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What appeared before Chen Tiansheng’s eyes was a palace similar to the one on the first level, but this time the architecture was more exquisite, and the white curtains on the walls had turned a deep blue.

This was the second floor of the Market Tower.

Chen Tiansheng exhaled deeply and then sank to the ground, gasping for breath.

Earlier, he had indeed exploited the gatekeeper’s hatred toward him to force the opponent to expend more energy, thereby gaining a slight advantage in stamina and killing the gatekeeper. However, the edge he gained was minimal; he was equally exhausted.

After steadying himself, he looked curiously at the brocade box beside him.

Most likely, this was the reward for defeating the gatekeeper.

Given that it belonged to the Market Tower, the prize shouldn’t be too shabby.

With this in mind, he opened the brocade box.

Inside lay a blue ring, smooth and simple in design, much like an ordinary ring. The inner band was inscribed with the characters “Star Collector.”

As he slipped the Star Collector Ring onto his finger, a sudden sensation washed over him, as if his consciousness had connected to something. With a mere thought, an immense, boundless space materialized before his eyes.

A spatial ring!

Chen Tiansheng’s heart skipped a beat.

Spatial rings were artifacts exclusive to cultivators within the immortal sects, commonly used for storage.

It was said the smallest spatial ring was about the size of a clay pot, while larger ones could be as big as a cabinet or even a house. But one as vast and limitless as his had never been heard of.

Truly, the Market Tower’s reward was extraordinary.

At this moment, he was in dire need of a container to store items like the Dragon-Phoenix Treasure Saber. No matter how hidden a place was, others might still discover it. Nothing was safer than hiding it inside a spatial ring.

As for its use, since he could sense the space within, it was likely he could operate it as well.

He tentatively removed his shoes, focused his mind, and in an instant, the shoes vanished from his hand and reappeared inside the ring. The ring’s weight remained unchanged. With another thought, the shoes disappeared again from the ring and returned to his hand.

It was usable!

With the Star Collector Ring in hand, Chen Tiansheng possessed a treasure beyond that of ordinary wanderers—no longer burdened by carrying physical goods, and even able to wield it as an unexpected weapon.

Gathering his thoughts, he quickly calmed his breathing.

After a brief rest, he stood and approached the blue curtain.

On the curtain were the Market Techniques he had learned on the first floor. Beneath them, a series of dimly colored, ninth-grade Market Techniques appeared.

The Market Techniques were divided into ranks: Common, Ninth-grade, Imperial-grade, Spiritual-grade...

The first floor offered Common-grade techniques; the second floor presented Ninth-grade.

All Ninth-grade Market Techniques here were available for him to learn freely—no restrictions on the number or type, so long as he desired.

Yet, he chose not to.

When selecting Market Techniques on the first floor, he had pondered deeply and chosen the one most suitable for himself from the Eight Gates. Thus, even now on a higher floor, he would only pursue advanced versions of those specific techniques.

One paramount reason for this was to ascend through the Market Tower’s higher floors as quickly as possible.

Once there, more formidable Market Techniques awaited, and he could explore other paths later.

Having now reached the second floor, he could continue to improve proficiency in the original Eight Gates Market Techniques, refining them for greater effectiveness.

Currently, he had learned: Golden Gate [Bone Reading and Fortune], Leather Gate [Poison Through Medicine], Colorful Gate [A Thousand Faces], Hanging Gate [Stone Chest Hammer], Thousand Gate [Lock Picking], Glory Gate [Cloud Hand Emptiness], Adjustment Gate [Endless Lies], and Swallow Gate [Housing Control].

These were all Common-grade, which when upgraded would become: Golden Gate [Symbolic Pen], Leather Gate [Nourishing Poison], Colorful Gate [Masterful Art], Hanging Gate [Copper Skin Iron Bone], Thousand Gate [Fog Breaking and Path Opening], Glory Gate [Remote Object Retrieval], Adjustment Gate [Hundred Clan Mimicry], and Swallow Gate [Yin Absorption and Yang Supplement].

He had specifically chosen the lock-picking variant in the Thousand Gate as a safeguard against potential entrapment, providing a means of escape. The rest were ordinary gambling techniques useful for roaming the world, though of limited use when entering the immortal sects.

Chen Tiansheng’s gaze lingered on [Yin Absorption and Yang Supplement].

[Yin Absorption and Yang Supplement]

[Attribute: Harnessing the world’s yin energy as one’s own—yin is yang.]

If [Housing Control] advanced, combined with the Soul Devouring Yin Art, the synergy would be unimaginable!

Folding away his thoughts, he left the Market Tower.

Opening his eyes, he glanced at his left hand; the Star Collector Ring still adorned his index finger.

Back in reality, the weariness vanished completely, confirming that the adverse effects experienced within the Market Tower did not carry over.

Collecting his scattered thoughts, Chen Tiansheng placed all the gold bars he had just hidden into the Star Collector Ring.

As for the Dragon-Phoenix Treasure Saber, he would retrieve it quietly that night, once the village had fallen asleep.

