Cultivating Immortality in a World of Chaos

Chapter 12: The Black Market and Sword Trials

“Monsters and demons, huh?”

The moon hung high in the night sky.

Fang Xi held the black market wooden token, still somewhat puzzled.

According to Mu Canglong’s explanation, monsters likely referred to powerful beast-like creatures, but demons? It seemed intriguing, not akin to demonic beasts or cultivators from the cultivation world…

“Nevertheless, I’m finally about to access this world’s advanced resources, right?”

He gazed at the bridge ahead, his expression slightly excited.

As Mu Canglong had described, Blackstone City’s black market was located at ‘Moonlit Bridge’, accessible on the first and fifteenth days of each month… with the wooden token as proof, one could board a wooden boat near the bridge and enter the true black market!

At that moment, Fang Xi had already changed into dark attire, complemented by a bamboo hat, making it impossible for anyone to discern his figure or face.

Upon reaching Moonlit Bridge, he spotted a black-roofed boat anchored nearby, awaiting passengers.

“Who approaches?” asked an elderly man on the boat, holding a bamboo pole.

“A visitor to the black market,” replied Fang Xi.

“Do you have the required token?”

“Here!” Fang Xi tossed the wooden token over. After examining it briefly, the old man respectfully returned it and allowed Fang Xi onto the boat.

Onboard, there were several other individuals dressed in black, maintaining a distance from each other, all silent.

After waiting for the time it takes three incense sticks to burn, the old man pushed off with his bamboo pole, guiding the black-roofed boat under the moonlit sky.

A thin mist rose, shrouding the surrounding buildings in hazy shadows.

Eventually, after an indeterminate period, the small boat docked at a riverbank.

“We’re here,” echoed the old man’s voice.

Fang Xi stepped ashore, feeling the damp mud beneath his feet.

Looking around, he found himself on what seemed like a lakeside island, bustling with people setting up stalls and peddling their goods.

The only structures visible were simple wooden huts, appearing incredibly rudimentary.

‘This black market… is completely different from what I imagined.’

‘It’s far too primitive.’

Fang Xi’s lips twitched slightly as he blended into the crowd.

“Brother, interested in martial arts? Iron Sword Sect’s secret eighteen-form ‘Iron-Slaying Sword Technique’ along with Divine Intent Diagrams, all available!” At one stall, a veiled vendor loudly hawked their wares.

Fang Xi glanced at the stack of manuals, shook his head, and moved away. He knew without even examining them that replicating the Divine Intent Diagram couldn’t be this straightforward; most likely, these were fakes.

“Hurry over here, top-quality slaves… Look at the skin, the teeth… clearly from a wealthy family, bound to grow into stunning beauties with just a few years of care!”

At another stall, they were selling people!

Fang Xi glanced over and noticed several frightened young boys and girls, immediately recalling recent rumors of children going missing from prominent families in the city. A chill ran through him.

It seemed the control and authority of Great Liang’s government was severely limited!

‘The black market truly lives up to its name.’

‘Unfortunately, at this moment, I lack the power to intervene as I wish.’

After silently venting his frustration, Fang Xi followed Mu Canglong’s directions and arrived at a wooden shack.

The shack appeared rudimentary, and Fang Xi wrinkled his nose, detecting a strong scent of blood. Amidst the surrounding grass, faint traces of white bones were visible.

“So this is where Mu Canglong sources demon meat for Baiyun Dojo?” Fang Xi murmured to himself before stepping inside.

The interior of the shack was dimly lit by a single oil lamp, with its wick burning an eerie green flame. As the lamp oil burned, a peculiar fragrance filled the air.

Fang Xi swallowed hard, suddenly feeling somewhat hungry.

‘This lamp oil… something isn’t right.’

Just as he pondered, a deep voice suddenly echoed, “Here to buy meat?”

As Fang Xi glanced around, he couldn’t help but gasp, genuinely startled.

In one corner of the house, there loomed a ‘mountain’ of flesh!

It was truly a massive mound, roughly two to three meters high, composed of layers upon layers of pale, fatty tissue with sagging skin covered in grease.

This must have been an unimaginably obese creature!

At least a thousand pounds! thought Fang Xi.

His voice low, Fang Xi said, “I heard… you sell demon meat here? Don’t worry, I understand the rules!” As he spoke, he tossed out his wooden token.

The flesh mountain caught the token, gave it a casual glance, and smiled. “Ah, referred by a regular customer… Rest assured, the meat I offer is of the highest quality!”

With hands as broad as palm leaves, he reached behind himself while speaking.

Snap!

A chunk of stark white meat landed before Fang Xi.

This piece weighed at least five or six pounds, devoid of any red blood, muscle fibers, or signs of sinew.

‘It feels somewhat similar to that lamp oil,’ Fang Xi observed mentally with a quick assessment.

“The meat here costs one hundred taels of silver per pound,” the flesh mountain continued, stating the price.

“Deal!” agreed Fang Xi.

Fang Xi nodded and produced a gold leaf, specifically exchanged for trading purposes. Carrying too much silver was inconvenient.

“I have one hundred gold leaves, totaling to one hundred taels of gold. Officially, it’s ten taels of silver for one tael of gold, equivalent to a thousand taels of fine silver. Let me start with ten pounds of meat.”

