20: Chapter 20: Words of Marriage into the Family, Black Market Conflict

With his expression shifting uncertainly, Chen Xuan dispelled the condensed flames in his hand and looked up in confusion.

A middle-aged man with a dignified and composed bearing floated in mid-air.

It was Xie Wantang's father, the Second Elder of the Xie Family—Xie Chengye.

"Fellow Daoist Xu is a Talisman Master Guest Elder of my Xie Family. Could there be some misunderstanding between Fellow Daoist Chen and him?"

"A Talisman Master? Him?"

"Of course. Does Fellow Daoist Chen not even believe my words?"

Incredulity flashed in Chen Xuan's eyes, and his slowly lowering right hand trembled slightly.

In his perception, Xu Changsheng was merely an ant at the lowest level of the cultivation world, someone he could crush to death with a pinch.

How could he have transformed so suddenly, not only becoming a Talisman Master but also a Guest Elder of the Xie Family?

Could Huang Laifu have hidden something from him?

Realizing his information was outdated,

Chen Xuan did not act recklessly again. Instead, he respectably cupped his hands and bowed in apology.

"Forgive my abruptness. Robber Cultivators have been rampant lately, and I mistakenly thought Fellow Daoist Xu was one of those troublemakers. My intention was to uphold justice."

"Clang!"

On the other side, the fat guard seemed as if all his strength had been drained away. He slumped to the ground, turning into a puddle of limp flesh.

His brain went blank with a loud buzz, and his thoughts came to a complete halt.

"He really is a Xie Family Guest Elder. I actually attacked a Mid-grade Talisman Master Guest Elder... What have I, what have I done!"

Xie Chengye landed composedly, standing beside the grain distribution line.

The voices in the crowd that had just been complaining about Xu Changsheng cutting in line and cheering for the guard to strike were now completely gone.

At this moment,

the originally noisy line was as silent as a cicada in winter, comparable to a library on the Blue Planet!

Xie Chengye nodded to Chen Xuan: "I still trust the character of Little Friend Chen."

He then turned his gaze toward the guard.

The latter instantly felt the blood in his entire body turn ice-cold, and his limbs went numb.

"As for you, as a guard, you knowingly broke the law. Tomorrow, you don't need to report for duty at the Prefects Mansion anymore."

"Yes, yes, thank you, Elder!"

At least his life was safe; he was already very satisfied.

Looking at Xu Changsheng, he said: "Little Friend Xu, Tanger will only be free in half a quarter-hour. Please come to the main hall to rest first!"

"Thank you, Senior," Xu Changsheng replied, cupping his hands in thanks.

Seeing the matter settled, Xie Chengye gracefully flew back into the Prefects Mansion.

At that moment,

two guards walked out from the Prefects Mansion.

One welcomed Xu Changsheng into the mansion.

The other replaced the fat guard.

Squinting his eyes as he watched Xu Changsheng's receding back, Chen Xuan's face was dark: "It seems I need to find Huang Laifu first and ask what exactly is going on."

...

Soon.

Under Xie Wantang's arrangement, Xu Changsheng arrived at a side hall.

"I will prepare the teleportation array to the black market for you right now."

They went to a secluded corner of the hall, where a teleportation array just large enough for one person to enter was maintained.

"My father told me about what just happened. I didn't expect your Spell attainment to be so profound. My father said the Water Arrow Technique that blocked Chen Xuan's strike has almost reached the state of Perfection."

Xie Wantang chuckled softly while setting up the array.

Hearing this,

Xu Changsheng rubbed his nose: "Talismans and Spells are related; as a Talisman Master, it should be quite common to know a few Spells. On the contrary, this is the first time I've heard of Second Miss's attainment in Formations."

Xie Wantang gave a modest smile: "I am only at the level of a First-rank Mid-grade Formation Master. In truth, I rely on these Formation Flags and Formation Plates."

Then, a look of worry appeared on her face: "Do you have some conflict with Chen Xuan?"

Xu Changsheng pondered for a moment and then told her the whole story about Su Xiaojing, only concealing the details regarding the secret realm key.

Regardless, this matter wasn't a secret; one could find out with a little inquiry.

"So that's how it is."

She then spoke with a hint of awkwardness: "It's just a mere Dao Companion. My Xie Family has many women of marriageable age. If Fellow Daoist Xu is willing, why not marry into my Xie Family?"

