Netherworld Retrograde

Chapter 108: Chapter 49 Trading_2

At that moment, someone else spoke up, ”I need a Four Awakenings magic potion from the Netherworld Path, Shadow Killing Blade. Preferably a concocted magic potion, but materials will do.”

Someone immediately responded, ”I don’t have the magic potion, but I do have two of its materials. Specifically, the torso of a Shadow Demon and the dew of a Mist Ghost.”

”Good, but how would you like to trade? The materials?” the first person asked.

”I remember you have the Magic Potion Recipe for the Four Awakenings from the Path of Babbling, Dragon Roar. I want that.”

Without hesitation, the man nodded, ”Yes, we can trade right now.”

”Great! In private!”

Subsequently, similar exchanges occurred throughout the hall.

Information, equipment, magic potions, recipes—all became chips for trading.

This gave Li Yelai a more comprehensive understanding of the ark since most humans are confined within the Giant City.

The flow of information between Giant Cities was disconnected.

For example, the communication of information among No.3 Border City, the other two Border Cities, and Lava Mine City was mutual.

However, reaching out to more distant Giant Cities was very difficult.

It wasn’t even clear whether those Giant Cities still existed.

This caused various information gaps. For instance, the recipe Dragon Roar just mentioned was not available in the Giant City where Li Yelai resided.

Yet, someone else could easily produce it. Similarly, the recipes that Li Yelai had might be missing on the other side.

The emergence of the ark had nearly eliminated these gaps in information.

Furthermore, some mysteriously sourced electors could present recipes or equipment not even officially known.

At this point, a member of the Ark Chosen Ones, seated in the central area and abnormally tall, covered in golden plate armor like a golden hillock, spoke first. Situated in a special seat, he towered over two meters tall.

He also uttered indecipherable human language, which Li Yelai could understand.

”Ming Xing, Golden Armor, Phantom, Wolf Map. You’ve done very well, the plan was a success, and you’ve successfully forced the Old Mad King to act. According to our agreement, I have brought the rewards for you,” he said, and various items appeared on the table before him—magic potions, materials, and even high-level Spiritual Ability Equipment.

”As for Black Umbrella, you fled No.3 Border City severely wounded and failed to feign attacks on the major branches as planned, so there is no share for you in this trade,” the Golden Mountain Knight said, ”Let’s collaborate again next time.”

Black Umbrella replied coldly, ”Of course, I have no objections. I’m not so shameless as to beg you for a reward!”

An Ark Chosen One was visibly moved, ”So it was you who orchestrated the events at No.3 Border City! Such audacity!”

”Over one hundred and fifty thousand casualties, just to test the state of the Old Mad King?” another Ark Chosen One said with a sneer.

”Who would have thought that Ming Xing was actually the star Qin Zhi? Ming Xing, you have paid a steep price this time, being wanted by all the Giant Cities. Why not come under my wing?” another Ark Chosen One suggested.

The Ark Chosen Ones voiced their opinions, some regretting not being part of the operation, others cursing their cold-blooded ruthlessness.

Then, a person sitting somewhat further out from Black Umbrella responded, ”For this operation, even my identity was compromised. Although there were some deviations in the plan, the result is still perfect. I hope to still have opportunities for trade in the future.”

”Agreed,” the Golden Mountain Knight nodded. Then, with a slight tap on the table, several items appeared on the table in front of that person, ”These are what we had promised you: the magic potions of the Fifth Sense and Sixth Sense, and the Spiritual Ability Equipment from the Forbidden Zone.”

”Excellent, my sacrifices weren’t in vain,” the person said, touching the rewards before him with a light laugh, ”The loss of those hundred and fifty thousand lives was indeed worth it.”

Li Yelai watched the person silently, suppressing his anger and malice.

Those four were the Ark Chosen Ones involved in the Fantasy Band incident.

Aside from Golden Armor, whose power had been secretly usurped, the rest had already fled the Giant City.

The one speaking was unmistakably the instigator, Qin Zhi!

At last, Li Yelai had found him again.

But Li Yelai couldn’t act rashly; he had to continue playing ’Copper Face.’

”Ming Xing” Qin Zhi then swept his gaze across the hall and looked towards Li Yelai, ”Copper Face, why didn’t Golden Armor come?”

