**Chapter 15: The Big Order
"Jingcheng, this is the magical tool I promised you last time. After much consideration, I decided that a pill furnace would suit you best. However, despite my efforts, I have not yet successfully crafted it!" Ye Jingli handed over the three-eared pill furnace to Ye Jingcheng, looking somewhat embarrassed. After all, he had been quite confident before.
Pill furnace-type magical tools must withstand ground fire and precisely control furnace temperature. The spiritual pattern array on these furnaces is far more complex than on regular magical tools.
On the market, their price is even higher than defensive tools!
"I don't lack offensive tools, so this is a good opportunity to swap!" Seeing Ye Jingcheng hesitate and about to refuse, Ye Jingli quickly added, "Your sixth brother's green-scaled snake is far more useful than this broken furnace. When you get the chance, I'll show it to you. I also want to get some spirit pills from you!"
Ye Jingcheng hadn't thought too much about it. That time, he had only casually imparted some spiritual insights from an ancient book.
But seeing Ye Jingli so insistent, he accepted the furnace. With this tool and the Scarlet Flame Fox, he no longer needed to use the family's Earth Fire Hall or their pill furnace.
In the future, it would be more convenient to go to the market, and he could privately concoct spirit pills for the spirit fox.
Moreover, the value of a mid-tier first-grade pill furnace was indeed quite high.
Taking this opportunity was more advantageous.
Once Ye Jingcheng and Ye Jingli confirmed their exchange, Ye Jingyun and Ye Xingyu also finalized their choices.
Ye Jingyun selected a standard flying sword and a golden shield, while Ye Xingyu chose a black tower and a small seal.
"When you enter the world of cultivation, don't judge by appearances, and remember to observe more, speak less, and avoid meddling in others' affairs!" Seeing that the four had chosen their tools, Ye Haiping gave them a final warning.
After speaking, he returned to his desk and continued studying a jade slip.
"Thank you for your guidance, Eighth Grandpa!" Ye Jingcheng and the others bowed repeatedly.
Ye Xingyu then took the lead, taking out a palm-sized wooden spirit boat and tossing it into the sky. With a flash of spiritual light, it expanded to ten zhang (about 33 meters) in size.
Under the sunlight, the shadow of the spirit boat stretched long, making it look very imposing.
The other three couldn't help but feel a bit envious. These spirit boats cost at least several hundred spirit stones, more expensive than the young of most spirit beasts.
All four of them boarded the boat, heading east.
Ye Xingyu's spirit boat was clearly more valuable than that of his fourth brother, Ye Jingyu. It even had several rooms on board.
Moreover, Ye Xingyu didn't need them to take turns operating the boat.
He alone navigated it smoothly, without the slightest bump or sound of wind.
Ye Jingli and Ye Jingyun entered their rooms, while Ye Jingcheng stayed behind, leaning against the mast and observing the surroundings.
Ye Xingyu gave him a surprised look but said nothing, continuing to steer the boat.
The cultivation world of the Yan Kingdom was vast, and they passed over countless mountains. Even at night, they found places to rest.
These resting spots were caves that the Ye family had previously used. Each cave entrance was arranged so that if it had been disturbed, they would immediately leave.
If not, they would set up a formation, rest for the night, and restore their spiritual energy.
On the third day, during daylight, they finally saw some cultivators passing by in the distance. Most of these cultivators disguised themselves as mortals, moving through the forest, while only those at the late Qi Refining stage or above flew through the sky on various magical tools.
Their direction was similar to that of Ye Jingcheng and the others. As the sunlight broke through, two towering mountains appeared in the distance.
Between the mountains was a vast expanse of tall, lush green bamboo, so high they reached the clouds.
Each bamboo segment was enormous, with some even covered in white frost.
"We're almost there. This is the Taihang Market. Inside, there are seniors at the Zifu (Purple Mansion) stage, as well as other families. Our Ye family is neither the best nor the worst, so try to avoid opening shops unless absolutely necessary!" Ye Xingyu, who had clearly been here before, gave a brief introduction to prevent the others from acting arrogantly within the market.
Ye Xingyu put away the spirit boat and cast a spell, instantly causing the bamboo forest to spread out to both sides, forming a winding path.
After walking along the path for two or three li (about 1-1.5 kilometers), the area suddenly opened up, revealing shops before them.
Most of these shops were two stories high, with simple names like Li's Shop, Chen's Pill Shop...
Contrary to Ye Jingcheng's expectations, there were few shops with names like Treasures Pavilion or Hundred Treasures Hall.
"Shops here are backed by Foundation Establishment or Zifu families. To deter rogue cultivators or those driven by greed, they use family names for their shops to command respect!"
"Shops owned by Zifu families have three stories, Foundation Establishment families have two stories, and Golden Core families have four stories. However, there are no Golden Core families in the Taihang Prefecture where our Ye family is located!"
"In the Taihang Market, aside from being cautious of the Taiyi Pavilion, and the Zifu families of the Xu and Mo clans, you should also be aware of the Buqing Li clan, the Xianyun Chu clan, and the Shanyue Chen clan, who are on par with our Ye family..."
Ye Xingyu pointed out the corresponding shops, introducing them to the group.
These shops sold a wide range of treasures, from pills, tools, talismans, formations, to spiritual plants—a dazzling array of goods!
"Of course, besides the numerous family-run shops, there are also powerful rogue cultivators who run shops here. In the southern part of the Taihang Market is the Rogue Cultivator Plaza, where many rogue cultivators gather. But remember, don't believe in tales of inheritance caves or ancient relics..."
[Translator: sauron]
Along the way, Ye Xingyu spoke at length, in stark contrast to his earlier silence on the spirit boat.
However, Ye Jingcheng noticed that this was likely a routine speech given by the Ye family whenever they brought cultivators here, forming a sort of protocol.
Moreover, hearing it within the market left a deeper impression!
In the Ye family, cultivators could stay on Lingyun Peak until the age of twenty-five. After that, if they hadn't met the family's cultivation requirements, they would need to perform certain tasks for the family.
Some were sent to markets, some joined the family's demon hunting teams, and others guarded mortal towns.
Ye Jingcheng and the others were sent out due to an urgent family mission, despite not yet reaching the age limit.
Otherwise, it was rare for ordinary cultivators to be given magical tools when leaving the mountain.
Ye Xingyu had his because he benefited from accompanying Ye Jingcheng and the others.
"By the way, recently, many of our family's cultivators have had their soul jades shatter, which suggests someone might be targeting the Ye family. If you notice anyone suspicious following us, inform me immediately!"
Ye Xingyu suddenly paused, his expression unusually serious.
After seeing the three nod, he continued forward.
In the distance, a two-story courtyard appeared before them.
This was a rare shop with a courtyard, with the sign reading "Ye's Shop."
Inside the courtyard, they could vaguely see several small spirit beasts, including the long-eared deer that Ye Jingcheng had captured a year ago.
"Xingyu, you're just in time. The family has just received a large order!" A middle-aged figure emerged from the courtyard, speaking excitedly.
(End of this chapter)