The Chaotic Immortal Wood Sect: Immortal Cultivation War - Chapter 65

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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65. Arriving at Hulyang Market and Meeting an Elder of the Biwol Gate

 

“That place is called Hulyang Market, right?”

 

“That’s correct.”

 

“What kind of place is it? Who manages it? I’ve never stopped by there before.”

 

“It’s understandable that you wouldn’t know. It’s such a small market town, and there’s almost no exchange with the outside world.”

 

“No external exchange?”

 

“It’s not completely absent, but there are cases where you might not see a new face for an entire year, so few people come and go.”

 

“Isn’t that too isolated?”

 

“Haha. Not particularly so. Hulyang Market is maintained through cooperation between three cultivation sects, and since they can all access the Great Unity Hall, there’s no real need for external exchange.”

 

“Ah! So they conduct trade through the Great Unity Hall?”

 

“Exactly. If there’s something needed, no matter how precious, it can be obtained. As long as one can pay the price.”

 

“They mostly trade with spirit stones, I suppose?”

 

“Of course.”

 

“Naturally, those three sects act as intermediaries and make considerable profit?”

 

“Haha, that’s true, but it’s not excessive. They keep it at a level where everyone benefits reasonably.”

 

“Well, if they went too far, everyone would leave and it would be difficult to maintain the market. They have to be moderate. They can’t kill the goose that lays golden eggs.”

 

“Please don’t say such things. The cultivators of Hulyang all respect and follow the three sects.”

 

“You’re saying they haven’t lost the people’s hearts? Then my words were a bit harsh.”

 

When Jin Do Baek seemed to find his words distasteful, Kang Hyeon immediately acknowledged his mistake.

 

“Your words aren’t entirely wrong, Senior. Certainly, they maintain their sects by mediating trade with the Great Unity Hall. But they don’t exploit us users of Hulyang Market to the point where we feel dissatisfied, so isn’t this acceptable?”

 

“According to what you say, they seem to be people who understand righteousness.”

 

Kang Hyeon once again raised his evaluation of the sects managing Hulyang Market.

 

Jin Do Baek’s expression became much more comfortable than before.

 

“Then should I take this opportunity to make a request for something I’ve been desperately trying to obtain? How about it? Would that be alright?”

 

“Well, wouldn’t that depend on what you’re trying to obtain? But if you can pay the price, what reason would they have not to fulfill it? There’s never been such a case before. However…”

 

“Hmm? However? Is there some problem?”

 

“Wouldn’t it be a matter of trust? If you paid the full amount upfront while asking them to obtain the goods, it wouldn’t be a problem, but…”

 

“Since there’s no mutual trust, even if I made a request, I’d have to pay a large advance? But since I also lack trust in them, I wouldn’t want to pay an excessive advance?”

 

“Haha, exactly that.”

 

“Well, that can be adjusted appropriately.”

 

Kang Hyeon replied nonchalantly.

 

After all, he could start small and gradually increase the scale of transactions.

 

‘If I just plant Trent’s branches, I can come and go anytime, so using Hulyang Market’s sects until I obtain a Great Unity Token wouldn’t be bad.’

 

Since he could move freely through the Mystic Realm, it wouldn’t be too difficult to pretend to stay at Hulyang Market while actually heading to Cheonroe Gate.

 

Kang Hyeon smiled broadly, thinking that Hulyang Market might become a very beneficial place for him.

 

***

 

The Black Secret Wetlands are located at the eastern edge of Hyeop Province, in the frontier, and traveling west from there for some distance leads to Hulyang Market.

 

So Hulyang Market is a small place, even among the market towns of Hyeop Province.

 

However, with over ten thousand cultivators making their living in Hulyang Market alone, it looks quite prosperous even from a distance.

 

“The scale of the market is larger than I expected.”

 

Kang Hyeon stood at the bow of the Flying Leaf Ship, fixing his gaze on the distant market and muttering.

