The Sword God of the Universe

Chapter 826: Chapter 826: First Encounter with Mr. Zhong

”Whoosh!”

A cyan figure quickly streaked across the sky of the Despair Abyss Buffer Zone.

The dark red sky was exceptionally calm.

The land was vast and desolate, which, in comparison to the Heavenly Origin Continent, was a barren territory. It certainly was not an easy task for ordinary Human Martial Artists to survive here.

However, there were many rare and exotic materials in the Despair Abyss Buffer Zone that couldn’t be found on the Heavenly Origin Continent. Many Dao Emperor Realm Practitioners from the human clan enjoyed entering the Despair Abyss to adventure and search for various rare and unusual materials.

Risky, yes, but worth it!

”Abyss Market!”

Jing Yan gazed down at the gray city ahead from high above the sky.

Compared to other cities, the Abyss Market wasn’t large, but it held a very special status. In the Despair Abyss Buffer Zone, it was the sole foothold for both humans and the Divine Race. Of course, the Abyss Market was also the place where humans and the Divine Race could freely exchange resources.

Descending from the sky, Jing Yan entered the market.

This was the second time in his life he had come here. The first time, he was in the midst of being hunted by the Gai Family, so he had only hurriedly gathered some supplies and immediately left without the opportunity to properly observe the city.

Following the winding, narrow streets unhurriedly, Jing Yan made his way towards Mr. Zhong’s residence.

Although Jing Yan had not known the location of Mr. Zhong’s residence previously, almost everyone in the market knew Mr. Zhong, the master of the market. With a simple inquiry, he found out.

However, Jing Yan hadn’t reached Mr. Zhong’s residence when he halted.

He squinted his eyes as he stood there, observing several figures approaching.

”What a majestic presence!” Jing Yan focused on the newcomers, silently musing.

These individuals, who had faced him since entering the market, were evidently the strongest in terms of aura he had encountered yet. Particularly the leader, Jing Yan faintly felt, was very likely a Saint Realm Martial Artist.

Jing Yan’s pause, naturally, wasn’t just due to the robustness of the other party’s aura.

Rather, he sensed that the objective of this group could very well be himself. His Divine Soul was strong enough that his perceptive abilities completely surpassed the cognition of ordinary martial artists. Even if someone hid in the shadows and their gaze lingered on him for a moment, Jing Yan could feel it.

”Mr. Zhong?”

”Really, it’s Mr. Zhong! The master of the Abyss Market!”

”Where is Mr. Zhong going?”

Nearby martial artists cast sidelong glances, all staring at the group approaching Jing Yan. These murmurs entered Jing Yan’s ears.

”This person, he is Mr. Zhong!” Jing Yan’s lips curved slightly upward.

”May I ask if you are Mr. Jing Yan?” Mr. Zhong stopped ten meters away from Jing Yan. His entourage also halted and looked towards Jing Yan.

”I am indeed Jing Yan,” Jing Yan replied with a smile to Mr. Zhong.

”Mr. Jing Yan has traveled a long way to visit; please forgive Zhong for not having welcomed you from afar!” Mr. Zhong greeted Jing Yan with a bow of his hands.

”You are too polite, Mr. Zhong. I’ve only just entered the market, and you already received news of my arrival. The rumors are indeed true; I didn’t believe that Mr. Zhong’s information network was so extensive before, but now I believe it.” Jing Yan returned the gesture.

”Mr. Jing Yan, you’re killing me with flattery. As the lord of this market, I indeed have some control within. But outside the market, that is not the case and certainly cannot compare to Mr. Jing Yan,” Mr. Zhong spoke with a laugh.

”Mr. Jing Yan, it’s not convenient to talk here. Would you please come to my humble home for a conversation?” Mr. Zhong invited Jing Yan.

”I was just thinking the same,” Jing Yan nodded.

”Mr. Jing Yan, this way, please!” Mr. Zhong stepped aside slightly and extended his hand in a welcoming gesture.

...

”Who is that?”

”I don’t know; he looks very unfamiliar, and also quite young.”

”Hmm, I’ve been in the market for hundreds of years, and I have no recollection of him. But... Mr. Zhong is being so polite to him!”

”Yes, even inviting him into Mr. Zhong’s residence. This is not the sort of courtesy that just anyone receives! I have never heard of anyone who can make Mr. Zhong personally walk so far to greet them.”

”I just heard Mr. Zhong call him Mr. Jing Yan.”

”I heard that too. Is this Mr. Jing Yan a member of a large Divine Race family from the depths of the Abyss?”

”No, there aren’t many large families of the Divine Race, and I know each and every one of them. There’s no family with the surname Jing!”

After Jing Yan and Mr. Zhong’s party left, the gathered martial artists on the street engaged in astonished, hushed conversations.

Among these gathered martial artists, there were humans as well as members of the Divine Race.

Since fighting was prohibited within the market, as time passed, everyone gradually became acquainted. Thus, the Divine Race and the Human Clan could largely coexist peacefully, and there were even friendships formed between members of the Divine Race and the Human Clan.

Jing Yan and Mr. Zhong’s group entered a room within the residence, and Mr. Zhong invited Jing Yan to take a seat.

”Mr. Jing Yan, I’m not sure what brings you to the Abyss Market this time? If there’s anything Zhong can assist with, please feel free to instruct me,” Mr. Zhong said with a courteous manner.

Although Mr. Zhong’s network was confined to the Despair Abyss Buffer Zone, his agents and informants were certainly not limited to this area alone.

He was likely completely aware of the significant events occuring on the Heavenly Origin Continent.

Otherwise, why would he have gone to greet Jing Yan? Clearly, he was aware that Jing Yan had achieved the Saint Realm.

To practitioners at the Saint Realm, Mr. Zhong naturally couldn’t afford to be as casual as he was with other ordinary martial artists.

At the moment, Mr. Zhong seemed quite calm.

But in fact, when he became aware of the entire process of Jing Yan’s meteoric rise, he was tremendously shocked.

He also knew that nearly twenty years ago, this young martial artist named Jing Yan had once entered the Abyss Market. At the time, Jing Yan was pursued by the Gai Family and was merely a Daoist at the Daoist Master Realm, not yet at the Daoist King Realm. In less than twenty years, Jing Yan had astonishingly achieved the Saint Path.

This was too astonishing.

The very first time he received this information, Mr. Zhong also struggled to regain his composure.

When Jing Yan entered the market, his subordinates delivered the news to him at the first opportunity, and he immediately decided to personally greet Jing Yan, a young martial artist in his forties who was extremely powerful.

”I am indeed here for a matter that requires Mr. Zhong’s assistance,” Jing Yan said with a smile.

He then took out a portrait, waved his arm slightly, and the portrait flew gracefully towards Mr. Zhong.

”Mr. Zhong, I would like to know information about the woman in this portrait,” Jing Yan said, looking into Mr. Zhong’s eyes.

The person in the portrait was naturally the Bai Xue City Lord. Considering the time, Bai Xue City Lord has left the Heavenly Origin Continent and entered the Despair Abyss almost twenty years ago. To date, there has been no news. Jing Yan himself was also unable to confirm whether Bai Xue City Lord was still alive.