Li Yelai’s heart skipped a beat, but he replied, ”The lady has been gathering intelligence on the Mad King and engaged in a fight with a Processor, sustaining serious injuries. She was fortunate to escape from the Giant City and is now recuperating. She sent me to collect the reward and sell the information.”

Copper Face wore a device that garbled speech, making Li Yelai’s voice indiscernible as male or female, impossible for others to discern the truth. This was another form of disguise.

”Oh?” the Golden Mountain Knight asked, ”Selling information? What information has he obtained?”

Li Yelai, following what Yin Fire had told him, said, ”Sir, he... he has seen the Old Mad King.”

The Golden Mountain Knight suddenly rose to his feet, ”You’re saying Golden Armor witnessed the Old Mad King take action? What was the Old Mad King’s condition?”

Many Ark Chosen Ones were also stunned and excited.

The power of the Old Mad King was something even the Ark Chosen Ones were very wary of. He was a formidable presence who had challenged the Master of the Forbidden Zone.

His information would certainly be very valuable!

”What price are you willing to pay for the information?” Li Yelai continued to speak, using the speech techniques Yin Fire had taught him.

To make Li Yelai’s identity more secure, Yin Fire had revealed very important information as intelligence.

That information concerned the Old Mad King’s physical condition.

”These rewards were originally for Golden Armor, and in addition, I will add a precious healing drug. I’ll bring it to you at the next gathering,” the Golden Mountain Knight said, ”How about that?”

”Good,” Li Yelai nodded, ”Privately?”

”Privately,” the Golden Mountain Knight agreed.

But there were others who spoke up as well.

A female elector from the Ark, sitting in the same row under the Black Umbrella, asked, ”I’m also willing to pay for the information with a B-grade Spiritual Ability Equipment. I’ll bring it to you next time, is that okay?”

”That’s fine,” Li Yelai nodded slightly.

Another person spoke up, ”I remember your Lord Golden Armor is active near the Border City. Thus, I am willing to offer a Four Awakenings Magic Potion Recipe that even the officials of the Border City do not possess.”

”Oh, which Path?” Li Yelai played the identity of ’Copper Face’ very well.

”Path of Babbling, Dragon Roar! If you agree, I can give it to you right now.”

”But neither I nor my lord are of the Path of Babbling,” Li Yelai made a show of slight contemplation.

Golden Armor was of the Path of Zero, while the real Copper Face was of the True Martial Path.

”Never mind, Path of Babbling it is then.”

The person breathed a sigh of relief, ”Then count me in.”

”Privately, then,” the Golden Mountain Knight didn’t object to the participation of the two.

It wasn’t his place to dictate to whom Li Yelai sold the information.

After that, the four people, including Li Yelai and the Golden Mountain Knight, were isolated from all sound.

After he had meticulously copied a recipe, Li Yelai looked it over and then stuffed it into his suit jacket.

Within the ark, everyone was honest because a certain great being could discern truth from falsehood. There was no need to worry about being cheated.

So, Li Yelai began to speak, ”The Old Mad King looked very old, extremely old. But when he made his move, his vitality surged like a tide, and he regained his youthful form instantly. With one spear thrust, he repelled the virtual giant beast!”

”One spear!” This made the Golden Mountain Knight somewhat astonished. The other two were also greatly surprised.

”Even after entering the Physical World where his strength would have diminished significantly, that giant beast must have had the ability of at least a Seventh Awakening. Yet, it was repelled by one spear. Has the Old Mad King truly aged?”

”I guessed that the Old Mad King could fight, but I didn’t expect him to be this capable!”

Li Yelai continued, ”Afterward, the Old Mad King reverted from his younger form, becoming an old man once more. That is how my lord was able to escape the scene. We suspect that the Old Mad King can only maintain his peak form for a short duration. Of course, these are just speculations.”

The Golden Mountain Knight fell silent for a few seconds, then, after confirming from the ark that ’Copper Face’ hadn’t lied about the information,

he nodded and said, ”Very well, if you can continue to provide me with information on the Old Mad King, we in Black Origin City will regard you as a friend.”

Indeed, this Golden Mountain Knight came from the Forbidden Zone, a creature of the Forbidden Zone!

Li Yelai and the other two were somewhat shocked.

Then, Li Yelai nodded, ”That would be my honor.”

He knew that his undercover identity had now taken root within the ark.