owlsbooks Chapter 62: The Dark Market
Chapter 62: The Dark Market
At this moment, a barrage of comments popped up in front of Cao Xing's eyes.
The Twelve Beauties' Dual Cultivation Ceremony is about to begin. You may purchase tickets to attend. Ticket prices are as follows: First Class: 1000 taels, granting close-up observation and a limited-time opportunity to assist the participants; Second Class: 500 taels, allowing you to sit in the first row; Third Class: 100 taels, including tea and fruit platters...
Looking at the comments in front of him, Cao Xing's lips twitched a few times: "Pah! What's so interesting about this? We upright gentlemen don't watch this kind of stuff."
Immediately afterwards, another message popped up in front of Cao Xing.
[The Twelve Beauties Dual Cultivation Ceremony can be streamed live via Tianluo for only 20 taels.]
Cao Xing decisively placed the order, not for any other reason than that his good brother was participating in the competition, how could he not support him?
Brothers in our hearts!
Cao Xing didn't plan to enter and observe. He intended to try to obtain the magic artifact as those old ghosts had suggested. By the way, he planned to log onto the dark web and borrow Kui Mulang's divine power to see what mysteries this incense gathering held.
With this in mind, Cao Xing walked along the street.
At the same time, a small square appeared in front of me, and the scene of the Twelve Beauties' Dual Cultivation Ceremony began to play.
At this point, it was only the guest entry segment, and Cao Xing almost couldn't find Wu Peng when he glanced around.
After going in, this guy actually changed into women's clothing, with heavy makeup, looking incredibly slutty.
According to the rules, the first step is a mixed battle between male and female guests before they can proceed to the "Twelve Beauties" challenge.
After the host finished explaining the rules, he began to announce, "This event is sponsored by Yalong Mountain and Yalong Pharmacy!"
Yalong Mountain?
Cao Xing raised an eyebrow. Come to think of it, this was an old neighbor from his hometown.
Most people don't remember Yalong Mountain because it wasn't shown in detail in the TV series, but many people would probably remember who the cave master of Yalong Mountain is.
The mother of Golden Horn and Silver Horn, a nine-tailed fox.
As the mother of a Daoist disciple of Laozi, this nine-tailed fox was no pushover.
In the original story, after the nine-tailed fox was killed by Sun Wukong, all the demons of Yalong Mountain, led by Fox Aqi, came out in full force to seek revenge on the Journey to the West team.
Of course, the result was tragic. Fox Seven was injured by Sun Wukong in three rounds and was finally finished off by Pigsy with a rake. All the little demons were wiped out by Sun Wukong, becoming one of the achievements of the Journey to the West team in eliminating evil.
While the plot points are correct, Cao Xing has come to understand after being in this world for so long that the original story can only be used as a reference. At least for him, the strength of Yalong Mountain is like a dragon's den and a tiger's lair, unfathomable.
As for who the fathers of Golden Horn and Silver Horn are...
Ok.
The old fox even stole his belt; is it hard to guess?
The host is still reciting the GG phrase.
"All the items used in this event are exclusively endorsed by Lady White Bone of White Tiger Ridge; she says they're great!"
As soon as she finished speaking, a portrait of Lady White Bone appeared before them, holding props used in the competition, but they were blurred out and would cost extra to restore.
"The prizes for this event are sponsored by the newly emerging demon sect, Golden Gourd Mountain, and Golden Gourd Treasure Shop. Golden Gourd Treasure Shop has all kinds of rare and precious treasures, and during this incense gathering, everything is 10% off!"
Jindou Mountain?
Cao Xing raised an eyebrow, thinking to himself, "Could it be that the Green Ox has already descended to the mortal realm?"
This green ox is Laozi's pet, so its status is much higher than that of any ordinary mount. The magical artifacts made by his disciples must be of high quality.
Thinking of this, Cao Xing simply turned off the screen, leaving only the information pop-up window open to view during the finals, which would save a lot of Tianluo consumption fees.
Cao Xing took out the roll of white cloth that the old ghosts had given him and glanced at the information on it.
According to those old ghosts, the magical artifact was stored in a treasure vault, which was not located above the Qionglou Xianghui, but rather in a secret trading area below it.
This is a place that most people can't find, but there are instructions on how to get in written on the white cloth.
