Chapter 309: The Immortal Market

"Thank you so much for saving our lives, Senior. I am deeply grateful."

After witnessing Yaoguang annihilate the great demon with overwhelming force, the disciples of the Penglai Immortal Sect were stunned. Their leader, Ye Hongyu, reacted immediately.

She quickly stepped forward and produced a storage treasure. "These are the gains I obtained during this training expedition. Please accept them as a token of gratitude."

Yaoguang withdrew his psychic mind from the rejuvenated Daemon Hunter branch and glanced at this direct disciple of the Penglai Immortal Sect.

This disciple is quite tactful. She voluntarily handed over her possessions. Yaoguang thought.

Still, Yaoguang intended to visit the Biyou Immortal Market to conduct some trades. Moreover, this place was still some distance away from the sect itself, so he had no intention of accepting her belongings.

Besides, even for a Blazing White Golden Core cultivator who was a true disciple of the Penglai Immortal Sect, ten to twenty thousand Pure Yang Grand Pills would already be the limit of what she was likely to possess.

After all, the Penglai Immortal Sect had only been established for a century. Its foundation was far inferior to that of other major sects.

"It was merely a casual effort. Keep the spoils from your training expedition. I happen to be heading to the Biyou Immortal Market. Since you’re disciples of the Penglai Immortal Sect, just point me in the right direction," Yaoguang said.

Hearing this, Ye Hongyu secretly let out a sigh of relief.

Then she deliberately revealed a delighted expression. "You saved our lives, Senior. We can never repay such kindness. If you don't mind, we would like to accompany you to the Biyou Immortal Market and properly fulfill our duties as hosts."

She paused briefly before adding, "Although I’m only a disciple of the Penglai Immortal Sect, I am a true disciple. If you wish to buy or sell any materials, that title should help save you a bit of time."

True disciple. Yaoguang pondered for a moment. The Penglai Immortal Sect was newly established, and corruption had yet to fully set in. Combined with the reputation the sect had built in the outside world...

"Then I’ll trouble you." Yaoguang did not refuse again.

As soon as he finished speaking, he prepared to rise into the air.

Ye Hongyu suddenly spoke again, "Senior, this great demon..."

"I already took the demonic core. If the corpse is useful to you, you may have the rest." Yaoguang waved his hand dismissively.

Demons typically tempered their physical bodies and cultivated heavenly demon bodies or true fiend bodies. They rarely used spirit treasures or refined artifacts, so the most valuable thing about them was their flesh.

And among that flesh, the demonic core accounted for ninety percent of the value. Everything else was merely scraps.

"It’s not about the demonic core. A ninth-tier great demon is worth one million contribution points on the Demon Slaying List. Senior, you probably haven't obtained a Demon Slaying Token yet, right? We can testify on your behalf and record this contribution first. Once we reach the Biyou Immortal Market, you can complete the procedures and immediately receive one million contribution points," Ye Hongyu quickly said. "Contribution points can be exchanged within my sect for rare resources, divine abilities, cultivation arts, and advanced secret techniques. Although one million contribution points can only be directly exchanged for one hundred thousand Pure Yang Grand Pills, many resources sold there are practically unavailable anywhere else, so the actual value is at least double that."

"Oh?" Yaoguang became interested. "Rare resources? Can anything be exchanged? Even Dao Artifacts?"

Ye Hongyu smiled faintly. "Nineteen years ago, the Sea Guardian King of the Great Shang, who specialized in resisting and defending against the demons of the Deep-Blue Sea, exchanged 6,400,000,000 contribution points for the Dao Artifact known as the Mountain-Sea Pearl."

Hearing this, Yaoguang’s expression grew serious.

Even Dao Artifacts can be exchanged with outside factions? That Penglai Dao Lord is really generous. Or perhaps it's because these Dao Artifacts originally came from the Heavenly Sea Sword Pavilion, so parting with them did not hurt as much? Yaoguang thought.

