Most people who come to this place are looking to get rid of stolen goods or perhaps find some bargains in the market.
Despite being a black market, there are still some good items here. There are thousands of goods, and it's almost guaranteed that at least one of them is real.
The group from Wujī Academy was rare to visit this border area between the two empires, and the black market was a place they hadn't encountered much in their lives.
"Top-quality gems that assist in cultivation can improve a Soul Master's cultivation. Only 500,000 Gold Soul Coins, and it's yours to take home!"
"Blood-patterned Grass strengthens the blood and enhances physical strength; Silverfish Flowers help with cultivation..."
"The Great Sword, made by a famous artisan from Gengjin City..."
"Soul-guided devices, soul-guided devices, all come from ancient ruins. Starting price is 100,000 Gold Soul Coins."
"Soul beasts, soul beasts, a thousand-year-old soul beast with great restorative effects. Starting price: 50,000 Gold Soul Coins."
"..."
As soon as they entered the black market, the sound of street vendors shouting their wares filled the air.
On both sides of the market, booths were full of all sorts of goods—from rare herbs and strange weapons to soul-guided devices, the market had a wide variety.
"Hey! They even have soul beasts for sale here?" Oscar's eyes widened in surprise as he looked at a booth selling soul beasts.
"Soul beasts aren't all large creatures like you might think. There are many weak ones with no offensive abilities, like the chicken at that stall. While it may have some bloodline from rare beasts, it has no offensive power," explained Du Gongyan.
"Such soul beasts are mostly sold as pets or ornamental creatures for some nobles. As for the 'great restorative effect' they mention, it's mostly just a scam."
"I see now," Oscar said, his face lit up with understanding. This was a scene he, as a commoner soul master, had never been exposed to before.
"Since we're already here, let's all have a look around!" Du Gongyan said as she looked at Yun Yibai, and the two of them walked off together.
Feng Xiaotian, Oscar, and the others didn't disturb the couple. Oscar had already invited Ye Lingle to go look around with him.
Yang Tai, Niu Tian, and the others also headed toward another stall to check out the goods.
As for Feng Xiaotian, he had someone in his heart, so he wandered around alone, hoping to find something special to later gift to the one he loved.
When the vendor saw two such distinguished-looking people—Du Gongyan and Yun Yibai—approaching, his face immediately lit up with a smile, as if spring had arrived early.
"Oh, what an honor to have such distinguished guests! Although my small shop may seem modest, as they say, 'A sparrow may be small, but it has all the essential organs!' Whether it's something that runs on land or swims in water, as long as you can name it, I can find it for you!"
The vendor spoke with confidence and exaggeration, lifting the cloth covering a pile of herbs with practiced ease, as if unveiling a precious painting.
"Please take a good look, this is the Lingyu Flower, which I gathered with great difficulty from the depths of the Star Dou Forest! Do you know? This Lingyu Flower is a treasure in the Soul Master community, and it's extremely effective in enhancing spiritual power. Look at these petals, they are crystal clear, like jade, truly a pure gift from nature!"
The vendor spoke while carefully handing over a stalk of Lingyu Flower to Du Gongyan and Yun Yibai. "This flower is worth 80,000 Gold Soul Coins!"
Then he pointed to another item on the stall, which seemed to be a rock, but when picked up, it revealed a noticeable indentation on its surface.
"Next, look at this! This is a Sea Star Blue Stone Coral, carefully selected from Hanhai City! Just hearing its name tells you it's extraordinary. For Water-type Soul Masters, it's like adding wings to a tiger, greatly enhancing their soul power and skill effects. Feel the texture and the luster, it's truly a treasure of the sea!"
"This Sea Star Blue Stone Coral can be yours for only 100,000 Gold Soul Coins."
Du Gongyan had heard of the Lingyu Flower, but the Sea Star Blue Stone Coral was completely unfamiliar to her. She stepped forward to inspect the flower closely.
Meanwhile, Yun Yibai quietly observed from the side, his eyes flashing with a hint of golden light.
With his keen ability to discern, he could tell whether the items the vendor was selling were real or fake with just a glance.
A true rare spirit herb would contain energetic fluctuations within it, derived from the mysterious force of heaven and earth. Such energy could never be replicated by ordinary objects.
He was able to see these forces with his sharp eyes.
While most spirit herbs had detectable qualities, many merchants used special techniques to make fakes appear genuine.
After careful observation and sensing, Yun Yibai had already formed his judgment.
The Lingyu Flower was indeed a real item, but it wasn't a true Lingyu Flower. The energy fluctuation inside it was perceptible, but its value was not worth 80,000 Gold Soul Coins.
As for the Sea Star Blue Stone Coral, it was a complete fake. Although it had some special energy on the surface, it was just a common herb that had been crushed into powder and applied to the coral.
Yun Yibai's gaze swept across the rest of the vendor's merchandise. Without exception, nothing compared to the Snow Heart Lotus they had found in the extreme north.
There were a few genuine herbs, but they were just ordinary ones.
"Forget it, this stuff isn't even worth that price!" Du Gongyan immediately turned away.
"Hey, guest, don't go yet, I have other valuable herbs!" The vendor called out as Du Gongyan pulled Yun Yibai away.
Next, Du Gongyan and Yun Yibai continued wandering through the black market. With Yun Yibai around, Du Gongyan managed to pick up a few items. Though not top-tier goods, they were great deals.
"It seems I, too, have the qualifications to be a connoisseur!" Du Gongyan said proudly.
"This Yan Yang Flower alone is worth at least 30,000 Gold Soul Coins, but the vendor mistook it for a Fire Flame Flower."
"And this..."
Yun Yibai sighed silently from the side.
"Not to mention becoming a great general of the world! If I weren't here, you'd probably have been scammed out of who knows how much by now."
Du Gongyan and Yun Yibai continued strolling through the black market.
Suddenly, a flash of white light crossed Yun Yibai's mind, shooting through his sea of consciousness. Yun Yibai froze for a moment.
"What was that just now?" Yun Yibai's pupils contracted.
It was an unprecedented feeling.
"Is it in this direction?" Yun Yibai's gaze shifted to the left and forward.