Yuyi stood on the streets of Xuantian City, morning light just breaking, the sounds of the market gradually rising. He took a deep breath, feeling the peace brought by the Hunyuan Heart Method circulating within him. That warm spiritual energy flowed slowly through his meridians, like spring water nourishing all things, silent and unnoticed.
Since withdrawing from the cultivation world's conflicts, he had turned off the sect's Sound Transmission Jade Talisman and transmission formations, deliberately avoiding contact with Lingxiao, Liuchen, and the others. Whenever he thought of Lingxiao's hearty laughter and Liuchen's cunning smile, complex emotions rose in Yuyi's heart. But he knew the path he chose had to be walked alone. The cultivation world's grudges and affections had nothing to do with him anymore.
He looked down at his hands. His Foundation Building perfection cultivation circulated within him, the Hunyuan Heart Method and Fast Sword Art both cultivated to perfection. During that time, he had passed through countless illusion trials in the sect's testing formation, finally succeeding through sheer determination. After returning to Xuantian City, he began his merchant career. Buying dharma robes cheap, refining dharma artifacts, running between various sects' business places—this was his life now.
"Enough." Yuyi said softly to himself, walking toward Yunzhi's Robe Workshop.
Yunzhi's Robe Workshop was located on East Street of Xuantian City. The storefront wasn't large, but it always carried a faint fragrance of spirit tea. Yunzhi was organizing a pale purple dharma robe, her fingers deftly tracing spirit patterns on the fabric, her expression focused.
"Yuyi, you're here again." Yunzhi looked up, a gentle smile appearing on her face. "What do you want to collect this time?"
Yuyi walked to the counter, his gaze sweeping across the robes on the shelves. "Same as always—collecting robes. But this time, the price needs to be lower."
Yunzhi shook her head, sighing helplessly. "Yuyi, your price is already the lowest in the city. Any lower and I'll be drinking the northwest wind."
Yuyi smiled. "Yunzhi, we're old friends. I come to you every time, bringing you business—this friendship should count for some discount, shouldn't it?"
Yunzhi sighed. "You really are calculating. Fine, two spirit stones lower this time. But next time, no more of this."
Yuyi was secretly pleased but showed nothing on his face. "Thank you, Yunzhi. By the way, any news lately?"
A trace of pride flashed in Yunzhi's eyes. "Actually, there is something. I'm close to mastering the Golden Thread Immortal Robe refining technique."
Yuyi's heart jumped. Golden Thread Immortal Robe—a Heaven-grade dharma robe with extremely strong defense, essential for cultivators above Foundation Building. In Zhongzhou City, such robes could sell for nearly three hundred spirit stones. If Yunzhi really mastered the refining technique, it would be a huge business opportunity.
He kept his face neutral, chatting a bit more with Yunzhi, then took a golden jade hairpin from his robes. "Yunzhi, this is for you."
Yunzhi froze for a moment, taking the hairpin. Surprise flashed in her eyes. "This is... a Golden Jade Hairpin? This is worth ten spirit stones. Yuyi, you're..."
Yuyi waved his hand, pretending to be casual. "Old friends—a small gift, nothing significant. You're close to mastering the Golden Thread Immortal Robe technique—celebrating in advance."
Yunzhi looked at Yuyi suspiciously, but the joy in her eyes couldn't be hidden. "You really are... fine, thank you."
Yuyi smiled and took his leave. Walking out of the workshop, he felt secretly satisfied. Early investment—when Yunzhi mastered the Golden Thread Immortal Robe refining, he would gain huge returns. This hairpin was worth it.
Leaving Yunzhi's Robe Workshop, Yuyi headed straight for Xuantian City's flying boat dock. Flying boats were the cultivation world's transportation, powered by spirit stones, capable of traveling through sea of clouds. At the dock, a wooden flying boat rested quietly, spirit patterns flowing along its hull. The boat master was an enthusiastic, smooth-talking middle-aged cultivator. Seeing Yuyi approach, he called out with a smile, "Little fox, here to swindle some cheap goods again?"
Yuyi laughed in mock anger. "Boat Master, what are you saying? I'm a legitimate businessman."
The boat master laughed heartily. "Alright, alright, get on board. Few people today—you can rest well."
