Translator: AnubisTL
Sunward City, north district.
Unlike the city's other bustling areas, this was a slum, inhabited primarily by starving children and orphans.
Every few steps, one would encounter emaciated beggars struggling to survive, some huddled in corners silently awaiting death.
Dilapidated alleyways were lined with crumbling tile-roofed houses and mud huts, with barely a few brick or stone buildings in sight. The air hung thick with the stench of decay.
Normally, cultivators rarely ventured into such places.
But today was different. A steady stream of mysterious, masked cultivators slipped into the district.
Those with a shred of compassion often took pity on the starving children and orphans, offering what little help they could.
Some might donate a couple of cheap Qi Replenishing Pills, while others would sigh and leave behind a few spirit stones.
However, after witnessing such scenes repeatedly, even the most compassionate cultivators gradually grew numb.
The sheer number of starving children and beggars was overwhelming. They couldn't possibly help everyone they saw; the two or three children they managed to aid were merely a drop in the bucket.
Moreover, such acts of charity couldn't address the root of the problem. How could a starving beggar, so weak he could barely stand, possibly hold onto a spirit stone?
Often, the moment a spirit stone was given, it would be snatched away by others. There was simply no way to keep up with the constant theft.
Interfering too much could even put the giver's life at risk.
"Giant Deer Prefecture has been at peace for years. Why are there still so many displaced mortals?"
In a dark alleyway, two hat-wearing cultivators approached. One of them couldn't resist lifting the black veil of his hat, revealing a look of pity.
"Giant Deer Prefecture is under the control of a demonic sect. How could the Ghost Sword Sect possibly understand how to govern the lives of ordinary people?"
"Besides, every few years, the Ghost Sword Sect captures large numbers of mortal children to test their spirit root aptitude. These displaced children are likely those who lack a Spiritual Root."
"Actually, this is considered relatively good. Though the Ghost Sword Sect are demonic cultivators, they don't practice the Blood Dao. In the several prefectures controlled by the Blood Spirit Sect in the Great Wilderness Eastern Region, the mortals there truly live in abject misery."
The taller hat-wearing cultivator explained patiently, his voice deep and resonant.
Upon hearing these words, the hat-wearing cultivator, who had previously felt a pang of sympathy, clenched his fists.
"How can they so disregard the lives of mortal citizens?"
"Young master, we should leave. This territory belongs to the Ghost Sword Sect. We can't linger here. That hidden black market might be a trap deliberately set for us." The tall, hat-wearing cultivator urged earnestly.
If any other cultivator had overheard this conversation, they would have been utterly incredulous.
These two were master and servant, yet judging by the faint auras emanating from them, the foundation establishment cultivator was addressing the qi refining realm youth as "young master"!
"No, I don't think so. If the Ghost Sword Sect had already discovered our movements, why would they go to such lengths to set a trap? They could simply send someone to capture us directly."
"I want to see who's behind this hidden black market and what their true motives are!"
The young man, whom the foundation establishment cultivator addressed as "young master," spoke with unwavering resolve.
With these words, he strode forward, plunging deep into what could only be described as a slum.
Almost no one knew that beneath the north district lay a massive underground shelter.
This underground shelter had been hastily constructed by mortals when the immortal dao war threatened to engulf Giant Deer Prefecture. It was meant to provide refuge from the impending clash between cultivators of the righteous and demonic paths.
However, the cultivators of the righteous and demonic paths proved far stronger than the mortals had imagined. Giant Deer Prefecture fell swiftly to their combined assault.
Later, the Ghost Sword Sect claimed this territory, and the massive underground shelter in Sunward City's north district was gradually abandoned.
After learning about this place from some orphans, Shen Ningbing and Li Qing immediately decided to establish the black market here, without hesitation.
"Heh, who would have thought there was such a hidden place in Sunward City?"
"Setting up the black market here is quite ingenious. Let's hope today's gains make this trip worthwhile."
"Could this be a trap?"
"What are you afraid of? Would anyone dare to defy the world and target so many rogue cultivators in Sunward City? This is still Ghost Sword Sect territory!"
"..."
At the entrance to the underground shelter, numerous cultivators arrived, their identities meticulously concealed.
Some wary individuals glanced around several times, confirming that only a few orphans on the brink of death were nearby, hesitated briefly, then finally decided to enter.
The two hat-wearing cultivators who had been discussing the plight of the north district's impoverished residents earlier also entered.
