Chapter 23: The Grand Market of the Immortal City

He stood alone before the mountain gate, waiting for the guard disciple to report his arrival. He stood in stark contrast to the disciples entering and leaving the sect; while most hurried about with solemn expressions, Li Ji'an appeared leisurely and serene.

Before long, a youth in outer sect attire arrived on a magic tool.

"Might you be Fellow Daoist Li from the Immortal City?"

"I am Li Fan, here by invitation for Senior Xiao’s Foundation Establishment celebration," Li Ji'an replied with a respectful bow.

"A warm welcome, Fellow Daoist Li. I am a deacon disciple under Senior Brother Xiao. Since he is occupied at the moment, I have been sent specifically to welcome you. Please, follow me." The youth was exceptionally enthusiastic.

Outer sect disciples typically served as guards for various peaks and handled miscellaneous chores. However, once an inner sect disciple reached the Foundation Establishment stage, they were granted an independent cave dwelling and assigned personal deacons. Serving as a deacon for a Foundation Establishment practitioner was a coveted position; it not only elevated one’s status but also offered the possibility of receiving private guidance and additional rewards.

"Many thanks, Fellow Daoist."

Li Ji'an followed the youth as they flew deeper into the sect. Twenty-one years ago, during his trial, he had only been able to reach the outer sect’s Dharma Hall. This time, he was taken through the heart of the sect directly to the inner sect's dwelling district. Along the way, he beheld mountains enveloped in spiritual mist, the air thick with dense, invigorating energy. It lacked the mercenary atmosphere of the Immortal City, truly satisfying the xianxia dreams Li Ji'an had harbored before his transmigration. The only disappointment was that the cultivators he encountered lacked an ethereal air, most bearing stern and grim expressions.

They finally descended at the mountainside of a peak—the private dwelling of Xiao Changfeng. Red silk and carved decorations draped outside the cave shattered the mystical ambiance, pulling Li Ji'an out of his reverie.

"After all, this is not the immortal realm of my dreams," he mused. Having been in this world for sixty-six years, the only thing that still fueled his imagination was the ancient cultivation era of six millennia ago—a time of harmony between heaven and man, where countless paths contended, focusing on the cultivation of the body, the heart, and the spirit. That was the golden age he longed for.

Shaking off these thoughts, Li Ji'an produced his gift and handed it to the guard.

"Fellow Daoist Li from the Immortal City, one premium-grade magic tool, a gift for Senior Brother Xiao!" the guard announced loudly.

As the words faded, a figure hurried out from the cave.

"Brother Li!"

The address caught Li Ji'an by surprise. Within Cangyun Province, whether in sects or cultivation families, a Foundation Establishment cultivator held a lofty position. Regardless of past relations, once one ascended to that rank, the divide between senior and junior became absolute. He knew Xiao Changfeng was naturally unrestrained and free-spirited, and even in the invitation sent last month, he had used the term "Brother Li." At the time, he assumed it was a private message or a momentary lapse due to the recent breakthrough. But here, in the heart of the sect, before everyone, for Xiao to still address him with such sincere warmth was startling.

"You mustn't," Li Ji'an feigned being overwhelmed. "You have achieved Foundation Establishment; you are now a senior of great renown..."

Xiao Changfeng waved his hand dismissively. "Why must you be so worldly, Brother Li? If you truly call me 'Senior,' our friendship is at an end." He then shook his head with a bitter smile and transmitted via voice: "Before last year, I was crushed by the weight of worldly expectations. My heart was cluttered, and my cultivation stagnated. It was you who cleared my mind and brought me clarity. After I returned that day, I asked myself: if everyone else in the world lives this way, must I? If the world has always been this way, does that make it right?"

"In the end, the knot in my heart was untied. In a moment of epiphany, I found my original self again."

Li Ji'an nodded silently. Every society had its rules, customs, and social intricacies. Most people were young and reckless, dreaming of independence, but after the harsh beatings of reality, they were tempered and forced to conform. He was like that, Zhao Shuyao was like that, and so were the masses. Even Zhang Tiezhu, after reaching the middle stage of Qi Refining, had been eager to adopt the worldly customs of the sect.

