Chapter 493 - 220: Yin Corpse Sect, Treasure House, Spirit-Extinguishing Nail
Chapter 493: Chapter 220: Yin Corpse Sect, Treasure House, Spirit-Extinguishing Nail
The most important thing for an intelligence organization is its reputation.
So, Xiao Chen chose the detailed version without hesitation and also requested the latest intelligence report on the factions within the Sea of Darkness.
He made a specific request, "It needs to include details on the prominent cultivation families and the Golden Core Stage Loose Cultivators who are frequently active in the area."
The contact deftly produced a thicker envelope. "This report originally costs one thousand Spirit Stones, but if you purchase it this month, the price is two thousand Spirit Stones."
"Furthermore, the new Relic may have caused some discrepancies in the information."
"Please consider your purchase carefully. All intelligence sales are final."
Xiao Chen pressed, "The price increase is because of the Relic, right? I’ve already bought the intelligence report on it. Can’t you give me a discount?"
The contact seemed taken aback for a second before putting the envelope away. "Please wait a moment."
They left briefly and returned. "My apologies, but the Shopkeeper says that’s the current price."
Xiao Chen thought for a moment. "Alright then, I’ll take both."
When it came to Spirit Stones, you had to know when to save and when to spend.
He’d just earned a nice sum from selling the Spiritual Artifact; there was no need to be stingy over the price of information.
After leaving Chaohui Pavilion, he headed west. Not far off stood a tall, pink building. At its entrance, a group of scantily-clad Kun Cultivators were striking seductive poses.
Flanking the tall building was a row of neat little courtyards.
Farther back was the true street market.
Most of the vendors here were the lowest-level Loose Cultivators, or simply Cultivators passing through, who couldn’t even be bothered to set up a small wooden hut.
They would just find a piece of cloth, spread it on the ground, and set up a stall to sell Spiritual Objects right there.
This market had two main characteristics.
First, the prices were cheap—far lower than in the established shops.
Of course, there was no guarantee of quality; it all depended on a Cultivator’s discerning eye.
Second, you could find hidden treasures. Some of the items had questionable origins, so much so that the vendors only dared to sell them while wearing Conical Hats to hide their faces.
Under normal circumstances, the buyers would also hide their identities. Some even deliberately disguised their voices.
In any case, as Xiao Chen scanned the crowd, he saw that many Cultivators had their faces covered or were wearing masks.
A casual glance revealed a small, open-mouthed jade bottle containing a Foundation Establishment Pill.
Although the Elixir looked perfectly round, its luster was exceptionally dull.
Based on Xiao Chen’s visual assessment, the item was most likely a Wasted Pill.
Even if it retained some of its medicinal properties, it was hard to say how effective it would be.
A Qi Refining Cultivator nearby was asking for the price, "Senior, how much for this Foundation Establishment Pill?"
"This one?"
The vendor sized up the cultivator’s attire. "Letting it go cheap. One thousand Spirit Stones and it’s yours."
Hearing the price, the Qi Refining Cultivator was clearly tempted.
After inspecting it closely, he began to haggle.
Meanwhile, at the next stall, another Foundation Establishment Cultivator held up a Top Grade Magic Shield and was negotiating with the vendor. "This Magical Artifact of yours is old. Knock off another two hundred Spirit Stones."
Xiao Chen glanced at the Shield.
Thanks to his Eye of Truth, he immediately spotted a seam running through the middle of the Shield, showing it had been pieced together.
It was obviously a fake, or at the very least, a shoddy item being passed off as a quality one.
Situations like this were shockingly common here.
Of course, not everything was fake. A bit farther back, Xiao Chen noticed a simple awning constructed from bamboo.
Beneath it stood three crooked rows of Cultivators. The front row consisted of twelve people, all at the Foundation Establishment level of Cultivation.
The two rows behind them were filled with Qi Refining Cultivators, sixty-seven people in all.
Five of them had their hands bound, with Spirit-Extinguishing Nails driven into their backs.
The rest were not bound, but they all stood listlessly with dull, vacant eyes, showing no intention of escaping or crying for help.
Each of these people had a sign hanging from their neck, displaying prices that ranged from five hundred to ten thousand Spirit Stones.
The prices were mainly determined by their level of Cultivation. Only two naturally beautiful female Qi Refining Cultivators were priced two hundred Spirit Stones higher than others at their level.
Noticing Xiao Chen standing before the awning, a round-faced Golden Core Cultivator at the side immediately walked over.
He greeted him warmly. "Fellow Daoist, all our prices are clearly marked. See anyone you like? Just say the word."
Before Xiao Chen could reply, a black-robed, middle-aged man walked over.
"Old Jin, give me two more."
He turned to look and saw that the newcomer was wearing a Magic Robe bearing the insignia of the Yin Corpse Sect.