Chapter 78: The Six Great Immortal Sects of East Shang
It truly wasn’t that Ji Yuan deliberately arrived late.
He had actually set out quite early, but while piloting his flying boat en route to Zengtou Market, he happened to encounter a group of Water Dragon Sect disciples returning to the sect.
Out of respect for fellow sect members, Ji Yuan naturally stopped to let them pass first.
Unexpectedly, Elder Xu was among them.
Upon seeing Ji Yuan, Elder Xu intentionally halted and approached, chatting with Ji Yuan for quite some time.
Despite his fellow disciples’ urging, he even took the time to demonstrate a few techniques for “Mirror Stacking.”
With such enthusiasm shown, Ji Yuan naturally couldn’t just leave. Thus, he was delayed for quite a while.
Only after Elder Xu departed did he hurry over to Shop No. 18-Jia.
By the time he arrived, everyone else was already present, all eyes falling on him.
Under the pressure, Ji Yuan bowed respectfully to those inside the room. “I am Ji Yuan from Zengtou Market. Greetings, fellow Daoists.”
“Ji Yuan?!”
Wu Yan was already shocked when he saw who had arrived, and after sensing Ji Yuan’s cultivation level, he quickly stepped forward to the entrance.
“You’ve reached late-stage Qi Refining?!”
Wu Yan was still somewhat in disbelief.
But regardless of how unwilling he was to accept it, the truth stood right before him.
Though Wu Wenbin remained still, his eyes betrayed his astonishment.
“Just a fluke, just a fluke.”
Ji Yuan offered his usual humble response.
Du Kang and Hu Fang, who had been seated near the door, quickly came forward, both visibly delighted.
“Daoist Ji, you really have reached the late stage of Qi Refining!”
Hu Fang exclaimed, and Du Kang, being a native of Zengtou Market, promptly added, “I said it before, Brother Ji wouldn’t take long to break through—yet you didn’t believe me.”
Ji Yuan cupped his hands in greeting to the two Daoists he had previously encountered.
“That’s the fourth.”
A cheerful voice came from behind, and Ji Yuan turned around quickly.
Behind Yao Jingfeng and Du Wanyi stood a cultivator in a black robe. His expression was stern, radiating an aura of “keep your distance.”
“He’s Luo Tian.”
Yao Jingfeng introduced him to Ji Yuan with a smile.
“Greetings, Brother Luo.”
Ji Yuan clasped his fists again.
Luo Tian’s lips twitched slightly, which could be taken as a smile. “Just call me Third Brother.”
Meanwhile, Wu Yan had returned to Wu Wenbin’s side.
“Father.”
He called softly.
Wu Wenbin first glanced at Qin Long and He Laosan, who remained seated.
Seeing that their expressions were quite sour, he sighed and shook his head.
But only for a moment—soon, he put on a cheerful smile, stepped forward, and said with a laugh:
“Congratulations, Daoist Ji. Congratulations indeed.”
“I saw from the beginning that you were a dragon among men. Now it’s proven true. If Senior Brother Hong from the Water Dragon Sect hears of this, I’m sure he’ll be thrilled.”
“Oh? Senior Brother Hong?”
The people from Zengtou Market naturally understood this, but those from other market cities, like Yao Jingfeng and his companions, did not.
So Wu Wenbin took it upon himself to explain and in doing so, boosted Ji Yuan’s reputation further.
The room was soon filled with congratulatory voices.
Ji Yuan merely observed as Wu Wenbin appeared wholeheartedly supportive, tirelessly promoting him while sidelining his own son.
If Ji Yuan hadn’t already known the man’s true nature, he might have been genuinely touched.
After hearing the tale, the expressions of Luo Tian and the other two also shifted slightly as they regarded Ji Yuan—now with more respect.
Three more cultivators from external market cities arrived next, all at the seventh layer of Qi Refining.
One of them was the elderly Ji, Xiao Hong, who had once congratulated Ji Yuan in Jingde Market, though she didn’t seem to recognize him now.
After a brief round of pleasantries, and seeing that no one else was arriving, Yao Jingfeng stood up and announced in a clear voice:
“We’ve invited everyone here today because our Water Dragon Sect Mutual Aid Society has gained two more disciples—truly a joyful occasion.”
“Wu Yan of Zengtou Market, Ji Yuan of Zengtou Market!”
After this short introduction, just as Ji Yuan expected there might be more formalities, Yao Jingfeng simply sat down again, clearly done speaking.
Du Kang then asked, “Lately, I’ve noticed frequent deployment of Water Dragon Sect disciples. Has something major happened at the sect?”
“I’ve also seen quite a few Water Dragon Sect disciples returning while I was in the Yunyu Marshlands.”
Luo Tian added in a serious tone.
Apparently, Ji Yuan wasn’t the only one who noticed something was amiss. Being his first time attending such a gathering, he chose to observe quietly for now.
