A Trip to the Black Market

Before Meng Haoran, a spirit spring bubbled, each surge of water carrying with it a faint trace of natural spirit energy.

Because the spirit energy generated by nature was riddled with impurities, cultivators could not easily absorb or refine it.

However, the spirit energy produced by spiritual objects like this spring was of a much higher quality than that of the outside world, allowing it to be absorbed and refined through cultivation methods without the need to invoke "human path spirituality."

Sitting not far from the spring, an elderly man with graying hair heard the voices of Meng Haoran and his companion, slowly opening his eyes to smile. "Bohai, Haoran, you have come."

This elder was none other than the current patriarch of the Meng clan, Meng Jingshan.

Ten years ago, the Qingyang County Yamen issued a decree to suppress the Black Mountain Bandits. In order to secure foundation establishment level cultivation resources for the Meng family, the only three half-step foundation establishment cultivators in the clan ventured deep into the Tianyang Mountain Range together, only to fall into an ambush.

Meng Jingshan had managed to escape by the skin of his teeth, thanks to the help of his two clansmen.

Yet, he had suffered severe injuries in that battle, which had remained unhealed for a long time.

In his daily life, unless there was a major crisis, he remained within the vicinity of this spirit spring to slow the deterioration of his condition.

Meng Bohai helped Meng Jingshan sit down and explained in detail the proposal Meng Haoran had made back in Qingyang County regarding the black market.

"A black market, is it? That is not entirely out of the question."

Meng Jingshan spoke calmly. "It is just that for these past years, the seven great ninth-rank cultivation families have kept such a tight grip on all cultivation resources above the second tier. In the black market, what could we possibly hope to purchase?"

Meng Haoran cupped his hands and said, "Patriarch, I simply feel that the sudden appearance of second-tier six-pattern wheat in our Meng family's spirit plant field is a golden opportunity for our rise. If we do not grasp this chance firmly, who knows how long we would have to wait for another?"

Meng Jingshan nodded. "Haoran, I understand your point. The yield, price, and quality of six-pattern wheat far exceed that of the first-tier three-pattern wheat. If it is not properly stored, even without extra spirit plant fields, the spirituality within it will dissipate over time."

Meng Haoran replied, "That is exactly what I meant."

At this, Meng Jingshan fell silent for a few moments before smiling. "Very well, I agree to this trip to the black market!"

Meng Jingshan looked at Meng Bohai and asked, "However, who shall go on this trip?"

Meng Bohai patted Meng Haoran on the shoulder and replied, "Patriarch, I intend to take Haoran with me."

"Him?"

Meng Jingshan waved his hand. "No, Haoran has only just reached the third layer of qi refining. The black market is a place where dragons and snakes mingle, filled with all sorts of people and hidden dangers. What will happen if he goes?"

Meng Jingshan's concern stemmed partly from worry for this talented young member of the Meng family, and partly from an infinite sense of guilt toward Meng Haoran's late father, Meng Liuhai.

Back when they suppressed the Black Mountain Bandits, if not for Meng Liuhai's desperate sacrifice to save him, Meng Jingshan would never have escaped the trap set by the bandits.

Meng Haoran spoke earnestly, "Patriarch, you need not worry too much. This time, I will stay close to Clan Uncle Bohai and will never act rashly. Besides, the purpose of this trip is to purchase spirit plant soil. If there is no such soil to be found, Clan Uncle Bohai and I will return immediately!"

Seeing Meng Haoran's fervent expression, Meng Jingshan pondered for a moment before nodding. "I agree to let you go, but you must listen obediently to your Clan Uncle Bohai. Once in the black market, do not provoke any trouble."

Meng Haoran said joyfully, "I will strictly follow your instructions, Patriarch!"

Meng Jingshan stood up, took a map from the bookshelf behind him, and placed it in Meng Bohai's hands. "The timing of the black market is rarely fixed, but the locations are generally in the surrounding areas of Qingyang County. Only by holding trades in such places can they avoid the attention of the seven great ninth-rank cultivation families. You two should follow the locations marked on the map to search. If there is no market at the marked spots, do not linger; return directly to the Meng family."

Upon hearing this, Meng Bohai cupped his hands. "Bohai understands!"

Standing at the gate of the Meng family compound, Meng Jingshan watched the retreating figures of Meng Haoran and Meng Bohai, shaking his head as he muttered, "The appearance of six-pattern wheat in our spirit plant field... I wonder if this is a blessing or a curse for our Meng family..."

Three days later, on the outskirts of Qingyang County.

Meng Haoran rode his spirit horse, following behind Meng Bohai.

"Clan Uncle Bohai, we have already passed three marked points. How many are left?" Meng Haoran asked from behind.

Hearing this, Meng Bohai stopped his "flying star horse," took out the map to check, and said, "Four more, and all four are located within the Tianyang Mountain Range."

