Chapter 984: News of the Elephant Soul
Wherever there are people, there will always be a black market.
If the existence of the Martial Market Bank was to establish a set of trading rules for the entire Kunlun Realm, then the existence of the black market was undoubtedly to break those rules.
Of course, in some respects, the black market also made up for certain shortcomings of the Martial Market Bank, constructing a more complete trading market.
Because there were some things that could only be bought in the black market, such as: human lives, forbidden weapons from the Ministry of War, and elixirs monopolized by medieval aristocratic clans, and so on.
The black market headquarters of Tiantai Prefecture was an ancient city, known as the City of Evil, considered the darkest place in the entire Tiantai Prefecture.
In Tiantai Prefecture, with its thirty-six commanderies and one thousand two hundred ninety-six counties, more than half of the evil path factions' headquarters were also located here.
Although this City of Evil had endured countless wars and suffered many attacks, it had still not been destroyed; instead, it had become even more prosperous and flourishing.
"Caw!"
A vulture's cry tore through the sky.
Immediately after, a fierce sound of wind breaking rang out as a Golden-Winged Thunder Vulture pulled a Blood Soul War Chariot down from the sky, driving straight into the black market.
The Golden-Winged Thunder Vulture radiated dazzling golden light, its aura like that of an ancient divine beast. As it traveled along the wide streets, it startled the evil path cultivators, who all dodged and retreated in fear.
"What a formidable barbarian beast. I wonder who is inside the war chariot?"
"That is the Blood Soul War Chariot of the Blood God Sect. Only saint realm titans are qualified to ride in it. It must be a great figure arriving at the black market."
...
The crowd buzzed with discussion, all guessing at the identity of the Blood Soul War Chariot's master.
The Blood Soul War Chariot traveled all the way to the gate of the Black Market First Class Hall before stopping. Then, Zhang Ruochen stepped out from inside.
Murong Yue had learned in advance that Zhang Ruochen was coming and had already been waiting outside the gate.
In addition, two monks, one white and one black, stood behind Murong Yue.
The white-skinned monk was as pure white as jade, very plump, with a face that always wore a smile like a Buddha.
The black-skinned monk was exceptionally thin and gaunt, like a piece of charcoal, forming a stark contrast with the white-skinned monk.
These two were precisely the disciples of Master Indra, the Grand Minister of Works and the Second Minister of Works.
Recently, they had been following Murong Yue to cultivate in the mortal world, and they hadn't caused too much trouble.
Seeing Zhang Ruochen step down from the Blood Soul War Chariot, Murong Yue immediately went up to meet him, smiling, "Congratulations, Young Master Gu, on becoming the new Divine Son of the Blood God Sect."
Zhang Ruochen nodded. "Do you have news on the item I requested?"
Murong Yue's gaze swept around. "This is not the place to talk. Young Master, please follow me."
Zhang Ruochen nodded and followed Murong Yue into the Black Market First Class Hall, arriving at a secluded courtyard.
In the courtyard, a protective grand formation activated, condensing into an invisible light shield that enveloped the entire courtyard.
"Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince."
Murong Yue knelt on one knee and saluted Zhang Ruochen, showing great respect.
Zhang Ruochen nodded, signaling Murong Yue to rise.
Murong Yue stood up, looking sharp and capable. "Your Highness ordered me to find a saint-level elephant soul. I have already uncovered some information."
Zhang Ruochen showed a delighted expression. "Where is it?"
Murong Yue said, "Tonight, at the Moon Worship Demon Sect's auction, they will be auctioning the soul of a Green-Armored Camel Elephant."
The Moon Worship Demon Sect also had extensive holdings in the black market. Generally speaking, the demon sect's auctions were very high-profile, and the treasures auctioned were of the top tier.
Sacred Origin Pills, Sacred Sources, Sacred Art technique manuals... all could appear on the auction stage.
Zhang Ruochen was determined to obtain the Green-Armored Camel Elephant's soul, so he naturally had to attend tonight's auction.
Zhang Ruochen took out a small jar of divine blood, a full thousand drops, and handed it to Murong Yue, asking her to exchange it for sacred stones.
After all, at the auction, all transactions were conducted with sacred stones, so Zhang Ruochen naturally needed to prepare a large sum in advance.
Receiving a thousand drops of divine blood, even Murong Yue was quite shocked. Because the quantity of divine blood was too massive; exchanging it all for sacred stones would be equivalent to the total wealth of a saint.
Murong Yue's state of mind was far beyond ordinary people. She quickly suppressed her astonishment, took the thousand drops of divine blood, and withdrew.
The Grand Minister of Works came to Zhang Ruochen's side, palms together, with a smiling, benevolent expression. "Uncle Master, this humble monk has also accumulated some treasures over the years. I've sold them all and exchanged them for sacred stones, but I have nowhere to spend them. How about taking me along to tonight's auction?"
"Since you are cultivating in the mortal world, it's a good thing to go and see the world together." Zhang Ruochen said.
"I want to go too," said the Second Minister of Works.
The Grand Minister of Works' large, round face immediately darkened. He scolded, "Second Junior Brother, what are you going for? You're a pauper; you can't even produce a single sacred stone. Going to the auction will only cause trouble for Uncle Master, won't it?"
The Second Minister of Works was indeed quite dull, but he was also very persistent. "Since it's cultivation, why can't I go?"
