Chapter 212: Yanluo Ghost Market, Items from the Strange Insect List

True Lord Qingyang was utterly bewildered, having no idea what Wang Yu was talking about.

"Let me think for a moment. I'll need your help with something else, Daoist brother."

Upon hearing this, True Lord Qingyang could only patiently wait for Wang Yu to finish his deliberations.

Regardless of whether He Gu had truly planted the demon seed in Luo Chen's body, Wang Yu needed to react immediately. He ideally wanted to launch a counterattack, forcing Jinlin to suffer the consequences of his actions. He closed his eyes, rubbing his temples.

After a long moment, Wang Yu had an idea. He realized he only had two choices. He could turn hostile, kill True Lord He Gu, and the plan would naturally fall apart. Alternatively, he could covertly carry out his own plan, pretending ignorance and allowing Jinlin's scheme to proceed, only to deliver a fatal blow at the critical moment. The key was to seize the opportune moment when Tian Shui arrived. This would certainly be more than three months later, when Wang Yu would be away from Guiling. Having resolved this, Wang Yu began explaining his upcoming plan to True Lord Qingyang, who listened in astonishment.

"So, that's what you were pondering."

"I had no choice. A tall tree catches the wind, and besides, this is Jin Miaoshan's problem. The Guiling City Lord's Mansion suffered an unprovoked disaster because of it; I will demand compensation from her."

True Lord Qingyang chuckled awkwardly and said no more, instead going off to make preparations.

The Ghost Market of Yanluo was definitely a must-visit. An auction of Nascent Soul-level items, even if one didn't buy anything, could still greatly broaden one's horizons. Moreover, Wang Yu also sought rare and coveted treasures, making this an unmissable opportunity. Guiling City was home to numerous cultivators, and the two divisions of the City Lord's Mansion alone numbered two thousand. Since they couldn't act preemptively to avoid alerting the enemy, Wang Yu could only entrust True Lord Qingyang with the personal command token to notify trustworthy commanders. When the critical moment arrived, all would be revealed.

After handling this matter, Wang Yu acted as if nothing had happened, continuing his routine as usual.

Three months later, the Yanluo Ghost Market auction was set to begin!

The Yanluo Ghost Market was located southwest of Guiling City, beyond a three-thousand-li expanse of reed marsh. The market was encircled by five black mountains, barren of trees and rocks. The soil was as black as sand, soft and chilling, akin to the netherworld, with black winds howling and resentful spirits wailing periodically. It was truly a human realm of ghosts! This eerie landscape was actually the result of a grand formation. While demonic cultivators might not be particular about many things, it was human nature that they wouldn't inherently enjoy living in a desolate, ghostly realm. The area had been transformed by a wondrous formation laid by Yanluo and Yanfu. The surrounding area was a no-man's land; neither the Blood Sect of Reverse Spirit nor the Yellow Spring Temple asserted sovereignty over it, effectively showing respect to the Daoist couple. However, given its proximity to the Dead Silence Desert, the Yellow Spring Temple maintained a closer relationship with the Ghost Market. The main body of the Ghost Market was nestled within the five black mountains. It only materialized at midnight each night, a direct effect of that wondrous formation.

According to the plan, Wang Yu and True Lord Qingyang, led by the head of the Purple Gold Chamber of Commerce, covertly arrived at the Ghost Market to participate in the auction.

"City Lord, as this is your first visit, I'll have my subordinates show you around first. When the auction is about to commence, I will come find you."

Upon hearing this, Wang Yu nodded, giving True Lord Qingyang a meaningful glance, before walking alone into what appeared to be a barren, desolate wilderness. In reality, after taking just three steps, the landscape before him completely transformed.

Within the Ghost Market, everyone wore black robes and ghost masks, enveloped in a swirling, eerie mist. Even when Wang Yu extended his third-tier spiritual sense, he couldn't discern anyone's true appearance. This too was a function of the wondrous formation. Without such potent concealment methods, the Yanluo Ghost Market would not have become the largest black market on the border between the Blood Sect of Reverse Spirit and the Yellow Spring Temple. Even Qi Condensation cultivators were permitted entry. As for the challenges of leaving, that depended entirely on a cultivator's own abilities. If truly trapped by pursuers with nowhere to flee, selling oneself to the Ghost Market was also an option.

