Chapter 126: High-End Black Market, Recovering Second-Hand Magical Artifacts

Chapter 126: High-End Black Market, Recovering Second-Hand Magical Artifacts

Luo Chen knew this story, or rather, many people knew it.

Somewhere, the Golden Mountain Gold Mine was discovered, and countless people swarmed to it, hoping to find gold.

Did these people end up finding gold?

Perhaps many lucky ones did!

But the ones who truly made money were the smart people who sold shovels, food, clothes, and provided lodging.

These smart people not only made money but also avoided the dangers and injuries that might come from the gold rush.

Of course, when it came to resources for Foundation Establishment and Golden Core cultivation, they couldn't be measured in gold.

But the principle remained the same.

Luo Chen didn’t need to be a gold prospector, but he could use this opportunity to get more spirit stones.

After finishing his alchemy for the day, he hurried back to the inner city.

He went to purchase the materials needed for the Blood-Boiling Pill and asked Yuan Xiaoyue to buy the main ingredients for him.

He planned to secretly refine some Blood-Boiling Pills and then sell them at the black market auction.

During such a sensitive period, the Blood-Boiling Pills would definitely fetch a high price!

After purchasing the materials, Luo Chen stayed in the courtyard that day.

The next morning, before he even left the house, he heard an argument outside.

Pushing the door open, he saw a scene of pulling and tugging before his eyes.

"Xiaoduan, don’t go, really don’t go."

"There are already Ninth Layer Qi Cultivators who have died in the Ganyuan Mountain Range. Why would you want to get involved in this mess?"

"Listen to me, Xia, that place is not a good place!"

Luo Chen, Gu Caiyi, Murong Qinglian, Qin Liangchen, and Bai Meiling each leaned against their own door, watching the scene.

Feng Xia held onto Duan Feng’s sleeve, her eyes brimming with tears.

Duan Feng remained silent, his eyes unwavering.

I knew it, you two must be up to something! — Luo Chen

Feng Xia didn’t care about the others’ gazes, her hoarse voice seemed to be crying out in blood.

"Do you know that this conflict over the relic is no longer limited to Qi Cultivators? The Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Great River Market have already set out, and even the Foundation Establishment cultivators from nearby markets are on their way."

"What do you have to compete with those true Foundation Establishment cultivators?"

In response to the last question, Duan Feng’s eyes became even colder.

He gently but firmly pushed Feng Xia’s hand away.

"I know, I know all of this."

"But time waits for no one!"

"That old dog doesn’t have many years left. If I don’t quickly reach Foundation Establishment, how can I avenge my mother’s death!"

The low voice left Feng Xia powerless.

Murong Qinglian sighed and advised, "Xiaoduan, you really need to think this through!"

Qin Liangchen shrugged, "I don’t know about other things, but Old Man Mi has already mobilized the entire Mountain Breaker Gang to head to the relic site. Just the Ninth Layer Qi Cultivators under his command have already gathered fifteen, including the likes of Luo Wuji, who may not be weaker than you."

Duan Feng’s figure paused, showing a hint of hesitation for the first time.

He wasn’t an impulsive or foolish person and could naturally draw many conclusions.

If the Mountain Breaker Gang was like this, what about the Great River Gang? The Mystic Meeting?

The five major Foundation Establishment families behind the Mystic Meeting?

And would the many sects and forces from the Great River Market also be tempted?

Could he, a Ninth Layer Qi Cultivator, seize a chance in the midst of such fierce competition?

But, if he didn’t go, would he ever have the chance to reach Foundation Establishment in his lifetime?

Feng Xia looked gratefully at Qin Liangchen and his wife. She really didn’t want Duan Feng to go to the Ganyuan Mountain Range to die.

But she noticed that Duan Feng, who had been hesitant, was starting to become resolute again.

"Ha ha."

Suddenly, a light laugh sounded.

Duan Feng frowned, only to realize it was Luo Chen, squatting on the threshold, eating Heavenly Sun Fruits in large bites.

"What are you looking at me for? Only a fool would risk their life for this."

"We cultivators strive to defy the heavens, don’t we?" Duan Feng said.

