37: Practical application and agent upgrade of Thunder Drill

Inner District, Yard No. 88, Ding Block.

It had been three days since he moved into his new home.

During these three days, aside from setting up a new Spirit Gathering Array and a defensive array (secretly adding a massive amount of personal touches to the original Small Xumi Array), Zhou Wannian spent the rest of his time in seclusion drawing Talismans.

With the support of the rich Spiritual Qi in the Inner District, plus the Turtle Breathing Technique to assist in Qi recovery, his efficiency had improved by thirty percent compared to when he was in the Outer District.

On the desk lay thirty newly drawn "Spiral Electric Drill Talismans."

"Thirty of them; at the current market rate, that's seven hundred and fifty Spirit Stones."

Zhou Wannian looked at this batch of pitch-black, spike-covered ugly talismans, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.

He didn't intend to sell them all at once.

The rule of the black market was "rarity increases value." If he released so many High Grade offensive Talismans at once, the price would surely plummet, and it would easily attract the unwanted attention of those with ulterior motives.

"Only three per day, rain or shine."

"Also, it's time to upgrade Old Mute's equipment."

Zhou Wannian thought of the old man who was risking his life for him in the black market.

As the fame of the "Thunder Duke Drill" grew, there were bound to be many eyes on Old Mute. Although the old man was once an assassin with extraordinary skills, he was old after all and a lone wolf. If he encountered a Late Stage Qi Refining powerhouse or a group of Robber Cultivators, he could easily suffer a loss.

If Old Mute were to fall, Zhou Wannian would have to find a new agent, which would be too much trouble.

"I need to give him some life-saving trump cards."

Zhou Wannian pulled a set of Medium Grade soft armor he had previously stripped from a Black Wind Stockade Robber Cultivator out of his Storage Pouch. He used a Cleaning Talisman to "wash" away all markings and then added a miniature "Shock-Back Array Pattern" to it.

Next, he took out three specially made "Scabby Vajra Talismans" and a "Poison Talisman" sealed with Devilish Qi.

"These things should be enough for him to walk tall in the black market."

...The midnight.

Market West District, near the dry well.

Old Mute appeared under the large willow tree right on time, as usual.

He looked a bit disheveled, with a bandage wrapped around his left arm that was faintly stained with blood. Clearly, recent days had not been peaceful.

"As expected, he's being targeted."

Zhou Wannian, hiding in the shadows, thought to himself.

Old Mute dug up the pit and took out tonight's goods (three Thunder Duke Drills) and an extra package.

Opening the package and seeing the soft armor and several special Talismans, Old Mute was stunned for a moment.

There was also a note in the package:

[The situation has been tense lately; wear this armor for self-defense. Those three ugly talismans are for defense—they're tougher than a Vajra Talisman. As for the one in the jade box... use it only in a life-or-death situation. Throw it and run; don't look back.]

Old Mute's hands trembled slightly.

He was an assassin, used to being used as a tool.

But this mysterious benefactor had not only saved his granddaughter and led him to fortune, but was now even giving him equipment to save his life?

He looked up and bowed deeply toward the void.

This bow was even more heavy with meaning than his previous kowtowing... Underground black market, trading corner.

The atmosphere tonight felt a bit off.

As soon as Old Mute set up his stall, a crowd gathered around. But this time, they didn't scramble like usual; instead, they silently parted to make way.

A burly man wearing a black robe and a tiger-head mask walked in.

He was followed by four experts at Qi Refining Stage Five, all radiating a thick Evil Qi.

"Black Wind Stockade?"

"It's the Second-in-Command of Black Wind Stockade, 'Earth-Rending Tiger'!"

The surrounding Loose Cultivators whispered and backed away one after another.

Black Wind Stockade had a notorious reputation on the outskirts of the market. Although they had lost three men (One-Eyed Dragon's gang) in Cuizhu Lane last time, that was a hidden loss, and no one knew who did it. With the Second-in-Command personally leading a team to the black market this time, they were clearly after the "Thunder Duke Drill."

"Old man."

Earth-Rending Tiger walked up to the stall and looked down at Old Mute. "I heard you have good Talismans that can pierce armor?"

Old Mute remained expressionless and pointed to the wooden sign: [Three per day, sold to the highest bidder.]

"Sold to the highest bidder?"

Earth-Rending Tiger sneered. "I'll pay a hundred Spirit Stones to buy all the stock you have! Also, tell me who drew these Talismans. I want to talk a big deal with him."

This was blatant robbery combined with forced interrogation.

Though the surrounding Loose Cultivators were envious, none dared to outbid Black Wind Stockade.

Old Mute shook his head.

He held up three fingers and pointed to the three iron boxes on the table. It meant: there are only three, buy them or not.

"Refusing a polite offer!"

Earth-Rending Tiger's face darkened. "Old geezer, don't think I won't dare touch you just because we're in the black market! Believe it or not, I can make sure you never walk out that door!"

