96: Chapter 96 Heading to the Market

Luoxia Valley, the Elder's private courtyard halfway up the mountain.

A faint scent of tea rose and lingered throughout Lin Qing's small courtyard.

As a short period of secluded cultivation came to an end, Lin Qing felt refreshed. He picked up his tea, took a small sip, and quietly reflected on his future cultivation plans.

There were still over two months of free time left before he had to depart for the Tianhe Dynasty. Looking at the entire Great Qi now, the only places that might possess Cultivation Techniques and Spells useful to him were likely the six top-tier powers.

In other words, during these two-plus months before leaving for the Tianhe Dynasty, he had almost nothing to do.

While Lin Qing was leisurely sipping his tea, a series of light and soft footsteps came from outside the courtyard. A Luoxia Valley Disciple was approaching Lin Qing's courtyard step by step. He reached the gate and was about to raise his hand to knock.

Creak...

The closed wooden courtyard gate opened on its own without any wind, the panels slowly swinging to both sides to reveal the serene scenery inside.

The messenger Disciple froze, his hand suspended in mid-air. His pupils shrank slightly, and a deep sense of shock and envy welled up in his heart.

Controlling objects at will!

This was definitely not something a Mortal Realm Cultivator could achieve; it was a method only possible for Spiritual Realm Cultivators after opening their Divine Thought.

The scene before him indicated that Senior Brother Lin Qing had already stepped into the Spiritual Realm!

The Disciple suppressed the excitement in his heart, quickly composed himself, and spoke very respectfully:

“Senior Brother Lin Qing, the Sect Master requests your presence. Please move to the Luoxia Hall to discuss matters.”

“Fine.”

Responding with just a single, calm word, Lin Qing set down his teacup and walked leisurely out of the courtyard, following the messenger Disciple toward the main peak hall of Luoxia Valley.

Walking through the mountain corridors, the Sect Disciples and guards he encountered along the way all subconsciously bowed in greeting when they saw him coming.

By now, Lin Qing was already the recognized number one Prodigy of Luoxia Valley, the most dazzling existence in the entire Sect.

Lin Qing showed no arrogance; he smiled and nodded in response to every Disciple who bowed to him.

Before long, the two arrived at the majestic and solemn Luoxia Hall.

The hall doors were open, and the interior was solemn and orderly. Sect Master Shen Yurong sat in the main seat, with the various Elders lined up on both sides. Their expressions were grave, clearly still worried about the previous predicament at Xilin Market.

Lin Qing stepped into the hall and cupped his hands slightly toward everyone inside.

A rare touch of warmth appeared in Shen Yurong's habitually cold and solemn eyes as she spoke softly:

“Lin Qing, sit.”

She gestured for Lin Qing to sit in a chair at the side of the hall; normally, only Elders were qualified to sit in these positions.

This courtesy was enough to show the importance the Sect's upper echelons placed on Lin Qing.

Lin Qing took his seat as told and asked:

“Sect Master, I wonder for what matter you have called me here?”

Without any unnecessary preamble, Shen Yurong explained the situation regarding Xilin Market to Lin Qing from beginning to end.

She detailed everything from the tricks played during the handover of the bet and the breach of faith by the merchants, to the secret pressure from the Qiushan Sect and the Sect's current dilemma of being stuck between a rock and a hard place.

Having explained the entire predicament, her gaze fell on Lin Qing with a hint of testing:

“Currently, the entire Sect is at its wits' end. Lin Qing, do you have any thoughts on this matter?”

The gazes of all the Elders in the hall converged on the young Lin Qing, waiting for his answer.

In truth, they didn't really expect Lin Qing to pull off a Heaven-Defying reversal; they just wanted to hear this peerless Prodigy's unique insights. Their main purpose was to evaluate and nurture him.

After hearing the cause and effect, Lin Qing's expression remained calm and rippleless from start to finish. He said indifferently:

“It's just a small matter. I'll go handle it!”

With those few understated words, the deadlocked situation at the market that seemed to be crushing the entire Luoxia Valley was nothing more than a minor trouble in his eyes.

As soon as these words were spoken, the Elders in the hall were all stunned, their faces showing helplessness.

Shen Yurong even hurriedly spoke up to dissuade him:

“Lin Qing, do not be impulsive! During this recent period, it is highly likely that a Grade Six Elder from the Qiushan Sect is secretly stationed at Xilin Market. It would be too dangerous for you to go rashly.”

In her eyes and those of the Elders, although Lin Qing's talent was peerless, he had ultimately not yet fully grown up.

Lin Qing sensed their worry and exchanged a glance with Yuan Kun, who was sitting quietly to the side.

Lin Qing understood instantly.

It turned out that from beginning to end, Yuan Kun had not informed the Sect members of his true strength.

He had originally thought the Sect Master summoned him because Yuan Kun had revealed his true combat power and wanted him to break the deadlock. It seemed he had overthought it.

