Junior Sister is too competitive, she drastically alters the Joyful Union Sect.

Chapter 356 Clear Observation
black market.

Shaxi Town is neither large nor particularly prosperous, but its black market is surprisingly bustling.

Moreover, the black market is located underground, in a remote and difficult-to-find place.

Wearing a black dress and a floor-length black cloak, Shen Youqing was not conspicuous at all in the black market; her attire was considered normal.

With spirit stones in hand, gathering information isn't too difficult.

After making inquiries, Shen Youqing got the information he wanted.

After leaving the black market, Shen Youqing walked towards that dilapidated alley.

Seeing that Shen Youqing had returned unharmed, Xie Changting breathed a sigh of relief and then handed over the ghost baby in his arms.

Before Shen Youqing could reach out to catch it, Zhu Sui threw the ghost baby directly into the domain.

"We've got the information. Let's go to Zizhou City to find them," Shen Youqing said.

Xie Changting nodded, then took out a teleportation talisman and infused it with spiritual power.

In the blink of an eye, the two arrived at the city gate of Zizhou.

The sudden appearance of the two attracted a lot of attention, firstly because they appeared out of nowhere, and secondly because their appearance was too outstanding.

The large number of cultivators gathered at the city gate also drew their attention.

Although Zizhou City can be considered a city, it is very remote, and the area around Soul Dwelling Mountain is not peaceful, so there shouldn't be so many cultivators gathered here at this time.

"Don't rush to meet up with them," Shen Youqing said to Xie Changting telepathically. "We're in the shadows, they're in the light."

It seems that Shen Youqing has indeed found out quite a bit of information.

"Shall we enter the city first?" Xie Changting said, walking towards the city gate.

Shen Youqing followed slowly.

Xie Changting wasn't the type of person who would obediently queue up; he spent a little more spirit stones to get the city entry token.

Watching Shen Youqing and Xie Changting walk away, the crowd in line erupted in discontent, which was quickly suppressed.

"To be honest, a city entry token costs a hundred spirit stones, which is quite expensive." Shen Youqing's slender fingers hooked the crudely made rope, and she swung the token around.

"Three hundred," Xie Changting reminded him in a gentle voice.

Yes, they paid 600 spirit stones to enter the city ahead of schedule.

Shen Youqing glanced at Xie Changting and said, "What I was trying to say is that a token worth one hundred spirit stones is not cheap. There must be something good that makes so many cultivators flock to it."

good stuff?
To put it bluntly, what good things could there be in such a poor and remote place?

Nine times out of ten, it was the rumor spread by these hundred or so demonic cultivators that they wanted to kill more people in the cultivation world.

Xie Changting smiled gently and offered no comment.

“You contact them, I’ll find an inn,” Shen Youqing said. “You paid for the token with spirit stones, so I’ll pay for the inn’s spirit stones from now on.”

Xie Changting nodded.

After Shen Youqing booked two superior rooms at Changping Inn, Xie Changting also finished communicating with Jiang Chenying.

"Where?" Shen Youqing asked.

Xie Changting's eyebrows curved slightly, and his smile held a hint of mischief. "Queue up outside the city."

Shen Youqing: ...

They don't lack spirit stones either!

Forget it, let's just take turns. We have enough time anyway.

Seeing her somewhat speechless expression, Xie Changting couldn't help but burst out laughing.

Shen Youqing tossed one of the keys over, saying, "Get dressed up and go out for a stroll."

Xie Changting nodded, then reached out to Shen Youqing and said, "I'll go check the house."

Shen Youqing tossed over another key, then found a table in the lobby and sat down.

Although Changping Inn is located on the best main street in Zizhou City, its prices are so high that most people don't come here, so the lobby is usually empty.

Shen Youqing raised her hand to support her cheek as she fell into thought. Her beautiful face was hidden under a black hood, with only a section of her fair chin showing.

After inspecting the two rooms, Xie Changting changed into a dark robe.

He came downstairs, handed one of the keys to Shen Youqing, and said, "Let's go."

After putting away the keys, Shen Youqing walked to the counter. "Shopkeeper, where is the black market?"

