Eternal Life from Talisman Painting-Chapter 202 - 144: Trouble in the Market

"Brother Lin, recently there have been quite a few Tier Two elixirs and talismans appearing in the market, these foreigners are really numerous."

Stationed in the trading market, Old Hu spoke frankly, but couldn't hide the smile on his face.

The more good things appear in the market (black market), the more people it attracts, and the more they earn.

"Old Hu, it's not just here. Over the past few years, Celestial Profound City has been flooded with cultivators. Elixirs, talismans, and spiritual artifacts are all over the place. I heard even Tier Two arrays have appeared in the black market."

Lin Chang'an shook his head; his insignificant talismans and elixirs were utterly unremarkable.

Moreover, Celestial Profound City is so vast, and theirs isn't the only black market; countless good things appear.

"True, but Brother Lin, you really should see the female cultivators from Sha Yun Kingdom; they dress so exotically, unlike the seriousness in our Yue Kingdom."

In a tavern in the market, as Old Hu chatters more and more ridiculously, Lin Chang'an becomes speechless.

"Old Hu, if you're interested, it's not impossible."

Faced with Lin Chang'an's teasing, Old Hu quickly shook his hand and said:

"No way, Old Hu's just having fun with words. After all the hard work cultivating to this day, I can't afford to be dragged down."

With the market's thriving business, especially under their rule, the presence of six Foundation Establishment cultivators is quite intimidating.

This also made them realize the benefits of nurturing their forces.

"Look at Old Jia; after decades of hard work, he's at the last step but chose to ease up, which is really a pity."

Regarding Old Jia shifting his focus to his descendants, Old Hu sighed helplessly, his eyes filled with regret.

On the path of cultivation, yet another like-minded friend stopped their steps.

Throughout their journey, they've encountered so many who, for various reasons, stopped solely cultivating and chose to wish those continuing well.

And as they've walked this path, they've come to understand this sense of loneliness.

"Alas, it's getting increasingly chaotic; more demon beasts are appearing, and those who take advantage of the situation or harbor evil intentions are also rising. Recently, several incidents have erupted in the market.

Although Master Lu's disciples lead Celestial Profound City's guards, Master Lu has been in secluded cultivation for years, unable to attend to everything."

Even their market has occasionally become host to two Foundation Establishment cultivators, indicative of the chaos.

"Indeed, the storm is looming. I wonder how many more years this false peace can hold."

Lin Chang'an also sighed and shook his head, looking out the window at the frantic cultivators seeking desired items in the black market; this scene seemed familiar.

It was almost like seeing themselves in the past.

Back then, he was also one among the masses below, afraid of being targeted, needing to tread carefully in everything.

"Do you think one or two Foundation Establishment cultivators misbehaving would warrant opening Celestial Profound City's grand array? Besides, many Seven Countries cultivators have come.

Each speaks nicely, claiming to come for the beast tide, but in reality, they've set their sights on resources and benefits, with quite a number hoping for trouble in Celestial Profound City to take advantage and reap benefits."

Regarding these cultivators' thoughts, Old Hu sneered disdainfully; everyone is well aware.

The locals of Celestial Profound City, whose roots depend here, ironically are least willing to see turmoil.

In this way, inherently, there's a conflict between locals and outsiders.

Outsiders wouldn't care about the stability of Celestial Profound City, making their actions somewhat reckless.

Within their hearts, there's a natural notion that if worse comes to worst, they could just leave, what could anyone do?

"Hmm?"

While he and Old Hu were chatting idly, their expressions slightly changed as a quarrel erupted noticeably at a distant stall.

Moreover, the atmosphere was evidently Foundation Establishment cultivators.

"Damn it, these foreigners are causing trouble again."

Old Hu grumpily snorted, heavily set down his wine glass, and flew off.

Lin Chang'an also sighed, shook his head, and followed suit.

These incidents have become somewhat frequent, which indirectly proves one thing.

Master Lu's prolonged absence is gradually diminishing Celestial Profound City's authority.

...

In front of a stall in the black market.

"You scoundrel, this magical artifact belongs to my junior nephew. You'd better hand it over now and explain how you obtained it."

The two burly Foundation Establishment cultivators glared angrily at the possession of their junior nephew's relic, naturally furious.

The stall owner was merely a late-stage Qi Refining cultivator; faced with the pressure of two Foundation Establishment cultivators, his face turned pale, yet he still braved the fear to explain.

"Esteemed seniors, this was discovered by my friend and me while hunting demon beasts…"

"Nonsense! You despicable brat, show your true face, and hand over your accomplices!"

As the two burly Foundation Establishment giants angrily shouted, ready to force the Qi Refining cultivator, a cold gleam flashed instantly.

"Swish!"

The two burly Foundation Establishment cultivators also coldly shouted, deploying mana shields to defend, but with crisp sounds, cracks clearly appeared on the mana shields.

This caused their pupils to contract, evidently somewhat fearful.

"Causing trouble again, really, don't you foreign cultivators understand rules or are truly not afraid to die!"

Amidst the shimmering cold light, a flying knife manifested, landing in front of Old Hu.

At this moment, Old Hu looked nonchalantly at the two, yet his aura was not weak at all, wielding a long blade in hand.

Around the blade's back, surrounded by three blade edges - these clearly were quite rare sets of Form Spirit Artifacts.

At this time, Lin Chang'an also appeared, his expression indifferent as he shielded the cultivators doing business in his market behind him, his Cyan Bamboo Sword in his palm flickering with sword aura.