Eternal Life by Dual Cultivation

Chapter 420 - 244: Qin Mengxuan: You’ll Know in the Future...

Ling Changqing agreed, donned the black robe, and followed him into the underground trading center.

It was an enclosed marketplace hundreds of yards in diameter. The dome, pillars, and walls were all embedded with large, glowing Gemstones and Luminous Pearls.

Numerous tables were arranged in the spacious area, with a figure seated behind each one.

Each was completely shrouded in a thick black or gray robe, with no hint of their aura leaking out. It was impossible to tell if they were Human Race Cultivators or some other form of intelligent life.

No resources were displayed on the tables, only a single Jade Scroll. This was the case for every table.

The Jade Scroll contained an inventory of available resources. After reviewing it, a buyer could negotiate the price and method of transaction directly with the seller.

This was one of the secret trading posts on the Qingyao Continent, jointly established by several top powers. Those of insufficient standing couldn’t hope to enter; they wouldn’t have even heard of such a place.

Of course, the resources here were not cheap. Prices ranged from twice to ten times the going rate outside.

Certain rare and hard-to-obtain resources were over a hundred times more expensive than their outside-world counterparts, with no room for negotiation.

In any case, the patrons who could trade here all had impressive backgrounds; they were not people who needed to worry about money.

As long as their problems could be solved, Spirit Stones were of no concern.

A number of Cultivators were already inside, communicating with the sellers behind the tables via Divine Thought. The entire market was silent.

Ling Changqing made a circuit of the room, randomly chose a table, and sat down across from the seller. He then began to examine the inventory within the Jade Scroll.

Sure enough, it listed Rank Four Elixirs, Talismans, Cultivation Method Scriptures, Daoist Soldier Puppets, and more. Furthermore, there were no purchasing restrictions.

As long as a buyer had enough Spirit Stones, they could buy anything they pleased.

The only drawback was the exorbitant cost; on average, prices were more than triple what one would pay outside.

Ling Changqing set down the Jade Scroll and addressed the figure behind the table with his Divine Thought. "I need one premium-grade Nascent Soul Pill and several corresponding auxiliary resources—all of the highest quality. Additionally, I require a complete Grade Four Protection Array, as well as..."

These resources, for ascending to the Nascent Soul True Monarch Realm, were of course for Ling Qiyue.

The Xingyun sun Commerce Association did sell the same resources, but the terms of purchase were rather restrictive and involved a long wait. Not even Xue Qingtan could fully resolve the issue.

That was why Ling Changqing had decided to make his purchases here. It would cost more Spirit Stones, but it also guaranteed secrecy.

The figure behind the table replied via Divine Thought, showing no surprise. "I have everything you need in stock. The total price is twenty thousand Top grade Spirit Stones, non-negotiable."

"It’s a deal!" Ling Changqing nodded. That was the exact amount of Spirit Stones he had on him.

’He’d had to empty the family’s entire surplus inventory and his own savings just to gather this much. That was, of course, including the ten thousand Top grade Spirit Stones Qin Mengxuan had given him.’

Ling Changqing felt no regret. ’They’re only Spirit Stones. Once they’re spent, I’ll just earn more.’

He took out a Storage Pouch and handed it to the seller. The other party gave it a quick inspection and nodded slightly.

The unidentified Cultivator fumbled inside his robes for a moment before producing a Storage Bracelet. He placed it on the table and gently pushed it toward Ling Changqing.

Ling Changqing picked up the bracelet and inspected it with his Divine Thought. All the resources he had requested were inside, their quality and quantity exactly as specified.

"A pleasure doing business with you," he said, satisfied.

The Cultivator replied coolly, "Don’t say that. I won’t be coming back here again. If you need anything else, find another seller."

With that, his figure vanished from the spot, disappearing to some unknown location.

Ling Changqing shook his head and also rose to leave.

’I have no desire to browse any further. After all, I’m practically penniless now. It would be pointless.’

At the exit, Su Wuqi reminded him gently, "Done so soon, Fellow Daoist? If you wish to return, you’ll have to wait three years."

This was the sole restriction on the token’s bearer: entry was permitted only once every three years.

"That’s fine. Three years isn’t too long. I’ll be back then," Ling Changqing said with a smile.