Yet, in every era, there were true protagonists—those who could hold onto their inner selves and refuse to be buried by the world. Otherwise, the world would be a dull, uniform color. Xiao Changfeng had shown promise years ago, but when they met before the Flame Mountain, he had seemed beaten down by the world. It was unexpected that their meeting at the Spring Breeze Pavilion had helped him find his way back. Of course, that night was merely a trigger; the true cause was the years of repressed inner conflict. Whether he was a true protagonist who could maintain this heart for a lifetime remained to be seen. There were many more beatings awaiting him on the road of life.

"Very well. Congratulations, brother, on your successful breakthrough," Li Ji'an said, shedding his pretense. He understood the need to conform—he had been beaten enough to know he was no protagonist—so he found it easy to empathize with Xiao.

"Hahaha, good! Brother Li, please, come in!" Xiao Changfeng laughed, leading him into the dwelling.

Stepping inside, Li Ji'an was impressed by the spiritual density, which was richer and purer than the core veins of the Yan family. A few yards in, a vast, hollowed-out hall opened up before him. Many were seated, discussing the Dao, while attendants served spiritual tea and wine. When they saw Xiao Changfeng personally welcoming someone and calling him "Brother," all eyes fell on Li Ji'an.

"It’s him!"
"Fellow Daoist Li Fan, long time no see."
"Twenty years have passed, Fellow Daoist Li. Have you been well?"

Most were from Xiao’s generation. Regardless of what they said behind his back, their current demeanor was friendly; they had to give face to Xiao, the first of their batch to reach Foundation Establishment.

After Xiao arranged a seat for him, he was called away. Li Ji'an soon found himself an outsider in the circle of sect disciples, who were focused on missions, contribution points, and the cost-effectiveness of Foundation Establishment pills. As the only rogue cultivator, he could not join their conversation.

As the celebration continued, senior Foundation Establishment elders and the three true disciples of the sect arrived. A few, upon learning of Li Ji'an’s status as a rogue cultivator, cast glances of disdain, pointedly ignoring his bows. Li Ji'an remained indifferent, waiting for the sharing of insights.

An hour later, Xiao Changfeng returned to share his experience. This was a tradition of the Biyun Sect, highlighting the advantage of having "companions" in cultivation. Li Ji'an listened intently. He was surprised to learn that Xiao had not used a Foundation Establishment pill. Xiao explained that his high-grade earth spiritual root, his body refinement, and the tempering of his mana during his pursuit of bandits had provided a solid foundation. He had instead spent his resources on a near-third-grade dwelling, a second-grade spirit-gathering array, a premium magic crown to focus his mind, and a high-grade protective pill to prevent injury should he fail.

Xiao detailed every stage—the body, the mana, and the spirit—emphasizing that his success was rooted in his courage and his state of mind. He encouraged others not to be intimidated by rumors, claiming that with a fifty percent success rate, one could attempt it without a pill.

A pseudo-core formation elder suddenly interjected, warning the disciples not to take such reckless advice. He noted that Xiao’s success was an anomaly, largely due to luck, and should not be imitated. This sparked laughter, lightening the mood of the serious assembly.

Li Ji'an gained immense value from the session, his own future path to Foundation Establishment now much clearer.

After the event, Li Ji'an took his leave. Xiao Changfeng encouraged him warmly, promising to help him find a heavenly spiritual flame if the opportunity arose. Xiao seemed to have regained the vigor of his youth, though Li Ji'an worried that such unbridled behavior in a sect might invite trouble. Still, seeing him return to his true self, he could only offer his silent support.

***

Six months later, the handover of the Immortal City was complete. The Wan Jian Qi family took control, and the Biyun Sect withdrew. As Li Ji'an had anticipated, the Qi family announced a grand auction, revealing that they would be selling a premium-grade Foundation Establishment pill refined by a master from the Daoyuan Province.

The news shocked the entire Cangyun Province. A premium pill increased the success rate by forty percent. Even for a cultivator with a low-grade spiritual root, such a pill, combined with a good foundation, could offer a seventy percent chance of success.

The price would be astronomical—likely exceeding ten thousand spirit stones, perhaps even twenty thousand. This realization sobered many, though it also ignited a desperate ambition in others.

Li Ji'an was among them. His savings of over five thousand spirit stones were not enough, but he expected this auction to feature many rare items, so he prepared for the event. He spent the next six months in near-constant alchemy, neglecting his other studies to earn as much as he could.

Finally, the day of the grand auction arrived, marking the beginning of a new era for the Immortal City.