Yuan Kun, catching the look in Lin Qing's eyes and knowing the other had no intention of hiding it, immediately spoke up to break the heavy atmosphere in the hall:

“Everyone, there is no need to worry.”

“What you all don't know is that Lin Qing has already broken through to the Spiritual Realm, and his combat power is extraordinary.”

“On the way back previously, Lin Qing encountered an ambush by a Grade Six expert from the Xuanye Demon Court. Not only did he escape unscathed, but he even killed the incoming Grade Six powerhouse.”

These words were like a clap of thunder exploding inside the Luoxia Hall! The faces of all the Elders changed drastically as they stood up one after another. In just one short month, Lin Qing had already grown to such a level?

In their extreme shock, they didn't even have time to think much as streaks of Divine Thought probed toward Lin Qing, wanting to personally sense his cultivation.

For ordinary Cultivators, rashly probing others with Divine Thought was an extremely rude behavior. But at this moment, everyone was too shocked and had long ignored such details.

Lin Qing didn't mind at all, calmly releasing his thick and long-lasting Spiritual Qi to let everyone probe him.

As their Divine Thoughts swept over him, the doubts in their hearts completely dissipated.

It was true!

Lin Qing had really already broken through to the Spiritual Realm, and the Spiritual Power around him was incredibly vast; his strength was unfathomable.

Most of the Luoxia Valley Elders only had cultivations at the Early or Middle Stage of Grade Five; Lin Qing's Spiritual Qi reserves were already terrifying in their eyes.

It took a long time for the Elders to slowly calm their minds and sit back down. The way they looked at Lin Qing had completely changed.

It was no longer the appreciation one has for a Sect Genius, but the awe one has for a powerhouse of the current age.

Shen Yurong took a deep breath, suppressing the crashing waves in her heart. Light flickered in her cold eyes as she spoke solemnly:

“In that case, regarding the matter of Xilin Market, we shall trouble you to make a trip, Lin Qing.”

After saying this, she turned to look at Yuan Kun and instructed:

“Elder Yuan Kun, how about you accompany him and look out for each other?”

Yuan Kun immediately cupped his hands and accepted.

He had seen Lin Qing fight with his own eyes. At this moment, he admired Lin Qing even more than those Sect Disciples. Being able to accompany and assist him was naturally something he had no objection to.

The two made no extra preparations and directly took their leave of everyone, flying through the air toward the direction of Xilin Market.

Two figures cut through the sky at extreme speed. In just over an hour, they reached their destination.

Qingzhou was adjacent to the Hundred Thousand Mountains. Within the mountains, Yao Beasts ran rampant and Heaven And Earth Treasures were countless; it was a natural treasury. Because of this, numerous trading markets had emerged at the edge of the mountains, and Xilin Market was one of them.

Looking from afar, a bustling market comparable to a small town was nestled among the mountains. The two slowly descended and stood outside the market's main gate.

Most of the people passing by were Martial Artists who remained in the Mortal Realm. Seeing the two drop from mid-air, they all subconsciously stopped and moved aside; they had a natural awe for Spiritual Realm powerhouses.

Lin Qing had no intention of hiding his tracks. With a thought, his vast Divine Thought instantly spread out, covering the entire Xilin Market.

Every building, the flow of people, hidden corners, and the auras lurking in the shadows within the market were all clearly reflected in his mind, visible at a glance.

At that moment, a figure rushed out from within the market; it was Elder Fang, who was stationed at the market for Luoxia Valley.

Previously, with the undercurrents surging in the market, his mind had been constantly tense. Sensing the aura of Spiritual Realm powerhouses now, he thought it was Songyun Temple or the forces behind them coming to stir up trouble. Before he even had time to investigate properly, he rushed straight over here.

But when he saw that Yuan Kun was among the newcomers, his tensed heartstrings suddenly relaxed.

Yuan Kun, fearing that he didn't know Lin Qing's current terrifying strength and might speak inappropriately, took the lead to introduce him:

“Elder Fang, this is Lin Qing. Lin Qing has already broken through to the Spiritual Realm and possesses heaven-shaking combat power. He has come specifically this time to handle the matters of Xilin Market.”

Hearing this, a look of astonishment also flashed in Elder Fang's eyes. He naturally knew the name Lin Qing. But he never would have imagined that this young Sect Junior would actually break through to the Spiritual Realm level in such a short time!

Amidst his shock, he quickly composed himself and solemnly cupped his hands in greeting. Lin Qing calmly raised his hand to return the gesture, his posture peaceful, without a hint of a Genius's overbearing arrogance.

With the pleasantries finished, Lin Qing wasted no more time. His gaze looked straight ahead at the bustling and noisy Xilin Market, and his voice, carried by Spiritual Power, spread throughout the entire market:

“All merchant managers of Xilin Market, within the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, head to the management office to discuss business. No absences, no delays!”

“Also, you two in the inn, come along as well!”