Chapter 294: Chapter 139: Foundation Establishment Spiritual Object Worth 40,000 Lower-Grade Spirit Stones
Zhou Changwang moved silently, maintaining the speed of a typical Qi Refining Fifth Layer Cultivator. Even when occasionally bumping into fellow travelers, they shared a mutual understanding to keep their distance.
Before long, a distant mountain peak appeared before him.
This mountain peak was none other than Yu Guang Mountain.
Zhou Changwang took out the Cyan Leaf Order, confirming that this was indeed the Black Market location marked on the Cyan Leaf Order, before approaching.
As he neared, he realized that his previous worries were unnecessary.
Because there were more cultivators heading here than he had imagined, with some even arriving in groups.
He didn’t need to find the way again; he just had to follow quietly from behind.
In no time, he saw the group ahead arrive at an open space, where one of them took out a Token. The ground visibly twisted, and then the entire group disappeared.
Array!
As Zhou Changwang approached, he confirmed this even further.
Here, who knows when someone had set up a large Illusion Array that required some sort of proof to enter.
It was evident that within the Illusion Array was precisely where the Black Market was located.
After approaching, Zhou Changwang directly touched the Cyan Leaf Order. After a flash of light, the air twisted.
The next moment, he felt a blur before his eyes and found himself in a marketplace.
Indeed, it was a marketplace.
As bustling as a vegetable market.
The crowd was teeming, at least several hundred people.
In one open space, cultivators laid out simple cloth mats and set up stalls.
"It truly is a Black Market.
And judging by the situation, it seems like it’s not only people from the Cyan Leaf Alliance here.
It should be a large Black Market similar to the outskirts of Fengming Dock Marketplace, where even ordinary cultivators can enter.
The Cyan Leaf Alliance merely acts as a connecting force."
Zhou Changwang speculated in his heart.
Coincidentally, two cultivators nearby were talking, discussing the Black Market.
"Brother Zhou, so this is the Black Market, how lively it is."
One of them, probably his first time here, looked around with curiosity.
"Of course, this Black Market opens once a month.
Moreover, its location isn’t fixed. Only three days before it formally begins, can cultivators holding a recommendation Token use it to sense and locate the Black Market’s precise location.
Many people can’t fetch a good price for their treasures in shops, and purchasing things is too expensive, so they choose to trade in this marketplace.
Only happening once a month, of course, it’s bustling."
Upon hearing this, ’Brother Zhou’ glanced sideways at the young cultivator and said indifferently.
"Don’t the Market Guards care? The Independent Cultivator Marketplace was suspended within the marketplace, so how can they tolerate the existence of a Black Market?"
The young cultivator asked again.
"Hey, do you think it’s that simple?
This Black Market has Master Jiu’s involvement, with the Cyan Leaf Alliance as a connector. Every time this Black Market opens, there are at least two Foundation Establishment Realm True Cultivators standing guard.
Even if the Workshop Master knew about it, they would need to show some respect.
Furthermore, how do you or I know whether the Workshop Master hasn’t also got a hand in this Black Market?"
’Brother Zhou’ sneered and then warned, "Here, you’d better not cause any trouble.
If you get into trouble, no one can save you.
I remember three years ago, an outsider Foundation Establishment Cultivator caused a scene here, which led to the collaboration of three Foundation Establishment True Cultivators in this Black Market to obliterate him.
It’s said that the person was even a Sect Cultivator, and eventually, nothing came of it."
"So you’re saying this Black Market is quite safe.
As long as one behaves, there’s no danger."
Upon hearing this, the young cultivator instead felt a sense of relief and said with a long exhale.
"Safe?
It’s only safe inside the Black Market.
Once outside, who cares about you?
Do you know why there are always Tribulation Cultivators around the marketplace? It’s because of fools like you who don’t understand the principle of not flaunting wealth and end up being targeted, eventually dying without even knowing how.
This monthly Black Market can also be the day many Tribulation Cultivators set out.
By now, they probably have already been scouting for targets here in the marketplace.
Once out of the marketplace, they’ll tail you and strike."
Upon hearing this, ’Brother Zhou’ looked at this person with a glance of pity and then said, "I’ve told you before; I only guarantee to bring you to this Black Market, but I dare not and cannot guarantee your safety on the way back either.
However, I can point you a way out: around midnight, there will be some cultivators organizing guard formations for the return journey.
The cost ranges from five to twenty Lower-Grade Spirit Stones.
If you’re willing to spend a bit of spirit stones, you could be escorted back by them.
Most of those doing this business have some credibility assurance, but you still need to be cautious.
Over the years that the Black Market has been operating, there have indeed been incidents where guards themselves turned into Tribulation Cultivators to rob instead."
After saying that, ’Brother Zhou’ didn’t elaborate further, and went on towards those stalls in the Black Market by himself.
The young cultivator, hearing this, indeed showed a hint of panic on his face, finally gritting his teeth and heading forward as well.
"Once a month, location is uncertain.
Within the Black Market, there are Foundation Establishment True Cultivators guarding, immensely safe.
But outside the Black Market, Tribulation Cultivators still run rampant, requiring hiring guards for safer assurance..."
Zhou Changwang, after hearing this, had a general understanding of the surroundings.
Then, he also moved towards those stalls.
The items displayed on each stall were abundant and varied, including Spirit Pills, Talismans, Spirit Plants, seeds, Puppets, Jade Scrolls, Magical Artifacts... all sorts of strange and unusual things.
