Chapter 638: Merchant Continent
The Merchant Continent.
As according to the name, it was a continent primarily focused on commerce.
This continent was home to countless auction houses, each well-known in its own right. Although this continent wasn't vast in size, its reputation was remarkably resounding throughout the Great Thousand World.
This fame stemmed from the countless treasures that converged here. Many of the treasures from all directions were gathered here and eventually circulated through various major auction houses.
Thus, there was a saying in the Merchant Continent. "As long as you possess enough Supreme Spiritual Liquid, you can purchase anything you desire here."
That saying was overbearing, but it also reflected the deep resources of the Merchant Continent.
Despite its moderate size, the continent was a complex mix of dragons and snakes. There was an endless number of forces of various sizes. Besides, the majority of the auctions here had quite the background behind them.
Therefore, although numerous treasures were amassed here, not many would dare to act recklessly within this territory.
Rumor had it that a few hundred years ago, a great figure of a dominant force coveted a divine artifact but failed to secure it at auction. In a bold move, he violently seized the item at the auction house, killed the auction manager and his rival bidder, and fled with the treasure.
This incident shook the Merchant Continent at that time, and soon after, they made a response. In just a few dozen days, the force behind that great figure found itself surrounded by all sorts of powerful forces. The conflict resulted in heavy casualties, and even the great figure himself was severely injured. In the end, he had no choice but to return the treasure in a disgraceful manner and pay an enormous price as compensation before settling the matter.
After that incident, no one dared to disregard the rules of the Merchant Continent by stealing treasures and committing murder within its auction houses.
It was precisely because of the Merchant Continent's perfected rules that its reputation in the Great Thousand World had grown increasingly resounding over the years. Innumerable people who sought treasures came here to search for the treasures of their hearts.
In the following days, Xiao Ming and his companions traveled relentlessly, crossing numerous continents in a whirlwind of dust and haste. The Merchant Continent was getting closer and closer with their fast pace.
Of course, even while on the move, Xiao Ming did not forget to inquire about the whereabouts of Xiao Xuan and the others. Unfortunately, he still found nothing.
During this time, Qing Yanjing's injuries began to heal and her strength started to recover, although she was still far from her peak condition.
Xiao Ming also accumulated another simulation opportunity. After much thought, however, he decided not to use it immediately but to save it for later.
One day, their continuous travel finally came to a halt as they reached their destination.
...
Merchant City, the central city of the Merchant Continent. Judging by its size, it should be the most majestic city on the continent.
When Xiao Ming and his companions arrived outside the Merchant City, they looked up at the majestic city that seemed to have been created by celestial beings and finally breathed a sigh of relief.
The city walls rose hundreds of meters high. Their pitch-black surfaces flickered with a cold sheen. The city walls stretched so far that even at the end of one's sight, there wasn't a trace of the wall's edge.
Colossal flickering runes could be seen on the city walls, fluctuating with terrifying waves of Spiritual Energy that made others' hearts race. Above the city, a massive light pillar rose into the sky, forming a shield of light that shone down and enveloped the entire city.
The only way to enter the city was through the city gates. Any attempt to enter from other areas would activate the massive array in the city, and they would be considered an intruder.
'This array seems to include some techniques typical of a Symbol Master.'
Xiao Ming stared at the vast light array hovering above the city. The vast scale of the array flickered with many light patterns, forming an extremely complex spiritual formation that was clearly visible to his eyes.
"This is a Spiritual Array set by a Spiritual Array Scholar. It's powerful enough to block an Earth Sovereign powerhouse."
Standing beside Xiao Ming, Qing Yanjing looked where he was looking and saw the Spiritual Array. Her tone was somewhat indifferent. 'Such an array is simple for me to set up. What's there to look at?'
'Perhaps the Symbol Ancestor was also a Spiritual Array Scholar.' Xiao Ming nodded as he thought about the similarities between Symbol Masters and Spiritual Array Masters. Both disciplines initially trained in mystical runes and seals, and seal symbols could also be used in array formation.
Now, Xiao Ming's proficiency as a Symbol Master was comparable to that of the Symbol Ancestor. After studying Spiritual Arrays, he might quickly reach the level of a Heaven Spiritual Array Scholar.
