Chapter 203: The Darkness of the Marketplace
Yuling Island.
“Senior Lin.”
Just as he returned, he immediately ran into Lu Yujian, who looked at him with a face full of respect.
Seeing this, Lin Chang’an silently nodded. This person was unlike others who harbored deep schemes; his heart was wholly devoted to the Sword Dao.
“Fellow Daoist Lu, you and I are both Foundation Establishment cultivators. It is better to address each other as fellow daoists.”
Although he and the other party’s mother addressed each other as fellow daoists, there was no need for him to take advantage of this small courtesy.
It was only because Lu Yujian’s eyes contained nothing but the Sword Dao. If it were someone else, how could they be so obedient, calling him “senior” just because of a polite remark from his mother?
Yet he truly did so.
“Fellow Daoist Lin, may I ask you for guidance in the Sword Dao?”
Over the past two years, the two had met a few times, and Lin Chang’an understood his intentions.
He immediately thought of how the Lu Clan had once hidden in the Fog Sea of Tongtian. They must have had unique insights. He could not help but nod lightly.
“Please, Fellow Daoist.”
Seeing Lin Chang’an agree, Lu Yujian instantly revealed a smile.
They had sparred in swordsmanship before, where he had been utterly defeated. Since then, he often came to discuss the Sword Dao.
However, as his mother had instructed, each time before coming, he still obediently brought along some gifts.
In the pavilion, Lin Chang’an brewed Spirit Tea and looked helplessly at the gifts placed openly before him.
This person truly was not good at social dealings, but he was at least sincere.
“Fellow Daoist Lin, regarding the Sword Dao…”
Lu Yujian spoke excitedly about his own insights and doubts concerning the Sword Dao.
Lin Chang’an, however, had far more experience than him. Moreover, he had inherited the legacy of Blood Fiend True Lord, naturally giving him deeper understanding.
Thus, in their discussions of the Sword Dao, most of the time it was Lin Chang’an giving pointers.
This was also one of the reasons the Lu Clan allowed him to come repeatedly, while also showing an intention of forming closer ties.
Yet Lu Yujian, though obsessed with the Sword Dao, was not truly foolish.
Lin Chang’an seized the chance to probe for information, and this time he did not even bother to conceal it—he directly asked about the Lu Clan’s experiences in the Fog Sea of Tongtian.
Lu Yujian did not hold anything back, but when mentioning the Fog Sea of Tongtian, his expression grew extremely grave.
“Fellow Daoist Lin, that place is extremely perilous. Human cultivators have explored less than one-tenth of it. Rumor has it that deep within, there are even shape-shifting great demons…”
Listening to Lu Yujian’s account, Lin Chang’an secretly nodded.
Indeed, the intelligence purchased from the Many Treasures Pavilion only described the general situation. But back then, the Lu Clan had hidden there for over ten years to escape pursuit.
Their intelligence about the Fog Sea of Tongtian was much closer to survival.
Especially the encounters they had faced—various demon beasts and countless poisonous creatures.
“Many people believe that demon beasts are only in the sea, but they do not realize that the islands are also filled with dangers—demon beasts, venomous creatures, and even sinister spirits hidden in yin-filled places…”
Even as this sword cultivator recounted the days when the Lu Clan had to hide and flee, a trace of lingering fear surfaced deep within his eyes.
Lin Chang’an nodded secretly again. Fortunately, he only intended to make a trip there, not live in long-term hiding.
According to Lu Yujian, long-term hiding in the Fog Sea of Tongtian was fraught with dangers. By comparison, he was merely heading to a few safe marketplaces, which was not as risky.
“My thanks to Fellow Daoist Lu.”
“You are welcome. If Fellow Daoist Lin intends to go, it is best to go with trusted companions. That place is full of robber cultivators.”
Lin Chang’an nodded. The two then continued discussing Dao, and both left the meeting satisfied.
They each gained what they wanted.
…
But after the other party left, Lin Chang’an was not in a rush. Instead, he sent a voice transmission to Hu Jin to inquire.
Not long after, Old Hu replied. He had long been considering preparing some artifact-refining materials, so it would be perfect to go together—but only after three months.
After all, he still had an order from the Lu Clan to complete.
“The Fog Sea of Tongtian truly is dangerous. The islands are full of poisonous creatures, and even sinister spirits dwell there.”
Lin Chang’an’s expression turned grave. He was not afraid of poisonous creatures.
But these sinister spirits—he had yet to encounter them.
Moreover, such beings were the last thing cultivators wanted to meet. Their attacks were strange, and more importantly, they had no storage pouches or magical artifacts.
Killing them yielded nothing—not even bones or scraps—a complete waste of effort.
“Sinister spirits fear objects of extreme yang the most. Fortunately, I still have many Thunderclap Talismans. Still, I should prepare more for this trip.”
