Most people knew that Dahe Market had a black market.
Or rather, any market would have one.
It existed specifically for rogue cultivators to trade in goods that couldn't see the light of day.
Take Wang Yuan, for example, who had done dirty work for the Mountain Breaker Gang in the past.
Yet most of the things he sold at the Rogue Cultivator Market were low- or mid-grade dharma artifacts. The cultivation manuals and books were merely basic introductory spells or items of little value like the *Record of Customs Across the Six Domains*.
Could an organization as massive as the Mountain Breaker Gang deal in illicit goods of only that caliber?
Obviously not!
Anything slightly higher-end would easily involve grudges and enemies.
Consequently, virtually all of those items were funneled into the black market for trade.
Even so, black markets came in different tiers!
A low-end black market might just be organized among a bunch of Qi Refinement rogue cultivators. The best things traded there would at most be superior-grade dharma artifacts or some tier-one top-grade spiritual materials.
Most participants were only at the mid-to-late Qi Refinement stage.
Yet today, not a single participant at this Zhenlong Black Market Luo Chen was attending was weak!
Luo Chen had exceptionally sharp spiritual senses. Even though most of the dozens of people present had reined in their auras just like him, over half of them still gave him a feeling of danger.
And currently, the beings capable of giving him that sensation were almost exclusively cultivators at the ninth level of Qi Refinement and above.
In other words, the vast majority of today's attendees were ninth-level Qi Refinement cultivators.
Moreover, there were three individuals whom no one dared to look at directly, even though they simply sat there motionlessly.
Three Foundation Establishment cultivators!
*Didn't they say all the Foundation Establishment cultivators of Dahe Market went to the Golden Core ruins?*
*Why are there still three right here?!*
*Zeng Wen really overestimated me, recommending me straight into this place.*
*I wanted to go to a lower-end black market!* Luo Chen complained frantically in his heart.
With the arrival of two subsequent cultivators, the heavy doors shut tightly.
Among the three Foundation Establishment figures, one wearing a golden mask rose to his feet.
He had a gaunt build, appearing like a flickering candle in the wind, but combined with that golden mask and the surging aura of a Foundation Establishment cultivator radiating from him, no one dared to underestimate him.
As he clapped his hands, clicking sounds echoed across the dimly lit underground hall.
Immediately, over a dozen crystal glazed lanterns cast a soft glow, illuminating the central area as bright as day.
A golden beast-hide carpet, an antique sandalwood table, and a massive compass of five distinct colors were revealed before everyone.
Catching sight of that compass, Luo Chen felt a jolt in his heart.
A magic treasure!
The host of this place had actually placed a magic treasure out in the open so casually.
Was it for deterrence? Or did it serve another purpose?
He discreetly glanced around at the others and noticed that apart from a few whose surging emotions leaked traces of spiritual energy, most sat quietly in their chairs.
These people seemed accustomed to it, already knowing that such a magic treasure would be here.
*They're all regulars!*
*In other words, those few who were caught off guard and shocked are new faces, just like me?*
While he was observing his surroundings, the gaunt Foundation Establishment cultivator gave two dry coughs.
"This old man is Tianxingzi, humbled to serve as the master of the Zhenlong Black Market. Today, I shall also be presiding over the transactions."
"It is a pleasure to see many old friends, and I welcome our newly joined fellow Daoists as well."
"The rules of our market are very simple. First, as hosts, we will auction off several cultivation resources. Those interested may place their bids. If you lack sufficient spirit stones, you may also bid with resources of equivalent value. As for whether those resources are worth the corresponding spirit stones, I shall make the assessment. I trust everyone has confidence in this old man's discernment!"
"The second phase allows fellow Daoists to present your own items for auction. Bidding is open, and the highest bidder wins. Should anyone question whether an auctioned item is authentic, you may invite this old man to judge. If you do not trust this old man, this Five-Colored Treasure Compass will also provide a satisfactory answer."
As he spoke, Tianxingzi rested his hand upon the massive five-colored compass.
"However, if you wish to employ the Five-Colored Treasure Compass, a handling fee of ten spirit stones is required each time."
"To ensure new Daoists understand this magic treasure, this old man will briefly introduce it."
"The Five-Colored Treasure Compass was crafted by Master Craftsman Huyan Zhuo of Tianfan City, a low-grade magic treasure. Its function is to appraise spiritual materials, dharma artifacts, pills... One could say that as long as a treasure is below tier three, it can provide a relatively accurate evaluation of its grade."
*Huyan Zhuo again?*
Hearing that name, Luo Chen's heart gave a thump.
He remembered that Mi Shuhua's Heavenly Moon Purple Gold Wheel and his own Four Symbols Cauldron both seemed to have come from that man's hands.
*That guy is a crafting fanatic! His output is incredible!*
"Very well, so much for introducing the magic treasure. The final segment will be private trading among fellow Daoists. If you are uncertain about the pricing during transactions, you may also use the Five-Colored Treasure Compass, with the same fee of ten spirit stones per appraisal."
After laying out the extensive rules and regulations, Tianxingzi paused.
