Zhu Xuanji nodded to the shop attendant and then looked at Ning Zhuo: "You, young lad, are always ambitious."
"At such a young age, you are already the Black Market Master. You're so adept at maneuvering, this Ascend to the Skies seems to suit you well."
Zhu Xuanji teased Ning Zhuo.
Ning Zhuo felt heavy-hearted. He couldn't figure out whether Zhu Xuanji had followed him here.
Ever since Zhu Xuanji examined his three dantians, Ning Zhuo felt that Zhu Xuanji's attention to him had not decreased, but rather increased!
Ning Zhuo forced a wry smile and explained: "Lord Zhu, you surely know my situation, why mock me?"
"If circumstances allowed, I wouldn't want to be involved with the black market either."
As Ning Zhuo spoke, he removed his mask, revealing his true face.
With Zhu Xuanji present, Ning Zhuo wasn't worried about an assassination attempt.
In fact, the previous assassination was just an illusion, or could only be described as a trend.
Upon seeing Ning Zhuo's true face, the shop attendant instantly recognized the talented young cultivator from the Ning Family and greeted him respectfully: "So it's Young Master Ning Zhuo, the talented cultivator of the Ning Family! It's truly an honor for our shop to have your visit."
The Cloud Merchants were indeed skilled in their trade; even a common attendant could speak eloquently and flatter effortlessly without repeating themselves.
"Alright, you may leave now." At this moment, another figure gradually emerged.
This Golden Core Cultivator with a broad nose gave off a very stable impression. He was none other than the leader of the Cloud Merchants, the Cloud Whale Master, Song Fuli.
Song Fuli first greeted Zhu Xuanji and then smiled at Ning Zhuo: "Little friend Ning Zhuo, is it appropriate for me to address you this way?"
Ning Zhuo shrugged, indicating that Lord Song could address him however he pleased.
With the leader of the Cloud Merchants personally attending to them, the shop attendant obediently bowed their head and quietly retreated.
Song Fuli inquired of Zhu Xuanji if there was anything he wanted to purchase, offering to accompany him the whole time and provide some suggestions.
Zhu Xuanji's original intention was not to buy flying artifacts. After a brief conversation with Ning Zhuo, he signaled Zhu Zhen, hidden on the side, to confirm the target of his investigation this time.
Zhu Xuanji said: "I'm just here to have a look. The one who really wants to buy is him."
Ning Zhuo responded: "I'm just looking for now, not necessarily buying anything."
Zhu Xuanji chuckled: "It seems you're lacking this type of flying tool. The Ascending Cloud of the Flying Cloud Country is one of the most classic flying magic artifacts, extremely useful. It's a good opportunity to get one now."
"Don't tell me you're short on money. You're managing the black market, you practically rake in money every day!"
Ning Zhuo forced another wry smile.
Just as he was about to refute, Song Fuli interjected: "Meeting both of you here is quite a rare opportunity. As the leader of the caravan, I'll make the decision: whatever you purchase today will be at a 20% discount."
Ning Zhuo immediately looked up at him, his tone somewhat displeased: "Wait a minute, our Lord Zhu, a Divine Hunter of the Divine Hunter Office and a member of the Southern Bean Royal Family, only gets a 20% discount? Lord Song, you're underestimating him!"
Song Fuli was stunned.
Zhu Xuanji jokingly scolded, pointing at Ning Zhuo: "You brat, my reputation isn't for you to use to bargain."
Song Fuli laughed heartily and immediately said: "Alright, 40% off, everything at 40% off."
Now, even Zhu Xuanji felt tempted.
A 40% discount was quite low. These Ascending Cloud Artifacts had no shortage of buyers. Song Fuli selling them this way was entirely to win favor with Zhu Xuanji and Ning Zhuo, not to make a profit.
Next, Song Fuli led the two of them to the top floor, introducing various Ascending Cloud Artifacts to them.
Song Fuli explained: "To choose a good cloud artifact, you need to look at both grade and quality."
"In terms of grade, of course, Foundation Establishment Stage artifacts are weaker than Golden Core Stage, and so on."
"Quality, however, depends on the spell used and the type of cloud essence employed as the main material."
"In summary, grade reflects current capability, while good quality indicates potential, representing future growth limits."
"The artifacts and treasures on the top floor are all of superior quality, the best of the best."
"Due to their excellent cloud materials, they can at least advance one grade in the future. For example, from Foundation Establishment Stage to Golden Core Stage."
Ning Zhuo was not in a hurry, carefully browsing the top-level cloud artifacts.
He was only in the Qi Refinement Realm, and even if he advanced, he would only reach the Foundation Establishment Stage. The most suitable for him would be Foundation Establishment Stage cloud artifacts.
But Ning Zhuo wondered whether he should get a cloud artifact for Yuan Dasheng and Qi Bai each.
While Yuan Dasheng wasn't Golden Core before his death, Ning Zhuo prepared a new mechanical body for him, with primary components all at the Golden Core level. In other words, Yuan Dasheng's new body was at the Golden Core level.
Qi Bai was a Golden Core cultivator before death, the materials for the Netherworld Envoy · Qi Bai were ordinary, but they contained his Golden Core. When he used his full strength, he had the combat power of a Golden Core cultivator!
Song Fuli carefully introduced the items to Ning Zhuo and Zhu Xuanji.
Besides the previous Somersault Cloud and Seven-Colored Auspicious Clouds, the top floor also had Thunderclap Clouds, Cold Snow Clouds, Black Iron Clouds, Hail Clouds, and so on.
