247: Chapter 247 Five Mahayana cultivators, quite a lineup.

Early the next morning, Huaiyang City slowly awakened in the morning mist, and the entire city recovered its daytime bustle amidst the cooking smoke and shouts.

In the backyard of the Yuelan Dojo, a few wisps of morning light filtered through the lattice windows and spilled into the quiet room.

Lu Jinghan slowly opened his eyes, and a trace of silver-white light deep within his pupils receded like a tide.

The fluctuations of the Law of Time and Space around his body gradually subsided, and the pale silver patterns outlined around him also faded one by one, leaving only the Jinghan Sword resting across his knees still glowing with a faint ice-blue light.

Through these few days of quiet cultivation, his comprehension of the fourth form of the Time Mark Sword Art deepened by another layer; although there was still some distance before he could truly execute it, the direction was already clear.

In the adjacent quiet room, Duan Xinghe opened his eyes at almost the exact same moment, and the long sword in his embrace emitted an extremely faint hum. The runes on the scabbard flickered a few times before falling silent.

The faint star chart around his body slowly retracted into him, leaving only a few wisps of ethereal starlight lingering in the air.

Zhou Tianchen got up the earliest. He had already practiced a set of Qi-nurturing exercises in the courtyard, with the qiankun furnace floating by his side, the golden Alchemical Fire at the furnace's mouth flickering irregularly with the rhythm of his breathing.

Seeing Lu Jinghan and Duan Xinghe successively push open the doors of their quiet rooms, he withdrew his technique and smiled, saying, "Last night, Great Master Changming sent someone to pass along a message saying that today he is going to the Spirit Medicine market in the north of the city to pick a few rare Spirit Medicines, so the dojo will not be open, and we should also go out for a walk."

"Just in time." Lu Jinghan hung the Jinghan Sword at his waist, "Last time, we were halfway through strolling around Liuli Plaza when Sun Mingcheng dragged us away to listen to the Dao. Today is a good chance to make up for it."

"I heard that a spirit ore caravan is passing by Laifu Inn in the east of the city today. That place is the largest gathering place for Loose Cultivators in Huaiyang City, with well-informed sources and fast circulation of spirit Materials." Duan Xinghe rarely spoke up of his own accord, then added another sentence, "My sword tassel needs to be replaced."

Hearing this, Zhou Tianchen couldn't help taking another look at him. The sword tassel bought at Liuli Plaza a few days ago was still as good as new, yet Duan Xinghe wanted to replace it once more.

He exchanged a glance with Lu Jinghan, seeing the same understanding in each other's eyes. Without exposing it, he just smiled and shook his head.

After bidding farewell to Great Master Changming, the three of them left the Yuelan Dojo and walked along the main street of the southern part of the city toward the east.

Huaiyang City in the early morning had a unique vitality, with people coming and going on the streets and the sound of bargaining frequently drifting from the shops on both sides.

Passing by a Medicinal Pill shop, Zhou Tianchen stopped and went inside to pick a few Spirit Medicines, patting his storage ring with satisfaction as he came out. Passing by a Magical Artifact shop, Duan Xinghe lingered at the entrance for a long time, ultimately selecting a sword tassel woven with silver threads. He tried tying it to the end of the hilt, nodded slightly, paid the Spirit Stones, and left.

Walking and stopping along the way, after about half an hour, the three of them finally arrived near Laifu Inn in the east of the city.

This area was even livelier than the south of the city. Both sides of the street were packed with temporarily erected stalls selling spirit ores, medicinal herbs, and Yao Beast Materials, having everything one could possibly need.

The air was filled with the mingled scent of various spirit Materials, intertwined with rising and falling shouts, forming a vivid picture of market life.

Laifu Inn was situated at the intersection of the main street in the east of the city and a small alley. It was a four-story wooden building with a spacious frontage; the first floor served as the main hall, while the second to fourth floors were guest rooms.

Parked in front of the inn were several beast-drawn carriages fully loaded with spirit ores. Their bodies were heavy, and their wheels had crushed two deep ruts into the bluestone pavement.

More than a dozen Cultivators in uniform attire were unloading goods with nimble movements, clearly well-trained.

Judging from the flame-shaped pattern on their robes, this was the Cangyan Valley caravan mentioned by Mu Mingfeng.

Zhou Tianchen and his two companions sat down at a tea stall opposite the inn and ordered a pot of green tea.

The owner of the tea stall was a talkative, plump middle-aged man. While pouring tea, he rambled on, introducing the fine spots in the east of the city. He mentioned that a shop selling Yao Beast Materials on this street offered the fairest prices, and added that deep in the alley, there was a time-honored spirit wine workshop whose brewed osmanthus spirit wine was praised even by the City Lord himself.

"Right, if you patrons want to buy or trade spirit Materials, you've truly come at the right time today."

The tea stall owner lowered his voice and gestured with his chin toward the direction of the Cangyan Valley caravan.

"See that? That's the Cangyan Valley caravan. They pass by every few months, and every time they come, they make a substantial transaction with several major merchant houses in the city. The spirit ores they bring are of exceptionally high quality, especially the Crimson Flame Stone, which is simply the best for Artifact Refining."

"I heard that this time even the Valley Master of Cangyan Valley came in person. Tsk tsk, that is an expert of the Mahayana Stage."

Zhou Tianchen followed his gaze and saw that behind the caravan, a middle-aged man wearing a dark red robe was walking out of the inn's main entrance.

That man had a robust figure and a resolute face, his brows carrying the distinctive majesty of someone who had occupied a high position for a long time.

Although the aura around his body was restrained exceptionally well, how keen was Zhou Tianchen's Divine Sense? With just a single sweep, he detected the dense and blazing spiritual power fluctuations within the other party's body—a genuine Late Stage Mahayana.

Four people followed behind him, all dressed in dark red attire. Their auras were likewise thick and profound, impressively all at the cultivation base of the Mahayana Stage.

As the five of them stood in front of the inn, the surrounding air seemed to grow a bit heavier.

"Five Mahayana." Lu Jinghan picked up his teacup, his tone as calm as usual, with no discernible emotion.

"Quite a grand array." Duan Xinghe gave a rare comment.

Zhou Tianchen did not answer. His gaze lingered on the five of them for a split second before he pulled it back.

Cangyan Valley and Kunlun had always had no affiliation. He was only here to browse the market this time, so there was no need to court trouble.

After finishing their tea, the three of them were about to stand up and leave when they happened to see Sun Mingcheng turning out from the street corner, followed by those three guards.

Today he had changed into a dark blue martial outfit, with a short sword hanging at his waist, looking somewhat more spirited than he had a few days ago in the dojo.

From afar, he spotted Zhou Tianchen and the other two. His eyes lit up, and he walked over quickly.

"Brother Tianchen, Brother Lu, Brother Duan, why are you guys here too? What a coincidence!" Sun Mingcheng cupped his fists in salute, his face carrying a bit of unexpected pleasant surprise.

"We came out to browse the market, heard that the east of the city is lively." Zhou Tianchen smiled and said, "Is Brother Sun also here to browse the market?"

"Sort of, but mainly to wait for an elder." Sun Mingcheng unfolded his folding fan and waved it gently.

"My second uncle is returning from another place today, passing through Huaiyang City, and arranged to meet me at Laifu Inn. He has been away for years and has broad knowledge."

"Right, didn't you guys say you wanted to replace your Magical Artifacts a few days ago? My second uncle knows a few Artifact Refiners with fine craftsmanship. Shall I introduce them to you?"

"Thank you for Brother Sun's kind intentions." Lu Jinghan shook his head slightly, "We are just looking around on our way, no need to trouble him."

Sun Mingcheng nodded without pressing further. Just as he was about to say something more, he suddenly sensed an unfriendly gaze cast from behind. Turning around to look, he saw Zheng Lingfeng pacing out from the street corner with several attendants.