Xie Changting looked up. So direct?

The shopkeeper, who was busy calculating accounts, looked up when he heard the sound, and saw slender, beautiful fingers grabbing a handful of spirit stones and throwing them on the table.

"Of course I know about the black market in Zizhou City!" The shopkeeper quickly put away the spirit stones. "Since you two are new here, you should go there first..."

The shopkeeper gave extremely detailed instructions.

Xie Changting took out a black cloak from his storage ring and put it on. After Shen Youqing finished asking his questions, he put on the hood and followed slowly.

The two of them were dressed in a way that didn't attract any attention in Zizhou City.

Once the two of them got to the black market, Jiang Chenying and his group of eight had finally entered the city.

Their purpose after entering the city was very clear: the city lord's mansion.

“One token costs one hundred spirit stones,” Shen Xingzhi said as she walked. “The guards said it’s a rule of the city lord’s mansion. I remember that other towns don’t require this fee, but the city lord of Zizhou City…”

Shen Xingzhi gave a cold laugh.

One hundred spirit stones is no small sum!
“This is a serious problem,” Liang Shimu said slowly.

Wei Ningguang spoke calmly, "Who said something offensive?"

Jiang Chenying is definitely not suitable; he is only good at fighting and not good at speaking.

They need to elect someone who can speak eloquently!

The group of people suddenly stopped and all eyes fell on Shen Quelin.

?

Looking at his teammates, Shen Quelin pointed at himself and said, "I am not Shen Youqing!"

What does Shen Youqing's irritating words have to do with Shen Quelin?

“I don’t believe it,” Shen Xingzhi was the first to retort.

Jiang Chenying nodded. "You siblings are all the same."

The others nodded in agreement.

Shen Quelin had a stern face.

City Lord's Mansion.

Shen Quelin looked at the heavy, closed door and turned to Jiang Chenying, saying, "You go. Your status as a direct disciple of the Qingyu Sect will be more intimidating."

Jiang Chenying looked at Shen Quelin with a questioning gaze, asking how he intended to use intimidation.

"Let's try diplomacy first, then resort to force," Shen Quelin said.

Jiang Chenying responded and walked up to knock on the door knocker.

A short while later, the heavy gate opened, and the three or four guards who came out to open it were all at the Foundation Establishment stage.

Jiang Chenying brandished his disciple token, his voice authoritative and cold, "Jiang Chenying of the Qingyu Sect, please inform the city lord that I wish to pay my respects."

The Azure Jade Sect?!

Jiang Chenying?!

Upon seeing the token of the Qingyu Sect's direct disciple, the guards immediately bowed and greeted him, and then two of them hurriedly turned and went inside.

In less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, a middle-aged man in his forties or fifties, dressed in fine clothes, strode in.

"It's actually Fellow Daoist Jiang from the Azure Jade Sect! I'm so sorry for not welcoming you sooner!" The city lord smiled warmly, then stepped aside and gestured for him to come in. "Please come in!"

Jiang Chenying glanced at Shen Quelin, signaling him to take the lead.

Shen Quelin walked up slowly, his gaze sweeping over the city lord. His clear, cold voice held a noble air, tinged with arrogance, "What is your honorable surname, City Lord?"

Seeing Jiang Chenying walk behind Shen Quelin, the city lord, though unaware of the young man's identity, dared not show any disrespect.

"My surname is Ming, meaning 'Mingcha,' the 'Cha' in 'Mingcha Qiuhao' (meaning to discern even the smallest details)." City Lord Mingcha smiled broadly, his attitude warm and friendly. "This fellow Daoist is already a Golden Core cultivator at such a young age, truly remarkable! May I ask who your master is?"

"Lord, you flatter me. I am incompetent and have no master or sect." Shen Quelin waved his hand. "I was fortunate to be appreciated by Brother Shen Ying, who specially arranged to travel with me."

Jiang Chenying glanced sideways at Shen Quelin, who had started spouting nonsense.

After Shen Youqing left, there was Shen Quelin.

Shen Xingzhi's lips twitched slightly.

Yes, yes, you have no skills or sect, you only have the Shen family!