In the cultivation world, those entering a market for the first time are required to register. By spending one low-grade spirit stone, one can obtain an identity token. Most markets recognize these tokens; one simply needs to present them for inspection upon entry. This system was remarkably similar to the identity cards of Li Xue’s previous life—convenient, yet carrying the significant risk of exposure unless one used a false identity. Clearly, these tokens were far more advanced than modern IDs, as they contained a spiritual image of the holder.
Li Xue, her son, and Ji Rufeng all registered under the name of the Ji Clan from the You Kingdom. In truth, the cultivation world placed great importance on mortals, as they were the very foundation of the immortal path. Generally, cultivators did not interfere with the secular world. Even if a cultivator found themselves in trouble, others in the cultivation world would rarely target their mortal relatives. Cultivator clans, however, were a different matter entirely.
Upon entering the academy, they encountered a small illusion array. The scenery within was that of a garden surrounded by overlapping rows of houses, perfectly mimicking the appearance of a scholarly institution. Li Xue and the others focused their minds, and after about ten breaths, the trial of the illusion array ended. A ripple of spiritual energy fluctuated before them. With a flash of white light following a hand seal, a decorative archway appeared.
The three walked toward it. Carved into the archway in bold, vigorous strokes were the words: "Tang Clan Market." Once they passed through, the air was suddenly thick with spiritual energy. The three froze, exchanging looks of pure astonishment before breaking into joyful smiles. It turned out that the market was built upon a Spirit Gathering Array, ensuring a rich supply of spiritual essence. After a moment of silent wonder, they began to explore.
Ji Rufeng, having spent years traveling the secular world, was naturally adept at social interaction. He quickly struck up conversations with various shopkeepers. Through these chats, Li Xue gradually learned that spirit stones were the universal currency for all goods in the market—a fact she had already suspected. Their greatest deficiency was their lack of cultivation techniques. All three were at the third level of Qi Condensation, but none possessed the manual for the fourth level. Without it, they could not break through. This was especially frustrating for Li Lin, who had reached the peak of the third level over six months ago.
The group possessed only five low-grade spirit stones in total. They had already spent two on their identity tokens, a loss that pained them deeply. Because Li Lin had suppressed his cultivation to the second level and was not yet ten years old, he did not require a token and could enter freely under the supervision of adults. This left them with only three spirit stones, a little over one bottle of Spirit Replenishing Pills, and a fair number of talismans. Li Xue had her metal-attribute flying sword and her pearl flower defensive artifact; Li Lin had his fire-attribute flying sword; and Ji Rufeng had his Dragon-Binding Rope. This was the sum of their worldly possessions—they were as destitute as cultivators could possibly be.
As they wandered, they gained much in the way of knowledge. The Tang Clan Market was small, with most shops focusing on purchasing raw materials or selling low-grade artifacts.
The Tang Kingdom was situated on the outermost fringes of the Mangyun Mountain cultivation region. Most cultivators who came here were merely passing through. The Tang cultivation clan was affiliated with the Flying Spirit Sect, one of the many small sects in the Mangyun region. This sect was best known for its unique methods of training various spirit beasts. Despite its small size, this specialty allowed the sect to maintain a firm standing in the cultivation world.
At the only stall that accepted secular gold, Li Xue and her companions purchased a hand-copied manuscript titled *Common Knowledge of the Cultivation World*. They found a stone table nearby and sat down to read.
Cultivation encompassed the paths of Immortals, Demons, Buddhas, and Devils. As the majority of human practitioners followed the path of Immortals, the community was colloquially known as the "Immortal Cultivation World," and its practitioners were called "Immortal Cultivators."
The cultivation world was vast; wherever spiritual energy existed, cultivators could be found. Areas with abundant energy were typically occupied by great sects or powerful cultivation clans, with resources distributed according to strength.
The "Mangyun Mountain Cultivation World" referred to the region centered around Mangyun Mountain. Naturally, the deepest parts of the mountain held the richest spiritual energy and were governed by the five major sects known as the Mangyun Five High Sects: the Tianqing Sect, the Yunjin Sect, Hundred Flowers Valley, the Wuling Sect, and Beast Spirit Mountain. To be recognized as a "High Sect," a sect had to be presided over by at least one Deity Transformation stage cultivator.
The realms of cultivation, from lowest to highest, were: Qi Condensation, Foundation Establishment, Golden Core, Nascent Soul, Deity Transformation, Tribulation Transcendence, and Mahayana. For thousands of years, there had been no word of any cultivator reaching the Tribulation Transcendence stage. In the current era, the highest level one might encounter was Deity Transformation. It was assumed that those in the Tribulation stage were exceedingly rare, while those who had survived their heavenly tribulations to reach the Mahayana stage or achieve Ascension were as rare as phoenix feathers or unicorn horns. Generally, Golden Core cultivators were addressed with the honorific "Zhenren," Nascent Soul cultivators as "Daoren," and Deity Transformation cultivators as "Divine Lord" or "Lord." Those at the Tribulation Transcendence stage or above were revered as "Venerable."
Aside from the Five High Sects, the Mangyun region was home to over a dozen Middle Sects, each boasting several Nascent Soul cultivators. Low Sects were even more numerous, most of them serving as affiliates to the Middle or High Sects. Below them were countless small sects and cultivation clans too minor to even be called Low Sects; these entities relied on the protection of the Low Sects, thus forming the complex hierarchy of the cultivation world.
The book also mentioned an exception: specialized sects and clans. Those focusing on alchemy, artifact forging, or beast taming were often taken in as direct subordinates by High Sects regardless of their size. The Flying Spirit Sect, to which the Tang Clan was affiliated, possessed only five Golden Core cultivators, yet it was an affiliate of the High Sect, Beast Spirit Mountain. This indicated that the sect possessed unique beast-taming techniques, proving that even a small sect could possess extraordinary value.
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Ascended Without Me: Cultivating with a Genius Son | Chapter 15 | The Tang Clan Market | Novela.app | Novela.app
