C14 Underground Black Market

Great Flame City, perched on the frontier where North Star Country meets the Devil Dragon Wasteland, was a magnet for mercenaries, independent cultivators, and even students from prestigious academies—all seeking to train and unearth treasures in the Devil Dragon Wasteland.

The wasteland had been cursed and sealed since the cataclysmic World Annihilation Battle ten millennia ago, making the once-abundant sect ruins nearly impossible to locate. Yet, time had weakened these ancient seals, and occasionally, a lucky rogue cultivator would stumble upon the remnants of a lesser-known sect.

The treasures and demon beasts they discovered were typically sold through official channels. However, items of mysterious provenance were often traded in the underground black market—a favored destination for those looking to quickly bolster their strength without the scrutiny of legality.

Qiao Gao, intent on rapidly enhancing his own power, knew that besides braving the dangers of the Devil Dragon Mining Area and raiding the dens of formidable demon beasts, the underground black market was the quickest route to acquiring valuable artifacts.

Tucked away in a secluded valley on the outskirts of Great Flame City, the black market was not easily accessible. It had cost Qiao Gao over a thousand yuan crystals for a guide to lead him to this hidden bazaar, a place beyond the reach of ordinary warriors.

Donning a black cloak and a silver mask that concealed all but his eyes, Qiao Gao was determined to remain anonymous during his transactions. The underground black market was rife with deals that shunned the light of day, and while he was not one to shy away from danger, he had no desire to entangle himself in needless altercations.

His priorities were clear: to swiftly unlock his meridians and to unravel the mystery behind the withering of one of his Human Rank Essence Veins.

As Qiao Gao navigated the bustling streets of the black market, he found it to be unexpectedly lively, not the desolate place he had envisioned. Rogue cultivators hawked their wares on either side of the thoroughfare, offering an eclectic mix of Medicine Pills, Origin Weapons, martial arts techniques, and more.

Yet, amidst the commerce, deception lurked like serpents amongst dragons. The market's waters were murky and fraught with peril. One false move could lead to ruin, ensnaring the unwary in a web of deceit.

Qiao Gao meandered through the market with a casual gait, quickly drawing the attention of the vendors.

"Hey there, young hero. Looking for anything in particular?" A strapping man with bushy eyebrows and large eyes blocked Qiao Gao's path. Despite Qiao Gao's black robe and masked face, the subtle but not overpowering essence energy emanating from him clearly indicated he was no master.

"Heh, a kid who's only managed a Three-vein Connection dares to treasure hunt in the underground black market? I'd be doing myself a disservice if I didn't try to swindle you."

The burly vendor mused to himself while eagerly pitching his wares.

"Young hero, behold the Vein Connecting Pill, crafted by a Grade Three Pill Refining Master—absolutely authentic and of superior quality. It can boost your Vein Connection success rate by at least 30%," he said, presenting a brocade box containing the pill.

"And I'm only asking for 800 yuan crystals each. You'd pay no less than 1000 yuan crystals anywhere else."

Upon hearing this, Qiao Gao felt a stir of interest, his eyes settling curiously on the 'Vein Connecting Pill' inside the box.

The Vein Connecting Pill was known to enhance the likelihood of opening one's essence vein, with those concocted by higher-grade Pill Refining Masters offering even greater success rates.

For Qiao Gao, such a pill was precisely what he needed. There were numerous methods to open a vein, the most cost-effective being to endure a beating—a last resort that Qiao Gao preferred to avoid.

Clearly, taking the Vein Connecting Pill was the preferable option.

Yet, after only a brief inspection of the so-called Grade Three Pill Refining Master's Vein Connecting Pill, Qiao Gao's smile faded. "This Vein Connecting Pill is worth, at most, 100 yuan crystals," he retorted.

The burly man's face flushed with anger, a dark scowl quickly clouding his features as he snapped, "Where did you come from, you little imp? Slashing the price by 90% just like that? If you don't have the yuan crystals, stop wasting my time!"

