Market turmoil

Leaving the troubled lands of the Southern Wasteland Demon Domain and Black Mountain City, Nightmare traveled north, passing through the territories of several human dynasties and uninhabited, treacherous mountain ranges.

The further north he went, the more concentrated and pure the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi became, and the more frequent the traces of Human Race Cultivator activity. Powerful Sects, ancient aristocratic families, prosperous immortal cities... all of this indicated that he was approaching the true core region of this continent—Central State.

Central State is the most flourishing land of Human Race cultivation civilization. The Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi here far surpasses that of the border regions, resources are abundant, Sects stand in great numbers, and experts are like clouds. It is both a fertile ground full of opportunities and a vortex fraught with danger.

Half a month later, Nightmare arrived at the border region between Central State and the southern area—the Myriad Python Mountain Range.

This mountain range stretches for hundreds of thousands of miles, like a natural barrier, spanning across the southern part of Central State. Yao Beasts run rampant within the mountains, and dangerous areas are everywhere, but it also contains countless Heaven And Earth Treasure, making it a hotbed for Loose Cultivator and small School Cultivators to seek adventure and fortune.

On the outskirts of the mountain range, relying on several important dangerous passes, several sizeable Cultivator gathering places have formed. The one Nightmare chose was the largest among them—Mangshan Market.

The market was established in a relatively gentle valley, jointly managed by several nearby medium-sized Sects, and was quite large. Shops lined both sides of the street, with Talismans, Medicinal Pills, Magical Artifacts, and Materials dazzling the eyes. The flow of people was like weaving, and it was extraordinarily noisy. The Cultivators' cultivation levels varied, from Qi Condensation to Golden Core, and occasionally one could even sense one or two subtle Nascent Soul Auras.

Nightmare still maintained the appearance of an ordinary Loose Cultivator, suppressing his cultivation to Early Golden Core Stage, blending into the crowd, completely inconspicuous.

As a newcomer, he urgently needed to understand the current situation in Central State, the distribution of major forces, and obtain a detailed map. Furthermore, after refining the demon heart essence soul, he felt that the Cultivation Technique for the fifth layer of the Myriad Poison Demonic Scripture seemed incomplete, and the subsequent cultivation path was obscure and unclear. He might need to find higher-grade Demonic Path Cultivation Techniques or related opportunities for enlightenment.

Strolling along the market streets, Nightmare's Divine Sense, like invisible tentacles, quietly gathered various information.

"Have you heard? The Heaven's Will Sword Sect's once-a-decade mountain-opening Disciple recruitment ceremony is starting next month! It's said they've relaxed the conditions this time, so many Loose Cultivators are rushing over!"

"Heaven's Will Sword Sect? That's one of Central State's prominent great Schools! The threshold is high, it's not that easy to get in..."

"Speaking of which, Demonic Path Cultivator activity seems to have become much more frequent recently. Something seems to have gone wrong in the south, and the Sky Patrol Alliance has dispatched many people there..."

"Shh... be careful what you say! Is the Demonic Path something we can discuss? Be careful not to invite trouble upon yourself..."

"It seems there are good items flowing out of the Myriad Treasure Pavilion's auction this time. It's said that the 'Nether Iron' that Fellow Daoist needs has also appeared..."

"..."

All sorts of information came pouring in, and Nightmare silently noted down the valuable parts.

Heaven's Will Sword Sect recruiting Disciples? He naturally wasn't interested. Sky Patrol Alliance deployment? It seemed the Black Mountain City incident had indeed attracted attention from higher-ups. Myriad Treasure Pavilion auction? He could pay attention to that.

He walked into a seemingly large general store. The shop's signboard read "Hundred Knowledge Pavilion," and it was said to have the background of the Hundred Knowledge Scholar organization, known for selling intelligence and information.

The shopkeeper was a shrewd middle-aged man, at the Late Foundation Establishment Stage of cultivation. Seeing Nightmare enter, he greeted him with a smile: "Fellow Daoist looks unfamiliar, is this your first time at Mangshan Market? What do you need? Our shop has everything: Medicinal Pills, Talismans, Cultivation Techniques, Secret Manuals, and intelligence."

Nightmare said in a hoarse voice, "A latest detailed map of Central State, the more detailed the better. Also, a copy of recent major events and power movements in Central State."

The shopkeeper's eyes lit up; this was a big business! He quickly said, "Yes, yes, yes! The Central State Kunyu Detailed Map, latest edition, marking all known Sects, dangerous areas, resource points, and teleportation arrays, only five hundred Low-Grade Spirit Stones. As for intelligence... what level does Fellow Daoist need? A regular brief is ten Spirit Stones, a detailed summary with analysis is one hundred Spirit Stones. For matters involving Nascent Soul or above, or core secrets of major forces, the price is negotiable."

