So, you are from the Li Family from Lijing Village? By the Moongaze Lake? Ning Wan inquired.

Her question instantly prompted whispers among the onlookers.

Li Family by the Moongaze Lake? Ive never heard of them. What did they do to catch the envoys attention?

Who knows?

Xiao Chutin was also looking in their direction. He smiled and offered Li Tongya an encouraging nod.

Despite being momentarily taken aback, Li Tongya quickly composed himself and raised his gaze. He could see the fair skin and soft jawline under Ning Wans veil.

Yes, I am Li Tongya of the Li Family. Our home, Mount Lijing, is indeed by Moongaze Lake, he replied calmly.

And who is this Li Chejing to you? Ning Wan asked.

A spark of realization lit up Li Tongyas face. He figured that Li Chejing must have told something to this lady in the sect.

Hes my younger brother, he answered respectfully.

Ning Wan extended her left hand, and a small brocade pouch gracefully floated toward Li Tongya. This is from your younger brother, she stated softly.

Li Tongya hurriedly accepted the pouch. He could not help but feel the weight of the curious gazes around him, making him uncomfortably aware of his sudden prominence as he never enjoyed such attention.

Thank you, Fairy! he quickly expressed his gratitude.

Ning Wan gave him a nod. While she shared a light-hearted exchange with Xiao Chuting, all the families eventually submitted their tributes.

All thirty-four families in Lixia Prefecture have presented their tributes! one of the attendants respectfully reported to Ning Wan.

Good. Ning Wan nodded, then addressed Xiao Chuting, I must attend to other duties. With the tributes collected, Ill take my leave now.

Take care, envoy, Xiao Chuting replied, cupping his fist as he watched Ning Wan make her way back to the flying ship.

As the Dawn Cloudliner ascended into the eastern sky, Xiao Chutings gaze returned to the crowd. He spoke in a calm tone. The rogue cultivators have gathered at the foot of the mountain. The market there has been open for a few days now. Youre all welcome to head there for trading.

He paused, adding a firm reminder, Just remember, were all old friends now, you should be aware that the Cloud Crowned Market is under the management of the Xiao Family. I expect everyone to respect that. Any acts of robbery or forced transactions within the market will be seen as a direct affront to my familys authority.

Understood, the crowd acknowledged respectfully before dispersing toward the foot of the mountain. Several approached Li Tongya with the intention of engaging with him, and Wan Yuankai could only stare at him enviously.

He was about to say something when Xiao Chutings sudden cough drew their attention. Young Tongya, would you kindly join me for a conversation? he asked with a smile.

The people who tried to approach Li Tongya quickly stopped in their tracks. Wan Yuankai quickly buttoned his lips as well.

Li Tongya eagerly responded, Youre flattering me, Senior. It would be my honor to speak with a cultivator of your caliber!

Xiao Chuting led Li Tongya to the main courtyard. They settled at a stone table, with attendants promptly serving tea. Taking a sip of the delicately flavored brew, Xiao Chuting remarked, I rarely visit Cloud Crowned Peak, so the hospitality here is modest. I hope you dont mind, young one.

Li Tongya accepted the teacup and took a small sip. A sweet, refreshing flavor instantly exploded on the tip of his tongue, clearing his mind. While resisting the urge to empty his cup in one go, he shook his head humbly in response to Xiao Chutings remarks.

Your younger brother and my grandson have been cultivating on Qingsui Peak for several years. My grandson had mentioned him to me before. That younger brother of yours shows great potential in swordsmanship and has caught the eye of Master Si Yuanbai, who considers his talents to be unparalleled in Qingsui Peaks recent centuries.

Raised in a farming family, Li Tongya was more accustomed to the teabowls of his village than the delicate teacups. His surprise was palpable when he heard Xiao Chutings remarks.

Pausing momentarily, he replied with a pleasant surprise, Jinger has never mentioned that to us

Your younger brother is a good kid. Have you taken a look inside that brocade pouch?"

Xiao Chutings gaze softened as he looked at Li Tongya, revealing a look of nostalgia on his face. A smile graced his lips as he continued, There are five Spirit Stones in there. These are part of the provisions he received over five years. He has probably used the Spirit Rice and pills, but he saved these Spirit Stones.

Li Tongyas expression immediately shifted to one of poignant realization. My family has truly been a burden to him, he murmured.

Xiao Chuting raised his hand dismissively and said, Ah, you shouldnt think that way. In a family, ones success is everyones glory, and ones loss is borne by the entire family.

He then produced a white jade vial from seemingly nowhere and placed it on the table. I see youre still at the Azure Essence stage of the Embryonic Breathing Realm. This is a Bright Spirit Powder, use it to break through to the Jade Capital stage.

Li Tongya was taken aback by the unexpected generosity. He stood up hastily and waved his hand. Senior, I couldnt possibly accept such a valuable gift!

Do not refuse it. Take it before you leave. Without a Jade Capital cultivator at home, youre letting Qingsui Peak down. Now, go.

With those final words, Xiao Chuting rose and retreated to the backyard, leaving a stunned Li Tongya to be ushered out by the attendants.

At the foot of Cloud Crowned Peak, Li Tongya clutched the precious pill and smiled wryly. He looked at Wan Yuankai, who wore an expression of mixed emotions, and said, Brother Yuankai, about this market

Hm? Snapping back to the present, Wan Yuankai gestured ahead and said, Just follow this path. There are illusionary formations around the market to keep the mortals away. Stay close and dont wander off.

As they ventured further, the once quiet mountain path transformed. They entered a bustling marketplace, alive with the sounds of barter and conversation.

Brother Tongya, my clan has entrusted me with a task, so lets part ways here. Well meet later at the foot of the mountain and return together by carriage. Wan Yuankai cupped his fist and smiled at Li Tongya before quickly heading eastward.

Li Tongya watched him disappear into the distance, then turned his attention to a small roadside stall. The stall owner was deeply engrossed in a book with a perplexed expression. There was a collection of talismans, a few unknown spirit objects, and several small flags displayed in his stall.

These are formation flags, arent they? Li Tongya inquired, his curiosity piqued as he eyed the small grayish-white flags but refrained from touching them.

Yes, crafted from the leather of a beast demon in the Jade Capital Stage stage and mounted on poles made of white jade wood. Theyre priced at eight Spirit Stones each.

Recalling the six flags Xiao Yuansi had sold to his family, Li Tongya probed further, Ive heard of flags made with white-striped crucian carp skin for the body and red birch wood for the poles Do you know how they are usually priced?

The stall owner looked surprised, his gaze on Li Tongya turned into a mix of eagerness and respect. Thats quite specialized, Senior. Red birch wood is not that uncommon, but white-striped crucian carp skin is typically used for crafts in the Qi Cultivation Realm. You might want to check the stalls on the east side for those. Our stalls here mainly cater to the Embryonic Breathing Realm.

I see. Li Tongya nodded as a realization dawned on him.

It appears the price Xiao Yuansi charged my family was quite reasonable. If these flags of the Embryonic Breathing Realm are eight Spirit Stones each, then twelve Spirit Stones for those of the Qi Cultivator Realm is still a fair deal.