Volume One: First Steps on the Path Chapter Thirty-Eight: The Cultivation Marketplace

The two of them wove through the bustling streets, Lin Xin hurrying along with far less leisure than before, no longer lingering and wandering between shops as she once did. Instead, she quickened her pace, heading straight for their destination. Watching Lin Xin’s steps grow faster and faster, Ye Junze could only speed up to keep up, resigned to her urgency. At that moment, the difference between them as cultivators became evident—after so much walking, neither showed the slightest sign of breathlessness. Had they been ordinary people, they would have needed to stop and rest before continuing on.

Busy with their journey, the two moved in silence.

It was unclear how much time had passed before Lin Xin finally slowed her stride, as if they had reached their destination. She stopped completely at last, and Ye Junze, following her, quickly halted as well and asked, “Senior, are we here?”

Lin Xin nodded and replied, “Yes, we’ve arrived.”

Ye Junze looked around curiously. Yet aside from the towering buildings all around, there was nothing else to be seen. If the cold, unyielding wall before them was what Lin Xin meant, Ye Junze could hardly believe it. Thinking this, he couldn’t help but say, “Senior, you don’t mean this place, do you? There’s nothing here but walls.”

Lin Xin responded with a mysterious air, “Don’t be impatient. Wait a moment, and you’ll see.”

Seeing her still keeping secrets, Ye Junze, though helpless, could only wait quietly as she asked. Fortunately, it wasn’t long before Lin Xin glanced at the sky, as if confirming the time. Retracting her gaze, she muttered, “It should be about time now.”

Before Ye Junze could ask what she meant, Lin Xin made a subtle gesture, and suddenly, a token appeared in her hand. It was so abrupt, as if conjured from thin air. Seeing Ye Junze’s puzzled expression, Lin Xin assumed he was wondering where she had produced the token from and laughed, saying, “What’s the matter, junior? You look so dazed.” Without waiting for his reply, she continued, “Are you curious where I got this?”

Ye Junze realized she’d misunderstood, but went along and said, “Yes, it’s so amazing—one moment you have nothing, and suddenly something appears in your hand.”

“Haha, I knew it.” Lin Xin lifted her arm, pointing at the bracelet on her wrist. “See this bracelet? It’s actually a spatial artifact. I usually keep things inside it. For us cultivators, spatial artifacts are truly a blessing.” Her words brimmed with affection for the artifact.

Ye Junze could only echo her sentiment, “It really is a wonderful thing. Senior, could I have a spatial artifact like yours?” Though he said this, he knew in his heart he was probably the least in need of such a thing—after all, when he’d first mastered the Illusory Realm, he’d learned it could be used for storage. What spatial artifact could possibly rival the space of an entire Illusory Realm? But to avoid raising Lin Xin’s suspicions, he kept up the act.

“Of course! The place we’re going has them. If you find one that suits you, just buy it,” Lin Xin replied, unaware of Ye Junze’s real thoughts.

Hearing this, Ye Junze grew even more curious about the place she mentioned—it even had spatial artifacts. Was it a place offering services exclusively for cultivators? He wondered.

“So, Senior, what’s that token in your hand?” Ye Junze asked again, puzzled.

Lin Xin shook the token. “Oh, this? It’s a pass.”

“A pass? What’s that?” Ye Junze, full of curiosity, pressed further.

“It’s what we need to enter the place we’re going. Without it, we couldn’t get in,” Lin Xin answered patiently, without a hint of annoyance, as if she genuinely enjoyed resolving Ye Junze’s questions.

“Oh? Then if I don’t have one, I can’t enter?” Ye Junze said quickly.

“No, you’ll be fine. Just follow me. Once we’re inside, you can apply for your own,” Lin Xin replied with a smile.

“Alright, then I’ll trouble you again, Senior,” Ye Junze said, a little embarrassed.

“It’s no trouble at all, hardly worth mentioning.” Lin Xin waved her hand dismissively. “Alright, it’s about time. Let’s go in—you’re about to see a very magical place.”

“Okay,” Ye Junze replied.

As soon as Ye Junze answered, Lin Xin raised the token. Without any visible action, the token suddenly emitted a radiant light. At that moment, a swirling vortex appeared before them, glowing blue and slowly rotating, possessing a unique beauty.

As soon as the vortex appeared, Lin Xin reached out and took Ye Junze’s hand. “Just in case we get separated, I’ll hold onto you.”

Ye Junze, initially a little embarrassed, saw that Lin Xin didn’t mind and realized she was genuinely worried about losing him. He relaxed and let her lead the way.

Seeing Ye Junze’s lack of resistance, Lin Xin smiled unconsciously, then pulled him forward, entering the vortex first. Ye Junze followed quickly.

Once both had entered, the blue vortex, as if sensing their passage, began to shrink, gradually fading away until it vanished completely, as if it had never appeared.

...

After entering the vortex, Ye Junze and Lin Xin found themselves in a new space almost instantly, as if only the blink of an eye had passed.

When Ye Junze again felt solid earth beneath his feet, his anxious heart finally settled. Lin Xin, upon arrival, confirmed Ye Junze was still beside her and quietly released his hand.

Relieved, Ye Junze began to examine their surroundings curiously. Before him stood a tall archway, with bold calligraphy spelling out “Anze Marketplace.” Beyond the archway stretched a broad avenue, its end lost in the distance, the street aglow with lanterns and bustling with activity, stirring Ye Junze’s interest.

After taking it all in, Ye Junze turned to Lin Xin and asked, “Senior, is this the place you mentioned? It looks so lively.”

“Yes, this is it—Anze Marketplace,” Lin Xin replied.

“What’s the main purpose here?” Ye Junze asked in confusion.

“It’s a marketplace established by Anze, open only to cultivators. Here, you can buy all sorts of items for your cultivation. In the future, if you need something for your practice and don’t have it, you can come here and try your luck,” Lin Xin answered gently.

Ye Junze thought to himself, surprised that he had guessed correctly. He nodded to show he understood, then said, “Thank you, Senior. I’ll remember.”

“Good, that’s all you need,” Lin Xin said with a smile. “Alright, let’s not linger outside. We’ll get your pass first, and then see if there’s anything you need.”

With that, the two entered the archway together.