 

“Since there are no other markets nearby, once people enter Hulyang, they don’t go elsewhere.”

 

“Is that so?”

 

“Yes. Moreover, since the distance to other markets is so great, when children with spiritual roots are born among the mortals in between, they’re all taken in by Hulyang Market’s cultivators and raised as disciples.”

 

“Ah, so that’s why there are so many cultivators?”

 

“Exactly. Since lifespan increases considerably with even a slight improvement in cultivation level, the number of cultivators continues to grow.”

 

“How fascinating. Hulyang is quite a unique place.”

 

Kang Hyeon felt that Hulyang Market had special characteristics that distinguished it from other typical markets.

 

Ziiiiing!

 

At that moment, a signal came to the barrier protecting the Flying Leaf Ship.

 

Jin Do Baek then spoke to Kang Hyeon.

 

“Ten li from the market’s city wall. From here, it’s a no-fly zone. We must put away flying magical tools and move using Light Body Technique or Flight Technique.”

 

“Escape techniques won’t work either, I suppose?”

 

“Spatial movement is prohibited within a hundred li of Hulyang Market.”

 

“Understood. Then let’s go slowly.”

 

Kang Hyeon called Jin Do Baek to stand side by side in the air, then put away the Flying Leaf Ship.

 

Afterward, he headed toward the market with Jin Do Baek, walking on air, and along the way, he could see many cultivators entering and leaving the market.

 

“They’re all busily moving about trying to gain something.”

 

When Kang Hyeon turned his attention to the passing cultivators, Jin Do Baek quickly explained.

 

“Are they going out for gathering and hunting like you?”

 

“Some do that, and others cultivate spirit plants outside. Oh, and there are a few who do mining too.”

 

“Then they’re the ones who supply Hulyang’s basic resources?”

 

“That’s right. Based on the general resources gathered that way, pill refiners, artifact refiners, talisman makers, and others who mainly work within the market create useful items.”

 

“And the three sects that can access the Great Unity Hall collect these and act as intermediaries?”

 

“Haha. Exactly.”

 

“Still, seeing that the cultivators’ expressions and energy aren’t bad, it seems the three major sects truly haven’t lost the people’s hearts, as you said.”

 

“See? Haven’t I told you that several times already?”

 

“Alright, alright. I understand. No need to get worked up.”

 

“How could I possibly get worked up with you, Senior…”

 

“It’s a joke, just a joke. Haha. Let’s hurry along.”

 

“Yes, Senior.”

 

Kang Hyeon chatted with Jin Do Baek as they headed toward the main gate of Hulyang Market, and upon reaching the gate, they encountered the gatekeeper cultivator.

 

“Cultivator Jin, you’ve arrived.”

 

The gatekeeper cultivator was at the Early Qi Accumulation stage, same as Jin Do Baek, but perhaps due to age difference, he spoke respectfully to Jin Do Baek.

 

“Kang Cultivator, it seems you’re in charge of this place this month?”

 

“That’s how it turned out. But who is the person accompanying you?”

 

“His name is Kang Hyeon Woo.”

 

“I greet you, senior.”

 

The gatekeeper called Kang Cultivator bowed his head toward Kang Hyeon.

 

“I’m thinking of staying in Hulyang Market for a while. What’s the procedure?”

 

Kang Hyeon asked.

 

“There’s no particular procedure. You just need to look over a jade slip containing the market’s rules and guidance, then receive a market identity token. Ah, the identity token requires twenty low grade spirit stones.”

 

“The identity token must have special features?”

 

Twenty low grade spirit stones would be equivalent to two hundred of the lowest grade.

 

It wasn’t much for a Qi Accumulation cultivator, but it was a considerable amount for a Spiritual Energy cultivator.

 

So it was excessive for a simple token.

