Chapter Sixty-Six: Law Enforcement in the Immortal City

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"The remaining cultivators of the first level of Qi Refinement are far too few to keep the Immortal Market running as it should. Therefore, orders from above have come to recruit rogue cultivators to join the Immortal Market, ensuring its proper operation."

"And it was at that time that Chen Zhou, through my hand, was admitted into the Immortal Market."

"The matter of Chen Zhou is, in truth, my fault. I apologize for any distress this has caused you," Zhao Lin said, cupping his hands toward He Song, taking the blame upon himself.

It was precisely because of this that he had striven so hard in the past to secure greater benefits for He Song. Although he had helped in the matter of Chen Zhou, he could never quite shake the feeling of guilt in his heart.

He Song paid it no mind. He waved his hand, indicating the past was gone and needn't be mentioned again.

This allowed Zhao Lin to relax and continue.

"After the incident with Chen Zhou, you must understand how great the difference is between rogue cultivators and us Immortal Market cultivators. The rogues are unruly in disposition and unscrupulous in their actions, while the Immortal Market cultivators are not so."

"Recruiting rogue cultivators into the Immortal Market was a matter of necessity—only thus could the Market function."

"But now, six years have passed. A steady influx of new rogue cultivators stepping into the first level of Qi Refinement have arrived from the mundane world, joining the Immortal Market. Now, the internal numbers are sufficient for normal operation."

"In fact, the higher-ups have specifically instructed us to recruit more of those just entering the world of cultivation."

"In this way, those rogue cultivators who were recruited six years ago have become unstable elements within the Market."

At this point, Zhao Lin paused and looked to He Song.

He Song, meanwhile, was holding his teacup and lost in thought.

Seeing this, Zhao Lin did not hurry to share the internal news he had received. Instead, he mimicked He Song, lifting his own cup and sipping quietly.

The room became so silent that the drop of a pin would be audible.

Only wisps of tea fragrance drifted from the pot, lingering in the air.

After a long while, He Song set down his cup and sighed softly.

"It seems someone plans to deal with those rogue cultivators."

Long ago, upon hearing from Wei Fan of Chen Zhou's daily bullying of the weak, extortion of spirit stones, and countless wicked deeds, He Song had already guessed as much.

Whether it was the Bamboo Mountain Immortal Market or any other, their purpose was always to serve the sect whose territory they occupied.

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The existence of the Immortal Market allows newly initiated rogue cultivators in the surrounding area to gather for easier management. It also provides a way to select those with good character from among them, admitting them as official cultivators within the Market.

Those who fail the selection are left to their own devices. Whether they live or die means nothing to the Market.

This is why the rent for Market lodgings is so exorbitant.

The Market's upper echelons care nothing for whether the rogues can afford to stay or acquire enough resources; they only care about the Market's own cultivators.

Similarly, the sect's high-ranking members pay no heed to the fate of the rogues or Market cultivators. In their eyes, only the sect's disciples represent the hope of its legacy.

In a sense, Market cultivators are simply another form of sect disciple.

Yet, compared to the sect disciples with superior aptitude, Market cultivators must rely on their own efforts to advance. They lack powerful backing and wield influence only within the Market, not recognized by the sect.

Sect disciples need not spend time on chores; their sole focus is cultivation.

Once selected to become an internal Market cultivator, one can cultivate in peace: early, middle, and even late stages of Qi Refinement.

When these well-chosen individuals reach the late stage, they must begin contributing to the sect alongside those rogue cultivators who have managed to survive to that level.

Almost every cultivation method released by sects or noble families keeps a hidden restriction—upon reaching the late stage of Qi Refinement, one must purchase special resources from the sect to rapidly advance.

This is why Meng Guan, upon reaching the late stage, had to earn enough resources in Azure Cliff Immortal City.

Whether rogue cultivators or Market cultivators at the late stage, all must buy the Jade Powder produced by the Thick Earth Sect to accelerate their progress.

Refuse to buy? Then watch others advance swiftly while your own progress crawls like a tortoise.

Thus, the sect can continually extract spirit stones from both rogues and Market cultivators.

Moreover, after cultivating the sect's methods, should a rogue or Market cultivator manage to break through to Foundation Establishment, joining the sect becomes their best option.

No need to switch cultivation methods or leave familiar surroundings; the sect even offers more advanced techniques.

Such temptation is immense for rogues and Market cultivators who reach Foundation Establishment.

This tightly woven system ensures that every Foundation Establishment cultivator within the sect's sphere of influence joins the sect, preventing any from defecting to rival sects immediately upon their breakthrough.

Given these circumstances, the sect naturally prefers a Market Foundation Establishment cultivator with honest character and strong affinity for the sect, rather than a rogue Foundation Establishment cultivator with little sense of belonging.

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Now, with enough internal cultivators in Bamboo Mountain Immortal Market to sustain its operations, those rogue cultivators with unruly temperaments who continue their old ways as official Market members must be cleared out.

One rotten apple cannot be allowed to spoil the whole barrel.

The Market's existence is the very foundation of the sect's power.

Previously, such rogues were tolerated because they caused little real harm, and the Market had no choice but to take desperate measures to keep running.

But now, with sufficient numbers of Market cultivators, such unhealthy influences must be stamped out!

"Indeed, this time, the Market's upper echelons have applied for Azure Cliff Immortal City to take the lead, sending the city's Enforcement Team to each Market for a thorough investigation of these notorious cultivators."

"In this way, your reward could finally be approved, and the Market's atmosphere will be restored to its former state."

Seeing He Song had deduced the truth, Zhao Lin no longer held back, but revealed everything with a touch of emotion.

Such was the news he had received.

Given the pace of Qi Refinement cultivators, the Enforcement Team from the Immortal City would likely arrive at Bamboo Mountain Immortal Market within days.

By then... another storm of bloodshed would sweep through the Market.

Still, it was for the best.

At least, from then on, the Market's atmosphere would improve greatly.

Moreover, this operation targeted only those who joined the Market six years ago and have left a trail of misdeeds.

For him, and for He Song, and even for those who have behaved themselves since joining the Market, there was nothing to fear.

Naturally, he had no worries.

"Notorious cultivators?"

Beside him, after hearing Zhao Lin's words, He Song was shocked.

Immediately, scenes from his previous life flashed through his mind.

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