Next Target

The matter was truly bizarre. The mountaintop had collapsed, and even places far away had felt the disturbance, yet the people nearby knew nothing of it.

Some believed their memories had been tampered with. Some powerful cultivators had tried to investigate and restore them, but found not the slightest sign of alteration. Many believed it had been a natural disaster.

But even more people rejected that notion. What kind of natural disaster could instantly wipe out a cultivation clan guarded by a True Immortal Realm giant?

Endless Sea, Sin City.

This was a place of utter chaos, where all manner of people mingled. Most who came and went were vicious criminals. Due to its proximity to the Black Abyss, it was a land without rules, steeped in evil at every turn—a place ordinary people avoided like the plague.

Xiang Tian walked down the street, drawing glances from time to time. After all, it was quite a novelty for someone in the Deity Transformation Realm to walk alone through Sin City.

Moreover, judging by Xiang Tian's attire, he looked more like the young master of a wealthy family, utterly unlike the ferocious, murderous crowd around him.

He paid no attention to their covetous stares. The Ding Family fish had already been butchered; now it was simply a matter of whether the people of the Black Abyss would take the bait.

Before long, someone noticed that Xiang Tian looked familiar, and their eyes immediately lit up.

Wasn't this the guy being hunted by four factions? Everyone began to stir with excitement, but then they suddenly remembered something. They watched him like tigers and wolves eyeing prey, yet for a time, no one dared make a move.

News of the Ding Family's complete annihilation had spread far too quickly. People like them, who spent their lives fleeing for their lives, had exceptionally well-connected channels of information, so naturally they knew what had happened.

They all sensed that something was off. The Ding Family had only just met with disaster, yet this kid dared to come strutting out here. There had to be something fishy going on.

After wandering about for quite some time, Xiang Tian found that although these people looked as though they wanted to swallow him whole, no one came forward to court death. He found it somewhat boring.

Perhaps the Black Abyss was moving too slowly. Xiang Tian decided it was time to take the initiative.

Sin City's black market was particularly famous. The flow of funds there was an astronomical figure, and with the Black Abyss standing behind it, countless rare treasures were bought and sold within. There was no place more suitable to visit.

In a dark alley stood a rotten wooden signboard, crookedly carved with the two words "Trading House."

This was the entrance to the Black Abyss's black market in Sin City.

The narrow wooden doors were shut tight.

Xiang Tian knocked three times, but received no answer. He knocked twice more, and still there was no response. Finally, he gave the door one last light knock.

After waiting a moment, the door creaked open. A young servant boy in hemp clothing stood there. He was short, with a few spots on his face, but he looked quick-witted enough.

The boy was stunned when he saw Xiang Tian. He was curious. This was the first time he had received someone who came here without any disguise at all, openly showing his true face.

Still, why did this person seem just a little familiar? No matter how hard he thought, he could not remember.

Since Xiang Tian had given the correct password, he was surely one of their own. The boy did not think much of it and invited him inside.

After serving him a cup of tea, he told Xiang Tian that the shopkeeper was receiving a guest and asked him to wait a moment before going off to tend to his own business.

The interior was very ordinary. The wooden tables and chairs were all old and carried an antique simplicity, making it difficult to associate the place with the Black Abyss.

Xiang Tian merely sipped his tea without any hurry.

Inside, the old man in charge of the black market said to the person beside him, "I will find time to take these materials back to the Black Abyss. This time, I must trouble Miss Su."

If Xiang Tian could see this, he would certainly be delighted, because there was an old acquaintance among them—Su Tong.

Today, she was dressed very modestly, with a black badge pinned to her chest. It was this very thing that ensured she could travel safely and unhindered through Sin City as a woman.

She waved at the old shopkeeper. "It is what I should do, merely my duty. I must leave quickly as well. Undercurrents are surging within Changning Immortal Academy right now. I always feel that something is wrong. I need to return as soon as possible, lest I draw someone's attention."

"I'll see you out."

With that, the old man escorted Su Tong out of the room. As they passed through the main hall, Xiang Tian was drinking tea. Their six eyes met, and it was as though time itself had stopped.

Su Tong could hardly believe it. Her beautiful eyes were filled with shock.

Th-This was Xiang Tian, wasn't it?

Xiang Tian was also stunned. He knew Su Tong was with the Black Abyss, but he had not expected their next meeting to be here.

"Oh, Senior Su Tong. What a coincidence. I really didn't expect to see you here."

Su Tong froze, and so did the old man behind her.

The servant boy who had received him might not recognize him, but the shopkeeper certainly did! He had just watched footage of Xiang Tian's battle with Sinan Yao and was preparing to send it back to the Black Abyss to study their data.

The eerie silence among the three of them left the servant boy cleaning the room behind them completely bewildered.

The shopkeeper wanted nothing more than to kick the little brat several times. You dared let this thing inside?

"X-Xiang Tian..."

For a moment, Su Tong did not know whether to laugh or cry. Her expression shifted unpredictably, and she could only answer him like this.

The shopkeeper behind her was even more amusing. He pointed at Xiang Tian with a finger like a withered branch, his lips trembling. "Y-You... aren't you... aren't you..."

Xiang Tian smiled faintly. For some inexplicable reason, it felt as soothing as a spring breeze. Of course, that was only how the dazed young servant boy felt.

Su Tong and the shopkeeper felt rather differently.

Xiang Tian nodded, his expression utterly sincere. "That's right, my name is Xiang Tian. I imagine the shopkeeper knows me. After all, Senior Su Tong and I are old acquaintances."

Xiang Tian smiled pleasantly, but Su Tong felt chills creep down her spine. A sudden illusion came over her: it was as though Xiang Tian had seen through her identity long ago, and her previous mission had been nothing but an act.

Furthermore, Xiang Tian showed not the slightest surprise at seeing her here.

The old shopkeeper quietly took out a small black device with his other hand, hidden behind his back. Because of the black market's special nature, there were no surveillance devices here. Unless they sent a message out, Black Abyss headquarters would have no idea that something had happened.

"Oh? Shopkeeper, you're getting on in years. You should move your hands less, or they might break easily. After all, you're no match for your younger self anymore."

After hearing Xiang Tian's baffling words, cold sweat instantly broke out on the old shopkeeper's forehead.

This kid was far too uncanny—more uncanny than even the files had described.

At once, the shopkeeper obediently froze with the device clutched in his hand, not daring to move a fraction.

Xiang Tian stood up, walked behind him, and gently plucked the device away, examining it in his hand.

It was exquisitely made. He knew that with a light press of this button, Black Abyss would receive the message.

"Senior, you really didn't disappoint me."

Xiang Tian walked over to Su Tong's side. A faint fragrance of her hair still lingered in the air. Su Tong looked pure and innocent, but her face was now deathly pale.

Xiang Tian did not continue teasing her. Instead, he turned to the shopkeeper and raised his hand. It was the controller for the Divine Armor.

"Shopkeeper, I'd like to sell something. I wonder... will you take this deal?"