Yang Liu Road.
One of Luoyang City's Free Marketplaces. Rows of willow trees lined the road. It was now the depths of a snowy winter, and the frost-covered willow branches hung like silver bars from the trees, a spectacular sight.
Unlike the thirty-li-long Changle Street, which was filled with large shops mostly opened by Luoyang's major powers, Yang Liu Road was composed of stalls where Martial Artists set up shop on the roadside to sell miscellaneous items.
Here, one could also find Elixirs, Cultivation Techniques, Martial Techniques, and all sorts of strange and curious things.
Trading here was also a test of one's Eye Power. Sometimes, a lapse in judgment meant you might buy a useless antique and waste a large sum of Primordial Stones for nothing.
It was said that the place was managed by the Liu Family, a Second-tier family of Luoyang City.
The Liu Family had once been a First-Class Noble House, but for some unknown reason three years ago, they had voluntarily demoted themselves to a Second-tier family.
After paying three Primordial Stones, Ning Jiang found an empty spot and set up his stall.
'If I sold a Spirit Level Technique, the entire Luoyang City would fight to the death over it. If I sold an Earth Level Technique, then even the major Sects of the Cyan Cloud Country would be shaken.'
Mortal, Profound, Spirit, Earth, Heaven, and God—these were the six grades of Cultivation and Martial Techniques.
In the end, Cyan Cloud Country was just a small nation within Qing Province. There were likely very few Earth Level Techniques, as they could only be cultivated by experts who had surpassed the Primordial Spirit Fourth Tribulation Realm.
Ning Jiang estimated that there were probably no such figures in the Cyan Cloud Country, or at least not many.
Of course, Ning Jiang was just thinking about it. He couldn't be so high-profile. With his current strength, selling high-end Cultivation and Martial Techniques would only bring disaster upon himself.
An innocent man gets into trouble for the treasure he carries.
After careful consideration, Ning Jiang transcribed four Mortal Level Upper Grade Martial Techniques and one Mortal Level Top Grade Martial Technique from his memory and laid them out on his stall.
Before long, all four Upper Grade Martial Techniques were sold. Things like Martial Techniques were always in demand by any Martial Artist, and supply rarely met demand.
Moreover, even though the techniques Ning Jiang offered were only Mortal Level, they were of the Upper Grade within that level. Those with a discerning eye would naturally not miss them.
The four Martial Techniques sold for a total of nine hundred Primordial Stones.
Under normal circumstances, an ordinary Qi Cultivation Realm expert's net worth was only about one hundred Primordial Stones. For example, Ning Jiang used to receive ten Primordial Stones from the Ning Family every month, amounting to one hundred and twenty a year.
It sounded like a lot, but most of it was spent on cultivation and purchasing various items, leaving almost nothing by the year's end. And back then, Ning Jiang's cultivation was at the Postnatal Middle Stage.
For someone in the Qi Cultivation Realm, the annual stipend was only forty Primordial Stones.
So, for a Qi Cultivation Realm Martial Artist, one hundred Primordial Stones was already a considerable fortune. Three or four hundred was a sign of substantial wealth.
As for the Postnatal Realm, their net worth was generally around one thousand Primordial Stones. For the Innate Realm, it was even higher, with a baseline of ten thousand.
The stronger a Martial Artist, the greater their ability to earn Primordial Stones.
'My entire net worth used to be just over eight hundred Primordial Stones. This nine hundred is more than I ever had before. It's a shame I can't sell too many Martial Techniques, or it would arouse suspicion.'
Only the last technique remained: a Mortal Level Top Grade Martial Technique, the "Illusory Spirit Eye," which Ning Jiang had priced at eight hundred Primordial Stones.
"Ning Jiang, that Illusory Spirit Eye of yours is really something. If I had enough Primordial Stones, I'd buy it myself."
At the stall next to Ning Jiang's was a portly young man of about the same age. With the slightest movement, the fat on his body would jiggle.
Though he wasn't much to look at, he gave off a harmless, approachable vibe.
His name was Zhao Peng, and he had an outgoing personality. He had started chatting with Ning Jiang as soon as he arrived, explaining some of the rules of Yang Liu Road and telling him about some of the strange people and events here.
"The Illusory Spirit Eye is more yin and gentle in nature, better suited for a woman to cultivate. It's not a good fit for you. Practicing it would only hinder your other cultivation."
