Gu Yuan hadn't yet reacted to what had happened when the light returned to his eyes.
A massive jade-colored palace floated in mid-air, surrounded by flowing stars, encircled by large stars, resembling a Celestial Palace.
The entire palace seemed to stand directly above the Star River, radiant and dazzling to the extreme.
"This is..."
Gu Yuan was momentarily stunned, almost unable to believe his eyes.
Just a moment ago, he was on the island of Silver Moon Bay, and now he suddenly found himself in this place that seemed like a Celestial Palace?
"Haha, is this brother here for the first time at the Celestial Star Dark Market?"
Amidst Gu Yuan's confusion, a cheerful voice came from the side.
Gu Yuan looked intently and saw a figure glowing all over, as if condensed from moonlight, floating beside him.
Gu Yuan couldn't see the other's mouth moving, but he could clearly hear the other's voice.
"Don't panic, brother, look at yourself!"
The figure laughed again.
Gu Yuan lowered his head and only then noticed that his body had also turned into this moonlight form at some point, merely a hazy shadow floating in the Star River, completely obscuring his true appearance.
His cultivation was indistinct, his voice altered, everything was blurry.
Only the Storage Bag at his waist remained tangible.
"This is Elder Xuan's 'Phantom Star Seal', he left this seal at Silver Moon Bay, creating this 'Celestial Star Dark Market'."
"Here, reality and illusion combine in profound mystery, not only protecting your and my privacy but also allowing for arbitrary transactions, indeed an extraordinary wonder!"
"When I first came here, I was so shocked that words failed me!"
The figure also looked at the distant existence that seemed like a Celestial Palace, filled with emotion.
Then he laughed again: "Embarrassing as it is, with Elder Xuan's splendid Celestial Palace, we can only trade in these shoddy items each time, truly a stain on this Celestial Palace!"
With that, he led the way, floating forward, reaching the interior of the Celestial Palace in an instant.
Brilliant tiles and white jade paved the ground, large stars suspended, a scene of opulent splendor in the Celestial Palace.
Yet at this moment, a myriad of mysterious figures, seemingly condensed from moonlight, emitted all sorts of noisy sounds.
"This is fifty-year-old Jade Water Python Skin, the Dao Patterns on it are radiant, at the very least it should sell for twenty Spirit Stones!"
"You're full of rubbish, this Jade Water Python is dead at forty years, a Dao Pattern is missing, and you dare sell it for twenty Spirit Stones, why don't you just rob, ten Spirit Stones, take it or leave it!"
"Deal!"
"..."
"Damn, tricked again!"
As Gu Yuan stepped into the Celestial Palace, he heard the rough curses one after another.
"Haha, brother, don't mind, no one knows anyone's identity here, so everyone is a bit reckless, don't take it to heart!"
The light figure leading Gu Yuan couldn't help but laugh and explained to Gu Yuan.
"No problem, I haven't even thanked you for clarifying things for me!"
Gu Yuan cupped his hands, smiling as he returned the courtesy.
"You're too kind, brother. I wonder what you're here to sell or need today? I'm quite familiar with this place and might be able to introduce you to someone."
The light figure in front seemed to be good-natured, very enthusiastic towards Gu Yuan.
"To be honest, I'm looking for a Second-Grade Spirit Gathering Array Disc, and I'd like to exchange some Spirit Stones as well."
Seeing the place's mystery, and considering it's the work of a Golden Core cultivator, Gu Yuan didn't hide his intentions anymore and directly revealed his purpose.
"A Second-Grade Spirit Gathering Array Disc, brother, could it be that you're about to break through to a greater realm?"
The light figure in front, though its expression was unclear, had a hint of joy in its voice.
But quickly, the figure realized his mistake, ceased the questioning, and led Gu Yuan towards the west side of the Celestial Palace.
"I misspoke, follow me, brother!"
"I know who has the Array Disc!"
...
The humanoid figures in the Celestial Palace were no less than a hundred, almost rivaling the number of cultivators in the Market, surprising Gu Yuan and also making him deeply feel the profound foundation of the Cyan Peak Daoist School.