The underground shelter was relatively spacious, though dimly lit and permeated with a faint musty odor.
Approximately forty to fifty rogue cultivators had gathered, mostly from the qi refining realm, with only a handful of foundation establishment cultivators present.
After waiting for a long time without the black market organizer appearing, some began to show impatience.
"What's going on? Are we being deliberately mocked?"
"Where's the organizer? We received invitations a month ago, yet no one has shown up!"
"I heard there was supposed to be a black market here. Is this it? Aside from the darkness, there's nothing here that resembles a black market!"
"What a disappointment. Let's disperse. We've clearly been played."
Just as someone was calling for everyone to leave, a thunderous roar suddenly echoed from the shelter's entrance!
Boom!
A massive stone slab suddenly sealed the passage back to the surface!
Sensing the commotion, the cultivators in the underground shelter grew restless.
But then, eerie, searing white flames erupted in every corner of the shelter.
In an instant, the entire underground shelter was shrouded in an unsettling chill, as if they had descended into the Netherworld Underworld.
Moments later, a sharp, raspy voice echoed through the underground plaza.
"Heh heh heh..."
"Gentlemen, please remain calm. I was delayed slightly, having just slaughtered a few blind demonic path whelps outside the city."
All eyes turned toward the source of the voice. A tall, hooded figure in black robes floated slowly into view, surrounded by rings of ghostly white flames that lent him an eerie aura.
As the hooded figure glided past, many felt an inexplicable chill, sending shivers down their spines.
The mysterious figure was none other than Li Qing!
Initially, Li Qing hadn't intended to come. However, with the black market's grand opening, someone needed to establish order and set the tone for the venue. He didn't fully trust Shen Ningbing to handle it alone. If everything went smoothly today, he could finally step back and become a hands-off shopkeeper, silently pulling the strings from behind the scenes.
Many in the crowd couldn't help but feel a slight tension. They had tried to sense the hooded figure's aura and cultivation realm, but found no trace of any energy fluctuations. The figure was as deep and still as a Nether Pool.
Even the foundation establishment realm cultivators frowned slightly, unable to detect any aura whatsoever—no mana, vital energy, or divine soul fluctuations.
Such individuals typically either possessed extraordinary concealment magic artifacts or had cultivation realms far surpassing their own. Either way, it was enough to make everyone sharpen their focus.
"Heh heh heh, I'm delighted you could all make it here today. As the first to arrive, each of you will receive a token. With this token, you can set up a stall in the black market for thirty days without paying any spirit stones!"
"However, since today is the black market's grand opening, let's kick things off with a trade fair to whet your appetites."
"I'll start by throwing out the first brick to attract jade. After that, if you have anything you'd like to sell, just let me know!"
With that, Li Qing pulled a bone spike, as white as frost, from his storage pouch. Nearly as tall as a man, the spike still radiated a thick aura of malevolent energy.
"A Second-Tier Demonic Beast's spine?" a knowledgeable foundation establishment cultivator murmured to himself.
Starting with materials from a Second-Tier Demonic Beast was indeed exhilarating.
Unfortunately, most of those present were only qi refining realm cultivators, effectively excluding them from acquiring this exceptionally well-preserved spine.
"This fellow cultivator is well-informed. Correct, this spine was taken from a Second-Tier white ape."
"Starting bid: ten spirit stones. Minimum bid increment: five spirit stones. Those interested in this bone, place your bids now!"
Li Qing smiled, holding the white ape bone spike in his palm. This was the last one he possessed.
Unsure what magic artifact to refine with it, he decided to sell it here instead.
Ten spirit stones!
This starting bid was ridiculously low. Materials from Second-Tier Demonic Beasts typically fetched three to four hundred spirit stones on the open market.
After all, this was excellent material for crafting high-grade or even top-grade magical artifacts!
Soon, someone called out a bid.
"I... I bid twenty spirit stones!" A qi refining realm cultivator raised his hand, his voice slightly nervous.
Hearing this meager offer, Li Qing felt speechless but still announced, "This fellow cultivator bids twenty spirit stones. Are there any other bids?"
After a brief pause, he continued, "Twenty spirit stones, going once!"
"Twenty spirit stones, going twice!"
Just as Li Qing's heart was bleeding, fearing he'd have to sell the bone spike for a mere twenty spirit stones, someone finally lost patience.
"I bid fifty spirit stones!"
"One hundred and thirty spirit stones!"
"..."
(End of the Chapter)
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