13: Hear about the black market

Market.

After a hearty meal, Lu Ming didn't linger. After settling the bill, he headed to the market.

Arriving at the stall, Lu Ming saw Zhang Li butchering a Yao Beast. He didn't rush to disturb him, waiting quietly.

In a short while, Zhang Li had skinned, gutted, chopped bones, and deboned the demonic wolf in front of him, leaving a bloody mess.

Zhang Li didn't use his magical power to remove the bloodstains from his body, simply rubbing his hands together a few times.

When he saw Lu Ming approaching, he waved at him.

As Lu Ming drew closer, Zhang Li took out a black token from his Storage Pouch and tossed it to him, explaining,

"This is a black market token. The Cultivation Techniques you're looking for aren't common on the market. I think you can try looking there; you should find what you want."

Lu Ming looked at the wooden black token and asked, somewhat puzzled,

"Black market?"

"The black market is a place on the outskirts of Green Bamboo Market, a gray area of the market.

Cultivators there are a mixed bag, but correspondingly, the rare treasures are also diverse.

You'll likely find the Cultivation Techniques you're looking for there, but I must warn you, there... is no order!"

After speaking, he smiled at Lu Ming, and combined with the Yao Beast blood on him, he looked particularly terrifying.

Lu Ming, however, was unfazed by his appearance; instead, he was interested in the black market Zhang Li mentioned.

He still had a batch of stolen goods he hadn't been able to sell, constantly struggling to find an Opportunity.

Now, the black market seemed like a good option!

Seeing that he hadn't scared Lu Ming, Zhang Li felt bored. He picked up his Magical Artifact bone-cutting knife and began to sharpen it, speaking as he did so.

"You need to think carefully. Learning those Cultivation Techniques with significant side effects could very well affect your future Dao.

Although your cultivation speed is slow now, you still have a skill in Talismans, which at least allows you to live a stable life.

There's really no need to cultivate those secret Cultivation Techniques."

Hearing these somewhat concerned words, Lu Ming felt a warmth in his heart.

Lu Ming had only met Zhang Li twice since his Transmigration, but his impression of him was quite good.

He put away the black market token and thanked Zhang Li solemnly.

"Thank you for your concern, Uncle Zhang. I know my own talent; I may not even have a chance at Foundation Establishment in my entire life.

A human life is like a dayfly. Since I've embarked on the path of cultivation, I won't be reconciled if I don't give it my all!"

"Hmph, you kid, you're so refined. I'm just a rough man.

But since you've made up your mind, I won't stop you. However, the black market is not a benevolent place, so be prepared before you go."

Zhang Li cursed with a smile, originally intending to pat Lu Ming's shoulder, but withdrew his hand when he realized it was still covered in blood.

Lu Ming didn't stay long either. He bought ten catties of Yao Beast meat from Zhang Li, left a newly drawn Talisman on the table, and turned to leave.

Zhang Li initially didn't think much of it. Seeing other customers coming to buy Yao Beast meat, he busied himself. Only after he finished did he pick up the Talisman to examine it.

The spiritual essence was abundant, and the runes were fluid. Although it was a Low Grade first-rank Talisman, it was a high-quality one.

"This kid, so his talent was this good? It seems he didn't learn anything before!"

...

"Hoo~"

Lu Ming walked along the road in the trading area, but his gaze remained fixed on the golden book.

Seeing no movement, he let out a long breath.

Although he didn't want to think the worst of people, one must be on guard.

The black market token was given by Zhang Li, and he wanted to re-verify Zhang Li's character.

His intention in leaving the Talisman was to subtly show Zhang Li that his Talisman talent was strong, not to mention an investment, but it also had value for making connections.

However, it was also possible that the other party might think he had another Opportunity, which led to an increase in his Talisman talent, then become greedy and develop murderous intent.

He didn't want to conduct a test of human nature; human nature cannot withstand tests. But since he came to this world, he felt a great lack of security.

He wanted to ensure whether this person was worth befriending, so he used a small trick.

