Immortal Creation.

Chapter 682 Myriad Manifestations Sect

"This is the Myriad Manifestations Sect..." Ning Zhuo gazed around intently.

The surrounding scenery was dreamlike, with swirling clouds and towering peaks, like a fairyland.

The most eye-catching feature is the eight main peaks, each with its own unique scenery. They all soar into the clouds, majestic and imposing, like giants standing in the sky, with clouds gently brushing their waists.

A mystical light shone atop Chongzhen Peak, cunningly forming layers of array diagrams in mid-air, appearing and disappearing intermittently. Each array plate slowly rotated, with countless talismans, like stars or swimming fish, weaving between the array diagrams. A group of cultivators, each with Golden Core cultivation, some manipulated the talismans to fill the array diagrams, while others channeled their magical power to weave array lines out of thin air.

On Ten Thousand Beasts Peak, tigers and leopards roam the forest, and dragons and snakes hide in the shadows; as far as the eye can see, there are honeycomb-like beast dens. From the eastern side of the mountain, a large flock of bluebirds leisurely flies out, and on the back of the leader of the bluebirds sits a shepherd boy. The boy plays a flute, and the melodious sound of the flute echoes through the clouds.

On Danxia Peak, various alchemical furnaces operate, generating countless plumes of cinnabar smoke. Some plumes rise straight into the sky like thick pillars, while others swirl gracefully, dancing like immortals. Countless cinnabar fumes and smokes gather above the main peak of Danxia, ​​occasionally illuminated by the light of an opening furnace, converging into a magnificent, ever-changing, and eternally beautiful rosy glow.

On Purple Thunder Peak, enormous chains are coiled. The chains are jet black, like dragons coiled around a pillar, encircling the mountain several times. The chains connect to the main peak, and also span the sea of ​​clouds, linking to several surrounding secondary peaks. The mountain mist blows, causing the chains to sway and rattle.

On Sword Echo Peak, a stone sword is stuck upside down. The mountain is dotted with sword pavilions and dense bamboo forests.

On Baicao Peak, the vegetation is lush, and the bewitching giant flowers bloom in the rainforest. When the thorns and poisonous vines migrate, they look like millions of pythons crawling along the ground.

On Fuyou Peak, a fierce wind swept through, sometimes soaring straight into the sky, sometimes forming a vortex of blue wind.

On Liuyun Peak, the clouds are the densest. The mountain seems to be in the midst of meditation, constantly inhaling and exhaling the surrounding clouds, forming countless cloud formations.

Eight main peaks!

In addition, there are secondary peaks, minor peaks, and broken peaks.

Ning Zhuo was currently on the mountainside of a small peak, with a huge palace behind him containing a teleportation array.

There were many of these small and secondary peaks, and Ning Zhuo even saw a hill floating in the clouds.

Some mountain peaks are adorned with flying pavilions and magnificent palaces, while others are flower gardens, medicinal herb gardens, animal enclosures, and celestial pools.

Countless cultivators darted among these peaks, like flying ants. Some flew on swords, some rode demonic beasts or cloud beasts, some piloted mechanical flying boats, and some soared through the clouds.

Exactly—

A thousand layers of cloud-like seal script lock the mysterious sky, eight pillars support the heavens and suppress the nine dragons.

A dense array of stars forms a sea, and myriad beasts nest in the clouds, herding the green-haired children.

The elixir burns nine times, the rosy clouds congeal into blood; the thunderous chains bind the wicked three times.

Swords cry, hanging upside down, tears of the common people; vines dance, devouring the traces of immortals.

The raging winds stir up the universe, the flowing clouds exhale and breathe in the emptiness of eternity.

Suddenly, I saw a shower of flying stars over a magnificent palace, and realized that this was not a dream!
Wen Ruanyu, who was standing next to Ning Zhuo, introduced at the right time: "The eight main peaks are not places that ordinary cultivators can set foot on. Even if I want to climb them, I have to report in advance."

He gestured with his finger, drawing a circle around the peaks: "But on these small peaks are the sixteen halls of the Myriad Elephants Sect, places that my nephew will frequently visit in the future. It would be best to familiarize yourself with them this morning."

