Chapter 37: The Spirit Fish Enters the Dream (7)
Yan Yi, who should have been peeling grapes for Bai Chunsheng, lazily responded, “Mm.”
Yan Yi’s “Mm” snapped Bai Chunsheng out of his reverie: “…”
He sighed dejectedly, “Two… oh, two is fine. How many low-grade spirit stones will you offer in exchange?”
Cheng Yue’s joy was evident; he could barely hide it. A few days ago, the Treasure Gathering Pavilion had auctioned off a batch of mid-grade spirit stones, fetching nearly 2,500 low-grade stones each. As long as he could keep the price below 2,000, he’d make a profit. Cheng Yue tentatively offered, “Fifteen hundred per stone?”
Bai Chunsheng didn’t think much about it: “Deal.”
Cheng Yue didn’t expect them to agree so easily. He eagerly pulled out a storage bag, ready to complete the transaction on the spot.
After the deal, the three of them continued on their way.
Cheng Yue mentioned that the exchange meeting was held in Tian Nan City. These gatherings occurred every few months, dubbed as sessions for sharing cultivation insights. This wasn’t entirely untrue, as some insights could indeed be used for trade.
The host of these meetings rotated, and this time, it was organized by a female cultivator named Bi Xi.
Bi Xi wasn’t a rogue cultivator; she was a disciple of another sect within Tian Nan City, the Nan Shan Sect.
According to Cheng Yue, Bi Xi was shrewd and clever, with exceptional beauty, making her one of the most well-regarded female cultivators. Among the Foundation Establishment cultivators in Tian Nan City, she had excellent connections. Gaining her favor was considered essential to truly establishing oneself in the city.
However, this held little significance for Bai Chunsheng and Yan Yi. They listened half-heartedly, letting Cheng Yue’s words pass in one ear and out the other. Occasionally, Bai Chunsheng would nod perfunctorily, satisfying Cheng Yue’s need to talk.
Tian Nan City was filled with tall buildings constructed from mineral rocks. As the trio walked out of Yusheng Sect’s territory and headed toward the center, the buildings became noticeably shorter. These lower buildings were adorned with various brightly colored flags—red, blue, yellow—every color imaginable, all strikingly vivid.
Bai Chunsheng, having spent the morning engaged in a battle of wits with Yan Yi, hadn’t paid attention earlier. Now, his curiosity was piqued. He had never seen such sights, not even on Fuyu Mountain. Pointing at the flags, Bai Chunsheng asked, “What are these for?”
Feeling quite pleased with himself after making a small profit off Bai Chunsheng and Yan Yi, Cheng Yue glanced at the flags briefly before withdrawing his gaze.
“Ah,” Cheng Yue said, “You mean these flags?”
“Not much, probably because the ‘Smoky Year’ is approaching.” Cheng Yue nonchalantly added, “Didn’t expect them to prepare so early this time.”
“What does that mean?” Yan Yi asked as well.
Cheng Yue cast a glance at the two of them. “Tian Nan City is indeed built above a spirit mine, but deep beneath the mine lies an active volcano.”
“Every few years, it erupts, spewing spirit-laden magma. After a heavy snowfall, over time, the magma transforms into spirit stones, forming a brand-new spirit stone mine.”
Cheng Yue chuckled, “Tian Nan City has stood here for thousands, even tens of thousands of years. While many noble families have risen and fallen, this city remains firmly at the heart of the world.”
“Even the deepest mines will eventually be exhausted.”
“But the spirit stones from Tian Nan City are like a bottomless treasure trove, continuously replenished thanks to this volcano. Isn’t that wonderful?”
However, if the volcano erupts, even ordinary magma would be enough to trouble low-level cultivators, let alone a volcano brimming with spirit-infused lava.
Bai Chunsheng furrowed his brow and asked, “Don’t these people need to evacuate every time the volcano erupts with spirit lava?”
Cheng Yue shook his head. “No, they don’t.”
He looked a bit excited as he continued, “Of course not, this is considered a rare opportunity.”
“The volcano beneath Tian Nan City erupts roughly once every hundred years, but the spirit lava doesn’t overflow. Instead, it creates a massive, dense fog within the city. This fog is filled with spiritual energy, thousands of times more potent than any spirit-gathering array! Because the air is saturated with spiritual energy, no spell can disperse it.”
Cheng Yue pointed to the flags atop the low rooftops. “These flags help people recognize their homes. The fog lasts at least a year before it naturally dissipates, and during this time, no artifact can be used to navigate.”
He stroked his chin thoughtfully. “You two are pretty lucky. I’m nearly three hundred years old and have only experienced this ‘Smoky Year’ once. Normally, it only happens once every hundred years. But since they’ve already raised the flags, the sect must have detected it early and spread the word.”
Yan Yi caught the implication and asked, “Does Tian Nan City close its gates during the Smoky Year?”
If the city remained open, it wouldn’t really be a rare opportunity, more like a centennial festival. Cheng Yue wouldn’t have experienced it just once.
Cheng Yue nodded. “The gates are likely already closed.”
He felt a subtle unease. The last Smoky Year didn’t seem that long ago. Could the volcano be becoming more active? Cheng Yue speculated.
Foundation Establishment cultivators usually lived around four hundred years, but Tian Nan City wasn’t an ideal place for a final resting spot. Cheng Yue had often thought that if his cultivation didn’t improve, he would find a peaceful place with lush mountains and clear waters to pass on his legacy. Unexpectedly, he now had the chance to experience this unique event again. He shook his head; overall, it was a good thing.
During their conversation, Bai Chunsheng and Yan Yi had followed Cheng Yue through several streets in Tian Nan City.