It turned out he was being overly cautious. He silently apologized to Zhang Li in his heart.

Zhang Li was indeed a good person. Although their relationship was like that of father and son, Lu Ming still considered him a friend in his heart, after all, in terms of actual age, he was about the same age as Zhang Li.

Lu Ming shook his head, cast aside his cluttered thoughts, and walked towards the trading area without further thought.

When he arrived at the trading area, he immediately sensed that the atmosphere was off.

The usual clamor was gone; everyone was quietly going about their business.

Lu Ming quietly arrived at the spot where he had set up his stall last time. Seeing Old Zhou there, he asked in a low voice,

"Old Zhou, has something happened?"

Old Zhou heard him, looked up, and seeing it was Lu Ming, he relaxed.

He moved closer to Lu Ming and whispered,

"Have you heard about the recent events in the Talisman Cultivator Alliance?"

"Is it the internal strife in the Talisman Cultivator Alliance?"

"Yes, the power of the former Alliance Master Chang Wei has been divided between the two current Deputy Alliance Masters, but they are unyielding with each other over collecting membership fees in the trading area.

After all, the membership fees collected daily are a huge sum, and neither of them is willing to give it up.

As a result, it has now escalated into two factions, each collecting their share of the membership fees.

Alas... In the end, it's us Loose Cultivators who suffer!"

Old Zhou sighed, not even smoking his usual pipe.

Lu Ming was somewhat puzzled. Wasn't Old Zhou a spiritual plant Cultivator? What did it have to do with the Talisman Cultivator Alliance? How did he get involved?

"Has the Talisman Cultivator Alliance extended its reach elsewhere?"

Lu Ming asked, puzzled.

"No, but other organizations and forces, seeing the Talisman Cultivator Alliance like this, are following suit, demanding increased membership fees, from one or two-tenths to now three-tenths.

We Loose Cultivators already live a hard life; how are we supposed to survive now!"

As he spoke, Old Zhou began to wipe away tears.

Lu Ming was silently speechless.

If he didn't have the golden book, he would also be endlessly oppressed like Old Zhou, and even more filled with despair for the future.

Lu Ming didn't comfort Old Zhou. He didn't know what identity or reason to use to comfort him.

Nor would he say anything like "tomorrow will be better," "perseverance is victory," or "don't bully the poor elderly" — such toxic platitudes.

This was typical of someone speaking without consequence. Otherwise, when Old Zhou recovered from the illusory toxic platitudes, he would only feel more sad.

They were both struggling on the path of immortality; he was just luckier.

At this moment, Lu Ming hadn't set up his stall, so naturally, no one came to collect membership fees.

He didn't stay in the same spot for too long, pretending to be someone buying supplies, picking and choosing along the way.

When he left the trading area, intending to go to the Talisman store to sell his Talismans, he noticed some shadowy figures loitering in front of several shops.

Their gazes subtly scrutinized the people entering and exiting, and his heart tightened.

"The Talisman Cultivator Alliance is being too ruthless!"

There weren't so many people keeping watch before. His previous visit was probably a coincidence, as Chang Yun had an incident, allowing him, a fish that slipped through the net, to take advantage.

Now, if anyone dared to go to a Talisman store to sell Talismans, they would definitely be targeted by the Talisman Cultivator Alliance.

Although he had the golden book to transfer the side effects and slowly wear down those who targeted him.

But there was no need to deliberately seek trouble.

Lu Ming cursed these people in his heart for delaying him from selling his Talismans.

He currently only had twenty-eight Spirit Stones in total.

Was that amount of Spirit Stones a joke for the black market?

A common Cultivation Technique would cost upwards of forty Spirit Stones; he probably wouldn't have enough to buy those secret arts and Cultivation Techniques he wanted.

He felt he needed to think of other solutions.

He didn't linger in one spot, wasting time. He turned and walked towards his residence.

Since the Talismans weren't sold, there was no need to spend money on supplies. Now, he would save wherever he could.