Luo Chen quickly waved his hands.

"No, no, no. Everyone has to defy the heavens and go against fate. The heavens haven’t provoked you."

"Besides, cultivation is all about competing for resources, isn’t it?"

"You’re not short of means. With such a good opportunity to earn a large amount of spirit stones right in front of you, and you didn’t even notice it. Calling you a fool is being gentle."

Opportunity?

Duan Feng was taken aback.

Clapping his hands to remove the juice of the Heavenly Sun Fruit, Luo Chen stood up.

"Considering you joined my Alchemy Hall a few days ago, I’ll give you a clear path!"

...

That afternoon.

At the foot of Qing He Mountain.

As the largest and safest entrance to the Ganyuan Mountain Range, this place had always been the most densely populated area.

It was also the first time Luo Chen had come here.

Outside Qing He Mountain, shops lined up neatly, bustling with activity that rivaled the small commercial streets in the outer city, only slightly less busy than the cultivator market in the inner city.

There were shops selling talismans, restaurants, herb traders, and medical clinics treating external injuries, among others.

Luo Chen even saw a branch of the Lianyun Merchant Alliance set up here, ready to purchase fresh heavenly treasures and magical herbs at the first opportunity.

"It seems there are quite a few people with the same idea as me!"

Luo Chen sighed, nodding to Duan Feng, Feng Xia, and the others behind him.

Duan Feng’s face was a bit uneasy, but he gritted his teeth and got to work.

From his storage bag, he took out a pile of miscellaneous items.

A forge, a large hammer, a small hammer, pliers, a chisel, a ruler, a pool of blue, viscous liquid of unknown origin, several large buckets of water with different colors and a pungent smell.

A palm-sized compass, a few transparent crystal mirrors.

And a giant banner, three zhang tall.

With Feng Xia’s help, the two of them got busy.

Soon, an open-air forge was set up.

Not only that, but the yellow-copper banner was also erected.

The signboard read four large characters, followed by a row of smaller characters written in fresh red liquid.

"Sharp Sea Forge House!"

"Specializing in the repair of low to medium-grade magical artifacts. Can refurbish, maintain, and modify high-grade magical artifacts."

"High prices for the purchase of second-hand magical artifacts, prices to be negotiated!"

Sharp Sea Forge House was the name of this small shop, chosen by Luo Chen!

It subtly included Duan Feng's name and immediately made it clear what the shop was for.

If someone didn't understand, the small red text below would make it clear.

Luo Chen even had a stake in this shop! Most of the tools inside were purchased with spirit stones he provided for Duan Feng.

Moreover!

"There are five low-grade magical artifacts and two medium-grade magical artifacts that can be sold."

"Additionally, I'll give you two thousand spirit stones as startup capital to buy those half-damaged magical artifacts at a low price."

Luo Chen took out a large pile of spirit stones from his storage bag and handed them to Duan Feng.

His wealth, after receiving the advanced dividends and the income from the two shops, plus the loot from the three batches of raiders, had once surged to seven thousand.

Taking out two thousand spirit stones now didn't hurt him.

Duan Feng asked curiously, "Didn't you say you would buy them at a high price?"

"Isn't it a high price if it's higher than the Ten Thousand Treasures Tower?" Luo Chen said matter-of-factly.

Uh, well, Duan Feng was speechless.

The Ten Thousand Treasures Tower always bought magical artifacts at half price.

If you bought something just before and then tried to sell it back, they would dare to offer you half price.

If you said it was higher than half price, it could indeed be considered a high price.

"Once you buy them back, Duan Feng, you can make some repairs and then sell them at a slightly lower price than the Ten Thousand Treasures Tower."

"No, the prices of magical artifacts have increased. You can sell them at the original price the Ten Thousand Treasures Tower used to offer."

"If the customer is unwilling, you can have a big sale, pretending to sell at a loss."

"Big sale! Remember, it has to be a big sale!"

Duan Feng listened carefully, nodding from time to time.

He really didn't understand these business concepts.

But seeing Luo Chen speak with such confidence, he believed there must be some deep wisdom behind it.

