Xiao Qingfeng walked up to Ning Shiyue and deliberated for a long while without saying a word.
Ning Shiyue looked at Xiao Qingfeng with a smile and said, “Sect Leader Xiao, is there something you need?”
“There is one matter I would like to ask for your help with…” Xiao Qingfeng studied Ning Shiyue as he spoke.
“Please go ahead, Sect Leader Xiao,” Ning Shiyue replied. Her lively eyes sparkled like brilliant stars, her features delicate and beautiful, radiating a luster like shining pearls, and between her brows there was a faint, ethereal glow of spiritual energy that seemed to light up her entire countenance.
Xiao Qingfeng then said, “I would like to ask you to guide the two talisman masters from the Profound Cloud Sect and help me choose one of them to compete in the third round.”
“Of course,” Ning Shiyue agreed readily.
A flicker of surprise crossed Xiao Qingfeng’s face—perhaps because Ning Shiyue had agreed so readily that he was caught off guard.
Over on the other side, Rong Zhuofan had approached Qin Hanyan but had also remained silent for a long time.
It wasn’t that Rong Zhuofan didn’t want to speak; rather, the cold and aloof aura emanating from Qin Hanyan made people hesitate to approach.
Not that Rong Zhuofan was afraid of Qin Hanyan.
He was just worried that if he spoke up rashly, Qin Hanyan would turn him down.
Sensing Rong Zhuofan’s gaze, Qin Hanyan looked up and asked, “Sect Leader Rong, is there something you need?”
Just as Rong Zhuofan was about to speak, he suddenly realized that he might have been set up by Xiao Qingfeng!
“No, I was just taking a headcount,” Rong Zhuofan said, waving his hand and walking away.
He then charged over to Xiao Qingfeng, grabbed him by the collar, and said, “You tricked me! You’re an alchemist yourself—a level-seven one at that. You don’t need Qin Hanyan to guide the disciples of the Blazing Fire Sect at all!”
“You were the one who decided to go talk to Qin Hanyan. I never asked you to!” Xiao Qingfeng said with a helpless expression.
At first, when Rong Zhuofan said he was going to see Qin Hanyan, Xiao Qingfeng hadn’t reacted in time either. By the time he did, Rong Zhuofan had already made his way over to her.
“You…” Rong Zhuofan felt a surge of anger rise in his chest.
“Rong Zhuofan, don’t forget—we agreed that once we left Qingzhou, we wouldn’t argue. You can’t break the rule,” Xiao Qingfeng reminded him with a smile.
Rong Zhuofan shot him a few glares and swallowed his frustration.
Turning to the assembled disciples of Qingzhou, Rong Zhuofan announced, “All members of Qingzhou, listen up. Although none of you will be competing over the next seven days, I still want all of you to come here and observe the matches from the other regions.”
“Additionally, any disciple going out must travel in pairs. And since you are all participants in this competition, I hope you will keep a level head and handle any situations calmly.”
“For the rest of the time, you are free to do as you please—you may return to your quarters or go explore the streets…” After finishing his speech, Rong Zhuofan waved his hand to signal that everyone could disperse.
He and Xiao Qingfeng would stay behind to gather some information as well.
Ning Shiyue’s eyes shone brightly as she proposed a visit to the black market.
“I’m not going—I’m going back to sleep!” Mu Qianjue had spent the entire past year forging weapons without a single moment of rest.
After that, he had rushed hurriedly to Blazing Fire Province, only to be dragged to the Liu family by Liu Canglan.
The two of them had only arrived at the provincial capital yesterday, and throughout all of this, Mu Qianjue hadn’t had a moment to catch his breath.
Although cultivators who had reached the Nascent Soul stage could go without food or drink, after an entire year without proper sleep, he simply couldn’t take it anymore.
“I’ll go back with Qianjue. You all go ahead and have fun,” Liu Canglan said in a gentle tone.
“I’ll go back with Senior Brother as well,” Yan Moyu added. His fair and clean face carried a cold handsomeness, his thin lips pressed firmly together, and his icy eyes were dark and deep, gleaming with a predatory light akin to that of a leopard.
Yan Moyu was the most resistant to going out.
If it weren’t for Dugu Jianyi insisting on dragging him to the Spirit Battle Tournament, he would still be in seclusion at Lingyun Sect right now.
“Brother Tang, what about you? Are you going back with Senior Brother, or coming with us to the black market?” Baili Wenyue draped an arm over Tang Chonglou’s shoulder and asked with a grin.
Ever since Tang Chonglou had joined their group, he had spoken very little and was extremely obedient.
Although Tang Chonglou had a very low profile, his cultivation had actually reached the Divinity Transformation stage.
Ever since Tang Chonglou joined Lingyun Sect and Baili Wenyue discovered his true age and level of cultivation, Baili Wenyue had often sought him out to discuss his journey to reaching Divinity Transformation.
The three from Lingyun Sect had achieved Divinity Transformation within a hundred years not only because of their relentless drive but also due to the support of immortal-grade cultivation techniques.
However, outside of Lingyun Sect, there were no immortal-grade techniques available—so for Tang Chonglou to become a Divine Transformation cultivator within a hundred years was nothing short of a miracle.
“I’ll go to the black market,” Tang Chonglou said. His features were extraordinarily handsome, but his eyes carried a sense of detachment.
Baili Wenyue didn’t mind his aloofness at all. “Then once we’re at the black market, feel free to buy whatever you want—I’ll cover it.”
Qin Hanyan, Feng Qingran, and Mo Jinghong also chose to go to the black market.
Liu Canglan, Mu Qianjue, and Yan Moyu took their leave.
“Fifth Senior Sister, let’s go. Time to move out,” Baili Wenyue said, his fox-like eyes brimming with excitement.
He had never been to a black market before, and now he couldn’t wait to go hunt for bargains.
“Let’s find a place first and ask around for information about the black market,” Ning Shiyue said, a little sheepishly.
Baili Wenyue was speechless. The one who had suggested going to the black market didn’t even know how to get there?
He turned to Mo Jinghong, whom he considered to be all-knowing. “Seventh Junior Brother, the black market…”
“I don’t know where the black market in Blazing Fire Province is either,” Mo Jinghong replied in a deep, resonant voice, his peerlessly handsome phoenix eyes unfathomably deep.
Feng Qingran shook her head as well.
Although she had visited Blazing Fire Province in her previous life, she had never had the chance to go to the black market.
“I know where the black market is. Follow me,” Tang Chonglou said, his voice cold and crisp.
“Holy crap! Brother, that’s awesome.” Baili Wenyue gave Tang Chonglou a thumbs-up.
Tang Chonglou led the five of them into a lavishly decorated pavilion.
Guests flowed in and out of the building, creating a lively atmosphere.
“Brother Tang, are you sure this is the black market?” Baili Wenyue asked in surprise.
As far as he knew, no province openly allowed black markets to exist.
They were usually hidden in very secretive locations.
But this place was bustling with people—opening a black market in such a spot seemed almost like asking for trouble.
