Wu Wen Tower

"Enter this door and speak not of your origins!"

"What comes from my hand, you shall bear the karma, fortune, or misfortune!"

"Ask not of east or west!"

As soon as he entered the stone house, Chen Heng's eyes fell upon a couplet that perfectly encapsulated the rules of the black market.

A short while later.

A figure in a black robe, holding a dim yellow lantern, approached him proactively. "Welcome to Wu Wen Tower," the figure said indifferently. "Are you here to buy or sell, fellow cultivator?"

Chen Heng sized up the person before him. This individual had no discernible aura, like an inanimate object.

But what did that have to do with him!?

"Either," he replied simply, his tone equally indifferent, devoid of any emotional fluctuation.

"In that case, please follow me, fellow cultivator."

With that, the black-robed figure turned and left, showing no inclination to escort their guest.

However, Chen Heng had no objections. Instead, he felt a sense of, 'People of the black market should be like this.'

Not long after.

Chen Heng entered a room clearly designated for guests. The entrance was also simply separated from the outside by a layer of black curtain.

Inside the room, another black-robed figure was leisurely sipping tea. A dim yellow lantern sat on the low table beside them.

Upon seeing someone enter, the black-robed figure spoke calmly, "Fellow cultivator, please take a seat."

Compared to the first, this person clearly possessed more vitality.

And they were tactful, not inviting Chen Heng to share their tea.

After all, no cultivator would dare to drink unknown substances in the black market.

Chen Heng slowly took a seat and directly took out the few magic robes belonging to Luo Yu Lei, which bore clear Luo Family markings, pushing them towards the black-robed figure.

The implication was quite obvious.

The black-robed figure was first taken aback, then glanced meaningfully at Chen Heng, who was clad in black robes with his face concealed by a mask.

"Your methods are quite unique, fellow cultivator."

After speaking, without regard for Chen Heng's reaction, they began to inspect the quality and condition of the robes.

Before long, they offered a price of three hundred low-grade Spirit Stones.

This was roughly the price of a mid-grade first-tier magical artifact. However, it was within Chen Heng's acceptable range, as selling ill-gotten gains in the black market naturally came with a price reduction.

He nodded slightly, indicating his acceptance of the price.

The black-robed figure then took out three hundred low-grade Spirit Stones from their storage bag and placed them on the table, but did not immediately push them towards Chen Heng.

Instead, they asked, "Fellow cultivator, is there anything you wish to purchase? As long as Wu Wen Tower has it, and you can afford the price, we can sell anything."

"Even virgin cauldrons for the Qi Refining realm, Wu Wen Tower has those."

Upon hearing this, Chen Heng's brow furrowed. In this world, only cultivators with special physiques or those who practiced certain unique cultivation methods needed to maintain their pure yang.

For ordinary cultivators, as long as they did not recklessly leak their vital essence, it would not affect their cultivation.

However, having lived two lives, he still felt a considerable resistance towards the trade of people.

Chen Heng ignored the black-robed figure and changed the subject, "Do you have any items that flowed out from Water Fire Superior's separate residence over a hundred years ago?"

This was his primary objective for coming to the black market.

The cultivation method Water Fire Defense Scripture was highly compatible with his physique, and he desperately hoped to collect the subsequent parts of this scripture.

Although Chen Heng did not hold much hope for Wu Wen Tower, what harm was there in trying?

Moreover, when Water Fire Superior's separate residence appeared, it had attracted many cultivators vying for its contents, resulting in many items being dispersed. He was not afraid of being traced back to his true identity.

Furthermore, Wu Wen Tower's scope should not be so limited.

He hadn't revealed any spiritual items that would warrant them taking such a huge risk.

Hearing this, the black-robed figure produced a jade slip and began to search diligently, without much thought, just as Chen Heng had predicted.

However, many years had passed since then, and neither of them knew if Wu Wen Tower had collected any relevant items.

Thus.

One waited quietly, the other searched slowly.

It was quite harmonious, like two old friends who hadn't seen each other in years.