The Great Yu Immortal Dynasty possessed vast territories; the small Tianyang Mountain Range alone supported seven or eight surrounding counties.

The Tianyang Mountain Range was teeming with spirit beasts and even more heavenly materials and earthly treasures. According to high-tier cultivators, demons existed deep within the mountains.

However, powers like the Meng family had never encountered any demons.

Following Meng Bohai's lead, Meng Haoran had not been in the Tianyang Mountain Range for even the time it takes to burn a stick of incense before they encountered two or three groups of people.

At first, Meng Haoran assumed these people were just cultivators venturing deep into the mountains to gather treasures.

As he encountered more and more cultivators, he could not help but ask, "Clan Uncle Bohai, most of these people are cultivators, and they are heading in the same direction as us. Could their destination be the black market?"

Meng Bohai nodded. "That is likely. If we had only met a few individuals, they would be treasure-gathering teams. But now that dozens of groups have crossed our path, it means the black market is not far ahead!"

Hearing this, Meng Haoran felt a surge of excitement. Having grown up in Xinghua Village, the furthest he had ever been was Qingyang County Town.

Now, being able to participate in a black market within the Tianyang Mountain Range and gain more experience filled Meng Haoran with anticipation.

As Meng Haoran was lost in thought, Meng Bohai took a pill from his "storage bag" and handed it to him.

"Clan Uncle Bohai, what is this?" Meng Haoran asked, puzzled.

"This is a first-tier disguise pill. After taking it, it can slightly alter your appearance for about three hours!"

Meng Bohai explained, "The patriarch once said that the black market is a place where all sorts of people gather. A moment of carelessness could offend someone over a trivial matter, leading to being targeted and bringing disaster upon yourself."

Meng Haoran nodded. "When traveling, caution is paramount. Clan Uncle Bohai, I will remember this!"

With that, Meng Haoran swallowed the "disguise pill." Soon, he felt a slight itching sensation on his cheeks; he knew the pill was taking effect.

What Meng Bohai liked most about this young nephew was that he was quick to grasp things, whether in cultivation or in the ways of the world.

The two traveled for another half-stick of incense until they heard shouting coming from a valley in the distance. They knew they had arrived at the black market!

Leading his spirit horse, Meng Haoran followed closely behind Meng Bohai, his bright, piercing eyes scanning the surroundings.

There were cultivators dressed like beggars squatting on the ground, a pile of scrap metal laid out before them, with several people stopping to inquire.

There were cultivators dressed like landlords sitting peacefully on stools, saying nothing, waiting for customers to approach.

There were alluring female cultivators striking graceful poses, constantly soliciting more cultivators to come over and hear about the spirit beasts they were raising.

Meng Bohai suddenly squatted down in front of a stall selling spirit medicine and spirit grass. He looked at the thin, tall stall owner and asked, "Fellow Daoist, may I ask if you have any spirit plant soil for sale?"

The thin, tall owner first glanced at Meng Bohai, then at Meng Haoran behind him, before asking in return, "I do have spirit plant soil, but why do you want to buy it?"

Meng Bohai smiled slightly and replied, "Apologies, it concerns my personal cultivation, so I cannot disclose it to you."

The thin, tall owner raised his graying eyebrows slightly and nodded. "Fine, I understand. After all, everyone who comes to the black market has their own secrets."

"Many thanks for your understanding, Fellow Daoist!"

Meng Bohai asked, "May I ask what the price of your spirit plant soil is?"

The stall owner asked, "That depends on what kind of spirit plant soil you need."

"Haha! It seems you are quite well-stocked, Fellow Daoist!"

Meng Bohai said with a touch of flattery, "Fellow Daoist, what kinds of spirit plant soil do you have?"

"I have spirit plant soil of the Heaven, Earth, Profound, and Yellow tiers. Aside from Heaven and Earth, I have the other two."

The stall owner asked with a smile, "It just depends on which one you need."

Hearing this, Meng Bohai felt a surge of joy. "Yellow-tier! I only need Yellow-Tier Spirit Plant Soil!"

First-tier to third-tier spirit plants were suitable for Yellow-Tier Spirit Plant Soil, fourth-tier to sixth-tier for Profound-Tier, seventh-tier to ninth-tier for Earth-Tier, and immortal-tier spirit plants were suitable for Heaven-Tier Spirit Plant Soil.

Although the Meng family might need Profound-Tier soil in the future, it was still too early given their current situation.

Hearing the joy in Meng Bohai's tone, the stall owner smiled knowingly. "Yellow-tier soil? Looking at the expression of this young lad beside you, I assume you are purchasing this on behalf of someone else—your family, am I right, Fellow Daoist?"

Hearing this, Meng Haoran felt his background had been seen through and felt a flicker of anger. "What do you mean by that?"

.:wap.

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