After transforming into a fairy, I, in my simulation, wreaked havoc in the cultivation world.

Under the lingering gaze of the young master Li, your figure slowly disappeared into the crowd.

[Once you've gathered all the information you need in a day, use it and then discard it.]

[With such low-grade spiritual roots, there's absolutely no need to cultivate any feelings between us.]

[That Master Wangyue arrived in Yunque City seven days ago, before the news of the Gathering Spirit Jade Marrow appeared. This means he wasn't after this treasure.]

[Or perhaps, they weren't drawn to it for its ability to refine spiritual power, since the Spirit Gathering Jade Marrow only works on Foundation Establishment and Qi Refining stage cultivators.]

Of course, it's not impossible to buy it for a younger person; you need to find out if this spiritual item has any other uses.

Based on your current information, the most well-informed and comprehensive place in Yunque City is actually the black market in the outer city.

To save time, you casually changed into a plain long dress and, while doing so, gave yourself a face full of pockmarks, making you feel nauseous just looking at yourself.

You then proceeded smoothly to the checkpoint. The guard glanced at you, waved, and let you through without hesitation.

The moment you step out of the city gate, you feel the immense difference between the front and back.

The central gate was paved with blue bricks, and there were countless exquisite and magnificent pavilions and palaces.

[Outside the city gate, all that could be seen were mud walls and rammed earth. Even not far from the city gate, many beggars lay sprawled on the roadside, and the passersby were disheveled, emaciated, and covered in dirt.]

Separated by a single wall, yet worlds apart; this scene is strikingly similar to Lion Camel Ridge at the foot of Mount Ling.

The distinction between immortals and mortals is once again laid bare before your eyes in a bloody and stark way.

Suddenly, several men dressed as beggars struggled and lunged at you, their dark, menacing faces twisted with a desperate longing.

【"snort!"】

You let out a cold snort, and unleashed a powerful spiritual pressure without reservation.

After a sickeningly loud cracking sound of bones breaking, without even a scream, only a few mangled corpses remained on the ground.

You exhale calmly, a sigh of relief escaping your lips. No matter the cost, you must break free from this quagmire!

Then, with a swift movement, you vanished from the spot in the blink of an eye.

"Hehe~ Wang Datou and his gang have finally met their match!"

"Serves you right. If you walk by the river long enough, you're bound to get your shoes wet. Running into a celestial master meant certain death."

"Hehehe~ Several people have already headed straight for Wang Datou's house. I heard his wife is pretty hot. I'm going first."

"Let's go together, let's go together..."

【...】

The so-called black market is not what you imagine—a place of secret passages, signals, and clandestine activity.

The black market of Yunque City, on the contrary, is openly and brazenly located in the heart of the outer city, occupying a vast area.

Furthermore, the orderly arrangement of shops and street stalls indicates that a complete system has already been formed.

After paying the entrance fee of three low-grade spirit stones, you headed straight for the largest pavilion in the center of the street.

[It's none other than the Red Mansion, the largest intelligence organization in the black market!]

According to Young Master Li, the Red Pavilion organization is spread throughout the entire Xuanhuang Continent, and it may be backed by a powerful figure beyond the Nascent Soul stage.

Upon entering the attic, one is greeted by an empty hall, with only gray wooden plaques hanging on the walls above the main entrance.

"Are customers asking for information or selling information?"

A hoarse voice seemed to come from nowhere, yet it landed clearly in your ear.

"They can even sell information?"

You've become interested.

"That depends on what kind of news it is."

How to sell information? And how to buy information?

After you asked that question, a gray wooden plaque flew straight towards you.

"Take the wooden sign and go up to the second floor. Regardless of whether you've bought the information you need, you must first pay one hundred low-grade spirit stones."

【"......"

【Very well, Dream of the Red Chamber, is it? You'll remember this debt!】

After obediently leaving behind one hundred spirit stones, you clutched the wooden plaque and headed upstairs.

As you pass through the floors, you feel a distinct fluctuation sweep over you. After the wooden plaque in your hand emits a faint glow, everything returns to calm.

"Guest, please follow me."

A blind boy dressed as a young man bows slightly to you and leads you to a cubicle.

[Upon pushing open the wooden door, an elderly man with white hair and beard was seen flipping through an unknown book, seemingly oblivious to your arrival.]

The boy remained silent, bowed again, and left, closing the door behind him.

You gently tapped the table, and the old man frowned, looking up from his book.

"What information do you want to know?"

"Let me first sell you some information."

Your wide grin, framed by your burly makeup, made you appear exceptionally bold.

The old man's lips twitched slightly, and he raised his hand to signal you to continue.

"The Nine Luminaries Demon-Suppressing Stele, a treasure of the Heavenly Profound Sword Sect, was stolen by the demoness Zixia Zhenren of the Joyful Union Sect."

Your words were earth-shattering.

The old man's previously nonchalant expression vanished instantly, and he said in a serious tone:

"Selling fake news has consequences."

You sensed the powerful aura emanating from the other party, yet remained completely unfazed.

"Since you buy information, you should have ways to distinguish between true and false."

The old man nodded slightly upon hearing this, and with a wave of his hand, a piece of warm white jade landed in front of you.

"Hold it, and repeat the message again."

After you did as instructed, Bai Yu showed no reaction.

"It's actually true!"

He stared at you intently for a long time, and finally couldn't resist.

"How do you, a Qi Refining stage cultivator, know such secrets?"

You rolled your eyes at him.

The old man gave an embarrassed smile, realizing he had overstepped his bounds, and coughed lightly.

"You have two choices: three Xuan-rank messages or one Di-rank message as payment."

"Such crucial intelligence, and all you can get in return is this little bit of information?"

[Actually, you have no idea what the use of this information is, nor do you understand what the Nine Luminaries Demon-Suppressing Stele is for; you just want to drive up the price.]

"This news will attract the pursuit of the Heavenly Profound Sword Sect, and our Red Pavilion needs to bear the risk."

The old man reverted to his nonchalant attitude; well, you've already given the information, take it or leave it.

[The Dream of the Red Chamber, inherently evil, is truly unreasonable with its monopolistic industry!]

[What is the scope of Xuan-level information?]

"All messages below the Nascent Soul stage."

[You raised an eyebrow slightly, so arrogant?]

"Then I'll choose the first one."

[Information about Nascent Soul level cultivators is currently useless to you, but you might be able to use this information to get freebies a few more times later...]

The old man nodded slightly, and three pure black tokens appeared out of thin air before you.

"With this item, you can exchange for information for free in any branch."

You decisively tossed out a token.

Why did Master Wangyue purchase the Spirit Gathering Jade Marrow?

After hearing your question, the old man got up and left the cubicle.

About half an incense stick's time later, the old man returned. He didn't speak immediately, but instead extended his hand to you.

"That makes two problems. Get another token."

"On what grounds?"

You stared wide-eyed in disbelief.

In the short span of an incense stick's time, the Red Mansion organization revealed its utterly ruthless nature.

["This question not only requires answering why Master Wangyue purchased the Spirit Gathering Jade Marrow, but also involves his physical condition and the second function of the Spirit Gathering Jade Marrow."]

The old man completely ignored your protests.

"Two tokens, you've hit the jackpot!"

...