According to the fundamental operating principle of the Divine Chart, it involves channeling the user's spiritual power into the Divine Bronze Mirror, transforming it into Divine Consciousness Starlight. This process is akin to implanting a Demon Seed into the Brain Palace of a living being, thereby sharing the host's perceptions and piecing together the sensory ranges of all beings within a certain radius to form a panoramic image.
There are two key elements here: one is the strength of the user's spirit, and the other is the density of sentient beings within the sensing range. These factors directly determine the clarity and detail of the Divine Chart's manifestation.
When Yu Ci was in the Nature-Connecting Realm, the Divine Consciousness Starlight was unable to penetrate the defensive barrier of a Golden Elixir cultivator. Now, the Golden Elixir Stage is no longer an obstacle, but realms above Vacuum Walking still remain elusive; the initial manifestation of the Divine Chart had its limits in the sky and underground, precisely because beyond those points, the density of beings was insufficient to form an effective image.
However, during the period when the Divine Chart was ineffective, Yu Ci grasped the nuances of manipulating the Divine Consciousness Starlight. As a result, his current operation of the Divine Chart is no longer the rigid, automatic process dictated by the Treasure Mirror, but rather one that can be intuitively adjusted in focus and perspective.
In other words, he can completely bypass interference from powerful targets. As long as the target is within the sensory range of other beings, it cannot escape his scrutiny; at most, his viewpoint may be restricted. The "haze" that often obscured his vision has largely been alleviated.
Similarly, by swiftly shifting his perspective, he can explore areas where the density of sentient beings is extremely low, albeit with a limited sensory range.
Of course, at present in the Hundred Streams Market, no one is qualified to trouble Yu Ci. There are a few Golden Elixir cultivators here, but not a single "Big Shot" of a higher level. Yu Ci can effortlessly keep his gaze fixed on Shen Wan, without any concern for interference. Especially considering Shen Wan's Cultivation Level, if he so desired, he could delve even deeper, but he has yet to stoop to such vulgarity.
He was merely intrigued by Shen Wan's actions.
The female cultivator and her attendants continuously made their way through the market, often pausing to inquire about prices and engage in brief chats with the vendors, occasionally making a purchase. Their movements did not suggest aimless wandering, yet discerning their true purpose was not immediately clear.
Yu Ci observed quietly, while his companion Wan Quan was more overt, craning his neck under the cover of the crowd to get a better look. Noticing Wan Quan's alternating expressions of laughter and nods, Yu Ci felt a stir of curiosity and asked:
"Do you have any idea what that lady is up to?"
Hearing the question, Wan Quan quickly turned his head, and seeing no displeasure on Yu Ci's face, he scratched his head and chuckled, "She seems to have encountered a peer and is checking out the competition."
This seemed to fit the identity of a female cultivator, but for a steward of the esteemed Random Heart Pavilion to lower herself in such a manner seemed out of place. Moreover, having established a shop in Yin Cave City, it would be quite the joke if she were not already well-informed about such matters.
At that moment, Yu Ci recalled what Wan Quan had mentioned the day before—the Random Heart Pavilion's Yin Cave City branch was performing poorly and was on the verge of closing. After a moment's thought, he continued, "Who's in charge of the Random Heart Pavilion's Yin Cave City branch?"
For Wan Quan, this leap in the conversation was unexpected, and it took him a moment to respond, "It's Patriarch Guo Lu, but rumors say he's fallen seriously ill and has gone back south to recuperate. People say he's been angered by the current situation. As for his successor, it's uncertain now—eh?"
Wan Quan was quick-witted and immediately caught on, "Is this lady from the Random Heart Pavilion?"
Yu Ci glanced at him and merely smiled.
Wan Quan was both startled and delighted. He did not know where Yu Ci had gotten his information, but he assumed a man of his stature wouldn't bother to deceive him. As a middleman, such information was too valuable to ignore. The appearance of the female cultivator could signify a certain stance from the Random Heart Pavilion. What was once a certain closure now seemed up in the air. Knowing this ahead of others opened up many possibilities for action.
Of course, even if the Random Heart Pavilion was struggling in Yin Cave City, a lean camel is still bigger than a horse. If he could further establish a connection, it would be even better.
Rubbing his hands together with eager anticipation, Yu Ci had already acquired the information he sought and set his sights on the Dustless Market. Wan Quan had no choice but to follow, albeit reluctantly. Nevertheless, he remained preoccupied with the matter at hand, and along the way, he released his Gnawless Yin Mouse to send a message, instructing his comrades from The Neighborhood to also try their luck at the Hundred Streams Market, attempting to make contact with the female cultivator. Yu Ci, however, paid little mind to these subtle maneuvers.
This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
Subsequently, Wan Quan resumed his professional demeanor, conscientiously focusing on providing Yu Ci with a detailed introduction to the market, emphasizing certain taboos.
"During the market, private fighting is strictly prohibited. No matter how grievous the enmity, it must be settled outside. Those who violate this rule will not only face immediate consequences but can also forget about setting foot in the 'Three Families Market' ever again.
"Here, we also discourage prying into origins. Whatever treasures one brings to sell, they are just that—items for sale. A seller has the right to conceal their identity and is under no obligation to explain the origins of their wares.