Ning Jiang said mildly. He didn't put on any airs and wasn't the unapproachable type. When Zhao Peng struck up a conversation, he hadn't refused, and they had slowly gotten acquainted and learned each other's names.
Although he was Venerable Ning Jiang one hundred thousand years ago, a figure like a divine dragon of the Nine Heavens, such a status had not made his personality lofty and inaccessible.
He wouldn't give even an ordinary Martial Artist like Zhao Peng the cold shoulder, as long as they showed him goodwill.
If others respect me, I will respect them.
If others offend me, I will offend them back!
"Illusory Spirit Eye. This is a fine Martial Technique."
Just then, a woman stopped in front of Ning Jiang's stall. She studied the Illusory Spirit Eye, a hint of delight appearing in her beautiful eyes.
She was the eighth person to show interest in the Illusory Spirit Eye; the previous ones had all been deterred by the price.
"Can you lower the price a bit? This is almost as expensive as a Profound Level Martial Technique," the woman asked.
"No. You should understand the value of this Illusory Spirit Eye. It's no worse than an ordinary Profound Level Martial Technique."
Ning Jiang refused flatly. The Illusory Spirit Eye was a rare Martial Technique that could make an enemy hallucinate. With a single glance, a hallucinatory attack could be launched, making it impossible to defend against. Even a person with a strong will would be affected for an instant.
And an instant is enough to decide life and death!
Therefore, the value of this Martial Technique was barely any less than that of a Profound Level one.
A typical Profound Level Martial Technique cost around one thousand Primordial Stones. At eight hundred, the Illusory Spirit Eye was indeed expensive, considering that ordinary Mortal Level Top Grade Martial Techniques were only about five hundred Primordial Stones.
"Xu Yan, you want this Martial Technique? That's easy. I'll buy it for you."
A young man beside Xu Yan spoke up. He wasn't handsome, but his features were regular. He had a burly build with the back of a tiger and the waist of a wolf, giving off a fierce impression at a single glance.
"Kid, this technique might be decent, but eight hundred Primordial Stones is nearly the entire net worth of a Postnatal Realm Martial Artist. Your price is excessive."
The young man looked at Ning Jiang, his tone leaving no room for argument. "How about this? I'll take this Martial Technique, have someone copy it, and then return it to you. Of course, I won't shortchange you. I'll give you a hundred Primordial Stones as compensation. Besides, if you run into any trouble on Yang Liu Road in the future, you can mention my name, Ma Hong. No one will give you a hard time."
As he spoke, Ma Hong ignored Ning Jiang's reaction and reached out to grab the Illusory Spirit Eye.
"Hold on. Did I say I agreed?" Ning Jiang's brow twitched.
"Hm?" Instantly, Ma Hong's gaze turned cold.
"Ning Jiang, just give it to him." Zhao Peng shivered and moved closer to Ning Jiang, whispering, "His name is Ma Hong, Ma Yuan's younger brother. I just told you about Ma Yuan—he's the manager of Yang Liu Road. It's best not to provoke this Ma Hong. Take a step back, and you'll find a wider world!"
Ma Yuan was at the Postnatal Late Stage. More importantly, he had latched onto the Liu Family's thigh.
According to what Zhao Peng had said earlier, Ma Yuan's backer was the Liu Family's Fourth Master, Liu Zhensheng. Liu Zhensheng might be considered unpromising within the Liu Family, but he was, after all, a descendant of the Liu Family's old patriarch.
The Liu Family's old patriarch was the man who held up the entire family, the one who had once led them to the glorious heights of a First-Class Noble House!
Ma Yuan was highly valued by Liu Zhensheng and was practically his spokesperson. The job of managing Yang Liu Road had been given to Ma Yuan by Liu Zhensheng.
It was a lucrative post. A stall here cost three Primordial Stones a day, and with hundreds, even thousands, of people setting up stalls daily, the income was at least several thousand Primordial Stones per day.
Of course, most of the Primordial Stones had to be handed over to their backers, the Liu Family, but even the small portion that remained was a substantial amount.
Ma Yuan's net worth was likely greater than even that of an Innate Realm expert.
"Kid, I'll let it slide, assuming you acted out of ignorance."
Seeing that Zhao Peng had explained the situation, Ma Hong snorted coldly and grabbed the Illusory Spirit Eye.
