"Senior Brother Qinghe, what exactly happened within the Wuxian Sect?" Yi Yingying was extremely curious.
Anyone who knew him would probably be surprised by the earth-shaking changes in Lu Qinghe's transformation. When was it that the young swordsman, who only ranked first in a small academy in Qingyuan, had grown enough to be on par with the top ten sons of the ancient kingdom?
"What happened in the Wuxian Sect is not important. What is important is, if you tell me today is your birthday banquet, even if I am in the Wuxian Sect, I will come over immediately," Lu Qinghe said with a slight smile. "I'm fortunate not to have missed it."
With this sentence, he clearly expressed his position and attitude. Regardless of what happened, the bond between them would never change.
"Senior Brother Qinghe, I've always known that regardless of where you are, no one can ever conceal your sharp edge! Qingyuan Academy is too small, the Wuxian Sect is your true stage."
Lu Qinghe did not respond.
The Wuxian Sect... it would not be his end point.
At this point, Hua Ruoyan suddenly spoke up, asking with some curiosity, "The competition in the ancient battle is for the opportunity to enter the inheritance academy. Senior Brother Qinghe and the famous Thunder Sword Brother from the Wuxian Sect have come, could it be..."
"The inheritance academy should be our next destination," Lu Qinghe nodded.
Hua Ruoyan's previous protection of Yi Yingying did not go unnoticed by him, so he did not ignore her words. Upon hearing Lu Qinghe's promise, Hua Ruoyan's heart trembled fiercely.
"The inheritance academy!"
Lu Qinghe, who had come to the ancient city, was actually waiting for the airship to the inheritance academy. He actually had the potential to open the Inheritance Yuan Realm!?
"The inheritance academy?"
It was clear that Yi Yingying's circle had not yet come into contact with such secrets.
"Regarding the inheritance academy, I have only heard of it and only know that it is a gathering place for true geniuses. Only the top-level experts of the ancient kingdom have the qualifications to go there. The ancient battle is actually the selection mechanism of the inheritance academy. The disciples who perform the best in the ancient battle will be recommended by the royal family to further their studies at the inheritance academy," said Hua Ruoyan. Looking at Lu Qinghe, her gaze had changed completely.
At this moment, she no longer doubted that Lu Qinghe had the qualifications to threaten the position of the Son of Heaven with a serious injury.
"Ah!"
A shrill cry came from outside the door.
Upon hearing this cry, everyone couldn't help but shudder. They could tell who was screaming.
The dynasty and Mo Feng.
No one knew what kind of torture they were undergoing at the moment.
Especially Yunqi... Her legs were shaking uncontrollably.
Lu Qinghe...
At this moment, Lu Qinghe had actually transformed into a figure on par with the Son of Heaven. The young swordsman who had been the top swordsman at Qingyuan Academy just over a year ago, in her eyes, did not even have the qualifications to become her subject?
Forget about the Son of Heaven, even if it was one of his personal guards, she would not hesitate to dedicate herself. How could she be considered a subject under her skirt?
At this moment, Yunqi was filled with regret, remorse, fear, unwillingness, envy, admiration, and various other conflicting emotions.
The birthday banquet was still ongoing without stopping.
With the backing of Lu Qinghe and Thunder Sword, Yi Yingying undoubtedly became the most eye-catching star in the entire banquet.
When the news of today spread, her identity and status would surely rise again. It likely wouldn't be long before she reached a level on par with Hua Ruoyan in the upper circles of the ancient city.
Lu Qinghe didn't mind this.
Yi Yingying... Strictly speaking, she was his first friend in this world.
When the banquet reached its mid-point, Lu Qinghe, following Thunder Sword, left in advance.
On one hand, his presence here would make all the guests at the banquet uneasy. On the other hand, the black market was already opening.
Under Thunder Sword's lead, the two of them quickly arrived at a courtyard.
The courtyard, despite its considerable size, does not appear conspicuous or luxurious at first glance.
But...
This is just the external façade. It is not until Lei Jian and Lu Qinghe set foot inside that they suddenly realize it is a hidden paradise.
Numerous courtyards, which initially do not look particularly luxurious, have all been connected. The paintings on the walls, the flowers and plants adorning the surroundings, and the prominent sculptures, every single one is the work of a renowned artist.
Lu Qinghe even spots a pale purple Tianxin Begonia, a treasure that can boost the cultivation of a True Refiner, casually displayed here as an ornamental plant.
"Here, is the most high-class black market in Qiangu City. The news about the Chaos Crystal is spread from here," Lei Jian tells Lu Qinghe as they enter a booth in the courtyard hall.
There are already no fewer than a hundred people present. Almost all of them are in small groups, gathered around the booth. Their faces are not visible to outsiders, and even the dozens of people in the hall are difficult to discern due to the dim lighting.
However, Lu Qinghe can confirm that among the guests, not one is below the Fourth Stage of True Refining, and over half have reached the standard of high-level True Refiners.
"The banquet has been delayed for a moment, but it has already begun," Lei Jian says as he and Lu Qinghe take their seats and watch a new item being brought up to the platform.
"The Chaos Crystal, quite valuable indeed, it should be the finale item," Lei Jian remarks looking at the ceiling.