"It's best not to inquire into the identities of other buyers either. It can make others suspect ulterior motives, and if you ask too many questions, the market will become wary. Gaining entry in the future could become quite troublesome. To sum it up in one sentence, 'Use your eyes and your mouth, but keep your hands to yourself; discuss the goods and the price, but not the person.'"
Yu Ci nodded in agreement: "It is only proper."
These rules were not particularly surprising. For a black market to thrive long-term, such precautions were essential; otherwise, any semblance of order would soon descend into chaos. Ultimately, the 'Three Families Market's ability to control the environment was key. In Yu Ci's view, while the 'Three Families Market' might not match the might of the great southern merchants, it certainly had the air of a Local Strongman, which was no doubt why it flourished so successfully.
The Dustless Market indeed offered a far superior environment compared to the Hundred Streams Market, and its operational model differed as well. Here, the items were curated and had passed through the market's scrutiny, thus when presented for sale, they were detached from their sellers and displayed in an exhibition-like format, somewhat reminiscent of the Treasure Exchange Banquet at the Random Heart Pavilion.
Hundreds of Exotic Materials and Rare Treasures were neatly categorized and arrayed, offering a truly impressive spectacle. However, this awe-inspiring sight was one that only Yu Ci could fully appreciate.
In reality, the display and sale were divided into seven or eight Exhibition Halls, each housed within its own independent Rock Cave. Although there were connecting passageways, it was impossible to see everything clearly. Only with Yu Ci's manipulation of the Divine Chart could the various Exhibition Halls be seamlessly pieced together, laid bare in their entirety.
Regrettably, the materials he needed were absent.
Wan Quan had anticipated this situation and whispered to his senior, "You can also place a request for purchase here, but it must be handled personally. List the materials you seek, and if they are collected in the interim, there's no need to wait for the next market day. The 'Three Families Market' will naturally arrange a meeting for you to negotiate with the seller..."
As he spoke, Wan Quan noticed Yu Ci's distraction and fell silent.
From Wan Quan's perspective, Yu Ci seemed to be lost in thought over an exhibit. However, Yu Ci's attention had already reached the bounds of the Hundred Streams Market through the Divine Bronze Mirror. There, a minor disturbance had just taken place.
Yu Ci had no interest in the cause or outcome of the commotion. He only noticed that it occurred not far from Shen Wan, causing a momentary chaos among the surrounding Cultivators. In that instant, Shen Wan and her attendants were on high alert, their vigilance stimulating the Divine consciousness starlight nested within the Brain Palace, drawing Yu Ci's attention.
Initially, Yu Ci considered this an accident, as did Shen Wan and her companion, who soon relaxed their tense spirits. Just as Yu Ci was about to retract his thoughts, something stirred within him.
At that moment, someone staggered past Shen Wan, seemingly jostled by the crowded throngs and quickly left, cursing under their breath. This would have been a normal occurrence, but Yu Ci sensed something amiss.
That person was a Golden Elixir cultivator!
This individual had deliberately concealed their aura, even employing a Magical Instrument to mask the Gang Sha Fluctuations, with preparations that could not be deemed anything less than meticulous. However, when Yu Ci deployed the Divine Chart, he naturally infused it with Divine consciousness starlight, which took residence within his Brain Palace. From the outset, Yu Ci saw through the man's Cultivation Level, marking him as one to watch.
Despite the temporary nature of such parasitic surveillance, under the luminescence of the astral light, every move of the individual could not escape the watchful eyes of Yu Ci—a Golden Elixir cultivator nearly toppled over, was this some kind of jest?
Thus, Yu Ci saw it, at the moment when the man came closest to Shen Wan, something slipped from his grasp, fluttering onto the hem of the lady’s skirt, yet to the naked eye, there was not a trace to be found.
With swift execution, Shen Wan and her companions remained blissfully unaware, while the man made a quick exit, leaving the Three Families Market in no time, and blending into the bustling throng of Yin Cave City.
"Is this some kind of poisoning?" Yu Ci wondered, sensing that the tactic was not so simple and crude.
He kept an eye on Shen Wan while part of his mind pursued the Golden Elixir cultivator. The man was decisive and swift, leaving the Three Families Market and heading straight out of Yin Cave City, disappearing into the labyrinthine subterranean passages.
"Should I try a different method of parasitism?" Yu Ci pondered.
There were two methods for parasitizing with Divine consciousness starlight. One was the temporary kind he was currently employing—intangible, silent, and nearly undetectable, but with a duration of only six hours, after which it would dissipate naturally. The other involved embedding the Divine consciousness starlight deep within the target's soul, which lasted considerably longer, but if the target had a strong Cultivation Level, it could be easily detected.
Yu Ci made an attempt, but the target's vigilance exceeded his expectations, and his Cultivation Level was superior. The "embedded" parasitism failed, and during that time, the man had already traveled fifty li away.
After some consideration, Yu Ci withdrew the Radiant Divine Chart and entered the "Lone Star" state of perception.
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I have also posted the following more chapters [All free]: https://www.readgates.com/article/74a39e