 

“When conducting transactions within the market, you can store spirit stone points on your identity token. And the spirit stone points stored on the token can be exchanged for spirit stones anytime at the Exchange Hall jointly managed by our three sects.”

 

“Oh ho, so normally you can store them as numbers on the identity token and use them freely, but when you actually need physical spirit stones, you can exchange them at the Exchange Hall?”

 

“You understand immediately, that’s impressive. Usually I have to explain with examples several times.”

 

“It would be unfamiliar to them. I’ve experienced a similar system, no, institution before.”

 

“Is that so?”

 

“If you think about it, isn’t it similar to sect contribution points? If you view all of Hulyang Market as one sect, you could consider the identity token’s spirit stone points as sect contribution points.”

 

“Haha. Exactly right. I heard that the three major sects actually referenced such large sect examples when they agreed to create the identity tokens and spirit stone point system.”

 

“But seeing your silver-moon colored robes, you must be a disciple of the Flying Moon Gate?”

 

“It seems Cultivator Jin told you. That’s correct. I am Kang Bu Woon, an inner disciple of the Flying Moon Gate.”

 

“Nice to meet you. So if I give you spirit stones, you’ll issue me an identity token?”

 

“That’s right. Here it is.”

 

“Haha. Thank you. Here are the spirit stones…”

 

“No. I’ll give it as a gift to commemorate meeting you, senior.”

 

“Hm?”

 

“It means please treat me well in the future. It’s only twenty low grade spirit stones so it’s insufficient, but it’s the thought that counts, right?”

 

“Hahaha. That’s right. It’s not the spirit stones that matter, but the sincerity. Good. I’ll accept that sincerity.”

 

“Thank you.”

 

“It feels like I’m putting gold on my own face, but I’m an alchemist who can refine 3rd-tier spirit pills, and I also have considerable knowledge in spirit plant cultivation. So if you ever need help with alchemy or spirit plant cultivation, come find me.”

 

“Did you say you’re a 3rd-tier alchemist? Is that really true?”

 

Kang Bu Woon’s eyes widened in surprise as he asked Kang Hyeon.

 

“What! Are you saying I’m lying!”

 

“No, no. It’s just that you haven’t formed a Golden Core yet but can still perform 3rd-tier alchemy, so it’s hard to believe.”

 

“It’s only 3rd-tier alchemy after all. Compared to my cultivation level it might seem impressive, but to the Decisive stage elders, it’s just an ordinary skill.”

 

“What are you saying? Here in Hulyang Market, there are only a handful of alchemist masters who can perform 3rd-tier alchemy. With your arrival, senior, how could this not be called a blessing for the market?”

 

“That’s too much gold plating. Anyway, I’ve received the identity token well. Ah, I should have enough leeway to obtain an estate to stay in within the market, right?”

 

“Even if there weren’t any, we’d create one for you. Whether you go to our Flying Moon Gate, Radiant Flower Gate, or Azure Cloud Gate, you’ll be able to obtain good accommodations.”

 

“I don’t want something big and fancy. Just somewhere with formation barriers suitable for preventing outside interference would be sufficient.”

 

“I’ll contact the gate and tell them to look for one. So when you enter, please visit our Flying Moon Gate’s Reception Hall.”

 

“You don’t need to go through such trouble… There must be places that deal in buildings and land within the market anyway?”

 

“Of course there are, but if our Flying Moon Gate steps in, couldn’t you find a much better place quickly?”

 

“Huh, since you put it that way, I’ll try owing a debt to the Flying Moon Gate.”

 

“Thank you, senior. Anytime you visit the Flying Moon Gate and reveal your identity, the Reception Hall will immediately provide guidance.”

 

“That’s quite a burden.”

 

Kang Hyeon hurriedly passed by Kang Bu Woon and entered Hulyang Market with an expression that showed he really felt burdened.

 

As Kang Hyeon passed by, Kang Bu Woon once again urged him from behind to visit the Flying Moon Gate.

