Chapter 978
Holy Land Prohibition
"If we could obtain a long-term entry ticket, wouldn't the family no longer need to rely on the Wanlong Chamber of Commerce's channels?" Song Changsheng thought to himself as he looked at the vast market.
Although the Song family and the Bandung Chamber of Commerce are allies, this relationship is not very solid and may even lead to conflict in the future.
After all, Peng Zhengxiong is about to go into seclusion to break through to the Nascent Soul stage. Whether he succeeds or fails, the impact on the Song family will be obvious.
If successful, the Song family's plan for a grand alliance in the southwest will be shattered, and their newly extended reach will be severed.
If this fails, the decision-making body of the Wanlong Chamber of Commerce will undergo a major reshuffle. In order to protect this channel, the Song family may be forced to get involved in the power struggle within the Wanlong Chamber of Commerce or even the Peng family. This path is full of unknowns, and no one knows what the final outcome will be.
In conclusion, the Song family is now far too reliant on the supply channels of the Bandung Chamber of Commerce when it comes to rare resources. Putting all their eggs in one basket is not a sign of the crisis a family should have.
Channels are the result of years of accumulation and continuous development. The Song family is still too inexperienced and has almost no ability to develop them independently.
In this situation, the only option is to rely on channels from other forces.
What doesn't belong to you naturally carries risks.
However, the risk can be shared. The more channels you use, the less related they are to each other, and the lower the risk will be.
This top-tier black market, aside from its exorbitant prices, boasts the most comprehensive resources and the fewest restrictions, making it an ideal fit for the Song family right now.
The Song family's accumulation over the years is far greater than ordinary people imagine. They inherited part of the legacy left by the former Great Qi Immortal Dynasty, part of the legacy of the Chen family of Dongtian, developed the East Sea, and established trade routes to more than a dozen cultivation worlds. In the midst of numerous great battles, they accumulated wealth and resources far exceeding their own size.
The problem is that a large portion of this can only be used after it has been converted into cash; otherwise, the Song family cannot use it at this stage.
For example, were the fifth-tier spiritual herbs and scriptures he used to exchange for the [Essence of Laws] precious? Yes, they were.
Is it useful? No, it's not. If Wu Jie hadn't reshaped their physical bodies, they wouldn't even have been able to refine fourth-tier pills. These precious fifth-tier spiritual herbs would just be gathering dust in the treasure vault.
Rather than doing so, Song Changsheng preferred to suffer a slight loss and exchange it for resources that the Song family currently needed more urgently.
Take care of the present before looking to the future.
Normally, it would be very difficult to monetize the resources of the Song family. Ordinary chambers of commerce and forces would not be able to absorb them, and large chambers of commerce would not dare to reveal too much, after all, wealth is a powerful motivator.
The black market is different.
Nobody cares where your treasures came from, or who you are. As long as the price is right, everyone pays and delivers the goods at the same time – a perfect place to sell your goods.
Just as Song Changsheng was deep in thought, the person who had guided him earlier contacted him.
"Distinguished guests, the steward has agreed to see you. Please come in."
Upon hearing this, Song Changsheng looked at Zhuang Yuechan beside him and smiled slightly, saying, "It seems we've had good luck this time."
Led by the guide, the couple entered the attic located in the very center of the black market.
As soon as they stepped into the attic, they heard a faint melody of a zither, which instantly soothed their mood. A delicate fragrance lingered in the attic, refusing to dissipate.
The room was very simply furnished, with only bookshelves and potted plants. There wasn't even a table in sight. In the center was a screen embroidered with red plum blossoms, through which a slender figure could be vaguely seen sitting, in a languid posture, seemingly holding a jade scroll in his hand.
The couple dared not be negligent in the slightest and quickly bowed, saying, "Greetings, Steward Bai."
Upon hearing their voices, the figure behind the screen put down the jade slip in his hand and said in a soothing voice, "Song Changsheng."
"I know you. You're the youngest Golden Core cultivator in this border region. You defeated Zhao Yin to win the Five Academies Grand Competition and even visited the Array Dao Academy."
"It is my honor to have your words heard by the True Lord." Song Changsheng maintained humility and politeness, but in his heart he was pondering the other party's intention.
"Why have you come here? And why do you wish to see me?"
"Reporting to the True Lord, this junior wishes to find a secret treasure from the Nine Heavens, the [Primordial Essence]."
