Longevity, starting from being a chicken raising servant Chapter 2208 40: News (2)

Gazing into the distance, an impenetrable void stretched out like a bottomless chasm, where one could faintly discern the Chaos Origin Substance surging forward like a restless tide.

Numerous Flying Boats were stationed here, each manned by Cultivators. After Yin Shilang consulted with Wang Ba, he selected a vessel and presented the Yin Family Token. Only then did the pilot maneuver the craft, plunging them rapidly toward the dark abyss that lay below.

Yin Shilang began to explain the surroundings to Wang Ba:

"The landscape within Zhang's Ruins is incredibly intricate and shifts constantly. Even a Cultivator blessed with a perfect memory can lose their way here. Because of this, specialized Cultivators are employed to pilot these Flying Boats and ferry travelers to their specific destinations. While these boats usually charge outsiders a fee, we needn't concern ourselves with that since we are members of the family."

Nodding in understanding, Wang Ba observed his environment with a sense of curiosity.

They were descending through a vertical shaft, the Flying Boat dropping at a dizzying speed.

Occasionally, similar Flying Boats would streak past them through the oppressive gloom.

This journey involuntarily triggered a memory of when he was still at the Foundation Establishment stage, traveling across vast distances to reach the West Sea Country.

For a brief moment, he found himself lost in a state of quiet reflection.

The Flying Boat performed a series of complex maneuvers, twisting through the dark, plummeting one moment and surging upward the next.

Wang Ba now fully appreciated Yin Shilang’s warnings regarding the treacherous terrain.

They continued their journey for an indeterminate amount of time.

After navigating a particularly sharp bend that seemed to lead into a dead end, a sudden turn revealed a breathtakingly wide vista.

A massive expanse of land lay stretched out beneath the dark sky.

In a sharp departure from the surrounding blackness, the lights flickering across this continent resembled a glittering sea of stars, bathing nearly the entire region in radiance.

"This is She Mansion. It earned its name due to its resemblance to a human tongue, and it serves as the primary hub for Rogue Cultivators in this territory. A massive trade fair is hosted here every few years... Mr. Taiyi, shall we go down?"

It was evident that Yin Shilang had received strict instructions from Yin Fu, as he sought Wang Ba’s permission before making any move.

Wang Ba offered no objection.

The Flying Boat began its final descent immediately.

As they drew closer, the details of She Mansion became clear to Wang Ba’s eyes.

The outer perimeter was dotted with glowing houses and immortal caves, which were clearly the residences of the local Rogue Cultivators.

The central hub, however, was meticulously structured.

The lights were arranged in orderly sections that mirrored the pattern of the 'Eight Diagrams.'

The area was teeming with people; while the crowd was smaller than those he had seen at the Sea Market in years past, the level of noise and activity was certainly no less intense.

"That section is dedicated to the trade of treasures, while that area over there is for gathering intelligence or locating individuals, and on that side..."

Yin Shilang gave a quick tour of the Eight Diagrams-shaped fairgrounds below before offering a word of caution:

"She Mansion is under the protection of the 'Qingluo Wan Family,' a Crossing Tribulation faction. They are known for being quite shrewd in their business dealings and aren't particularly friendly toward us. Mr. Taiyi, please exercise caution."

Wang Ba grew thoughtful as he listened.

Every faction has its own way of sustaining itself, and it was clear that the Qingluo Wan Family held a monopoly over the Rogue Cultivator trade in this region.

However, this was of no concern to him. He nodded and remarked:

"I shall go and explore on my own. Would you prefer to stay behind, young friend?"

Yin Shilang, who was only at the Void Refining stage, felt no offense at being addressed as a young friend.

He nodded respectfully at Wang Ba’s suggestion:

"Indeed, I will remain here on the boat. By the way, the Token I gave you contains a summoning array. Should you require anything, just send a command through the Token and I will arrive at once."

"Additionally, if you find something you wish to buy but lack the funds, please let me know."

The Yin Family possessed formidable power, yet their members remained exceptionally polite. It was no wonder they had maintained their grip on Zhang's Ruins for so many generations.

Wang Ba felt a flicker of internal admiration for them.

Any legacy that survives for so long must have its unique strengths.

With that, he stepped off the vessel and flew toward the heart of the 'Eight Diagrams' district in She Mansion.

While flight was permitted in the outskirts, Wang Ba felt the presence of a Sky-Blocking Array as he approached the center.

With his current mastery of the laws, such an array was trivial to bypass, yet he chose to follow the local customs to avoid drawing unwanted attention and allowed himself to land.

The moment his feet touched the ground, a Cultivator with a distorted face crept toward him, whispering in a low voice:

"Honorable senior, are you in the market for cauldrons for Dual Cultivation? Our prices are quite reasonable. A Nascent Soul male Cultivator goes for four hundred top-grade Spirit Stones, while a female is only six hundred. If those don't suit you, we have Immortal Ascension ones available, though they are significantly more expensive..."

Spirit Stones?

The term felt like a memory from a lifetime ago.

Wang Ba felt a brief moment of disorientation before regaining his composure. It wasn't truly surprising to find Spirit Stones being used here.

Spirit Stones were the crystallized essence of spiritual energy found in most Domains. While they held almost no value for someone at his level of Cultivation, they remained the standard currency for those below the Immortal Ascension stage.

However, for that very reason, Wang Ba didn't have a single Spirit Stone on his person.

Seeing Wang Ba’s cold and disinterested expression, the ugly Cultivator didn't linger. He gave a quick, respectful bow and hurried toward another Cultivator who had just landed nearby to begin his pitch again.

Watching this, Wang Ba fell into a contemplative mood.

Generally, any reputable power would forbid the trafficking of Cultivators, as such a practice is a major taboo that drives away visitors.

Unless, of course, the location was so lawless that it was beyond any real governance.

It was clear that the Qingluo Wan Family did not exert absolute authority over She Mansion.

But perhaps that lawlessness was exactly why the Rogue Cultivators were so drawn to this place.