Book 8 - Chapter 20: Underground Trade Gathering

Lei Xinfeng couldn’t help but comment, “What the heck is this, it’s scary…”

Even Fengying and Shihu agreed that this climate is completely unsuitable for human habitation. Even with so many layers of warm clothes that covered everything except their eyes, they could still feel the violent frozen air. They could not let down their defenses and had to constantly expel the cold air that got in, or their whole body will freeze.

After much effort, they finally found a place to rest. After wolfing down some dry rations and recovering their energy, they went back into the ripping blizzard winds.

Fortunately, they had Chuizi and Futou leading the way. None of others could, because it was a natural ability of the natives here. No matter the weather or terrain, the natives will never get lost.

The way back was uneventful, and they didn’t see a single person, neither did any beasts appear.

After a few days of struggling through the winds and snow, the seven of them finally arrived back at Hanya Castle.

Miaolin began complaining as soon as she saw Xin Zhaolun and Lei Xinfeng. “It’s so cold! I couldn’t even go outside, it’s too cold,” she said, huddled under a huge pile of beast skin, revealing only her face. The sight of it made Lei Xinfeng want to laugh, it was so ridiculous.

Xiao Diya was sitting sat next to a pan of charcoals. “This is a good location to cultivate, I’m about to have a breakthrough… It’s just that this place is too cold. It doesn’t even matter how much you wear. Hongjie said there no one walking around outside.”

Lei Xinfeng laughed. “On our way back, we saw a bunch of natives outside. It’s only the outsiders that are all huddled in their rooms cultivating.”

“It’s not always going to be this cold. This place alternates between extreme cold and mild weather every few days, so don’t worry. When it’s warmer, we can go outside and take a breath of fresh air,” Xin Zhaolun said.

It certainly was indeed a lot warmer inside than outside, but Miaolin still huddled and shivered. Only by concentrating and cultivating can she temporarily ignore the cold weather. As a result, her power was increasing rapidly.

Suddenly, Miaolin spoke up. “Ah, that’s right. There was something… Hongjie said that someone brought an invitation inviting you to go somewhere. Xiao Diya, go call Hongjie back.”

Xiao Diya ran to the door and shouted out, “Hongjie! Hongjie, come back quickly!”

After repeating a few times, he ran back to the brazier, stirring the coals to warm himself up.

After a while, Hongjie walked in. “What is it?”

“Hongjie, uh, that invitation,” Miaolin said.

“Oh, I have it. Third master, Ninth master… Mao master sent this. The underground trading is about to begin, so he sent a few invitations.”

“Oh, the trade meeting? Not bad, I’ve long prepared for it. We must come. Miaolin, you should come with us,” Xin Zhaolun said.

“I don’t want to go outside. I’ll freeze,” she muttered.

Xin Zhaolun laughed. “The meeting is underground, you dummy. It’s quite warm down there.”

Miaolin’s two eyes almost glowed. “Wha! Yes! Then I will go…” Then she hesitated. “But how will I get there?” She really was afraid of the cold.

“It’s close, do you can just shield yourself. It’s such a short distance that no matter how cold it is, you’ll be fine,” Hongjie said, smiling.

“Then that’s fine I guess! Also, that place, is there a place that I can live? Can I just stay there?” Miaolin asked, eyes sparkling.

Her idea was shot down immediately. “Your cultivation won’t advance as fast underground. It’s a bad decision,” warned Xin Zhaolun.

Miaolin grimaced. “Aw, alright. I’ll just warm up and then come back up to train…” She knew in her heart that training and cultivation was important. There’s no contest between the decision to be warm and cozy versus advancing her cultivation.

Lei Xinfeng also received an invitation. “That’s interesting. There’s only three invitations, and none for the others. How do they know that we are the three in charge here?” he asked.

“Don’t be surprised. That how we registered. We don’t need to register just for entering this world, but if we wish to Hanya Castle, it’s required. It’s a rule to prevent people from making trouble,” Xin Zhaolun explained.

Everyone who comes here are from secret sects, and the places where they live are largely in Hidden Spaces, and among the most mysterious of people. There are countless conflicts between secret sects and meeting between them might break out in fights. However, there’s only one rule, which is that Monarchs generally don’t fight… at least not out in the open. In the dark, however, it wasn’t strange if a Monarch slaughters some weaker practitioners.

At the same time, there’s a general agreement between secret sects, that unless there was a huge conflict in interests, fights generally don’t happen. It was better to settle things peacefully in talks because if two secret sects fight, both will be weakened, and that’s something neither side wants.

“Rest for now,” Xin Zhaolun said. “We will go to the meeting tomorrow. Ah Feng, Little Lin, there will be many interesting things at the meeting, but don’t forget to prepare your own items. The trades there are generally revolved around barters. You can use Lun Rings, Lunyi Rings, and of course Yin Rings to buy items, but the last one will rarely appear.”

