Eight Extremities Fist LV9, Black Market

Xu Qing nodded silently, then left the Azure Hawk Martial Arts School carrying fifteen jin of Meat Ganoderma. Once outside, he let out a sigh.

"Sigh..."

Xu Qing thought to himself, I can't buy Meat Ganoderma from the Azure Hawk Martial Arts School again. My current displayed strength is that of a martial artist who has only recently entered the Bright Force stage.

For a Bright Force martial artist, Level 1 Spirit Food: Tai Sui Spirit Meat is enough to sustain daily life and martial arts practice. There's no need for Level Two Spirit Food: Meat Ganoderma.

Of course.

It's not impossible to consume Level Two Spirit Food: Meat Ganoderma, it would just be a bit wasteful. And the amount you can eat is very small; consuming too much would inevitably lead to exploding.

However, half a month ago, I already bought fifteen jin of Meat Ganoderma. Normally, that should last me for several months.

But.

In just half a month, I'm back to buy Meat Ganoderma again. This is already very unusual. The people in the Resource Hall must be suspicious.

I can't go there anymore.

Thinking this, Xu Qing frowned.

"In that case, I'll have to go to the Black Market. A while back, Zhao Jingyuan mentioned there's a Black Market in Qingbei Town where many things are sold."

Xu Qing mused, "There are many things sold in Qingbei Town's Black Market, with Secret Medicine and Spirit Food being the most popular. I should find an opportunity to check it out."

The scene shifted. Xu Qing had returned to his residence. After consuming one jin of Meat Ganoderma and preparing himself, he went out again, heading to White Dwarf Mountain to continue gaining experience for the Blood Curse Beast Taming Technique.

Meat Ganoderma.

Its appearance was quite similar to ordinary Ganoderma, and its size was identical, as if cast from the same mold. Each piece weighed one jin, no more, no less.

However.

Meat Ganoderma and actual Ganoderma were different. Meat Ganoderma was not a fungus but meat; it was essentially a flesh-based spirit food, only its appearance resembled Ganoderma.

That evening.

Late at night.

Before sleeping.

[Eight Extremities Fist LV8: 800/1280.]

[Thirteen Sword Strikes of Life-Taking LV4: 40/240.]

[Blood Curse Beast Taming Technique LV5: 160/160.]

"Upgrade Blood Curse Beast Taming Technique."

Buzzz!

The Omni-Codex flickered with a faint glow. Xu Qing's consciousness, accompanied by a series of profound fluctuations, felt as if it had entered a mysterious space where he continuously practiced the Blood Curse Beast Taming Technique.

Finally, he successfully upgraded the Blood Curse Beast Taming Technique.

Correspondingly, Xu Qing had also mastered the upgraded Blood Curse Beast Taming Technique.

Upgrade complete.

[Blood Curse Beast Taming Technique LV6: 0/320 (...)]

The LV6 Blood Curse Beast Taming Technique would allow Xu Qing to control thirty-two spirit beasts simultaneously, which was already incredibly impressive. Even true Rune Beast Masters might not possess such an ability.

Time flew by.

In the blink of an eye, fourteen days had passed.

On this day, late at night.

"Hoo..."

Xu Qing took a deep breath and stopped practicing the Thirteen Sword Strikes of Life-Taking. "Unknowingly, another half-month has passed, and I've finished the Meat Ganoderma again."

"Also,"

"Over the past half month, I've learned a lot about the Black Market through Zhao Jingyuan. Today is the day to go and see it for myself."

"Also..."

A thought flickered.

Hum! Hum!

The Omni-Codex's fluorescence flickered.

[Eight Extremities Fist LV8: 1500/1280 (Can be upgraded!)]

[Thirteen Sword Strikes of Life-Taking LV4: 180/240.]

[Blood Curse Beast Taming Technique LV6: 140/320.]

"Upgrade Eight Extremities Fist."

Xu Qing said.

Boom!

Xu Qing's mind trembled, and the Omni-Codex also flashed with brilliance. His consciousness seemed to enter a mysterious space, where he began to practice Eight Extremities Fist.

The current Eight Extremities Fist had already reached LV8, which was completely different. It had gradually upgraded into an extremely profound martial art.

Upgrade complete.

[Eight Extremities Fist LV9: 220/2560 (This is a profound fist technique that combines combat style and body refinement method, and it is also a profound martial art that can be passed down. Its movements are powerful and unadorned, with swift force generation and extremely strong explosive power. It tempers tendons and bones as well as flesh and blood, with force penetrating the bones and circulating throughout the body, strengthening the internal organs. After mastering it, one can step into the 'Transforming Force' realm, where force can permeate the entire body.)]

Hum! Hum!

Xu Qing opened his eyes. He felt his entire body strengthened. It wasn't just the improvement of his Force and realm; his physical body's strength had also been elevated.

"Hoo..."

Xu Qing exhaled a breath of turbid air. His exhalation was like an arrow. This was a transformation that made his strength even greater, and his Transforming Force more refined.

"Not bad, not bad."

The corners of Xu Qing's mouth curved slightly, revealing a smile. "My Transforming Force cultivation has increased again. At this rate, after upgrading Eight Extremities Fist to LV10, I will reach 'Peak Transforming Force'."

