Chapter 7: Chapter 7: Local Cultivators’ Swindling and Deceit

“Erniu’s meaning is almost obvious. The Beast Taming Zhou Family has a talisman-making heritage. But thinking about it, it’s not surprising, after all, this Zhou Family has a legacy spanning hundreds of years.”

Looking at the night outside, Lin Chang’an frowned and finally sighed.

“I didn’t expect that not long ago, I was hustling for Spirit Crystals. Yet, in less than half a year, I’ve begun to plan for Tier One Middle Grade Talisman-making Skill. Indeed, human nature is greedy.”

Lin Chang’an shook his head with a smile. A Tier One Lower Grade Talisman spans from Spirit Crystals to Spirit Stones.

Thus, the span of a Tier One Middle Grade Talisman is even greater, starting at three Spirit Stones.

“However, it’s not that they don’t exist outside, it’s just that they’re in the hands of a very few cultivators, and they occasionally appear at auctions.”

“But the downside of relying on an Immortal Cultivation Clan is the lack of freedom. However, with such a massive scale of market expansion this time, it’s likely that things won’t settle for the next two or three years. The conditions offered by major families at this time will also be more generous.”

Lin Chang’an analyzed quietly, his hands not idle.

Constantly controlling the Cyan Bamboo Sword, continuously moving in and out of the Storage Bag.

Only when the night deepened and the market quieted did Lin Chang’an finally lift his head to look outside.

“Let’s head to the Black Market first, might as well try my luck, but mainly to exchange some Spirit Crystals.”

Lin Chang’an then placed the thick stack of Tier One Lower Grade Divine Movement Talismans he had drawn during this period into the Storage Bag.

The Cyan Bamboo Sword was also placed into the Storage Bag. His constant practice of controlling the Magical Artifact wasn’t merely for novelty.

But to skillfully find the best position to draw the Artifact instantly when needed.

“Selling some Tier One Lower Grade Talismans for poor folks, which Middle Stage Qi Refining cultivator would look at this? Unless they’ve gone mad with poverty.”

Staring at the mirror, a smile appeared on Lin Chang’an’s face. The next moment, his facial muscles began to wriggle, and even his physique changed slightly.

A menacing figure appeared, with a face full of horizontal flesh, completely different from before.

Looking at the long-unused skill, Lin Chang’an showed a satisfied smile.

“This way, the safety in the Black Market greatly increases.”

Before entering the Immortal Cultivation Realm, he had trained in Martial Dao in the Mortal Realm. As the saying goes, one should be proficient in both scholarly and martial arts to serve the royal family, so he chose to enter the capital.

Unexpectedly, by chance, he met Old Lu, Immortal Master Lu in the Prince Mansion, beginning his twenty-year journey of cultivation.

“But I can’t be careless.”

After applying the Master Level Breath Concealment Technique, he hid his aura down to Qi Refining Second Layer.

With this skill, Lin Chang’an was confident that unless it was a cultivator above Qi Refining Sixth Layer, ordinary Qi Refining Fourth or Fifth Layer cultivators couldn’t see through it.

Looking at his image, Lin Chang’an nodded in satisfaction, changing into a black robe and bamboo hat. Before leaving, he took a Treasure Sword he bought earlier from the Mortal Realm at the door.

…

In the night, the slum area on the outskirts of the market already had many figures.

This is the so-called Black Market. Besides selling things that can’t see the light or are feared to be missed by others, the most important point is that the stall fee here is extremely low.

From Demon Beast Meat, Talismans, Elixirs, to even Magical Artifacts, everything could be found here.

The people who come here are always in a hurry, lowering their heads and silently buying the things they want and leaving immediately. After all, the extremely low stall fee corresponds to relative insecurity.

So people who come here try their best to hide themselves.

The Black Market only exists for two hours each day, and once dawn breaks, everyone leaves.

No hawking, only signs erected in front of each stall.

[Demon Beast Meat: Twelve pounds for one Spirit Crystal]

[Fire Bomb Talisman: Two Spirit Crystals for one, ten Spirit Crystals for six]

Lin Chang’an was no stranger to the Black Market, paying a Spirit Crystal. Under the bamboo hat, he had a fierce look, making many who saw him lower their heads, while a sign was also displayed in front of his stall.