At that, Lei Xinfeng took Fengying and Shihu back. When they returned to their room, Fengying lit their brazier and Lei Xinfeng cooked them a meal. After eating, Fengying spoke up. “With an invitation, two people will be admitted. Let’s go together.”

Lei Xinfeng nodded. “Of course. I know that you got quite a bit of materials this time. Do you plan on trading them for some Yin Rings?”

“Yes. This place has a great effect on cultivation. With some Yin Rings, we can probably ascend. Old Hu, you’re the same, right?”

Shihu laughed. “As long as I have enough Yin Rings, I too can ascend. If I can advance even one more step, I will be satisfied. Eight Ring Bodies…are still just a bit lacking, especially if in Outer Worlds.”

“I don’t understand this ‘Outer World.’ How many worlds can the Hidden Door connect to?”

Fengying shook his head. “I’m not sure either. However I know that only people on the level of Monarchs can have Hidden Doors. They need to create… and the doors Monarchs create can only connect to three Outer Worlds. How it is opened, and how the destination is acquired, I have no idea.”

“I will definitely ascend to Monarch!” Lei Xinfeng declared.

Fengying’s mouth opened slightly, and then closed, but Lei Xinfeng was watching. “Uncle Ying, you don’t need to hold back, what do you want to say?”

Shihu laughed. “I know what he’s going to say, hehe!”

“Nonsense! How would you know what I’m going say?”

“Of course I know! We’ve been together for so many years. I can tell what kind of shit you’ll produce by watching your ass,” Shihu said.

“My ass! Well then prove it; what am I going to say?” Fengying said.

“Easy. In regards to Lei Xinfeng’s ascension to Monarch, you have… reservations.”

Fengying sighed. “The hell… am I that easy to read?”

“Yes,” Shihu replied.

With that, Fengying could only acknowledge his thoughts. “Yes… those that can ascend to the level of Monarch is few and far between. If Ah Feng can reach Monarch, I’ll be so happy I could die. But it’s just so difficult! Ah Feng, I’m not trying to scare you. Shihu and I are the people who most wish for you to reach your goal.”

“I understand, but don’t worry! I will definitely ascend,” Lei Xinfeng replied said with full confidence. Of course, he had no idea if he really could ascend, but he knew that if he believed he can’t, then he will never even have the chance.

The underground trade gathering below Hanya Castle is fairly famous among secret sects. A few Monarchs might secretly attend to get some rare materials.

Although this world isn’t suitable for living, it has a large amount of valuable materials, making this a great place. But with just the hostile climate, this Outer World managed to block off most people that would gather, and only a lucky or strong few will manage to find good materials.

Xin Zhaolun took Xiao Diya, Lei Xinfeng brought Fengying and Shihu, while Miaolin had Hongjie with her. Together, they reached the underground gathering.

The location of the meeting will in the large space underneath Hanya Castle, around eight hundred square meters. It wasn’t too big nor too small. Because the people who were invited were only a select few, eight hundred square meters was more than enough space.

Lei Xinfeng was stunned. “This is the trade gathering? It’s very informal…”

“Don’t worry, this is just the place for loose change. Later, there will be an auction,” Xin Zhaolun explained.

“Are there any requirements for attending the auction?” Lei Xinfeng asked.

“You must have some things to sell, or have some Yin Rings as proof.”

“We have a lot of Purple Crystals, so we can sell those. I wonder how much those are worth,” Lei Xinfeng said.

“Don’t bring out the big ones. Just use the small ones to test,” Xin Zhaolun warned.

Before Lei Xinfeng could reply, there was a large commotion not far away. “What the hell! Are you stealing?”

“Get back!” whispered Xin Zhaolun.

Boom!

Two people suddenly began fighting. As they collided, a massive shockwave bloomed from their fists, and everyone in the room instantly increased their defenses.

“Heavens, why are they fighting here? It’ll collapse!” Miaolin said.

Hongjie grabbed her and pulled her along, covering her. “Just get back, quickly!”

Fengying and Shihu also protected Lei Xinfeng, one on his left and one on his right. Xin Zhaolun himself couldn’t help but curse. “Fuck, it’s probably a couple of newbie! They don’t understand anything. Fighting here… do they want to die or something?”

The people in the lobby quickly dispersed, leaving only the two who was fighting in the center.

Hello! Another chapter translated. Earlier, someone emailed me to ask my schedule, and I regret to admit that I don’t have one. However, it takes me an average of an hour and a half to translate a chapter, so there shouldn’t be large gaps between chapters as long as I have time. Also, OTP Fengying and Shihu.

Notes:

Mao master is 茂爷 which I have frankly no idea how to translate. I haven’t seen it before. I assume “Mao” is either a description or a name, and 爷 which I translated as “master” is a respectful way to refer to someone. For example, in other novels, 少爷 is translated to “young master.”

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