter Thirty-Two: Entering the Market District

After registering, Gu Mingxi and Gu Mingyue headed to the marketplace of the Tianyan Sect.

The marketplace was located within Tianyan City, a city under the jurisdiction of the Tianyan Sect. Beyond the sect’s own disciples, the city attracted a large number of rogue cultivators. This was primarily because the presence of patrolling Tianyan Sect disciples ensured a high level of safety within the city walls. Many rogue cultivators chose to sell their spoils in the Tianyan City marketplace after gathering resources elsewhere, knowing they were protected. The city maintained strict regulations: any fighting within its borders would immediately draw the patrolling disciples from the sect’s Enforcement Hall—individuals known for being uncompromising and impartial—leading to swift detention for the offenders.

This combination of security and protected interests made the city a magnet for rogue cultivators. A large population meant more resources, which in turn fostered a more prosperous marketplace—a virtuous cycle for the Tianyan Sect. Furthermore, if a rogue cultivator spent enough time in the marketplace, they might eventually consider joining the sect. The Tianyan Sect would then screen these candidates, and those who qualified were often sent out as managers for the sect’s various interests, maximizing the utility of both resources and personnel. It was a mutually beneficial arrangement that left both sides satisfied.

This was Gu Mingxi’s first visit to the marketplace since joining the sect. Gu Mingyue, however, had visited many times over the past three years with her fellow disciples, so she took the lead.

When they arrived at the gates of Tianyan City, they found a long queue of people waiting to enter. Just as Gu Mingxi moved to join the line, Gu Mingyue pulled her toward a separate, dedicated passage. Seeing the embroidery on their robes signifying their status as direct disciples, the guards at the gate waved them through immediately.

Observing the people in the queue, who each had to pay a fee of two low-grade spirit stones to enter, Gu Mingxi was surprised that they were not only exempt from the fee but also granted access to a private path. "Mingyue," she asked, puzzled, "is bypassing the queue and skipping the entry fee also a privilege of being a direct disciple?"

Gu Mingyue replied nonchalantly, "Indeed, Mingxi. That is one of the perks. Since you haven't been to this market since you joined the sect, I shall show you around today. I am quite familiar with the place."

"That sounds wonderful, thank you, Mingyue," Gu Mingxi said with a smile.

"Mingxi, I haven't been here in quite a while myself. I’ve accumulated a large number of elixirs that I intend to sell to the Treasure Pavilion. Have you gathered any talismans or formation disks to sell as well?"

Gu Mingxi nodded. "I have. During these three years of seclusion, aside from cultivation, I spent my time crafting talismans and carving formation disks. I have quite a collection."

"Excellent! Let us head to the Treasure Pavilion first."

Because Gu Mingxi had accumulated such a vast quantity of talismans and formation disks, the shopkeeper of the Treasure Pavilion escorted them directly to a private room on the second floor. Even Gu Mingyue was taken aback by the sheer volume of items Gu Mingxi produced; she had expected a significant amount, but this exceeded her expectations.

Due to the sheer number of items, the shopkeeper had to summon four or five assistants to help with the appraisal. An hour later, the shopkeeper returned, handing them storage bags filled with spirit stones.

Gu Mingxi had earned over a million low-grade spirit stones from this sale alone. While this was a drop in the ocean compared to the piles of top-grade and high-grade spirit stones in her personal space, she was still delighted. This was income earned through her own efforts; there was a fundamental difference between what was gifted by elders and what one earned oneself.

As they descended from the second floor, they noticed a dispute erupting in the main hall of the Treasure Pavilion. Standing on the staircase, they had a clear view of the farce unfolding below.

A dainty woman dressed in pink and a gentle-looking woman in blue were arguing over a magical artifact. Gu Mingxi had read about such tropes in novels, but she had never expected to witness one in reality. She watched with curiosity, while Gu Mingyue looked on in confusion. In Gu Mingyue’s experience, any artifact she desired was simply brought to her; the idea of arguing over one—especially one that didn't even look particularly impressive—was entirely incomprehensible to her.

Gu Mingxi, however, understood. When two beautiful women are involved, it becomes less about the item and more about pride. Giving in would make one seem weak, as if she were afraid. One might go through life without fighting for bread, but one must always fight for dignity.

Since a scene was unfolding, the two decided not to leave just yet, opting to watch from the stairs. It was quite a spectacle, as such public disputes were rare in the Treasure Pavilion. Bored cultivators were always looking for a bit of drama to spice up their mundane lives, and a small crowd had already gathered to watch.

The presence of the audience only fueled the fire, as neither woman was willing to lose face by yielding. The woman in pink, seeing the woman in blue standing her ground, snapped in frustration, "Is this the way the Tianyan Sect treats its guests?"

*Oh?* Gu Mingxi thought. *So the woman in pink isn't from the Tianyan Sect?*

The woman in blue smiled faintly and replied calmly, "Fellow Daoist, how does our personal dispute reflect upon the hospitality of the Tianyan Sect? Besides, I laid eyes on this artifact first; you were the one who cut in to seize it. If we are to speak of conduct, it seems the issue lies with your own sect’s standards."

The woman in pink flushed with anger and pointed a finger at her. "You! How dare you slander the reputation of the Xuantian Sword Sect! Who do you think you are?"

*The Xuantian Sword Sect?*

Gu Mingxi’s mind raced. If this woman was a disciple of the Xuantian Sword Sect, she might be Mu Yao, the daughter of the sect master and the childhood friend of the protagonist, Lin Yuan. If the secondary female lead had appeared early, and was already causing such a scene, then the person she was arguing with must be...