Black Market Identity

"This is a spatial card. Inside it is a stable small-scale space."

"Every black market has an owner, but they are not the absolute authority. On the contrary, they are bound by all sorts of rules, watched by everyone, and must be the ones most compliant with the rules," Lu Chenfeng said with a smile.

"A spatial card?" Su Li's expression shifted slightly. Cards of this kind were exceedingly rare and difficult to produce. Even the lowest-grade spatial cards were highly valuable.

So the black market exists in an alternate space, Su Li silently thought.

"This is only one of the entrances. There are other entrances throughout Cool City. These entrances are controlled by the holders of the black market cards, and random exits are available as well."

Lu Chenfeng glanced around and lowered his voice. "For a black market to remain stable over the long term, it needs rules. But those rules only exist within the black market space.

"There is protection near the entrances. Once you leave the black market space, they are no longer responsible for what happens."

Su Li understood what he meant. Wealth should not be flaunted. If someone set their sights on you in the black market, you might be robbed the moment you stepped out.

At that moment, the carriage stopped at the entrance. Lu Chenfeng took out two cards and handed one of them to Su Li.

Su Li accepted the card.

[Black Mask]

Rank: Bronze Rank 5

Type: Equipment

Effect: Conceals the wearer's aura; blocks spiritual-power probing; changes shape according to the wearer's will.

Overview: Guess who I am?

"There are card energies above the black market that suppress the release of spiritual power and monitor fluctuations in your spiritual power. Other than in designated areas, do not attempt to release your spiritual power.

"This will not affect your use of cards. But if you release spiritual power to probe your surroundings, these cards will detect it immediately. The black market guard squad will then expel you directly and permanently ban you from this black market," Lu Chenfeng warned.

Once a Spiritual Jade reached a certain rank, one could project spiritual power outward and scan the surroundings to gain vision. Those even stronger could see through concealment and perceive the essence beneath.

"In the black market, only transactions are allowed. Do not entertain any other intentions," Lu Chenfeng said.

Su Li was surprised. This was far better than he had imagined. It was clearly a lawless place, yet it was actually safer than the outside world.

"Brother Li, we're already friends. This card is a gift for you." Lu Chenfeng smiled.

"It's far too valuable." Su Li hurriedly declined.

Generally speaking, during the Bronze stage, Rank 1 cards ranged from five thousand to ten thousand, Rank 2 cards from ten thousand to twenty thousand, Rank 3 cards from fifteen thousand to thirty thousand, Rank 4 cards from thirty thousand to sixty thousand, and Rank 5 cards from sixty thousand to one hundred thousand!

This [Black Mask] was a rare card capable of producing miraculous effects in certain situations. It might even be worth more than one hundred thousand!

Su Li had not expected Lu Chenfeng to simply give away such an expensive card.

Lu Chenfeng waved his hand and smiled. "It's nothing. I think highly of you, Brother Li. If you feel uneasy about it, just help me enhance a card later."

His attitude was resolute, so Su Li could only accept it and promise to do his best to enhance a card for him.

The cards in their hands activated and transformed into black masks that covered their faces.

With a thought from Su Li, the mask changed shape. If he summoned the [Mechanical Motorcycle] now, he would truly become a masked rider.

Lu Chenfeng put away the carriage, his face likewise covered by a black mask.

Su Li suddenly had a thought and released his spiritual power, but it was blocked by a mysterious energy. He could not see Lu Chenfeng's true face.

Lu Chenfeng noticed and laughed. "Although this card is only Bronze Rank 5, its abilities are quite focused. Only a Silver-rank Card Master can break through this obstacle."

He was somewhat shaken. Su Li's spiritual power was not weak—he was definitely among the top tier at Third High School. No wonder he had been able to defeat Bai Moxue.

This man was remarkably low-key and had not even updated his ranking on the leaderboard. If not for the chain of events caused by him saving them in the Forest of Blood, no one would probably have noticed him yet.

He had noticed that Su Li's knowledge of Card Masters was limited to compulsory education. He judged him to be a peerless genius who had been overlooked, and his desire to befriend Su Li grew even stronger.

The two looked at each other before entering the black hole side by side.

It was somewhat similar to traveling through card worlds. A strange sensation of weightlessness struck him, followed by a scene coming into view: a gloomy marketplace standing amid the void.

The sky was dark and oppressive, lending the place a stifling atmosphere.

Yet the place was extremely lively. People came and went, nearly all wearing masks to hide their identities and avoid being targeted by criminals.

He and Lu Chenfeng appeared in the marketplace plaza. Not far away stood the market hall.

"All transactions are posted in the market hall. Some are especially popular and may even spark a scramble," Lu Chenfeng explained. This was clearly not his first time visiting the black market.

Su Li and Lu Chenfeng entered the black market hall, where several large screens were displayed.

The first large screen posted card sale listings. Black market visitors could place cards on consignment and set their own prices, while buyers could directly pay for and purchase the cards.

The second large screen posted card exchange listings. Some Card Masters offered rare cards in exchange for specified types of cards.

The third large screen posted card enhancement commissions. Black market visitors listed their prices, and card enhancers could accept the commissions themselves.

There were several other large screens as well, featuring treasures for cultivating spiritual power, requests to purchase certain types of cards, and commissions for handling various matters.

Su Li was astonished. This far surpassed the legitimate services offered by the Card Master Alliance and many powerful conglomerates. It was practically paradise for Card Masters.

"The economic benefits of the authorities and conglomerates mostly come from black market transactions. Still, legitimate platforms are indispensable as well. The two complement each other's shortcomings," Lu Chenfeng said with a smile.

"How can I accept card enhancement jobs?" Su Li asked. That was the purpose of this trip. As a card enhancer, enhancing cards was his greatest source of income.

Lu Chenfeng guided him. "First, you need a black market identity, similar to your Card Master certificate. Most black markets have already synchronized their information, so your black market Card Master certificate can be used in other black markets as well."

They arrived before a building. Lu Chenfeng smiled. "Let's register our black market identities first."

The two of them began the registration process. Although Lu Chenfeng had been here before, this was also his first time registering. After all, he had only become a card master a little over a month ago; previously, he had merely learned about it because of his identity.

"Name?" The staff member's identity was likewise unknown, and he wore a mask.

Su Li thought for a moment and said, "Fate Knower."

Standing beside him, Lu Chenfeng said, "Then I'll be Wind Whisper."

A little while later, Lu Chenfeng looked like he was about to cry as he stared at the words "Then I'll Be Wind Whisper" on his black market card master ID.

He explained to the staff member, "My name is Wind Whisper, not 'Then I'll Be Wind Whisper.'"

"Next." The staff member ignored him completely.