 

“Can you really perform 3rd-tier alchemy?”

 

After passing through the market’s city gate and walking along the main road for some time, once he was confident that Kang Bu Woon couldn’t hear his voice, Jin Do Baek asked Kang Hyeon.

 

“Tsk, I already said so, yet you’re confirming again?”

 

“A senior in mid-stage Qi Accumulation who can refine Decisive stage spirit pills – how could I not be surprised?”

 

“I was born with alchemical talent and achieved great success in that area. If my cultivation level just reaches the Decisive stage, I could even attempt 4th grade alchemy.”

 

“To that extent…”

 

Jin Do Baek’s eyes filled with reverence, making Kang Hyeon feel uncomfortable.

 

“But you also said you do spirit plant cultivation?”

 

Jin Do Baek seemed to want to ask more about alchemy, but noticing that Kang Hyeon wasn’t enthusiastic, he changed the topic to spirit plant cultivation.

 

“I also have skills in spirit plant cultivation that don’t fall behind my alchemy.”

 

Kang Hyeon spoke confidently and boastfully without any modesty.

 

“I see. That’s impressive.”

 

“Your reaction is lukewarm?”

 

“Ah, no it’s not.”

 

“Haha. Just wait and see. Before long, Hulyang Market will be bustling with my spirit herbs and spirit pills.”

 

Kang Hyeon spoke as if making a vow to Jin Do Baek, who showed a lukewarm reaction to spirit plant cultivation compared to alchemy.

 

Afterwards, Kang Hyeon toured Hulyang Market thoroughly under Jin Do Baek’s guidance.

 

This naturally included the Radiant Flower Gate and Azure Cloud Gate, which were two of Hulyang’s three major sects.

 

Azure Cloud Gate, one of Hulyang’s three major sects along with Flying Moon Gate, wore blue sect robes, while Radiant Flower Gate wore dark purple sect robes, clearly distinguishing them from Flying Moon Gate’s silver-moon colored robes.

 

“Welcome, Alchemist Kang Hyeon Woo.”

 

As Kang Hyeon approached the main gate of Flying Moon Gate with Jin Do Baek, the disciple guarding the gate immediately recognized Kang Hyeon and welcomed him.

 

“Has word of my appearance already spread?”

 

Kang Hyeon asked the gate-guarding disciple who was in the late stage of Spiritual Energy cultivation.

 

“Not exactly, but we received word that an alchemist would be coming with Cultivator Jin.”

 

“I see. Then could I trouble you for guidance?”

 

“Of course. Please come this way.”

 

The gate-guarding disciple immediately led Kang Hyeon inside the sect and guided him to a nearby hall.

 

“This is the Reception Hall. If you go inside, Elder No will be waiting for you.”

 

“An elder?”

 

“He is the elder in charge of the Reception Hall.”

 

“I understand.”

 

“Ah, Monk Jin, please wait here for a moment.”

 

As Kang Hyeon climbed the steps at the entrance of the hall, Jin Do Baek tried to follow, but a gatekeeper disciple called Jin Do Baek aside.

 

At this, Kang Hyeon paused for a moment, then climbed the steps alone, opened the door of the hall, and entered.

 

“Hmm?”

 

He had thought that opening the door and entering the hall would lead to the main hall as usual, but instead he found a corridor with several doors on the left and right.

 

Kang Hyeon looked at those doors in the corridor, then immediately moved his steps and walked toward the door at the end of the corridor that faced the entrance.

 

“Welcome. I am called No Ja Pyeong.”

 

Inside that door, Kang Hyeon met No Ja Pyeong, a late Core Formation stage cultivator who had been waiting for him.

 

‘Suddenly a late Core Formation stage?’

 

Kang Hyeon felt cold sweat flowing down his back as he respectfully bowed his waist.

 

“Junior Kang Hyeon Woo of Mal Hak pays respects to the elder of Biyol Gate.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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