"Qiniang, someone is watching the back door of the Zhou family. I sense trouble brewing," Gao Xian said.
"I left a mark on that person. I'll go check the situation later. You stay at home and wait for my message," he continued.
"We can't ignore the Zhou family's affairs," Zhu Qiniang nodded.
Gao Xian had a partnership with Zhou Ye and now sought his help for a big task, so it was only right to assist.
"It's probably the Red Snake Gang again. It's no surprise they're targeting Old Zhou. In the past year, he's sold countless Deer Horn Powder, making me a bit envious. Not to mention others..." Zhu Qiniang remarked.
Zhou Ye handled the Deer Horn Powder refined by Gao Xian, exclusively sold through the Feima Market.
Selling over a thousand Deer Horn Powders a month, Zhou Ye had sold over ten thousand in a year.
With each Deer Horn Powder priced at five spirit stones, it amounted to over two thousand spirit stones.
That was a substantial sum.
The male cultivators in the Feima Market knew that Zhou Ye had struck it rich.
In comparison, Huang Ying, who sold the Tian Gui Pill, kept a lower profile.
She was more tactful and often gave female cultivators some small benefits.
Although female cultivators would discuss this privately, few showed ill will towards Huang Ying.
Backed by the Lianyun Sect, Zhou Ye was not to be trifled with by ordinary loose cultivators.
Some small factions in the Feima Market even had to consider the Lianyun Sect's stance and dared not act recklessly.
Only the external Red Snake Gang acted without restraint.
It was reasonable for them to target Zhou Ye.
Afraid that Qiniang would be displeased, Gao Xian chuckled and said, "Qiniang, I promised Old Zhou exclusive sales. I didn't expect things to turn out like this..."
At that time, Zhu Hong'an was still the head of Changsheng Hall.
To avoid Zhu Hong'an, Gao Xian had entrusted the Deer Horn Powder to Zhou Ye.
Although Old Zhou liked to take advantage, he conducted himself fairly.
Both sides had been cooperating pleasantly.
With the relationship with Zhou Yuling, Gao Xian found it difficult to terminate the partnership.
The same applied to Huang Ying.
They had a good agreement initially, and without a valid reason, it was not easy to back out.
Qiniang managed Changsheng Hall and certainly coveted the Deer Horn Powder and Tian Gui Pill, as they were the best-selling pills.
In this regard, Gao Xian did feel a bit sorry towards Qiniang.
Seeing Gao Xian's troubled expression, Zhu Qiniang couldn't help but smile. "I was just saying. Changsheng Hall will eventually be taken back by the Zhu family. It would be troublesome to keep the Tian Gui Pill and Deer Horn Powder in Changsheng Hall."
Gao Xian breathed a sigh of relief, knowing that Qiniang understood this reasoning.
He said, "Let me prepare first. You wait for my message at home, don't come with me."
He was just going to take a look.
If there were any issues, he could still come back to find Qiniang in time.
After all, the Feima Market was not that big.
It wouldn't take much time to make a round.
Returning to the bedroom, Gao Xian took out the Black Snake's Xuan Water Robe.
This robe, with its deep black color and faint shimmer of water, was of extraordinary quality.
According to Qiniang, this Xuan Water Robe was a top-grade first-tier item.
It was a level higher than the Azure Cloud Robe, but its price was several times more expensive.
After obtaining it, Gao Xian had privately tested it many times.
Mainly to test the robe's various functions.
The Xuan Water Robe came with two spells: Xuan Water Shield and Xuan Ice Ring.
The Xuan Water Shield appeared as a faint water light, providing protection superior to a quadruple-stacked Wood Shield.
Moreover, the Xuan Water Shield was dense and seamless, covering the entire body like a hood, offering all-around protection, even against toxic gases like miasma, without hindering spellcasting.
Overall, it was much stronger than the Wood Shield.
The Xuan Ice Ring was an offensive spell.
When activated, it released a semi-transparent ice ring that could envelop a space with a diameter of three zhang.
The chilling impact of the Xuan Ice Ring was enough to freeze a cultivator in the Qi Refining stage.
Even experts like Qiniang would experience slowed movements and delayed spellcasting within the range of the Xuan Ice Ring.
Furthermore, the Xuan Water Robe itself was exceptionally flexible, providing excellent protection against swords and spells.
It had a unique ability to separate water and avoid fire.
When submerged in water, the Xuan Water Robe could automatically part the water flow and significantly reduce water resistance.
This feature also allowed the robe to easily part air resistance, greatly enhancing the user's movement speed.
Unlike the Wind Riding Technique, which relied on controlling the wind Qi to increase speed, the Xuan Water Robe's water-parting ability did not require activation and could reduce various resistances without the need for Qi manipulation.
It was more convenient than the Wind Riding Technique.
The higher the cultivator's cultivation level, the more effective the water-parting ability of the Xuan Water Robe.
Gao Xian usually dared not wear it, fearing that members of the Red Snake Gang might see him.
