Translator: Larbre Studio Editor: Larbre Studio
Where there were people, there was the Black Market.
If the Martial Market Bank was the one that had made the trade rules for the Kunlun's Field, the Black Market was the one that broke them.
Of course, in other aspects, the Black Market was compensating for the flaws of the Martial Market Bank, trying to build a better trading market.
There were things that could only be bought in the Black Market, such as human lives, weapons banned by the Ministry of War, pills controlled by famous ancient families, etc.
The headquarters of the Black Market in the state of Tiantai was an old city, called the capital of evil. It was one of the darkest place in the whole Tiantai State.
The State of Tiantai had 36 Mansions and 1,296 counties. Over a half of all headquarters of Evil Ways were located here.
Although this capital of evil had suffered countless wars and attacks, it didn't go down. On the contrary, it became more and more prosperous.
Creak.
The sound of the eagle was heard crossing the sky.
Then, violent wind breaking sound was heard. The Blood Soul Chariot pulled by the Gold Wing Thunder Eagle landed from the sky and came all the way to the Black Market.
The Gold Wing Thunder Eagle gave out dazzling gold lights and Qi like a Wild Ancient Divine Beast. It walked on the wide road, frightening all monks of Evil Ways to dodge and escape.
"What a beast! Who's that in the chariot?"
"It is the Blood Soul Chariot of the Blood G.o.d Sect, which only carries great figures. It must be an important person."
People were all engaged in the discussion of the owner's ident.i.ty.
The Blood Soul Chariot didn't stop until it arrived at the gate of the Black Market Excellence Hall. Then, Zhang Ruochen walked out of it.
Murong Yue had learned that Zhang Ruochen was coming, so she had been waiting outside the gate.
Besides her, two monks, one white, one black, stood behind her.
The first monk had skin that was white like jade, and was very overweight. He had a smile like the one of the Buddha on his face all the time.
The other monk was skinny and had skin which was dark like coals, making a sharp contrast to the white monk.
They were the disciples of Intuoluo, Sikong One and Sikong Two.
Recently, they'd been practicing with Murong Yue in the society, and didn't cause any big trouble.
Seeing Zhang Ruochen walking out of the chariot, Murong Yue stepped forward and greeted him with a smile, "Congratulations, Lord Gu, the new Son of Deity of the Blood G.o.d Sect!"
Zhang Ruochen nodded. "Any word on the thing I wanted?"
Murong Yue looked around and said, "We can't talk about it here. Follow me, my lord."
Zhang Ruochen nodded. He followed Murong Yue to enter the Black Market Excellence Hall, and came to a separate courtyard.
In the courtyard, a Defense Formation operated to condense an invisible light canopy, covering the whole courtyard.
"Crown Prince, Your Highness."
Murong Yue kneeled on one knee and bowed to Zhang Ruochen in humble reverence.
Zhang Ruochen nodded to ask Murong Yue to stand up.
Murong Yue stood up, looking heroic and capable. She said, "Your Highness asked me to find elephant souls at the saint level, I've heard some words about it."
Zhang Ruochen put on a delighted face. "Where is it?"
Murong Yue said, "Tonight at an auction of the Moon Wors.h.i.+p Demonic Sect, there will be an elephant soul of the Green Armor Hunchbacked Elephant for sale."
The Moon Wors.h.i.+p Demonic Sect also had business in the Black Market. Generally speaking, auctions of the Demonic Sect were of high levels, which often sold the most priceless treasures.
Divine Origin Pill, Saintly Source, Saint Spell Books…all were possibly seen in the auctions.
Zhang Ruochen felt that he had to get the soul of the Green Armor Hunchbacked Elephant, so he was going to tonight's auction, naturally.
Zhang Ruochen took out a small jar containing one thousand drops of divine blood, and handed it to Murong Yue. He asked her to trade the divine blood for saint rocks.
After all, saint rock was the only currency for the auctions, and Zhang Ruochen had to prepare in advance.
Even Murong Yue was shocked that Zhang Ruochen handed 1,000 drops of divine blood to her. The amount of the divine blood was so large that if it was all traded for saint rocks, it would be comparable to the wealth of a saint.
Murong Yue had a stronger mindset than ordinary people, so she soon recovered from the shock and retreated with the 1,000 drops of divine blood.
Sikong One came to Zhang Ruochen's side. Putting both hands together, he smiled kindly. "Uncle Master, I've also earned many saint rocks by selling the treasures that I've saved for years. I haven't found a way to spend the saint rocks. Will you take me to tonight's auction, Uncle Master?"
"Since you are practicing in the society, it won't do harm if you see the world more," said Zhang Ruochen.
"I want to go, too," said Sikong Two.
Sikong One's big and round face turned sullen, and he scolded loudly, "Junior Brother, what can you do there? You are too poor to have one single saint rock. Won't you cause trouble for Uncle Master if you go to the auction?"