"Heh, although the Chaos Crystal is precious, it is not necessarily a boundless opportunity for those pseudo-genius at the Tenth Stage of True Refining. As for the real geniuses, would they even need the Chaos Crystal? Therefore, while it is treasured, it is not quite the finale item," Lei Jian responds.
Subsequently, noticing the tone in his words, he laughs, "Of course, you are a freak. I believe, based on your talent alone, it won't take you more than a few years to break through to the Tenth Stage of True Refining. What you lack is just time."
Lu Qinghe nods. One year! Opening up at least a heritage realm, time is not on his side.
"Next is the sixteenth auction item, the Rainbow Sword crafted by Master Refiner Mo Yunshan. This sword, although not reaching the level of a Profound Spirit, has utilized materials from many Profound Spirit-grade swords," a middle-aged man in his forties introduces the item being auctioned in a low voice on the platform.
Black market! What is a black market? It is a trading market that focuses only on items, regardless of their origin. Here, many items rarely seen elsewhere are being sold.
"The Rainbow Sword? There's a rumor that Master Mo Yunshan's entire family of thirty-six was wiped out, and all the treasures he crafted have been scattered. Is the person selling this sword the one who exterminated Mo Yunshan's family?" Lei Jian asks, looking somewhat surprised.
"Annihilation? Just because of these precious swords?"
"Of course," Lei Jian nods, feeling a bit emotional. "Whether it's a Master Refiner, a Master Array, or a Master Alchemist, even if they are very wealthy and have a wide range of acquaintances, external forces are still external forces. They cannot compare with one's own cultivation level in reality. In the eyes of many, these Masters are just fat sheep to be slaughtered... That's why there are fewer and fewer Profound Spirit swords and pills on the market. Those of us from the sects are still better off, but as for the external cultivators, even if they have opened up their heritage realms, they might still be using something similar to the Rainbow Sword, a quasi-Profound Spirit-grade weapon."
Lei Jian's words silence Lu Qinghe. In this world where strength reigns supreme, having vast wealth but insufficient strength is a sure path to death. Just like in the ancient world of the Earth, there was a rich man who was able to rival an entire country. He helped everyone, and his friends were scattered across the land, but ultimately, he was still plundered and his family destroyed. All his wealth went back to the state.
As the Rainbow Sword is sold for 120,000 gold, a new item is promptly presented without much fuss. 120,000 gold is not a high price, but don't forget, the sword's origins are unclear. Buying it would also mean taking on trouble. If one were thought to be the killer of Master Mo Yunshan, then they may invite revenge, which would not be worth it.
"The next item, Chaos Crystal!" As the black market trade is about to come to an end, the item Lu Qinghe needs is finally displayed.
"The Chaos Crystal, for the cultivation breakthrough to the Tenth Stage of True Refining, has immeasurable effects. What does the Tenth Stage of True Refining mean? It means that as soon as you succeed in opening a heritage realm, you can immediately possess the heritage of the realm! Once you establish a heritage realm, your status and position will be far above that of ordinary Chaos Realm cultivators. Even the royal family will exert great efforts to win you over..."
The middle-aged man continues to narrate the benefits and rewards after opening a heritage realm at the Tenth Refining Stage, but says nothing about the difficulty involved.
Fortunately, those present are all strong individuals of at least the Fourth Stage of True Refining, so they are not easily swayed. When the bidding begins, the price of the Chaos Crystal is not particularly high.
"It looks like around 60,000 gold is reasonable, roughly equivalent to two exquisite treasure swords," Lei Jian predicts the final price based on this trend. "Do you have enough money? If not, I can lend you some."
"I have enough," Lu Qinghe nods. All the gains from the elemental stone vein discovered by his brother were handed over to him, and he is currently carrying no less than 200,000 gold, far exceeding the total assets of an ordinary inner disciple.
"Good," Lei Jian says, seeing the bid for the Chaos Crystal has already reached 53,000 gold. The bidding speed is slowing, and the increments are getting smaller. "Almost there, you can start bidding."
Lu Qinghe nods, ready to speak.
But at that moment, a voice suddenly rings out, "60,000 gold!"
In an instant, the true value estimated by Lei Jian was called out.
"It seems that someone else is considering this piece of Primordial Crystal too," Lei Jian said with a smile.
Being able to accurately call out this price must have been carefully calculated.
However, given his current identity and status, even if someone competed with him, it didn't matter.
"Make your bid."
Liu Qinghe nodded, "Seventy thousand gold."
Each bid increased by ten thousand.
Lei Jian couldn't help but give him a thumbs-up, "That's impressive."
However, impressive as it was, it wasn't just Liu Qinghe.
As Liu Qinghe's bidding ended, a bold and stunning price was announced.
"One hundred thousand gold!"
In contrast to Liu Qinghe's previous one thousand increase, the other party directly raised it by thirty thousand, showing their determination to win!
"This is getting a little troublesome," Lei Jian frowned and looked in the direction of the voice.
Almost as Lei Jian's gaze turned in that direction, the door of the private room opened, and a beautiful woman dressed as a maid, with a ninth-level cultivation, stepped out, "My young master could use this piece of Primordial Crystal. Friend, give us some face, will you?"
In a formal trading market, such confrontational and threatening language from a customer would definitely not be allowed!
But...
This was the black market!
There were no rules or regulations here!
Murder and robbery were certainly not newsworthy here.