In her view,

this Xu Changsheng was already a First-rank Mid-grade Talisman Master at a young age, and his craftsmanship was becoming more refined by the day.

More importantly,

he had come to Liuyun Market many years ago and started as a Spirit Plant Farmer. With a clean background, he was indeed worth the Xie Family's efforts to recruit.

"Marry in?"

Hearing this,

Xu Changsheng was also stunned. He hadn't expected Xie Wantang to mention this.

He had no such intention and cupped his hands in refusal: "Thank you for your kindness, Second Miss, but after experiencing the hatred of having my wife stolen, I am not considering the matter of a Dao Companion for now."

"The cultivation world is a place where the strong prey on the weak. We Qi Refining Cultivators are like weeds, living today and dying tomorrow. Only by advancing to Foundation Establishment will I have the qualification to take a wife."

Hearing this,

Xie Wantang sighed slightly and did not push further:

"Don't be in a hurry to refuse. When there's an opportunity later, I'll bring my clan sisters over. It won't be too late to decide then. Who knows, you might take a liking to each other?"

"Alright, the teleportation array is ready. Fellow Daoist, you may set off."

With a wave of Xie Wantang's delicate hand, a small teleportation array took shape.

"Take this temporary Shift Token. When you want to return, just crush it at your destination."

He took the Shift Token.

Just as he was about to say a few more words of thanks,

the scene before him suddenly blurred, the surrounding space twisted, and an invisible force bound him.

In the next instant,

he opened his eyes again.

"Is this the black market?"

Teleporting here, his first impression was darkness.

The black market seemed to be inside a massive building; the sky was not visible.

The air was filled with a pungent, sour stench. The lighting was dim, and the only light sources were eerie green crystals embedded in the dilapidated pillars along the road.

This seemed to be the teleportation platform of the black market.

Not far away, a white light flashed, accompanied by the familiar ripples of spatial fluctuations.

"Someone is coming."

Thinking of this,

Xu Changsheng tapped his Storage Pouch and took out Liu Erniu's set of night-traveling clothes.

In a few moments, he had slipped them on and added a bamboo hat.

Just as he finished tidying up,

the flashing white light suddenly vanished, and a rugged young man appeared, walking out of the void while embracing two beautiful female Cultivators.

A hideous scar ran down from his left temple, crossing the corner of his eye. He looked at Xu Changsheng with a gloomy expression.

"This person?"

Xu Changsheng seemed to have seen this person before, but he couldn't recall the specific name, so he let it go.

After walking some distance, he looked back to memorize the location; he would need to use the Shift Token to return from here later.

Strolling through the streets of the black market,

the stall keepers were scattered and few, but the items they sold had a much bloodier feel compared to the regular market.

Whether it was evil curse soul banners, secret manuals of evil Cultivators, or even the heads of unknown Cultivators, everything was out for sale.

Unlike the scarred youth from before, everyone else hid their identities like Xu Changsheng, either covered in black clothing or simply hidden within black mist.

"What is this?"

Stopping at a stall, he saw a tree fruit as red as flame placed prominently by the stall owner.

He cupped his hands and asked: "Fellow Daoist, is this an Crimson Flame Fruit?"

"Indeed."

"How much?"

"Two hundred Spirit Stones."

Xu Changsheng didn't say much and bought it directly. This Crimson Flame Fruit had fierce medicinal properties and was a rare First-rank Mid-grade Body Refining spiritual item.

He hadn't expected to find something so quickly.

However, his main purpose today was to sell Liu Erniu's giant axe Magical Artifact.

He found an empty space and spread out a red cloth.

He put out a price tag.

First-rank High Grade offensive Magical Artifact, 450 Spirit Stones.

Then he quietly closed his eyes to rest.

In the black market, there were many such stalls that only displayed a sign without showing the goods.

After all, it was different from a market or an Immortal City.

There were no constraints in the black market, and combat was not restricted.

Only Cultivators who were extremely confident in their own strength or deeply familiar with the ways of the black market would dare to display an array of goods on their shelves.

...

He stayed there

for a full hour.

Just as Xu Changsheng was feeling drowsy,

an angry roar pulled his thoughts back.

"You scoundrel, Lu Yuanze, give my sister back!"