An Exceptionally Lively Black Market

You mean... you encountered a wanted criminal?"

Upon returning from the mission world, Ailongtan immediately reported the situation to Luo Jun.

"He's not just an ordinary wanted criminal," Ailongtan said. "His name is Blood Caltrop, and I've heard from others that he's one of the top on the list."

"Blood Caltrop..." To be honest, Luo Jun hadn't paid much attention to the so-called Wanted List. Since they were wanted criminals, they naturally hoped that non-official personnel could provide information or even capture them, which often attracted bounty hunters.

This is understandable. When the police issue an arrest warrant, they are asking residents to provide clues. If the police find the wanted criminal, arresting him is their job, and of course, they will be credited internally.

The Yuan Cultivation Society is the same; its bounty lists are openly displayed, with rewards ranging from hundreds of millions to tens of millions of dollars—all in real money. Internally, it also has a system that uses various levels of merit as incentives.

Luo Jun had no interest in being a bounty hunter, so he wasn't particularly interested in the wanted criminal rankings. He just remembered that there was a real-time updated post on the forum recording the situation, and the capture of a major wanted criminal was often sensational news... But he had never paid attention to the specific rankings or what they were called.

Reminded by Ailongtan's situation, he opened the forum, browsed through it, and nodded. "Blood Caltrop, ranked seventh... currently has a bounty of 22 million, or four Tier A Merit Points... indeed a troublesome guy."

"So in the end, you killed him?" Although Ailongtan hadn't said it yet, Luo Jun could tell from his relaxed tone that he probably hadn't suffered a loss.

"Killing him wasn't that easy. I just used a little trick to kick him into the Annihilation Process." Ailongtan's tone was smug. "However, I didn't expect such a guy to appear at first, so I revealed my master's identity before he made a move. This guy is definitely not dead. I'm afraid he'll cause trouble for you in the real world."

"I'm not afraid of trouble... but I just don't quite understand why this guy is hunting Cultivators during missions?" Luo Jun stroked his chin.

"I think he's practicing some kind of Secret Technique ..." Ailongtan explained, "I saw that every time he killed someone, he would use a small bottle to collect their Essence Blood; that must be a special artifact."

"So, this definitely isn't his first offense." Luo Jun frowned. "Are you still in the Chaos Zone?"

"Here he is." Ailongtan nodded. "I reported to you, Master, immediately."

"Go find the teacher immediately and report this to the Yuan Cultivation Society!" Luo Jun urged. "Don't give him the opportunity to harm more people!"

"Report it?" Ailongtan paused. "Yuan Cultivation Society ask for details. How should I answer?"

"How should I answer? Just tell the truth!"

"But Master, after I dealt with him, I also completed this Tier B Mission. If I report this truthfully, it will be hard to explain how you, a Foundation Establishment Realm, could escape from and even Counter-kill a major wanted criminal..." Ailongtan tentatively suggested, "Why don't we keep it a secret for now? Anyway, there's only one Chaos Mission per month, so at least he shouldn't cause any trouble this month."

Luo Jun shook his head. "If we wait until next month, and he goes on another mission, it will probably cost more than a dozen lives. The Yuan Cultivation Society needs to conduct an investigation beforehand to arrest her; it's impossible for them to catch her immediately after we report the case."

"It's alright, just give your report as usual. Take this opportunity to show off your strength... Half a year to the Heart Refining Realm is indeed a bit fast, but such geniuses are not uncommon!"

"Even those geniuses can't compare to you, Master," Ailongtan immediately followed up with his flattery. "Then I will report it truthfully. But in that case, Master will be labeled as Elemental School. If you can't use your abilities in the future, I'm afraid..."

"It's alright..." Luo Jun sensed the surging Inner Breath: "I concealed my identity because I had a secret I was afraid people would find out. A commoner is innocent, but possessing a treasure is a crime... But if the one possessing the treasure is not a commoner, but a king, a prince, or even the emperor, then what crime is there?"

"Since Your Majesty has considered this, then I will not say anything more."

After ending his conversation with Ailongtan, Luo Jun sat in his room, feeling the surging power within him.

Based on his current cultivation progress, at most two months... no, with the help of the Essence Stabilizing Pearl, it will probably only take a month and a half... He will definitely be able to break through to the Foundation Establishment Realm Ninth Layer before March, and he will definitely be able to cultivate the ninth level to its peak before April!

Then we'll see whether he has the talent to achieve the Heart Refining Realm!

If what I and my Master previously guessed is true—that the Cultivation Method everyone is currently practicing are wrong, and that the original method of cultivation for the Deity was to proceed step by step, strengthen the foundation, cultivate the essence, and Mind Condensation, so that breaking through to the next realm would be a natural progression—then after cultivating the Foundation Establishment Realm to its peak, I should be able to naturally reach the threshold of the Heart Refining Realm.