"I want the detailed summary." Nightmare tossed over a bag containing Spirit Stones. He had obtained quite a few Spirit Stones from the Cultivators he had killed in retaliation, so this expense was nothing.

The shopkeeper beamed with joy and quickly brought out a Jade Slip and a thick beast skin scroll: "The map is in the Jade Slip, and the intelligence summary is in here, Fellow Daoist, please take a look."

Nightmare took the Jade Slip and swept his Divine Sense into it. The vast terrain and power distribution of Central State immediately appeared in his mind, indeed countless times more detailed than the rough scan he had received from the System. The beast skin scroll, on the other hand, recorded various major events that had recently occurred in Central State, including Sect grudges, Secret Realm openings, emergence of treasures, and movements of some important figures, with detailed content.

He quickly browsed through it. Suddenly, an inconspicuous piece of information caught his attention:

"It is reported that the Sky Patrol Alliance Headquarters issued a top-level arrest warrant three months ago, targeting a mysterious demonic Cultivator (name unknown, suspected alias), with characteristics: proficient in poison arts and Divine Soul attacks, strange movement techniques, once destroyed an important Seal in a certain place in the Southern Wasteland, stole a sacred object, and is suspected to possess a certain type of devouring demonic vine... Those who provide accurate clues will be rewarded with ten thousand Top-Grade Spirit Stones and a Heaven Rank Cultivation Technique..."

Nightmare's heart suddenly tightened!

A top-level arrest warrant from the Sky Patrol Alliance Headquarters! Such an astonishing reward! And the described characteristics... highly matched him!

Although it used "suspected alias" and "name unknown," keywords like "proficient in poison arts and Divine Soul attacks" and "devouring demonic vine" were almost certainly aimed at him! It seemed the Black Mountain City incident had ultimately attracted the extreme attention of the Sky Patrol Alliance's higher-ups!

Big trouble! With this arrest warrant out, he would be treading on thin ice in Central State!

He must be even more careful and cautious!

He suppressed the turmoil in his heart and continued to browse without a change in expression, then saw another piece of news:

"Qinglan Sect's Genius Disciple Gu Qingying recently successfully refined the Azure Luan blood essence, her spiritual body has initially awakened, and her cultivation has Advanced by leaps and bounds. She has entered seclusion to break through to Late Golden Core Stage, and after emerging from seclusion, she may represent Qinglan Sect in this Heaven's Will Sword Sect's Sword Trial Assembly..."

Gu Qingying had indeed turned misfortune into a blessing! Although she lost her feathers, those Origin blood essences also greatly benefited her! And she was even going to participate in some Sword Trial Assembly?

A cold light flashed in Nightmare's eyes, and he also noted down the information about this Sword Trial Assembly.

After paying the Spirit Stones, Nightmare was about to leave the Hundred Knowledge Pavilion when a commotion suddenly erupted at the entrance.

Several young Cultivators, dressed in unified green Daoist robes and looking arrogant, walked in. Leading them was a handsome young man with slightly gloomy eyes, an Early Golden Core Stage Cultivator. Their Daoist robes were embroidered with cloud patterns and small sword insignias, seemingly Disciples of a School nearby called "Flowing Cloud Sword Sect."

As soon as the leading young man entered, his gaze swept across the shop and finally landed on the beast skin intelligence scroll that Nightmare had just put down. He raised an eyebrow and said to the shopkeeper impolitely, "Boss, I'll take a copy of that summary intelligence as well."

The shopkeeper looked troubled: "Fellow Daoist of Flowing Cloud Sect, I'm truly sorry, we only prepared one copy of the detailed summary, and it has just been bought by this Fellow Daoist. How about a regular brief..."

"Hm?" The young man's expression darkened, and his gaze turned to Nightmare, carrying a hint of condescending scrutiny. "Fellow Daoist, you look very unfamiliar, you're not from around here, are you? This intelligence is somewhat useful to my Flowing Cloud Sect. Why don't you do me a favor and transfer it to me? I'll buy it at the original price." Although his tone suggested negotiation, it carried an undeniable command.

Nightmare frowned slightly, not wanting to cause extra trouble, and said indifferently, "Not selling." With that, he picked up his things and was about to leave.

The young man's Face instantly turned ugly. A Late Foundation Establishment Stage Disciple behind him immediately stepped forward, blocking Nightmare, and sneered, "Brat, don't be ungrateful! My Senior Brother is speaking to you kindly, giving you Face! Do you know what our Flowing Cloud Sect means in this Mangshan Market?"

