97: Chapter 97 The Ten Thousand Swords Sect Slays Demons

After several years of development amidst the chaos, Qingyuan Market was now bustling with crowds and traffic. At the most prosperous part of the market, the Drunken Immortal Tower was especially lively.

In a private room on the second floor, Su Xuanming was clinking cups with a few friends, three rounds of wine already consumed.

"Congratulations to the Su Family on the birth of Dragon and Phoenix children!"

"The Su Family's blessings reach the heavens. With this development trend, they will be able to advance to a seventh-rank Qi Refining Family in less than a century."

"Brother Jiang, what are you saying? The Su Family is one of the few families in Qingyuan County that survived the beast tide. In my opinion, it's a sure thing for the Su Family to advance to seventh-rank within a century. We should wish the Su Family to advance to a sixth-rank Foundation Establishment Family within a century!"

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone applauded in agreement, cheering loudly.

Everyone present here were supporters of the Su Family, so naturally, they all spoke highly of the Su Family.

Although there was an element of flattery, the Su Family had indeed developed rapidly over the years, especially after the Su Clan Chamber of Commerce opened trade routes with the Yunmeng Ruins, literally raking in money daily.

Martial Artists could buy rare treasures from the Su Clan Chamber of Commerce that were only available in Cultivation Markets. How could business not be good?

Most Cultivators looked down on Mortals. Even Martial Artists who could kill them head-on were still looked down upon by Cultivators, let alone selling cultivation resources to Mortals.

In their eyes, Mortals buying cultivation resources was a complete waste of heavenly treasures.

Good things should be held by Cultivators, not touched by lowly beings like Mortals.

But the Su Family, on the other hand, had no such prejudice. Influenced by Su Yang's philosophy, the Su Family believed there was no difference between Mortals and Cultivators; as long as they could pay, they were customers.

Watching the Su Clan Chamber of Commerce grow stronger day by day, many Cultivation Families in Qingyuan Market began to waver.

Who would have thought that the sesame-sized purchasing power of Mortals, when accumulated, would result in such terrifying amounts of spirit crystals?

Many Family forces were extremely envious and also began selling cultivation resources to Mortals, hoping to seize the market exclusively held by the Su Family.

However, even though they also sold cultivation resources to Mortals, their business was far less prosperous than the Su Family's.

Some people with keen business acumen had already discovered the problem.

The Su Family could supply the four major cultivation arts, plus the occasional appearance of one or two foundation establishment pills to boost the chamber of commerce's reputation, and crucially, an unprecedented Spirit-Attaching Technique.

All of these advantages were important reasons for the Su Clan Chamber of Commerce's booming business.

When purchasing goods of the same price, customers would subconsciously choose the shop with more strength.

And the strength displayed by the Su Clan Chamber of Commerce was far superior to that of other shops.

Therefore, as long as no merchant stronger than the Su Clan Chamber of Commerce appeared in Qingyuan Market, it would be impossible to shake the Su Clan Chamber of Commerce's position in the hearts of the common people.

Those shops that imitated the Su Clan Chamber of Commerce not only failed to capture consumers but also lowered their impression among Cultivators, leading to those Cultivators who disdained Mortals no longer coming.

In this peculiar business environment, the Su Clan Chamber of Commerce did nothing, and its business became even more prosperous, while other shops almost ruined themselves.

However, in the eyes of many, the Su Family must have seen through the essence of business and the fate of other shops from the very beginning, which is why they never bothered with it.

Su Xuanming smiled and raised his cup in response: "Everyone overpraises. The Su Family's current achievements are all due to the Foundation my father laid back then, plus a bit of luck. It's not as miraculous as the rumors say."

"Second Young Master is too modest."

Everyone smiled and raised their cups in return, and the atmosphere at the table was lively.

After several rounds of drinks, when everyone's faces gradually showed signs of intoxication, someone at the table suddenly lowered their voice and mentioned that Demonic Cultivators had recently appeared in the market.

"Demonic Cultivators?" Su Xuanming frowned. "I've never encountered Demonic Cultivators in all my years of Cultivation. Is this true?"

