Chapter 479 - 2: Buddhist Sect Black Market

Xi Yinglong was silent for a moment, then said one word.

"Brothel."

Then, he said mockingly, "You are the esteemed Supreme Elder of a Middle-Aged Noble Family. If you were seen consorting with a Demon Cultivator in a brothel, I wonder what the repercussions would be?"

Hearing this, the lavishly dressed elder said sheepishly, "Demon Cultivators are accustomed to living without restraint and indulging their passions for pleasure... but you are right. It’s best I don’t go looking for him for now."

Xi Yinglong looked at the point of light and chuckled. "He’ll have to ask me for something eventually. I can use that business in ten days’ time to test his mettle. If he proves useful, I’ll keep him by my side to command as I see fit."

...

Fang Cheng stayed in the Drunken Immortal Tower for three days. His time was not wasted, as he ultimately managed to dig up a useful piece of information.

It turned out that Red Bright Immortal City had its own black market. It was a place where all sorts of people gathered, and he might be able to find clues about the Red Profound Association there.

More importantly, he could verify the authenticity of the "special opportunity" Xi Yinglong had mentioned.

That night, he concealed his Dharma Cultivation, leaving only the aura of a Late-Life Soul Stage cultivator, and then casually walked out of the Drunken Immortal Tower.

Beneath the night sky, a bright moon hung high. The Star River was brilliant, and the heavens were clear and vast.

Outside the Immortal City, resplendent Escape Lights would occasionally rise and fall, streaking across the sky in a beautiful spectacle.

Fang Cheng walked deep into an alley in the city and stopped before a courtyard gate. He raised his hand and knocked on the door.

The courtyard appeared ordinary, but it was surrounded by powerful restrictive formations. Forcing one’s way in would undoubtedly cause a huge commotion and alert the four True Monarchs of the Immortal City.

Besides, transactions in the black market prioritized freedom and secrecy; no one wanted to stir up trouble.

A moment later, a voice from behind the wooden door asked, "What brings you here so late at night?"

Fang Cheng replied in a deep voice, "To worship the Buddha."

The person asked again, "Do you have a token?"

Fang Cheng took out a small jade Buddha gifted to him by a certain "acquaintance" from the Drunken Immortal Tower. He channeled his Magical Power into it, causing it to radiate a golden Buddha Light.

The wooden door slowly opened to reveal a young Monk in a Yellow Monk Robe. He pressed his palms together and bowed before taking the small jade Buddha.

"Esteemed guest, please come in."

The young Monk led Fang Cheng into the courtyard. There, he saw a pool about ten feet wide, its surface shimmering as it reflected the moon and stars.

Inside the main building stood three Buddha Statues, radiating an auspicious light that made them appear serene, beautiful, and solemn.

On a jade mat beneath the Buddha Statues sat a young Nun. She was dressed in a white Zen Robe as thin as a cicada’s wing and had a solemn and dignified bearing, deep in meditative cultivation.

One of her hands pointed toward the ground while the other formed a Seal Technique, her fingers long and slender. Below, her bare feet were as white as frost, looking soft and boneless, yet delicate and exquisitely shaped.

A White Jade Lamp Holder stood beside her, its Buddha Fire glimmering with a steady flame.

Bathed in the light of the Buddha Lamp, the young Nun seemed to manifest the wondrous form of a celestial being, so radiant that she naturally inspired reverence in all who saw her.

Fang Cheng was also a bit surprised. ’This black market is actually run by Disciples of the Buddhist Sect!’

"Master, an esteemed guest has arrived."

The young Monk entered the room and spoke softly to the Nun.

The Nun opened her eyes, pausing her cultivation. Her beautiful gaze fell upon Fang Cheng as she smiled. "Does our esteemed guest require an item to conceal his aura?"

Fang Cheng nodded. "If you would."

The Nun formed a Spell, and a Buddha Light instantly converged before her, materializing into a string of Buddha Beads.

The young Monk took the Buddha Beads and presented them to Fang Cheng, instructing, "Esteemed guest, put on the beads and enter the pool. You will then arrive at your destination."

Fang Cheng did as instructed and put on the Buddha Beads. He was immediately enveloped in Buddha Light. When the light faded, he had transformed into a tall, sturdy Monk with a bare chest and imposing features.

He walked to the edge of the pool to see his reflection and couldn’t help but click his tongue in amazement. ’The Cultivators of the Mingxiao Domain truly are extraordinary,’ he thought. ’That Nun is only at the Mid-stage Life Soul Cultivation, yet her mastery of these Buddhist Divine Techniques is truly admirable.’

’Even I can’t spot any flaws in this Illusionary Divine Technique at a glance.’

He stepped into the pool and was immediately submerged.

But then he felt himself rising. Suddenly, the water before him parted, and his view opened up completely.

Before him, a ten-thousand-foot-tall Great Buddha radiated light from its entire body, forming a Buddha Country shimmering with vibrant, glass-like colors.

Beneath the Great Buddha, a placid lake lay like a mirror, reflecting the entire Buddha Country in a scene that was both illusory and real.

At that moment, numerous "Buddhist Cultivators" of all different shapes and sizes were already rising from the lake. They ascended into the sky on clouds, flying toward the palms of the giant Buddha.

In the palm of the giant Buddha was an open space of no less than a hundred mu. Nearly a thousand "Buddhist Cultivators" just like Fang Cheng had gathered there, creating a scene as lively as a marketplace.

Fang Cheng flew up to the Buddha’s Palm. All he could see were gleaming, shaven heads. There were Monks and Nuns of all kinds—short, thin, beautiful, and ugly.

Some were setting up stalls, while others milled about.

Most of the stalls displayed illicit treasures—items obtained through theft and robbery, or goods that their owners wished to sell secretly, without revealing their identities.

Only in this marketplace could one truly conceal their identity and prevent their dealings from being traced.

After looking around for a while, Fang Cheng also found a spot to sit down. He placed a Jade Disc before him, poured nine Tier Four Spirit Pills onto it, and wrote a line of text beside them—

"Pills for the fated. Personally refined by a Tribulation Realm Great Power. Exchanged for clues about the Red Profound Association. Serious inquiries only."

The moment the Tier Four Spirit Pills appeared, a brilliant, unusual light swirled around them, and a rich medicinal aroma wafted into the air, immediately drawing the attention of many people on the Buddha’s Palm.

Some people saw the words "Red Profound Association" and couldn’t help but frown.

Others grew pensive, their expressions flickering with uncertainty.

For a time, Fang Cheng became the center of attention.

Those nine Tier Four Spirit Pills were truly coveted. The fact that they were personally refined by a Tribulation Realm Great Power made them incredibly tempting, even to Dharma Cultivators.

Unfortunately, very few people had even heard of the Red Profound Association, and those who actually knew something about it were exceedingly rare.

A few Cultivators exchanged voice transmissions with Fang Cheng, but after a brief exchange, both parties looked disappointed. No deal could be made.

Fang Cheng waited for about an hour. Just as he was about to lose all hope, a soft and pleasant voice suddenly reached his ears.

"I know of the Red Profound Association, but your nine Spirit Pills aren’t enough for the information."

Fang Cheng looked up to see a dignified Nun, who appeared to be around thirty years old, standing not far away. She was the one who had sent the voice transmission.

...