Transaction

This great being had keenly sensed that something was amiss. It seemed that something... filthy had come aboard its Ark?

Though the feeling had vanished in an instant, it still turned its gaze toward the hall.

The last time it had felt this way was when the Ark had been caught in a Void Realm black hole.

This time, it had to be on high alert and search carefully, lest anything happen to the Ark.

As a result, several passengers and representatives of mysterious origins and terrifying strength stiffened or looked back at the same time in the ship's hall.

They also had no idea what was happening, but they could feel the great being's gaze and its faint wariness.

This left them confused. They had no idea why this being had suddenly become wary of them.

The great being was hardly to blame. A hunter was bound to guard against a lion, not a white rabbit.

In the great being's eyes, the Second Awakening Bronze Mask was naturally nothing more than a white rabbit.

Li Yèlái knew nothing about this. He was currently examining the layout of the Ark.

The floor of the ship's hall was covered with the fur of some unknown creature. It was extraordinarily soft, with no sign of stitching anywhere. That meant it had come from an enormously large creature.

Classical chandeliers lit the entire hall, and a faint, hymn-like sound came from them, soothing the soul.

Ornate chairs were arranged throughout the hall. If not for the Void Realm stars visible through the windows, who would have guessed this was a colossal ship rather than some high-end classical restaurant?

Li Yèlái walked to the seventh chair by the window. That was where Bronze Mask usually sat.

As a representative of a Second Awakening, Bronze Mask held little standing aboard the Ark. He could only sit in the outer area, serving mainly as a listener and messenger. Only if Golden Armor accomplished something that earned everyone's recognition would Bronze Mask's standing improve.

For Li Yèlái, this was actually a good thing.

He sat silently at the edge of the hall, discreetly sizing up the Ark's Chosen.

Some power obscured their appearances, preventing Li Yèlái from seeing their faces clearly. Of course, they couldn't see his clearly either.

This was a protective measure for the Ark's Chosen. Even they didn't know one another's identities.

Li Yèlái had been seated for about ten minutes when more Ark's Chosen appeared, found their seats, and sat quietly. A few gathered to talk before returning to their seats as well.

There were quite a few Ark's Chosen. Judging from the information in the captured Golden Armor and Bronze Mask's minds, the Ark had once carried more than a hundred and fifty passengers.

More than a hundred had already arrived this time. It seemed this intelligence-sharing session was important to them.

Among them, Li Yèlái noticed one person holding a black umbrella and wearing a white suit and a top hat. He sat like a gentleman in an area near the center of the hall.

Li Yèlái's thoughts stirred. Is that Skinny Dog?

Though his build had changed considerably, the black umbrella in his hand was the same one. Even the golden patterns on its canopy were identical.

It was the Black Umbrella Youth Li Yèlái had encountered before, the one he'd had his teammates surround and kill.

The official analysis was that the black umbrella was the man's true form. He had used some ritual or Forbidden Item to attach his consciousness to it.

Even if his physical body was destroyed, as long as the umbrella escaped safely, he could make a comeback.

It seemed Skinny Dog had found a new body.

That was beyond the official's expectations. The only question was how much of his strength he had recovered.

Li Yèlái wasn't worried about being recognized. His disguise was convincing, and in terms of strength alone, he was now worlds apart from who he had been back then.

The officials estimate Skinny Dog is around the Fifth or Sixth Awakening, a captain-level powerhouse. Li Yèlái's heart sank. And even with that strength, he can't sit in the central seats?

That meant the people in the few seats at the heart of the hall were even stronger.

Li Yèlái suppressed his unease and tension and continued watching in silence.

Another ten minutes passed. Once it was clear no more Chosen would arrive, a voice of indeterminate gender rang in everyone's ears. "The time has come, Chosen."

The voice was ancient and solemn, and it spoke in a language Li Yèlái didn't know.

Yet the words were automatically translated into something he could understand.

Did the Ark have a built-in translation ability? Or did the power within the language itself overcome the limits of perception?

Perhaps it was both. The Ark's Chosen came from all over the world. Without this ability, they would hardly be able to communicate.

Li Yèlái thought of Mr. Shadow. He, too, had been able to understand the mysterious language Mr. Shadow spoke.

