Seeing this, Old Man Ye looked at Ye Linyuan and said, “You mentioned earlier that you wanted spirit seeds. You may take charge of these three spirit stones.”
Hearing this, Ye Linyuan nodded, then said, “There is no time to lose. When the next gathering begins, we will make a trip to Green Crane Market and see if we can buy some suitable spirit seeds.”
“Good.”
Old Man Ye nodded, then stroked his beard and said, “Green Crane Market holds a small gathering every three months. At that time, many clans will bring their surplus supplies there to sell.”
“The next gathering is in five days. We are rather far from Green Crane Market, so if we set out tomorrow, we should arrive in time.”
“That works.”
Ye Linyuan nodded, having no objections.
Early the next morning, Ye Linyuan set out with Old Man Ye, controlling a small boat toward Green Crane Market.
As the largest cultivation market under the Azure Crane Immortal Sect, Green Crane Immortal Market was located in the center of the Green Crane Archipelago, a full two thousand miles from Ye Family Island.
The grandfather and grandson sailed onward, traveling for four or five days before finally arriving outside Green Crane Immortal Market.
“So this is Green Crane Immortal Market?”
Looking at the Green Crane Immortal Market before him, Ye Linyuan’s eyes shifted slightly, though his expression remained calm.
Green Crane Immortal Market was situated on a vast sea island more than a hundred miles in diameter. It was one of the largest islands in the Green Crane Archipelago.
With Ye Linyuan’s insight, he could tell at a glance that Green Crane Immortal Market had been built upon a Second-Order Low-Grade Spirit Vein. A second-order formation had been arranged there, and its power should have been sufficient to withstand an attack from a Late Foundation Establishment cultivator.
“It seems that the Azure Crane Immortal Sect should also be considered a mid-tier Foundation Establishment force.”
Ye Linyuan murmured in his heart. Among the various levels of forces above Foundation Establishment in this world, those of the same level were often divided into minor sects, mid-tier sects, and major sects according to their strength.
Take Foundation Establishment forces, for example. A minor Foundation Establishment sect or clan generally had only one or two Foundation Establishment Ancestors. Such forces often suffered from a Succession Gap; once the Foundation Establishment Ancestor guarding the clan passed away, they would fall into complete decline.
Mid-tier Foundation Establishment forces had stronger foundations and often possessed more than three Foundation Establishment cultivators. Such forces had an orderly inheritance and, unless they encountered an irresistible tribulation, could maintain their sect inheritance for at least several hundred years.
Foundation Establishment major sects and clans were different. Such forces generally had at least ten Foundation Establishment cultivators, and basically all had a Late Foundation Establishment cultivator guarding them. They might even be qualified to impact the Golden Core Immortal Sect level.
Ye Linyuan’s insight was extraordinary. By merely looking at Green Crane Market, he understood that the Azure Crane Immortal Sect had at least three Foundation Establishment cultivators, and its foundation was certainly beyond what an ordinary minor Foundation Establishment sect could compare favorably with.
“We have arrived at Green Crane Immortal Market.”
Seeing that they were nearing Green Crane Immortal Market, Old Man Ye said solemnly, “The immortal market is a mixed gathering of all kinds of people. You must stay close to me later. Remember, do not let your wealth show.”
“Grandson understands.”
Ye Linyuan nodded and calmly withdrew his gaze.
The small boat soon reached the shore. Old Man Ye moored it, then spent some silver to hire the Mortal steward at the dock to look after it. Afterward, he took Ye Linyuan toward the market.
When they arrived outside the market, Ye Linyuan noticed several Qi Refining cultivators standing before the entrance. All of them were Mid Qi Refining cultivators with considerable Cultivation Levels.
The leading man had reached the Late Qi Refining stage and seemed to know Old Man Ye. Seeing him arrive, he immediately said with a smile, “Brother Tianke, it has been a long time since I last saw you at Green Crane Immortal Market.”
“So it is Brother Jiang.”
Old Man Ye immediately smiled, then pulled Ye Linyuan over and introduced him. “This is This Old Man’s eldest grandson, Ye Linyuan.”
