116: Marketplace by the Abyss, Mysteries Surrounding the Remaining Map

The Nether Abyss, true to its name.

Standing at its edge, one could feel the terrifying gravitational pull that seemed to devour everything. Endless grey-black mist surged up from the bottom of the abyss, obscuring the sky. The air was filled with decay, chaos, and a strange, insidious whisper that eroded the mind. Space here appeared fragile and distorted, with tiny spatial rifts occasionally flashing like black lightning.

Lin Xuan and Qu Feiyan stopped theirEscape Light (escape light) on a cliff a hundred miles from the Nether Abyss. Ahead, grey mist permeated the area, and their Divine Sense, when extended into it, was like a mud ox entering the sea, accompanied by a faint, needle-like stinging sensation. Clearly, rushing in recklessly was not a wise move.

"This cursed place makes one's heart pound just by looking at it." Qu Feiyan frowned. Even with her Mid-stage Golden Core cultivation, facing this legendary forbidden zone, she felt a surge of trepidation. She subconsciously moved closer to Lin Xuan, as if only then could she find a sense of security.

Lin Xuan's expression was solemn. The System was working at full capacity to scan and analyze the energy field ahead. "Warning: TheForward area (area ahead) contains a high-intensity chaotic Law force field, with Divine Sense suppression exceeding 90%. Multiple unknown energy erosion characteristics detected, including Soul Power dissolution, Spirit Qidisorder (disorder), and negative emotion amplification. It is recommended to obtain a more detailed regional map and protective measures before proceeding deeper."

"Rushing in directly is indeed dangerous." Lin Xuan nodded, scanning his surroundings. He noticed that the area near the Nether Abyss was not entirely uninhabited. In a mountain hollow not far to the left, a crude market had implicitly formed, consisting of many temporarily erected stone houses and tents, with some Cultivators moving through them.

"There seems to be a temporary market there. Let's go take a look; perhaps we can buy a map or gather some useful information," Lin Xuan suggested.

Qu Feiyan naturally had no objection.

The two suppressed their Aura and descended to the market entrance. The market didn't even have a formal name; a crooked stone tablet stood casually at the entrance, with three large, scrawled characters, "Yuan Pan Ji," carved into it with a Sharp Weapon. There weren't many Cultivators in the market, but each one exuded a formidable Aura and vigilant eyes. The lowest cultivation was Late Foundation Establishment Stage, and Golden Core Cultivators were not uncommon. Most of them were travel-worn, carrying an Evil Qi honed from long periods in dangerous areas.

Lin Xuan and Qu Feiyan's arrival attracted many gazes. This was mainly because even with a shapeshifting talisman for a slight disguise, Qu Feiyan's enchanting figure and the unintentional charm she exuded still seemed out of place in such a location. Lin Xuan's steady and restrained demeanor also drew attention. However, those who frequented this place were not fools; realizing that the two's cultivation was not weak (Lin Xuan was Late Golden Core Stage, Qu Feiyan was Mid-stage Golden Core), no one dared to easily provoke them.

The two strolled around the market and found that most of the items traded here were related to the Nether Abyss. There were "Clear Heart Talismans" and "Soul Stabilizing Pills" specifically for resisting Nether Evil Qi and Divine Soul erosion, as well as defective "Space Stabilizing Plates" used to temporarily stabilize space within the chaotic Law. More commonly, there were various Spirit Materials and Ores, even fragments of ancient treasures, brought out from the periphery of the Nether Abyss, tainted with the Qi of death and decay.

Lin Xuan stopped at a stall filled with various dilapidated Jade Slips and beast-skin maps. The stall owner was a one-eyed old man wearing a bamboo hat, exuding a sinister Aura, and his cultivation was Early Golden Core Stage.

"Fellow Daoist, what do you need? My maps here are the most comprehensive in Yuan Pan Ji!" The one-eyed old man's voice was hoarse.

Lin Xuan's Divine Sense swept over the maps; most were crude, and the marked areas were limited to the outermost hundred miles of the Nether Abyss. Many pieces of information were clearly outdated or erroneous. He shook his head: "Do you have anything more in-depth? Preferably something that marks relatively stable paths in space recently."

The one-eyed old man rolled his single eye: "In-depth? Heh, Fellow Daoist speaks boldly. Such maps are life-saving items. Even if I had one, the price..." He rubbed his fingers, his meaning clear.

