Chapter 468: Six Outer Hidden Sects
Translator: Tim Editor: GlobeGlotter
“We support Xiang-Qianbei from the Gourd Cave. If you need anything, just tell us,” someone immediately said, supporting the old man.
“Yes, with Xiang-Qianbei, Feng-Qianbei, and Wang-Qianbei here, who would dare defy the rules?”
“Of course, we came because of the three Qianbei. The auction at the temple last time was good, but too chaotic.”
“Brother Liang is right; I went to that auction. I heard the people who bought the Tai Yi Sword and earth-level cultivation method were all killed, as was the person who bought the Liu Blue Carrot.”
…
Seeing the discussion, Xiang nodded in satisfaction. “This meeting will be held by me, Brother Feng from Jing Ming Academy, and Brother Wang from Nan Mountain. We hope you all find this trip worthwhile. The meeting begins now. Those who need to trade, raise your jade card and state what you’re trading and what you need.”
The old man sat down, glancing at Ye Mo as if ready to act.
Gu Yanghe whispered to Ye Mo, “Brother Ye, that long-bearded man is Xiang Mingwang, the Gourd Cave’s Vice Sect Leader. He’s a half-step Great Heaven cultivator—very strong. The Gourd Cave is ranked first among the six, far surpassing the He Liu Sect. It’s said he could annihilate the He Liu Sect alone. He may seem amicable, but he’s aggressive, quick to kill.”
Feeling Xiang Mingwang’s gaze, Gu Yanghe ducked his head.
“He’s that strong? Then the Gourd Cave Sect Leader must be even stronger?” Ye Mo murmured. He didn’t know the He Liu Sect’s exact number of earth-level cultivators, but Xiang Mingwang could annihilate them alone. This exceeded Ye Mo’s expectations.
The He Liu Sect was comparable to Dian Cang. Though Ye Mo had practically annihilated Dian Cang, he nearly died in their Seven Kill Formation and was forced to retreat by Monk Wu Dao. If Xiang Mingwang was truly that capable, he’d be on par with, or even surpass, Monk Wu Dao.
Gu Yanghe nodded. “Of course, but the Sect Leader has been in solitary cultivation for over ten years, aiming for Great Heaven. We don’t know if he’s still alive, so Xiang Mingwang currently leads the Gourd Cave.”
“What about Jing Ming Academy?” Ye Mo asked, worried about facing them if their Sect Leader was as strong as Xiang Mingwang.
Gu Yanghe said quietly, “Besides Dian Cang and He Liu, who sealed their sects, the other four major sects came. The strongest is Gourd Cave, followed by Jing Ming Academy. Jing Ming Academy’s second place isn’t due to weakness; they might be stronger than Gourd Cave, but their infrequent fighting means less fame.”
Ye Mo nodded. Jing Ming Academy was formidable.
Gu Yanghe continued, “Third is the Nan Mountain Wang family. Their family leader, Wang Lenchan, is here. He supposedly fought Xiang Mingwang for a whole day, losing by half a move. They have outside businesses, but true ancient martial arts disciples aren’t involved, so the Wang family isn’t well-known.” “Dian Cang is fourth, with their Sect Leader, Bian Xihai, reportedly at the earth-level tertiary stage.”
A large, wild man produced a wooden box. “Since no one’s starting, I, Zeng Zhengxia, will. This is 300-year-old yellow essence, usable by pill makers for essence chi pills. I’ll trade it for a magical weapon or rare ores.”
Ye Mo was impressed. The intricate circles on the yellow essence indicated its age.
Yellow essence under a hundred years old benefited health but was useless to ancient martial artists. Essence chi pills quickly recover and purify inner qi but don’t increase power.
Someone immediately said, “Sect Leader Zeng, forget essence chi pills; I’ve never heard of anyone making them. I have top-grade black jade; we can trade if you’re willing.”
Ye Mo shook his head. Extreme quality black jade might barely equal the 300-year-old yellow essence, but top-grade was far inferior.
Gu Yanghe said, “Zeng Zhengxia is the Sect Leader of the Thirty-Six Rivers, ranked fifth. He’s also earth-level tertiary but a heroic man.”
Ye Mo didn’t know Zeng Zhengxia personally, but he wasn't a villain. Even knowing Ye Mo had killed He Liu Sect members, Zeng Zhengxia had only nodded from afar.
Zeng Zhengxia knew the top-grade black jade wasn’t equal and refused the trade. Everyone agreed about the essence chi pills, so no one traded for the yellow essence. Zeng Zhengxia closed his box in disappointment.
As Zeng Zhengxia was putting it away, Ye Mo said, “I’ll take the yellow essence for this dagger, Brother Zeng.” Ye Mo threw a dagger he’d made; it seemed to float before Zeng Zhengxia.
The gathering fell silent. Only a few could have accomplished such a throw.
“Inner qi telekinesis? Nothing special; I could do better,” commented Zheng Chao from Jing Ming Academy, seeing the admiration.
Feng Wu smiled, “Brother Zheng, that wasn’t inner qi telekinesis. It was a casual throw with precise power control. Anyone could do it with sufficient control.”
Everyone understood.
“Seems I overestimated him,” Zheng Chao sneered.
Ye Mo sneered back. It was spirit sense telekinesis, not a casual throw. He'd tested if anyone would realize it; he'd worried needlessly.
Zeng Zhengxia picked up the dagger; it made a sharp sound. He examined it closely.
“Brother Zeng, try infusing it with inner qi,” Ye Mo said.
Zeng Zhengxia did so; a sharper sound rang out, and the dagger glowed white.
“Great dagger!” Zeng Zhengxia exclaimed.
“A magical artifact?” everyone discussed. The artifacts sold to the outside world weren't true magical artifacts, but this one was.