Chapter 47: Sights and Sounds of the Demon City
Chapter 47: Chapter 47: Sights and Sounds of the Demon City
Early the next morning, Xu Chang’an left his dwelling and began to wander through the Demon City.
The Outer City of Peacock Demon City was a place for Demons of the Qi Refining Realm to trade. Foundation Establishment Great Demons rarely appeared there.
The resources sold in the Inner City, however, were clearly of a higher grade, making it a frequent haunt for Foundation Establishment Great Demons.
Xu Chang’an was currently using a Stealth Technique, disguised as a Wild Wolf Demon.
Although his Concealment Spell was of a high Realm, there was no guarantee it wouldn’t be seen through by some experienced Foundation Establishment Great Demons.
If his true form were exposed, it might not necessarily cause great trouble, but it was still an uncontrollable risk.
With this concern in mind, he naturally wouldn’t go to the Inner City.
Instead, he loitered around the Outer City.
Fortunately, trade was booming in Peacock Demon City. Even in the Outer City, the grade of resources for sale was a clear step above that of the White Maple Mountain Marketplace.
Demon Talismans, Elixirs, Magical Artifacts, various cultivation miscellanea...
Xu Chang’an had quite a few resources he needed to sell off.
He wasn’t in a hurry. Instead, he found several shops and sold his items off in separate, small batches.
After spending the entire day, he had sold off the vast majority of his resources.
’The miscellaneous resources were easy enough to deal with. But... these Middle-grade Magical Artifacts!’
He thought to himself.
The other Demon Talismans and Elixirs could be sold in batches at different shops.
But Middle-grade Magical Artifacts had to be sold one by one.
And the level of trade in Peacock Demon City’s Outer City was much higher than in an ordinary Marketplace.
Naturally, Middle-grade Magical Artifacts were also bought and sold.
But rashly selling Middle-grade Magical Artifacts would inevitably attract the attention of certain demons.
’Should I go to the Inner City?!’
Xu Chang’an’s eyes flickered.
A Middle-grade Magical Artifact was still conspicuous in the Outer City, but it would be nothing special in the Inner City.
However, if he went to the Inner City, the risk of his true identity being exposed would increase dramatically.
’I need to understand the situation better! First, I’ll investigate matters concerning Top-grade Magical Artifacts. Once I have clear information...’
’...then I’ll make a plan!’
After a moment’s thought, Xu Chang’an made his decision.
He extended his stay at the dwelling for a few more days and settled down in Peacock Demon City.
Over the next few days, Xu Chang’an frequented various places in the Outer City.
Besides the shops and trading venues, the Demon City also had places for Demons to relax and entertain themselves.
The Demon Path was arduous, and its followers had many different approaches.
Some were ascetics dedicated solely to bitter cultivation, while others were hedonists who enjoyed relaxing and living in the moment.
During this time, Xu Chang’an didn’t actively ask questions, but quietly listened from the sidelines.
After a few days, he had gained a general understanding of the situation in the Demon City.
’No wonder there were so many ambushes and killings on the way here a few days ago.’
’It turns out the Demon City just held an auction not long ago!’
Every year, Peacock Demon City would host an auction.
Many rare treasures would be sold at the event.
Naturally, many Demons would reveal their wealth at the auction.
And afterward, they would be ambushed and killed by other Demons outside the Demon City.
A single auction could lead to who knows how many incidents.
Yet Demons still flocked to it, one after another.
’Confrontation and flaunting wealth—both are surefire ways to court disaster!’
Xu Chang’an sighed to himself again.
’A Top-grade Magical Artifact was auctioned off recently. But the auction is over now!’
’If I want to wait for the next one, it’ll be at least a year.’
’Besides, bidding at an auction is extremely risky, with all sorts of characters mixed in!’
’There are a few Blacksmiths in the Outer City who can forge Top-grade Magical Artifacts.’
’But their skill level isn’t much higher than Master Tie’s from the White Maple Mountain Marketplace!’
’They’re useless to me.’
