https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-50-Su-Wanning-Discovers-the-Truth/13509912/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-52-A-Chance-Encounter-at-Bat-Tower/13509916/
Chapter 51: Black Market, Poison, Flying Sword
Chapter 51: Black Market, Poison, Flying Sword
This time, the atmosphere was completely different from the cold emptiness of the eighth day of the previous month.
Before Xiao Chen even reached the tree stump from his last visit, he spotted numerous unfamiliar faces. The crowd included many cultivators wearing masks or cloaks to conceal their identities. They moved quickly, mostly alone, with even the rare companions exchanging no words as they focused on their journey.
As Xiao Chen followed the flow of people, he noticed three cloaked figures in black sitting beneath a tree by the roadside, seemingly resting from exhaustion. Beyond them, the path remained eerily devoid of loiterers until he reached the valley’s entrance.
Here, a line had formed. Several cultivators wearing identical moon-shaped hats stood guard around the perimeter, maintaining vigilance. At the valley mouth, a cultivator at the late Lian Qi stage checked incoming tokens while collecting spirit stones.
“Everyone knows the rules, right? They’re carved over there. Make sure to read them carefully before entering!” he barked, occasionally shouting reminders.
Xiao Chen glanced sideways at a massive stone slab—two zhang long, eight chi high—placed there by someone. Someone had used their finger as a brush to etch the Black Market’s three rules into its surface:
First, every entrant must pay one spirit stone as an entry fee. Those unwilling to reveal their true faces must pay an additional stone.
Second, violence is strictly prohibited within the Black Market. Foundation Building cultivators are stationed inside to enforce this rule. Offenders will be expelled permanently.
Third, the Black Market assumes no responsibility for any transactions. Buyers bear all consequences of their purchases.
The characters glowed faintly orange-red, suggesting the stone contained cinnabar-infused copper ore. The effortless, flowing calligraphy hinted that a body cultivator might stand behind this market.
The single-file line moved slowly, giving Xiao Chen time to observe. Some cultivators hesitated but removed their veils upon seeing the extra fee. About sixty percent, however, preferred paying double rather than exposing their faces.
Suddenly, Xiao Chen noticed a familiar figure ahead—a masked cultivator wrapped in black silk. The silhouette reminded him instantly of Ye Fei from the Second Sub-Academy. Having breakthroughs into the Lian Qi stage and joining the Sub-Academy simultaneously, Xiao Chen had paid close attention to Ye Fei’s movements.
He shifted sideways for a better view, confirming his suspicion. But the figure soon paid their spirit stones and vanished into the valley.
Xiao Chen adjusted his Cloak of Hidden Tracks, ensuring its wide folds concealed him fully. The artifact’s voice-altering enchantment guaranteed anonymity even from acquaintances.
After paying two spirit stones, he entered the valley.
Turning the first corner, he found cultivators clearing patches of wild grass to set up open-air stalls. Most spread red cloth on the ground, displaying their wares. Vendors sat on small stools, flipping through books or polishing items. They ignored passersby until someone paused to examine their goods.
At a stall on the right, Xiao Chen crouched to inspect small porcelain vials. Cultivators typically used jade bottles for pills to preserve potency, but these ceramic ones intrigued him, especially their simple red-corked lids.
“Fellow cultivator looking to eliminate someone?” the vendor grinned. “Left vial: Shadowless Red. One breath kills. Right: Soul Severing Powder. Resists spirit flames. Perfect for prolonged battles.”
Poison! This was Xiao Chen’s first encounter with such items. Sect guidelines warned that toxins effective against cultivators required smoke or mist forms, not liquids. These vials required swallowing an antidote first, then shattering the bottle to release the toxin. Soul Severing Powder, however, demanded Wind Manipulation Techniques to disperse, as spirit flames couldn’t burn it.
He moved on, passing stalls selling spirit herbs, artifacts, and Flying Swords. Then, at another corner, he froze.
A familiar Flying Sword lay on display—the standard-issue weapon for Lihuo Sect’s outer disciples. Though he’d chosen the Green Gourd, he recognized this model from his senior sect brothers.
Pretending to browse, he casually examined the sword’s hilt. Sect-forged blades bore unique serial numbers for identification. But this one showed only scratches where the engraving should be.
The vendor, a burly man with a thick beard, snapped, “Buy something or move along. Stop messing up my stall.”
Xiao Chen memorized his face and left silently. Without concrete evidence, confronting him here risked chaos. He’d report this immediately—better safe than sorry if a sect brother had fallen.
Deeper inside, a makeshift bamboo pavilion stood at the center. A blood-red saber hung at its entrance, its tip missing. From a distance, Xiao Chen felt a chilling bloodlust. Staring closer, he thought he saw fresh blood shimmering on the blade—only for it to vanish moments later.
This weapon reeked of heretical origins.
(End of Chapter)
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