After some consideration, Ning Zhuo bought five clouds.
One Black Iron Cloud of Magical Treasure Level for Yuan Dasheng. This cloud had a large carrying capacity, was the most solid, and had the strongest defense.
One Cold Snow Cloud of Magic Artifact Level to pair with the Weather Balloon·Ice Crystal Snow. This mechanism ball's spiritual nature was second only to Yuan Dasheng in Ning Zhuo's hands, reaching the level of ten-percent spiritual nature, self-sustaining.
In this regard, even the Netherworld Envoy · Qi Bai was inferior.
Ning Zhuo had wanted to get a Ghost Cloud of Magical Treasure Level for the Netherworld Envoy · Qi Bai.
However, there were none available.
He also wanted a Blood Cloud, but there were none available either.
Ning Zhuo additionally bought two Somersault Clouds of Magic Artifact Level and one Seven-Colored Auspicious Cloud of Magical Treasure Level.
Such a large purchase made Song Fuli scrutinize Ning Zhuo for a moment.
"Is the black market this profitable?" Zhu Xuanji was also stunned.
Ning Zhuo chuckled lightly, changing the topic: "I didn't expect you, Lord Zhu, to end up choosing the Ascend to the Skies Cloud you recommended to me earlier."
Zhu Xuanji laughed heartily: "After much deliberation, this cloud indeed suits me best."
"Honored guests, please accept these invitations." Song Fuli took out two platinum-colored invitations from his storage bracelet and handed them to Ning Zhuo and Zhu Xuanji.
Zhu Xuanji opened it and saw: "An auction?"
Song Fuli nodded with a smile: "Yes."
"Our Cloud City's highest-end trading event is the auction."
"Should you attend, it will surely grace the auction with your presence."
Ning Zhuo curiously asked: "Senior Song, could you tell us a bit about the items to be auctioned?"
Song Fuli replied: "Mainly some specialties of our Flying Cloud Country."
"For example, premium-grade cloud tea picked from ancient tea trees deep within the Myriad Phenomena Cloud Sea. This is the world's top spirit food, and long-term consumption may offer insights into the Way of the Clouds."
"Gaining divine skills requires understanding certain principles. This is a good choice for Golden Core cultivators aspiring to master divine skills."
"Another example is the Myriad Phenomena Cloud Seed. Cultivators who incubate and nurture it may grow powerful cloud beasts like the Cloud Whale or Cloud Dragon, becoming a significant opportunity in their cultivation journey."
"Also, there is the Highest Good is Like Water."
"Its full name is The Highest Good is Like Water, one of the Seven Great True Waters, a Water Merit Supreme Treasure. Although only three drops, they can transform a multitude of phenomena and resolve countless rare ailments."
"For instance, it can convert curse power into water and expel it from the body."
Ning Zhuo's heart stirred suddenly, thinking: if he obtained The Highest Good is Like Water, it would greatly aid in his Foundation Establishment and also help remove the various monitoring methods left on him by Golden Core cultivators!
Zhu Xuanji was also intrigued.
"The Highest Good is Like Water..." he muttered softly.
This true water was exceedingly useful, applicable in many aspects of cultivation.
This made Ning Zhuo feel immense pressure.
"In a real auction, how could my finances compete with Golden Core cultivators?"
He had just spent most of his capital on purchasing cloud artifacts.
Facing the auction in a few days, he felt even less confident.
Ning Zhuo thought quickly and asked: "Senior Song, do auctions only accept spirit stones?"
Song Fuli instantly understood Ning Zhuo's meaning and laughed: "Of course not only spirit stones!"
"The items brought out for auction by the cultivators will be rigorously appraised."
"Some items, due to our own needs, will be valued several times, or even more than ten times, above normal."
Zhu Xuanji curiously asked: "What are the items that get overvalued?"
Song Fuli smiled: "For example, Spirit Stone Vein Mothers, Night Rain Demon Soldiers, Tian Gang Di Sha, Yin Yang Self-Rotating Skills, Cloud Concealed Bud… oh, here's the list."
As he spoke, Song Fuli handed each of them a jade slip.
Ning Zhuo took the jade slip. Since he was not a Foundation Establishment cultivator yet, he could only place it against his forehead to view it.
Zhu Xuanji, possessing divine sense, had it easier. He only needed to hold it and channel his divine sense into it to see the contents.
"All extraordinary treasures," Zhu Xuanji sighed.
"The Spirit Stone Vein Mother buried deep underground can convert ordinary stones into spirit stones, spontaneously generating a spirit stone vein."
"Night Rain Demon Soldiers are extremely sharp, often collected by powerful beings attempting to uncover the secrets of the Night Rain Dynasty."
"Tian Gang Di Sha, whether of any kind, are rare resources, essential after advancing to the Nascent Soul stage."
"Yin Yang Self-Rotating Skills are renowned; it's said that practicing this technique generates a continuous flow of yin and yang energy within the body. Sometimes yin and yang combine for dual cultivation, leading to rapid growth in power and cultivation level."
"What is this Cloud Concealed Bud?"
Zhu Xuanji's question caused Ning Zhuo's heart to skip a beat.
Song Fuli glanced at Ning Zhuo before smiling and explaining: "Not long ago, the Lord of the Hundred Flowers Garden, Immortal Butterfly Dream, compiled a list ranking the world's rare flowers and herbs."
"The Cloud Concealed Bud ranks sixth."
"As for its specific effects..."
Song Fuli spread his hands: "I don't know either."