Chapter 41. The Ghost Market

Page 1

Lin Yang followed Senior Sister Shi down the tunnel, which sloped steadily downward. After seven or eight turns, they had descended to a depth of around forty or fifty meters. In just two minutes, they reached the end.

Looking ahead, he saw the glow of lights at the tunnel's far end and walked toward them. When he arrived, the space opened up before him. This was an underground world, carved entirely from a massive subterranean cavern. The walls soared twenty or thirty meters high. Within this vast and empty underground cave, numerous stalactites served as pillars, supporting the space. Embedded in the stalactites were many luminous stones, filling the entire underground world with a silvery radiance.

“Wow, it’s just like an underground market!” Lin Yang exclaimed in awe.

“This is the Ghost Market of Yuanwu Kingdom,” Senior Sister explained. “All the major sects here have people stationed in the Ghost Market, so it’s essentially the hub for cultivators of Yuanwu Kingdom.”

“In the past, the cave wasn’t so large. It expanded over time, and now it covers several acres.”

“That’s amazing. They don’t use the land above, but instead gather underground.”

“That’s why it’s called the Ghost Market,” she replied.

“So, this really is the Ghost Market? The legendary place where anything can be bought?”

“That’s just a rumor. Most of the goods here are things better kept out of sight. Many forbidden items find their way out through this place.”

Lin Yang marveled as he took in his surroundings. Shops lined both sides of the street, their red bricks and green tiles bathed in the pale glow, which lent a dreamy, poetic quality to the thriving Ghost Market. The scene was rich with fantasy.

Senior Sister led him to a Treasure Pavilion. The attendant outside noticed Lin Yang and Senior Sister Hongfu, quickly approaching to welcome them and guide them inside with enthusiastic hospitality.

“How much time until the trading event begins?” Senior Sister asked.

“Esteemed guests, the annual trading event is just one day away. The auction will be held tomorrow night,” the attendant replied, recognizing them as participants.

“I’ll be happy to show you around,” he offered, clearly hoping to earn a commission, given his eagerness.

“That’s all right, I’ll look around myself,” Senior Sister said, and took Lin Yang to explore the small building.

“Junior Brother, you go take a look around. Come to the Treasure Pavilion for tomorrow’s trading event,” she instructed, dismissing him.

“Yes, Senior Sister.” Lin Yang chose a path opposite hers.

He gazed around, taking in the lively atmosphere.

Page 2

“Tofu, fresh tofu!”

“Don’t miss out! Fireball Talismans, Diamond Talismans, all kinds of spirit talismans available here!”

“Various medicinal herbs, come and take a look!”

Lin Yang followed the crowd along the bustling street, observing the sights. He stopped in front of a vendor whose stall displayed items taken from graves.

He examined a peculiar broken blade, about half the size of his palm. Lin Yang sensed the material was unusual, so he squatted down to inspect it, running his fingers along its edge. The blade was exceptionally sharp, but sadly only a fragment of a sword.

“Do you like this, sir? Take it for twenty spirit stones,” the vendor offered.

“You must be joking! Are you trying to rob me blind?” Lin Yang replied, exasperated.

“I’ll give you two spirit stones for it. It’s just a useless bit for my collection,” Lin Yang bargained, sizing up the vendor.

“Fine, two spirit stones and it’s yours,” the vendor agreed, realizing he’d met a shrewd customer. In his opinion, the item was worthless, though its hardness might fetch a couple of spirit stones.

Lin Yang tried to store the blade fragment in his storage pouch, but it wouldn’t fit. He tucked it into his cloth bag instead, intending to find a place to examine it later.

He continued on to an inn, noting that even the wood used in its construction was a material for crafting weapons. Curious, he stepped inside.

The scent of aromatic incense greeted him, pleasant and not cloying. The first floor had no tables, only seats for relaxation and games like chess and Go. A large incense burner dominated the space, taking up nearly half the floor, surrounded by abundant porcelain wares, giving the place a classical elegance.

“Are you here to dine or stay the night?” an attendant at the counter asked promptly.

“To stay,” Lin Yang replied.

“Please follow me,” the attendant said, leading him to the rear courtyard, where he discovered numerous standalone cottages, suffused with spiritual energy, almost mist-like.

“These are reserved for cultivators at the Foundation Establishment stage and above. It’s only five spirit stones per day,” the attendant explained, surprising Lin Yang with the price.

“All right, I’ll take this one,” Lin Yang replied, choosing the nearest cottage.

Page 3

“Very well, sir. Have you had dinner?”

“Not yet.”

“Then please rest. I’ll leave you to it,” the attendant said, returning to the counter.

Lin Yang entered the cottage. Inside, the scent was lighter, more refreshing. The pillars were made of sandalwood, the mosquito net on the bed woven from silk. The carpet was embroidered with a majestic golden dragon, its entire form crafted from golden threads.

All Lin Yang could think was how luxurious it was. The walls were adorned with profound calligraphy and paintings, the furniture all purple sandalwood. He couldn’t identify the origin of the vases and other objects, but their opulence was unmistakable.

“My goodness, no wonder it costs five spirit stones a day. I thought I’d been fleeced,” he muttered.

Sitting on the bed, Lin Yang took out the shard he’d bought.

He infused it with spiritual energy, but nothing happened. “Useless, it seems,” he sighed.

He drew his Royal Sword and struck the fragment. The powerful force chipped the sword, but the blade fragment remained unscathed.

“This must be a piece of some high-grade magical weapon. I wonder what material it’s made from, and if it can be melded into my Royal Sword.” His Royal Sword had suffered a notch. He decided to try merging the fragment with his sword later, when he had the means.

Lin Yang tossed the shard up and down, playing with it. As it fell, the edge sliced his hand. His skin was much tougher than that of ordinary cultivators, and he had trained with two body-refining techniques.

While examining the fragment, he noticed it absorbing his blood. Lin Yang let more blood flow into it, nearly a bowl or two’s worth. Only then did he finally sense a connection.

Through the information he gleaned, he learned that this had once been a demonic sword from the Demon Realm, shattered by someone from the Celestial Realm, with its spirit attached to this fragment. It had passed through two owners, both weak, and after their deaths, it was unearthed from their graves.

.........