"【Innate Huaying】?"
Unfortunately, you're late.
I have no obligation to explain, but since you were introduced by Fellow Daoist Lei Xiang, I'll make things clear to you.
【Xiantian Huaying】Yes, but it has been classified as a key strategic resource by the headquarters. No market has the right to move it. The specific date for lifting the ban is unknown. Not only is it not available now, but it will not be available for a long time to come.
I don't know what you want with the [Innate Essence], but that's not important. This is a top-down ban, and the [Innate Essence] still circulating in the market will soon be wiped out. I believe the Myriad Palaces will also be notified soon.
Besides the [Innate Splendor], many other Nine Heavens Secret Treasures are also prohibited from being sold.
If that's what you came for, you can go back now.
The figure behind the screen picked up the jade slip from the table again and said in a calm tone.
His words gave Song Changsheng a slight jolt.
A top-down ban.
Who stands behind the black market? The Shadow Pavilion!
With a top-tier power overseeing a Nascent Soul Supreme, the fact that they've managed to develop a gray industry like the black market to its current scale speaks volumes about their strength and resources. Their powerful background means they don't need to follow the rules that ordinary people do.
They sell what legitimate chambers of commerce can sell, and they also sell what they can't sell, and they also buy what they can't buy—they're nothing short of lawless thugs.
A prohibition that they all had to obey—besides the five holy lands that were almost transcendent from the secular world and above all first-rate forces—Song Changsheng couldn't think of any other reason.
The five holy lands rarely intervene in the cultivation world, keeping such a low profile that many people are unaware of their existence.
The sudden ban on these Nine Heavens Secret Treasures must have a complicated reason behind it.
Is something big about to happen again? Will it affect the border regions? Without the [Innate Essence], what will happen to the [Six-Turn Heavenly Elixir]?
For a moment, Song Changsheng's thoughts were in turmoil.
At this moment, Zhuang Yuechan suddenly spoke up: "May I ask, True Lord, what are the conditions for joining your black market?"
"Heh, young friend, what do you mean by that? The black market is open to all, people come from all walks of life, and treasures come from all sources. What conditions are there?" Deacon Bai said calmly.
"That is true, but without Lord Lei Xiang's waist token, the two of us juniors would not even be able to enter the market, hence this question."
"But you've already come in, haven't you?"
Being able to get in is a skill in itself. If you have the ability, there will naturally be a place for you in this market. As for the so-called admission ticket or badge, they are just formalities.
If you require this format, I wouldn't mind providing one.
As soon as she finished speaking, a blank waist token landed in front of Zhuang Yuechan.
Song Changsheng and Zhuang Yuechan exchanged a glance. Neither of them had expected the process to be so simple, but it wasn't so hard to understand that such a thing happened on the black market.
Thinking about it, it makes sense. For most people, the biggest problem isn't getting into the black market, but finding the entrance. Once you know where the entrance is, there are plenty of ways to get in. The black market is a place where there are no rules; nobody cares whether you sneak in or fight your way in—it's all about having the skills.
Previously in the cultivation world of Daqi, he used Peng Siying's waist token in the black market. This time, he used Lei Xiang Zhenjun's waist token. In essence, these are both against the rules, but he used them very smoothly every time because no one cared about them.
Simply put, their thinking is rigid.
"Thank you, True Lord."
"Go."
As soon as the words were spoken, an invisible force sent the two of them flying out of the attic.
"Such immense power."
A look of shock appeared in Song Changsheng's eyes. He didn't know what realm this White Deacon was, but judging from the strength he had shown, he was probably a powerhouse of the same level as True Monarch Lei Xiang.
"Without the [Innate Essence], you can't refine the [Six-Turn Heaven-Shattering Pill]. What will you do when you break through?" A hint of worry appeared in Zhuang Yuechan's eyes.
The White Butler has made it very clear that the ban will not be lifted for a long time to come; this path has been blocked.
For Song Changsheng, this undoubtedly cut off his only source of support for the future.
"The [Hun Tian Dan] is just icing on the cake. It's great to have it, but there's no need to be discouraged if you don't. We've already weathered so many storms, why would we stop here?"
There are definitely regrets, but these things can't be forced, and he was already mentally prepared for that.
Fortunately, the trip was not entirely fruitless. By opening up access to the black market, the Song family had more options for rare resources.