"Let's enter the city. We should find something worthwhile today." Without dwelling further, Xiao Ming led the two women into Merchant City. He had previously acquired an encyclopedia of the medicinal herbs of the Great Thousand World from the Demonic Dragon Palace, which familiarized him with a wide variety of medicinal herbs and their properties.
Using this as a basis and combining it with his personal situation, he created a pill recipe that could accelerate the conversion of his own Spiritual Energy. Since his strength was high and the necessary medicinal herbs were rare, he came to this highly commercially oriented Merchant Continent in search of them.
Additionally, Qing Yanjing's injuries also required healing through medicinal pills, along with the need for Spiritual Arts and so on.
Overall, Xiao Ming had come with great expectations.
Their group attracted a lot of attention along the way, largely due to the striking beauty of Qing Tan and Qing Yanjing. Each woman displayed a distinct temperament, one gentle and the other lively, creating a dazzling effect that left onlookers mesmerized.
Xiao Ming, walking beside them, noticed the intense glances directed their way and could only offer a helpless smile in response.
Speaking of which, he already possessed a certain amount of Supreme Spiritual Liquid, the result of some overly bold individuals letting their lust cloud their judgment. The Great Thousand World was indeed not a peaceful place, as instances of depravity and violence were common. However, those who had encountered him had kicked an iron plate, and now those unlucky fellows had already been reduced to ashes.
Perhaps because he had repeatedly eliminated those slobbering fools who had indecently proposed to Qing Yanjing to become their concubine, her attitude towards him had grown noticeably warmer.
Sensing these heated glances around them, Qing Tan's eyebrows knitted slightly, and shortly after, she suddenly reached out to grab Xiao Ming's arm. Qing Yanjing's eyes twinkled upon seeing this before she grabbed his other arm.
The ample, soft sensation coming from his arms stunned Xiao Ming for a moment. Then, he soon sensed some hostile glances being cast their way.
Xiao Ming opened his mouth but was at a loss for words. It was one thing for Qing Tan to cling to him since she was his disciple, but for Qing Yanjing to mimic her...
Qing Yanjing also felt a bit speechless. She felt that the moment she grabbed his arm, the number of glances directed at her increased, but the source of those glances shifted from men to women, some of whom seemingly wished to kick her aside and cling to Xiao Ming themselves. What left her most speechless was that some of these jealous glances seemed to come from men as well...
All right, she had to admit that Xiao Ming did indeed appeal to a wide range of tastes, but this was just too much.
At this point, she couldn't just let go of his arm.
The trio walked into the grand city with all eyes on them. Upon entering, Qing Yanjing finally released Xiao Ming's arm.
"Why did you stop holding on?" Xiao Ming said quietly.
Qing Yanjing rolled her eyes. "Forget it. I'm afraid of being devoured by those stares, but..."
A bright smile suddenly appeared on her face.
"If you want me to keep holding on, that's not impossible. Just wait until you're strong enough to stand up to my clan. Otherwise, if they see us, you might not be able to withstand it."
Xiao Ming simply smiled in response. Alright, he couldn't claim to be the most clever, but his perception was definitely sharper than that of an average person. Over the days they had spent together, he realized that Qing Yanjing might have developed the misconception that he liked her.
He didn't voice this thought, however, because he might also be under a misconception, and besides, bringing it up would be quite awkward.
He decided to let things take their course. Qing Yanjing was very gentle and clearly had the qualities of a good wife. It wasn't as if having another wife in the future was something he couldn't accept.
With that topic concluded, their gaze began to sweep over the city.
The population of this city had reached a frightening level. The streets were expansive and bustling with activity, so crowded that no sparse areas were visible.
The two sides of the street were filled with all sorts of stores, and tremendous Spiritual Energies were seeping out from those places. This clearly showed that these items were not simple.
"Let's head to the auction house along the street and check if there are any medicinal herbs we need on the way," Xiao Ming suggested to the two women. Other common harmonizing medicinal herbs were also indispensable besides the main ingredients needed for the pills. The chances of finding main ingredients in these street-side shops were slim; those were usually available in auction houses, but obtaining common medicinal herbs shouldn't be a problem.
Qing Yanjing and Qing Tan had no objection and nodded their heads. Under the massive flow of people, the trio paced towards the center of the city.