Next.

Xu Qing adapted to his strength and power for a moment. He put on the evil ghost mask again, transforming once more into the mysterious sword master 'Lü Dongbin'.

Swish!

Xu Qing moved with agility, employing the Serpent Evasion Technique, and left the courtyard. Following Zhao Jingyuan's introduction, he headed towards the Black Market in Qingbei Town.

"Arrived."

Half an hour later.

Xu Qing arrived at an alley on North Straight Street outside the outer city of Qingbei Town. Every night at midnight, a stone gate would appear in this alley. As long as this stone gate was opened, one could enter the 'Black Market'.

In fact.

This design and method already utilized an illusion technique to confuse ordinary people's vision. Only by knowing the specific situation could one discover this stone gate.

Click!

In the alley.

Xu Qing took a deep breath. He realized he wasn't the only one who had come, but others were also present, all wearing cloaks and masks, their appearances unclear.

Of course.

Xu Qing already knew about the situation beforehand, so he had prepared another monkey face mask for himself and also put on a gray cloak to conceal his figure.

In reality.

Xu Qing had already used the ability of the evil ghost mask to conceal his true face.

Soon.

The stone gate was opened by the people in front.

"Let's go."

Xu Qing's expression was calm. Like everyone else, he slowly walked in. After the stone gate opened, it didn't reveal a passage but a wall.

However.

Everyone directly passed through the wall, their figures disappearing.

This was a type of 'optical illusion'.

"Hmm."

Xu Qing nodded. Like everyone else, he passed through the wall and entered the Black Market. His eyes suddenly opened up to a vast market.

Moreover.

The place was bustling with noise. Looking up, he couldn't see the sky at all, as if it were completely covered by something, forming an enclosed environment.

"Come and see, come and see! Fresh Spirit Food, 'Blood Bamboo Shoots'! Don't miss out if you pass by."

"Secret Medicine! Secret Medicine! Lost Secret Medicine!"

"The legendary 'fundamental method'! Does anyone need it?"

"..."

The clamorous sounds reached Xu Qing's ears.

As expected.

Xu Qing scanned the area and saw street after street lined with people, most of whom had their appearances and figures concealed, setting up stalls to sell things.

Of course.

There were also many people walking around, stopping at various stalls, arguing prices with the vendors, or making transactions.

Currently.

Xu Qing didn't really need martial arts, weapons, or secret medicines. He would only consider buying them if he encountered something particularly special.

Also.

If there were truly any fundamental methods, they probably wouldn't be available to Xu Qing.

You see.

Openly speaking.

In the outer city of Qingbei Town, there were only the three major martial arts schools: Azure Hawk Martial Arts School, Crushing Stone Martial Arts School, and Crimson Eagle Martial Arts School. These three great martial powers possessed genuine fundamental methods.

This showed that.

Fundamental methods were truly things that could only be found by chance. At least at his current level, it was impossible to obtain a fundamental method, and these stall owners wouldn't be selling them.

However.

Xu Qing still took a look after hearing about it, but as expected, they were all fake. Xu Qing saw through them at a glance, shook his head, and walked away.

Next.

Xu Qing browsed the Black Market but didn't find anything particularly novel. He naturally didn't forget the purpose of his visit and headed to a relatively large 'Spirit Food Exchange' within the Black Market.

Black Tiger Spirit Food Shop.

In the Black Market, without backing from any faction, one could generally only set up a stall. Those who could open a shop in the Black Market must have influence and strength.

"Boss."

Xu Qing walked in, surveyed the surroundings, and saw a burly middle-aged man at the counter. The man was huge, like a black bear.

Upon closer inspection.

On the man's neck, there was a tattoo of a black tiger's head, though only a small portion of the tattoo was visible.

"What do you want to buy?"

The boss, Black Tiger, glanced at Xu Qing.

With just a glance.

Black Tiger felt a prickling sense of danger, as if the person before him was the apex predator of the forest.

Unconsciously.

Black Tiger felt a sense of reverence.

"I want to buy Spirit Food."

Xu Qing glanced at the boss and calmly placed a banknote for ten thousand taels of silver on the counter. "Level Two Spirit Food."

"Alright."

Black Tiger's pupils contracted. He knew this was a big business. Coupled with that instinctive sense of danger, he didn't dare to be careless. He said, "In the Black Market, Level Two Spirit Food costs two hundred and twenty taels per jin. Most of the Level Two Spirit Food we sell at Black Tiger Shop is 'Black Mountain Tiger Meat'."

"With ten thousand taels of silver, according to the normal Black Market prices, you can get forty-five and a half jin of Black Mountain Tiger Meat. I can authorize forty-six jin for you."

"Deal."

Xu Qing nodded.

"Please wait a moment."

Black Tiger turned and walked towards the back. He then brought out a not-too-large black iron box from the warehouse. He opened the black iron box, revealing pieces of black flesh inside.

Upon closer inspection.

Each piece of black flesh was cut into square black meat blocks, with each side measuring only one centimeter.

However.

Each of these black meat blocks weighed one jin. Forty-six jin meant forty-six such black meat blocks.

"Please examine them."

Black Tiger said.