Ning Zhuo, curious, used his divine sense to ask, "Senior Wen, as a Golden Core True Disciple of the Myriad Manifestations Sect, is he not allowed to freely enter and exit the eight main peaks?"

Wen Ruanyu gave a bitter smile: "Even your mother doesn't have that qualification. Our Myriad Manifestations Sect is vast in scale and has a huge number of people, so there are quite a few Golden Core disciples. Moreover, there are many inside stories involved, which your mother didn't tell you probably because there are too many things involved, plus the changing situation. I'll explain it to you after I finish my report."

After a pause, Wen Ruanyu added, "Of course, you also need to give me some time to find out the current situation in the sect. After all, I have been away from the sect for too long."

"Are you really going to act alone and not stay in my cave?"

Ning Zhu shook his head and refused again: "Since the environment is safe, I would prefer to measure this spiritual land with my own feet. After all, this is the sect my mother joined."

Wen Ruanyu chuckled, then sighed as she thought of her senior sister, Meng Yaoyin.

He patted Ning Zhuo on the shoulder and, before leaving, instructed him again: In case of emergency, Ning Zhuo should not hesitate to crush the jade pendant as a warning. He would do everything in his power to help!
After their trip to Baizhi Immortal City, aside from everything else, Wen Ruanyu has become Ning Zhuo's most reliable and trustworthy person within the Myriad Manifestations Sect.

This is not only the friendship between Meng Yaoyin and Wen Ruanyu, but also Wen Ruanyu's admiration and respect for Meng Yaoyin, and Wen Ruanyu's high regard for Ning Zhuo himself!
After exchanging a few more words, the two parted ways in the square.

Wen Ruanyu took out a wisp of green cloud, put one hand behind her back, and gracefully and calmly walked away.

Ning Zhuo, like the other cultivators, also left this place.

He was cautious by nature, and being new to this treasure land, he naturally wouldn't use the Myriad-Mile Soaring Dragon—that was usually reserved for Nascent Soul cultivators. For Ning Zhuo, a mere Foundation Establishment cultivator, to use it would be too high-profile.

The Myriad Manifestations Sect is about to hold the Flying Cloud Assembly, attracting a large influx of cultivators, all hoping to join the sect. Therefore, the Myriad Manifestations Sect has specifically assigned tasks, dispatching numerous cultivators to guide newcomers.

Ning Zhuo approached one of the cultivators responsible for guiding him, intending to ask for directions. The cultivator then pulled out a stack of jade slips: "These are jade slips I made myself. They contain a rough map of the sect's terrain, as well as many detailed descriptions. If this fellow Daoist has any needs, it will only cost ten low-grade spirit stones."

The cultivator who was guiding them was only at the Qi Refining stage. When he faced Ning Zhuo, a Foundation Establishment cultivator from outside, he rubbed his hands together, his eyes sparkling.

Ning Zhuo paid with spirit stones and bought a jade slip.

The jade slip contained a general introduction to the Myriad Manifestations Sect, which was exactly what Ning Zhuo needed. Although the Buddhist physician Meng Yaoyin had left him a jade slip, it didn't cover these basic facts.

Following the map in the jade slip, Ning Zhuo first arrived at a place above the clouds.

Xingyun is not a large area, with only one palace, and the plaque reads "Twelfth Branch of the Trade Office".

The Wanxiang Sect has eight main peaks and sixteen halls, among which the Tongshang Hall is responsible for both domestic and foreign trade and oversees numerous merchant groups.

The entire branch palace was cast in red copper, with the roof tiles all cast in the shape of a Pixiu swallowing gold. The bronze abacus beads hanging from the eaves collided in the wind, making a tinkling sound.

Ning Zhuo stepped across the golden threshold and onto the shimmering floor tiles, finding the layout of the hall extremely simple.

The walls were lined with cabinets, the tops of which reached the ceiling. Outside the cabinets were long tables, joined together to form a circle. Inside the long tables were monks conducting business, while outside were people sizing things up, haggling, or selling.