Elder Ji Xiao Hong from Jingde Market also spoke up. “Even Blood-Stopping Powder is rising in price. There must be something significant going on.”
Qin Long of the Qin family looked to Yao Jingfeng and gestured respectfully. “Brother Yao, has there been any news from the Upper Society?”
The Water Dragon Sect Mutual Aid Society was divided into Upper and Lower Societies. The Upper Society consisted of those who had already joined the Water Dragon Sect, while the Lower Society was for unaffiliated disciples like themselves.
“Yes.”
Once Yao Jingfeng spoke, all eyes turned to him.
“The Upper Society reported that there was some friction between the Water Dragon Sect and Joyful Palace.”
“They don’t know the exact cause, but it seems serious.”
“It must be. Even Blood-Stopping Powder is being stockpiled in advance.”
Elder Ji Xiao Hong said with a sinister smile.
“That likely means other talismans and pills will also go up in price. Everyone should stock up early—you might even make a tidy profit.”
Wu Wenbin said with squinting eyes and a smile.
Zhu Shen then turned to Luo Tian beside Yao Jingfeng. “Brother Luo, I know where a late-stage Tier 1 demonic beast is. Interested?”
“Heh, just a Tier 1 late-stage? Not worth the hassle if I have to split the loot with you.”
Luo Tian replied indifferently.
Hearing this, Ji Yuan glanced at him curiously.
This Daoist’s true strength was unknown, but his arrogance was undeniable.
A late-stage Tier 1 beast would usually send even late-stage Qi Refining cultivators fleeing for their lives.
Yet this man didn’t bat an eye?
Ji Yuan observed the reactions of the others. They all seemed to think this was normal.
This guy—is he really that strong?
Soon, the late-stage Qi Refining cultivators began to chat openly, forming small groups to discuss collaboration opportunities or to exchange cultivation insights.
Even the crafty Wu Wenbin was deep in conversation with Zhu Shen about talisman-drawing techniques—both were at the eighth level of Qi Refining.
Some were also conducting trades.
Ji Yuan glanced at his panel.
Among his Level 1 buildings, the Talisman Room and the Comprehension Room couldn’t even be upgraded before Foundation Establishment.
But his Cave Dwelling could.
Upgrade Requirements: 50 Low-Grade Spirit Stones, 6 Pure Spirit Jades, 10 jin of River-Calming Sand
Spirit stones were no problem for Ji Yuan.
He had also gathered the River-Calming Sand at the Clear Wave Pool. It wasn’t expensive—just one spirit stone per jin.
The only issue was the Pure Spirit Jade. Even when he asked at Baibao Pavilion, he couldn’t find any.
Seeing others trading, Ji Yuan decided to speak up.
“Do any of you fellow Daoists have Pure Spirit Jade?”
His voice was loud enough to draw attention.
But everyone shook their heads—none had it.
Just as Ji Yuan was about to give up, he heard a soft laugh nearby.
“Fourth Brother, I have some.”
Ji Yuan quickly turned toward the voice.
Du Wanyi winked. “I’ll give it to you after the gathering.”
“Thank—thank you…”
Because he was the last to arrive, Ji Yuan was the Fourth Brother, though he wasn’t sure how the others were ranked.
Yao Jingfeng, sitting between them, smiled and explained, “I’m the eldest, Du Wanyi is Second Sister, Luo Tian is Third Brother, and you, being the youngest, are Fourth.”
“Thank you, Second Sister.”
Ji Yuan sighed in relief.
They spent another half an hour exchanging information.
Ji Yuan mostly listened, learning much that he hadn’t known before.
For the first time, he truly felt like he was stepping into the cultivation world.
He learned, for instance, about the Six Great Immortal Sects of East Shang—Sword Ruins, Beast Taming Sect, Joyful Palace, Ganhu Mountain, Medicine King Valley, and Water Dragon Sect.
They were collectively called “East Shang” because the tallest mountain range in Cangluo Continent was Shang Mountain, which divided the continent into east and west.
The Water Dragon Sect and the other five great sects were all located on the eastern side of Shang Mountain.
Hence the name: Six Great Immortal Sects of East Shang.
He also heard tales of a Tier 3 demonic beast from the Falling Star River making landfall through Yunyu Marshlands, only to have its demonic path severed by a single sword strike from a Water Dragon Sect Golden Core cultivator.
After this round of sharing, the group gradually began to disperse in small batches.
Ji Yuan watched them leave, curious.
Apart from the introduction at the beginning, nothing too important seemed to have happened.
Yao Jingfeng, noticing his confusion, explained with a smile, “This was the main gathering. Now they’re all heading off to their respective small meetings.”
Luo Tian turned around, face emotionless, and said:
“Come. Now it’s time for our own small meeting.”