Among the three counties, Boyang County lies deep inland, protected by Yu County to the west and shielded by Jiaoyang and Yunyang Counties to the north, making it the safest of the three.
Elian's destination, Jiaoyang County, is similar to Yu County in that it is closest to Dire Lion Ridge, serving as Yang Region's first line of defense.
Within Jiaoyang County are six or seven Foundation Establishment clans and a high-grade third-tier spiritual vein that forms the first barrier against Dire Lion Ridge.
This high-grade spiritual vein was cultivated by the previous head of the Qingyang Sect at great expense—over a million spirit stones. It is fortified with a fourth-tier formation and guarded by numerous cultivators.
Thanks to this barrier, Dire Lion Ridge has failed to breach Yang Region for the past five centuries, never succeeding in reaching the heartland of the Chu Kingdom. This protection has allowed the cultivators of Qingzhou Region to prosper in peace for centuries.
Elian crossed Yu County and flew over Boyang County, traveling 130,000 miles before finally reaching Jiaoyang County.
"Jiaoyang Market," he murmured as he gazed at the marketplace ahead, his eyes reflecting his knowledge of its significance.
Jiaoyang Market is the largest cultivator marketplace in Yang Region, located beneath Jiaoyang Mountain, a high-grade third-tier spiritual vein. The Qingyang Sect and the various cultivator clans of Jiaoyang County jointly manage the market.
Fifty percent of the market's tax revenue goes to the Qingyang Sect, thirty percent to the Purple Mansion Pan Clan of Jiaoyang County, and the remaining twenty percent is divided among the county's Foundation Establishment clans.
Despite the seemingly small shares, the revenue from Jiaoyang Market dwarfs that of Yuyang Market. Equivalent to a combination of Fengyang Market and Tianxu Mountain, Jiaoyang Market has operated for over 500 years and ranks among the top ten markets in the Chu Kingdom. Its annual tax revenue exceeds 30,000 spirit stones—six times that of Yuyang Market.
With these thoughts in mind, Elian stepped into Jiaoyang Market.
Inside, he immediately sought out the Qingyang Pavilion, a business under the Qingyang Sect specializing in the sale of pills and magical treasures.
After inquiring about its location, he found the pavilion, where he was greeted by Qin Lingyuan, a Qingyang Sect steward and mid-Foundation Establishment cultivator. Qin smiled warmly and said, "You look unfamiliar. Is this your first time at Jiaoyang Market?"
Elian nodded.
"I'm Elian from the Chen Clan in Yu County. I came here for the Yang Region Barter Fair."
"Bianzhou region are tens of thousands of miles from Jiaoyang Mountain. You've had quite the journey," Qin said politely before steering the conversation toward business.
"What brings you to the Qingyang Pavilion?"
"I'm here for Green Yuan Pills," Elian said directly.
Hearing this, Qin smiled wryly and shook his head.
"To be honest, you're the sixteenth person to ask about Green Yuan Pills in the past two months. We've been out of stock for quite some time. Even at the Barter Fair, you should prepare yourself for the possibility that none will be available."
Disappointed, Elian sighed and took his leave.
After Elian left, Qin Lingyuan stepped into the inner chamber of the pavilion, where a half-completed chess game lay on the table. Across from it, a white-haired elder held a chess piece, deep in thought.
Seeing Qin, the elder smiled.
"Why are you back so soon?"
"Another visitor asking about Green Yuan Pills," Qin said as he placed his chess piece, adding casually, "A Foundation Establishment cultivator from the Chen Clan in Yu County came all this way for a Green Yuan Pill. I'm afraid it's a wasted trip."
"Let's not talk about him. It's been years since we've seen each other. Let's continue the game!" the elder said cheerfully.
"Wait a moment," the elder's smile faded abruptly, his expression growing cold. He set the chess piece down and spoke flatly, "The Chen Clan of Yu County?"
"If I remember correctly, wasn't my brother-in-law Zuo Yunan killed by them?"
"Senior Brother Yan…" Qin's expression shifted. He shut the door and lowered his voice.
"I've heard of the Chen Clan's strength. The visitor is Elian, and he's not to be underestimated."
Senior Brother Yan frowned but eventually relaxed, saying, "If it's Elian, we should indeed tread carefully. However, don't worry—Senior Brother Wei has been stationed at Jiaoyang Mountain for years. He was Zuo Yunan's sworn brother and won't miss this opportunity for revenge."
Hearing this, Qin nodded in agreement. Senior Brother Yan might be an ordinary late-Foundation Establishment cultivator, but Senior Brother Wei was an entirely different matter.
Wei Mingyuan, over 170 years old, was the son of Purple Mansion Elder Wei Chongyang of the Qingyang Sect. Supported by his father, Wei Mingyuan had attempted the Purple Mansion stage twice.
Though he failed both times, wasting two Crystals of Blazing Flame, he had completed most of the "Purple Mansion Dao Veins," giving him strength far surpassing typical late-Foundation Establishment cultivators.
"If Senior Brother Wei takes action, Elian will undoubtedly meet his end in Yang Region," Qin remarked with a smile.
…
Unaware that he had drawn the attention of Qingyang Sect cultivators, Elian continued his search. He visited the Pan Clan, a Purple Mansion family in Jiaoyang County, but found neither Green Yuan Ganoderma nor Green Yuan Pills.
With no other options, Elian resolved to wait for the Yang Region Barter Fair to begin.
Time flew by in cultivation, and the Barter Fair was soon underway.
Unlike the borderlands fair, this Yang Region event was bustling with activity. While the previous fair in Fengyang Market had attracted only about fifty Foundation Establishment cultivators, this one brought over a hundred, including participants from both Yang Region and Qingzhou.
With the Beast Tide looming, the atmosphere was lively. Elian entered the venue, noticing groups of cultivators chatting in clusters. Alone, he stood out, drawing some attention.
"Elian! It's been a long time!" a familiar voice suddenly called out.
...
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I need POWAAA! Gimme Power Stones :D