As the number of Purple Mansion cultivators in the clan increases, the number of people who need to complete the Five Elements is also steadily increasing. This requires a large number of spiritual treasures from heaven and earth. In the past, the Song family needed to make an appointment in advance at the Wanlong Chamber of Commerce in order to obtain a very small portion of them, because their own share was already very small.
But in this top-tier black market, as long as you can afford the price, you can choose from all kinds of spiritual treasures of various attributes—that's the difference!
After leaving the black market, Song Changsheng immediately notified Wu Jie, who was still in the Tenglong Islands, to come to Linhai City to meet them.
After the three met, they set off directly for the vast ocean...
"Is this the island?"
In mid-air, Wu Jie looked down at the vast island below, his eyes filled with scrutiny.
"So, Master, are you satisfied?"
"The concentration of spiritual energy isn't a problem, but the demon king down below doesn't seem to be very welcoming to us."
"Please take good care of Master Wujie, my lady. I'll be right back."
Song Changsheng waved his sleeve and summoned the [Tai Chi Bagua Diagram], which, together with the array flags he had refined, directly sealed off the space in the central area of the island.
Unlike low-level demonic beasts, demon kings cannot be trapped by the sea. Once they escape, they can transform into human form and blend into the human population, which is very troublesome.
"Who dares to invade my territory!"
A deafening roar resounded, and a burly man, over ten feet tall with broad shoulders and a powerful build, leaped into the air, his wide, bulging eyes filled with a wild gleam.
Song Changsheng had already sent people to investigate. The demon king here was a bear demon, who had already reached the level of a superior demon king, which was extremely rare in the East Sea.
The most difficult thing is that, although its cultivation is powerful, it has never invaded the surrounding human territory and has always honestly guarded its own little plot of land.
Otherwise, Song Changsheng wouldn't have kept him alive until now.
"I came here for this island. The Demon King has never shed human blood, and I am unwilling to exterminate them all. Can we talk?"
"Pah! Is this your attitude for negotiating?" The Earth-Splitting Demon King spat out a mouthful of phlegm, his face showing disdain.
Song Changsheng wasn't annoyed. He said calmly, "The spatial blockade is just to prevent any accidents from happening. To be honest, you don't have many choices. I'm determined to take this island."
"Hmph, what arrogance! You and I are at similar levels. You don't think that having an extra Golden Core cultivator as an assistant will make you stronger than me, do you?"
The victor is king, the loser is villain. Let's fight now. If you win, not only this island, but my life is yours.
"If you lose, hehe, I'll certainly taste what human flesh is like today!"
Song Changsheng raised an eyebrow and said, "Does the Demon King mean that as long as I win, your life will be mine?"
"Hey, you'll have to beat me first!"
The burly man transformed, revealing his true form: a jet-black earth-splitting bear, its entire body covered in a thick layer of armor.
"Roar……"
The roar shook the heavens and the entire island.
"No wonder you're so confident; you do have some skill. However, I, Song, am not bad either!"
As soon as he finished speaking, his figure vanished from the spot and reappeared above the Earth-Splitting Bear. His clenched right fist unleashed an unparalleled force, causing the surrounding space to tremble.
He didn't use any magical artifacts, but instead chose to win the match in the most direct and brutal way!
He wants to subdue his opponent in their area of expertise, making them willingly submit.
"How dare you!"
The Earth-Splitting Bear was not intimidated at all. Its body, comparable to a small mountain, stood upright, and its huge forepaws contained explosive power.
The stark contrast in their physiques made this contest of strength seem incredibly unfair.
"boom……"
The fists and palms collided, causing the surrounding space to tremble violently with a crisp cracking sound. The seawater below was impacted, creating towering waves thousands of feet high.
Song Changsheng remained motionless in the air, while the mountain-sized Earth-Splitting Bear bared its teeth, staggered back a dozen steps, looked down at its forepaw, and found a deep, clearly visible fist print in the middle.
After only one exchange, it knew it was in big trouble.
However, its pride as a demon king prevented it from easily bowing to its enemies. After regrouping, it took the initiative to attack Song Changsheng.
"Your courage is commendable. If you can dethrone me, I will leave immediately, and I mean it."
Song Changsheng stood with his hands behind his back, exuding composure.
He could handle Shi Potian, who was at the Great Perfection of the Law of Power, with ease, let alone this savage bear.
He wanted to make his opponent admit defeat wholeheartedly!
...(End of this chapter)