Chapter 179: Black Market

Novel

The so-called spiritual spring object is the physical item upon which a spiritual spring is born. Nourished by the spiritual spring day and night, these objects transform from ordinary materials and exist in the world as the spring's anchor. If a spiritual spring originates from a piece of wood root, that root transforms into a spiritual spring object; similarly, if it forms on a stone, that stone becomes the spiritual spring object. Of course, some spiritual springs can manifest directly from the void, in which case there is no associated spiritual spring object.

Should a spiritual spring be destroyed or dry up for any reason, its spiritual spring object may still remain. While spiritual springs are rare, countless years have passed, and a considerable number have been discovered. Indeed, some depleted spiritual spring objects do circulate within the cultivation world. These depleted spiritual spring objects cannot be used for artifact forging or pill alchemy. However, due to their unique formation, they are considered rare curiosities, and many individuals are keen to collect them.

The author of "Secret Transmission: Dragon Point Annotations" speculated that these spiritual spring objects could be used to accelerate the maturation of spiritual springs. Unfortunately, he managed to acquire one such object but never found an unformed spiritual spring. This is because while spiritual springs are difficult to manifest, they don't take an excessively long time to fully form once born. Cultivators can afford to wait, and from the moment a spiritual spring begins to manifest, the spiritual energy within the cave dwelling becomes exceptionally rich, providing ample support for cultivation.

Qin Sang's situation was unique. The "Soul Nurturing Sword Chapter" required a combination of frequent, intense combat and cultivation. In the Yun Cang Great Marsh, demonic beasts hid underwater, so each expedition to find them would inevitably cause significant delays. Sparring with fellow disciples would be restrictive and largely ineffective. Apart from the Ancient Immortal Battlefield, it was difficult to meet these conditions elsewhere.

Moon Asking Market, Sky Mark Pavilion.

Sky Mark Pavilion was the most renowned establishment among the four major markets near Shaohua Mountain. It was backed by the Yu family, the largest cultivation family in Moon Asking Market, whose success was undeniably linked to Shaohua Mountain through an unspoken connection. Its most famous feature was the monthly auction, where countless exotic treasures were offered and high-level cultivators gathered. However, Qin Sang's visit this time was not for the auction.

As Qin Sang stepped into Sky Mark Pavilion, a pleasant-looking young woman immediately approached him. She was also a cultivator, though only at the third level of Qi Condensation.

"Xiao Huan greets the Young Master. How may I assist you? Are you looking to buy something, or sell a treasure?"

Before she finished speaking, a gray-robed elder suddenly hurried out from the back of the main hall. He apologized to Qin Sang, then discreetly waved for Xiao Huan to withdraw. "Senior, please forgive her. The young girl lacks discernment. The items in this hall are merely common goods and would not catch your esteemed eye. If Senior has any specific needs, please follow this junior to a private room upstairs for a detailed discussion."

Qin Sang had not concealed his cultivation level. The gray-robed elder, being at the thirteenth level of Qi Condensation, could naturally discern that Qin Sang was not an ordinary individual.

Qin Sang glanced around, observing the display counters on Sky Mark Pavilion's first floor, which held jade slips, spiritual materials, pills, and magical artifacts. As expected, they were all items of low value. He nodded and said, "Please lead the way, fellow cultivator."

The gray-robed elder stepped aside and led the way, smiling apologetically. "My surname is Zhang, junior, and I humbly serve as an attendant of Sky Mark Pavilion."

Upon entering the private room, Qin Sang, not wishing to waste time, went straight to the point. "Attendant Zhang, I require two types of spiritual materials for artifact forging: Ghost Condor Feathers and Moon Sophora Wood Core. For the Ghost Condor Feathers, it's best if they were freshly plucked within the last three years. The Moon Sophora Wood Core needs to be over five hundred years old. Does your esteemed establishment have these for sale?"

Seeing Qin Sang's directness, Attendant Zhang abandoned any thought of ingratiating himself and, with a serious expression, said, "Please wait a moment, Senior?"