"Brother, big business, another brother is looking to purchase a Second-Grade Spirit Gathering Array Disc."
Just as they flew onto a Jade Platform, the light figure leading Gu Yuan excitedly shouted.
"Oh? Hurry, come here!"
Behind the Jade Platform was still a light figure with an indistinct face, who, upon hearing of business, immediately beckoned joyfully.
Some beside the Jade Platform heard this and couldn't help but glance over, but in the Celestial Palace, no one could identify anyone, so they paid it no more mind.
...
...
Jade Forest Island.
Today, Jade Forest Island was bustling, countless cultivators traveled back and forth using Escape Light, delivering invitations and congratulating Lan Tianming on his son's anniversary.
The Lan Family had been in decline for many years, but Lan Tianming, with exceptional talent, was already at Late-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivation, with hopes of Golden Core.
And his marriage alliance with the Lin Family, also a Daoist School Family, boasting three generations of Foundation Establishment, was prestigious at the time, a union that blazed like fire, second only to a Golden Core Family.
Naturally, many sought their favor.
Especially the Lin Family, which had been branching out for nearly a thousand years, with countless connections, resulting in a lively scene.
Everyone was joyful, except for Lan Tianlu, who clenched his fists in silence.
"If... if it weren't for that bastard, all this would have been mine!"
"Without that bastard, today I would have already taken Top-Grade Spiritual Water, stepped into Qi Refining Fifth Layer, then cultivated the Secret Seal, vying for one of the Ten Daoist positions, leading the Daoist School to conquer all directions, seizing countless resources!"
"It's all because of that bastard! Blocking my path!"
"And then there's that Gu Yuan! Gu Yuan!"
"Why does he get the favor of the Golden Core?"
Lan Tianlu's heart boiled with murderous intent, but he dared not show it on his face, silently drinking to himself.
Just then, from a distant banquet, some conversation reached his ears.
"Elder Fox's female disciple's remains have been reburied in the mountain!"
"What?! Are you sure?"
"Yes, a few days ago, Elder Fox's Dharma body returned from outside the Daoist School, and I recently went to Cyan Fox Mountain and saw the monument confirming it."
"Who? Who found the remains, was it Elder Fox himself? Elder Fox had promised a Golden Core favor to whoever found the remains!"
"Just a lucky kid from a small sect, introduced by Elder Fox to enter the sect!"
"Oh? Just introduced to the mountain, not officially accepted?"
"No way, Elder Fox doesn't accept male disciples, besides, it's just a Five-Aperture Body! If it were otherwise, those Noble Families would have flocked in, proposing endless alliances, there'd be no way it would stay quiet."
Lan Tianlu abruptly turned his head, only to see two older men drinking and talking, surrounded by bystanders nodding in agreement.
Lan Tianlu recognized these two men.
They were elders from the Golden Core Feng Clan, although only at Qi Cultivation, their seniority was high, and daily interactions were managed by these two, making their information reliable.
He initially planned to ask some elders for news at the banquet, but didn't expect to hear it early.
"Just as I thought!"
"An opportunistic fellow, how dare you seize my chance!"
"Gu Yuan! I want you dead!"
"I want you dead!"
Lan Tianlu's heart was boiling with murderous intent, ready to explode.
Just then, a pretty Spirit Maiden quietly approached, stepping beside Lan Tianlu, respectfully saying:
"Young Master Lu, Madam says you've reached Qi Refining Fourth Layer and will soon break through, so she specially arranged a portion of High-grade Spirit Water for your cultivation!"
"Young Master, take the Spirit Water and quickly return to the residence for cultivation!"
Lan Tianlu lowered his eyes and immediately recognized this Spirit Water.
Silverfish Spirit Water.
The worst existence among High-grade Spirit Water, after consuming it, one's Spiritual Sense extends five zhang, as nimble as swimming fish, able to whip and strike.
But before Cyan Crane Spirit Water, a peck would bring death.
Let alone Spiritual Flood Dragon Celestial Water.
"I want to see Second Uncle!"
Lan Tianlu said coldly.
"Master is in closed-door cultivation and cannot see guests, Madam wants you to quickly return to the residence for cultivation!"