Seeing that no one raised questions, he stroked his beard beneath the mask with satisfaction.
"Then let the trading begin!"
As soon as those words fell, the atmosphere across the hall, over a dozen zhang wide, instantly turned solemn.
Amid the solemnity hung an inexplicable, anxious anticipation.
Sitting in the corner, Luo Chen keenly sensed this peculiar ambiance.
*Could it be that today's Zhenlong Black Market has some coveted item that so many Qi Refinement cultivators are waiting for?*
"The first lot: the Azure Musk Flood Dragon Gathering Banner, a supreme-grade offensive dharma artifact!"
As Tianxingzi's announcement landed, Luo Chen's heart thudded violently.
His gaze fell upon the banner, desire welling up in his eyes.
A supreme-grade dharma artifact!
As an alchemist, Luo Chen was definitely wealthy and owned quite a few superior-grade dharma artifacts.
Yet to this day, he still did not possess a single supreme-grade dharma artifact.
Even if offensive dharma artifacts were comparatively cheaper than others of the same tier, it was still a supreme-grade dharma artifact!
In truth, not just him, but ninety-nine percent of Qi Refinement cultivators found it almost impossible to own one.
The reason was simple: supreme-grade dharma artifacts were exorbitantly expensive!
They started at five thousand spirit stones at the very least, and those with unique functions could even approach the price of a magic treasure.
There was definitely a reason why supreme-grade dharma artifacts commanded such steep prices.
To explain the reason, one had to mention artifact crafting among the hundred arts of cultivation.
Leaving aside crafting techniques, taboos, and heritages, and speaking strictly of the grades of finished artifacts and magic treasures:
The grades of dharma artifacts and magic treasures were divided into low, mid, and superior grades. That was the most standard classification, determined by compatible formations, materials, might, and many other criteria.
Yet right beyond low, mid, and superior, there existed another grade: "supreme-grade."
The concept of a supreme-grade dharma artifact was widely accepted by the world, but orthodox artifact crafters rejected it outright.
Because in this world, supreme-grade dharma artifacts did not truly exist.
All that existed were defective magic treasures!
When crafters forged an item, they invariably aimed toward a predetermined objective.
They had a clear idea of what grade of item they might produce.
Whether low-grade or superior-grade, it was within their calculations; success or failure was merely the final outcome.
No crafter would ever set out intentionally to forge a "supreme-grade" dharma artifact.
For that was the most wasteful, incompetent, and foolish endeavor imaginable.
Every supreme-grade dharma artifact possessed more than three formations and was made from exceptional materials.
A clever person would realize upon reflection that there was only one thing comparable to it.
A magic treasure!
In reality, supreme-grade dharma artifacts were defective products resulting from the forging process of magic treasures.
Yet for certain unique reasons, they had not been completely ruined and still retained a tenth of a magic treasure's might.
Having no other choice, crafters could only sell them to recoup a sliver of their losses.
One should not underestimate this tenth of a low-grade magic treasure's might; it was already enough to surpass all superior-grade dharma artifacts.
Without a supreme-grade artifact, one could not counter a supreme-grade artifact.
The reason Qin Liangchen had been able to defeat Bai Qi, who possessed a sword pellet back then, was precisely because he had a supreme-grade dharma artifact capable of rivaling a sword pellet—the Purple River Daoist Robe.
To think that a Qi Refinement cultivator could wield a magic treasure just like a Foundation Establishment True Cultivator or a Golden Core Master—even if it was a defective one.
An exorbitant price was only natural.
Speaking of which, Luo Chen actually possessed a defective magic treasure as well.
The Four Symbols Cauldron!
Coincidentally, just like that Five-Colored Treasure Compass, it also came from Master Craftsman Huyan Zhuo of Tianfan City.
Why, then, was the Four Symbols Cauldron only superior-grade rather than supreme-grade?
Because Huyan Zhuo had been overly whimsical at the time, actually attempting to forge a magic treasure combining five distinct functions: attack, suppression, defense, alchemy, and even artifact crafting.
Thus, he had engraved four formations onto the Four Symbols Cauldron.
In the end, while inscribing the fifth formation, he suffered a failure just short of success.
Owing to its special materials, the Four Symbols Cauldron survived.
However, because the fifth formation was never engraved, it failed to form even the rudimentary prototype of a magic treasure.
Furthermore, the several formations lacked unified cohesion and subtly conflicted with one another, causing the finished product to be relegated to superior-grade.
Much of this knowledge had been shared by Duan Feng.
The Duan family was an artifact crafting clan, and they knew far more about such matters than Luo Chen did.
Even as hearsay, it was grounded in solid logic.
"The Azure Musk Flood Dragon Gathering Banner can summon three wood-attribute flood dragons, each possessing the might of the ninth level of Qi Refinement."
"Not only that, but the flood dragons will also release an azure musk scent that unknowingly obstructs an enemy's spiritual energy, drastically reducing their combat strength."
"Its flaw is also evident—the usual drawback common to supreme-grade dharma artifacts: massive consumption of spiritual energy."
