Volume One, Chapter Six: The Sect's Theft

After searching around, there wasn’t a single stall selling Star River Flowers, yet the crowd behind her grew steadily. Their intentions were simple: some wanted to buy pills from her, others, having heard of the earlier incident, wished to catch a glimpse of her true appearance.

In this world, strength was everything. Even if some wished to block her path, none dared to act. Alchemists were rare beings, and powerful alchemists were even scarcer, countable on one’s fingers. In a world ruled by the strong devouring the weak, offending the mighty was never a wise choice.

“Master, there are no Star River Flowers…” Fu Ming said softly.

“Hmph, expected,” Bai Zhi sighed. In her past lives, she hadn’t paid much attention to this matter and therefore hadn’t come to the black market. But such items were indeed rare; it was normal not to find them.

“What about the junior sister the other day…”

Fu Ming wanted to say that the junior sister’s Star River Flower had been taken by her, but the words twisted on his tongue and never came out.

Bai Zhi glanced at him, raising an eyebrow with a cold smile, dropping a remark: “Is the Star River Flower so easy to find in that low-level trial ground?”

Fu Ming frowned, lost in thought.

“Well, since none are here, let’s wait a bit.”

“Wait for what?”

“Heh, they’re here already, quite fast.”

Bai Zhi arched her brow, feeling quite pleased.

Before Fu Ming could grasp what was happening, several figures in black strode through the crowd, escorting a listless Elder Liu.

“The black market is no place to default on debts,” one of the black-clad men said, half explaining to Fu Ming, half addressing Elder Liu.

Elder Liu despondently took out ten premium spirit stones and handed them to Bai Zhi, his face pale and defeated.

“I only have ten… plus these materials, all for you.”

The leader of the black-clad men gave him an impatient glare before stepping forward to bow respectfully.

“Miss, apologies for our late arrival. The black market forbids such incidents.”

Bai Zhi nodded, feeling a deep sense of satisfaction.

Being treated like a subordinate for so many years had truly been suffocating.

It was said the black market was established by an immensely powerful predecessor, where disorder or debt was not tolerated. Those who caused trouble would be expelled and never allowed to return.

The black-clad man respectfully handed over a jade token.

“We’ve assessed his materials; their value doesn’t reach five premium spirit stones. Therefore, his black market jade token is handed to you, and his stall now belongs to you.”

Fu Ming stepped forward to take the jade token, unaware of its full significance, but upon hearing the stall now belonged to Bai Zhi, he was overjoyed.

From now on, Master would no longer suffer grievances when setting up her booth!

——

Bai Zhi responded with a faint “hm” and returned the bow before turning to leave.

“Miss, do you have a moment? We officials invite you.”

Bai Zhi halted, smiling.

After this little spectacle, the true purpose of today was accomplished.

Seeing Fu Ming wanting to follow, Bai Zhi lightly waved him back.

“Fu Ming, go back first.”

Watching Bai Zhi’s retreating figure, Fu Ming felt a strange unease.

Was she really going to leave him behind like this?

She was still Master, yet why did she feel so unfamiliar?

Looking toward the brightly lit, bustling town in the distance, initially filled with joy upon arrival, now he felt nothing.

——

Following the black-clad men, Bai Zhi arrived at a modest wooden cottage.

She sensed a powerful formation aura enveloping the house.

“Please come in.”

The moment she stepped inside, the world shifted as if she had entered a secluded paradise.

The garden bloomed in spring splendor, filled with birdsong and fragrant blossoms.

In the small pavilion at the center, a man sat cross-legged with his back to Bai Zhi.

“Greetings, Black Market Official.”

Bai Zhi stepped forward, standing behind him.

“Miss, well met. May I ask your name?”

He rose and turned, his refined demeanor and handsome features accompanied by a faint smile, resembling a gentle scholar. Yet his cold, emotionless eyes sent a chill down one’s spine.

“Bai Zhi.”

“Bai Zhi… such a familiar name, seems I have heard it somewhere…” The man did not dwell on it, smiling faintly before cutting to the chase.

“The pills in your hand—did you craft them yourself?”

“Yes.”

“You’ve been secretly selling in my black market for over a decade. Why have you never come forward before?”

He narrowed his eyes, probing the truth. “You know, the black market isn’t a place for deceit. Forgeries here bear consequences no Nascent Soul cultivator could endure.”

“Trust is the cornerstone of business. Without it, there’s nothing to discuss.”

Bai Zhi smiled and turned to leave, silently counting to three in her mind.

As expected, before she reached three, a soft laugh sounded behind her.

“Miss, wait. Time reveals the heart. Why not make a deal first? Consider it a chance to get acquainted.”

“Very well.”

With her goal achieved, Bai Zhi agreed readily.

——

The man nodded appreciatively, his phoenix-shaped eyes curving elegantly in humility.

“I am Ye Qi, manager of the Southwest District Black Market.”

Bai Zhi had heard of him; he was mysterious, seldom seen by many. It was said he possessed profound cultivation and ruthless methods, which was why the Southwest Black Market was the most stable of all.

This was also why Bai Zhi was certain Elder Liu could not escape when he tried to flee.

“Speak plainly, what trade do you seek?”

“You’re straightforward,” Ye Qi paced forward, suppressing his smile. “Thirty pills of any grade per month, ten superior grade Xuan-level pills, and one top-grade Xuan-level pill. Can you manage that?”

He paused, adding, “At market price, not a penny less. My style is well-known, I believe you’ve heard.”

Bai Zhi smiled. “No problem. But since this is our first deal, let’s show some sincerity.”

Ye Qi’s eyes deepened as he regarded her closely.

In the end, Bai Zhi exchanged an additional top-grade Xuan-level pill for a large quantity of materials and a single Star River Flower.

Exiting the cottage, Fu Ming’s eyes brightened as he rushed to greet her.

“Master!”

“You’re still here?”

Seeing Bai Zhi’s indifferent expression, Fu Ming scratched his head. “I thought, since I’m accompanying you down the mountain, I must accompany you back!”

“No need. I have matters to attend to. You should return.”

Once again brushed aside, Fu Ming was puzzled but sighed as she quickly disappeared into the crowd.

After visiting the Myriad Flowers Pavilion, where the music seemed mocking and the scent of cosmetics overwhelming, she had two drinks and left.

Dejected, Fu Ming returned to the sect, his mood inexplicably heavy.

Just as he prepared to rest in his room, Third Junior Brother Xu Lingchuan hurried past, heading toward the back mountain.

“Third Junior Brother, why are you rushing so late at night?”

Xu Lingchuan, known for his meticulous and slow nature, always calculating every step before acting, rarely appeared so hurried.

“Second Senior Brother, I’m going to find Master,” Xu Lingchuan said with furrowed brows and a grave expression, quickening his pace. “The Hidden Treasures Pavilion has been robbed.”

“What?!” Fu Ming followed swiftly.

“By the way, Second Senior Brother, where have you been? Did you see anyone suspicious?”

“No, I accompanied Master down the mountain and just returned.” Fu Ming instinctively slowed his pace, wary of the lingering scent of alcohol.

“And Master?”

“She said she had business and told me to return ahead.”

“Could it be…” Xu Lingchuan’s eyes flickered with doubt.