Chapter 14: The Market Mission
Lingyun Peak, midway up the mountain, in the council hall.
It was early morning, with the dew still fresh and the scorching sun yet to rise, giving the hall an even more eerie and cold atmosphere.
Ye Jingcheng entered the hall and noticed that he wasn't the only one summoned; Ye Jingli, Ye Jingyun, and Ye Xingyu were also present, discussing something serious.
Among them, Ye Jingyun, like himself, was an alchemist. His name shared a character with Ye Haiyun, the fourth elder of the Ye family, and he was ranked ninth among the "Jing" generation. His alchemy skills were also quite commendable.
On the other hand, Ye Jingli and Ye Xingyu were both weapon forgers, with the latter being a first-rank middle-grade weapon forger in the Ye family.
Soon after, the head of the Ye family, Ye Xingliu, stepped out from a side chamber in the hall and looked at the four of them.
"Jingcheng, Xingyu, the matter at hand is urgent for the family!"
"The alchemists and weapon forgers in the family's marketplace have all been conscripted by the sect, but the marketplace cannot cease operations. Otherwise, it would be a huge loss for the family!"
Ye Xingliu began to speak slowly.
In the Yan Kingdom, there were three sects in total, and the Ye family was under the jurisdiction of the Taiyi Sect of the Yan Kingdom.
Each of these sects had powerful Jindan (Golden Core) and Yuanying (Nascent Soul) cultivators, and small families like the Ye family were under their protection.
At the same time, they were required to pay taxes annually and offer tributes. In times of change, they could also be conscripted at any moment.
This time, the conscription was specifically for the Ye family's alchemists and weapon forgers, indicating preparation for a significant battle.
However, it's well-known that such conscriptions, aside from the regular tributes of spirit stones, offer little benefit. Only with good relations could one gain access to new pill formulas and weapon designs.
Otherwise, it's just low-cost labor.
And after being conscripted, the Ye family's marketplace would face prolonged shortages.
The Ye family was not a large clan, and any mishap in the marketplace would greatly affect the family's finances.
"You are heading to the Taihang marketplace, where the family's offerings will be doubled. Additionally, the family will provide you with defensive and flying magical artifacts. The spiritual pills and artifacts you create in the marketplace will still be purchased by the family, so you won't have to worry about selling them. However, there will be some restrictions on what you can create."
"No problem, Patriarch!" Ye Xingyu responded.
"Third Uncle, we have no issues either!" Ye Jingcheng and the other cultivators nodded in agreement.
They were going to refine pills for the family, which meant they would learn new pill formulas and weapon designs, saving them the trouble of using contribution points for exchanges. Naturally, they were satisfied.
For Ye Jingcheng, especially, it was a golden opportunity. He hadn't yet found the spiritual herbs for the mysterious pill formula in his ancient book, so this mission to the marketplace would allow him to secretly gather them.
Moreover, in the past year, his alchemy skills had improved, and his contribution points had recovered from over a hundred to two hundred and fifty.
"Good, then head to the family's treasure vault to select your artifacts!"
"The rest of the details will be provided by your uncle, Ye Xinghe, who remains in charge of the marketplace."
After Ye Xingliu gave his instructions, the four of them left to prepare.
The matter was urgent, leaving them little time to get ready.
The Taihang marketplace was not close to Lingyun Peak. Even with a spiritual boat, it would take two to three days to get there.
After leaving the council hall, the four headed straight for the treasure vault.
This time, they were selecting magical artifacts, and the vault was guarded by the Eighth Elder, Ye Haiping.
He seemed well aware of their mission and immediately led them to the third floor!
The treasure vault had three levels: the first floor housed miscellaneous items, the second contained techniques, pill formulas, and other inheritances, and the third held magical artifacts.
Unlike the casually placed books and techniques, the artifacts on the third floor were displayed on racks, each surrounded by a faint spiritual barrier.
This was to preserve the artifacts' spiritual power and prevent them from losing their potency over time.
"Each of you may choose one offensive and one defensive artifact."
[Translator: sauron]
"It's best to pick something that suits you. Out there, when cultivators duel, each move is meant to take your life. It's far more dangerous than hunting demons!" Ye Haiping advised, particularly directing his words to the three less experienced cultivators of the "Jing" generation.
Ye Jingcheng and the others nodded in agreement before spreading out to browse.
Almost all of them started by choosing a defensive artifact.
Ye Jingli happened to be near Ye Jingcheng.
"Jingcheng, I'll help you pick something good!" Ye Jingli, a weapon forger himself, owed Ye Jingcheng a favor.
"Thank you, Sixth Brother!" Ye Jingcheng didn't hesitate. He knew he was no match for Ye Jingli in matters of forging.
The Ye family had a considerable collection of artifacts, most of which were intact, with a few damaged ones.
Ye Jingcheng's attention was drawn to a small wooden shield and a silver coat of armor, both first-rank middle-grade artifacts. Purchasing them would normally cost a hundred to two hundred spirit stones, so the Ye family was being quite generous.
"Jingcheng, the armor offers overall protection, but the shield is better for focused defense. The latter is definitely superior!" Ye Jingli explained.
"Moreover, judging by the reinforcement arrays, this small shield is far superior to the armor."
"Alright!" Ye Jingcheng nodded, choosing the small wooden shield.
By then, Ye Jingli had also made his choice: a small bell that could be used for both offense and defense.
Since he could forge ordinary defensive artifacts himself, he wasn't in short supply.
When it came time to select an offensive artifact, Ye Jingcheng found it difficult to decide. Ye Jingli could only offer advice, as the most important thing was to find something that suited Ye Jingcheng, who already had a flying sword.
"Jingcheng, that Ironwood Plate seems like a good match for your Red Flame Fox!" After looking at various blades, axes, flying swords, and spears, Ye Jingli suddenly pointed to a wooden plate.
Ye Jingcheng turned to look. The plate was quite unique, resembling a small shield, but thin and covered in a depiction of lush ironwood trees.
Next to the artifact, there was a description of how to use it. The Ironwood Plate could summon a multitude of massive vines within a ten-meter radius to entangle and trap enemies.
"I'll take this one!" Ye Jingcheng decided after reading the description.
The Ironwood Plate, as Ye Jingli had mentioned, paired well with his Red Flame Fox's fireballs and his flying sword!
Most importantly, his Red Flame Fox was no longer limited to just fireballs…
He didn't need to seek out a more powerful offensive artifact.
Ye Jingcheng chose the Ironwood Plate, while Ye Jingli, to everyone's surprise, selected a pill furnace.
The furnace had three ears, with slight damage on the handles!
However, this didn't affect its overall performance, as the furnace's body was the most crucial part.
Even Ye Haiping and Ye Xingyu turned to look, puzzled by Ye Jingli's choice.
After all, it was unusual for a weapon forger to select a pill furnace as an offensive artifact!
(End of the chapter)