CHAPTER 53: CHAPTER 53: MARKET IN TURMOIL

Back when the intelligence was heavily purchased from the Celestial Fragrance Pavilion, it indicated that the old ancestor of the Ding Family only had three to four years of lifespan remaining.

However, lifespan is something that cannot be precisely calculated.

It’s all just predictions.

Shen Xuan cannot wait until the old ancestor of the Ding Family has passed to initiate the relocation matters.

"If the old ancestor of the Ding Family were to pass away prematurely, chaos will surely ensue at the Cyan Dragon Bay Market."

With Ding Yijin’s current strength, he cannot hold down the Cyan Dragon Bay underpinnings.

In the Falling Flower Mountain Range to which Cyan Dragon Bay belongs, the scale of the Purple Essence Copper Ore is growing ever larger.

It has indeed allowed the Ding Family to make a quick profit for a few years.

Good fortune and misfortune are interdependent.

The greater the benefit, the harder it is to predict changes.

The Cyan Cloud Sect is fine, strong in power and always aloof, looking down upon these low-grade spiritual lands.

But the nearby medium and small sects are not all as easygoing as the Cyan Cloud Sect.

Especially a sect called the Red Rainbow Sect, known for its domineering style, constantly expanding to the surroundings, having already annexed several declining cultivation clan spiritual lands to develop them into its peripheral forces.

After entering the late stage of Qi Cultivation, Shen Xuan has a certain degree of self-preservation ability.

Near great rivers, he can contend against cultivators in the early stage of Foundation Establishment.

Not to be caught without resistance.

No need to stubbornly persevere at Cyan Dragon Bay.

He stayed in the practice room for three days, stabilizing his realm before coming out.

Upon emerging, he saw his anxious wife, Ding Yuyao, waiting.

"Husband, have you broken through?"

"Mm, I’ve broken through. Used up two middle-grade spirit stones."

"That’s good!"

Ding Yuyao is no longer a beginner in the cultivation realm.

Married to Shen Xuan for eleven years, she understands some common knowledge of the cultivation realm.

"Don’t announce it externally for now, I need time to consolidate further."

"Alright!"

A year ago, Shen Xuan showed remarkable strength, defeating the leader of tribulation cultivators at the completion of Qi Cultivation, Black Wind, becoming a hot topic at the Cyan Dragon Bay Market.

However, as Shen Xuan quietly retreated into cultivation, his fame gradually faded.

Everyone is busy.

All rushing around for survival.

The legend of the Talisman Master is merely a subject for idle talks after drinks.

Apart from those in the Foundation Establishment influence, few truly keep it in mind.

During Shen Xuan’s retreat.

The Zhao Family of Purple Maple Mountain, the He Family of Wo Hu Ridge, and the Tao Family of Ten Thousand Bamboo Forest all sent people for collaboration talks.

None even got to meet Shen Xuan.

All were politely declined under the pretext of retreat cultivation.

Shen Xuan does not want deep involvement with these cultivation clans.

He doesn’t even want to marry any maiden cultivators from the Ding Family.

Why bother bringing hassle with these cultivation clans.

In the coming days, Shen Xuan practiced talent skills by sneaking to the edge of Longze River through the Spiritual Sea Dark River at night.

Half a year later.

[Concealing Breath] and [Invisibility] advanced to great success.

[Water Control], [Critical Strike], [Iron Bone], [Longevity], [Insight], [Immune to Poison] advanced to minor success.

He also used up the last of the Dao Rhyme to advance [Self-Healing] to minor success.

Main cultivation technique [Divine Hidden Sea Technique] advanced to minor success, main technique [Condensed Water Blade Technique] advanced to minor success.

He can now freely control the Sea-Suppressing Bell and Heavy Water Seal.

In no uncertain terms, Shen Xuan at this moment could easily defeat ten of his past self at the Qi Cultivation sixth layer!

[Realm: Qi Cultivation Seventh Layer: 10/100]

At this pace, it would take a full five years to break through to the Qi Cultivation Eighth Layer!

This is still with Shen Xuan consistently activating the Spirit Gathering Array every day!

Moreover, Shen Xuan is facing a severe issue.

His spirit stones are running out!

For the sake of cultivation, he even reduced the time spent on talisman making.

The resulting outcome is a deficit every month.

Within a year and a half, the spirit stones in his storage pouch have dwindled from twenty-six middle-grade spirit stones to eleven.