As Fang Xi spoke and presented the gold leaf, the mountain of flesh opposite him seemed momentarily stunned. After a brief pause, he burst out laughing, “Excellent… I ‘Fatso Han’ truly appreciate your straightforwardness!”

While speaking, Fatso Han grabbed another chunk of demon meat and tossed it down, weighing approximately five or six pounds.

“Combined with the previous piece, this definitely exceeds ten pounds. The extra is my gift to you…” the meaty figure chuckled. “Life is short; nothing surpasses the joy of eating meat… However, remember not to overindulge and stuff yourself to death, ha ha ha…”

Fatso Han’s laughter shook even the wooden hut.

Fang Xi bowed respectfully, wrapped the ten pounds of meat in cloth, placed it on his back, and bid farewell before leaving.

Having purchased what he desired, he chose not to linger in the black market but departed immediately.

As Fang Xi returned, he naturally took the boat first and disembarked at Moonlit Bridge.

While navigating through twists and turns in an alleyway, Fang Xi suddenly sighed and spoke aloud, “Sir, you’ve been following me for quite some time now. Just what is your purpose?”

At the end of the alley, a black-clad figure had appeared unnoticed.

With a cold laugh, he replied, “Impressive youngster, decent skills… To acquire so much meat from Fatso Han suggests you’re quite wealthy. Hand it over to this old man!”

As the man spoke, he initially stood at the alley’s entrance, but by the final word, he was already face-to-face with Fang Xi, unleashing a fierce punch like a rolling boulder.

“Rolling Stone Fist?!” Fang Xi smiled slightly, recognizing the technique used by the Boulder Dojo, which he had observed during his martial training.

Without any hint of panic, Fang Xi swiftly flipped his palm, turning its surface pitch-black, and countered smoothly.

Bang!

Fist met palm as two surging forces of vital energy collided, emitting a deep resonant sound.

The black-robed man grunted, stumbling back several steps, and exclaimed involuntarily, “Three transformations of blood and qi? How is that possible?”

Fang Xi had already heard about the young prodigies within the city! When he sensed that his opponent’s voice wasn’t aged, he chose to launch a surprise attack.

However, he didn’t expect to encounter such a formidable adversary!

“You’re a grandmaster with three transformations of blood and qi, and from the Boulder Dojo!”

Fang Xi nodded, then shook his head, “Why seek your own demise like this?”

“Hmph! Despite its venomous nature, the White Cloud Palm may not defeat me.” The black-robed man bellowed, his fists striking with the force of thunder, exuding immense power.

The Rolling Stone Fist technique, though not particularly appealing in name, lived up to its description. Once initiated, continuous strikes built momentum akin to a snowball rolling downhill, culminating in a devastating blow capable of shattering stone.

The longer it was sustained, the greater its impact!

As Fang Xi prepared to focus his response, his lips suddenly twitched. To his surprise, after the black-robed man’s loud proclamation, he turned and fled… just ran away…

‘For fuck’s sake, why would I risk my life against another martial artist at the same level?’

The black-robed man bolted, feeling utterly frustrated. Upon closer inspection, one could see a dark stain on his fist, clearly indicating that the toxic palm strike had affected him as well.

“Baiyun Dojo’s masters, this grudge will not be forgotten…”

As he prepared to utter more threats, his vision suddenly blurred, revealing Fang Xi right before him!

With the Red Snake Leg enhancing his movements, Fang Xi’s speed was remarkably swift!

The black-robed man felt a wave of despair wash over him. “Y-you…you really intend to finish me off?”

“Not at all…” Fang Xi smiled slightly. “Aren’t you a master with three transformations of blood and qi? I merely wish to conduct an experiment using your skills…”

With that, Fang Xi composed himself, muttering under his breath.

As he swiftly recited an incantation, magical energy flowed within his body, converging on his right hand’s fingertips.

Then, with a gentle lift of his arm, multiple bursts of sword qi surged forth.

Utilizing the Green Bamboo Mountain Spirit Farmer Weeding Technique - Golden Seventh Metal Grass-Sweeping Sword!

Before the black-robed man could fully comprehend what was happening, terrifying wounds appeared across his body, spurting blood uncontrollably.

“What…what kind of martial art is this?”

The black-robed man dropped to one knee, disbelief written across his face beneath the veil.

“Innate Invisible Sword Qi!”

Fang Xi stood with hands clasped behind his back, exuding an air of mastery.

Meanwhile, he mentally noted the results of this experiment:

‘Even small Qi Refinement spells can still inflict significant damage on martial artists with three transformations of blood and qi…’

“I…” The black-robed man tried to curse but choked for breath.

Is this fucking martial arts?!

Not even the dojo masters, no! Not even the great experts from Yuanhe Mountain could achieve such absurd feats as wounding someone without physical contact, right?

Unfortunately, before he could utter his curse, a flash of green sword light streaked past.

The headless body of the black-robed man collapsed, blood rapidly pooling around it.

“With low-grade magical artifacts, it’s like cutting through butter…” Fang Xi sighed, raising his hand to recall the ‘Qinghe Sword’, somewhat unsatisfied. “Next time… I’ll find a dojo master to test my swords on.”