Pathway

The market was already setup in folding stalls by the antique dealers since It was the time for the village to host the antique dealers. People enjoyed buying and selling of historic things, therefore, it was a welcomed event in villages and cities.

As they passed through the village, they were exchanging greetings with the rest of the villagers, most of whom already knew them. Although there were villagers who didn't know them in persons, they had heard their ancestral name before. Zhang. The people that bought the land at the edge of the village. It could even be said to be outside the village since it would take some kilometres from their cave to the next villager's house.

The village was buzzing with a high number of people, with many coming from other villages and nearest towns that couldn't wait for their turn to host the antique dealers. Flooding the market area with activities, most people were either buying or selling, while some were just looking. It was really a lively and busy place.

The Zhangs decided to split up, to make it more fun and easier looking for interesting things. Ju Feng was checking the stalls when he came upon a stall of archaic talismans. Seeing the owner — an elderly man who wore a blue and white robe — he swiftly raised his cupped hands to him with a slight bow.

"Senior."

The old merchant nodded in response.

"Welcome young master. Please take a look. All are ancient items and of good values, my words on them."

With brows knitted in utter concentration, Ju Feng slowly rummaged through the items.

"Anything you are looking for in particular, young master?"

"Senior, I'm looking for some technique manuscripts. I need light affinity hand technique, lightning affinity hand technique and lightning affinity sword technique."

"Alright, slow down young mister. For you to be looking for those ones, that means you must be light and lightning double elements affiliate. You see, although good hand technique is difficult to get, you can still get it, but sword technique? Either your clan have one or you have a sword master. On the probability that your clan don't have the one you need and you have no sword master, you can only join a sect. That's the best and safest option for you, anyway."

"Senior, a sect?"

"Yes, a place where they can teach you martial arts and weapon techniques. Some of them even have ancient techniques too. It's the best place for you to learn, if you really want to. A pity young man. But I can give you this mountain bark talisman for a low price. The best protection you can find on me. It'll help you as a new cultivator."

"Okay senior. How much for them?"

"For you, it will only cost one earthian gold coin. A gift from me.."

"Alright senior, I'll take it."

Ju Feng paid for it and left the stall with a slightly lifted mood. At least, he got an antique which made him happy with himself. After searching the stalls for more techniques to no avail, he began to traverse the market looking for his family. His mother who had her divine sense on, already knew that he was looking for them and with a few light steps, appeared beside him.

"Did you manage to find anything for yourself."

"I did, ma. I found a talisman."

"Hm, you are really having a great time. Aren't you?"

Zhang Xiu Ying shook her head as he looked at her happy son who appeared to be having a good time. This place was really livelier than the previous periods, the busiest she had ever seen the place in a while. After several minutes of walking around, the two of them called it a day. They've seen enough of the items on the stalls and had already bought the ones that caught their interests.

With her divine sight, Zhang Xiu Ying quickly located her parents who were talking to the village headman, Huan Yu, who was a middle-stage golden core cultivator. As with the proceedings, all villages headmen were golden core cultivators due to them being under the city lords who were nascent souls. Once a village chieftain reached the nascent soul stage, he would have to leave the village and move to the city for further arrangements.

Although he was under the command of the dangerous and wicked lord Bao Wang, the supervisor of the Oak city, Huan Yu was a leader of good nature. His adorable character was the reason why he was much loved by the villagers. When Huan Yu saw Zhang Xiu Ying came up beside him along with her son, he smilingly gave her a slight bow. She was one of the people he held in high esteem.

"Lady Zhang Xiu Ying."

"Chieftain Huan Yu."

Said Zhang Xiu Ying with a smile of her own, giving a slight bow in return.

Huan Yu nodded in acknowledgment. He was aware of Zhang Xiu Ying nature as a demigod of the nascent soul stage, but he had never witnessed her true power before. Even, her aura was always masked. A demigod. So much power she wielded at such a young age. He shifted his glance to Zhang Xiu Ying's left and regarded her son.

"Young master Ju Feng."

"Chieftain Huan Yu, sir."

Ju Feng replied with a bow.

"En. And I hope you are having a good day, young one."

"I'm trying to, sir."

Ju Feng replied, beaming with a bright smile.

"That's good enough for me."

Huan Yu nodded with a smile on his face before turning towards Zhang Xiu Ying.

"Lady Zhang Xiu Ying, I was only now telling your parents about the upcoming Lunar festival. Next month, it will be a thousand years from the last festival and our village is under compulsion to participate in it. You are one of us now, and as with tradition, we will need your presence at the lunar plain when the time comes."

The lunar festival. Celebration of the lunar alignment in the cosmic system, an occurrence of every thousand year. The nine villages surrounding the lunar mountain, will send their lunaries — participants — to climb the mountain and get lunar stones for their villages. The festival was to promote unity and harmony among the nine villages.

"Oh, that won't be a problem, headman Huan Yu. You only need to let me know when it's time."

"That I will do, lady Zhang Xiu Ying."

After saying their goodbyes, they left the marketplace and returned to their cave. Reaching home in great moods, they all went through their bought items, displaying them before putting them away. After they had all settled down from the excitement which lasted for several hours, Ju Feng looked at his mother and asked.

"Ma, what do you think about me joining a sect?"

"A sect?"

Zhang Xiu Ying stared adoringly at her son and smiled. He was really growing up fast. How time flew!

"Hm. Me and your grandparents have also talked about this. We believe it will be good for you to socialize with other kids from different parts of the world. Seeing the difference in human nature will gain you more experience in life. You have the foundation already. As long as you build on the foundation, you will be fine. More over, these sects have access to many manuscripts that we don't have. You will learn a lot from them, we assure. But Ju Feng, you have to be careful there. Alright?"

"Yes, ma."

"We will look for a relevant one for you after the festival. However, you need to train harder for it, because you'll have to pass their trials."

"Thank you, ma. I will."

Truly, how time flew.