C11 Black City

After enjoying a barbecue with his good friend Wang Bo, Qin Chuan didn't head straight home. Instead, he made his way to Qingyang Road on the west side of the city center.

The day after tomorrow was Sunday, and according to a prior arrangement, he would be granted access to the cultivation room of the Black Masked God, Zhou Meng, for a full day of training. To make the most of this opportunity, Qin Chuan knew he had to prepare thoroughly.

Previously, Qin Chuan's talent for cultivation was notably lacking, rendering the use of cultivation resources nearly pointless. Consequently, he seldom tapped into these resources and paid them little heed. Times have changed, though. Qin Chuan now possessed exceptional cultivation talent and the rare chance to train in a high-end, luxurious cultivation room. With the right resources at his disposal, he was confident he could cultivate more efficiently, achieving greater results with less effort.

His current visit to Qingyang Road was in pursuit of those very resources.

To the casual observer, Qingyang Road was just another nondescript street, devoid of shops selling cultivation resources. But Qin Chuan, a frequent visitor, was well aware of the massive underground city hidden beneath. Here, with enough money, one could acquire anything they desired.

This subterranean haven was known as Black City, a feature not exclusive to Qingzhou Mansion. Rumor had it that beneath every city in the Star Dragon Federation lay a Black City. The origins of these widespread cities were a mystery, but one thing was clear to regulars: those foolish enough to stir trouble in Black City seldom lived to see the dawn of a new day.

Despite the diverse mix of individuals within, Black City maintained an unexpectedly orderly environment.

For over two years, Qin Chuan had been a monthly visitor to Black City, purchasing cultivation resources for Wang Wenxue. He favored Black City over conventional stores for its more affordable prices. Now, seeking resources for himself, Black City was naturally his first stop.

The gateway to Black City was discreetly located in the backyard of a plain grocery store. To gain entry, one had to buy a pass from the store, a mere ten yuan. While optional, a pass was essential for protection within Black City; without it, you were on your own.

Qin Chuan entered the grocery store with ease, exchanging a glance with the dozing shopkeeper before silently placing a ten yuan Federation coin on the counter and spreading his hand open.

The counter, initially dark, flickered to life momentarily before settling down. In Qin Chuan's palm now lay a black crescent mark, the 24-hour pass to Black City, a symbol of the protection it afforded. Once he left Black City and Qingyang Road, the mark would vanish within minutes, as if by magic.

With the pass secured, Qin Chuan wasted no time heading to the grocery store's backyard. An elevator ride awaited him, a journey to Black City. But first, he donned a disguise.

Pulling a thin black mask from his jacket pocket, he covered his face, leaving only his forehead and eyes visible. Even Wang Bo would struggle to recognize him now. Qin Chuan had purchased this mask for a hundred yuan in Black City, where such masks were commonplace.

With his mask securely in place, Qin Chuan stepped into the elevator. It was crowded with people, most of whom were also masked. Those without masks had a menacing air about them; they certainly didn't seem like the friendly sort. Among them was one individual radiating such intense Spiritual Force fluctuations that he could only be a true cultivator.

The others in the elevator gave the suspected cultivator a wide berth, fearful of inviting trouble. They avoided even glancing in his direction. Witnessing this, Qin Chuan couldn't help but feel a pang of envy. Cultivators commanded such respect and authority; they were revered and powerful, and no one dared provoke them.

The elevator descended rapidly, plunging more than 300 meters in a mere moment. Through the transparent protective shield, the bustling life of Black City unfolded below—streets teeming with people and awash with light.

For Qin Chuan, who had visited Black City numerous times, the view had lost its novelty. Yet, there was an unmistakable spark of excitement in his eyes. His purpose this time was personal, a departure from his previous visits, and the thought filled him with a sense of elation.

"People really should live for themselves," Qin Chuan whispered under his breath. As the elevator came to a halt, he stepped out and made his way into the heart of Black City. Familiar with its ins and outs, he knew exactly where to find the best and most affordable cultivation resources. Without hesitation, he headed straight for the shops.

After weaving through the crowd for about ten minutes, Qin Chuan arrived at a storefront bearing the name 'Kelly.' He cast a brief glance at the passersby before entering.

"No credit allowed here," came a languid voice from behind the counter as soon as Qin Chuan crossed the threshold. He saw Kelly, the proprietor, propping her chin with one hand, her charm undiminished. He grinned and replied, "You greet all your customers with that line. Aren't you worried they might leave in a huff and never return?"

Kelly, recognizing the familiar voice, looked up from the counter with a mix of surprise and curiosity. "You normally visit just once a month. What brings you back so soon? Did you strike it rich?"

Over the past two years, Qin Chuan had become a regular patron, purchasing his cultivation resources from Kelly. They had grown quite familiar with each other. Even with his face concealed by the mask, Kelly recognized him by his voice.

"I haven't struck it rich, and I'm not here to shop," Qin Chuan replied, placing a dark cloth bag on the counter. "I need these low-grade spirit powders exchanged for top-tier ones."

Kelly eyed the bag and then Qin Chuan with a playful look. "Are you sure? You know the rules, even if you did buy them here. I'll have to charge a 20% fee."