C16 Yin Fiend Corpse Worm

The underground black market was segmented into three distinct areas: the outer valley, the inner valley, and the forbidden zone.

The outer valley, where the street stalls bustled, was a melting pot of characters, with relatively low entry requirements. Entry to the inner valley, however, necessitated a payment of Origin Crystals.

The enigmatic forbidden zone was reserved exclusively for the black market's inner circle; it was off-limits to regular martial artists.

"A payment of 100 Origin Crystals is required to access the inner valley," stated the stoic guard of the underground black market.

After Qiao Gao handed over the fee, the guard granted him entry without further ado.

Upon entering the inner valley, Qiao Gao was greeted by a roar that set the blood racing, quickly followed by a pungent scent of blood.

"I've heard there's an auction house, a training facility, and a combat platform here in the inner valley," Qiao Gao mused, looking around. His priority was to locate a cultivation chamber to thoroughly examine his Origin Meridian and determine the cause of its atrophy.

Navigating the compact inner valley, Qiao Gao swiftly located the training facility, thanks to directions from a black market guard.

This so-called training facility was housed within a secure, three-story stone edifice, heavily guarded to ensure absolute safety.

Approaching the reception, Qiao Gao requested, "I need a cultivation room, please."

The attendant, a striking woman with five meridians, gave Qiao Gao a respectful look from her captivating eyes and said apologetically, "I'm sorry, sir, but we only have the 'Azure Dragon' cultivation room available."

Qiao Gao's brow furrowed at the news.

He was aware that the black market's cultivation rooms were categorized into four tiers: 'Black Tortoise', 'White Tiger', 'Vermilion Bird', and 'Azure Dragon'. The higher the tier, the denser the vital energy within the room, enabling more efficient cultivation.

The cost of Origin Crystals, however, varied significantly.

For instance, a day in the most basic 'Black Tortoise' room was a mere 100 Origin Crystals, while the premium 'Azure Dragon' room commanded a steep 1000 Origin Crystals per day.

This cultivation room was so opulent that even experts at the Soul Connecting Stage would hesitate to stay here.

The receptionist could sense that Qiao Gao's essence energy was fainter than hers, and she wondered how a martial artist at the Vein Connecting Stage could afford enough essence crystals for the 'Azure Dragon' cultivation room. Despite her skepticism, she kept her expression neutral.

"The issue with my Yuan Meridian can't be ignored any longer. I must determine the cause of its withering soon, or it will lead to endless problems," Qiao Gao mused before requesting, "Please arrange an 'Azure Dragon' cultivation room for me."

The receptionist's eyes widened in astonishment. An 'Azure Dragon' room was rarely rented out even once a month.

With recent rumors of upheaval in the Wasteland and noble scions from beyond Great Flame City arriving to seek fortune and adventure, she speculated, "Could he be one of those noble young masters?" She resolved to attend to this unassuming young man diligently.

If she served him well and gained his favor, she might never need to work the front desk at the black market again, instead moving on to better opportunities.

Qiao Gao raised an eyebrow and asked, "Is there a problem?"

Snapping back to reality, the receptionist flashed what she believed to be a charming smile and assured him, "No problem at all, I'll take care of it immediately."

"Sir, please follow me," she said with a hint of sycophancy.

Qiao Gao, maintaining his composure, followed her in.

Upon entering the cultivation room, he was greeted by a wave of incredibly potent essence energy.

"Sir, this is the 'Azure Dragon' cultivation room. If you need anything, just let me know," she offered.

Spanning roughly a hundred square meters, the 'Azure Dragon' room featured not only a cultivation platform but also a small practice stage. The essence energy here was so concentrated that a single day's cultivation could rival ten days outside.

Yet, at the cost of 1000 essence crystals per day, it was an extravagance that even Soul Connecting Stage experts would balk at.

After surveying the room, Qiao Gao nodded in approval and dismissed her, "You may go; I won't be needing anything else."

The receptionist didn't leave; instead, she flung herself into Qiao Gao's embrace, whispering, "Sir, I'm at your service for anything you need. Cultivation can be so dull—why not mix business with pleasure?"

The receptionist was brazenly trying to entice Qiao Gao, her hands wandering inappropriately...

"Back off!" Qiao Gao shoved her away with one hand.

Having encountered a stunning beauty like Hwang Ningxue, Qiao Gao wasn't about to be swayed by such mediocrity. Besides, he was too focused on his cultivation to entertain any distractions.

The receptionist's face flushed with embarrassment, but she was reluctant to retreat.

"Keep it up, and I'll report you to your supervisor," Qiao Gao warned sternly.

Fear finally took hold of the receptionist. The black market front desk job might not be glamorous, but it was far better than most, and she wasn't eager to lose it.

"I'm going, I'm going..." she stammered, hurrying out of the 'Green Dragon' cultivation room.

"What a farce," Zhou Qing muttered under her breath as soon as the door shut.

"Who's got Zhou Qing all riled up?" A jovial voice rang out. A man in a yellow training suit approached, casually draping his arm around Zhou Qing's waist and stroking it gently.

Zhou Qing shot the man a glare, clearly still fuming, and slapped his wandering hand away.

"What's the matter?" the man in yellow asked, his tone serious.

"I've got a big fish on the line. Are you in for a major score?" Zhou Qing proposed, the memory of her recent humiliation fueling her vengeance.

"What's going on?" The man's eyes gleamed with interest. As the leader of the Hidden Dragon Gang, he was no stranger to shady dealings with Zhou Qing.

Zhou Qing pulled him aside and filled him in on the details.

"To think someone dared to insult the incomparable Zhou Qing. They're asking for trouble. Count me in," he declared, ready to take on the challenge.

"Here's to a successful partnership!"

With that, they came to an agreement, their smiles hiding a hint of malice.

...

Unaware of the looming danger in the cultivation room, Qiao Gao remained oblivious to the fact that he had caught the attention of the Hidden Dragon Gang.

But even if he were aware, he would simply scoff. Such riffraff were beneath his concern.

"This Human Rank Essence Vein has withered to such an extent," Qiao Gao mused as he sat cross-legged, employing the Internal Inspection Technique to 'see' the Essence Vein within himself.

He activated his cultivation technique, drawing in copious amounts of essence energy.

"Buzz~~"

The Essence Vein quivered faintly as it absorbed the essence energy, which coursed through the desiccated vein. But the energy vanished as quickly as it came, leaving his Essence Vein parched and cracked, like a sponge drained of all moisture.

"Hmm? Something's off here."

A sudden revelation struck Qiao Gao as he detected a dark shadow deep within the Human Rank Essence Vein.

"What could this be?"

With a low growl, Qiao Gao channeled the Divine Demon Body Refinement technique, his soul force enveloping the Essence Vein.

The shadow was trapped, allowing Qiao Gao to discern its true nature, which turned his complexion to a steely gray.

"A Yin Fiend Corpse Worm, of all things."