An Alchemist's Path to Eternity

Dahe Market had a black market, a fact known to most people or rather, every market town had its own black market. These markets existed specifically for rogue cultivators to trade shady items.

Take Wang Yuan, for instance, who once did dirty work for the Poshan Gang. What he sold in the rogue cultivators’ market were mostly low-grade or mid-grade artifacts, basic introductory techniques, or books like Scenes of the Six Domains, which had little value.

Was a massive organization like the Poshan Gang only dealing with such low-grade items?

Obviously not! Anything slightly high-end would easily involve vendettas. Thus, most of these items were funneled into black markets for transactions.

But even black markets had their tiers! The low-end black markets might just be gatherings of rogue cultivators at the Qi-Refining Realm, with the best items being top-grade enchanted artifacts or top-tier spirit materials.

Participants in such markets were mostly mid to late Qi-Refining Realm cultivators. But today, the Precious Dragon Black Market Luo Chen entered had no weak participants!

Luo Chen’s spirit senses were exceptionally sharp. Even though most of the dozens of attendees had suppressed their auras like him, more than half of them still exuded a sense of danger.

For someone to make him feel this way, they had to be at least at the ninth stage of Qi-Refining or higher. In other words, almost all the attendees today were ninth stage Qi-Refining cultivators. Among them, three individuals sat completely still, yet their presence was so overwhelming that no one dared to meet their gaze.

Three Foundation Establishment cultivators!

Weren’t all the Foundation Establishment cultivators from Dahe Market supposed to have gone to the Golden Core Ruins? Why are there still three here?

Zeng Wen seriously overestimated me, sending me straight to this place. I wanted to go to a low-tier black market! Luo Chen mentally grumbled furiously.

As two more cultivators arrived, the door was shut tightly behind them. Among the three Foundation Establishment cultivators, one wearing a golden mask stood up.

His figure was thin and frail, like a candle flickering in the wind, but the golden mask and the overwhelming aura of Foundation Establishment he exuded made it impossible to underestimate him.

With a clap of his hands, the previously dim underground hall was filled with crisp clicking sounds. Soon, over a dozen crystal-glass lamps emitted a soft glow.

The central area was illuminated as if it were broad daylight. A golden beast hide carpet, an antique sandalwood table, and a massive Prismatic Treasure Compass were displayed before everyone.

Luo Chen’s heart skipped a beat when he saw the compass.

An enchanted treasure! The owner of this place had so brazenly displayed an enchanted treasure out in the open. Was it a show of intimidation? Or did it have some other purpose?

He discreetly observed the others and found that, apart from a few cultivators whose fluctuating auras leaked traces of spirit power, the majority sat quietly in their seats. These people seemed unfazed, as if they already knew an enchanted treasure would be displayed there.

Everyone here was clearly a veteran. In other words, those few who had accidentally revealed their surprise were newcomers, just like him?

While he was surveying his surroundings, the frail-looking Foundation Establishment cultivator cleared his throat twice.

”I am Tian Xingzi, the humble leader of the Precious Dragon Black Market, and I will preside over today’s auction transactions. I am pleased to see many old friends here and warmly welcome the newly joined Fellow Daoists.

”The rules of this market are straightforward. First, as the hosts, we will auction some cultivation resources. Those interested may bid with spirit stones or equivalent resources. Whether a resource matches the stated value of spirit stones will be judged by me, and I trust everyone here has confidence in my discernment!

”The second stage allows all Fellow Daoists to showcase and auction their items freely. The highest bid wins. Should there be doubts about the authenticity or grade of an auction item, I can verify it. If you don’t trust me, this Prismatic Treasure Compass will provide a satisfactory answer.”

As he spoke, Tian Xingzi placed his hand on the enormous Prismatic Treasure Compass. ”However, using the Prismatic Treasure Compass requires a fee of ten spirit stones per use.

”To ensure the Fellow Daoists understand, allow me to give a brief introduction to this enchanted treasure.

”The Prismatic Treasure Compass was crafted by the artifact-forging master Huyan Zhuo of Tianfan City. It is a low-grade enchanted treasure, capable of identifying spirit materials, artifacts, pills... Essentially, it can accurately grade any treasure below the third tier.”

Huyan Zhuo again? Luo Chen’s heart skipped a beat at the mention of this name.

He distinctly remembered that Mi Shuhua’s Heavenly Moon Purple Gold Wheel and his own Four Symbols Cauldron were both crafted by this very person. This man was an artifact-forging fanatic, producing such a staggering quantity!

”Alright, that concludes the introduction to this enchanted treasure. The final phase involves free trading among Daoists. Pricing during transactions is negotiable, but you may also use the Prismatic Treasure Compass, with the same ten spirit stone fee per use.”

After laying out a slew of rules and guidelines, Tian Xingzi paused. Seeing no one raise any questions, he contentedly stroked the beard beneath his mask.

”Now, let the auction begin!” As these words left his mouth, the atmosphere in the spacious hall, spanning over a dozen feet, became solemn.

Within the serious atmosphere lingered an indescribable yet fervent anticipation.

Sitting in the corner, Luo Chen keenly picked up on this peculiar tension.

Could it be that the Precious Dragon Black Market had some extraordinary item today that all these Qi-Refining cultivators were eagerly anticipating?

”The first auction item, the Blue Musk Gathering Serpent Banner, a supreme-grade offensive enchanted artifact!”

As Tian Xingzi’s words fell, Luo Chen’s heart thudded heavily. His gaze locked onto the banner, a flicker of desire flashing in his eyes.

A supreme-grade offensive enchanted artifact!