As he spoke, the pressure of his Qi Refining Stage Seven cultivation suddenly erupted, pressing down on Old Mute like a great mountain.

Old Mute let out a muffled groan as a trace of blood leaked from the corner of his mouth, but he still kept his back straight, his eyes cold as knives.

Just then.

"One hundred and ten!"

A cold voice suddenly rang out.

The crowd parted, and a mysterious person completely wrapped in a cloak, their form indistinguishable, stepped forward.

"I'll take these three Talismans."

Earth-Rending Tiger whipped his head around, his eyes full of murderous intent. "Who dares to cut me off?"

"What if I do?"

The mysterious person said calmly, "Black market rules: sold to the highest bidder. If you don't have the money, get lost."

"You're looking for death!"

Earth-Rending Tiger was furious. A giant war hammer appeared in his hand out of thin air, and with a whistling wind, he smashed it directly at the mysterious person!

Daring to act smart in front of Black Wind Stockade? Tired of living!

However, just as the war hammer was about to hit.

Old Mute moved.

He didn't draw a blade; instead, he extremely quickly pulled out a crumpled, scab-covered Talisman from his robes and slapped it onto the mysterious person.

Hum!

A layer of dusty-gray crocodile-skin light shield instantly formed.

Clang!!!

A deafening boom echoed.

Earth-Rending Tiger's thousand-pound war hammer hit the light shield and was actually deflected by a strange rotational force! The hammer grazed the shield and flew off, smashing heavily into the nearby stone wall, creating a large crater.

"What?!"

Earth-Rending Tiger was shocked.

This hammer strike of his could even crack a First Tier High Grade defensive Magical Artifact! It was actually deflected by a piece of scrap paper Talisman?

Before he could react.

The mysterious person (who was actually a shill hired by Old Mute, a Loose Cultivator skilled in movement techniques) suddenly had a purple-black light flare in their hand.

"Go!"

A "Spiral Electric Drill Talisman" shot out.

The distance was too close. Earth-Rending Tiger couldn't dodge at all; he could only roar, activating all his spiritual power to condense an earthy-yellow spirit shield in front of his chest.

Zzzzzzz—!

The Electric Drill Talisman collided with the spirit shield, making a tooth-aching grinding sound.

One breath.

In just one breath.

That Earth Spirit Shield, which claimed to have unparalleled defense, was drilled through, leaving a large hole!

The purple-black thunder light took the opportunity to drill inside, exploding on Earth-Rending Tiger's chest.

"Ah!!!"

Earth-Rending Tiger screamed as he was sent flying backward, his chest charred black, his whole body twitching, and his hair standing on end.

One move to heavily injure a Qi Refining Stage Seven!

The entire place fell into a dead silence.

Everyone stared at this scene in dumbfounded shock.

"Is... is this the power of the Thunder Duke Drill?"

"Too terrifying! Even the Second-in-Command couldn't withstand one hit?"

The mysterious person didn't follow up with an attack. Instead, they seized the opportunity to grab the three iron boxes on the table, threw down a bag of Spirit Stones, and vanished into the darkness with a flash.

Old Mute expressionlessly collected the Spirit Stones.

He didn't even look at the twitching Earth-Rending Tiger on the ground, acting as if everything that just happened had nothing to do with him.

But in his heart, a stormy sea was raging.

This Talisman the benefactor gave him... was too strong!

...The next day.

The news of the "Thunder Duke Drill" becoming famous in one battle spread through the entire market as if it had grown wings.

Heavily injuring the Second-in-Command of Black Wind Stockade in one hit!

Even a Qi Refining Stage Seven's Earth Spirit Shield could be drilled through!

This was practically a Divine Artifact for killing those at a higher stage!

The black market was boiling. Loose Cultivators who had previously thought twenty-five Spirit Stones was too expensive were now desperate to trade their entire net worth for one life-saving Talisman.

Even some scions of small families in the Inner District began to use various channels to inquire about the origins of the "Thunder Duke Drill."

Meanwhile, in Yard No. 88, Ding Block, Inner District.

Zhou Wannian, listening to the rumors outside, was pouring water into his newly bought spiritual tea pot.

"The advertising effect is not bad."

The mysterious person was naturally hired by him. He spent fifty Spirit Stones to stage a good show.

Although he had exposed the power of the "Thunder Duke Drill," this was exactly what he wanted.

The greater the power, the higher the price.

"Black Wind Stockade suffered a huge loss this time; they certainly won't let it go."

"However, the more frantically they search for 'Thunder Duke,' the less they'll find me."

"Because I'm right under their noses in the Inner District, acting as a simple, honest Medium Grade Talisman Master."

Zhou Wannian took a sip of tea, his gaze turning toward the Talisman-making room in the courtyard.

"The fame is established; next comes the harvest."

"Taking advantage of the hype, I'll release two more per day and raise the price to thirty."

"Once I've saved enough money, I should also prepare to break through to Qi Refining Stage Five."