Chapter 5: The Eight Folk Arts of the Marketplaces

Chen Tiansheng was stunned.

He had never imagined that the “Housemastery Technique” could improve its proficiency by absorbing the yin-cold poison delivered by Fang Chenghu. Not only did it cause no harm, but it actually elevated the technique to the entry-level stage!

Now that the “Housemastery Technique” had reached the entry-level, it could transform yin into yang to strengthen the body. The continuous influx of yin-cold poison was converted into yang energy, making his vital energy gradually solidify. He could clearly feel his strength continuously increasing.

Amid his excitement, to avoid arousing Fang Chenghu’s suspicion, he feigned great pain, constantly moaning about the cold.

Fang Chenghu coldly snapped with irritation, “Shut up! Since you said you’re willing to help me train, then endure it properly. Don’t disturb my practice, or I’ll make you suffer!”

Now that the yin-cold poison inside him had an outlet, it was the best opportunity for cultivation. Fang Chenghu did not want to miss such a chance. If the boy dared to interfere with his training, he would make him pay dearly!

While scolding, Fang Chenghu couldn’t help but marvel at how perfectly Chen Tiansheng’s body suited his training. He had previously sought people born in the yang year, yang month, or yang hour—believed to have the purest yang constitution—but these were merely ordinary people with slightly better yang energy. Though they could somewhat counteract his yin-cold poison, the effect was limited. But now, Chen Tiansheng’s body felt like a boundless reservoir of yang energy, wildly neutralizing the yin energy he sent over. Even the yin energy drawn out by his practice seemed to be swallowed.

Despite that, it was far better than suffering the pain of yin-cold poison and being unable to cultivate. His training efficiency was much higher than before.

Truly, a marvelous yang energy vessel!

If this continued, within three years he would surely master the divine technique and be able to use the Soul Devouring Palm, dominating the martial world at will!

“Understood, Master Fang,” Chen Tiansheng replied, trembling, then fell silent. To conceal his ruse, he pretended to shiver uncontrollably, his breathing uneven.

This act successfully deceived Fang Chenghu, who sneered inwardly. He thought Chen Tiansheng was soft-boned and truly a fool, still thinking to help him train and obeying orders.

Refocusing, Fang Chenghu entered full cultivation mode.

Unbeknownst to him, a sinister smirk curved Chen Tiansheng’s lips, a flash of murderous intent in his eyes.

***

The next day.

After a night of training, Fang Chenghu’s Ten Thousand Yin Soul Devouring Technique had advanced greatly, and all the yin-cold poison in his body was swept away. Feeling indescribably refreshed, he stepped out of the cave, exerted force with one palm on a tree trunk as thick as a water bucket, and heard a muffled bang. Leaves shook and fell violently. Lowering his palm, he saw a clear palm imprint half a finger joint deep on the bark.

His power had increased by a full ten percent!

Normally, such progress took over two months of training!

This miraculous effect was all thanks to Chen Tiansheng.

At the cave entrance, watching Fang Chenghu’s palm strike, Chen Tiansheng was amazed, then congratulated, “Congratulations, Master Fang, on your divine technique’s advancement. One day you will rise above the mundane and enter the Immortal Sect!”

Hearing this, Fang Chenghu turned, gazing at the exhausted yet flattering youth with disdain mingled with some admiration, confidently declaring, “Entering the Immortal Sect is only a matter of time. Once I complete my body tempering and foundation building, I’ll bring you along to join the Immortal Sect. If you become my servant, your ancestral tomb will surely smoke with incense.”

“Thank you, Master Fang, for your favor. I will forever be grateful and repay your kindness,” Chen Tiansheng quickly expressed his gratitude.

“Not bad, you’ve earned my attention,” Fang Chenghu nodded approvingly, then glanced down the mountain and said, “You’ve done well. If you want anything, I’ll go down and get it for you.”

“I have a craving,” Chen Tiansheng said cautiously. “If Master Fang doesn’t mind, could you bring some osmanthus cakes? And please send a message to my sister-in-law, telling her I’m doing well by your side.”

Fang Chenghu hesitated briefly before nodding. After giving some orders, he shackled Chen Tiansheng inside the cave and then descended the mountain.

Originally, Fang Chenghu hadn’t intended to be so courteous. The main reason was that Chen Tiansheng truly could help him, and he was so simple-minded and obedient that keeping him around saved the trouble of teaching him harshly.

As for the earlier promise, it was merely empty words.

Once he entered the Immortal Sect, would he worry about not finding a way to counter the yin-cold poison?

Moreover, anyone who knew about his cultivation secret might leak it. He would never allow that to happen. So even if Chen Tiansheng helped him complete body tempering and foundation building, he would kill him decisively to eliminate future troubles!

The earlier inquiry was actually a test. Anyone who accomplished something would gladly accept a reward, especially a simple-minded youth. If he refused, that would mean he was very shrewd. What Fang Chenghu saw might all be a disguise. Although unlikely, it was not impossible.

***

Having roamed the martial world for decades, Fang Chenghu was extremely cautious.

From Chen Tiansheng’s prompt reply just now, it was clear he was truly foolish.

In that case, he would take good care of the boy, preventing him from dying too soon from beatings, and gain a helper for his cultivation.

As Fang Chenghu’s footsteps faded outside, Chen Tiansheng finally breathed a sigh of relief. The exhausted look vanished from his face.

Transmuting yin energy into yang, fully charged with yang energy, his spirit was invigorated. The earlier act had been pure pretense.

Now his eyes were full of mockery. “Scoundrel, trying to play mind games with me? You’re still too green!”

