Chapter Forty: The Magical Artifact Unleashed

Although Liu Jie was reluctant, for the sake of the Water Spirit Pill, he immediately produced three formation flags covered in runes and a formation disk, saying, “Fellow Daoist Ge, this is my Three Talents Formation—offense and defense in one, its power matches your trapping illusion array. Once the Water Spirit Pill is refined, this formation will be yours.”

Ge Qian put away the formation and replied, “Then I won’t stand on ceremony. There’s no time to lose—shall we set off now?”

With that, he stepped onto his sword and took off, Liu Jie following closely behind.

The sky was dim as the two proceeded with caution, finally arriving at the long-missed Five Peaks City.

Tonight, no stars shone. Five Peaks City, stretching for a hundred miles, resembled a colossal beast, harboring countless shops large and small—a famed center of trade for the region.

The entire city was shrouded in a faintly gray array, with restrictions against flying and spatial movement. Any cultivator below the Foundation Establishment stage had to enter on foot; only Foundation Establishment cultivators could fly their swords into the city. This drew the envy of many lower-level cultivators, highlighting the rigid hierarchy—strength was revered, and the weak were looked down upon.

It was the first time for both of them here, and they regarded everything with curiosity. Not far from the city, they landed and put away their swords, for their strength was no longer sufficient for flight.

They arrived at the eastern gate, where a dozen cultivators queued quietly to receive temporary jade tokens. Only with a jade token would one be recognized as a legitimate cultivator of Five Peaks City, eligible for protection by the enforcement teams.

Even Core Formation cultivators followed the rules here, not daring to cross the line. It was said that a Nascent Soul elder guarded the city—who would dare to steal from a tiger’s mouth? That would be courting death.

Thus, by merely submitting spirit stones for a jade token, one could rest easy, without fear of murder or robbery.

The two quickly handed over their spirit stones, using three low-grade spirit stones to purchase three days in Five Peaks City. At this rate of one spirit stone per day, it was clear that ordinary low-level cultivators could scarcely afford to stay.

Entering the city, a surge of pure spiritual energy greeted them, making Ge Qian take several deep breaths in delight. The concentration of spiritual energy here even surpassed that of the Heavenly Star Sect.

It was said that the five sects had all coveted this treasure land in the past, but, unable to reach a consensus, they decided to build a trade city here, managed collectively by Core Formation cultivators from each sect, with a Nascent Soul ancestor taking turns to preside, deterring any who might harbor designs on the city.

Liu Jie’s eyes shone as well. Ge Qian clasped his hands and said, “Now that we’ve arrived in Five Peaks City, things are much safer. We only have three days—why not split up and attend to our own affairs, and meet again at the eastern gate in three days?”

Liu Jie, understanding that every cultivator had his own secrets, immediately replied, “That suits me perfectly. Let us part ways for now.”

So Liu Jie headed north, while Ge Qian went south.

Cultivators bustled to and fro, and Ge Qian was astonished to occasionally spot Foundation Establishment cultivators among the crowd. One such cultivator—a man in the third level of Qi Condensation, with a sharp nose, monkey cheeks, and shifty eyes—approached him, clasped his hands, and said, “If I’m not mistaken, fellow Daoist, this is your first time in Five Peaks City. I am Li Chun, the Know-it-All—intimately familiar with every corner of the city.

“You must be unfamiliar with the place. If you wander about blindly, you’ll waste a whole day—a low-grade spirit stone gone just like that.

“For just two spirit stones, I can be your guide.”

Ge Qian smiled faintly, replying, “Thank you for your kindness, but I’m used to traveling alone—no need to trouble you.”

It wasn’t that he begrudged the two spirit stones, but knowing his own meager cultivation, he preferred to keep a low profile to avoid trouble. Though murder and robbery were forbidden here, once marked as prey, it was hard to escape misfortune.

Li Chun, clearly used to refusals, forced a smile and said, “If you don’t have the spirit stones, just say so. No need to put on airs. How about this—I have a map of Five Peaks City, and for just two Fasting Pills, it’s yours.”

Ten Fasting Pills were worth a spirit stone, so this seemed fair enough.

Ge Qian immediately tossed him two Fasting Pills. Li Chun caught them, sniffed them approvingly, and handed over a jade slip.

Ge Qian caught it, swept it with his divine sense, and saw that it was indeed a map of Five Peaks City, marking the major shops and main roads.

He nodded and said, “Fellow Daoist Li, I have business to attend to and won’t keep you from yours. Farewell.”

“Not seeing you off,” Li Chun muttered as Ge Qian walked off, “what a pauper.”

Following the map, Ge Qian headed straight for the renowned Hundred Treasures Hall, the largest shop in Five Peaks City, known for its vast selection, fair prices, and above all, its excellent confidentiality.

Ge Qian made a few subtle changes to his appearance, transforming from an ordinary youth into a burly man with a full beard, and then strode toward Hundred Treasures Hall.

Soon, he arrived before a magnificent pavilion, its sign bearing the three fiery-red characters: Hundred Treasures Hall.

Watching the steady stream of cultivators coming and going, Ge Qian could easily discern how prosperous the place was—making money hand over fist would not be an exaggeration.

He couldn’t help but envy them; if only he owned such a shop, would he ever have to worry about cultivation resources again? Lost in thought, he stepped into the hall.

Inside, cultivators browsed the various counters, each manned by a beautiful young woman—though their cultivation was generally low, only first or second level of Qi Condensation, they were elegant and eloquent.

Ge Qian approached a counter displaying magical artifacts and asked softly, “Fairy, does this place purchase magical artifacts?”

The woman, with a doll-like face, voluptuous figure, and willow waist, replied immediately, “No need for courtesy, fellow Daoist—you may call me Little Red. To sell magical artifacts, you’ll need to speak with the steward in a private room. Please, come this way.”