Chapter 214: Entering the Black Market

Chapter 214: Chapter 214: Entering the Black Market

From a great distance, Jiang Xu used his Spiritual Eye Technique to gaze at the Black Market.

At night, within the commercial district that housed the Black Market, there was clearly an array-within-an-array formation, enveloping the entire area.

This time, Jiang Xu did not run into Zong Ziqi.

Jiang Xu stood near the entrance to the Black Market, his gaze piercing the darkness to stare at the region enveloped by the Array.

The Black Market appeared especially mysterious at night, as if it were another world, cut off from the hustle and bustle of the outside. An indescribable aura permeated the air—a mix of the tension of trade and the danger of surging undercurrents.

The entrance to the Black Market was hidden within a seemingly ordinary storefront. By day, this shop might have been indistinguishable from any other, but at night, it became a gateway to another world.

The shop’s door was shut tight, not a sliver of light escaping from within.

Jiang Xu slowly approached, his footsteps sounding exceptionally clear in the silent night. He stood before the door, took a deep breath, and pushed open the heavy wooden panel.

Inside, it was pitch-dark. Only a faint light shone from the distance, barely illuminating the path at his feet.

"Customer, what sort of goods are you looking to buy?" a hoarse voice rang out from the darkness, laced with a hint of barely perceptible vigilance.

Jiang Xu looked up to see a figure, half-hidden in the shadows. It was a Cultivator dressed in black robes, his face obscured by a hood, leaving only a pair of sharp eyes that were fixed intently on Jiang Xu.

Instead of answering directly, Jiang Xu glanced around, observing the shop’s interior. The furnishings were simple: just a few tables and chairs, along with some items that seemed to be placed about at random.

"Things of the night have no concern for the light," Jiang Xu replied in a low voice, then stated the name of the owner of the Cultivation Method Shop.

The black-robed Cultivator nodded slightly, understanding Jiang Xu’s response.

He turned and led Jiang Xu toward the back of the shop.

’To be honest, I have a lot of complaints about this password,’ Jiang Xu thought. ’It feels way too cringey.’

As they walked, the black-robed Cultivator handed Jiang Xu a mask.

Jiang Xu took it and, inspecting it with his Divine Sense combined with his Spiritual Eye Technique, was surprised to find his Divine Sense blocked. Only his Spiritual Eye Technique could still see through it, and even that was somewhat obstructed.

"This is a Tier Two Spiritual Artifact. Its purpose is to conceal your appearance and interfere with investigative Divine Sense. It ensures you won’t be recognized in the Black Market, and you won’t be attacked by other Cultivators after you leave."

Jiang Xu complained inwardly again.

’My Divine Sense is definitely being interfered with, but my Spiritual Eye Technique can still see through it. That means this Magical Artifact has some effect, but its use is limited. I can’t just assume I’m safe with this thing on. I still need to be careful.’

After handing the mask to Jiang Xu, the black-robed Cultivator did not withdraw his hand. He kept it extended, palm up, right in front of Jiang Xu.

"What’s this?" Jiang Xu asked, confused.

"Hm? What, you thought we’d just let you use this Magical Artifact for free?" The black-robed Cultivator’s hoarse voice was tinged with astonishment.

"Then..."

"Fifty Spirit Stones per use. Return it when the Black Market closes. Thank you for your patronage."

Jiang Xu was speechless. ’This Black Market is so damn cheap,’ he thought. ’Fifty Spirit Stones just to use this thing!’

"...Can I just not use it? I have a similar Magical Artifact."

"Black Market entrance fee, thirty Spirit Stones!" The black-robed Cultivator’s tone turned icy. He seemed quite displeased; Jiang Xu guessed the Magical Artifact was the man’s personal property, and the fee went straight into his own pocket.

Jiang Xu was completely unfazed. He’d save a few Spirit Stones where he could.

"How come I heard the entrance fee was only twenty Spirit Stones?"

The black-robed Cultivator’s aura suddenly erupted, pressing down on Jiang Xu.

But Jiang Xu remained as steady as a mountain, a cold smirk playing on his lips. To him, the full force of the black-robed Cultivator’s aura was no more than a spring breeze; it had no effect whatsoever.

Seeing that Jiang Xu was unmoved and unaffected, the black-robed Cultivator understood that the man before him was not someone to be trifled with. He slowly retracted his aura.

"Fellow Daoist, please don’t take offense. We’re all just trying to make a living. The situation in Dinghai State is difficult right now, and Spirit Stones are hard to come by. I had no other choice. How about this: twenty it is. And you can go ahead and use this Magical Artifact. I won’t charge you for it."

"Then I thank you."

Jiang Xu handed over the Spirit Stones and took the Magical Artifact. Only after confirming it wasn’t rigged with any tricks did he put it on.

As they ventured deeper, the surroundings grew slightly brighter, but the oppressive atmosphere remained.

Jiang Xu followed the black-robed Cultivator, his heart still on high alert.

It was his first time in a place like this. If anything unexpected were to happen, it would be extremely troublesome.

But it was clear that Jiang Xu had been worrying for nothing.

After emerging from the storefront, Jiang Xu finally saw the true face of the Black Market.

Led by the black-robed Cultivator, Jiang Xu passed through a hidden passage behind the shop. The view before him suddenly opened up, revealing a bustling and extraordinary scene. This was the true Black Market.

The grounds of the Black Market were much larger than Jiang Xu had imagined. It was divided into several areas, each of them sparsely populated.

But while the crowds were thin, the Cultivators’ Cultivation was not low. Jiang Xu frequently spotted the figures of Foundation Establishment Cultivators here.

The Cultivators were standing, squatting, or carefully selecting goods at the stalls. Nearly every Cultivator here wore a mask, and some were even cloaked in black robes that concealed them from head to toe, revealing only a pair of wary eyes.

The stalls were laden with a dazzling array of items: all sorts of rare Spiritual Materials and Magical Artifacts, strange Talismans and Elixirs, and even some illicit secret manuals and Magical Artifacts that couldn’t see the light of day. There was something of everything.

A faint smoke hung in the air. It came from a special incense some Cultivators used during transactions, said to be able to mask one’s aura and prevent tracking.

Jiang Xu’s gaze swept over the various stalls. He noticed that many of the trading stalls explicitly stated they were for bartering, while many others used Spirit Stones as currency.

After bringing Jiang Xu to the market, the black-robed Cultivator told him where to return the mask and then turned to leave, leaving Jiang Xu alone in the Black Market.

Although there was no one to help introduce him to the Black Market’s wares, Jiang Xu was happy to be left in peace.

He wasn’t in a hurry to find the Magic and Spiritual Materials he needed. He had the whole night, after all. The Black Market wouldn’t close until around 5:00 AM, and there were still three hours until then—plenty of time for Jiang Xu to browse.

Jiang Xu decided to wander around the Black Market first and see what kinds of things were for sale.

He had briefly glanced around earlier and noticed some people had set out some strange things, attracting a large crowd of onlooking Cultivators. They looked like... eggs?

This greatly piqued Jiang Xu’s interest, and he couldn’t help but head in that direction.