Eternal Life: I Can Control My Essence Qi-Chapter 105 - 103: Mang Mountain Marketplace

"Just place it here..."

Zhang Yao took the Earth Divine Embryo out of the Storage Bag and placed it underground.

At this depth of a hundred feet, ordinary people can hardly dig to it; the Divine Sense of a Foundation Establishment Cultivator cannot penetrate it; even the Earth Dragon Turning Over cannot reach such depth.

Unless there is a tectonic plate collision that lasts hundreds of thousands, even millions of years, creating mountain-building movements, or a top-tier expert takes action to overturn the land and change the landscape.

But these two scenarios can be mostly ignored.

Therefore, it should be extremely safe underground here.

Zhang Yao hesitated for a moment, then took out ten Earth Soul Crystals, placing them next to the Earth Divine Embryo.

"It’s enough for me to keep two Earth Soul Crystals."

"In case I unfortunately die outside, these Earth Soul Crystals might mean ten lives..."

Giving one last look at the Earth Divine Embryo, Zhang Yao turned and left.

A moment later, he was maneuvering his Escape Light, traveling through the sky, heading northwards.

"The Cultivation Realm of Wei Kingdom is definitely not a place to return to."

"Although over fifty years have passed, Celestial Treasure Tower is likely still there, and the Foundation Establishment Cultivators from the Ouyang Family and Chu Family could still be alive."

As Zhang Yao flew, he pondered to himself:

"Better to pick another place like Cang Kingdom or Li Kingdom, which are not too far away."

"After all this time, Celestial Treasure Tower likely wouldn’t still have bounties on me throughout the countries, not to mention that I have a completely different identity now..."

...

Seven days later.

Zhang Yao crossed four Desolate Zones, arriving in Li Kingdom.

With his current Magical Power, he could cross hundreds of miles of Desolate Zones in one go without needing to expend Spirit Stones anymore.

The higher the Cultivation, the lesser the influence of Desolate Zones.

When Zhang Yao was in Qingyunfang City of Wei Kingdom, he had already gained knowledge about the Cultivation Realm of neighboring Cang Kingdom and Li Kingdom.

Li Kingdom is similar to Wei Kingdom, but the strongest power is not the Sect or Noble Families, but the "Wanhe Alliance" formed by Loose Cultivators of the kingdom.

The founder of the Wanhe Alliance, Daoist Wanhe, was a late-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator and was considered the strongest in the Cultivation Realm of the nearby kingdoms.

"After so many years, I wonder if there have been any significant changes in the Cultivation Realm of Li Kingdom..."

Zhang Yao flew in the sky, silently contemplating.

Sects and Noble Families can be passed down through generations, but Loose Alliances are hard to maintain. If Daoist Wanhe died, the Wanhe Alliance would inevitably fall apart.

Besides the Wanhe Alliance, the main powers in the Cultivation Realm of Li Kingdom are Tiandun Sect and Mang Mountain Li Clan, both having Foundation Establishment Cultivators stationed, and not just one.

Compared to the five major factions of Wei Kingdom, the Foundation Establishment powers of Li Kingdom are generally stronger.

"I should visit Mang Mountain Marketplace first."

With this thought, Zhang Yao slightly increased the speed of his Escape Light. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

In Li Kingdom’s Cultivation Realm, there are only a few small Spirit Veins, with the only Marketplace located in the spirit vein of Mang Mountain, owned by the Li Clan.

Two days later, Zhang Yao traversed over three thousand miles, arriving at Mang Mountain in central Li Kingdom.

Majestic and towering into the clouds, Mang Mountain boasts a magnificent atmosphere, with the Spirit Vein located atop the highest Celestial Peak, shrouded in mist throughout the year.

Zhang Yao maneuvered his Escape Light, penetrating the swirling mist, landing on a winding mountain path.

Raising his head, he saw a small Mountain City standing valiantly, with winding roads inside and buildings varying in height on both sides.

"Indeed, quite different from Qingyunfang City."

Zhang Yao strolled around with interest, observing the bustling scene within the Marketplace.

The scale of Mang Mountain Marketplace was slightly larger than Qingyunfang City, with numerous Qi Refining Cultivators coming and going, and relaxed stalls filled one street.

