15: Market 1

Lin Feng, however, cupped his hands and said, “Reporting to Elder, this Disciple wishes to accompany the Family’s fleet heading to Huangsha Market to broaden his horizons.

Black Reef Island’s harvest for this year is complete, and the Formation on the island has been activated, so there should be no worries for the short term.”

Elder Lin Qingsong glanced at him; it was only natural for a marginal Disciple at Qi Refining Middle Stage, fifth level, to want to see the world at the Market.

Black Reef Island was indeed barren and offered little profit, so it was unlikely anyone would target it.

He pondered for a moment, then nodded in agreement: “Very well.

Tomorrow, at the first quarter of Chen Shi, gather at the dock and depart with the ‘Azurewave.’

Do not be late.”

“This Disciple obeys!” Lin Feng’s heart filled with joy, and he bowed again before excusing himself.

The next day, as dawn just broke, Azure Wave Island’s dock was already a scene of bustling activity.

A massive sailboat, over twenty zhang long, with its hull covered in dark brown Spirit Wood and its bow carved with a wave-riding Spirit Tortoise pattern, was docked in the deep water.

Its three enormous sails, woven from “Wind Breath Jiao Silk,” flapped in the morning breeze.

Runes for reinforcement and lightness were faintly visible on the hull, circulating and exuding a steady and profound aura.

This was the Lin Family’s largest transport Spirit Ship—the “Azurewave,” capable of carrying both people and goods, traveling between Azure Wave Island and Huangsha Market.

The dock was teeming with people.

There were Family stewards and guards escorting goods, clansmen heading to the Market to purchase or sell items, and also some Cultivators from smaller families affiliated with the Lin Family, as well as Loose Cultivators who had paid Spirit Stones to board the ship.

Those with higher cultivation, like several Qi Refining Late Stage stewards, stood calmly on the bow deck; those with lower cultivation squeezed by the ship’s side, excitedly looking around.

Lin Feng mingled in the crowd, still keeping a low profile.

He had changed into his gray-blue Magical Robe, with the fenshui sword hanging at his waist, and his aura was restrained.

“Lin Feng Ge!” A clear voice, carrying both surprise and a hint of complaint, suddenly rang out.

Lin Feng looked in the direction of the voice and saw a young man, dressed in the moon-white brocade robe of a Lin Family core Disciple, with a handsome face and around seventeen or eighteen years old, pushing through the crowd and walking quickly towards him.

The young man’s eyes sparkled with a lively spirit, and his cultivation had impressively reached Qi Refining sixth level!

It was Lin Feng’s childhood friend, the fourth son of his paternal second uncle Lin Qingyan—Lin Jianghe!

With a Three Spiritual Root Aptitude, his talent was among the forefront of the younger generation in the Family, and he was highly regarded.

“Jianghe?” Lin Feng’s eyes also showed a smile.

This was the first peer who had actively and warmly greeted him since he left home.

“Lin Feng Ge! You’re finally back!” Lin Jianghe ran closer and, without ceremony, lightly punched Lin Feng’s shoulder, his tone tinged with a playful reproach, “You went to Black Reef Island for almost a year, and didn’t even send a Talisman!

I thought you’d been carried off by a sea demon!” Though it was a complaint, his concern was evident.

“The island is remote, and communication is inconvenient,” Lin Feng explained with a smile, his heart warming slightly.

Only Lin Jianghe, who had grown up together with him since childhood, would be so close to his “marginal” Four Spiritual Root cousin.

“Hmph, an excuse!” Lin Jianghe pouted, then curiously sized him up.

“How is that godforsaken place, Black Reef Island? I heard it’s desolate? Eh? You… you’re Qi Refining Middle Stage, fourth level?” He sensed Lin Feng’s cultivation, somewhat surprised.

In his impression, this cousin had mediocre Aptitude and slow progress; he seemed to have only recently Broken Through to Qi Refining fourth level before going to Black Reef Island?

“I was lucky to have some gains,” Lin Feng said vaguely.

“That’s awesome!” Lin Jianghe’s eyes lit up, genuinely happy for Lin Feng.

“It seems that place isn’t entirely without benefits!

Let’s go, let’s go, let’s talk on the ship!