"Even badly damaged magical artifacts shouldn't be overlooked. You can buy them for a few spirit stones."

"Since you know the technique of melting gold and iron, you can melt them down. The materials you get can be used to repair magical artifacts or sold to the Ten Thousand Treasures Tower or the Immortal Construction Residence."

"High-grade magical artifacts involve more complex arrays. If you don't understand them, don't take them on lightly, to avoid damaging your reputation."

...

Deep wisdom?

In fact, there was no deep wisdom in these words.

It was just basic business knowledge of buying low and selling high.

Moreover, Duan Feng had the skills to make it work.

If you said cultivators didn't understand?

That would be a joke.

But understanding is one thing, having the technical support is another.

And even if you have the skills, what about startup capital?

Without Luo Chen's planning and a large amount of spirit stones, ordinary scattered cultivators couldn't do this business.

Even if they had all the necessary conditions, what then?

Encountering unreasonable raiders who kill and steal would still leave them with nothing.

But Duan Feng wasn't afraid of such things. At the Qi Cultivation Ninth Layer, once ranked third on the list of young geniuses, he could handle enemies below the Foundation Establishment Stage with ease.

Additionally!

"Take it!"

Duan Feng quickly reached out to catch the token Luo Chen threw.

Looking closely, the front was inscribed with the ancient character "Break," and the back with "Pill."

"This is my Mountain Breaker Gang Alchemy Hall token. It can command the cultivators of the nine halls of the Mountain Breaker Gang."

Duan Feng's eyes widened. So powerful!

Luo Chen coughed lightly, "Of course, commanding is one thing, and whether they listen is another. But most cultivators will give some respect when they see this token."

This wasn't a lie from Luo Chen.

When the Alchemy Hall was established, Uncle Mi had gathered most of the late-stage Qi Cultivation cultivators of the entire gang.

When Luo Chen gave the Fasting Pills to those late-stage cultivators, Uncle Mi had said everyone should support Luo Chen.

At the time, they all "generously promised."

Later, they even specially made a batch of black iron tokens for the Alchemy Hall.

Currently, only Luo Chen, Sikong Shoujia, and Gu Caiyi held these tokens.

A few days ago, Duan Feng joined the Mountain Breaker Gang, and giving him a token was justified.

Luo Chen had high hopes for this magical artifact repair shop and second-hand magical artifact recycling point!

His level of attention far exceeded the Dust Moon Snack Stand and Honey Snow Ice City, second only to his alchemy career!

Now, with the prices of magical artifacts rising, it was the perfect time.

Ordinary cultivators were reluctant to buy new magical artifacts, and with the Sharp Sea Forge House, who wouldn't be able to repair and use them for another three years?

For example, when Luo Chen had seven jade-green knives, one of which was damaged.

Without a complete set, the storm of blades lost much of its power.

Without Duan Feng's repair, this set of flying knives, which could rival high-grade magical artifacts when arrayed, would lose half of its power.

Since Duan Feng repaired them for free, Luo Chen would have been willing to spend dozens of spirit stones otherwise.

The Foundation Establishment Elder at the Ten Thousand Treasures Tower once casually mentioned that ordinary scattered cultivators only knew how to fight and didn't understand the maintenance of magical artifacts.

One could say that there was a huge natural market for the repair of magical artifacts.

If Duan Feng managed it well, Luo Chen didn't know how many spirit stones he would receive!

"By the way, forging and alchemy both require fire. What about your fire?"

...

...

Luo Chen then realized that Duan Feng hadn't bought a large amount of firewood or coal.

Duan Feng said strangely, "In Qing He Mountain, fire is the most abundant thing."

"Hmm?"

"Blue Grass Demon's flames are extremely powerful, but one must be careful when using them to avoid unnecessary losses."

Lu Chen thought for a moment and then asked, "Can you really use this to refine pills?"

"Indeed, the Blue Grass Demon's flames are very powerful, but using them must be done with caution, otherwise, it is very easy to cause unnecessary losses. Moreover, the Blue Grass Demon also possesses other unique abilities, such as stealth, concealment, and poison effects, which make the game play even more interesting and challenging, allowing players to adapt their strategies accordingly."