After a considerable while, the black-robed figure who enjoyed tea raised their head and looked at Chen Heng, speaking unhurriedly, "Fellow cultivator, your luck is quite good. The tower has indeed acquired several items related to Water Fire Daoist."

Chen Heng's heart leaped at this statement, and he was about to ask what items they were.

But then he heard the other person continue, "However, these few items are currently stored at the main tower. We don't have them here, but I have a catalog. If you are interested, fellow cultivator, you can pay a deposit first."

"Next month, when the Ghost Alley Entrance market opens, you can come to Wu Wen Tower to collect them. Are you willing, fellow cultivator?"

After speaking, the black-robed figure picked up the teacup in front of him, took a small sip, then put it down and looked at Chen Heng, seemingly waiting for his decision.

Chen Heng pondered for a moment and said calmly, "In that case, let me see the list first before making a decision."

The black-robed figure nodded slightly, then took out a blank jade slip and imprinted all the relevant information he had found into it before handing it to Chen Heng.

Chen Heng accepted it as a matter of course, placed the jade slip on his forehead, and began to examine it carefully.

In Wu Wen Tower, there wasn't much related to this Violet Palace Venerable, only one magical artifact, two spells, and three items.

"Water-Fire Jade Belt, a mid-grade first-tier auxiliary magical artifact. When worn around the waist, it can automatically absorb Water-Fire spiritual energy, slightly increasing the success rate and power of casting Water-Fire spells. It also contains a mid-grade first-tier defensive spell called [Water-Fire Barrier]. Price: Two thousand low-grade Spirit Stones."

"Quenching Fire Water Nourishing Body Tempering Art, a body-tempering cultivation method. It tempers muscles and bones by drawing in earth fire malevolent qi, then nourishes and warms them with cold spring water. After repeated cycles, the body becomes strong, and resistance to Water-Fire spells is significantly enhanced. It has three layers and can be cultivated up to the Violet Palace realm. Price: Three thousand low-grade Spirit Stones."

"Water-Fire Counter-Surge, a mid-grade second-tier spell. It involves drawing water with one hand and gathering fire with the other, forcibly merging them. The resulting Water-Fire surge possesses immense destructive power. Price: One thousand five hundred low-grade Spirit Stones."

"Crimson-Azure Carp Jade, a top-grade first-tier precious material, often found where hot and cold pools converge. Holding it can balance Water-Fire spiritual energy conflicts, making it suitable for cultivators with Water-Fire Spiritual Roots. Price: Five hundred low-grade Spirit Stones."

"Two seeds of the second-grade top-tier spiritual medicine, Ice-Fire Lotus. They are active and must be planted where earth fire and cold springs meet. Once mature, they can be used in medicine or for refining artifacts. Price: Two hundred low-grade Spirit Stones."

"An unnamed broken jade piece, extremely hard. Price: One hundred low-grade Spirit Stones."

After Chen Heng finished reading the contents of the jade slip, the corners of his mouth under the mask twitched a few times.

"Good heavens, the items sold in Wu Wen Tower are not only more expensive than outside, but they only talk about the good aspects, never mentioning the bad ones."

"Never mind the rest, that body-tempering cultivation method that can be cultivated to the Violet Palace realm definitely has major flaws, otherwise, it wouldn't be sold so cheaply."

"Most of the other items are also overpriced. Take that unnamed broken jade piece, for example. It's just extremely hard, and Wu Wen Tower dares to sell it for one hundred low-grade Spirit Stones."

"The Water-Fire Jade Belt, a mid-grade first-tier auxiliary magical artifact, its selling price is almost as much as a defensive magical artifact of the same grade..."

"They're practically robbing people blind..."

Having lived two lives, this was the first time Chen Heng had mentally complained about so many issues. It could only be said that his experience was still too limited.

He slowly put down the jade slip and looked at the black-robed figure opposite him.

Although the other party's face was covered by a mask, he could imagine that he must be grinning sinisterly