In the center of the main hall is an octagonal counter, arranged in the shape of a Bagua (Eight Trigrams) formation.

The octagonal counter was very large, enclosing at least fifty monks inside.

A white jade tablet stood in the center of the counter, inscribed with characters on all four sides. The scrolling text displayed real-time prices. Ning Zhuo glanced at it and saw names like Heavenly Fire Sand, Mysterious Ice Marrow, and Flowing Cloud Tea.

He had previously purchased a jade slip that indicated he knew this octagonal counter was in the Myriad Manifestations Sect and was known as the Eight Directions Appraisal Platform.

The cultivators within the platform were responsible for authentication. Some used rulers to measure the age of the medicinal herbs, some used basins of water to trace the origin of the magical artifacts, and others relied on the authentication array above their heads. Wherever the array's light swept, the authenticity of the goods would reveal themselves with various iridescent lights.

Ning Zhuo looked around, walked to the counter in the southwest corner, stated his needs, and inquired about the price.

What he wanted to buy was still intelligence.

Information trading certainly took place in the Trading Hall.

The cultivator offered Ning Zhuo five price ranges. After inquiring about them, Ning Zhuo fell into deep thought.

The highest-end options are extremely expensive, so Ning Zhuo immediately ruled them out.

Ning Zhuo didn't want to pay for the second-tier price either.

Even at the third price level, he estimated that the cash he had was barely enough.

When Ning Zhuo was in Baizhi Immortal City, he devoted all his efforts to building the Qingjiao Army, basically exhausting the war funds of both countries.

Although he ultimately thwarted the century-old conspiracy of the Lord of the River of Oblivion and took the spoils of war.

These spoils could pile up into a small mountain, but converting them into cash would take a lot of time and be a relatively long process.

This is because these spoils of war are all from the underworld, and taking them out in large quantities would inevitably cause market turmoil and a huge sensation.

That's too much of a show-off!
It will also reveal many of Ning Zhuo's secrets.

Although Ning Zhuo reached an alliance with the City Lord of White Paper City, he did not use her channels to convert these spoils of war on a large scale.

His previous explanation to the Lord of White Paper City was that the Qingjiao Army had only fought in the underworld for a short while before returning immediately. How can he explain now that he's producing a large amount of spoils of war?
The Qingjiao Army also needs to cooperate closely with the Baizhi Immortal City. This alliance has just been formed, yet it has already shown a false side, which is definitely harmful and not beneficial.

Before leaving, Ning Zhuo exchanged his Yang energy for a batch of spirit stones from the City Lord of Baizhi. Knowing that the Yang energy was extremely important to the City Lord of Baizhi, he did not take the opportunity to raise the price, fully demonstrating his sincerity in cooperating.

Ning Zhuo used the Myriad Mile Dragon Traveling Technique to travel, which consumed some spirit stones. Paying the teleportation fee consumed the majority of those spirit stones.

The cost of using a teleportation array isn't based on the number of users, but rather on a performance-based system. The higher a cultivator's cultivation level and the more treasures they possess, the higher the cost will be.

The price must include the Wanli Youlong (a mythical dragon) on Ning Zhuo's waist, as well as Qing Chi, Sun Lingtong, the old chef, and many other mechanical platforms hidden there.

Of course, the Myriad-Mile Dragon itself possesses the ability to traverse the void, and Sun Lingtong has also absorbed the marrow of the Void Evil God. With these advantages, Ning Zhuo's payment was still lower than the regular price.

Cultivators with this ability have an advantage when using teleportation arrays. If a cultivator travels around frequently, has no fixed abode, and often uses teleportation arrays, this advantage accumulates over the years, resulting in a considerable amount of spirit stones saved.

Ning Zhuo hesitated between the third and fourth highest price points.

Just as he was about to ask the cultivator selling the goods about the difference between the two price points, two cultivators walked up to Ning Zhuo.

One of them smiled and took the initiative to strike up a conversation: "Fellow Daoist, I am Shen Xi, and this is my cousin Su Lingkou. We are both from the Nine Palaces Immortal City."