"Our sect occupies the Deep-Blue Sea and expands humanity’s territory there, but our foundation is ultimately too shallow. We cannot completely exterminate all the demons of the Deep-Blue Sea. And those demons are unwilling to accept defeat and continuously launch counterattacks. The powerful demon kings rarely dare reveal themselves openly, but great demons, whose appearances are not enough to provoke Dao Lords into personally acting, infiltrate this region in large groups, stirring up chaos." Ye Hongyu smiled as she continued, "This sea region urgently needs righteous human cultivators to help slay demons, and in the end transform this territory into a flourishing homeland for humanity. Naturally, the Penglai Immortal Sect does not hesitate to reward those who make contributions."

Expanding territory... Yaoguang nodded inwardly.

Forcefully tearing away a piece of land from the demon race was no easy feat.

Moreover, the Penglai Immortal Sect had only existed for a hundred years. Just like its disciples had said, the sect's foundation was far too shallow. There were probably not many Void-Piercing Realm, Void-Refining Realm, or Void-Shattering Realm experts within the sect, so they needed to display magnanimity.

That was also why the Penglai Immortal Sect had earned such a favorable reputation over the years.

"Thank you very much." Yaoguang gave a fist-and-palm salute.

"You’re too polite, Senior. You came to the Deep-Blue Sea to assist our sect in slaying demons. We are the ones who should be thanking you." As Ye Hongyu spoke, she instructed several junior brothers and sisters to gather the remains of the great demon.

Even the shattered corpse of a ninth-tier great demon could be refined into medicinal pills by many Radiant Sun Golden Core cultivators to increase their cultivation.

Meanwhile, she proactively began recording Yaoguang’s information. "May I ask how you should be addressed?"

Yaoguang considered briefly before answering truthfully, "Yaoguang, inner sect disciple of the Heavenly Dao Sect."

"Inner sect disciple?" Ye Hongyu was stunned.

The Penglai Immortal Sect was isolated overseas, so Ye Hongyu had clearly never heard of Yaoguang’s achievements in Haizhou. Yet the identity he revealed still left her utterly stunned.

The other Blazing White Golden Core cultivators nearby were equally incredulous.

How can the inner sect disciples of the Heavenly Dao Sect be already this powerful?

"I haven’t been in the Heavenly Dao Sect for long, so I haven’t undergone the true disciple assessment yet," Yaoguang casually explained.

Only then did Ye Hongyu and the others relax.

But immediately afterward, they seemed to realize something and exchanged subtle glances.

He hasn't been in the Heavenly Dao Sect long and has yet to participate in the true disciple assessment? That means he likely has no major backing nor any particularly deep attachment to the Heavenly Dao Sect.

If we can persuade him to join the Penglai Immortal Sect, this genius, who has already condensed an Azure Golden Core and has basically taken a step into the Void-Piercing Realm, will undoubtedly become another pillar among the sect’s limited number of top experts.

Of course, although the thought had formed, both sides needed time to understand each other better.

With such thoughts in mind, Ye Hongyu and the others quickly finished handling the battlefield before setting out once more toward the Biyou Immortal Market.

In front of the many disciples of the Penglai Immortal Sect, Yaoguang naturally had no intention of flaunting a Dao Artifact such as the Longxiang Flying Vessel.

Even though he had concealed its aura, he was about to enter the territory of a Dao Lord, so maintaining the necessary caution was essential.

That Penglai Dao Lord wished to establish a sect, yet, rather than following the customs of the North Sea Star and seizing territory from other major sects, she chose to build her sect within the Deep-Blue Sea. That alone makes her rather unconventional... And from everything I’ve learned and observed so far, the Penglai Immortal Sect does indeed seem to value rules and order. Hopefully, the sale of these materials will proceed smoothly. Yaoguang thought.

The group sped over the ocean's surface.

Along the way, they encountered and slew several more demonic creatures. Although none had reached the ninth tier, many seventh-tier and eighth-tier demonic creatures still emerged from the depths of the sea.