"Put it down!" However, Ning Jiang's attitude remained unchanged.
Ma Hong's eyes narrowed, a cold glint flickering within them. He had never met anyone like Ning Jiang on Yang Liu Road. Normally, who wouldn't give him some face?
Moreover, Xu Yan was here today, and he was currently pursuing her. For Ning Jiang to challenge him at a time like this was a clear sign of disrespect, and it instantly ignited his anger.
"You don't know what's good for you. A mere Qi Cultivation Sixth Layer... Believe it or not, I can break your arms and legs and throw you out of here."
Ma Hong was already burly, and as he spoke now, a ferocious aura rushed forward.
Ning Jiang's eyes grew even calmer, as tranquil as an old well without a single ripple.
But beneath this calm, a monstrous wave was slowly brewing!
When he had faced Zhao Feng, he had broken his own arm. Besides knowing when to advance and when to retreat, the bigger reason was for Ning Yu'an's sake.
Back then, if he had let his anger flare, with his methods as a Venerable, he was confident he could have used some self-destructive Secret Techniques to take Zhao Feng down with him, even at the Qi Cultivation Third Layer. But for Ning Yu'an, he could not act on impulse.
'If I die, what will happen to Ning Yu'an?'
But now, he was all alone!
Sometimes, enduring humiliation is for the sake of the bigger picture.
Now, however, he had no such concerns. If he still endured this humiliation, his heart would not be at peace!
What is a Sword Cultivator?
To use the sword in hand to express the will of the heart.
If the will is disturbed, sunder it with the sword!
Ma Hong was at the Qi Cultivation Ninth Layer, only three layers higher than him. With the methods from the Heaven-Devouring Demon Skill he now cultivated, he had enough power to kill Ma Hong!
After killing him, he could simply leave. Once his strength increased, he wouldn't fear Ma Yuan coming for revenge.
Even the Liu Family backing Ma Yuan—what did they amount to in his eyes?
"Liu Mi, that Ma Hong seems to be a subordinate of your Liu Family. Aren't you going to do something about this?"
A crowd had already gathered nearby. Among them, three young men and women stood together. The woman was dressed in blue, beautiful, with a somewhat cold temperament that carried a trace of arrogance.
The two men beside her were both dashing and dressed in fine, brocaded clothes. They were clearly young masters from prominent families.
One was named Qian Chuan, the other Chen Yang. They hailed from the Qian Family and the Chen Family, respectively, and both were pursuing Liu Mi.
Although Liu Mi was not on the level of Liu Xianyu, the number one of the Liu Family's younger generation, she still ranked among the top five. If either of them could win her over, it would be a huge help in their future bids to inherit the position of Patriarch.
Liu Mi's delicate brows furrowed slightly. After a moment of silence, she said, "Fine, I'll go say a few words. It's better than letting this escalate and become a joke for you two to watch."
Her lotus-like steps carried her gracefully toward Ning Jiang.
At the same time, a group of people slowly entered Yang Liu Road from its entrance.
"Memorize this portrait. If you can find the young master in this painting, I will reward you handsomely."
The speaker's voice was gentle as she held a rolled-up portrait. The moment she stepped onto Yang Liu Road, she caused a sensation, and countless gazes focused on her.
Liu Xianyu of the Liu Family, one of the Ten Greats!
After leaving Funiu Mountain and returning to the Liu Family, Liu Xianyu had immediately sought out a master painter. Based on her description of Ning Jiang's appearance, she had the artist paint his likeness onto a scroll.
With her cultivation at the Innate Realm, her memory was exceptional. Even though she had only met Ning Jiang a few times, his image remained deeply etched in her mind.
On that portrait was, unmistakably, the figure of Ning Jiang.
The likeness was about eighty to ninety percent accurate, a testament to the painter's exquisite skill.
"I have memorized it, Young Miss. I will have all my subordinates search for this young master." The person accompanying Liu Xianyu was Ma Yuan, a man in his thirties with a deferential expression.
"Alright, take me to see your brother now. You've managed Yang Liu Road for many years and have rendered meritorious service to the Liu Family. However, if you want to recommend your brother for the Liu Family's Black Guard Team, I will have to assess him first before making a decision."
"Thank you, Young Miss."
Ma Yuan's face was filled with joy. He and a group of his subordinates flocked around Liu Xianyu like stars around the moon as they headed deeper into the market.