In the following days, Lin Chang’an began his preparations. Of course, he did not neglect his cultivation.
Three months later, after Old Hu completed the Lu Clan’s order and spent another two months preparing, he finally came to visit.
“At last, I’ve finished. The Lu Clan’s order was rather urgent. If not for the decent payment, this Old Hu wouldn’t have worked himself so hard.”
When Old Hu arrived, his face was full of smiles. It was clear that he had profited handsomely this time.
After all, among the Four Great Cultivation Arts, artifact refinement and formations held the greatest profits.
“I truly envy your craft, Old Hu.”
Lin Chang’an laughed. Old Hu waved dismissively and said, “Don’t. This craft is nothing but swinging a hammer all day. What’s there to envy? Unlike you, with your bearing.”
After a few polite exchanges, they turned the topic to the Fog Sea of Tongtian.
“Recently, there hasn’t been much disturbance in the Fog Sea of Tongtian. It’s relatively safer for now.”
In the past half year, Lin Chang’an had been making preparations and naturally kept a close eye on intelligence regarding the Fog Sea of Tongtian.
If there had been any major upheaval, he definitely would have waited.
Though creating a Talisman Treasure was important, it was not worth such risks.
At worst, he could simply wait another year or so.
“That’s good. I’ve long wanted to collect some high-grade materials, especially the formation plates and formation flags you mentioned, Old Lin. Not a single one of them requires simple ingredients.
If it weren’t for the Lu Clan’s order, I would have gone there already.”
Old Hu spoke in a bold and casual manner, but his brows carried a trace of solemnity.
He would never really charge ahead recklessly.
“Formation plates and formation flags, huh!”
Lin Chang’an looked at Old Hu without changing his expression. He had no intention of revealing his third-rank skills.
But as he had previously discussed with Old Hu, if they were to hunt demon beasts together, a second-rank formation would naturally not be enough.
His Blood Fiend Scarlet Sun Formation would need to be at least quasi–third-rank, or even third-rank, to have confidence in killing weaker demon beasts with countered attributes.
“Old Lin, what about you?”
“Sigh, it is all for seizing a chance. This time, I only want to purchase some materials, especially the hide armor of third-rank demon beasts. If possible, I must trouble you, Old Hu, to help refine it into inner armor.”
“Haha, that’s nothing. Leave it to me.”
The two then made their preparations before leaving Yuling Island, heading toward the Fog Sea of Tongtian.
But before they departed, they happened to encounter the Wen Couple. Seeing the couple’s complexion, Old Hu felt sour with envy again.
…
Fog Sea of Tongtian.
Even just on the outskirts, the lingering thick fog enveloped the area. Even with their Late Foundation Establishment cultivation, their powerful divine sense across the vast sea was hardly useful.
“We’re almost there. According to the sea chart, ahead lies the outskirts of the Fog Sea of Tongtian, one of the three great marketplaces—Bibo Island.”
Holding the special magical artifact that guided direction, Lin Chang’an compared it with the sea chart along the way, ensuring they did not lose their way.
After flying swiftly for half a day, they finally saw from afar the outline of an island faintly glowing through the fog.
Bibo Island.
The feeling of stepping once more onto solid ground made Lin Chang’an reveal a faint smile.
The two had disguised themselves somewhat.
“Truly black-hearted. Just upon entering the marketplace, regardless of reason, they collect ten Spirit Stones.”
Old Hu cursed secretly via voice transmission, though his brows carried envy as he gazed at the island.
Though it was only ten low-grade Spirit Stones, as someone who had once run a marketplace, he knew well that steady accumulation was no small profit.
“They say this Bibo Island marketplace was founded jointly by several Core Formation cultivators. No one is permitted to fight on the island, but once outside, life and death are not restrained.”
Upon entering, Lin Chang’an sensed secretly that nearly all the cultivators here were Foundation Establishment, with even late-stage Qi Refining cultivators only serving as subordinates.
More importantly, everyone carried a fierce murderous aura, difficult to provoke.
Yet as Lin Chang’an reminded Old Hu of the dangers here, he saw Old Hu’s eyes widen as he stared at the dimly lit ancient marketplace, his face filled with envy.
“Old Lin, say, if in the future when we reach Core Formation, we joined hands to establish a marketplace in the Fog Sea of Tongtian, wouldn’t we earn even more?”
Good heavens!
Even now, Old Hu still dreamed of opening a marketplace.
This left Lin Chang’an speechless. Clearly, the marketplace in Tianxuan City had left a deep impression on Old Hu.
To sit idle and earn Spirit Stones was naturally unforgettable.
It was just like robber cultivators—after a single successful plunder, the sudden wealth would always linger in one’s mind.
“Old Hu, you really dare to dream.”
