Dao of The Demonic Cultivator

Chu Xuan and his two companions eventually escorted the group of mortals to a place called Plain City. This city was under the protection of the Extreme Yin Cave, and it was the first mortal city in the region.

Plain City was relatively new, having been established just over two months ago. It contained only two main roads, one running east to west and the other north to south, with only a few hundred houses in total. As for the population, it numbered just over two thousand people. It resembled more a village or a small town than a city.

Moreover, given Wu Province's infestation of vermin, snakes, and ghosts, constructing towering city walls around Plain City was the top priority. Therefore, the construction of houses and shops had to be postponed.

However, these laborious and tedious tasks did not require Chu Xuan's supervision. As a Foundation Establishment stage cultivator and a mainstay of the Extreme Yin Cave, his role was far more significant. His assistance in escorting the mortals had already earned their profound gratitude.

The more meticulous supervisory tasks were left to Qi Refining stage disciples like Chen Ge and Wei Hua.

After arriving in Plain City, Chen Ge briefly instructed Wei Hua, then led Chu Xuan away from the city, heading north. Finding Chen Ge's pace too slow, Chu Xuan decided to carry him on his Heavenly Star Flying Sword. Soon, they landed outside a market hidden amidst lush mountains and rivers.

Chen Ge rubbed his head, his expression dazed. He sheepishly said, "Uncle Master, your flying sword is too fast, I feel dizzy…"

Chu Xuan chuckled lightly and with a casual slap, a burst of Spiritual Qi flowed into Chen Ge's body, quickly dissipating his dizziness. Chen Ge immediately showed his gratitude, "Thank you, Uncle Master!"

The two of them disguised themselves, completely altering their appearances, before stepping into the market.

As they moved forward, Chen Ge briefed Chu Xuan on the market's situation. Through Chen Ge's description, Chu Xuan quickly learned various details about the market.

The market was unnamed, simply a gathering place that formed from the first batch of Heavenly Seal Sect cultivators who had arrived in Wu Province. Later, local rogue cultivators heard about it and came, which led to the establishment of the market.

The order within the market was maintained by a few of the strongest Foundation Establishment stage cultivators. Generally, as long as no major trouble arose, those Foundation Establishment stage cultivators preferred to keep to themselves.

"Let's first see what the market is like," Chu Xuan suggested.

He moved from stall to stall, with Chen Ge following closely behind.

Indeed, Chu Xuan and Chen Ge saw an abundance of items favored by demonic cultivators in the market.

Blood beads, especially, were in high demand and fiercely competed over. In this unnamed market, where every cultivator had disguised their identity, there was no hesitation in purchasing such demonic treasures.

Disguised, they thought, "I'll buy blood beads, so what! Going to report me to the Heavenly Seal Sect headquarters?"

Apart from blood beads, corpse puppets and Gu insects were also highly popular.

Chu Xuan witnessed cultivators arguing incessantly over a corpse puppet with medium-grade aptitude. The price was driven up by all parties involved and was eventually sold for three hundred small spiritual stones.

For context, a medium-grade magic tool would typically cost around two hundred small spiritual stones. The fact that this corpse puppet sold for a hundred small spiritual stones more than a comparable magic tool illustrated the lengths these cultivators would go to enhance their own power.

Regarding the Gu insects, many appeared to be privately bred by the cultivators themselves and were now being sold. Gu insects, creatures that feed on flesh and blood, are traditionally considered part of demonic practices.

It was clear, however, that many cultivators secretly bred these creatures, though unfortunately, all available were only first-transformation Gu, not the second-transformation ones Chu Xuan was seeking.

Beyond corpse puppets and Gu insects, there were also pills, talismans, arrays, and magic tools—more orthodox treasures that were being sold.

Chu Xuan perused these but found nothing particularly compelling.

"Uncle Master, I have a few regular customers who have bought many demonic beast blood beads from me. Do you want to…" Chen Ge murmured quietly.

Chu Xuan smiled and tossed him a storage bag, "Sell these items for me. I'll give you a ten percent commission."

Chen Ge caught the bag and immediately opened it. He was stunned by the myriad of treasures inside: blood beads, Yin Evil Qi, low-grade and medium-grade magic tools, rejuvenating pills, qi-restoring pills…

'Uncle Master is too wealthy! The ten percent commission on these treasures…'

Chen Ge swallowed hard, envisioning a small mountain of small spiritual stones tumbling toward him. However, Chen Ge did not let the prospect of wealth cloud his judgment. He cautiously said, "Uncle Master, there's too much treasure here. I'm worried it might attract unwanted attention."

Chu Xuan casually summoned the Corpse Nurturing Tower and with a simple gesture, a gaunt corpse puppet that seemed to walk within the shadows appeared. Its muscles were pronounced, hinting at terrifying explosive power.

Chu Xuan said coolly, "Bao, follow him. Anyone who dares to harm Chen Ge will be dealt with without mercy."

"Roar!"

Bao growled lowly, baring his sharp fangs. The appearance of this corpse puppet immediately made the surrounding cultivators pause and stare. Emitting such a formidable aura, its level was obvious.

It was surely a Corpse General! The controller of a Corpse General must be a Foundation Establishment stage cultivator!

The other cultivators quickly bowed their heads, not daring to offend such a prominent figure in even the slightest.

Chen Ge was deeply moved and assured, "Uncle Master, I will definitely complete the task!"

"Go on, I trust you," Chu Xuan patted him on the shoulder with a smile.

He watched as Chen Ge departed, then strode towards the tallest building in the market. This structure was equally nondescript, unremarkable at first glance. If not for Chen Ge pointing it out as the teahouse established jointly by three Foundation Establishment stage cultivators, Chu Xuan wouldn't have found anything peculiar about it.

"Stop, this teahouse does not permit casual entry." At the entrance stood a burly Qi Refining stage cultivator who blocked Chu Xuan's path, speaking in a condescending tone.

Chu Xuan didn't utter a word but simply unleashed his Foundation Establishment stage aura. The burly cultivator fell to his knees with a thud, sweating profusely. He hurriedly said, "Junior did not recognize that the senior is a Foundation Establishment cultivator, please forgive me!"

"It's fine. Go call those three Foundation Establishment fellow daoists," Chu Xuan said casually. "I have significant business to discuss with them."

"Yes, yes, yes! I'll contact the three seniors right away," the burly cultivator quickly responded, then immediately ushered Chu Xuan into a private room on the third floor of the teahouse.

"What tea would the senior like to drink? We have the special produce from Imperial Spirit Mountain, Que She Jian, which leaves a lingering fragrance on the lips and teeth, and also..." the cultivator offered.

"Just give me Ku Mao Feng, do you have it?" Chu Xuan asked nonchalantly.

The cultivator's face lit up with a smile, "Yes, yes, yes! It seems the senior knows his tea! Ku Mao Feng's initial bitterness is harsh, but it has an endless aftertaste..."

He quickly brewed the tea for Chu Xuan and asked, "Does the senior need any pastries?"

Chu Xuan waved his hand dismissively, "That's enough, just wait outside."

"Yes, yes, yes! If the senior needs anything, just call me. One of the three Foundation Establishment seniors is on his way and will arrive shortly," the cultivator said, then backed out of the room, maintaining an utmost respectful demeanor from start to finish, as if fearing any dissatisfaction from Chu Xuan could lead to severe consequences.

Chu Xuan chuckled lightly. Such was the treatment for a Foundation Establishment stage cultivator. In the eyes of a Qi Refining stage cultivator, someone at the Foundation Establishment stage was akin to a "big cultivator," almost like heaven itself!