Over the past six months of cultivation, Ji Rufeng had successfully broken through to the early stage of the third level of Qi Condensation. His rapid progress was largely due to Li Xue’s pained sacrifice of her remaining Spirit Gathering Pills and spirit stones. However, it was also a testament to Ji Rufeng’s own fortune. Having practiced martial arts since childhood, the internal energy he developed in the secular world had greatly assisted in tempering his meridians. In the mundane martial forest, Ji Rufeng was considered a top-tier expert with extensive combat experience; should he face another cultivator of the same level, he would likely hold a significant advantage.
Li Xue understood this well, which was why she had spared no expense to help him advance. Her reasoning was simple: in both the secular and cultivation worlds, women and children were often seen as vulnerable. Without sufficient strength, they would easily attract unwanted attention. Therefore, it was safer to let a man handle interactions with the outside world, and Ji Rufeng’s presence perfectly solved this dilemma for the mother and son. At least until they found the Yunjin Sect, this was the ideal arrangement.
For Ji Rufeng, receiving help from Li Xue and her son filled him with a desire to repay their kindness. This balance of mutual aid eased the psychological pressure on his path of cultivation, benefiting everyone involved. Li Xue had made her stance clear from the beginning, and as a man of decisive action, Ji Rufeng appreciated her transparency. Their mutual openness had made their relationship much more harmonious.
Inside the Yuekelai Tavern in Fengyang City, Tang Kingdom, Li Xue, Li Lin, and Ji Rufeng sat in an upstairs room overlooking the street. They chatted by the window while observing the passersby below.
"Sister Li, the Tang Kingdom’s Talent Selection Assembly is in three days. Do you think I should give it a try?" Ji Rufeng asked, sounding somewhat bored.
"Yeah, yeah! Mother, can we go and have some fun?" Li Lin chimed in.
"If you’re both that bored, go into the depths of the Mangyun Mountains and catch some rabbits. Specifically, those Wind-Bell Rabbits we had last time—they tasted quite good," Li Xue replied.
"Aw, how dull," Li Lin muttered, his head drooping. He thought to himself: *What 'depths'? We were clearly just on the outskirts. Mother won't let us go any further in no matter what. How boring.*
"Wait, look at that!" Ji Rufeng’s eyes fixed on a spot in the street. Despite his boredom, his powers of observation remained sharp, and he had spotted something unusual.
Li Xue and Li Lin followed his gaze. Among the pedestrians were a man and a woman. The man wore elegant scholar’s robes and possessed a refined air, while the woman was dressed in fine black silk and was quite beautiful. With their sight, it was easy to tell they were both cultivators. The man’s cultivation level was indiscernible, but the woman was at the peak of the third level of Qi Condensation.
The three of them stared intently at the pair but carefully avoided looking directly at the man. They knew his cultivation must be significantly higher than theirs; otherwise, their Spirit-Eyes Technique would not have failed to read him.
The tavern room they had chosen was perfectly situated, providing a clear view of everything happening on the street. The pair of cultivators strolled leisurely, browsing as they walked toward West Street.
Li Xue and Ji Rufeng exchanged a look, both feeling puzzled. At the end of West Street sat a small, unremarkable academy. When the pair disappeared from view and failed to emerge after half an hour, Ji Rufeng could no longer sit still.
"I’ll go take a look," he said before heading downstairs. Li Xue and Li Lin remained behind to monitor the street.
What intrigued and puzzled the mother and son most was that over the next while, three or four more groups of people—all cultivators—passed by and headed toward West Street. Their cultivation levels ranged from the third to the fourth level, with the highest being at the fifth. Li Xue suddenly remembered something. There must be more to that academy than meets the eye. Why were they all going there? Could there be a gathering of cultivators?
At that moment, Li Lin asked, "Mother, could they be going to a bazaar? I remember in the stories you told me, places where cultivators gather are called markets, right?"
"You’re right, that’s very likely!" Li Xue agreed.
As they were speculating, Ji Rufeng returned, looking visibly excited.
"Sister Li, there’s a market there! It’s the Tang Clan Market!" he exclaimed.
"Really? That’s wonderful!" Both Li Xue and Li Lin were thrilled.
"By the way, how did you find out it was a market?" Li Xue asked.
Ji Rufeng looked a bit embarrassed. "I was wandering around nearby when a cultivator noticed me and kindly told me about it. He said first-time visitors just need to register."
Li Xue nodded and asked, "Shall we go now? What did you think of that cultivator?"
Ji Rufeng thought for a moment. "In my estimation, he seemed like a newcomer to the world, but he was very knowledgeable. He likely had elders who gave him careful instructions."
Feeling reassured, Li Xue left the tavern with Ji Rufeng and Li Lin and headed toward West Street.
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Ascended Without Me: Cultivating with a Genius Son | Chapter 14 | The Tang Clan Market | Novela.app | Novela.app