This time, I really want to explore Huangsha Market; I heard that ‘Hundred Refinements Pavilion’ just received a batch of good Magical Artifacts…”

Lin Jianghe pulled Lin Feng, skillfully avoiding the crowded flow of people and walking towards the boarding area.

He was cheerful and a Three Spiritual Root Genius, so he was quite popular on the ship, greeting familiar clansmen along the way.

“Senior Brother Jianghe!”

“Junior Brother Jianghe is also going to the Market?”

“This is…” Someone looked at Lin Feng, their gaze carrying inquiry and a hint of imperceptible distance.

“This is my cousin Lin Feng, who just returned from guarding Black Reef Island,” Lin Jianghe introduced enthusiastically.

“Oh, Senior Brother Lin from Black Reef Island.” The questioner nodded politely, the distance in their eyes not significantly lessened.

Guarding Black Reef Island? In the Family, it was almost synonymous with being banished to the periphery.

A Four Spiritual Root Qi Refining fifth level simply didn’t pique their interest much.

“Jianghe, hurry up, there’s a good spot here!” From the bow deck, a young man dressed in a similar moon-white brocade robe, with a slightly reserved demeanor, waved to Lin Jianghe.

That was another Three Spiritual Root Disciple of Lin Jianghe’s generation, Lin Jiangfeng, with Qi Refining seventh level cultivation.

He glanced at Lin Feng beside Lin Jianghe, his brow furrowing almost imperceptibly, and did not greet him.

Lin Jianghe, however, paid no mind to this, pulling Lin Feng and squeezing towards the bow: “Lin Feng Ge, come on, the view is better up here!” He pushed past the objections and managed to secure a spot near the edge for Lin Feng as well.

Lin Feng could feel several gazes cast his way—some curious, some indifferent, and a hint of subtle disdain.

His expression was calm, accepting it openly, only silently circulating his Breath Concealment Art to make himself appear even more ordinary.

“Azurewave, set sail!” With a loud shout from a Qi Refining eighth level Family Uncle at the bow, the huge sails were jointly raised by the sailors, the ship’s runes lit up, and it slowly sailed away from the dock, breaking through the azure waves, heading towards the vast southwest.

The sea breeze brushed against their faces, carrying the scent of saltiness and freedom.

Lin Jianghe excitedly pointed into the distance, chattering about rumors of the Market.

Lin Feng stood beside him, his gaze calmly fixed on the distant horizon where water and sky merged.

Deep within the ship’s cabin, several ordinary clansmen responsible for escorting Spirit Grains were discussing in low voices:

“Is that Lin Feng from Uncle Qingyan’s Family? I heard he went to guard Black Reef Island?”

“Yes, a Four Spiritual Root; it’s not easy for him to reach Qi Refining fifth level.”

“Heh, what’s not easy about it? Compared to Young Master Jianghe and them, he’s still far behind.

Going to the Market this time, he’s probably just going to broaden his horizons; what can he even buy?”

“Shh, quiet…”

The discussions drifted away on the sea breeze.

Lin Feng seemed not to hear; his mind had already flown to that legendary prosperous place that gathered countless resources of the West Flow Sea Region—Huangsha Market.

The more than three hundred Talismans and nearly a thousand Spirit Stones in his Storage Pouch lay quietly dormant, awaiting a suitable opportunity.

The giant ship rode the wind and waves; the three-day voyage passed in a flash.

When, on the evening of the third day, a huge outline of islands, like a crouching beast, appeared at the junction of sea and sky, an irrepressible cheer erupted on the ship.

Huangsha Islands, reached!

As the distance closed, in the center of the islands, a magnificent city built upon massive reefs, brightly lit and with Spiritual Qi swirling like clouds, revealed its shocking full appearance in the twilight.

Countless streaks ofEscape Light darted back and forth like meteors in the sky above the city, and the huge port was filled with various Spirit Ships and treasure boats.

The clamor of human voices, the cries of Spirit Beasts, and the mingled auras of various Spiritual Qi collisions could be faintly sensed even from afar.

Huangsha Market! The most important trading center for Loose Cultivators and Family Cultivators in the West Flow Sea Region, a place of wealth and opportunity controlled by the Huangsha Sect!

Lin Feng stood at the bow, gazing at the giant city, which was like a dazzling pearl in the twilight, the sea breeze making his robes flap loudly.