Longevity, starting from being a chicken raising servant

...

"What exactly is this Family Master Xiao that Master mentioned? How come I've never heard of him before?"

Outside the Ghost Market Teleportation Array of Xuan Country.

Wang Qingyang looked around, filled with confusion.

Since taking on the task assigned by her master.

She had made hasty preparations and immediately used the Sect Transmission Array to arrive at the Ghost Market of Xuan Country.

Yet her mind was still pondering the instructions her master gave before leaving.

Mentioning only Rongmeng City and Family Master Xiao, but without specifying what to do, which really left her unsure of the next steps.

Her gaze swept over the Golden Core Practitioner guarding the Teleportation Array. Wang Qingyang had an idea and bowed slightly to that practitioner, asking politely:

"Dare I ask, Taoist Friend, does Xuan Country's Rongmeng City have a family with the surname Xiao?"

"The Xiao Family?"

The Golden Core Practitioner quickly returned the bow and then appeared somewhat surprised:

"Where did you hear about them? The Xiao Family is not often involved with Xuan Country, they should not be commonly known."

Wang Qingyang couldn't help being curious:

"Why do you say that?"

The cultivator explained with a smile:

"This Xiao Family is very low-key. On the surface, they co-govern Rongmeng City with the Wen Family and Red Blood Mansion, but in reality, they are the dominant force. Thus, apart from the people of Xuan Country, the outside world is unaware of the extraordinary strength of the Xiao Family... Of course, they weren't considered a major force before, but since the invasion of Xuan Country by the Kingdom of Immortals over a hundred years ago, most of the Sects and family cultivators were either captured or fled amidst the chaos, with very few fortunate survivors.

Among these survivors, the Xiao Family is the most prominent. Over the past hundred years, due to the lack of competitors, they managed to develop significantly. Currently, within the family, there are two Nascent Soul Cultivators, one at middle-stage Nascent Soul and one at early-stage Nascent Soul. There are also twenty-five Golden Core Practitioners. In today's Xuan Country, they can truly be considered a dominant power."

"Two Nascent Soul Cultivators?"

Wang Qingyang was somewhat astounded.

In the current environment, a Nascent Soul Perfect Practitioner is already among the top talents capable of making their presence felt far and wide.

Yet this Xiao Family has two Nascent Soul Cultivators as their front, which definitely ranks as a formidable force in a minor country.

Seeing Wang Qingyang coming alone, despite being a Golden Core Practitioner, the Array Guarding Cultivator urged caution:

"Taoist Friend, if you are to have dealings with this Xiao Family, you need to be very careful. The Xiao Family is ruthless and originally a lineage of Demon Cultivators. Blood Sacrifice of mortals and the murder of fellow cultivators are not uncommon for them. Of course, if you encounter trouble, you may invoke our Sect's name, then they would not dare to provoke us."

Hearing the natural confidence in the guard's tone.

Wang Qingyang smiled slightly.

She is from the Dharma Lineage, and though her cultivation base is only at Golden Core Perfection, handling one or two early-stage Nascent Soul Cultivators should not be a problem.

Moreover, the practitioners of Xuan Country are not from any Major Sect, and their teachings are mostly average.

If it comes to magical combat, her chances of winning are considerably higher.

Not to mention she has protective treasures bestowed by her master.

After asking for more details, she bid farewell to the guard and soon left.

She did not specifically seek out the Ghost Market Guardian.

Simply because she gradually realized that her master might not have given her specific instructions because he wanted her to act on her own judgment.

Thinking this, she immediately flew toward Rongmeng City.

In less than a half-day.

She was already near Rongmeng City.

Having often heard her mother mention many past experiences of her father, Wang Qingyang was quite cautious by influence.

She descended from the clouds far away and stowed her Flying Artifact.

At the same time, she concealed her aura and disguised herself as an inconspicuous female Foundation Building Cultivator.

After all, a Golden Core Practitioner would be too conspicuous in these small countries, and an unfamiliar Golden Core Practitioner entering Rongmeng City would surely attract the attention of the Xiao Family.

Since Wang Qingyang was also unclear about her master's exact intentions, after some consideration, she simply decided to observe first.

However, as she tried to enter the city, she was stopped.

"A Cultivator? Which place did you cultivate at? And what brings you to the city?"

At the city gate, two Foundation Building Cultivators frowned slightly, scrutinizing Wang Qingyang with wary expressions.

The mortals around them were not interrogated, nor did any dare to stop and observe, passing quickly by Wang Qingyang like flowing water.

Rongmeng City is one of the rare cities where Cultivators and mortals live together.