Was the Ark's owner on the same level as Mr. Shadow?

Or did all high-level beings have this ability?

Li Yèlái pondered.

An Ark's Chosen with blond hair and distinctly Caucasian features spoke up. "Then let's start with the intelligence. Does anyone have information on Old Gold Giant City? The more confidential, the better. I'm willing to trade."

"I do," said another Ark's Chosen sitting near the edge. "Private?"

"Of course. Private!" the blond Chosen replied.

Then their voices disappeared. The Ark's power cut them off from the others, and they began a private conversation.

Soon, both were satisfied and ended the private session. One had received information, and the other had received payment.

Another person spoke up. "I'm looking for a Fourth Awakening Nether Path potion, Shadowblade. A finished potion would be best, but materials will do."

Someone immediately answered, "I don't have the potion, but I have two of its ingredients: a Shadow Fiend's torso and a Mist Wraith's dewdrop."

"Excellent. But what do you want in exchange? The ingredients?"

"I recall you have the Fourth Awakening Whispers Path potion formula, Dragon Roar. I want that."

The other person agreed without hesitation. "Sure. We can trade right now."

"Good! Private!"

Similar exchanges sprang up throughout the hall.

Intelligence, equipment, potions, and formulas all served as bargaining chips.

This gave Li Yèlái a fuller understanding of the Ark. Since most people were confined to giant cities, the cities had little information about one another.

Border City No. 3 shared intelligence with the other two border cities and Lava Mine City.

But it was hard to make contact with giant cities farther away.

They didn't even know whether those cities still existed.

This created all kinds of gaps in intelligence. For instance, the Dragon Roar formula they'd just mentioned wasn't available in Li Yèlái's giant city.

But the other party could produce it with ease. Likewise, they might be missing formulas that Li Yèlái's side had.

The Ark's arrival had nearly erased these gaps in intelligence.

On top of that, some Chosen of mysterious origins could offer formulas and equipment the officials hadn't yet obtained.

The first to speak was an Ark's Chosen seated in the central area. The person was exceptionally tall, clad in golden plate armor, like a small golden mountain. Even sitting in a specially made chair, he stood over two meters tall.

He spoke in a language unfamiliar to humanity, but Li Yèlái understood him too.

"Star, Golden Armor, Phantom, Wolf Map. You did well. This operation was a great success—you forced the Old Mad King to act in person. As agreed, I've brought your rewards." As he spoke, one item after another appeared on the table in front of him. There were potions, materials, and even high-level Psychic Weapons.

"As for Black Umbrella, you fled Border City No. 3 badly wounded and didn't carry out the planned feint against the various branches. So you won't get a share of this deal." The Golden Mountain Knight continued, "Perhaps we'll work together next time."

Black Umbrella replied coldly, "Naturally. I have no objection. I'm not shameless enough to ask you for a reward!"

An Ark's Chosen exclaimed, "So it was you who did it! What audacity!"

"More than a hundred and fifty thousand casualties, all just to test the Old Mad King's condition?" another Chosen sneered.

"Who could have guessed that Star was actually the famous Qin Zhi? You paid a heavy price this time, Star. Now every giant city is hunting you down. Why not come work for me?" another Chosen offered.

The Ark's Chosen all voiced their opinions. Some regretted not taking part, while others cursed them for being so heartless.

Then someone sitting a little farther out than Black Umbrella replied, "I even had to expose my identity for this operation. The plan went somewhat awry, but the outcome was still perfect. I hope I'll have another chance to trade in the future."

"Good." The Golden Mountain Knight nodded. He tapped the table lightly, and several items appeared on the other person's table. "These are what I promised you: Fifth and Sixth Awakening potions, as well as a Psychic Weapon from a forbidden zone."

"Excellent. I didn't give up so much for nothing." The person stroked the rewards and chuckled. "Those hundred and fifty thousand deaths were worth it after all."

Li Yèlái watched the person in silence, suppressing his anger and malice.

Those four were the Ark's Chosen involved in the Fantasy Band incident.

Aside from Golden Armor and his faction, who had been secretly captured, the others had all escaped the giant city.

The one who had just spoken was clearly the mastermind, Qin Zhi!