The Feima Market was a mix of dragons and snakes, where anyone could potentially be a member of the Red Snake Gang.
However, today was different.
Going out might lead to a confrontation.
It was necessary to bring out all the good things.
In such low-level battles, there was very little room for error.
A single detail could determine victory or defeat.
Originally, the Black Snake was slightly taller than him, so the Xuan Water Robe was a bit large.
Now that he had grown over an inch, wearing it would fit perfectly, as if it were tailor-made.
Gao Xian looked at himself in the bronze mirror, extremely satisfied.
He took out the pill talismans, categorizing them and placing them in his sleeve pocket.
After checking the Red Flame Sword in its rightful position, he sensed a response from the sword with no issues.
He tied his shoelaces and adjusted the Qing Frost Sword.
Testing the sword's drawing motion, he found no hindrance or discomfort.
Prepared and about to leave, he suddenly stopped in his tracks.
He didn't intend to fight, but what if... what if he encountered a situation where he had to fight?
The world was unpredictable!
He didn't know what he would encounter, so he had to make thorough preparations to adapt as best as he could.
Thinking this, Gao Xian took out the Wind and Moon Mirror, along with over seven thousand six hundred points of Human Dao Spiritual Light.
After some contemplation, Gao Xian decided to upgrade the Electric Light Subduing Dragon Hand.
To upgrade the Great Odd Divine Technique would require nearly half a year.
In such a long time, who knew what unforeseen events might occur.
Consuming over five thousand seven hundred points of Human Dao Spiritual Light, the Electric Light Subduing Dragon Hand reached the Grand Perfection of the Master level.
Lan Jie emerged from the Wind and Moon Mirror, her whole body radiating electric light, with her organs, bones, muscles, and tendons faintly visible within the electric light.
At the same time, Gao Xian's body also radiated electric light, refining his bones, organs, muscles, and tendons...
After a while, the electric light on Gao Xian's body gradually dissipated.
He looked back at the Wind and Moon Mirror, where the description of the Electric Light Subduing Dragon Hand had changed.
Electric Light Subduing Dragon Hand: Mastery over the power of electric light. (6000/6000 Grand Perfection of the Master)
The introduction of the Electric Light Subduing Dragon Hand at the Grand Perfection level had become more concise.
Gao Xian couldn't quite explain the changes, but looking at the Wind and Moon Mirror, he saw that his lifespan had increased to a hundred and twenty-five years.
The Grand Perfection of the Electric Light Subduing Dragon Hand had added thirty years to his lifespan.
This wasn't just about lifespan; it represented a comprehensive evolution of his body.
In terms of effects, this upgrade was far more significant than advancing to the Fourth Level of Qi Refining.
Gao Xian found it hard to describe his current state.
Everything seemed to have changed, yet nothing seemed to have changed.
Gripping the Qing Frost Sword, the intricate lotus patterns on the hilt appeared in his mind, including details like the length of the hilt, the weight of the sword, and the angle at which the sword was sheathed, all vividly presented in his mind.
Despite having the Qing Frost Sword for some time, Gao Xian had never before grasped its state with such precision.
He drew the sword effortlessly, and the green sword edge shimmered as it broke through the air.
The cyan sword light moved like a long snake, weaving and undulating in the dim room, circling several times in an instant.
As the sword hum faded and the moving sword light dissipated, Gao Xian returned to his original position.
In that instant, he circled the room, effortlessly moving through walls and ceilings, thanks to his speed and the Magnetic Levitation Wheel, allowing him to move freely through barriers.
While advancing, he continuously struck with his sword, allowing the sword light to cover every corner of the room without interruption.
Gao Xian sheathed his sword and stood still, exuding a calm and relaxed demeanor.
The Grand Perfection of the Electric Light Subduing Dragon Hand had doubled his speed and reaction time at least.
Moreover, this was only his body's limit, not the limit of the Electric Light Subduing Dragon Hand.
Faster speeds required a strong body to support them.
Moreover, controlling the twenty-seven jin Qing Frost Sword was a severe test for the body.
To coordinate body, strength, skill, and speed was essential to fully utilize the advantages of extreme speed.
Gao Xian had achieved this, seamlessly controlling the Qing Frost Sword with precision, adjusting effortlessly to any changes in weight, speed, or urgency.
It was as if he had achieved a unity of mind and sword.
When using the Magnetic Levitation Wheel technique, Gao Xian could perceive the subtle changes in invisible Qi and geomagnetic energy, feeling the flow of geomagnetic energy rotating like a wheel.
He could naturally make various adjustments accordingly.
Thanks to this profound control, he could move through the combat room with ease, striking with his sword and remaining composed.
Hearing the low sword hum from the next room, Zhu Qiniang asked through the closed door, "Ah Xian, what's happening?"
Gao Xian laughed heartily as he opened the door, leaving Zhu Qiniang puzzled by his sudden joy.
Without explaining, Gao Xian embraced Qiniang and kissed her deeply, saying, "My beauty, go loosen your clothes. I'll be back soon..."
(End of this chapter)