Yuyi boarded the flying boat. Inside, three spirit merchants already sat. They were old hands on this route, nodding in acknowledgment as Yuyi entered. Yuyi found a spot toward the back—not crowded, safe, and with a good view.
The flying boat slowly started, sounds of piercing through the air rising, sea of clouds surging outside the windows. The spirit merchants began discussing market price fluctuations. Yuyi made a few perfunctory responses, then closed his eyes to rest. Truly useful business information—who would easily share that?
The spirit merchants all had their insights: rest while there are few people. After reaching Emei, there would be more people, and then rest would be impossible. Yuyi adjusted his breathing, circulating the Hunyuan Heart Method, feeling the spiritual energy flow within him.
After an unknown time, the boat master's voice rang out. "Approaching Emei—prepare yourselves."
Yuyi opened his eyes, simply straightening his appearance. The spirit merchants also rose, taking advantageous positions in the cabin. The flying boat pierced through the clouds, and Emei Sect's mountain gate appeared before them. The gate was wreathed in spiritual energy, immortal qi drifting about, white-robed female cultivators passing through the mountain gate.
However, Yuyi quickly noticed something unusual. Over ten female cultivators from Emei Sect boarded the boat—from the dharma artifacts they wore, all were renowned experts in the cultivation world. Yuyi recognized Bingxin and Lianxin, his heart tightening. Emei Sect's top ten experts—why were they all mobilizing?
Aoxue stepped forward, tossing a stack of spirit stone vouchers. "Charter the boat."
The boat master looked awkwardly at the vouchers in his hand, then at the four people in the cabin. "This... there are already four people on board..."
Aoxue frowned, about to flare up, when Bingxin stepped forward, her voice cold. "Enough—they're just businessmen. Let them stay."
Aoxue looked displeased at Yuyi and the others, then turned away. The other female cultivators paid no attention to the spirit merchants—only Lianxin glanced at Yuyi twice with curiosity. Yuyi let out a breath of relief, but also felt nervous. Emei Sect's top ten experts mobilizing together—something big must be happening. He kept his head down, trying not to attract attention.
The flying boat continued forward, the atmosphere in the cabin becoming subtle. Aoxue couldn't help speaking, "Bingxin senior sister, why are we helping Nitian Alliance? I don't like that Duanchang Jian."
Bingxin looked at her calmly. "Not for Duanchang Jian, but for Emei Sect's interests. Cangqiong Alliance, especially Youyue Pavilion, is too arrogant."
Aoxue didn't understand. "Youyue Pavilion?"
Bingxin nodded. "Youyue Pavilion bullies Emei disciples, declaring in Zhongzhou City that mining spirit veins requires their permission. Can we swallow this insult?"
Aoxue snorted coldly. "Since Cangqiong Alliance changed leaders, they've indeed become increasingly excessive. That Zixiao, backed by Tianyin Pavilion's number two expert, doesn't respect Emei Sect."
Bingxin sighed. "So, we borrow Nitian Alliance's power to strike at Cangqiong Alliance. This is for Emei Sect's future."
Another female cultivator interjected, "I heard Xuantian Sect's top ten experts are also participating? Those sword practice targets—what use are they?"
Bingxin looked at her seriously. "Nishang, don't speak like that. Lingxiao, Murong Xue, and Zhuiyun have received the Yin-Yang Sword Art transmission—their strength isn't to be underestimated. Xuantian Sect isn't as weak as you imagine."
Nishang lowered her head. "Yes, Bingxin senior sister."
Hearing this, Yuyi's heart stirred. In his bundle was a Cloud Rainbow Dharma Robe for women—perfect for Nishang. More importantly, Bingxin's evaluation of the Yin-Yang Sword Art gave him hope for Xuantian Sect. So Xuantian Sect wasn't a hopeless sect. Lingxiao, Murong Xue, Zhuiyun—he had heard of these three, among the best of Xuantian Sect's top ten experts. Now having received the Yin-Yang Sword Art transmission, their strength must have greatly increased.
He secretly rejoiced, enjoying this comfortable journey. Accompanied by celestial maidens, not crowded, able to hear cultivation world news—truly rare.
The flying boat pierced through the clouds, and Zhongzhou City's outline appeared before them. The spirit merchants reluctantly disembarked, hoping every trip could be this comfortable. Yuyi shouldered his bundle, calculating his next business.
On the cultivation path, ceaseless movement. But he had found his own way.