’The Inner City has plenty of Master Forgers who can even create Supreme-grade Magical Artifacts!’
’They rarely fail when forging Top-grade Magical Artifacts!’
’Perhaps... it’s time to visit the Inner City!’
Xu Chang’an immediately made his decision.
Afterward, his Wild Wolf Demon disguise walked out of Peacock Demon City.
After traveling dozens of miles away, he found a secluded spot and dispelled his Concealment Spell.
A moment later, a Mouse Demon the size of a human teenager appeared in his place.
It had the head and features of a mouse, with a pair of small, shifty eyes, and stood upright like a human, looking rather amusing.
’Come to think of it, the number of times I’ve revealed my true form can be counted on one hand.’
Xu Chang’an sized himself up, feeling a bit rueful.
On Langlang Mountain, he had to hide his Cultivation, so it was naturally unwise to reveal his true size.
Although he appeared as a Mouse Demon, it was only at the size of a common squirrel.
He had almost never appeared like he did now.
’I’ll stay here for the night and enter the Demon City tomorrow!’
With a glint in his eye, Xu Chang’an found a giant tree and used a Magical Artifact to fly up into it.
Now that he had decided to enter the Inner City of Peacock Demon City, continuing to use a Concealment Spell to hide himself would be foolishly obvious.
If he was discovered by a Foundation Establishment Great Demon, it would be like burying one’s head in the sand.
It would likely create unforeseen complications!
So, Xu Chang’an decided to simply enter the city in his true form, revealing his aura.
This place was far from Langlang Mountain.
’No Demon here will recognize me!’
Before resting, he took an Array Flag out of his Storage Bag.
Channeling his Demon Power, he spent a short while setting up a small, Middle-grade defensive Array around him.
This Array was sufficient to provide a certain level of warning and Defense.
It could even hold off an attack from a Late-stage Qi Refining Demon for a short time.
’Even though it’s only for one night, I’m outside the city walls. I must be cautious and take precautions!’
’Better safe than sorry!’
It wasn’t until nearly noon the next day that Xu Chang’an leisurely made his way toward the Demon City.
A short time later, a Qi Refining Eighth Layer Mouse Demon swaggered into Peacock Demon City.
Peacock Demon City, Hundred Tools Workshop
Xu Chang’an looked up at the magnificent pavilion before him and stepped inside.
He had already gathered information a few days ago about the most famous forging shops in the Inner City.
The Hundred Tools Workshop was his primary target for this trip.
The Hundred Tools Workshop had been in Peacock Demon City for several hundred years.
Its forging techniques were passed down from generation to generation.
Almost every generation had a Master Forger capable of creating Supreme-grade Magical Artifacts presiding over it.
Being able to forge a Supreme-grade Magical Artifact meant their forging Skills had reached Tier Two.
This level of skill alone was enough to put them on equal footing with a Foundation Establishment Great Demon.
Xu Chang’an chose the Hundred Tools Workshop not only for its credentials but also for its reputation.
The Hundred Tools Workshop had an excellent reputation and stellar word-of-mouth; he had never heard of them using their size to bully customers.
Thus, it was perfectly suited for him.
"Greetings, senior. How can I help you?"
A Little Demon greeted him as soon as he entered the shop.
The Little Demon was merely at the Qi Refining First Layer of Cultivation, so it was only natural for him to call Xu Chang’an "senior."
Xu Chang’an stated his purpose and was immediately led by the Little Demon into a private room.
In the meantime, many other Demons were coming and going from the shop.
Inside the private room, there was a dedicated Blacksmith consultant.
They offered one-on-one consultations to understand the customer’s needs and requirements for their desired Magical Artifact.
’Their service is quite thoughtful, no worse than what you’d find in a Human Race Marketplace!’
Xu Chang’an thought to himself.
The one who received Xu Chang’an was a Yellow Ox Demon, incredibly burly and standing more than twenty feet tall.
But he had a smile on his face and seemed quite gentle.
’You can really tell they’re professionals!’
Xu Chang’an mused again.
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