Even near the Biyou Immortal Market, things were chaotic. That alone showed how unstable the Deep-Blue Sea truly was.

The reason this immortal market had managed to flourish was probably that it relied entirely on its reputation. Otherwise, who would willingly come to a place like this to trade?

With Ye Hongyu and the others accompanying him, their speed naturally slowed considerably. By the time Yaoguang finally arrived at the Biyou Immortal Market, three days had already passed.

***

"We’ve arrived. Ahead is the Biyou Immortal Market." As Ye Hongyu spoke, the clouds and mist parted at the horizon, revealing a massive island divided into upper and lower levels.

The lower level was a gigantic island stretching for thousands of kilometers, surrounded by countless ports, with innumerable ships sailing to and from them.

At the center of the island floated another enormous aerial island nearly five hundred kilometers in diameter.

Sword lights, flying vessels, and spirit birds constantly traveled between the two.

Cultivators moved to and fro in overwhelming numbers. It was no less lively or impressive than the East Sea Immortal Market of the Great Shang.

This was the Deep-Blue Sea. It was far from being a truly safe region, yet so many merchants and cultivators still gathered here, clearly demonstrating just how attractive this place was.

"The Biyou Immortal Market is the public face our sect presents to the outside world. In many ways, it represents both our external and internal attitude. Among its rules, the most important is that private fighting is forbidden. If conflicts arise, they must be reported to the enforcement teams for resolution. Furthermore, although trade emphasizes mutual agreement, the strong are forbidden from using their higher cultivation to bully the weak, ensuring fairness and justice in transactions..." Ye Hongyu enthusiastically introduced the rules and structure of the Biyou Immortal Market to Yaoguang.

During the past three days, she had already contacted friends and quietly investigated Yaoguang’s background.

She confirmed that he really had joined the Heavenly Dao Sect less than five years ago, and she also learned of the talent he had displayed in Haizhou.

But beyond his talent, what interested them most was Yaoguang’s conduct.

Although he had exterminated the Xi family, he had acted with clear principles, followed rules, and refrained from indiscriminate slaughter.[1]

In the environment of the North Sea Star, such a person was practically a rare breath of fresh air.

And while Ye Hongyu investigated him, he had also been quietly observing the disciples of the Penglai Immortal Sect.

The way disciples interacted with one another often reflected the sect's internal atmosphere, which in turn revealed its methods and philosophy.

Under this relatively harmonious atmosphere, Yaoguang first headed toward the Demon Slaying Hall. There, he applied for a Demon Slaying Token.

With Ye Hongyu, a true disciple, personally handling matters, the process went smoothly. In less than a few minutes, the token was already in Yaoguang’s hands. And one million contribution points had already been added to it.

"Our sect’s Demon Slaying Tokens are divided into four ranks: ordinary, middle-level, high-level, and top-tier, corresponding respectively to accumulated contribution values of one hundred thousand, one million, ten million, and one hundred million. Since you slew a ninth-tier great demon, you naturally qualified directly for a middle-level token." Ye Hongyu smiled as she explained, "The resources available for exchange differ according to token rank. If you wish to exchange for a Dao Artifact, you would need to upgrade to a top-tier token. Likewise, anyone holding a top-tier token receives retainer treatment throughout the Penglai Immortal Sect."

"Retainer treatment?" Yaoguang seemed somewhat surprised. "The kind that receives annual distributions of grand pills?"

"That’s right." Ye Hongyu nodded. "Even if you never formally join the Penglai Immortal Sect, that treatment is still available."

At once, Yaoguang found himself tempted.

For him, slaying demons wouldn't only grant experience for his Daemon Hunter branch but also contribution points that could be exchanged for Pure Yang Grand Pills.

And once his contribution was high enough, he could even receive retainer treatment.

Perhaps, after reaching the Void-Piercing Realm, he could spend some time training in the Deep-Blue Sea.

1. Editor's note: Had he? ☜