A Mortal's Journey to Immortality

Tianyan Prefecture, as the third largest prefecture in Liang Kingdom, lags far behind in terms of economic level compared to its ranking.

Located on the outskirts of Liang Kingdom, this place is arid and lacks water, resembling land scorched by flames, making it difficult to grow crops. Hence, it was named Tianyan Prefecture.

Although the harsh environment caused food shortages, it also led to an exceptionally prosperous local business environment.

Large merchant families, utilizing their own resources, continuously transported high-quality grains and other scarce goods from several other wealthy states to Tianyan State.

This greatly alleviated the food shortage and also strengthened the power and status of various merchants and families, making them the leading forces in Tianyan Prefecture. Their strength was astonishing.

Tianyan Town, located in the central part of Tianyan Prefecture, naturally became a battleground for major trading families.

Tianyan Town is extremely large. Although it has the name of a town, its area is equivalent to seven or eight Qingyang Towns. It could easily be called Tianyan City.

The locals are already used to calling it Tianyan Town, so no one calls it Tianyan City.

Two days had passed since Zhou Ping left Qingyang Town. After dealing with Zhao San, he rented a carriage early the next morning and headed straight for Tianyan Town.

He was determined to kill Zhao San, and Ma Liuyun's reminder only strengthened his resolve.

Zhao San is a narrow-minded, greedy, and cunning man. If news of Zhou Ping's death were to reach Qingyang Town, the first to suffer would be his entire Zhou family.

Previously, with Zhou Ping, a prominent figure in the Jin clan, he would never dare to set his sights on the Zhou family.

However, without Zhou Ping, the money he had sent home over the years would have amounted to a considerable sum.

Others might not be aware of this, but as the dispatched manager of the Green Bamboo Sect, Zhao San knew it perfectly well.

Money can make the devil turn the millstone, let alone a wicked devil like Zhao San. Zhou Ping won't feel at ease after leaving unless he gets rid of him.

After paying the driver, Zhou Ping found a small-looking inn to stay in.

After ordering a simple meal downstairs, I ate while inquiring about the local environment and news.

Based on the experience notes of the Tongyang Temple's secret cultivation methods, Zhou Ping learned of the existence of the cultivation world and the Guiyuan Pavilion, the gathering place for secular cultivators mentioned above.

Guiyuan Pavilion, as a gathering place for various immortal sects in the secular world, cannot exist everywhere.

They are only established in some larger areas or towns, and the closest Guiyuan Pavilion to Zhou Ping is located in Tianyan Town.

Only in Guiyuan Pavilion could Zhou Ping truly learn about the affairs of the cultivation world, as well as the various information and conduct rules of cultivators.

Anyway, he wasn't in a hurry. He planned to get a general idea of ​​the situation in Tianyan Town before deciding when to go to Guiyuan Pavilion.

After all, you've come to an unfamiliar place. If you accidentally break some taboos, you'll only bring trouble and disaster upon yourself.

"Have you heard? A few days ago, the Green Bamboo Sect of Songzhu Mountain was attacked by the Dragon Spring Sword Sect. It was a rare and fierce battle between the two sides, resulting in heavy casualties!"

"I've also heard some rumors. It's said that the Jin clan leader of the Green Bamboo Sect suffered heavy losses this time, and the Green Bamboo Sect has directly sealed off its mountain gates!"

"Our Tianyan Town is about to hold its once-every-five-years trade summit. The Chen family is probably in for a rough time. Without the protection of the Qingzhu Sect, they'll likely be devoured by the other major clans!"

"Who can argue with that? Originally, once the young master of the Chen family became a formal disciple of the Green Bamboo Sect, at least for more than a decade, he could serve as a shield to protect the Chen family's business. But who knew that such a disaster would happen to the Green Bamboo Sect? The Chen family's reliance has been completely wiped out in an instant."

..........

Chen Dafu, from the Chen family in Tianyan Town?

Suddenly, a blurry figure appeared in Zhou Ping's mind: chubby, timid as a mouse, but kind-hearted.

Unexpectedly, this turn of events at the Green Bamboo Sect dragged the Chen family of Tianyan Town into trouble as well.

Thinking back to the golden bamboo token that Chen Dafu took out back then, and the reaction of the Trial Pavilion steward when he saw it, Zhou Ping already understood the key point.

That day, the Chen family of Yan Town, wanting to rely on the powerful Qingzhu Sect, had already smoothed things over for their son, Chen Dafu.

As a formal disciple, Chen Dafu, regardless of his power or influence, will gain access to countless valuable resources within the Qingzhu Sect simply by being a formal disciple. These connections will undoubtedly greatly benefit the Chen family in Tianyan Town.

But man proposes, God disposes. In just four or five years, the Green Bamboo Sect has undergone such a change, and all of the Chen family’s plans have come to naught.

And with the Tianyan Town's once-every-five-years trade summit approaching, the competition for resources among various families and conglomerates will be brought to the forefront. Without the support of the Qingzhu Sect, it's not hard to imagine the difficult predicament that awaits the Chen family.

In the past, with the powerful Qingzhu Sect as their backing, other families, even with the support of other forces and sects, could not match the overall strength of the Qingzhu Sect, a first-class power.

But now the situation has reversed. Without the support of the Green Bamboo Sect, those families and financial groups that relied on second-rate forces have instead stepped up and instantly put pressure on the Tianyan Chen family. It can be said that the changes in the world are unpredictable.

Zhou Ping finished all the food on the table, wiped his mouth, and slowly walked upstairs.

No matter how these families change, they are always a headache for the upper class, and have nothing to do with a country bumpkin like him.

He had a clear understanding of himself: he was penniless and had only stumbled upon the path of cultivation by sheer luck. If he could steadily uncover the various secrets of cultivators, that would be the greatest fortune of his journey. He dared not ask for anything more.

The path of cultivation is still like a leaf obscuring the view in Zhou Ping's eyes, something he can never see clearly or touch. If he wants to truly become a cultivator, Guiyuan Pavilion is a place he must visit on this trip.

Only there could his horizons and knowledge be fully broadened, allowing him to determine the right direction for future plans.

Otherwise, if one continues to fumble around on one's own as is, one will only be like a headless fly, running around aimlessly.

After thinking all this through, Zhou Ping lay down on the bed and fell into a deep sleep.

After two days of riding in a carriage, even a cultivator like myself was exhausted, with aches and pains all over my body.

........

In the Chen family mansion in Tianyan Town, in a magnificent hall, several powerful figures sat on gilded chairs. The one at the head, a fat middle-aged man, had a furrowed brow and a worried expression.

This man was none other than Chen Jinyao, the head of the Tianyan Chen family.

"Report! Young Master Dafu has returned to the Chen residence and is now rushing towards Tongyuan Hall without stopping!"