Modifying the Water-Repelling Rhinoceros Horn into a waist Water-Repelling Jade Pendant cost three middle-grade spirit stones.

Breaking through cost two middle-grade spirit stones.

The rest went to the consumption of the Spirit Gathering Array and living expenses.

With the advancement of his cultivation realm, Shen Xuan’s meals have become more luxurious.

Top-grade spirit rice, upper-grade snow beef.

Daily meals alone cost one spirit stone.

This was unimaginable in the past!

Eleven middle-grade spirit stones seem significant.

Yet not sufficient to buy a decent upper-grade magical artifact.

Relocating to East Sea Immortal City would certainly entail large expenses.

The earnings from talisman making are too slow.

Shen Xuan contacted Zhao Chunsheng.

Asking him to find a way to regroup the team for another hunt.

Hunting just one large game could alleviate his financial anxiety.

Afterwards, he would take his wife, Ding Yuyao, and flee far away.

Avoiding the tumultuous period of Cyan Dragon Bay Market.

However, plans often fail to keep up with changes.

Several days later, Zhao Chunsheng hurriedly arrived home.

"Master Shen, something’s off!"

"Pill Master Du and Artifact Master Gu suddenly left with their trusted disciples!"

"Da Hu and Er Hu were all sent back."

Shen Xuan was startled.

"Has anything major happened in the Ding Family lately?"

"Nothing at all!"

Zhao Chunsheng, well-connected and informed.

"What about the Ding Family’s old ancestor?"

"He was seen appearing a few days ago."

"Something must have happened! Zhao Daoist, go investigate quickly!"

Shen Xuan wore a grave expression.

"This involves our lives and cannot be taken lightly. If necessary, spend some spirit stones!"

"Alright!"

Zhao Chunsheng hastily departed.

Shen Xuan returned to the inner residence, instructing Ding Yuyao.

"Wife, gather the valuable items and prepare for relocation."

"Husband, what has happened?"

"Don’t ask, just do as I say!"

"Yes, I will follow my husband’s orders."

Ding Yuyao hastily packed.

Shen Xuan entered the practice room alone, organizing his thoughts.

There is certainly a change in the Ding Family!

Otherwise, Pill Master Du and Artifact Master Gu would not have suddenly left.

These two are the only upper-grade Pill Master and Artifact Master at Cyan Dragon Bay Market.

Their presence or absence directly dictates the commercial value of the Cyan Dragon Bay Market.

"Either they noticed something, or someone informed them."

"Such talents are targets for recruitment by all major Foundation Establishment influences. No matter who governs Cyan Dragon Bay, they need their contribution."

"But why didn’t anyone inform me?"

Shen Xuan was suddenly filled with discontent.

"Right, I’m only a middle-grade Talisman Master, and I married a mortal woman from the Ding Family. Others are uncertain of my stance and unwilling to take the risk."

With Shen Xuan’s current strength, he can break through to an upper-grade Talisman Master anytime as long as he finds a suitable water attribute demon beast.

Late at night.

Zhao Chunsheng hurriedly returned.

"Did you find out?"

"Not sure if it’s because of this."

Zhao Chunsheng paused, then said confusedly, "There are rumors that in the Purple Essence Copper Ore of the Falling Flower Mountain Range, a miner uncovered Celestial Derivation Copper!"

"Celestial Derivation Copper!"

Shen Xuan was shocked.

"Upper-grade artifact refining material Celestial Derivation Copper? Did you verify this?"

"Verified it. In a millennial Purple Essence Copper Ore, Celestial Derivation Copper can indeed be found as an accompaniment."

Zhao Chunsheng said enviously, "The Ding Family hit it big this time! This is an upper-grade material, just casually mining it will yield thousands of spirit stones!"

"Is it a small accompanying vein, or a Celestial Derivation Copper Ore vein?"

"Unclear. However, I heard several miners discovered it. It’s likely a Celestial Derivation Copper Ore vein."

At this point, Zhao Chunsheng belatedly realized the gravity of the situation, with a horrified expression.

"A Celestial Derivation Copper Ore vein! This..."

"Can the Ding Family defend it?"

Shen Xuan replied irritably, "What do you think! There are only two in the Foundation Establishment Realm at home, one with a lifespan nearing its end, the other just recently established!"

Zhao Chunsheng inhaled sharply in fear.

"Master Shen, what should we do! I can perhaps leave, but my wife and two children cannot!"