Zhang Yao walked down the street, picking things from stalls, casually chatting and inquiring about the Cultivation Realm of Li Kingdom.

A moment later, Zhang Yao silently thought to himself:

"Indeed, the Wanhe Alliance is gone..."

Over twenty years ago, Daoist Wanhe passed away after reaching the end of his life, and the Wanhe Alliance quickly disintegrated under the joint suppression by Tiandun Sect and Mang Mountain Li Clan.

The small Spirit Veins, as well as minerals, Spirit Fields, and other resources they occupied, were all divided up by the two parties.

Since then, the Cultivation Realm of Li Kingdom has transformed into a contest between two dragons, where the two main forces engage in fierce open and covert struggles, though they have not broken off completely, generally remaining stable.

"This fellow Daoist..."

Zhang Yao pondered for a moment, then inquired with the stall owner about the recruitment order of Celestial Treasure Tower.

"Recruitment order of Celestial Treasure Tower?"

The stall owner was momentarily stunned before responding with a peculiar expression:

"That’s old news from decades ago."

"As far as I remember, the recruitment order of Celestial Treasure Tower was canceled over forty years ago, lasting only about ten years."

Upon speaking, he couldn’t help but express a hint of nostalgia:

"But speaking of which, it indeed was a significant event in the Southwest Countries’ Cultivation Realm."

"I was still young back then, only around ten years old, but I remember it caused quite a stir, making a great sensation..."

Hearing this, Zhang Yao felt a sense of relief.

The recruitment order of Celestial Treasure Tower was canceled over forty years ago, which means things have long calmed down, and it’s highly unlikely that anyone would pay attention to him now.

Honestly, back when a few Foundation Establishment Cultivators collaborated, spending several months to scheme against a middle-stage Qi Refining cultivator like him, he still finds it utterly ridiculous to this day.

"Well, thank you, fellow Daoist."

Zhang Yao politely thanked the stall owner and turned to leave.

"Hey, after all that talk, you aren’t buying anything?"

The stall owner shouted angrily, complaining:

"What kind of people are these, just here to freeload..."

A moment later.

After gathering information, Zhang Yao developed a new plan.

He first went to the administration of Mang Mountain Marketplace, spending ten Spirit Stones to rent a cave dwelling for a year.

Then he sold off his middle and low-level Magical Artifacts, gaining hundreds of Spirit Stones, before acquiring numerous Talismans and Array-related books.

In the cave dwelling:

"With these books for assistance, within a year, I can open a shop."

As Zhang Yao perused the Jade Scroll in his hand, a hint of satisfaction appeared on his face.

At the Qi Refining Stage, he needs two Spiritual Objects: Celestial One Gold Water and Thousand Year Jade Marrow.

The former is used to construct the ’Vajra Mora Secret Spell Array’; the latter, the ’Celestial Profound Bright Jade Array.’

"Celestial One Gold Water is relatively easier to find and not too expensive, but Thousand Year Jade Marrow is quite rare and probably not found in Li Kingdom’s Cultivation Realm..."

Zhang Yao continued to calculate in his mind:

Whether searching for Celestial One Gold Water or Thousand Year Jade Marrow, it will definitely require a large number of Spirit Stones for exchange unless he plans to seize them.

Therefore, after understanding the basic situation of the Cultivation Realm of Li Kingdom, he planned to open a store specifically selling high-grade Talismans and helping to arrange Arrays.

As a cultivator practicing the Path of Array Refining and Body Integration, Arrays and Spirit Patterns are his expertise.

The three grand arrays in the "Scripture of All Transformations and True Nature" are top-level among first grade Arrays. His successful initiation means his proficiency in Arrays is actually quite high.

What he lacks now is merely some foundational and common Array knowledge.

His Talisman-making skills are currently slightly lacking, but with some focused improvement, crafting high-grade Talismans should not be a problem.

"In Qingyunfang City, Talisman Masters who could craft high-grade Talismans made substantial profits."

"And Array Masters hold higher status, earn more, with yearly earnings of several hundred Spirit Stones being common."

At this thought, Zhang Yao’s mind became ever clearer:

"Run a shop while searching for the two major Spiritual Objects."

"If luck is on my side, I should get news of Celestial One Gold Water within a few years at most..."