"Finally, what must be noted is that, although the Blue Grass Demon's flames are very powerful, using them must be done with caution, otherwise, it is very easy to cause unnecessary losses."

Lu Chen listened to this and thought for a moment before speaking, "Can this really be used to refine pills?"

"Indeed, the Blue Grass Demon's flames are very powerful, but using them must be done with caution, otherwise, it is very easy to cause unnecessary losses. Especially, the Blue Grass Demon's flames are a new concept introduced with the Craft of Pill Fire, which has allowed players to control the flames of the Blue Grass Demon more efficiently."

"Moreover, the Blue Grass Demon also possesses other unique abilities, such as stealth, concealment, and poison effects, which make the game play even more interesting and challenging, allowing players to adapt their strategies accordingly."

"Finally, what must be noted is that, although the Blue Grass Demon's flames are very powerful, using them must be done with caution, otherwise, it is very easy to cause unnecessary losses."

"With its massive and easily adjustable firepower, it could be considered for refining second-rank pills, but the cost is likely to be too high."

At least it was a first-stage wood-type spirit beast, which could be categorized as a first-stage demon beast.

Although it was the weakest of all, posing no threat and having no practical value.

But buying just one would cost ten spirit stones.

The furnace could use it, as some ore materials required extremely high temperatures.

Ordinary magical artifacts often had to use Earth Fire.

The Green He Demon was a clever workaround.

Moreover, the profit from a single magical artifact far exceeded that of pills.

However, pills did not require such high temperatures, as the melting points of medicinal materials were much lower than those of ores.

After some research, Luo Chen sighed with regret.

This thing was indeed good, but it was too much of a chicken rib.

At his current stage, he could not make good use of it.

"Wait, what if I use it to refine Blood-Boiling Pills?"

The firewood previously used for Blood-Boiling Pills was not the common Green Steel Wood or Peach Wood, but Sweet Wax Wood.

Sweet Wax Wood got its name because a certain first-stage demon beast would leave a sticky fluid on it during its transformation.

The fluid tasted sweet, and when it dried, it resembled the wax drippings of a burning candle, hence the name Sweet Wax Wood.

In the pill formula he had deduced, one of the main ingredients of Blood-Boiling Pills was Exploding Ape Demon Blood.

The pill fire containing a trace of demon power would help the pure and original Exploding Ape Demon Blood blend with the other main ingredients.

Compared to Sweet Wax Wood, the demon fire produced by burning the Green He Demon was even purer!

"A single Green He Demon can burn for a very long time, and it’s easy for me to adjust the firepower."

"Perhaps I should give it a try?"

Suddenly, Luo Chen was intrigued.

Action speaks louder than words!

That night, Luo Chen, alone, started his high-grade magical artifact, the Four Symbols Cauldron.

He directly added four portions of raw materials, using the Green He Demon as firewood.

After a fierce blaze, Luo Chen pulled out the half-burned Green He Demon.

"Isn’t this thing dead?"

"Why is there still a wailing sound after burning?"

Luo Chen was certain that the Green He Demon he bought from the Lianyun Merchant Alliance was not alive.

A live Green He Demon was very lively, often playing among the mountains and forests.

But the one he bought was like dried grass, clearly dead.

Luo Chen couldn’t figure out the principle, so he assumed it was some instinct left in the muscles and joints after the creature died.

He couldn’t wait to open the furnace lid.

Blood-Boiling Pills were different from other pills; the pill fragrance emitted after pill formation was a pungent and burnt smell.

For other pills, this usually meant failure.

But for Blood-Boiling Pills, it was a high probability of success.

When the furnace lid was opened, seven crimson pills, like fresh blood, were neatly arranged inside.

"Seven!"

Luo Chen was taken aback.

He quickly checked the waste materials and, after a thorough investigation, confirmed that three-quarters of them had failed, with only one successful.

In other words!

"The fixed number of Blood-Boiling Pills formed has increased from five to seven!"

"Whew, just by changing the pill fire, the number of pills formed has changed. Does this mean the pill formula is also affected by the pill fire?"

"Have I optimized the Blood-Boiling Pill formula?"