Another Disciple chimed in, "Exactly! An Early Golden Core Stage Loose Cultivator, daring to reject our Flowing Cloud Sect's Face? If you know what's good for you, hand over the intelligence quickly, or you won't leave this market alive!"

Other customers in the shop, seeing this, averted their gazes, not daring to get involved. The shopkeeper was also anxious but dared not speak out.

Nightmare's eyes completely turned cold. He didn't want trouble, but trouble was forcing itself upon him.

He slowly turned around, looking at the leading young man, his voice calm and unwavering: "I said, not selling. Do you not understand human speech?"

The young man's eyes narrowed, a fierce glint flashing through them: "Good! Very good! It's been a long time since anyone dared to speak to me, Zhang Feng, like that! It seems if I don't teach you a lesson, you won't know the immensity of Heaven and Earth!"

Before his words finished, he pointed his fingers like a sword, and a sharp green sword Qi, without warning, directly stabbed towards Nightmare's Dantian! He actually struck viciously, intending to cripple Nightmare's cultivation directly!

In his opinion, an Early Golden Core Stage Loose Cultivator was simply no match for him!

However, just as his sword Qi was about to touch Nightmare's robe!

Nightmare moved!

His movements were so fast they exceeded everyone's visual capture limits!

He merely raised his right hand seemingly casually, striking later but arriving first, and lightly pointed his index finger!

There was no dazzling spiritual light, no violent Aura, only a point of extreme darkness condensed at his fingertip!

Pfft!

A faint muffled sound!

That sharp green sword Qi instantly shattered and annihilated like a bubble!

And Nightmare's fingertip, its momentum undiminished, as if piercing through space, directly touched Zhang Feng's glabella!

Time seemed to stand still at this moment.

The sneer and ferocity on Zhang Feng's Face instantly froze, transforming into extreme shock and disbelief! His protective spiritual light was useless, like paper!

The arrogant expressions on the Faces of the Flowing Cloud Sect Disciples behind him instantly turned into blankness and fear!

Nightmare slowly withdrew his finger.

Zhang Feng's body swayed, the light in his eyes rapidly dimmed, and then he fell straight backward, hitting the ground with a "thud," completely lifeless!

At his glabella, there was only a tiny red dot, barely bleeding.

Soul Shattering Finger—Divine Soul completely destroyed!

Silence!

Dead silence!

Inside the entire Hundred Knowledge Pavilion, a pin drop could be heard!

Everyone was stunned by this sudden, ruthless, and decisive strike!

An Inner Sect Disciple of the Flowing Cloud Sect at Early Golden Core Stage, actually instantly killed by a Loose Cultivator who was also at "Early Golden Core Stage"?!

Nightmare didn't even look at Zhang Feng's corpse, his cold gaze sweeping over the remaining few terrified Flowing Cloud Sect Disciples.

Upon meeting his gaze, those Disciples felt as if they were being stared at by a primordial Vicious Beast. Their hair stood on end, and they were scared Soul Flying Away and Spirit Scattering. They all fell to their knees with thuds, kowtowing like pounding garlic:

"Se... Senior, spare us! Senior, spare us! We were blind! We offended Senior! Please, Senior, spare our dog lives!"

"Scram." Nightmare uttered a single, indifferent word.

Those Disciples, as if granted a great pardon, scrambled away, not even daring to retrieve Zhang Feng's corpse, and fled the Hundred Knowledge Pavilion in disarray, instantly disappearing into the crowd.

Only then did Nightmare turn his gaze to the shopkeeper, who was already scared stiff, and tossed him a small bag of Spirit Stones: "Clean it up."

With that, he put away the intelligence and walked out of the Hundred Knowledge Pavilion expressionlessly, leaving behind the shocked and terrified crowd in the shop.

The street was still noisy, as if nothing had just happened.

But Nightmare knew that the trouble had just begun.

Having killed someone from the Flowing Cloud Sect, they would definitely not let the matter rest.

He needed to leave Mangshan Market as soon as possible.

However, just as he walked not far, preparing to find a quiet place to change his appearance and leave, a slightly aged voice suddenly sounded in his ear:

"Fellow Daoist, please stay your steps."

Nightmare's steps paused, a hint of vigilance flashed in his eyes, and he slowly turned his head.

He saw an old man, dressed in a coarse cloth robe, holding a bamboo staff, looking like an ordinary country farmer, who had appeared not far behind him at some point, smiling at him.

This old man's Aura was restrained, seemingly ordinary, but Nightmare's Divine Sense could not fully penetrate his depth!

A Nascent Soul Cultivator?!