According to the information from the Array Guarding Cultivator, aside from the Xiao Family, the Wen Family, and Red Blood Mansion, there are also many mortals and Rogue Cultivators residing there.

Its special nature is due to the huge spirit mine beneath the city.

Though the Xiao Family wishes to monopolize it, they must co-govern with the Wen Family and Red Blood Mansion due to the surrounding situation and the reality on the ground.

Also, because a large amount of spirit mines need to be mined and transported, the city allows for a significant presence of mortals.

Although these mortals are far less efficient than Cultivators, they have the advantage of being cheap and durable, and they do not require any expenditure of mana from Cultivators, greatly saving the Cultivators' energy.

Also, because there is a spirit mine and a gathering of many Cultivators here, Rongmeng City has evolved into a place where Cultivators from the surrounding areas come to exchange various cultivation materials.

This information was all learned by Wang Qingyang from the Array Guarding Cultivator at the Ghost Market.

However, she had not expected that she would need to be interrogated upon entering the city.

Luckily, although she lacked experience, she was quick-witted.

Upon hearing this, her mind moved slightly, and without even blinking, she said:

"I have been cultivating in the southwest's Accumulated Stone Mountain, and came here to acquire some Ivory Jade Mine."

The Ivory Jade Mine is a local specialty here, named for its similarity in shape and quality to ivory; it is as white and lustrous as jade.

Hearing this, the Foundation Building Cultivator guarding the gate did not suspect anything and nodded:

"Then pay the tribute fee."

"Tribute fee?"

Wang Qingyang was somewhat puzzled.

The impatient Foundation Building Cultivator said:

"Combat is prohibited within the city, and it's unrealistic to confiscate your Magic Tools. Pay a tribute fee, and if you engage in combat, this tribute will not be returned to you, serving as a constraint."

"Of course, if you do start a fight and damage property here, don't think about escaping. We have an Immortal Master of Nascent Soul overseeing this place!"

Hearing this, Wang Qingyang thought about it for a moment and did not see any problem with it.

She then asked:

"How much do I need to pay?"

The Foundation Building Cultivator glanced at Wang Qingyang, sized her up, and said casually: "Foundation Building Cultivator... at least two Top-grade Spirit Stones, I suppose?"

"Two Top-grade Spirit Stones?"

Wang Qingyang frowned slightly.

It wasn't that she thought it was too much, but rather she simply did not possess any Spirit Stones at all.

Primarily because she didn't need them within the Sect and also rarely ventured out alone; thus, she had not prepared for such a situation.

She took mental note of this.

The Foundation Building Cultivator sneered slightingly:

"Just by looking, one can tell you're penniless. Never mind, you don't need to give these Spirit Stones. If you can produce something of roughly equivalent value, it'll do. Do you raise mortals? If you have Blood Pills, that would be preferable, it saves trouble."

Hearing the Cultivator's words, Wang Qingyang's gaze immediately turned cold.

But still, she forcibly restrained herself.

After hesitating for a moment, she took out a bottle of spirit food from her Storage Treasure:

"This should be worth a tael or two of Top-grade Spirit Stones."

The Foundation Building Cultivator carelessly took it, opened the bottle cap, and immediately a rich aura of Spiritual Energy surged up.

He quickly covered the bottle.

Raising his head, he glanced at Wang Qingyang again with no apparent trace, then carelessly put away the bottle and handed her a wooden token, saying:

"Go on in, and use this token to retrieve your tribute when you leave."

Although Wang Qingyang felt that something was off, after quickly contemplating in her heart, she nevertheless accepted the wooden token and entered.

After she entered the city, a cold light flashed in the eyes of the Foundation Building Cultivator at the city gate.

He then gently shook a wooden bell in his bosom.

At the same time.

Inside a quiet room in Rongmeng City,

Among several wooden bells of different colors hanging in the quiet room, one suddenly started to shake on its own.

A red-faced Golden Core Practitioner, who was sitting cross-legged in the room, heard the noise and immediately opened his eyes, scanning the wooden bell.

A stern look crossed his face:

"Hmm, it appears that a Golden Core Practitioner has sneaked into the city?"

He frowned slightly.

Then he chanted a spell.

A bronze mirror slowly rose, showing an aerial view of the entire Rongmeng City within it.

Afterward, the entire Rongmeng City rapidly enlarged until it focused on a beautiful and graceful face.

That was clearly the face of Wang Qingyang.

Seeing this face, the red-faced Golden Core Practitioner revealed a chilly smile.

"Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned, and yet you insist on barging in!"