"You still have a reason? As your senior brother, can I no longer control you?"
The Grand Minister of Works rolled up his two sleeves, revealing two thick, fair arms, and was about to teach the Second Minister of Works a lesson.
Zhang Ruochen immediately stopped him. "Since the Second Minister of Works wants to go to the auction to see the world, we'll all go together."
"Since Uncle Master has spoken, you can go. Hmph, anyway, you don't have a single sacred stone, so you can't buy anything."
The Grand Minister of Works folded his arms, looking quite pleased with himself.
Zhang Ruochen took everything in, only smiling inwardly.
Two months ago, the Grand Minister of Works and the Second Minister of Works had been cultivating deep in the mountains and forests, rarely interacting with the outside world.
In just over two months, the Grand Minister of Works had completely integrated into this world—drinking wine, eating meat, acting smoothly, and even showing some cleverness.
People with such strong adaptability would never suffer no matter where they went.
The Second Minister of Works was the complete opposite of the Grand Minister of Works. He remained very rigid, stubborn, and dull, eating vegetarian and chanting Buddhist scriptures, without a single change.
Of course, someone like the Second Minister of Works had a Buddha heart as firm as a rock; no inner demon could affect him.
Murong Yue was very efficient. Soon, she had exchanged all thousand drops of divine blood for twelve thousand sacred stones.
The value of a drop of divine blood, depending on its grade, could be exchanged for ten to twenty sacred stones.
The divine blood Zhang Ruochen had obtained in the Underworld was only of ordinary quality; exchanging one drop for twelve sacred stones was already quite good.
Zhang Ruochen put all twelve thousand sacred stones into his space ring, then took out another hundred drops of divine blood and handed them to Murong Yue.
Murong Yue took the divine blood, looking somewhat puzzled. "Does Your Highness want to exchange more sacred stones?"
Zhang Ruochen shook his head. "These drops of divine blood are for you."
A look of surprise appeared on Murong Yue's face, and she was about to refuse.
A hundred drops of divine blood was far too precious.
However, before she could speak, Zhang Ruochen continued, "I know that with your status, you don't lack cultivation resources. But refining divine blood will allow your cultivation to advance faster and strengthen your physique. I hope you can cultivate your Extreme Yin Body to Great Perfection as soon as possible."
Murong Yue did not refuse again. She put away the hundred drops of divine blood and cupped her hands. "Your subordinate will not disappoint Your Highness's expectations."
Zhang Ruochen clasped his hands behind his back, gazing at the crimson clouds on the horizon. "The Bright Sect has been established. I need some powerful talents. If you can cultivate your Extreme Yin Body to Great Perfection, you will surely become one of the Bright Sect's hall masters in the future."
"The Bright Sect is the sect founded by Your Highness?"
Zhang Ruochen nodded. "That's right."
A look of joy appeared in Murong Yue's eyes.
Since His Highness the Crown Prince had decided to establish his own sect, it meant he intended to rebuild the Holy Bright Central Empire.
How could a former subordinate of the Holy Bright Central Empire not be overjoyed?
Murong Yue was somewhat excited. "As long as Your Highness issues a crown prince decree, announcing the news of your return, it will surely rally a hundred responses. Most of the former subordinates will come to pledge their allegiance. In no time, the Bright Sect's power could rival the current Bright Hall."
Zhang Ruochen shook his head, not as optimistic as Murong Yue. "Who would believe that the Holy Bright Crown Prince from eight hundred years ago is still alive? Even if the Holy Bright Crown Prince truly returns, which of the saint realm titans ruling over their territories would willingly submit to a junior at the Half-Saint realm? Now is not the time to issue the crown prince decree. We must wait a little longer."
Since His Highness had his own plans, Murong Yue naturally said no more.
Zhang Ruochen asked, "Have you found any news on Ling Feiyu, as I asked you to search for?"
"I dispatched all the cultivators of the Yuan Mansion Black Market First Class Hall to search all thirty-six counties, but I found no trace of Ling Feiyu. It is said that the demon sect sent out even more people, yet they also found nothing. Everyone suspects that during the battle at the Zhenyu Ancient Clan, Ling Feiyu has already fallen." Murong Yue reported.
"Not even bones were found?" Zhang Ruochen said.
"No."
Murong Yue added, "An attack unleashed by an existence like the Azure Heaven Blood Emperor can destroy everything in the world. How could there be any remains left?"
Zhang Ruochen let out a long sigh, feeling somewhat sorrowful.
Regardless, Ling Feiyu had been both a teacher and a friend to him, teaching him much about the way of the sword.
Ling Feiyu was definitely a remarkable woman who could be compared to Shengshu Cainü. Her extraordinary talent allowed her to dominate an era.
Yet, facing a sovereign like the Azure Heaven Blood Emperor, she ultimately perished, leaving nothing behind.
"No matter how outstanding a person is, they can still die. Even the life of a Sword Saint is so fragile." Zhang Ruochen's mood was quite heavy, unable to feel a trace of joy.
The sun set in the west, and the sky gradually grew dim.
Zhang Ruochen, Murong Yue, the Grand Minister of Works, and the Second Minister of Works rode the Blood Soul War Chariot, heading towards the auction house set up by the Moon Worship Demon Sect in the black market. (To be continued.)