The increase in the number of pills formed meant a lot to Luo Chen.

It meant he could sell them on a larger scale.

Of course, he still had to calculate the cost.

A single Green He Demon, burning a small part, could refine four portions of raw materials.

On average, a complete Green He Demon could support the refinement of ten portions of Blood-Boiling Pills.

Distributed to each portion, it added one spirit stone, making the total cost about twelve spirit stones.

But the improvement was also significant; each successful refinement could produce two more Blood-Boiling Pills.

Of course, he couldn’t just count the successful ones. At a ten percent success rate, it meant an additional nine spirit stones in cost.

"Can the two extra Blood-Boiling Pills make up for the additional nine spirit stones?"

The answer was yes!

Even if it couldn’t make up for the entire cost, the extra nine or ten spirit stones were manageable.

Moreover, with the increased number of pills formed, it could also improve his skill level.

On his status panel, Luo Chen’s Blood-Boiling Pill proficiency reached [13/100].

"Since I have more Green He Demons, I can try refining more Blood-Boiling Pills."

Recently, most of the Mountain Breaker Gang’s cultivators had been dispatched to the Ganyuan Mountain Range, so the number of people monitoring Luo Chen naturally decreased.

And those left behind were mostly focused on the relics.

Luo Chen could now be a bit more daring.

Time flowed like water!

Luo Chen continued to refine pills and cultivate while keeping an eye on the news from the Ganyuan Mountain Range regarding the Golden Core Relic.

Since the Mountain Breaker Gang had the home-field advantage, many of the news reports were first-hand and not hearsay.

This time, Uncle Mi had mobilized a large number of people, forming a team of five hundred independent cultivators.

The three major combat halls were the main force, supplemented by cultivators from the Ore Hall and Medicine Hall.

Almost all Ninth Level of Qi Cultivation cultivators were mobilized.

Except for Luo Wuji, Zeng Wen, and Yang Wei, even the Beast Hall Master, Ke Yuelin, had set aside the hall’s affairs and personally went.

In theory, with such a large team, they could clear the area.

But in reality, the progress was not smooth.

The previously overlooked Mystic Meeting suddenly stood up straight.

Backed by five major Foundation Establishment families, although only three had Foundation Establishment cultivators, they united and suppressed the Mountain Breaker Gang in terms of high-end combat power.

"Wait, what does it mean that only three of the five major Foundation Establishment families have Foundation Establishment cultivators?"

Sikong Shoujia said matter-of-factly, "Because the other two major Foundation Establishment families do not have any Foundation Establishment cultivators in their clans!"

"Do families without Foundation Establishment cultivators even deserve to be called Foundation Establishment families?"

Luo Chen was puzzled.

"They used to have an ancestor at the Foundation Establishment stage, but he died of old age. They couldn't stay in their original place, so they moved to the Great River Market."

Sikong Shoujia explained without much enthusiasm.

"Even without an ancestor at the Foundation Establishment stage, the clan still has some inherited means that can unleash combat power equivalent to the Foundation Establishment stage."

"Have you heard of talisman treasures and bloodline magic treasures?"

"I know about talisman treasures; they're just talismans that seal one-third of the magic treasure's power!" Luo Chen displayed his broad knowledge and then said with a pout, "After a blood sacrifice, the inherited magic treasure is still called a magic treasure?"

Bloodline magic treasures, also known as blood-sacrificed magic treasures, belong to the Blood Dao techniques.

Luo Chen was not unfamiliar with Blood Dao techniques.

After Wang Yuan killed that Blood Dao cultivator Xiao Wuyan, he obtained many legacies from him. During casual conversations, Wang Yuan would often generously share these things with Luo Chen, possibly hoping that this knowledge could help Luo Chen better refine the Blood Fiend Pill. Among this knowledge was the blood sacrifice technique.

This is a technique for magic treasures that is widely used in the current cultivation world and is not considered a demonic method.

High-ranking cultivators bind a magic treasure to their bloodline.

Only cultivators with the same bloodline can inherit and wield it.

This way, even if the cultivator dies, the magic treasure won't attract the covetous eyes of others.