Ning Zhuo's heart skipped a beat. He quickly recalled that it seemed to be a cultivator who had boarded the teleportation array with him and arrived here.

One of Ning Zhuo and Wen Ruanyu's transit points was the Nine Palaces Immortal City.

"My name is Ning Zhuo. It is an honor to meet you two fellow Daoists," Ning Zhuo greeted them.

Shen Xi explained his purpose: "It's not that I intentionally spy on you, but our purpose is the same as yours, fellow Daoist. We also want to come here to buy information about the Myriad Manifestations Sect."

"In my humble opinion, why don't we pool our resources and purchase a jade slip of the third tier? What do you think, fellow Daoist?"

Ning Zhuo carefully examined the two people in front of him.

Shen Xi was slender with a face as cold as jade and gentle, ink-wash-like eyes. His right palm was calloused and he was currently holding a round jade pendant, rubbing it constantly.

He bound his hair with an ebony hairpin, the tip of which was inlaid with a Sumeru mustard seed stone, exuding an aura of magical treasure quality. Underneath his plain blue robe was a black silkworm cloud-patterned cloak, the corners of which were adorned with Yin-Yang glass clasps, naturally emitting a protective aura. The jade pendant in his hand was also a magical treasure array plate.

Shen Xi's cultivation level was at the Foundation Establishment stage, which was much stronger than Ning Zhuo's.

On the other side, Su Lingkou had a light-colored face and lively eyes.

Her hairband was made of plain silver with interlocking clasps, and she wore a honey-colored short jacket with a diagonal front and a moon-white pleated skirt. Both of her wrists were tied with five-colored ropes.

She was also at the Foundation Establishment stage, but the magical aura emanating from her hairband was not concealed.

The two were only of above-average appearance, but they had a dignified air about them.

Magical artifacts are typically used by cultivators at the Golden Core or Nascent Soul levels, yet these two each possessed one or two, revealing their considerable wealth. Their entire attire consisted of magical artifacts, and their auras were interconnected, clearly indicating they were part of a set. This appearance alone was enough to make them stand out from the crowd.

In comparison, Ning Zhuo's appearance, apart from his large and conspicuous head and handsome features, was rather ordinary in terms of clothing and treasures (although the mechanical dragon was wrapped around his waist, it was covered under his outer garment and his aura was concealed).

Ning Zhuo smiled at Er Xiu: "That's a good suggestion!"

But then he looked at the monk selling the goods with difficulty and asked if the joint venture between the two parties complied with the rules of buying and selling.
The cultivator waved his hand, indicating that there was no problem with being straightforward, but also reminded Ning Zhuo of the risks involved. For example, one of the cultivators had gone to investigate first, and then used his divine sense to erase some key information, and he had the means to do so without anyone noticing.

Upon hearing this, Shen Xi extended his palm and said to Ning Zhuo, "The jade slip can pass through Fellow Daoist Ning's hands first."

Ning Zhuo didn't stand on ceremony and thanked him.

With the cooperation of both parties, the jade slip was handed to Ning Zhuo by the salesman. He immediately took out a blank jade slip and began to make a copy of its contents.

Shen Xi then inquired with the cultivator selling the goods: "The contents of this jade slip can be copied. If multiple parties jointly purchase the goods and then sell them at a low price, wouldn't that severely damage the intelligence business of the Trading Hall? Isn't there such a rule in the rules of the Myriad Manifestations Sect?"

The salesman waved his hand: "Our Myriad Manifestations Sect is one of the best among the super sects in terms of scale and number of people, but we have very few sect rules."

"It is precisely because there are few constraints that such a large number of disciples can fully exert their abilities, which is why my Myriad Manifestations Sect has always been the number one sect in the Flying Cloud Kingdom!"

"Of course, such situations of buying low and selling high have occurred before, and after a period of time, they have all been cracked down on and severely punished."

“You’re clearly newcomers, and allowing you to do this was my personal decision. Of course, you might be lying to me. But overall, it’s just another piece of information like this.”

The salesman's answer was quite magnanimous, which Ning Zhuo, who was engraving jade slips, also took to heart.

(End of this chapter)