Just then, the System's alert sounded in Lin Xuan's mind:

"Detection: The patterns on the edge of the third incomplete beast-skin map on the left have a 17.3% similarity to ancient inscriptions related to the 'nether ghost seal' recorded in the database! Detailed analysis is recommended."

Lin Xuan's heart stirred, but he remained outwardly calm. He casually picked up a few Jade Slips nearby to look at them, and finally, as if inadvertently, pointed to the palm-sized, incomplete beast-skin with a charred edge: "How much is this one? It looks quite old."

The one-eyed old man glanced at it and sneered, "Fellow Daoist has good eyesight. This piece of junk was picked up from the abyss by 'Black Wind' last time. Besides being hard, it's useless; it's just here to make up the numbers. You want it? Ten Low-Grade Spirit Stones, and it's yours."

Lin Xuan didn't bother to haggle, directly taking out ten Spirit Stones and tossing them over, then taking the remnant map into his hand. It was cold to the touch, and the beast-skin had a peculiar texture, indeed exceptionally tough. Twisted, unidentifiable patterns and symbols were drawn on it with some dark red pigment, and the edges seemed to have been burned by fire.

"Acquiring target item! Initiating deep scan analysis..."

"Material analysis: Sixth-rank Yao Beast 'Nether Weasel' belly skin, tempered by special Yin Fire, capable of resisting partial Nether Qi erosion."

"Pattern analysis in progress... Analysis failed, patterns are incomplete and encryption method is unknown. Edge inscriptions initially identified as an ancient 'Nether Script' variant, meaning ambiguous, associated words possibly 'altar,' 'Seal,' 'key'... Association with 'nether ghost seal' rumors increased to 35.1%."

Although the information was still incomplete, the words "altar," "Seal," and "key" undoubtedly pointed further towards the nether ghost seal! This remnant map was very likely one of the key clues to finding the ghost Seal!

"Let's go, we won't find a more detailed map here." Lin Xuan put away the remnant map and said to Qu Feiyan, preparing to leave.

"Stop!"

Just then, a cold voice came from behind them.

Three Cultivators dressed in Black Fiend Valley attire blocked their path. The leader was none other than the Black-Clad Leader they had seen before in the Ghost Cry Forest tavern! His gaze was as sharp as a knife, fixed intently on Lin Xuan... or more precisely, on the sleeve where he had just stored the remnant map.

"Fellow Daoist, that remnant map you just purchased is a lost item from my Black Fiend Valley. Please return it to its rightful owner." The Black-Clad Leader's tone was forceful, leaving no room for doubt. His Late Golden Core Stage Aura subtly emanated, forming a pressure. His two companions behind him also stepped forward simultaneously, their Auras locking onto Lin Xuan and Qu Feiyan.

The market instantly fell silent, all eyes converging, filled with a desire to watch the show. The Black Fiend Valley's influence here was considerable, and few dared to provoke them.

Qu Feiyan's pretty face turned cold. She stepped forward to stand shoulder to shoulder with Lin Xuan and sneered, "Heh, what a big mouth! When did this Yuan Pan Ji become your Black Fiend Valley's territory? The stall owner is still there; why don't you ask him if he stole your family's item?"

Seeing this, the one-eyed stall owner quickly shrank his neck and waved his hands, "It's not my business, not my business, the item has already been sold!" With that, he packed up his stall and made a swift escape.

The Black-Clad Leader's expression darkened. Ignoring Qu Feiyan, he continued to stare at Lin Xuan: "Fellow Daoist, I advise you to be sensible. That item is not something you can covet. Hand over the remnant map, and I can pretend this never happened."

Lin Xuan's expression was calm, but he sneered inwardly. The other party's eagerness, even to the point of directly attacking in the market, further confirmed the importance of this remnant map.

"What if I refuse?" Lin Xuan spoke faintly, his Golden Core slowly rotating within him, his blood Qi hidden but not suppressed. An invisible Aura had already permeated the air, not at all inferior to the opponent's.

A murderous glint flashed in the Black-Clad Leader's eyes: "Then don't blame me for being ruthless! Attack!"

With his command, he and the two Mid-stage Golden Core Cultivators behind him struck simultaneously! Three sinister and vicious streams of Black Fiend Demonic Qi, like poisonous pythons emerging from their caves, lunged directly at Lin Xuan and Qu Feiyan!

A great battle was about to erupt in this crude market by the Nether Abyss!