Lin Chang’an shook his head helplessly. The two then made their way to a dim cave.
Inside, it was another world. Everywhere were cultivators hawking goods, while vicious cultivators dissected demon beasts.
The overwhelming stench of blood and baleful energy hit Lin Chang’an, startling him inwardly.
Inside this cave, there was not a single Qi Refining cultivator—everyone was Foundation Establishment.
“What are you looking at!”
Just upon entering, they met a hostile gaze. Old Hu immediately let out a bloodthirsty cold shout, his body radiating killing intent. The man who had glared at them instantly cowered and scurried away.
Lin Chang’an, too, showed no fear, his eyes flashing cold.
Two Late Foundation Establishment cultivators, brimming with murderous aura—no one dared to provoke them lightly.
Though they had not hunted many demon beasts, back in Tianxuan City, they had killed more than a few.
Besides, as wandering cultivators, anyone who had survived this far was no easy character.
“This cave marketplace is the true main venue. Qi Refining cultivators have no qualification to enter.”
The murderous presence of Lin Chang’an and Hu Jin caused many to avoid them.
Lin Chang’an’s cold gaze swept around, secretly astonished.
The cultivators here all carried a feral gleam in their eyes, some even filled with bloodthirsty madness. Clearly, years of constant killing here had twisted their very natures.
“This truly is a murderous place.”
At the same time, the stalls around them opened his eyes.
Materials from demon beasts, bloodstained storage pouches clearly taken from robberies, damaged magical artifacts—all were for sale.
Even living demon beasts howled from cages, stabbed repeatedly to subdue them.
Demon cores harvested on the spot, skinning and tendon-extracting were all commonplace.
What silenced him most was that cultivators themselves were being sold at stalls.
Indeed—men and women alike, all living cultivators, displayed for sale.
“Come and see! Excellent material for refining corpse puppets!”
“I have female cultivators here, fine female cultivators!”
These cultivators, treated as goods, had hollow eyes and scarred bodies.
They were all captives taken alive through plundering.
Suddenly, miserable screams echoed. A vicious female cultivator wielded a whip, lashing furiously at three bound cultivators.
“Cursed wretches! It’s been three days! Why hasn’t your family come yet? If no ransom comes today, this old lady will sell you off!”
“No, please, I already sent the letter as you asked…”
Amidst the screams and her bloodthirsty laughter, the surrounding cultivators remained unmoved, even sneering with schadenfreude.
“Click-click, who would be foolish enough to bring ransom into the Fog Sea of Tongtian?”
“Exactly. That poisonous hag demands far too much. If she asked less, perhaps someone would dare.”
Seeing this, Lin Chang’an drew a deep breath. He felt no anger nor hatred, only pressure.
He did not want to become one of these goods.
Every world had its dark side. He was no saint, never intending to save all beings.
“Old Hu, let’s wander around, keep in touch through voice transmission, and be ready to leave at any moment.”
“Alright.”
The two split up in the marketplace. After all, with Core Formation cultivators overseeing, no one dared cause chaos.
…
“This place truly has everything.”
Lin Chang’an marveled. Truly a chaotic land of the Fog Sea of Tongtian—he even saw people refining corpse puppets on the spot to fetch a better price.
“To cultivate bitterly for nearly a century, finally reaching Foundation Establishment, only to become goods at a stall.”
This sight shocked him inwardly, reminding him not to be careless, lest he end up the same.
He purchased some rare materials at the marketplace but kept his true goal in mind as he entered an ancient shop.
At the entrance, he smelled a strong stench of blood. Inside, the dim house was filled with cages.
The cages held various demon beasts, all terrified, trembling in fear.
“This is the shop the Lu Clan mentioned.”
Seeing demon beast meat hanging from the beams and cleaned bones stacked about, Lin Chang’an silently nodded.
In the dim room, many cultivators remained silent, some buying meat, some buying bones, and others purchasing whole beasts.
As he pondered, a deep voice rang out.
“Move quickly! This shop has just acquired half of a third-rank demon beast. The meat is first come, first served. These bones are perfect for medicinal baths or soups…”
Lin Chang’an saw twelve cultivators with hollow eyes and stiff faces, all Foundation Establishment, mechanically receiving Spirit Stones and chopping meat with cleavers.
They were all clearly refined into human puppets.
And the voice belonged to a man who made Lin Chang’an’s eyes widen in shock.
This man’s body was massive, like a mountain of flesh.
He was the shopkeeper, a False Core cultivator with the surname Lei.
His towering figure sat lazily, waving a white folding fan with a bold character “Virtue” painted on it, scolding loudly:
“You useless trash, work faster!”
He was berating his human puppets, the fan in his hand forming a stark contrast with his brutal presence.
Seeing him, Lin Chang’an drew a deep breath. It was exactly as Lu Yujian had said.