With the combined blessing of the Dice of Heavenly Secrets and the God Technique, Luo Jun 'Luo Jun level, though not yet at its peak, already far surpasses that of ordinary Peak Expert. If he were to truly advance to the Mind Condensation stage at the final moment, given the difference in strength between the cultivation and Mind Condensation for most people, Luo Jun was confident that his eyesight at that time would absolutely be comparable to that of Feather Transformation!

As one of the few people in the world, a strategic deterrent weapon comparable to a human nuclear weapon, at that time, what secrets he was hiding became irrelevant.

But if that's not the case, and I truly stop here at the cultivation stage, I will still be one of the top experts in the Main World, but I will definitely not reach that level where I can act without regard for reason...

I'm a little nervous...

Luo Jun rubbed his face vigorously.

Thinking too much is useless; focusing on your training is what really matters!

The black market starts in a couple of days, so let's take the opportunity to get some useful Noble Phantasms and increase our strength!

Encouraging himself, Luo Jun sat on the bed, holding the Essence Stabilizing Pearl, and began circulating his Inner Breath again to prepare for the uncertain challenges to come.

January 15th, 7 PM, at the entrance of Yuanqiang Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd..

Just like last time, the company closed early. The spacious company compound was empty except for a few security guards on duty, checking the identities of the "guests" who came from time to time, and then taking them into Different World that ordinary people could not see.

Luo Jun, dressed in Assassin's Cloak, arrived at the door. His face, concealed by a mask and hood, lowered his head and uttered the coded message he had just heard:

With her willow-leaf eyebrows and cherry-like lips, everyone who sees me is happy to look at her...

The security guard nodded and opened the gate to let them in.

"What kind of weird code is this..." Luo Jun breathed a sigh of relief after successfully entering the black market, "At least last time it was an ancient poem, how come this time it's turned into a skit line? Where's the seriousness in that?!"

Muttering a complaint, Luo Jun's eyes were already drawn to the bustling market before him. "There are so many more stalls today than last time. Is it because of the Treasure Appraisal Conference?"

That's right. According to the information obtained from Ling Xin, this black market is somewhat unusual. General Zheng has convened an Treasure Appraisal Conference.

The so-called Treasure Appraisal Conference is an event held irregularly in the Ningdong Black Market. Although it is called treasure appraisal, it is not to judge whether the treasure is real or fake. After all, the description of the treasure cannot be faked. As long as you scan it with your energy, anyone can see the specific effect.

This appraisal is less about authentication and more about appreciation. It brings out rare and eye-catching treasures from the black market for everyone to examine. If anyone wants one, they can bid, and the highest bidder wins!

To put it bluntly, it's just a disguised auction.

However, unlike regular auctions, the circulation of magical artifacts in the black market is mainly based on barter, with cash rarely used and no unified equivalent. You can't exactly bid on your own magical artifact during an auction, can you? Luo Jun was curious about this rule and wanted to join in the fun.

Looking at the time, it was only a little past seven o'clock. The Treasure Appraisal Conference should start promptly at midnight. Since there was still plenty of time, Luo Jun began to wander around the ordinary stalls.

Not far away, Ailongtan, wearing a mask and disguised as Luo Jun, was also shopping with Ling Xin.

"Master, I saw an interesting treasure, but the stall owner's price is a bit high. You can come and take a look later if it's convenient for you..." Ailongtan reported the information of the various stalls he saw to Luo Jun as he strolled around. This made him appear to be asking questions and touching things everywhere, but in reality, he had been busy for a long time without buying anything.

Ling Xin, who was standing to the side, had prepared some Rare-level supplies. Watching Ailongtan busy himself with these tasks, she shook her head, leaned over, and suddenly asked.

"I heard you encountered a wanted criminal during your mission a couple of days ago?"

This question startled Ailongtan, who feigned surprise and asked, "How did you know? The teacher said this should be kept secret for now, and I haven't told anyone..."

Ling Xin shook her head. "We're afraid of causing panic by not telling anyone. After all, he's a wanted criminal who specializes in hunting Tier B players. Many of our classmates are at that level."

"But I'm different. In my eyes, he's the prey!"

Ailongtan was slightly taken aback, then gave a thumbs-up and exclaimed, "As expected of the Golden Edge Witch, your courage is truly extraordinary!"

"So you want to know the details of what happened back then? So you can catch this wanted criminal?" Ailongtan laughed. "No problem, I'll tell you the whole story from the beginning..."

The error-free version can be read at 69 Book Bar! 6=9+shuba is the first site to publish this novel.