After checking the directions, Cao Xing quickened his pace and walked along the other side of the street.
Not long after Cao Xing left, Hong Kaiyuan, accompanied by two Foundation Establishment disciples, walked towards them from the other end of the street. Suddenly, Hong Kaiyuan, who was walking in front, stopped. His eyes lit up as he saw the traces of magic seals floating in the air ahead. "Good, I've finally found you."
After passing through two alleys, the number of pedestrians on the street gradually decreased.
The houses on these two streets all face away from the street and have no storefronts, which results in little business and a deserted atmosphere.
As Cao Xing continued walking, he noticed that the surrounding houses were starting to show signs of damage and were no longer being repaired by Tianluo. However, Tianluo would only repair the damaged areas when he got closer, illuminating the originally dim street again.
Of course, money will be deducted.
Looking at the constantly deducted expenses, Cao Xing was speechless with frustration.
So, you're using my data to patch your vulnerabilities?
Fortunately, the deducted fees were not much. As long as I didn't stand still for a long time, Tianluo wouldn't continue to repair itself, but would stop repairing after I left.
Cao Xing even tried it out, and when he walked over again, the previously repaired area became clear again, and no more extra cost was deducted from his expenses.
Okay, I'll just consider it as me downloading the patch myself.
Is this the place?
After entering a dark alley, an inn appeared in front of Cao Xing.
This inn was quite different from the others. Although it wasn't damaged, it didn't even have a single light on, and a plaque hung on the old door.
Tongfu Inn
The inn's storefront was small, with a line of text written on the wall.
"Officials serving in government posts and merchants settling down in peace."
Cao Xing gently pushed open the door of the inn. Although the outside of the inn looked dilapidated, the inside was clean and tidy, like a place that did legitimate business.
The shopkeeper at the counter leaned over the table, casually fiddling with the abacus in his hand.
Only after Cao Xing approached did he glance at him from head to toe and ask, "Sir, are you here for a meal or to stay the night?"
"I neither stop for a meal nor stay at an inn. I am just a humble porter from the martial world. I would like to ask you, innkeeper, for a bowl of water."
Upon hearing this, the shopkeeper raised his head, his expression becoming serious, and he bowed with his hands clasped: "May I ask what kind of water you would like? I have both hot and cold water."
"Shopkeeper, I'd like a bowl of water from the rootless source," Cao Xing replied.
Upon hearing this, the shopkeeper beamed with joy: "So you are a distinguished guest, please come in."
As the shopkeeper spoke, he invited Cao Xing to walk towards the backyard. Cao Xing followed behind unhurriedly, but inwardly he became wary.
Upon arriving at a wall, the shopkeeper gently tapped the blue bricks beside him a few times.
"Click-clack!"
A hidden door opened, revealing a narrow passage below.
"please!"
The shopkeeper gestured with one hand, indicating that he had no intention of leaving.
Seeing that Bixia did not issue any warning, Cao Xing felt relieved and continued down the narrow stone steps.
I thought there would be a secret room down there, but after walking down a few steps, I heard a lot of noise, as if there were quite a few people down there.
After Cao Xing walked down the stairs, he was greeted by a huge underground shopping mall.
The earth was hollowed out, extending downwards to an unknown depth, with stone palaces carved into the sides of the pit.
Countless thick iron chains run through these palaces and stone buildings, connecting them together.
In Cao Xing's view, the golden threads of Tianluo were woven into a large net, and various bullet comments and information kept popping up in front of Cao Xing's eyes.
[Is anyone buying a corpse? A female corpse at the Golden Core stage!]
I have several pregnant young women here, each of whom has cultivated the demonic art "Six Evils Extreme Path Great Technique." Their unborn children have transformed into demonic fetuses, sharing the same father's bloodline. They can be used to craft a set of Six Evils Demonic Infants. Anyone interested? Selling cheaply.
[Trading loans for individuals, cultivators, businesses, and sects; we offer substantial incentives to acquire non-performing loans, with preferential rates for large volumes!]
[Top-tier cauldron, modified, yin and yang unified, infused with the soul of a Rakshasa woman, fed on aphrodisiacs, appearance can be customized, contact me if interested.]
[I've already brainwashed the minds of this village of three hundred people. They look no different from ordinary people on the outside, but I can transfer the cost of incense offerings to them, making it cheaper—only thirty thousand taels!]