"A late-stage Qi Refinement cultivator can only use it once, while someone at the ninth level of Qi Refinement can use it twice."
One had to admit that Tianxingzi was quite honest.
While praising the Azure Musk Flood Dragon Gathering Banner's power to the heavens, he also laid out its defects one by one.
That way, even if someone bought it and struggled to use it smoothly, they could not blame the Zhenlong Black Market for failing to warn them in advance.
However, no one seemed to mind this flaw.
Supreme-grade dharma artifacts were, after all, aimed at becoming magic treasures; the most fundamental prerequisite was abundant spiritual energy.
Even when relegated to defects, supreme-grade dharma artifacts mostly retained this drawback.
Even Luo Chen's Four Symbols Cauldron suffered from this limitation.
It was only because his spiritual power was profound, far exceeding his peers, that he could use it normally as long as he wasn't in combat.
During combat, he would usually activate only one of its functions to ensure his spiritual energy wasn't heavily depleted.
Having heard Tianxingzi's detailed introduction, Luo Chen drew a deep breath, feeling a faint urge to join the bidding.
Yet the very first bid of six thousand spirit stones gave him pause.
His entire net worth was only around five thousand spirit stones; how could he possibly compete with these people?
"Six thousand one hundred!"
"Six thousand five hundred!"
"Six thousand nine hundred spirit stones! I happen to lack a handy dharma artifact to seek opportunities in the Golden Core ruins. No matter how much you all offer, this treasure is mine!"
The speaker was a man wearing a black tiger mask.
His tone was fierce!
Not only that, but he actively released his spiritual energy fluctuations.
The surging aura of the Qi Refinement perfection realm instantly silenced most people.
Luo Chen's eyelids twitched. Qi Refinement perfection!
This person was definitely not a local cultivator of Dahe Market, but likely a raptor crossing the river from another market.
It seemed the struggle over the Golden Core ruins was growing increasingly fierce!
Even cultivators from outside regions were being drawn here.
Several cultivators who still wished to bid backed down after seeing his domineering display.
It was only the first lot, after all, and more good things were yet to come.
There was no need to make an enemy of this man over a forced bid.
In the end, the Azure Musk Flood Dragon Gathering Banner smoothly fell into the hands of the tiger-masked cultivator.
However, an awkward scene occurred when handing over the spirit stones.
He actually could not produce enough spirit stones on hand.
Fortunately, he took out several equivalent spiritual materials to make up the difference.
Seeing this, the cultivators who had backed off earlier couldn't help but inwardly lament.
Although this person had a high cultivation realm, his pockets were shallow; he had merely put on a brave front just now!
If they had held out for a few more rounds of bidding, they might well have won it.
Having secured the supreme-grade dharma artifact, the tiger-masked cultivator was thoroughly pleased. He didn't even linger, departing Zhenlong Hall straightaway.
"Hah!"
"That man is as cunning as a fox. Clearly penniless, yet he put on a grand front and used his cultivation realm to suppress others, snagging a supreme-grade dharma artifact at such a comfortable price."
"Once he got it, he left immediately for fear of being targeted."
"Despicable outsider!"
Hearing the sneer from beside him, Luo Chen instantly realized an issue.
A black market auction was unlike the formal auctions of the Jade Cauldron Sword Pavilion.
Once one stepped out of the Zhenlong Black Market, they washed their hands of whatever happened afterward.
The cultivator next to Luo Chen wasn't the only one disgruntled by the tiger-masked man's departure.
Whispers echoed from other corners as well.
Those were the ones meant to be heard.
What people wanted to keep hidden was mostly being conducted through voice transmissions.
The host, Tianxingzi, showed no change in expression—naturally concealed behind his mask.
Tapping his finger lightly against the wooden table, he chuckled. "That's just how our black market operates. Bidding on goods relies solely on discernment, wealth, and nerve. If any of you have the guts, you are welcome to try snagging good things at a low price as well."
That Azure Musk Flood Dragon Gathering Banner was genuinely worth around seven thousand five hundred spirit stones.
Without the later bidding rounds, the tiger-masked cultivator had certainly saved a large sum of spirit stones.
"Very well, next is the second lot!"
"Everyone, perk up!"
"Three bottles of Yang Restoring Water, individual starting bid of five hundred spirit stones. Let us begin with the first bottle."
A modest price, yet it did nothing to dampen the cultivators' fervor.
Almost the moment those words left his mouth, the previously subdued Zhenlong Hall erupted with excitement.
"Six hundred!"
"Seven hundred!"
"Seven hundred and fifty spirit stones!"
"I bid eight hundred spirit stones! Whoever dares compete with me, beware of walking out that door!"
"Who are you trying to intimidate? This is Zhenlong Hall; try making a move if you dare! I bid eight hundred and one spirit stones!"
"You!"
Bids rose one after another without pause, interspersed with shouts and curses.
Amid the clamor of bids, Luo Chen's gaze turned resolute. With an uncompromising aura, he called out a single number.
"One thousand!"
Chapter 126