Sikong Two was slow but rather stubborn, "Since it is a part of practicing, why can't I go, too?"
"You dare to argue with me! Won't you listen to me? I'm your Senior Brother!"
Sikong One rolled up his sleeves, revealing his white and thick arms and going to teach Sikong Two a lesson.
Zhang Ruochen stopped him immediately, and said, "Since Sikong Two wants to see the world in the auction, we will go together."
"If Uncle Master says so, you can come. Hehe, you don't have any saint rocks, you can't buy anything anyway."
Sikong One held his arms and looked content.
Zhang Ruochen saw everything and just laughed to himself.
Sikong One and Sikong Two had been practicing in the remote mountains and woods two months ago and hardly had any connection with the society.
In just the two months, Sikong One had totally adapted to the society. He drank, ate meat, became sophisticated, and had even gained some street wisdom.
He couldn't be hurt anywhere he went with his strong adaptation.
Sikong Two was totally different from Sikong One. He remained inflexible, stubborn and slow, ate like a vegan, and prayed every day. He didn't change a bit.
But people like Sikong Two had a Buddhist mind as steady as a rock. Nothing could affect him.
Murong Yue was of great efficiency. She soon had exchanged the 1,000 drops of divine blood into 12,000 saint rocks.
The value of a drop of divine blood varied from ten to twenty saint rocks, depending on its quality.
The divine blood Zhang Ruochen collected from the Netherworld was quite normal. Therefore, it was remarkable that one drop could trade for 12 saint rocks.
Zhang Ruochen put all 12,000 saint rocks in his Spatial Ring. Then he took out 100 drops of divine blood and handed them to Murong Yue.
Murong Yue took the divine blood and was a little confused, "Does Your Highness need more saint rocks?"
Zhang Ruochen shook his head, and said, "I'm giving these divine blood drops to you."
Murong Yue was shocked and was about to turn him down.
100 drops of divine blood were too valuable.
But before she could say a word, Zhang Ruochen added, "I know you don't need resources for practice with your status. But refining divine blood can improve your cultivation and build up your body at a faster speed. I hope that you can practice the Extreme Yin Body to the utmost soon."
Murong Yue didn't refuse. She put the 100 drops of divine blood away, and folded her hands. "I will not disappoint Your Highness."
Zhang Ruochen put his hands behind the back, and looked at the red clouds on the horizon. "Now that the Sacred Sect has been founded, I need many powerful talents. If you can practice the Extreme Yin Body to the utmost, you will surely become a Lord of the Sacred Sect."
"Is the Sacred Sect a new sect founded by Your Highness?"
Zhang Ruochen nodded, "Yes."
Murong Yue put on a joyful look.
Now that the Crown Prince had found a sect of his own, he must have made up his mind to re-establish the Sacred Central Empire.
As an old subordinate of the Sacred Central Empire, how could she not be thrilled?
Murong Yue said with excitement, "As long as Your Highness issues a Crown Prince Edict to release the words that you are back, people must all follow you. Most of the old subordinates will come to you. Before long, the influence of the Sacred Sect can compete with today's Sacred Central Crypt."
Zhang Ruochen shook his head. He wasn't as optimistic as Murong Yue. "Who should believe that the Crown Prince of the Sacred Central Empire of 800 years ago is still alive? And if the Crown Prince of the Sacred Central Empire does come back, will those great saints ruling the world listen to such a young Half-Saint monk? Now is not the timing to issue the Crown Prince Edict. We should wait."
Since the Crown Prince had his idea, Murong Yue said no more.
Zhang Ruochen said, "I asked you to help find the traces of Ling Feiyu. Any word about it?"
"I've sent all monks of the Black Market Excellence Hall to search all 36 counties, but they found nothing. It was said that the Demonic Sect sent more people, and found nothing either. All suspected that Ling Feiyu had died in the battle of the Ancient Race of Prison Guardians."
"No bones found?"
"No."
Murong Yue added, "Attack of the Blood Emperor Qingtian could destroy everything in the world. How could bones be left?"
Zhang Ruochen signed and felt sad.
After all, Ling Feiyu was a half teacher and a half friend to him. She had taught him much of the Way of Sword.
Ling Feiyu was surely a rare female talent who was comparable to the Saint Lady. Her unique talent had made her a ruler of a time.
But, facing the Blood Emperor Qingtian, she had been killed and left nothing.
"However great, people will die one day. The life of a Sword Saint can also be so fragile." Zhang Ruochen felt gloomy. It was hard for him to be relieved.
As the sun went down, the sky turned dark.
Zhang Ruochen, Murong Yue, Sikong One and Sikong Two rode on the Blood Soul Chariot to go to the auction set by the Moon Wors.h.i.+p Demonic Sect in the Black Market.