With that, Attendant Zhang grasped a jade pendant, his lips moving silently. After a moment, he nodded slightly and reported, "Senior, the shop indeed has both these spiritual materials. The Moon Sophora Wood Core is six hundred years old, which meets your requirements. However, we do not have fresh Ghost Condor Feathers; only old ones that are several decades or more ancient. Would these suffice for your needs?"

Qin Sang privately considered that refining the Fiend Corpse required extracting yin fire from the Ghost Condor Feathers. As this was his first attempt and he was unfamiliar with the "Heavenly Yin Corpse Art," the greatly diminished yin fire from old feathers would likely be insufficient. However, something was better than nothing, so he decided to purchase them for now.

With this in mind, Qin Sang nodded. "Please have someone bring up the items, Attendant Zhang. Additionally, could you please help me check if any depleted spiritual spring objects are available for purchase at your esteemed establishment?"

Leaving Sky Mark Pavilion, Qin Sang's brow furrowed slightly. Depleted spiritual spring objects were proving much harder to find than he had anticipated. Attendant Zhang had contacted branches in three other markets, but none had any in stock. Qin Sang had no choice but to leave some spirit stones and ask Sky Mark Pavilion to keep an eye out for them. However, Attendant Zhang informed Qin Sang that in his decades of service at Sky Mark Pavilion, he had never once encountered such an item.

"I'll do my best and leave the rest to fate. If I really can't find it, I'll proceed with my original plan," Qin Sang sighed inwardly, quickening his pace towards Shopkeeper Wu's shop.

Shopkeeper Wu happened to be in his shop. As the two chatted, Qin Sang mentioned his vexations, and Shopkeeper Wu chuckled. "Fellow Daoist Qin, it's quite normal that you couldn't buy fresh Ghost Condor Feathers at Sky Mark Pavilion. Firstly, Ghost Condors are sinister demonic beasts that reside deep within the Heaven-Severing Mountains, in areas with the strongest yin energy—a territory of demonic cultivators. Secondly, Ghost Condor Feathers are plumes from the condor's crest, imbued with a peculiar yin fire, making them a unique spiritual material for artifact forging. However, this yin fire isn't very useful for orthodox cultivators and can even damage their magical artifacts. In fact, older feathers, where the yin fire has dissipated, are more sought after. My master left me some channels for acquiring spiritual materials. If Fellow Daoist Qin needs them, I can help procure a batch for you, though since you need them urgently, the price might not be low."

Qin Sang was overjoyed to hear this. "Many thanks, Fellow Daoist Wu! As long as they can be acquired, the price is no issue. I, Qin, will certainly express my profound gratitude at that time."

Taking the opportunity, Qin Sang also informed Shopkeeper Wu about his need for depleted spiritual spring objects.

"If the items Fellow Daoist Qin needs cannot be found at Sky Mark Pavilion, it would be difficult for other legitimate shops to have them. However, besides that, I, Wu, do know of two other channels..."

Wu Yuesheng cautiously closed the shop door, then leaned closer and whispered, "One of them is the black market."

"The black market?"

Qin Sang had also heard of the black market. It was rumored to frequently feature many high-quality items, sometimes even superior to those auctioned at Sky Mark Pavilion. However, the origins of many goods there were questionable; in other words, the black market served as a place for fencing stolen goods. Among Wu Yuesheng's magical artifacts, there were a few that Qin Sang had no use for, but he couldn't sell them in Moon Asking Market either, as that would show too little regard for Shaohua Mountain. Fencing such items would have to wait until after entering the Ancient Immortal Battlefield. As for Baiyun Shanren's items, they were all common magical artifacts that could be sold without issue. However, their quality was low, and the black market wouldn't be interested in them. Therefore, Qin Sang hadn't deliberately sought out the black market: firstly, he had no illicit items to fence, and secondly, he was focused on his cultivation and had no urgent need for anything specific.

Shopkeeper Wu was a long-time resident of Moon Asking Market, so it was natural for him to know about the black market. However, depleted spiritual spring objects held little value, so the black market might not necessarily carry them.

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