Xu Chang'an and Bai Yuhu's conversation did not last long.
Partway through, the Striped Tiger Demon had interrupted, ruining the atmosphere.
Naturally, there were some things they could no longer discuss.
However, regardless of Bai Yuhu's intentions, Xu Chang'an committed her show of goodwill to memory.
After several days of feasting, the demons rested for a night on Yellow Wasp Mountain.
Wherever demons gathered, there was naturally demand.
Thus, trade gatherings between the various small mountain territories came into being.
These allowed the little demons of the mountains to trade for what they needed.
By his calculations, the trade gathering between the mountain territories, held once every three months, was in just three days.
So, early the next morning, the Yellow Wasp Spirit invited them, hoping they would attend this trade gathering together.
The powers of the surrounding small mountain territories, at their very peak, were only at the Mid-stage of Qi Refining.
The resources and items traded there were naturally beneath the notice of Bai Yuhu and the Striped Tiger Demon, who hailed from Red Cloud Mountain.
Plus, being away from Red Cloud Mountain for so long might have adverse effects.
They immediately refused the Yellow Wasp Spirit's invitation.
Amidst a chorus of wishes for a smooth Demon Path and the attainment of Longevity,
Bai Yuhu and the Striped Tiger Demon left Yellow Wasp Mountain.
"Little mouse, keep cultivating hard. I hope that by the next time I see you, you'll have reached Mid-stage Qi Refining."
As she was leaving, Bai Yuhu said this to Xu Chang'an.
That Bai Yuhu held Xu Chang'an in such high regard was something the other demons had not expected.
The Wild Wolf Demon, the Monkey Spirit, and the other demons were quite jealous.
The Yellow Wasp Spirit couldn't help but pay more attention to Xu Chang'an, resolving to properly befriend this Little Grey Mouse.
And to continue the friendship they had already started.
Xu Chang'an, however, was quite interested in the trade gathering held every three months by the allied powers of the small mountains surrounding Yellow Wasp Mountain.
He had accumulated a considerable private stash of resources and was looking for an outlet to sell them.
Three days later, he eagerly went with the Yellow Wasp Spirit to attend the trade gathering.
The result...
Was a huge disappointment!
This...
To be honest, this trade gathering was truly a bit pathetic.
Forget about things like Magical Artifacts or Demon Talismans; even common Qi Nourishing Pills were items that were snatched up in a frenzy at the gathering.
You could even see things like Beast Meat and Da Gu Rice being traded.
Most trades were bartered, and a single Demon Stone was already considered a large unit of purchase.
'As expected, one shouldn't have high hopes for a trade gathering of Independent Cultivator Demons.'
Xu Chang'an sighed, covering his face.
After some consideration, he ultimately decided not to take out his accumulated resources to trade.
Xu Chang'an's goal was not achieved.
The Yellow Wasp Spirit who had brought them, however, was beaming.
He hadn't brought Xu Chang'an and the others here just for them to trade, of course.
'Well, maybe a little, but that would just be a bonus.'
The main reason was to use Xiong Da, a Qi Refining Fourth Layer demon, and the Wild Wolf Demon, who was at the Qi Refining Third Layer, to bolster Yellow Wasp Mountain's prestige.
Among the many small mountain territories in the area, forget a Qi Refining Fourth Layer; even a Qi Refining Third Layer was a rare powerhouse!
It was foreseeable that with this Demon Vein connection, Yellow Wasp Mountain's development would proceed very smoothly for some time to come.
Many things came down to strategic deterrence.
With the Yellow Wasp Spirit possessing such a Demon Vein, any other small mountain territory with designs on Yellow Wasp Mountain would naturally have to carefully weigh their own strength first.
"Brother Huang Feng, you've been here for a long time. Do you know if there are any larger-scale trading spots nearby?"
Xu Chang'an asked the Yellow Wasp Spirit after they left the trade gathering.
"There are quite a few gatherings of the same scale as the one we just attended in the area."
"If you're looking for something larger..."