After speaking, Old Man Ye looked at Ye Linyuan and said, “This Senior is Jiang Qingyan, an old friend of This Old Man from my younger days. Hurry and pay your respects.”
Following Old Man Ye’s introduction, Ye Linyuan immediately understood their relationship.
Jiang Qingyan had been Old Man Ye’s friend when they were young. The two of them had once traveled the martial world together as Rogue Cultivators.
Later, a Demonic Beast uprising broke out across the Green Crane Archipelago. Together, they killed a Late Qi Refining Demonic Beast and, for their contribution, obtained two Azure Crane Immortal Tokens. In the end, Jiang Qingyan joined the Azure Crane Immortal Sect.
During that battle, Old Man Ye’s wife died in combat, leaving him deeply guilt-ridden over her death.
Moreover, he still had several children to care for. Therefore, he never joined the Azure Crane Immortal Sect. Disheartened, he bought Ye Family Island, and that was how the Ye Clan came to exist.
“So that is where the Azure Crane Immortal Token came from.”
Ye Linyuan murmured in his heart, then hurriedly cupped his hands toward Jiang Qingyan and said, “This Junior has met Senior Jiang.”
“You have already reached Qi Refining at such a young age. Indeed, you are an extraordinary young man.”
Jiang Qingyan nodded with a smile, then patted Ye Linyuan on the shoulder and said, “If you encounter any difficulties in the future, you may come to Green Crane Immortal Market and seek This Old Man.”
Seeing this, Old Man Ye exchanged a few more pleasantries with Jiang Qingyan.
A moment later, Old Man Ye suddenly asked, “I heard that the Azure Spirit Shellfish Farm was attacked some time ago. I wonder whether that is true?”
“About that…”
Jiang Qingyan pondered briefly, then said cautiously, “I do not know the specific details either. However, I heard that a Rare Spirit Shell escaped. I do not know whether the rumor is true.”
“A Rare Spirit Shell?”
Hearing this, Ye Linyuan, who was standing nearby, shifted his gaze slightly, and a look of surprise appeared in his eyes.
The Spirit Shell race belonged to the gentle-natured Demon Race and was also one of the specialty resources of the Cang Ling Sea Region.
Moreover, Spirit Shells were treasure all over. The Spirit Shell Pearls they nurtured could be used for Pill Refining and Medicinal Use, and could also be refined into Magic Tools that assisted cultivation.
Their meat was rich in Spiritual Energy, ten times more precious than Spirit Rice. After being ground up, their shells were also excellent minerals for cultivating Spirit Fields.
Among Spirit Shells, they were divided into four levels according to their Bloodline and Potential: Spirit Shells, Spirit Treasures, Exotic Treasures, and Rare and Exotic Treasures.
Most importantly, Spirit Shells at the Rare and Exotic Treasure level could even nurture Rare Foundation Establishment Spirit Items. After being refined, they could be forged into Superior special Dao Foundations. Their Value was likely enough to make even Foundation Establishment cultivators drool with desire.
For such a Rare Spirit Shell to escape, Even If it were only a First-order Rare Spirit Shell, it would probably be enough to drive the Azure Crane Immortal Sect mad.
“A Rare Spirit Shell of astonishing Value. Unfortunately, with my current Strength, I am not qualified to Compete For it.”
Ye Linyuan regretfully suppressed the thought, but a trace of curiosity appeared in his heart.
In theory, a Rare Spirit Shell was priceless and would be worshiped by the Azure Crane Immortal Sect like an ancestor. Why, then, had this Rare Spirit Shell escaped?
“This does not make sense. Unless that Rare Spirit Shell sensed an enormous Threat within the Azure Crane Immortal Sect’s Shellfish Farm.”
“Could it be…”
Ye Linyuan murmured in his heart, seemingly gaining a vague understanding.
Since the Azure Crane Immortal Sect was named after the Azure Crane, there was most likely a crane-type Mountain Suppressing Spirit Beast behind it. To such flying Spirit Beasts, a Rare Spirit Shell was a priceless Rare and Exotic Treasure.