The underground black market is a labyrinth of shadows and deals, where haggling is not just accepted but expected. Yet, it's a rare sight to see someone bargain as aggressively as Qiao Gao.

Unfazed, Qiao Gao coolly assessed the item at hand. "This Vein Connecting Pill has a dull hue, its fragrance is muddled, and the pill pattern is barely discernible. It's certainly not the work of a Grade Three Pill Refining Master. I'd wager it's a failed concoction from a Grade One Pill Refining Master, recycled from the scrap heap."

"You've got a knack for business, though," he continued, addressing the vendor. "Taking a discarded pill, reprocessing it into three, and selling them as if they could significantly boost one's chances of opening their veins—when in reality, they might only offer a measly 1% increase in success rate."

"Considering all that, even offering 100 yuan crystals would be generous on my part." Qiao Gao's words flowed with a serene confidence, leaving no room for argument.

The muscular man's face shifted with surprise, his eyes widening as he realized that Qiao Gao was no ordinary, easily duped martial artist. The thought crossed his mind that Qiao Gao's weak Origin Energy fluctuation might be a ruse, a classic case of a master masquerading as a novice, sending a shiver down his spine.

"My apologies, senior," the burly man said, bowing in respect and apology.

Qiao Gao didn't linger on the matter. He knew all too well the perils of the black market—just one misstep could leave you swindled.

He soon found himself at a stall tucked away in a corner. The vendor here was an anomaly, not engaging in the boisterous sales pitches of his peers but standing in silent contemplation, as if burdened by deep thoughts.

Only a single item graced the stall—a palm-sized box of golden splendor, adorned with intricate dragon and phoenix motifs, clearly a relic of regal opulence.

"How much for this box?" Qiao Gao inquired.

The asking price was steep, deterring any potential buyers. It was the kind of sum that even a Soul Connecting Stage expert would need considerable time to amass.

The vendor lifted her gaze to meet Qiao Gao's inquiry. Despite the silver mask concealing her features, her lively, slender eyelashes and radiant eyes, coupled with the subtle, graceful curves hinted beneath her black robe, revealed the stall owner to be a woman of distinct elegance.

The beautiful vendor didn't detect any weakness in Qiao Gao's essence energy fluctuations, and she completely missed sensing his soul force. Disinterested, she withdrew her gaze and named her price.

"Ten thousand crystals, firm."

At that, Qiao Gao nearly jumped. A mere box, albeit one with the appearance of a courtly artifact, was tagged at ten thousand crystals—and non-negotiable at that. It seemed exorbitant.

"What's inside this treasure box?" Qiao Gao inquired, his curiosity piqued.

"Heavenly Essence Pill," the vendor replied coolly, adding, "But I don't have the key."

"Without the key, it's hardly worth ten thousand crystals," Qiao Gao chuckled. "How about a thousand crystals instead?"

Her eyes flashed with a frosty glint as she unleashed a torrent of essence energy, revealing her status as a late-stage Soul Connecting expert.

"This Heavenly Essence Pill is crafted by a royal pill refining master from a great nation. It guarantees the opening of a Heaven Rank Essence Vein!"

Anger caused her chest to rise and fall dramatically. Even through her black robe, her silhouette was strikingly contoured.

The surge of essence energy caught the attention of nearby martial artists, particularly the guards upholding the underground black market's order. Rumor had it that the black market was under the city lord's ownership, which explained its long-standing operation without any unruly disruptions.

"If you're not buying, please leave."

Eventually, the vendor reigned in her essence energy, clearly not wishing to draw the guards' notice.

Qiao Gao stayed put, leaning in closer to whisper, "Let's not be hasty. I have a Detoxification Pill formula that could rid you of the Yin Fire Pill poison in your system. It's a fair deal—your box plus a thousand crystals."

"Who are you?" she demanded, her disbelief evident as she scrutinized Qiao Gao. Then, her elemental energy burst forth like a tidal wave, the formidable fluctuations enveloping him.