The Yellow Wasp Spirit lowered his head in thought for a moment.
"About a thousand li west of Yellow Wasp Mountain, there is the White Maple Mountain Marketplace."
"The scale of trade there should be quite large. I've never been myself; I've only heard other demons talk about it."
"As for the actual situation there, I can't make any guarantees."
"Thank you, Brother Huang Feng."
After getting more details about the precise location of the White Maple Mountain Marketplace, Xu Chang'an thanked him.
The Yellow Wasp Spirit asked Xu Chang'an why he was asking about the Marketplace, but before Xu Chang'an could explain,
Xiong Da, who was standing to the side, spoke up.
"Huang Feng, you don't know? The Grey Rat is a certified entry-level Alchemist. He probably has a lot of herbs and Elixirs to trade."
"An entry-level Alchemist!"
The Yellow Wasp Spirit was stunned.
His gaze toward Xu Chang'an couldn't help but become fervent.
A Demon Race Alchemist was a guest of honor no matter where they went.
'I never thought this Little Grey Mouse would possess such Skills.'
Instantly, the Yellow Wasp Spirit's resolve to stay in frequent contact with the Grey Rat and maintain their relationship deepened.
'This is exactly the effect I wanted!'
Xu Chang'an was extremely satisfied with Xiong Da's explanation.
With the identity of an Alchemist as a cover, he would have a plausible reason and motive for many of his actions.
'An Alchemist, after all!'
'Gathering herbs and selling Elixirs is perfectly normal for one, isn't it!'
"That's right. A lot of the Support materials are too expensive on the mountain, so I thought I'd try my luck outside."
"Besides, I'm already out here. I won't get such a good opportunity again anytime soon."
Xu Chang'an added, further explaining himself.
This made his reasoning seem even more solid.
He asked Xiong Da if he was interested in going to White Maple Mountain with him.
On Yellow Wasp Mountain, Xiong Da was drinking wine from large bowls and eating great chunks of meat.
There weren't as many rules to follow or chores to do as on Langlang Mountain.
He was having the time of his life.
And he had no need to trade at a Marketplace.
So when Xu Chang'an asked, Xiong Da naturally refused.
"Grey Rat, you go on ahead. I'll wait for you here."
"Oh, right, Grey Rat," the Yellow Wasp Spirit said to Xu Chang'an. "If you happen to see any Low-Grade Attack Demon Talismans for sale at the White Maple Mountain Marketplace, could you grab a couple for me?"
To build a deeper relationship, one should first ask the other party for a small, convenient favor.
Then, one gives a gift and thanks in return.
Through these back-and-forth dealings, these exchanges of Demon Emotions, the relationship between them would grow deeper and deeper.
The Yellow Wasp Spirit was well-versed in Demon Emotions, a true old hand at this game.
Xu Chang'an nodded and agreed.
He stayed on Yellow Wasp Mountain for another day before taking his leave.
He and Xiong Da agreed that once his business was concluded, they would meet back at Yellow Wasp Mountain and return to Langlang Mountain together.
...
The White Maple Mountain Marketplace was a thousand li from Yellow Wasp Mountain.
Xu Chang'an traveled at an unhurried pace, his Mental Realm at peace.
He now possessed two Magical Artifacts, as well as an Escape Demon Talisman and a Defense Demon Talisman.
In this border region of the Red Cloud Mountain Range, he had little to fear.
The journey was smooth, and in just five or six days, he arrived at White Maple Mountain.
Fifty years ago, White Maple Mountain had been occupied by a Foundation Establishment Great Demon.
This Foundation Establishment Great Demon occupied White Maple Mountain not to fight with neighboring powers, but to focus on managing trade gatherings.
Fostering the exchange of goods, and after many years of development, it gradually evolved into the White Maple Mountain Marketplace of today.
With a Foundation Establishment Great Demon personally overseeing it, ordinary members of the Demon Race dared not cause any trouble in the White Maple Mountain Marketplace.
Its internal rules and order were all guaranteed.
It held significant influence among the trade gatherings within a thousand-li radius.