While Wang Yu explored and broadened his horizons, True Lord Qingyang accompanied the Purple Gold Chamber of Commerce's people to Guiling's outpost within the Ghost Market. Indeed, Guiling City maintained an outpost here due to its proximity. With the Blood Sect of Reverse Spirit's endorsement, basic negotiations were straightforward, requiring only the standard payment of spirit stones. Moreover, Guiling was not the only entity with a shop established in the Ghost Market.

After Wang Yu left, True Lord Qingyang discreetly observed the head of the Purple Gold Chamber of Commerce. Once he realized Jinlin intended to use the City Lord's Mansion to destroy Jin Miaoshan, this merchant guild leader had also been added to their blacklist. Firstly, the Purple Gold Chamber of Commerce had only established itself in the northern district of Guiling when Wang Yu first arrived and inadvertently eliminated the local leaders during his purge of the City Lord's Mansion. The Chamber of Commerce itself was not founded by Wang Yu but originated externally. Yet, the two had an immediate understanding, and the tasks Wang Yu assigned were always completed perfectly. Initially, Wang Yu merely harbored strong suspicions. But upon reflection, a Chamber of Commerce led by a mere Foundation Establishment cultivator consistently managed to acquire third-tier treasures for him without issue. Such an individual could thrive anywhere; why would they pledge allegiance to him? It was only after suspecting True Lord He Gu that his doubts truly began. The very last sentence spoken just before entering the Ghost Market confirmed the individual's identity to Wang Yu. True Lord Qingyang's purpose in staying behind was to focus on this matter.

"True Lord Qingyang, we both serve the City Lord. I, Luo, have a small token of my regard; please accept it. This auction at the Yanluo Ghost Market has attracted many cultivators; perhaps you can find a hidden treasure."

"Heh heh—Brother Luo, you are indeed thoughtful. I will accept your gift. We can browse this Ghost Market at our leisure; let us proceed to the Guiling outpost first."

"Very well, very well." Realizing he couldn't shake off True Lord Qingyang, Luo Huzhou secretly activated a jade button hidden in his sleeve, signaling that the other part of the plan was proceeding smoothly, though he couldn't verbally transmit any message. He could only lead True Lord Qingyang toward the Guiling outpost.

Within the Ghost Market, the market comprised seventy-two streets with a permanent population of tens of thousands, all cultivators. The skies above were filled with numerous specters and ghost slaves serving as laborers. The streets were eerie and sinister, illuminated by the green glow of ghost fire. Wang Yu strolled through, truly broadening his horizons. Most established shops belonged to nearby factions, often offering various auxiliary services, while smaller stalls were simply set up on the spot. These smaller stalls were typically run by wandering rogue cultivators or sect and clan disciples on training expeditions, selling their spoils of war. Unlike a proper market, many items sold in the Ghost Market were unknown even to the sellers themselves. Consequently, finding hidden gems was a common occurrence. There were even sayings about how to unearth bargains when buying in the Ghost Market. As the saying goes, 'Reading ten thousand books is not as good as traveling ten thousand miles.' Wang Yu had now read many ancient classics, but his practical experience was still lacking. The days spent holed up in Guiling hadn't been easy.

"Daoist friend, how much for this?"

"Ghost Whisker Mushroom, four thousand spirit stones."

A conversation ahead caught Wang Yu's attention. He moved closer and instantly smiled.

"Boss, this isn't a Ghost Whisker Mushroom."

The cultivator, about to retrieve his spirit stones, suddenly paused. The owner of the small stall, however, retorted angrily: "What business is it of yours? Just because you say it isn't, does that make it so? Is this how you ruin someone's business?"

