As they continued walking, the three of them observed their surroundings.
The cultivators they encountered on the road, while radiating powerful auras, all seemed to have their cultivation suppressed to the Qi Refining stage.
Zhang Ergou couldn't help but marvel at the power of the Black Xuan Pavilion. No matter how strong one was outside, they had to abide by its rules once inside this black market.
Moving further in, the black market completely shattered Zhang Ergou's preconceptions. It was indeed as chaotic and bloody as the legends claimed.
As they walked on, although there were many pavilions and towers around, some houses had been reduced to rubble by the aftershocks of battles. Unscathed bloodstains remained on the broken walls and eaves, revealing traces of fierce fights everywhere.
Moreover, everyone here wore a ferocious expression, their eyes bloodshot and menacing, which was quite unsettling.
"Walk by, walk by, don't miss out, pills and treasures on a massive sale, you can't lose, you can't be fooled."
"Fellow Daoist, buying is earning, come take a look, come take a look, top-grade treasures."
Soon, the three arrived at a more prosperous area. Small stalls selling various items lined both sides of the road, and the vendors were loudly hawking their wares.
"Ice Crystal Exquisite." A treasure displayed on one stall caught Zhang Ergou's eye.
"Phoenix Blood Seven-Colored Stone."
"Fire Glory Red Lotus."
The treasures they saw along the way left Zhang Ergou utterly astonished.
"What do you think, stunned, aren't you? No regrets coming here, right?" The chubby Xiong Bao waddled ahead of Zhang Ergou, his corpulent body moving with effort.
Zi Lin, like a curious baby, was also observing the treasures on the surrounding stalls.
"I've certainly gained knowledge. I've never seen so many treasures before," Zhang Ergou smacked his lips.
Zi Lin, walking behind, said in a low voice, "Be extremely careful of these stall owners; each of them possesses considerable strength. Most of them do not reveal their true appearances; perhaps there are even elders from our Misty Sect here."
Continuing their walk, Zi Lin cautioned the two to be exceedingly vigilant. "The auction here won't start until tomorrow. Tonight, we'll just look around, but remember, never flaunt your wealth."
As they walked, Xiong Bao's eyes lit up, and he ran towards a stall. Zhang Ergou and Zi Lin followed closely. Quite a crowd had gathered around that particular stall, above which stood a sign: Aphrodisiac Pill!
"Ugh! Ptooey!" Zi Lin immediately stopped, spat, and pulled Zhang Ergou away. They paid no further attention to the peculiar chubby Xiong Bao.
Zi Lin dragged Zhang Ergou, browsing and looking around, but nothing caught her eye.
"Two young Daoists, I have treasures here, would you like to take a look?"
"If you miss this, you won't get another chance. Once this opportunity passes, it's gone forever."
The calls of vendors continued all along the way, and the items on display were dazzling and bewildering, making it difficult to discern their authenticity.
Suddenly, Zhang Ergou pulled Zi Lin to a stop, looking towards a spot not far away.
There, a woman in white, her dark hair cascading down, walked gracefully, like a blooming snow lotus.
"Oh my, my eyes are glued, I'm about to drool," Zi Lin looked up in the direction Zhang Ergou was gazing and said teasingly.
"What are you talking about? I just feel she looks familiar, like I've seen her somewhere before," Zhang Ergou withdrew his gaze and explained.
"That woman is clearly wearing the daoist robe of the Liuhai Sect. Where would you have seen her! Hmph, men!" Zi Lin pouted, looking unconvinced.
Zhang Ergou gave a wry smile. It seemed he was indeed being self-indulgent. He had forgotten that he had seen this woman in the main hall of Chunyang Peak when he first joined the sect. He had only met her briefly then, and the impression wasn't deep.
The woman, moving with the crowd, was walking towards Zhang Ergou and the others. Beside her was a handsome young man. The youth was elegant and distinguished, and walking with the woman, they made a perfect match.
"Hey! Zhang Ergou, are you Zhang Ergou of the Misty Sect?" The woman in white approached and looked at Zhang Ergou with surprise, asking.
"Fellow Daoist, who might you be?" Zhang Ergou felt a sense of familiarity but didn't know her name.
Seeing his junior sister greet a stranger, Hua Ying felt displeased but did not show it. Hearing that Zhang Ergou seemed not to know his junior sister, Hua Ying felt somewhat relieved. However, he silently took note of Zhang Ergou.
"Oh, you don't remember me? A month ago, I accompanied my master to your Misty Sect. We met in the main hall of Chunyang Peak then," Ling Feng'er blinked her beautiful eyes, her words not as cold as her attire suggested.
"Oh... I remember now. We did meet then, but my master didn't introduce you to me at the time," Zhang Ergou scratched his head sheepishly.
"How can that be your fault? Since we've met again, it's our fate. My name is Ling Feng'er," she said, extending her delicate hand.
Hua Ying's eyes widened, and anger surged within him. When had Junior Sister Ling ever been so cordial to a man? Although Ling Feng'er always maintained a pleasant demeanor, there was always a sense of distance in her eyes. Actively reaching out to greet a man like this was unprecedented. Many times had Hua Ying tried to get closer to Ling Feng'er, only to be cleverly rejected. Seeing Ling Feng'er's attitude towards Zhang Ergou now, how could Hua Ying not be furious? He considered himself quite polite for not exploding on the spot.
Zhang Ergou extended his hand, ignoring Hua Ying, who was glaring daggers at him. He gently shook Ling Feng'er's hand. "So it's Miss Ling, a true pleasure."
"Zhang Ergou, why are you in the black market too? Did you come with your master, Uncle-Master Chunyang?" Ling Feng'er chattered like a magpie, showing no intention of leaving.
"Of course not. My master is so busy with state affairs, how could he have the time to bring me," Zhang Ergou said with a self-deprecating smile. Since Chunyang Sanren brought him into the Misty Sect, he seemed to have paid him very little attention. The sentence Chunyang Sanren spoke most often was: "The master guides you into the door, but cultivation is up to the individual." Therefore, Zhang Ergou's cultivation was entirely self-taught and achieved through his own efforts. Chunyang Sanren adopted a completely hands-off approach towards him.
"Heh heh! Next time I see Uncle-Master Chunyang, I'll have to tell him you were badmouthing him here," Ling Feng'er covered her mouth and giggled.
"Junior Sister, let's go. Master and the others are waiting for us ahead," Hua Ying said directly, unable to watch any longer.
"Ah! Oh, Zhang Ergou, I'm sorry. My master and the others are waiting for us. The grand competition between the two sects is in three months. You must come then!" Ling Feng'er blinked her beautiful eyes as she spoke to Zhang Ergou.
"Okay, I will!" Zhang Ergou scratched his head. He was somewhat perplexed that Ling Feng'er seemed overly enthusiastic towards him.
"Zhang Ergou, is it? See you in three months at the grand competition between the two sects!" Hua Ying said coldly, staring at Zhang Ergou.