After the group left the city gate and walked for about a few minutes, they saw a cluster of buildings with a faint green glow. If it weren't for the unusually lively shouts coming from inside, they would probably have thought it was haunted.
"Lin Chen, let's speed things up. If we're late, the good stuff might be gone," Ye Yao said to the group.
"No rush, no rush, we will meet when we are destined to. The emperor is not worried, but the eunuch is."
"Slap!" A slap landed on Lin Chen's head, but Lin Chen was quite large now, so the slap didn't really hurt.
Ghost Market Entrance
There were two men at the entrance, dressed in long black robes and carrying long black spears, exuding an aggressive aura.
"Halt! If you wish to enter the Ghost Market, you will need to pay a fee of two spirit crystals per person." Two guards blocked Lin Chen and his companions' path.
"Pay a fee? This Asura Domain is unclaimed land. Who are we supposed to pay the fee to? Are you trying to rip us off? Do you even know who this is? Don't you recognize Ye Yao, the young sect master of my Heavenly Profound Sect?"
Lin Chen has started his deception again.
"What is the Heavenly Profound Sect? I've been in the Asura Domain for so long, how come I've never heard of it?"
“I know all the major and minor powers in the Asura Domain very well, and I have never heard of a Heavenly Profound Sect. Where did this little sect of yours come from?” The two guards were very suspicious.
"Pah, you're all just looking down on us. Our Tianxuan Sect is a rising top power in the Time Domain Continent. We usually keep a low profile and rarely get involved in worldly affairs. Does our young lady's entourage really prove that she comes from a powerful force?" Lin Chen retorted in one sentence.
"Don't delay our young lady's treasure hunt. If you do, your lives will be in danger."
Seeing the several burly men following Ye Yao, and still unable to gauge their strength, the gatekeeper was indeed a bit intimidated. However, the rule was strict: no one could enter without paying spirit crystals.
"No matter where you come from, the Asura Ghost Market has its own rules. No one can enter without paying spirit crystals." The gatekeeper remained relentless.
“I advise you not to break the rules. The power behind the Ghost Market in the Asura Domain is beyond your imagination,” another guard chimed in.
It wasn't that Lin Chen and his group were short of money; they just wanted to make a bigger show of things to prepare for any unnecessary trouble later.
Just as the stalemate was at hand, a soft, feminine male voice came from behind.
"Gentlemen, I, Du, will pay the market entry fee for this young lady and the others."
A man dressed in a white brocade robe and holding a folding feather fan came into view, standing out conspicuously in the darkness. He was followed by two attendants. Lin Chen could not discern his strength with his current mental power, which meant that his strength was above Lin Chen's.
"So you are the young sect master of the Heavenly Fiend Sect. I apologize for not greeting you properly."
"You're too kind, you're too kind. I, Du Yu, am still very modest. Please continue with your work."
"Well then, please, gentlemen. Young Master Du has already informed you." The gatekeeper made way for them.
Lin Chen overheard Ye Yao's whispers, "The Heavenly Fiend Sect is a mid-to-upper-level power in the Asura Domain. The Dao techniques they pass down are dark-type, and it is said that they absorb other people's Dao techniques to advance, which is very evil."
After listening to Ye Yao's explanation, Lin Chen looked at the white-robed youth and couldn't believe that he was practicing such an evil art.
Upon entering the ghost market, they saw shops lined up one after another, some without even a shopkeeper. Prices were clearly marked, and you could take the goods by paying the corresponding amount of spirit crystals. However, they also discovered that there weren't many good items here; the best things were all in the back.
"Miss, hello, I am Du Yu from the Heavenly Fiend Sect. May I get to know you?" Du Yu extended her rather fair hand, but Lin Chen found it disgusting at the moment.
"Ahem, hello, I am Ye Yao from Tianxuan Sect. Thank you so much. I thought they were making things difficult for me, but it turns out there really is such a rule."
"Is this Miss Ye's first visit? It's alright. I, Du, wonder if I would have the honor of showing you around."
"No, no, our young lady doesn't like playing with men," Lin Chen said.
"Haha, this spirit beast? So you're a beast tamer, Miss. Alright, I won't bother you any longer. If you need anything, I'll be happy to oblige. I'd love to make friends with you."
"I knew that grandson was up to no good. Yao Yao, don't let him mess with you. Who knows what he's up to?"
"I understand. Let's hurry up and find some good stuff." Ye Yao didn't like Du Yu at all.
The deeper you go into the market, the colder it feels, yet the number of people keeps increasing; it seems they're all there for the treasures inside.
At a stall, Ye Yao stared at a glowing bead and called Lin Chen over.
"Look, what's that? I think it's so pretty, should we buy it?"
Lin Chen was indeed thinking of girls at that moment, but he was shocked when he saw it—it was actually a Spirit God Pill. It could repair damaged nerves and boost one's mental strength by 100%. For Lin Chen right now, it was indeed a wonderful thing, since he needed to repair his mental strength first in order to awaken the system.
"Boss, how much is that bead?" Lin Chen didn't answer Ye Yao and asked directly.
"1000 spirit crystals".
So expensive... I only brought less than 20,000 with me for this ascension, I guess I'll be done for tonight.
"Okay, wrap it up for me." Ye Yao could tell that Lin Chen seemed even more excited than her, and he took it without saying a word.
After that, they bought a lot of low-level introductory cultivation techniques for the brothers who came with them to practice.
"Lin Chen, we have 10,000 spirit crystals left. Let's go to the auction house one last time."
Looking at the bustling building not far away, Ye Yao knew that was the main event of the night.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the auction continues. The highest bidder wins. Bidding is allowed indefinitely. The hammer has fallen!" The auctioneer's voice could be heard as soon as one entered the room.
"The next item is a sword technique created by a sword spirit master, suitable for sword cultivators. However, the appraisers cannot currently determine its grade, so there is no low price. Please feel free to bid."
"Sword Spirit Venerable? He's already a great master, not to mention he specializes in swordsmanship. His sword techniques must be extraordinary."
"1000"
"5000"
"9000"
Before long, they made it to the Wanjing Pass.
Lin Chen knew that this sword technique and Daoist manual were tailor-made for Ye Yao. There were two most important things about coming here: a spiritual treasure and Ye Yao's Daoist manual. Now, both were within his grasp.
With a thud from the southeast, no one bid anymore. After all, a Dao technique of unknown rank wasn't worth the price.
"Alright, payment and delivery." The auctioneer delivered the Dao technique out of thin air, and after receiving the money, the purchase was complete.
Lin Chen used his spiritual power to detect that there were two people opposite him, the strongest of whom was only a fifth-level Supreme.
He sneered, "So, you've already placed your bet? It's a dark and stormy night, and the main event is just beginning."
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