Chapter 108 - 98: Settling in Qinghe

Chapter 108: Chapter 98: Settling in Qinghe

"Another one!"

Chen Jianghe arrived at the city gate. He watched a Foundation Establishment Cultivator fly over the gate and enter the Qinghe Marketplace.

He had only paused for a moment, but he had already seen three Foundation Establishment Cultivators fly into the Qinghe Marketplace.

Seeing the Late-Stage Qi Refining Cultivators entering through the gate, he guessed that the Foundation Establishment Cultivators were probably not bound by such restrictions.

The simple, ancient city gate exuded a profound aura.

A squad of guards stood on each side. The leader was at Late-Stage Qi Refining, while the rest were at Mid-Stage Qi Refining.

Chen Jianghe strode inside.

He wasn’t stopped and asked for Spirit Stones to enter the Marketplace, which was different from what was recorded in the Yun Family Magazine.

The Yun Family Magazine recorded that one needed to pay one Spirit Stone to enter the Qinghe Marketplace.

Perhaps that was the rule before, but it had since changed, and the Yun Family Magazine hadn’t been updated.

That’s why the actual situation was a little different.

Stepping into the Qinghe Marketplace, he was greeted by the sight of a wide, bluestone-paved street lined with all sorts of shops selling Cultivation Resources.

The street was bustling with Cultivators, a cacophony of voices filling the air as people rubbed shoulders with each other.

To his surprise, some Cultivators were hawking their wares on the street like common vendors, which he found rather incredible.

"Elder, is this your first time in Qinghe Marketplace? For just ten grains of Spiritual Sand, I can be your guide for the day."

A petite young girl with large, sparkling eyes approached Chen Jianghe and spoke.

Chen Jianghe wasn’t surprised that the girl could tell it was his first time in the Qinghe Marketplace.

He had been looking around in every direction with open curiosity the moment he entered.

’It’d be strange if she couldn’t tell.’

’Elder?’

A faint smile touched Chen Jianghe’s lips. He’d been cultivating for thirty-eight years, and now he was finally considered an Elder of the Immortal Dao.

’Well, I am a Late-Stage Qi Refining Cultivator, after all.’

"Alright, thank you."

Chen Jianghe took out ten grains of Spiritual Sand and handed them to the young girl, who was only at the Third-Layer Qi Refining.

Before even walking through the gate, he had looked down from the sky and seen the entirety of the Qinghe Marketplace. It was ten times larger than Jingyue Marketplace.

He really did need a guide.

Otherwise, it would take him at least seven or eight days to figure things out on his own.

"My name is Jiang Ruxu, and I’m very happy to be your guide." Jiang Ruxu’s sweet voice was clear and pleasant.

She was delighted to accept the Spiritual Sand. ’Five days,’ she thought, ’I finally have a customer.’

"My surname is Chen."

At this moment, Chen Jianghe was dressed simply in a plain, light-cyan robe, keeping a low and unassuming profile.

"Elder Chen, shall we take a stroll around Qinghe Marketplace first? I can explain things to you as we walk."

"Yes, please do."

"Hehe~ No need to be so polite. I did take your Spiritual Sand, Elder." Jiang Ruxu let out a silvery laugh.

She then led Chen Jianghe forward along the main street, speaking as they walked.

"Qinghe Marketplace was established seven hundred years ago by the Great Core Formation, Master Qinghe. Beneath it lies a Tier Two High-Grade Spiritual Vein."

"The section of the Youxian River that flows through the Marketplace was also named the Qinghe because of him."

"This street we’re on is called Qing Street. It’s one of the two main streets in Qinghe Marketplace and runs directly from the South City Gate to the North City Gate."

"The other main street is called River Street. It runs from the East Gate to the West Gate, and connects to the Youxian River outside."

"The Hundred Treasures Tower is located at the intersection of Qing Street and River Street."

"..."

Jiang Ruxu gave Chen Jianghe a very detailed explanation, covering everything from the establishment of the Qinghe Marketplace to its current state and the main groups of Cultivators within it.

As the largest Cultivation Marketplace within a three-thousand-li radius, Qinghe Marketplace had a very complex population of Cultivators, encompassing almost every type imaginable.

All Hundred Cultivation Skills were fully represented.

Apart from the two main streets with shops, all other streets in Qinghe Marketplace were residential and did not permit commercial establishments.

Moreover, these two main streets conveniently divided Qinghe Marketplace into four sections, each housing a different group of Cultivators.

The Northwest District has the thinnest Spiritual Qi, only at the level of Tier One High-Grade Spiritual Veins, so rent is cheap.

It’s inhabited by Demon Hunters, day laborers (like silkworm raising and silk reeling, or quenching in Artifact Refining Rooms), and other groups with unstable Spirit Stone income or low income in general.

The Southwest District has slightly richer Spiritual Qi, reaching the level of Tier Two Lower Grade.

It’s mostly inhabited by skilled Cultivators and Cultivation Families that have relocated to Qinghe Marketplace to make a living.

Of course, the Cultivation Families that move to Qinghe Marketplace all have a certain amount of savings; otherwise, their expenses would quickly outstrip their income.

The Northeast District has the feel of a wealthy area. The Spiritual Qi is rich, reaching Tier Two Middle Grade.

Those who can afford to live here are all artisans with Tier One High-Grade Skills; otherwise, they wouldn’t be able to support the rent.

The Southeast District is for the rich and powerful. It’s mostly populated by Tier Two artisans or Foundation Establishment Cultivators.

This is because the Spiritual Qi here is the densest, reaching the level of a Tier Two High-Grade Spiritual Vein.

If someone purchases a Foundation Establishment Pill, the seclusion facilities provided by Qinghe Marketplace are located in the Southeast District.

Although Qinghe Marketplace seems to have few restrictions on the surface, once it reaches 7:15 PM, all Cultivators who do not reside in the Marketplace must leave.

Otherwise, they will be driven out by the Guard Team.

If they resist, they will be punished by the Guard Team, and it’s very likely they will be killed, their Dao perishing with them.

As the largest Marketplace within a three-thousand-li radius, Qinghe Marketplace is not to be trifled with.

It’s guarded by three Foundation Establishment Cultivators, two of whom are Late-Stage Foundation Establishment Cultivators, and that’s not even counting their Spirit Pets.

Therefore, even other Foundation Establishment Cultivators don’t dare to cause trouble when they come to Qinghe Marketplace.

"Fellow Daoist Jiang, what is the rent in the Northwest District?" Chen Jianghe asked.

He wanted to live in Qinghe Marketplace long-term, so rent was a major concern that he had to ask about first.