Now Li Yèlái had finally found him again.

But Li Yèlái couldn't act rashly. He had to keep playing the part of Bronze Mask.

Star Qin Zhi swept his gaze across the hall, then looked at Li Yèlái. "Bronze Mask, why didn't Golden Armor come?"

Li Yèlái's heart skipped a beat, but he replied, "My lord was trying to gather intelligence on the Mad King and got into a fight with the Handler. He was badly wounded, but managed to escape the giant city. He's recovering now, so he sent me to collect the reward and sell information."

Bronze Mask's voice was distorted, making it sound neither distinctly male nor female. No one could identify his real voice. That was part of the disguise too.

"Oh?" the Golden Mountain Knight asked. "Sell information? What did he learn?"

Li Yèlái repeated what Yīnhuǒ had told him. "My lord saw the Mad King."

The Golden Mountain Knight shot to his feet. "You're saying Golden Armor saw the Mad King in action? What condition was he in?"

Many of the Ark's Chosen were astonished and excited.

Even the Ark's Chosen greatly feared the Old Mad King's power. He was strong enough to challenge the lords of forbidden zones.

Information about him was bound to be extremely valuable!

"What are you willing to pay for the information?" Li Yèlái continued. These were all lines Yīnhuǒ had taught him.

To make Li Yèlái's cover more secure, Yīnhuǒ had offered some extremely important information in the trade.

It was the Mad King's physical condition.

"The rewards were Golden Armor's to begin with. On top of that, I'll add a valuable healing medicine and bring it to you at the next gathering," the Golden Mountain Knight said. "How does that sound?"

"Fine." Li Yèlái nodded. "Private?"

"Private." The Golden Mountain Knight agreed.

But someone else spoke up too.

A female Ark's Chosen sitting in the same row as Black Umbrella asked, "I'm willing to pay for the information as well. How about a B-rank Psychic Weapon, which I'll bring you next time?"

"Works for me." Li Yèlái nodded slightly.

Another person spoke up. "I remember your lord, Golden Armor, was active near Border City. I'll offer a Fourth Awakening potion formula that even the Border City officials don't have."

"Oh? Which path?" Li Yèlái asked, playing Bronze Mask's role well.

"Whispers Path, Dragon Roar! If you agree, I can give it to you right now."

"But neither my lord nor I follow the Whispers Path." Li Yèlái pretended to consider it.

Golden Armor followed the Zeroing Path, while the real Bronze Mask followed the True Martial Path.

"Fine. Whispers Path will do."

The person breathed a sigh of relief. "Then count me in."

"Let's go private," the Golden Mountain Knight said, allowing the two others to join without objection.

He couldn't control who bought Li Yèlái's information.

Then the four of them, including Li Yèlái and the Golden Mountain Knight, were cut off from the rest.

After personally copying out a formula, Li Yèlái examined it and slipped it into his suit.

Everyone aboard the Ark was honest, since a certain great being could distinguish truth from falsehood. There was no need to worry about being cheated.

Li Yèlái began, "The Old Mad King is very old, extremely old. But when he fought, his blood surged like a tide and he instantly regained his youthful appearance. One spear thrust was enough to rout that Void Beast!"

"One thrust!" The Golden Mountain Knight looked stunned. The other two were just as astonished.

"Even after entering the physical world, its power must have been greatly diminished. That beast had to be at least a Seventh Awakening, yet he drove it back with one thrust. Is the Old Mad King really old?"

"I knew the Old Mad King could fight, but I never imagined he could fight that well!"

Li Yèlái continued, "After that, the Old Mad King gave up his youthful form and became an old man again. That's how my lord managed to escape the scene. We suspect the Old Mad King can only maintain his peak form for a short time. Of course, that's just speculation."

The Golden Mountain Knight was silent for a few seconds. After the Ark confirmed that Bronze Mask's account wasn't a lie, he nodded.

"Excellent. If you can keep providing information on the Old Mad King, Black Source City will consider you a friend."

So this Golden Mountain Knight came from a forbidden zone. He was a forbidden-zone creature!

Li Yèlái and the other two were all somewhat shocked.

Li Yèlái then nodded. "It would be my honor."

He knew he had driven a hidden stake into the Ark.