"Don't be so quick to anger." Wang Yu picked up the mushroom from the stall and sniffed it. "This is a Night Curse Poison Mushroom, a rare second-tier spiritual item. It can poison Foundation Establishment cultivators to death. Given its rarity, four thousand is far too cheap. I think thirty thousand spirit stones would be more appropriate."

Now it was the paying cultivator's turn to be stunned. He had truly believed it was a Ghost Whisker Mushroom. Had he almost gotten a bargain by paying four thousand for something worth thirty thousand? The stall owner was equally stunned, not having expected Wang Yu to be warning him against selling at a loss. His tone immediately shifted.

"Friend, your knowledge is profound. I was presumptuous; please forgive my rude remarks." The stall owner first apologized to Wang Yu, then turned to the buyer. "Hahahaha, I nearly sold this treasure for a pittance, mistaking it for a Ghost Whisker Mushroom. Daoist friend, do you still want it? As this friend suggested, it's thirty thousand spirit stones."

"This... I no longer want it."

Seeing this, Wang Yu chuckled and stepped closer. "He doesn't want it, but I do. I, Jin, happen to need this spiritual item for refining poison."

"Alright, alright, then... thirty thousand?"

"Of course." Wang Yu paid cheerfully and took the Night Curse Poison Mushroom.

This item was indeed a Night Curse Poison Mushroom, identifiable by its black cap, green spots, and white-dotted stem. Its profound toxicity was capable of killing Foundation Establishment cultivators, making it exceptionally rare.

He spoke out to warn for two reasons. Firstly, he had initially thought the buyer recognized its true value and was deliberately trying to provoke the stall owner into refusing the sale. It turned out to be a simple misunderstanding. Secondly, its true value wasn't the mushroom itself, but a peculiar insect that loved to lay its eggs on the Night Curse Poison Mushroom. This spiritual item was already rare; in Chiyuan, it likely only grew within the Heaven Demon Bone Forest. The peculiar insect that used the Night Curse Poison Mushroom as a breeding ground was even more mysterious and rare. It was inherently non-toxic but could grow by devouring various toxins. Its name was the Immaculate Jade Toad! Though named a Jade Toad, it was actually an insect resembling a toad, growing to a maximum of palm size. Its sole ability was to devour toxins. By devouring countless different poisons, it would grow. It was said that once fully cultivated, a cultivator who refined the Immaculate Jade Toad could achieve a body immune to all poisons. Furthermore, if another wondrous insect could consume the Immaculate Jade Toad, it could achieve a fundamental evolution, transcending its bloodline tier and undergoing a complete transformation.

Wang Yu had encountered this information in the sect's Scripture Hall. In a scroll listing ancient wondrous insects, the Immaculate Jade Toad was ranked sixty-second. The list comprised ninety-nine entries in total, but who compiled it and what criteria were used for ranking remained unknown.

Based on his recent observation, Wang Yu was very certain: Among the white spots on the Night Curse Poison Mushroom's stem, there was indeed an Immaculate Jade Toad egg—slender, white, and marked with a yellow spot.

To have such a discovery right after arriving at the Ghost Market left Wang Yu quite satisfied. He couldn't help but look forward to the upcoming auction with even greater anticipation.

He enthusiastically walked through a few more streets. However, he found no further discoveries. Due to his profound alchemy skills, he was quite knowledgeable about spiritual herbs and fruits. In other fields, his knowledge was merely scattered insights gleaned from vast ancient texts, so it was normal not to find anything else of note. After the initial excitement of the Ghost Market's opening wore off, a degree of boredom set in. As for the Nascent Soul-level auction, no one on the streets was discussing it, likely because their rank was insufficient to be privy to such information, though the crowd was steadily growing.

Just then, Wang Yu felt his communication jade slip vibrate. Looking around, he spotted a familiar figure standing at an alley entrance, nodding at him. It was True Lord Qingyang. Wang Yu walked over and asked, "Is the matter settled?"

"Yes. To prevent them from having any means to detect if he's alive, I sealed the fellow named Luo within a painting."

"Good. Let's proceed to the auction."

"Let's go."