An auction was underway in a cavern hundreds of ters beneath Black Sand City. Everyone present was cloaked and furtive, careful not to reveal the slightest hint of their identity.
But even with their cloaks, the unsettling auras emanating from these Cultivators, mingled with an unidentifiable stench of rot and the choking sll of blood, were palpable. The auction hall, filled with several dozen people, felt more like a slaughterhouse. Though it appeared clean, it was not a place one wished to linger.
Fang Qingyuan and Jinbao mingled among them, both completely shrouded in cloaks. The day before, after learning the location of this place from Wu Mi, Fang Qingyuan had given her a few dozen Spirit Stones, concluding their arrangent.
A few dozen Spirit Stones were nothing to Fang Qingyuan, but for Wu Mi, it was a month’s inco.
Upon receiving the Spirit Stones, Wu Mi’s eyes narrowed into smiling crescents. She gave Fang Qingyuan her address, telling him he could co find her anyti he needed sothing.
Fang Qingyuan waited quietly for the auction to end, then took out a Token and showed it to a nearby man dressed in black.
This Token had been given to Fang Qingyuan by the Black Hand Leader from the Yuanling Square Marketplace, who had told him it could be used to purchase intelligence at any Black Market.
"We have a distinguished guest! Forgive for not giving you a proper welco."
The man who ca out was a Steward of this Black Market. His surna was Wen, his cultivation was at the Foundation Establishnt realm, and he had the classic look of a portly, prosperous rchant. When he smiled, his eyes narrowed to thin slits.
After exchanging a few pleasantries, Steward Wen got down to business.
"Sir, what information are you looking for? As long as the price is right in Spirit Stones, anything is on the table."
Fang Qingyuan wasted no words and stated his purpose directly: he wanted to gain a deeper understanding of the inner workings of the city’s major powers.
Wu Mi had given him a general overview, but with her low cultivation, her knowledge was often incomplete. Fang Qingyuan needed a clearer picture before he could feel at ease settling down here for the long term.
A long mont later, after receiving the information, Fang Qingyuan’s expression remained perfectly composed. He thanked Steward Wen, saying,
"Thank you for the clarification, Steward Wen. I expect I’ll have to trouble you again in the future."
After paying with Spirit Stones, Fang Qingyuan rose to take his leave. Steward Wen inclined his body slightly, watching them depart.
Ordinarily, he would have seen them to the door. But as a Steward of the Black Market, he naturally possessed a certain pride. It was understandable that he would maintain so reserve after the business was concluded.
However, just as Fang Qingyuan reached the door, he seed to rember sothing. He turned back and asked,
"Steward Wen, do you happen to know if there are any skilled divination masters in Black Sand City?"
Steward Wen paused for a mont, then replied smoothly, "If our distinguished guest has such a request, I can certainly make the introductions. However..."
"The Spirit Stones are not a problem."
With Fang Qingyuan’s assurance, Steward Wen readily provided three nas. The first was Chu River, leader of the Talisman Divination Alliance. To Fang Qingyuan’s surprise, the other two were both at the Qi Cultivation stage.
’Fang Qingyuan’s inquiry about divination was a strategic move for his own path to Foundation Establishnt. If he couldn’t find the opportunity he needed in this city, he might have no choice but to rely on the power of divination.’
Upon leaving the Black Market, Fang Qingyuan found himself facing a network of tunnels stretching in every direction. It turned out that over the years, Cultivators had nearly hollowed out the entire underground of Black Sand City. Hindered by the storms on the surface, and especially after the Wind Breath Sect had relocated, so Cultivators had simply built their own lairs and strongholds underground. This Black Market was one such place.
With everyone digging for themselves, the earth beneath Black Sand City had, over ti, evolved into a giant honeycomb. The underground was a dense maze of tunnels, forming a sprawling network despite the lack of light.
Since it was all underground, lighting was naturally a major concern. On his way in, Fang Qingyuan had noticed several different thods of illumination.
One thod involved incandescent white orbs of light floating high up on the vaulted ceilings, capable of illuminating a vast area. Their varying heights and distances created shifting patches of brightness and shadow, casting a surreal, colorful glow on the ground below.
Another light source ca from glowing stones embedded in the tunnel walls. Scattered like countless tiny stars, they resembled a magnificent night sky from a distance, and their light was pleasantly soft and comfortable.
Such feats were far beyond the ans of an ordinary Loose Cultivator. If Fang Qingyuan wasn’t mistaken, this was the work of the city’s two great powers: the Talisman Divination Alliance and Da Zui Hall.
Moving stealthily the entire way, Fang Qingyuan and Jinbao followed the crude map Wu Mi had provided. After taking a few convoluted detours, they returned to the surface.
After confirming they weren’t being followed, Fang Qingyuan returned to his room at the inn.
「Three days later.」
Fang Qingyuan found Wu Mi once again. The young woman still had no custors and looked to be in a sorry state. Her face lit up with pleasant surprise when she saw Fang Qingyuan.
"Sir, it’s good to see you again! What can I do for you this ti?"
Wu Mi hurried over to him, and Fang Qingyuan said,
"Let’s have tea first."
They sat in the sa familiar spot, but this ti Fang Qingyuan drank his own brew of Spirit Tea. Only after they had finished a pot did Fang Qingyuan speak.
"Find a place to live. It needs to be secluded and safe. It doesn’t have to be on a high-grade Spiritual Land; as long as I can cultivate, it will do."
Hearing Fang Qingyuan’s request, Wu Mi quickly finished the tea in her cup and explained,
"If you aren’t picky about the Spirit Land Grade, then places like that are quite easy to find. It really just depends on where in Black Sand City you want to live, Sir. The area near the Talisman Divination Alliance is a chaotic mix of people, with many small sects and Cultivator Clans gathered together, so conflict is inevitable. On the other hand, it has a bustling market. If you want to buy cultivation supplies, you can find them right outside your door."
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