The balance could only be maintained with an equal number of Foundation Establishment Cultivators on both sides.
Now, that balance had been broken.
The Cao and Wu Families would most likely take this opportunity to force the Zheng Family to concede its interests in the Marketplace.
'But is that Middle Stage of Foundation Establishment Ancestor from the Zheng Family really dead?'
Li Chang'an pondered.
He was worried that the peace of the Marketplace would be shattered.
But Xu Fugui was worried about something else.
"Brother Li, if the Zheng Family starts fighting with the other two great families, will they forcibly conscript me?"
His face was pale with anxiety.
After all, the Spirit Contract between him and the Zheng Family was still in effect.
If the situation deteriorated rapidly and the Zheng Family suffered too many casualties, they would very likely conscript Loose Cultivators like him, who had signed Spirit Contracts, to the front lines.
With Xu Fugui's Qi Refining Third Layer Cultivation, he would be pure cannon fodder on the front lines, with an extremely low chance of survival.
"Don't panic. It hasn't reached that point yet," Li Chang'an said calmly.
Of course, Xu Fugui wasn't the only one feeling anxious.
Before long, Chu Daniu held a gathering.
Many people attended, nearly all of whom were people who, like them, had come to the Marketplace after failing to get into an Immortal Sect.
Although they weren't from the same hometown, they had been friends for many years.
Now, every single one of them was in a panic.
"What should we do now?"
"Everyone, why don't we just run for it?"
"Breaking a Spirit Contract doesn't mean certain death! I know a senior who has a way to resist the backlash from the Spirit Contract!"
Everyone started talking at once, and chaos erupted.
Chu Daniu had some prestige among the group, so he quickly spoke up to try and calm them down.
However, he was deeply uneasy himself.
This was the helplessness of a low-level Cultivator.
Powerless to change anything, they could only drift with the tide, hoping for a fleeting moment of peace.
The scene made Li Chang'an feel a bit wistful.
Wasn't he the same?
'In this life, I must strive to climb higher, step by step, all the way to the top. As long as I'm strong enough, no matter how the world changes, I will remain unmoved.'
Li Chang'an's resolve to seek the Dao grew even firmer.
Afterward, he went to visit the Beast Master, Wang Hu.
This senior had a wider network and was better informed than he was.
"This whole affair is a bit strange. Someone must be fanning the flames from the shadows, trying to muddy the waters and throw the entire Marketplace into chaos," Wang Hu said with a frown.
"A Foundation Establishment Ancestor's strength is immense, far beyond what a Qi Refining Cultivator can compare to. They don't die so easily."
"Thank you for telling me, Senior!"
Hearing this, a suspicion began to form in Li Chang'an's mind.
Soon, he rose to take his leave.
He then made another trip to the Hundred Treasures Pavilion to ask Manager Qian.
Manager Qian was, after all, the son-in-law of the Zheng Family, so he knew more.
But he didn't reveal much, only telling Li Chang'an to go home and wait quietly.
"Daoist Li, in a few more days, you'll know."
"Thank you, Manager Qian."
Hearing this, Li Chang'an was mostly relieved.
He had more or less guessed the intentions of the Zheng Family and the Cao and Wu Families.
Now, all he had to do was wait quietly.
...
「A few days later.」
Just as the Marketplace descended further into chaos, a powerful aura suddenly erupted from its center.
Everyone felt an immense, oppressive pressure.
"A Foundation Establishment Ancestor!"
Many people looked toward the very center of the Marketplace, their faces filled with shock.
The Foundation Establishment Ancestor of the Zheng Family had finally appeared!
And it was the very same Middle Stage of Foundation Establishment Ancestor who was rumored to have fallen.
He was seen with a ruddy complexion, full of Essence, Qi, and Spirit, and his aura was incomparably tyrannical. There wasn't even the slightest sign of injury!
"Greetings, Senior!"
The nearby Loose Cultivators all bowed, not daring to show the slightest disrespect.