"No need..." Ling Xin interrupted him, "I've already heard the specific details from the school. What I'm really interested in is your level of attainment."

Ling Xin looked into Ailongtan's eyes. "When did you reach the Heart Refining Realm?"

What's coming will come...

Ailongtan sighed inwardly and urgently communicated with Luo Jun in his mind, "Master, Ling Xin has asked..."

Luo Jun was selecting goods at a stall when he heard Ailongtan's cry for help. He calmly said, "Just tell him that you broke through not long after returning from the Martial World."

"The Spirit Gathering Gu helped me win several levels in a row, fulfilling the prerequisites for cultivating the Heart Refining Realm. I tried it once and succeeded."

"This... this is a bit too hasty," Ailongtan thought, finding the answer unbelievable.

"Others might not reply, but Ling Xin should be fine." Luo Jun picked up a bunch of keys. "How much for these? Three rare ones? Too expensive, too expensive... You think this is epic?"

"Why is Ling Xin okay?" Ailongtan asked, puzzled.

"Because she's a genius, and one of the very best!" Luo Jun revealed two rare-quality Noble Phantasms: "How about trading these for one? If you don't sell, I'm leaving."

"Does Master mean mutual understanding between geniuses?"

"Pretty much... Anyway, just tell her that." Luo Jun smiled as he put the bunch of keys into the Hundred Treasure Box: "Hey, don't look so sad. You've already made a profit. Let me tell you, a non-combat Noble Phantasm can be bought for this price, it's not bad."

Looking at Ling Xin, Ailongtan could only answer as Luo Jun had instructed. However, after hearing this, Ling Xin merely glanced into Ailongtan's eyes, then smiled and shook her head, "I knew it..."

"She really didn't suspect anything?" Ailongtan was somewhat surprised, and at the same time, he mentally reported to Luo Jun.

"Master, how do you know such a perfunctory excuse can get away with it?"

"The truth is often rather perfunctory..." Luo Jun replied with a smile, "As geniuses, they often achieve success without even realizing it."

"In my high school class, the one who always got first place wasn't the one with glasses who studied the hardest and did the most practice problems, but the guy who would run to the basketball court after class."

"Top-tier talent is just that capricious; a problem that most people can't solve even after working day and night might just be a flash of inspiration for him while he's yawning..."

"If reading requires such skill, how much more so for someone whose Heart Refining Realm?" Luo Jun chuckled. "I suspect Ling Xin herself achieved her breakthrough in this rather haphazard way."

After hearing Luo Jun's words, Ailongtan looked at Ling Xin: "You said it was true, does that mean you're the same?"

Ling Xin nodded. "It's not just me, my brother is the same."

What kind of monsters are these people... Although Ailongtan is an emperor, he was once a Cultivators. He was able to inherit the throne because of his bloodline. In terms of cultivation talent, he is not bad, but he is far from being top-notch.

"Congratulations on reaching the Heart Refining Realm," Ling Xin said with a smile. "Only at this stage can one be considered a true Cultivators. I must admit, your progress is faster than I expected."

"It was mainly a fortuitous fortuitous opportunity at Medicine King Valley that gave me a push," Ailongtan said modestly.

"Leaving aside that matter, at your pace, reaching the Mind Condensation within a year shouldn't be difficult. This is rare even among First-class Expert." Ling Xin looked at Luo Jun, then changed the subject:

"Having talent is a good thing, but I still have to remind you. Don't just rush into quick results. The ability to Mind Condensation has already been unlocked, so the next stage of cultivation will be a long process. Don't rush to increase the strength of your ability. You'd better take this opportunity to solidify your foundation. At least you need to raise your Foundation Establishment to Double Tier 5. Then, continuing to cultivate the Mind Condensation will be much more effective."

"Double Tier 5?" Ailongtan curled his lip. "Easier said than done..."

"It does require a bit of luck," Ling Xin nodded. "But I think with your talent, you should be able to do it. If you don't build a solid foundation, your future cultivation path will be very painful—that's based on experience. You started relatively late, so you don't have the luxury of making mistakes. Don't take any detours."

Upon hearing this, Ailongtan nodded and smiled, "Thank you for your guidance. With the guidance of the world's top genius Cultivators, I will definitely become a master!"

"Top-tier?" Ling Xin was slightly taken aback, then sighed, "I'm far from being one..."

"Don't be modest," Ailongtan laughed. "I've heard it from more than one person: the Golden Edge Witch, a member of the Ling Family clan, became First-class Expert in her teens. If you're not a genius, who is?"

"Even among geniuses, there are differences." Ling Xin shook her head. "There are many people whose talent far surpasses mine. I used to only know one, but now... there should be two!"

(End of this chapter)