Brother Jiang immediately replied, "It should be true. It's been causing a stir recently. It's said that Demonic Cultivators have appeared all over Great Wei, and yesterday, Ten Thousand Sword Sect Disciples came to eliminate demons."

Ten Thousand Sword Sect Disciples! Su Xuanming was startled. Could it be that his sister-in-law's whereabouts had been exposed?

"Didn't the Wan Jian Sect seal its mountain? Could it be someone impersonating them?"

Brother Jiang shook his head and said, "At first, I also thought it was an impersonation, but after inquiring, I learned that the Wan Jian Sect has re-established contact with the outside world. It's said that during the mountain sealing period, they were contending for the position of Sect Master."

"Now that the dust has settled, the new Sect Master of the Wan Jian Sect is Elder Huang Lingxiao of the Third Peak!"

"To spread the prestige of the Wan Jian Sect, Sect Master Huang ordered the Sect Disciples to descend the mountain to eliminate demons and investigate the source of the Demonic Cultivators."

At this point, Brother Jiang suddenly lowered his voice and cautiously said, "There's also a piece of news I got from a Wan Jian Sect Disciple. They said that the former Sect Master of the Wan Jian Sect was actually a Demonic Cultivator!"

"All Main lineage disciples Cultivate Demonic Techniques! The period of sealing the mountain was to thoroughly investigate the Demonic Cultivator Disciples within the Sect."

As soon as these words came out, everyone in the private room gasped.

The appearance of Demonic Cultivator Disciples within the prestigious and righteous Wan Jian Sect was undoubtedly a Family misfortune.

Su Xuanming, however, his face darkened. This was clearly a frame-up.

The scandals of the Wan Jian Sect would never be spread outside, let alone from the mouths of Sect Disciples, and he was very clear whether the Wan Jian Sect's Main lineage disciples cultivated Demonic Techniques.

His sister-in-law Wei Yan and Zhao Wanyi were Main lineage disciples, and the Dao they cultivated was the purest Sword Dao.

"While eliminating demons and gaining fame, do they also want to take the opportunity to purge the Main lineage disciples?"

Su Xuanming pondered for a moment and then understood the Wan Jian Sect's objective.

The new Sect Master needed prestige to stabilize his position. Coincidentally, traces of Demonic Cultivators appeared in Great Wei during this time, which was a rare opportunity to gain fame. At the same time, he could also search for Main lineage disciples and eliminate the root cause!

Su Xuanming had to go back and remind his sister-in-law not to go out during this time to avoid encountering Ten Thousand Sword Sect Disciples.

Thinking of this, he instantly lost the desire to continue drinking and immediately stood up to bid farewell to everyone.

...

Several men and women had just walked out of a Su Clan Chamber of Commerce shop.

One of them held a long sword Magical Artifact in his hand, examining it carefully.

All of them wore uniform Sect attire, with subtle sharpness in their brows and an otherworldly aura around them.

"This Magical Artifact actually has runes inscribed on it! So spirit-attaching is attaching Talisman runes to a Magical Artifact, but how is this done?"

The woman holding the sword exclaimed, her beautiful eyes sparkling with wonder.

"There are countless talented individuals in the Cultivation world. This Su Family has an extraordinary Foundation, but unfortunately, it's ultimately just a Qi Refining Family. If they're lucky, they might survive the chaotic times. If not, this technique..."

Before the man could finish, the woman holding the sword suddenly said excitedly, "Senior Brother Huang, do you think we can learn this technique from the Su Family? It could not only bring huge benefits to the Sect but also prevent this technique from being lost to history."

Huang Chen pondered for a moment and said, "This technique is unprecedented, and its monetary value is self-evident. The Su Family will certainly not teach it to outsiders."

Tan Meng, instead of being discouraged, her eyes flashed, "Then we'll have to use some means!"

Huang Chen was startled by her words. "Junior Sister means..."

The words were not explicitly stated, but all the Sect Disciples understood the implication.

If they are unwilling to teach it, then they can only seize it!