They stopped in front of a neatly built stone house at the corner of the street. Two imposing stone lions guarded the entrance. The house had square windows above, and two servants in gray-blue hemp robes stood waiting by the door.
Cheng Yue, familiar with the place, casually tossed them two low-grade spirit stones. The servants bowed and then led the way.
The house on the surface was just an entrance. The actual meeting place was underground. Following the servant, the trio descended a set of stairs.
The space below was much more expansive.
Cheng Yue remembered that these two seemed to know little about such gatherings and felt it necessary to give some advice. As they walked, he explained, “In auction houses, most people wear masks to hide their identities, afraid of revealing their wealth or the treasures they acquire. But here, there’s no need to worry about that at all.”
Bai Chunsheng and Yan Yi weren’t concerned about the situation, confident that even if all the people here ganged up on them, they wouldn’t be a match for Bai Chunsheng alone. However, since Cheng Yue specifically mentioned it, this place must have some unique qualities.
“Oh?” Bai Chunsheng asked, “Why is that?”
Cheng Yue proudly explained, “Because Master Duyi cast a binding spell here. Anyone with ill intentions won’t be able to leave this place.”
“If someone harbors malicious thoughts, this stone house will become their prison. Unless their power far surpasses Master Duyi’s, they won’t be able to break free.”
“But Master Duyi is already a powerful Golden Core cultivator. This spell was something we specifically requested from him. Anyone capable of surpassing Master Duyi would likely have no interest in the small treasures we have here.”
“Binding spell?” Bai Chunsheng couldn’t help but think of Bo Yan, who was known for his expertise in this field. It was rumored that he could take a life from a thousand miles away, excelling at setting traps and formations. His cunning was not to be underestimated.
Cheng Yue continued, “Yes, a binding spell. You two might not know just how formidable Master Duyi is. Cultivating the binding spell is incredibly demanding and difficult; only those with unwavering minds can learn such techniques.”
Cheng Yue assumed Bai Chunsheng was concerned about safety. “You can rest assured. Everyone here is a reputable cultivator with a reputation to maintain in Tian Nan City. Besides, with Master Duyi’s spell, this place is very safe.”
While Cheng Yue was boasting about the effort he put into organizing this gathering, Bai Chunsheng was secretly transmitting a message to Yan Yi: “Do you know about the binding spell?”
Yan Yi responded, “Yes.”
Bai Chunsheng had grown accustomed to Yan Yi’s demeanor—either silent for long stretches or speaking in riddles. Bai Chunsheng continued, “Bo Yan of the Water Abyss Realm practices this path.”
Bai Chunsheng warned, “Be careful.”
Yan Yi replied, “The way of the Dao has no absolute hierarchy, but that person is certainly no match for me.”
Yan Yi said, “You don’t need to worry.”
In truth, even though Yan Jingqiu had become somewhat erratic after losing his memory, he was still Yan Jingqiu. Just having him here was enough to instill a great deal of courage in others.
The servant led the group to the end of the corridor and then departed.
A voice from inside called out, “Who is it?”
Cheng Yue cleared his throat. “It’s me, Cheng Yue from the Yusheng Sect.”
He added, “I brought two newcomers today, both are outer sect attendants of Yusheng Sect.”
There was no immediate response, but the door lit up briefly before opening.
Cheng Yue pushed the door open and stepped inside.
The person who opened the door was a young, beautiful female cultivator, dressed in a bright yellow jacket and a pink and white skirt, making for an eye-catching appearance. Bai Chunsheng guessed she must be the female cultivator named Bi Xi, whom Cheng Yue had mentioned earlier.
Bi Xi said, “Excluding you, only five people have arrived so far. Let’s wait a bit longer. Jiang Gui mentioned yesterday that he’d be coming. Shall we wait for him?”
While Cheng Yue and Bi Xi were speaking, Bai Chunsheng discreetly observed the room.
A round table, seemingly made from a single piece of wood, occupied the center, surrounded by several chairs. A few people were already seated in the corners.
Bai Chunsheng was merely taking in his surroundings when he unexpectedly recognized a familiar cultivator among the group.
Su Xiaojing was there.
Focusing on him, Bai Chunsheng noticed that overnight, Su Xiaojing had reached the early Foundation Establishment stage. However, due to the rapid breakthrough, Su Xiaojing’s cultivation seemed somewhat unstable.
Beside him sat the demonic cultivator Mu Changzhou. Both wore human-skin masks, disguising themselves as ordinary Foundation Establishment rogue cultivators. However, Bai Chunsheng easily saw through their disguises.
These two hadn’t paid any attention to Bai Chunsheng and Yan Yi before, but when Su Xiaojing’s gaze met Bai Chunsheng’s, he quickly looked away.
This situation was indeed strange. Bai Chunsheng subtly tugged on Yan Yi’s sleeve, transmitting a message to him: “Why are Su Xiaojing and Mu Changzhou here?”
And Su Xiaojing had even managed a breakthrough—how was that possible? Based on the feedback from the shadow demon, given Su Xiaojing’s condition back then, it was a wonder he even survived, let alone advanced. This anomaly surely hinted at something deeper.
Yan Yi also glanced at the two men upon hearing Bai Chunsheng’s words. He recognized them as well.
After a moment of contemplation, Yan Yi remarked, “Indeed, it is strange.”
Author’s Note:
Bai Chunsheng: As long as you interpret all of Yan Jingqiu’s odd behaviors as resulting from a brain injury due to amnesia, making him a bit slow, everything makes sense. Poor guy.
Huge shoutout to @_nyanmaru_ on Discord for commissioning this! The chapter will be posted regularly, show your support for Ciacia at Kofi.