But the cost is also significant, even more so than a talisman treasure.

A talisman treasure merely seals one-third of the magic treasure's power, causing damage to the magic treasure's inherent power, which can be restored after long-term cultivation.

However, a bloodline magic treasure, once bound to the bloodline, will directly drop in quality.

If it is a low-grade magic treasure, it will fall to the level of a high-grade magical artifact, and at most, it can unleash two-tenths of the magic treasure's power.

Compared to a talisman treasure, it can be used continuously, but its power is even less.

Moreover, even if the descendants break through to the Foundation Establishment or even the Core Formation stage, they cannot restore the magic treasure's quality.

That is a permanent damage!

Very few people would do such a thing.

Only those Foundation Establishment cultivators who are near death and lack the means to create talisman treasures would resort to such a desperate measure.

"Stop worrying about whether it's still a magic treasure. When used with bloodline, the power it unleashes is even greater than a high-grade magical artifact, and it definitely counts as a Foundation Establishment technique!"

Sikong Shoujia said impatiently.

"No, why are you getting so worked up?"

Luo Chen looked at him strangely.

From that weathered face, a hint of worry was faintly visible.

Suddenly, he thought of the reason.

"Your son didn't enter that ancient relic, did he?"

Sikong Shoujia sighed and nodded silently.

If it weren't for Uncle Mi's strict order to stay in the Alchemy Hall, he would have gone to the Ganyuan Mountain Range himself to participate in the relic dispute, whether for the slim chance of Foundation Establishment or for his son who had married into the family.

Seeing the old man's demeanor, Luo Chen didn't want to provoke him further.

After a brief chat, he hurried home.

...

Entering the inner city with five bodyguards and then being personally escorted by Dong Fangliang, Luo Chen returned to the courtyard.

Then!

With the nearly perfected Breath Concealment Technique activated, Luo Chen, who had carefully disguised himself, changed into a different set of clothes and quietly slipped out of the courtyard.

Leaving the inner city, Luo Chen headed straight for the outer district.

After passing through countless alleys and winding paths, he entered a shop selling ordinary clothes.

"Please feel free to look around, sir."

The old woman sewing clothes in the shop didn't even look up as she spoke.

Borrowing the dim light, Luo Chen carefully examined her and then said somewhat awkwardly, "I want the Nine-Dragon Crown and a willow belt."

The old woman's hand, which was sewing, paused slightly, then she shook her head, "The emperor's crown doesn't match the commoner's attire."

"If I add a Deep Breath embroidery ball, it will match."

Upon hearing this last sentence, the old woman looked up, her cloudy eyes fixed on Luo Chen.

"How may I address you, sir?"

"Mourong Yuan."

"Very well, this way!"

The old woman spread her hands, and a faint light flashed in the direction of the back room.

Luo Chen followed as instructed, feeling as if he had passed through a light curtain.

As he walked, it seemed he was going downward.

Suddenly, he was stopped in front of a large door.

"Token!"

"Here!"

Luo Chen handed over a Deep Breath embroidery ball, which emitted a faint spiritual light, slightly repelling him.

Seeing this repelling effect, the black-robed cultivator raised an eyebrow.

"Is this your first time visiting the Deep Breath Black Market?"

"Yes."

"Do you know the rules?"

"Yes."

"Alright, this is your Deep Breath mask. When you come out, we'll give you your own Deep Breath embroidery ball."

Luo Chen took a mask with an ancient design, carved with a dragon, and put it on.

Already disguised and concealing his aura, wearing the mask made him even more hidden.

As the black-robed cultivator pushed open the door, Luo Chen inwardly grumbled.

A token was enough, why bother with a password?

And that password was so lacking in culture.

At least something like "the earth shakes high, a stream of water flows gracefully" would have been better!

Moreover, he was somewhat well-known in the Great River Market, with the name Alchemy Dust widely recognized, yet no one had proactively given him an embroidery ball.

Even Zeng Wen and Wang Yuan had people personally deliver tokens to them.

Who are they looking down on?

But when he entered the door and felt the gazes being cast at him, his heart tightened.

"Damn it, I came to the wrong place. This is a high-end black market!"

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end