Mind games—one of the Eight Market Techniques.

Millions of years ago, the Eight Market Immortals, ordinary mortals, established and cultivated the Market Path, breaking into the Immortal Sect. They comprehended the Eight Market Techniques to defy fate, using mortal bodies to rival the prodigies of the Immortal Sect, and eventually became among the top in that realm—the founders of the mortal Market Path.

The Eight Markets are: Gold, Skin, Color, Hanging, Thousand, Glory, Trick, and Swallow.

Gold life, skin healing, colorful drama, hanging martial, thousand gambling, glory stealing, trick deception, swallow beauty—these eight are common survival skills of the marketplace, but the Immortals cultivated them into techniques to enter the Immortal Sect and contend with immortals.

After the Eight Market Immortals’ great success, the Market Path became one of countless cultivation paths. But over millions of years, only those eight immortals achieved greatness. Occasionally, some entered the Immortal Sect via the Market Path, but none attained remarkable accomplishments. Gradually, the Market Path declined, and few Market Techniques survived.

Still, the Market Path remains the only mortal route to enter the Immortal Sect!

The Mortal Dao Association exists to provide those cultivating the Market Path a way to enter the Immortal Sect.

Of course, this path requires successful foundation building!

Once the Eight Market Techniques reach entry level, one can sense the market energy of the heavens and earth, using it to temper the body and ultimately build a foundation, cultivating like normal practitioners.

Those who can build a foundation with mortal bodies are one in a million!

Fang Chenghu practices the Hanging technique, focusing on martial arts rather than the Trick technique. Though experienced in the martial world, he cannot compare to Chen Tiansheng, who has mastered the “Endless Lies” technique to entry level.

“Old dog Fang, you probably didn’t expect that I wasn’t harmed by the yin-cold poison but actually used it to strengthen my body!” Chen Tiansheng narrowed his eyes, a mocking smile curling his lips.

Since the “Housemastery Technique” reached entry level last night, the yin energy Fang Chenghu sent was a gift to him. While his yang energy surged, he clearly felt his physique grow more than twice as strong.

Grasping a quartz stone half the size of his fist, he squeezed hard. Cracks sounded as the stone shattered into several pieces.

His grip strength had more than doubled!

As for his leg strength and agility, shackles restricted his movement, so he couldn’t analyze those.

Overall, his physical fitness now surpassed that of an ordinary constable.

If he continued helping Fang Chenghu train like last night, he might soon surpass Fang Chenghu’s physique!

Just bearing the yin-cold poison brought such results. If he could claim that yin energy as his own...

Thinking thus, Chen Tiansheng’s gaze turned cold, and he conceived even grander plans.

Soon, he set aside his thoughts and pondered the Eight Market Techniques.

“All eight have reached entry level; I can sense the market energy of heaven and earth.”

Usually, those cultivating the Market Path can sense the market energy once they comprehend a single technique to entry level.

He was different.

He possessed the Market Pavilion, allowing him to freely select Market Techniques of any stage or grade. Unlike others who had to rack their brains to obtain one technique, he had the convenience of cultivating all eight simultaneously, all to entry level, to sense the market energy.

***

Now, it was possible!

He sat cross-legged, closed his eyes, and relaxed his senses.

Suddenly, he felt something more around him.

Carefully perceiving, the sensation gradually became clear. It was as if he had opened his eyes, able to see ethereal, lively mists around him.

Market energy!

The clearer he sensed it, the more vivid it became, as if he truly saw it.

By observing the flow and changes of the market energy, he could better perceive environmental shifts, keenly detecting mosquitoes flying within three meters, the wind direction outside the cave, and the rustling of leaves...

His five senses had undergone a qualitative leap!

This enhancement was all thanks to cultivating the eight Market Techniques to entry level.

With the Eight Markets’ blessing, how could his perception not be heightened?

Suppressing his excitement, Chen Tiansheng tried to draw this energy into his body, but alas, he could only see it, not touch it.

The stage of technique entry for sensing market energy is called “disciple.” Being able to use market energy to temper the body is the “master” level. Above master is the “general,” the coveted foundation-building stage for Market Path cultivators. Reaching this stage allows one to leap over the usual cultivation ranks, effectively building a foundation in one step!

The greatest difficulty for a disciple to become a master is how to channel market energy into the body.

Market Techniques are the core of the Market Path. Only by refining these techniques can the body better harmonize with market energy and draw it in. The higher the grade of Market Techniques, the better—except for rare Market Path geniuses, who are few and far between.

In the current scarcity of Market Techniques, advancing them is a challenge.

Even if given many Market Techniques, learning them is not easy, especially those of higher grade.

However, Chen Tiansheng had no worries about this.

Market Techniques? He was not lacking.

As for learning them?

He just needed to slog away to improve proficiency!

With this thought, he opened his eyes, settled his mind, and dived into the Market Pavilion.

Seeing the entrance to the second floor open, he ascended the stairs.

At the doorway, someone who looked exactly like him appeared.

The man first smiled gently, then stood two meters before him, placed his right hand on his lower abdomen, and bowed slightly with courtesy: “Hello, very pleased to meet you.”

Chen Tiansheng was stunned, curious about what was happening.

Suddenly, the man raised his innocent face. The hand that had been on his abdomen now held a sharp knife. Swiftly stepping forward, before Chen Tiansheng could react, the blade slashed across his neck.

The agonizing pain of a throat cut struck him, and Chen Tiansheng leapt up in fright from inside the cave, heart pounding!

Did I just stab myself?