Mortal: Reborn in Yellow Maple Valley, Awakening the Eight-Nine Arcane Arts

Seeing that he was in good condition, Chu Zifei immediately went out with him.

The two of them, one in front of the other, headed once again toward the secret shop deep within the market.

Before long, two figures stopped in front of the courtyard gate of the secret shop.

Wang Laowu raised his hand and knocked a series of secret signals on the wooden door.

The courtyard gate slowly opened, and it was Madam Zhang from the secret shop who opened it.

She recognized the newcomer as Wang Laowu, a clear look of surprise flashing across her eyes, before she asked in confusion:

"Fifth Brother? What brings you here? You should know the rules: the Secret Shop auction is currently suspended, and there are no transactions to be made."

"I am naturally aware of the rules of the secret shop."

With a smile, Wang Laowu replied frankly, "Since my benefactor is coming, I will naturally lead the way."

"My benefactor?"

  

Madam Zhang, unaware of the previous events, was slightly taken aback upon hearing this, and was filled with confusion.

Seeing that Wang Laowu had no intention of explaining further, she didn't press the matter. Her gaze then fell on Chu Zifei standing to the side, and her tone returned to its politeness:

"Fellow Daoist, our auction will not resume until next month. Please come again another day."

Several months later, the market was bustling with cultivators, and she had long forgotten that Chu Zifei had once been here.

"I am not here to bid; I have come to do business with your store."

Chu Zifei said calmly.

"Business?"

Just as Madam Zhang was about to ask another question, a detached male voice suddenly came from inside the courtyard, interrupting her.

"Let him in."

Upon hearing this, Madam Zhang dared not hesitate. She stepped aside, raised her hand, and led Chu Zifei into the courtyard.

As for Wang Laowu, Chu Zifei had already sent him home. Although his injuries had healed, his foundation was still weak, and he was not suited for strenuous travel.

Inside the main hall, a figure in black robes sat in the center; it was the mysterious cultivator who had been overseeing the auction that day.

Upon seeing Chu Zifei enter the hall, the black-robed cultivator raised his hand, gesturing for him to sit down.

Chu Zifei remained calm and composed, taking his seat as a guest. Madam Zhang quickly stepped forward, skillfully preparing tea and pouring water with swift and proper movements.

After the tea was served, she bowed and withdrew from the hall, leaving only the two of them facing each other in the room. Only then did the black-robed cultivator slowly speak:

"Since you've come, please speak frankly. I can make all the decisions regarding transactions, large and small, within the shop."

Chu Zifei didn't waste any more words. With a flick of his sleeve, a heavy storage bag flew out and landed steadily on the table.

The black-robed cultivator reached out and took the storage bag, instantly probing it with his divine sense.

In an instant, a hint of surprise flashed across his eyes.

"Fellow Daoist, you have truly remarkable skills, managing to acquire so many cultivation resources."

Chu Zifei remained calm, seemingly unconcerned, and asked softly, "How many mid-grade spirit stones are these resources worth in total?"

The black-robed cultivator hesitated for a moment, then spoke truthfully:

"These resources are enough to support five early Foundation Establishment cultivators to steadily advance to the mid Foundation Establishment stage, and they are quite valuable."

Chu Zifei knew that what the other party was saying was the market price of righteous resources, while his batch was all spoils of war from demonic cultivators, and its value was already greatly reduced.

As expected, the black-robed cultivator changed the subject and gave a price:

"However, these resources are all from the demonic path, and even if our store accepts them, the risk of turnover is extremely high. We can only settle the payment at a discounted price."

He paused briefly before announcing the final price: "The total is fifty mid-grade spirit stones."

Chu Zifei understood.

The price wasn't particularly generous, but it was in line with market rates and within his expectations.

The sale of magical resources is difficult and extremely risky. This price is already quite fair, and he has no objection to it.

After finalizing the deal for these resources, Chu Zifei raised his hand again and handed out a small silver shield.

This small silver shield was the magical artifact that Chu Zifei had previously looted from the Yan family disciples.

The black-robed cultivator glanced at it and spoke immediately: "A high-grade defensive magic artifact, in perfect condition, priced at ten mid-grade spirit stones."

Chu Zifei nodded in agreement, and the two parties completed the transaction on the spot.

Although he was curious about the sales channels and resale profits of the secret shop, he was well aware of the rules and did not ask a single question, adhering to his proper boundaries.

After carefully collecting the sixty mid-grade spirit stones, Chu Zifei left the secret shop without lingering for a moment.

With this sum of spirit stones in hand, he was full of confidence and immediately went on a shopping spree in the Tianxing Sect market, spending thousands of low-grade spirit stones to collect healing pills and special talismans, stockpiling sufficient supplies for any eventuality.

At this moment, the situation between the righteous and the demonic forces appears calm on the surface, but in reality, turbulent undercurrents are brewing.

Neither the top experts on the righteous nor the demonic side have truly entered the fray. The Six Paths of the Demonic Path are taking advantage of the chaos to gradually encroach on territory, but have not yet launched a full-scale attack. This is the perfect time for them to lie low, accumulate strength, and build up their resources.

The fall of Yue Kingdom is a foregone conclusion, and the neighboring Yuanwu Kingdom is no match for the sweeping force of the demonic path.

He didn't know if he would repeat Han Li's fate and be abandoned by Linghu Patriarch.

In chaotic times, sects are unreliable; only by possessing sufficient resources and having formidable cultivation can one survive and secure one's position.

With all the supplies prepared, Chu Zifei made no further plans and decided to travel alone to the Yue Kingdom's palace to meet the number one evil cultivator below the Core Formation stage.

Stepping out of the no-fly zone of the market, Chu Zifei raised his hand and a palm-sized willow-leaf flying boat appeared in his palm.

As spiritual energy poured in, the flying boat's spiritual light surged, and it stretched and expanded against the wind.

The boat is narrower at both ends and slightly wider in the middle. The entire body is engraved with layers of light-escaping runes, which shimmer with a faint glow.

This boat was a flying artifact he had just purchased for two thousand low-grade spirit stones. With chaos looming, having a suitable means of transportation for long journeys was of paramount importance.

Chu Zifei leaped onto the flying boat and embedded the spirit stone into the array's groove.

In an instant, the formation continuously poured spiritual energy into the flying boat. All the runes on the boat lit up, and a thin layer of spiritual energy shield enveloped the flying boat, which steadily took off and flew at a steady speed towards the Yue Kingdom's royal palace.

The flying boat moved extremely steadily, without the slightest jolt. Chu Zifei sat upright with his eyes closed, taking the opportunity to regulate his breathing and calm his mind.

After traveling at breakneck speed for half a day, the flying boat arrived at the border airspace between Yuanwu Kingdom and Yue Kingdom.

Just then, Chu Zifei saw in the distance that a strange flying boat broke through the clouds and sped towards them.

It was a jet-black skeletal flying boat, its shape grotesque and eerie, with runes on its hull glowing with a blood-red light. As it flew in from afar, wisps of malevolent black mist continued to drift about.

A long, bloody trail trailed behind the airship, its bottom stained with undried blood, and fragments of broken human corpses were faintly visible. The stench of blood could be smelled even from a distance.

But on this eerie demon ship, there was a completely different scene.

Colorful ribbons entwined the white bone flying boat, which was covered with brightly colored brocades. Although the boat was made of white bones, it was now decorated as a lavish flower boat.

The boat was filled with the sounds of singing and dancing, and the faint, seductive music was quite captivating.