My Longevity Simulation Chapter 1048: Five Years of Change

Nine Mountains Prefecture.

Following five years of rapid expansion, this territory—the solitary free trade zone within the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance—had experienced a total metamorphosis.

What was once a barren and empty wasteland had evolved into a thriving, crowded hub of activity.

In every direction, the sprawling plains were now blanketed by the cave dwellings of cultivators, all revolving around the central Nine Mountains Trade City.

The trade city itself had been enlarged multiple times, growing to nearly ten times its original size, yet it still struggled to accommodate the relentless surge of commercial activity.

Every cultivator newly arriving in the city carried a look of pure wonder and thrill, their senses overwhelmed by the magnificent variety of treasures on display.

Zhao Xian knelt upon the floor, offering a respectful prostration to the Faceless Stone Statue that loomed within the shadows above.

He then departed from the secret chamber to unbar the shop doors, commencing his first transactions of the day after replenishing his stock.

There was no requirement for him to pitch his wares; in moments, the shop was packed with cultivators hungry to spend.

Descriptions and costs for every item were displayed with absolute clarity, allowing the cultivators to finalize their acquisitions independently without needing the shopkeeper's help.

No one bothered to haggle, as items in Nine Mountains Prefecture were frequently snatched up the very moment they hit the shelves.

This was partially due to the inventory consisting of rare local specialties from various far-flung prefectures.

However, the fundamental reason was...

While Zhao Xian kept a bright, inviting grin fixed on his face, he mused privately: "It is no wonder everyone is desperate to reach Nine Mountains Prefecture these days. The saying that even a pig can grow wealthy just by sitting still is truly no exaggeration."

"Three years ago, the Tianxuan Mirror's trade functionality was abruptly deactivated, stripping cultivators of the ability to trade freely. Since the demand for commerce could not simply disappear, five major trade cities rose across the world to step into the void left by the Tianxuan Mirror."

"Of those five, Nine Mountains Prefecture stands as the largest and most well-stocked."

"Not only do cultivators from the Alliance's own provinces flock here, but even those from the Five Elders Association come to sell their unique goods and make purchases."

Observing the endless tide of patrons in his establishment, Zhao Xian felt a surge of appreciation: "I owe this all to the emissary’s assistance. Otherwise, a mere Nascent Soul cultivator like me from the Congyun Sea could never have dreamt of owning property in a place like this."

Even though half of his earnings had to be surrendered, the pace at which he accumulated contribution points was still vastly superior to anything he could achieve back home.

"If I can keep saving for another decade, I will not only clear all my debts but also be able to purchase a Soul Transformation technique and [Heavenly Life-Transformation of Birth] from the Alliance at a discounted rate!"

"Once I attain Soul Transformation, my standing in the world will be completely transformed!"

"In the worst-case scenario, I could return to the Congyun Sea and be guaranteed a position as a guest elder. After all, the entire Congyun Sea only has two Soul Transformation cultivators in charge."

As Zhao Xian daydreamed about this glorious future, a fervent light intensified in his eyes.

He lost track of time until the notification of a high-value sale suddenly pulled him back to reality.

The item sold was a seemingly mundane white jade statue. It was a simple ornament with no practical utility. If there was anything remarkable about it, it was the likeness of the woman it depicted.

She possessed a transcendent beauty, carved with such detail that she seemed almost alive.

Because the price had been set at an exorbitant two hundred thousand contribution points, it had remained on the shelf for over two years without interest.

Yet today, someone had finally stepped forward to buy it. It was crucial to note that this specific statue was linked to a mission given by the emissary!

Stifling his inner turmoil, Zhao Xian hurried toward the customer: "Fellow Daoist, please wait a moment!"

A cultivator draped in a black Daoist robe, his features hidden within deep shadows, paused briefly.

However, he gave Zhao Xian no acknowledgment and walked away without a second glance.

Zhao Xian did not attempt to follow him.

Instead, a knowing smirk crossed his face as he made his way quietly toward the subterranean secret chamber.

There, he knelt and bowed before the Faceless Stone Statue.

“My Lord Emissary, the white jade statue has been purchased.”

Despite having reported to the Lord Emissary many times before, Zhao Xian’s heart pounded with anxiety. He held his breath and stilled his mind, terrified of allowing even a single disrespectful thought to surface.

Following his report, Zhao Xian waited in silence.

Before long, a freezing voice resonated within his consciousness.

“I am aware.”

After that brief acknowledgement, the silence returned.

But Zhao Xian felt the divine aura surrounding him surge intensely before fading away.

Suddenly, his cultivation level spiked without any prior warning.

Ecstasy washed over him. Zhao Xian immediately performed several more kowtows.

“With the grace bestowed by the Lord Emissary, even with my mediocre talent, I believe I can reach Soul Transformation within a century.”

“Those arrogant so-called geniuses who look down on others will be nothing compared to me.”

Zhao Xian felt a deep sense of pride and resolved to be even more devoted to the business of the Federation of All Worlds.

...

Spiritwood Realm.

Li Fan had already pinpointed the location of the man who bought the white jade statue.

“So it is him; he managed to survive after all.”

The cultivator’s attempt at a disguise could not hide the truth from Li Fan’s vision. By cross-referencing his mental records, Li Fan swiftly identified the man.

Jia Yiyuan, a former receptionist at the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance headquarters.

He had been on duty during the exact period when the anomalies struck the Alliance headquarters.

In the aftermath of that event, Jia Yiyuan’s entire lineage had been wiped out. Three hundred and forty-two cultivators of Golden Core rank and above were executed without exception.

As for Jia Yiyuan himself, he had vanished completely.

It was unexpected to see him resurface today in Nine Mountains Prefecture.

After a moment of reflection, Li Fan realized why the man had bought the statue.

The white jade statue had been carved by Li Fan himself and truly possessed no hidden power.

However, the figure depicted was no random woman; she was a vital individual whom Li Fan had been investigating in secret for years.

Following the chaos at the Alliance headquarters, the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance had initiated a ruthless purge.

Countless cultivators were hunted down, and many innocents were caught in the slaughter.

But wherever there is tyranny, there is defiance.

Certain powerful figures within the Alliance did not watch the massacre in silence; they moved to protect the innocent.

Using their immense skills, they managed to save many lives even while under the heavy pressure of the Alliance’s pursuit.

The woman portrayed in the white jade statue was one of these “saviors.”

She seemed to have appeared from nowhere; the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance possessed no records of her past.

Yet she understood the Alliance perfectly, often predicting top-secret commands before they were even distributed.

She would arrive to rescue people moments before the executioner's blade could fall.

The Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance was incensed and put a massive price on her head, but they found nothing.

They could not even confirm what she looked like.

The only reason Li Fan knew her face was because he had conducted a soul-search on a cultivator she had once rescued.

Regrettably, that survivor knew almost nothing about the woman who saved him.

Within those memories, Li Fan had only caught a glimpse of a face of incomparable beauty.