[Tier One Lower Grade Divine Movement Talisman: Two Spirit Crystals for one, ten Spirit Crystals for six]

Talismans are consumables, especially Divine Movement Talismans and defensive ones that increase survival chances, are always in short supply.

“Six sheets!”

Lin Chang’an had just set up shop when, within moments, a figure with a bamboo hat came over, throwing down ten Spirit Crystals without a word, with a low voice.

Lin Chang’an also remained silent, coldly handing over six Divine Movement Talismans.

The first transaction was completed.

He knew that if he had offered seven sheets for ten Spirit Crystals, they would have sold out in no time, but that would attract attention.

Standing out, unless you have the strength.

When you don’t have the ability to resist, blending in is the way to survive.

“Indeed, quite a few people have come to the market recently.”

While setting up shop, Lin Chang’an also observed the silhouettes around.

He had lived here for five years initially before leaving, so he was familiar with it.

Apparently, with the market expansion, many loose cultivators were attracted, with the number of people increasing by at least threefold, making the outermost goods sell particularly quickly.

In less than half an hour, Lin Chang’an’s Divine Movement Talismans were sold out. However, he didn’t feel at ease, rather a bit worried.

With more cultivators, though goods are easier to sell, it also means more outsiders.

The biggest problem with outsiders is their disregard for rules.

“Hopefully, this time there won’t be too much turmoil.”

Having lived here for twenty years and experienced several such incidents, Lin Chang’an was considered an old resident, secretly shaking his head, thankful that he no longer lived on the fringes.

Then he got up, packed up, and ventured inside the Black Market, hoping to try his luck to see if there were any genuine Tier One Middle Grade Talisman Making Manuals.

After wandering around, Lin Chang’an’s lips twitched. As expected, he was thinking too optimistically. There were indeed manuals, but too many.

Talisman Making Manuals, Alchemy Pill Formulas, even Artifact Refining Manuals and Array Maps were available, but the prices were outrageous, the cheapest costing a few Spirit Crystals, the expensive ones as much as a dozen Spirit Stones.

“Indeed, with more outsiders, market veterans also start setting up stalls to scam.”

If outsiders disregard rules, then local cultivators engage in swindling.

Who dares to buy recklessly? After all, nobody guarantees authenticity, and in the Black Market, there’s no one to find after being cheated.

Experienced ones just need to glance at the exposed content to discern authenticity.

But the fear is those professional ones showing you genuine parts, with the rest being fake. That’s the Black Market, full of peculiarities.

Despite this, numerous new cultivators immerse into the Immortal Cultivation Realm annually, dreaming of riding flying swords across the world, becoming esteemed Foundation Establishment Cultivators.

“After looking through a pile, it’s all fake.”

Hoping to rely on experience to perhaps make a lucky find, Lin Chang’an shook his head. Indeed, those tales of incredible finds in the cultivation world only exist in legends.

“Tier One Middle Grade Talisman Making Manual is indeed a rare item.”

Unwilling, he took another round, but finally, Lin Chang’an reluctantly gave up.

Even without the luck to make a rare find, the Black Market did have some shady items.

Perhaps a doomed Talisman Master or their successors encountered misfortune, and such illicit items ended up in the Black Market. It’s not unprecedented.

But unfortunately, Lin Chang’an didn’t have that luck.

Before dawn, Lin Chang’an shook his head and left the Black Market.

“Better to be down-to-earth.”

Just as Lin Chang’an left the market, someone began to follow him.

Under the cover of night, three figures also exited the Black Market, following Lin Chang’an.

“Boss, it’s this kid. I’ve been watching him for a long time. He circled three times but bought nothing.”

The three figures nodded silently.

Coming to the Black Market, it’s impossible to wander idly. Not buying anything suggests only one possibility: he’s strapped for cash.

Being strapped equates to being a pauper.

And being a pauper suggests low cultivation level.

Low cultivation level means easy to bully.

Easy prey!

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep