Starting Cultivation During a Trip

Early morning, West Suburbs of Chang’an.

Six Rivers Car Antique Market.

This is one of the largest antique markets in Chang’an, established before the founding of the country. However, due to its distance from the city center, few tourists visit, gradually turning it into a distribution hub for antique merchants from various places.

”Is this the black market of Chang’an?”

Standing at the entrance of the antique market, Zhang Fan couldn’t help but whisper.

Across the nation, generally cities above third or fourth tier have places for Cultivators to trade, which are known as black markets.

Everything needed for cultivation, including Great Medicine, exotic treasures, peculiar items, magical treasures, and various treasures of heaven and earth, can almost all be found in black markets.

The more prosperous the city, the higher the level of its black market.

Xi’an is considered a new first-tier city, so naturally, its black market is first-tier.

Zhang Fan had also visited the black market in Yujing, where he found his Black Iron Plate.

However, the black market in Yujing is extremely hidden, located in an unfinished building in an urban village, surrounded by various Blinding Techniques, making it unnoticed by most people on normal days. It’s not as flamboyant as Chang’an, where it opens its doors for business right in the antique market, in broad daylight.

”Since we’re here, of course, we should take a look.” Li Yishan hooked his arm around Zhang Fan’s shoulder.

These days, they plan to leave Chang’an and return to Yujing.

Now, they finally have some leisure time, no grudges, no conflicts, so of course, they want to enjoy themselves.

”This shouldn’t be your first time visiting the black market, you also have one in Yujing.” Meng Qiwu looked at Zhang Fan.

”Uh... yes, we do.” Zhang Fan nodded but didn’t elaborate.

Last year, he caused a commotion in the black market for capturing Tiger Hong Mountain Monarch, prompting attention from relevant departments, resulting in the direct closure of the black market in Yujing. It’s reported that hundreds of people were arrested, and it hasn’t reopened yet.

As a result, now Cultivators in Yujing City, wanting to buy things, have to go to Gusu, or even further to Shanghai.

Like Shi Shougong, he needs to collect [Brain Worm] and [Little Brain Worm] every month for his cultivation. In the whole Jiangnan Province, these were originally only available through special channels in the Yujing black market, now the supply is cut off. If purchased through regular channels of the Jiangnan Province Daoist Alliance, the original expenditure of over forty thousand would increase to more than seventy thousand.

”Our Yujing can’t compare to your Chang’an, right?” Li Yishan glanced at Zhang Fan with implied meaning, and said lightly.

The four great ancient capitals of Hua Country are Shangjing, Yujing, Chang’an, and Luoyang.

Shangjing and Yujing City are the only two cities nationwide with ’jing’ in their name, clearly indicating their status.

Shangjing naturally needs no further elaboration, as it is the national capital.

Yujing, being the capital of Jiangnan Province, Jiangnan’s economy is among the top in the country, and since ancient times, Yujing City has been a place where the world’s culture converges, rich in resources and talented people.

However, in terms of profound heritage, it cannot compare with [Chang’an] and [Luoyang].

”The places with the most ancient tombs in the world are Chang’an and Luoyang.” Li Yishan said with a smile.

The old saying goes, born in Suzhou and Hangzhou, buried in Beimang.

Throughout history, numerous princes and ministers are buried in Beimang Mountain, where the tombs number at least tens of thousands.

Beimang Mountain is located in Luoyang.

At this point, Li Yishan’s smile slightly faded, for he has an adversary in Beimang Mountain.

”Chang’an, the number of grand tombs is no less than in Luoyang.”

”I heard that years ago, when Chang’an was constructing the No. 8 metro line, over a thousand grand tombs were unearthed.” Li Yishan said solemnly.

”This isn’t building a metro, it’s practically archaeology.”

To date, Chang’an has already discovered more than a hundred thousand tombs, and it is estimated that there should be several tens of thousands of tombs beneath the entire Chang’an.

”Just think about how many treasures might be unearthed from underground here?”

Li Yishan spoke to the point. Precisely because of these unique historical and geographical conditions, there are far more treasures hidden in the black market of Chang’an than in other places.

After all, items of the Daoist Sect, enlightened and discreet.

Through the ebb and flow of time, even if these treasures fall into the hands of emperors and ministers, they may not be recognized, and with the cycle of life and death, they are taken into grand tombs, until one day, fate’s spade brings them back to light.

”You’re truly knowledgeable, Human Xiao!” Meng Qiwu looked at Li Yishan, saying with implied meaning.

”When I was young, Yun Ma often took me to Luoyang, where I gained insight around Beimang Mountain.” Li Yishan humbly said.

”Yun Ma?” Meng Qiwu asked, puzzled.

”His stepmother, his biological mother eloped with someone when he was young.” Zhang Fan whispered in Meng Qiwu’s ear.

”May I ask Auntie is...” Meng Qiwu’s heart stirred with curiosity.

”His stepmother is the Lord of the Profound Palace!” Zhang Fan whispered again.

”...”

Meng Qiwu’s brow lightly twitched, her beautiful eyes widened; such an answer was both unexpected and reasonable.

”No wonder.” Meng Qiwu sighed inwardly.

If Wuwei Sect is a nation, a dynasty, then Li Yishan’s family should indeed be considered a Gated Community, akin to the ancient five surnames and seven noble clans.

”Keep a low profile.” Li Yishan casually said.

”You didn’t dig tombs, did you?” Zhang Fan shifted his focus, looking at Li Yishan, couldn’t help asking.

”What are you saying? Tomb robbing is illegal.” Li Yishan gave a sideways glance.

”...”

”I’ve done some research; you know I studied folk culture in college.” Li Yishan explained.

As they say, the dead are of great importance. In traditional belief, matters after death are extremely significant, from common folks to emperors and ministers, all prioritize their tombs, involving feng shui, related not only to the deceased but also to the rise and fall of descendants.

Many emperors start building their tombs after ascending to the throne, spanning construction for decades, it’s common.