After transmigrating into the body of the protagonist's childhood friend, he was targeted by a

Lin Zhixu and Luo Yiyan searched for a long time but still couldn't find the entrance to the black market.

Luo Yiyan pulled out a map, looking left and right at the alley in front of him, his face full of confusion: "This is clearly the place, so why isn't there even a door?"

Lin Zhixu told Luo Yiyan to search again, and then mentally called out to the system: "Is this the black market? How do I get in?"

The system quickly replied: "[This is the place. Walk ten steps to the left, there's an alley, and a beggar is squatting inside. Give him one hundred high-grade spirit stones, and he'll give you a token. Only with the token can you see the entrance to the black market.]"

The system added: "However, the black market is also known as the ghost market; it's a melting pot of all sorts of people, some of whom aren't even human. It's best to buy a magical artifact that can conceal your presence beforehand, otherwise you'll be a sitting duck."

Lin Zhixu's heart sank.

In the original story, Luo Yiyan came with Minghe. Although Minghe had never been to the black market before, he had heard a lot about it and took precautions in advance.

Even so, Luo Yiyan was still being watched inside.

They're not prepared at all, and rushing in like this is no different from suicide.

He led Luo Yiyan ten steps to the left as instructed by the system, and sure enough, they saw a beggar in the corner of the alley.

His clothes were tattered, his hair was a mess and covered his face, and he was dozing off against the wall.

Lin Zhixu glanced at it a few more times, becoming even more wary.

He couldn't sense any fluctuations in the other party's cultivation level at all.

In this area, he didn't believe the other person was really an ordinary person; he was more likely some old monster with peculiar fetishes.

The system, seemingly sensing his thoughts, explained: "This person is indeed a powerful being. His cultivation level is probably only slightly lower than that of the elders of the Tianheng Sect."

Lin Zhixu asked, puzzled: "You really do know everything? Then why did he become like this?"

The system proudly declared: "Of course, the system is omniscient in this world. No one has any secrets in the system's eyes."

The system continued: "This person's current state is a cruel twist of fate. He was exceptionally gifted from a young age, which fostered an arrogant and conceited personality. Later, he met and fell in love with his wife, but his arrogance brought him misfortune."

His wife was murdered by his enemies. He endured much hardship and narrowly escaped death several times in his quest for revenge, finally succeeding. Afterwards, he felt no attachment to life and was rescued by the owner of the black market on his deathbed, who hired him as a gatekeeper.

Lin Zhixu was speechless.

Indeed, the world of cultivation is full of stories.

Although Luo Yiyan didn't know why Lin Zhixu had brought him to see a beggar, he believed that Lin Zhixu must have his reasons for doing so, so he waited quietly to the side.

Following the system's instructions, Lin Zhixu took out two hundred high-grade spirit stones and handed them over.

My heart was bleeding the moment I handed it over.

Just entering the gate costs a hundred high-grade spirit stones, and who knows how much more it will cost in the black market.

Hopefully, Luo Yiyan brought enough spirit stones.

The beggar lazily lifted his eyelids, his withered fingers emerging from his tattered sleeve as he took the item and weighed it in his hand.

He then pulled out two dark, black tokens from his pocket and tossed them over, his voice hoarse and unpleasant: "Two hours. They'll expire after that."

The token felt cold to the touch; it was neither wood nor iron, and a crooked "ghost" character was engraved on it, exuding a sinister aura.

When Lin Zhixu looked up again, a dark door had appeared out of nowhere at the end of the alley. A faint light shone through the crack in the door, as if something was breathing silently behind it.

If a timid person were here, they would faint from fright on the spot.

Luo Yiyan stared at the door, which was shrouded in a faint light, and was startled for a moment. She was full of questions, but she knew that now was not the time to ask.

Lin Zhixu took out two masks from his storage bag, put one on himself, and handed the other to Luo Yiyan.

Luo Yiyan took it and obediently placed it on her face.

The beggar lifted his eyelids slightly, glanced at the two of them, and then lowered them again.

It seems that an elder in the family had given instructions.

He was puzzled. In this day and age, what kind of parent would be so careless as to let their two children come to the black market alone?

Could it be that all the adults in the family have died?

Lin Zhixu naturally had no idea what the beggar was thinking.

He reached out and pushed open the door, and a cold wind carrying a cacophony of noise rushed in.

Behind the door lies another world.

There was no sunlight here; the entire long street was shrouded in a dark sky, and pale paper lanterns hung on both sides of the street, casting half-light and half-shadow on people's faces.

The roadside stalls displayed all sorts of unidentifiable items, and some stall owners wore masks while others simply showed their faces.

I don't know what gives them the confidence to be so fearless, or if that face is fake.

The air was filled with the stench of blood and a cloyingly sweet incense.

In the distance, faint growls of beasts could be heard, along with a strange laugh that seemed to come from nowhere.

Most of the pedestrians here also have their faces covered, so it's hard to tell whether they are men or women.

Lin Zhixu: "..."

Even though it's called Ghost Market, does it really need to be decorated this way?

Luo Yiyan cautiously followed Lin Zhixu, asking in a low voice, "Zhixu, I haven't asked yet, how did you find this place?"

"We grew up together, how come you suddenly know so much about the cultivation world?"

Lin Zhixu: "...Because I read a lot of books, I know more."

Luo Yiyan: "Oh, then I'll read more books when I get back."

Lin Zhixu: "...Alright, time is limited. Go find the medicinal herbs you need quickly."

Luo Yiyan looked around and frowned, saying, "Let's go find a pharmacy and ask first."

The two dodged pedestrians on the road, turning left and right, and finally found a pharmacy.

The shopkeeper was a middle-aged man with squinty eyes, a smiling face, and a very enthusiastic demeanor, but his eyes also revealed a shrewd glint.

After hearing the names of the herbs Luo Yiyan mentioned, he shook his head regretfully: "These herbs that you want, sir, are not commonly found in ordinary shops."

Luo Yiyan quickly asked, "Where can I buy it?"

The shopkeeper smiled but said nothing.

Lin Zhixu slapped a handful of spirit stones on the table without any expression.

The shopkeeper's eyes lit up, and he quickly reached out and put the spirit stones into his pocket.

"You can't buy these in ordinary shops, but you might see them at auctions. You two have come at the right time; there's an auction going on today, and perhaps there will be something you're looking for."

Lin Zhixu: "Where is the auction taking place?"

Shopkeeper: "Once you leave the building, head east until you see a dark building heavily guarded by soldiers."

As the two were about to leave, the shopkeeper, probably thinking of the money, kindly gave them a word of advice.

"Is this your first time at the Ghost Market? Since we get along so well, let me offer you a word of advice."

"Here, you can buy anything as long as you have money."

The shopkeeper's tone became meaningful: "Anything is fine. Including human life."

Luo Yiyan shuddered.

Lin Zhixu looked at the shopkeeper and calmly thanked him.

The shopkeeper paused for a moment, then broke into an even bigger laugh.

"You're welcome. Please come again next time."