Just as everyone was stunned by the Foundation Establishment aura, squads of Zheng Family Cultivators suddenly appeared. They headed straight for various areas of the Marketplace, striking with lightning speed and apprehending many other Cultivators on the spot.
"Why are you arresting me?"
"Seniors, have you made a mistake?"
"I'm just here to do business! I have a wife and children at home..."
Some looked terrified and begged for mercy.
Others resisted with all their might.
Only to be struck down on the spot, their blood splattering for several feet!
The thick scent of blood gradually spread throughout the Qinghe Marketplace.
After it was all over, the Zheng Family posted a notice stating that all those arrested and killed today had been colluding with the other two great families to disrupt the Marketplace's order.
The truth was more or less as Li Chang'an had guessed.
The other two great families had secretly spread rumors, wanting to throw the Qinghe Marketplace into chaos.
After all, this Marketplace was the Zheng Family's cash cow.
But the Zheng Family hadn't immediately refuted the rumors. Instead, they took the opportunity to root out the spies the two families had planted in the Marketplace and eliminate them all in one fell swoop!
Upon hearing this news, Xu Fugui and the others were immensely relieved.
"This is great! The Zheng Family's Foundation Establishment Ancestor is fine!"
The stronger the Zheng Family was, the safer they were.
Li Chang'an was lost in thought.
His gaze flickered as he glanced toward the center of the Marketplace.
'Is that Foundation Establishment Ancestor truly fine?'
Although this incident hadn't caused the Zheng Family any major losses, it was obvious that many people had lost confidence in them.
The atmosphere in the Qinghe Marketplace also grew a bit more subdued.
However, that evening, a piece of news suddenly spread.
"The Zheng Family is holding an auction!"
"This auction will not only have all sorts of rare Treasures, but also inheritances of Cultivation Immortality Techniques, as well as Auxiliary Medicines for the Foundation Establishment Pill..."
As soon as this news broke, the atmosphere in the Marketplace became explosive once more!
Everyone seemed to forget what had happened over the past few days, and they all began to discuss the auction.
Normally, the items up for auction would be kept secret. But this time, the Zheng Family had actually revealed all the items.
Soon, Li Chang'an had a list of the auction items in his hands.
His gaze swept over the contents of the list.
He couldn't help but be secretly amazed.
'There are so many good things!'
There were over ten types of Tier One Low Grade Skill inheritances alone!
Beast Taming, Spirit Plant cultivation, Gu Insect raising, Mechanical Techniques, and so on...
In addition, there were three types of Tier One Middle Grade Skill inheritances.
These Skill inheritances alone were enough to drive countless Loose Cultivators into a frenzy.
Not to mention the large number of Treasures and several kinds of Auxiliary Medicines for the Foundation Establishment Pill!
'Foundation Establishment Pill...'
Li Chang'an pondered for a moment.
He was already at the Middle Stage of Qi Refining; it was time for him to start thinking about Foundation Establishment.
He had to start preparing as soon as possible.
'But this auction will be crowded with all sorts of people. It's not a good idea to stand out.'
Li Chang'an shook his head slightly, not planning to compete for anything.
He would wait a while longer.
If his Cultivation was a bit stronger, or if he had a clever Magic for altering his aura, he could make a move at this kind of auction.
...
「That night.」
Just after Midnight.
A golden light appeared before Li Chang'an's eyes.
[Divination has been refreshed]
[Today's Divination · Auspicious]
[You attend the auction and buy a broken Puppet that seems worthless, but you discover a Tier One Top Grade Puppetry Technique inheritance inside it]
"Huh?"
Li Chang'an was stunned, slightly surprised.
'I can actually find a hidden gem at the auction!'
Logically speaking, all the auction items should have been carefully inspected by the Zheng Family.
He hadn't thought it was possible to find any hidden gems.
The appearance of this Divination was truly a pleasant surprise.