After securing the gold, he withdrew the Soul Devouring Yin Art manual from his bosom.

Since the mortal Fang Chenghu could cultivate this skill, it was naturally within Chen Tiansheng’s capability. Without delay, he began practice.

Opening the first page, a line of text caught his eye:

“All things in heaven and earth arise from yin and yang; those who master yin energy wield an inexhaustible source of cultivation; the soul is yin; mastering the art of yin energy allows one to devour souls, turning the tide with a single hand to snatch life!”

An inexhaustible source of cultivation, and the ability to snatch souls and life with ease!

The calm wording concealed a defiant and overwhelming power.

Chen Tiansheng licked his parched lips and narrowed his eyes, thinking, “If I can transform yin into yang, does that mean all things are at my command?”

Taking a deep breath, he delved into the manual.

...

The next morning.

At the entrance of Lower Two Village, Chen Tiansheng, carrying a knapsack, said to the woman beside Zhao Daqiang, “Auntie, I may not return for some time. Please hold onto my house and let the rent accumulate; I’ll pay you back once I earn enough.”

The woman was Wang Zhenhua, Zhao Daqiang’s mother. Upon hearing this, she waved her hands dismissively and said bluntly, “Look at you, Tiansheng. You and Daqiang are brothers to me. I’d give you the house if you wanted. It’s just that you and Sister Gu insisted on renting it. Now that Sister Gu has her troubles, you need to be careful out there.”

Apart from Wang Zhenhua’s family, the entire village had come to see him off.

The villagers were simple folk who regarded Gu Xue and Chen Tiansheng as part of the community, always supporting each other. The pair had a good reputation.

Everyone knew of Gu Xue’s situation. Some elders even advised Chen Tiansheng to stay and wait for news of Gu Xue, and offered to help shield him from trouble caused by the Zhang family, but he had politely declined.

“Thank you, Auntie. Thank you, elders, uncles, aunts, brothers, sisters. You’ve all taken care of me and my sister-in-law these years!”

Chen Tiansheng bowed deeply.

This was no mere formality—it was heartfelt.

Though he knew Gu Xue was connected to the immortal sect, he could not deny the villagers had taken them in over a decade ago without knowing the truth. They had offered much help over the years, and he was truly grateful.

His farewell was prompted by two reasons: first, he had learned of Gu Xue’s whereabouts; second, to protect the villagers.

The Zhang family’s notorious stinginess was well-known throughout Qingzhou Prefecture. Given Zhang Chengnan’s scandal, they would surely come looking for him. The fact they hadn’t yet was likely because they believed he had been taken by Fang Chenghu. Had they known he was here, they would have brought men long ago. Staying in the village would only endanger the people.

Before leaving, Chen Tiansheng scanned the crowd but did not see Zhao Daqiang.

Just one mile outside the village, Zhao Daqiang suddenly emerged from the roadside cornfield, carrying a sack, his face filled with proud resolve.

“Brother Sheng, I’ve made up my mind. I’m leaving the village to join you in the city, to help you search for Sister Gu!”

Chen Tiansheng was momentarily stunned, both amused and touched. He hadn’t expected this boy not to come see him off but to join him instead. Curiously, he asked, “Didn’t your mother arrange for you to marry a girl from the neighboring village? She said you should marry at fifteen. Now you’re leaving the village—are you not going to court her?”

Zhao Daqiang was the sole heir of eight generations, and his family placed great importance on him. At such a young age, a bride had been chosen for him.

Upon hearing the question, Zhao Daqiang shuddered and waved his hands vehemently.

“Forget that girl! She has a butt as big as a pig and isn’t even good-looking. I don’t want her! I want to enter the market like you, learn skills, broaden my horizons, and someday marry a beautiful, slender noble lady!”

Chen Tiansheng was speechless but admired Zhao Daqiang’s resolve.

The path of cultivation was immensely harsh for ordinary mortals, especially for rural folk without status or connections. Anyone daring to leave the village and strive forward deserved respect.

He and Zhao Daqiang shared brotherly bonds. If Zhao Daqiang chose a peaceful life in the village, Chen Tiansheng’s yearning for the immortal sect would leave their friendship a fond memory with little future intersection.

But if Zhao Daqiang wished to pursue the path of struggle, he would aid his brother in ascending the immortal sect together.

Taking a deep breath, Chen Tiansheng asked earnestly, “Have you told your aunt and uncle?”

Zhao Daqiang pounded his chest and replied, “Left a note. After all, we’re sticking around Qingzhou Prefecture. Nothing to worry about.”

Chen Tiansheng narrowed his eyes and said solemnly, “Since you’ve made your choice, don’t back down easily. Can you do that?”

“A promise once made is harder to break than eight oxen pulling a cart!” Zhao Daqiang lifted his chin proudly. Chen Tiansheng had taught him the phrase “a promise once made is like four horses that cannot be recalled,” but Zhao Daqiang believed eight oxen had more strength than four horses, which better expressed his determination.

Chen Tiansheng smiled from the heart.

On that early morning, along the rustic farm path,

Two youths walked side by side.