Chapter 48 - 46: A Black Robe Can Hide You?

’Forget it. After I sell the Spirit Nurturing Beads today, I’ll buy replacements right away. Better to be careful at a time like this,’ Zhang Deming muttered to himself. ’If there are detailed records of the quantities, it’ll be hard for me to explain if I’m found out.’

After all, he still had no idea why Steward Luh had helped him. It was always better to be safe than sorry.

Having made his decision, Zhang Deming finished getting ready and headed straight out.

...

「Little Hui Peak Flea Market.」

Zhang Deming was here again, and nothing had changed.

To sell the Spirit Nurturing Beads discreetly, Zhang Deming wore a black robe that covered his entire body. Even in the chaotic area of makeshift stalls, an outfit like his was particularly conspicuous.

He drew a lot of stares from the moment he entered the market.

"Is this guy for real?"

"He’s probably just super ugly!"

"Keep it down. People with quirks like this are usually genius senior disciples."

"Yeah, that outfit definitely screams ’genius.’"

"Isn’t this a joke? Is he dressed like that because he’s afraid of being recognized? What’s the damn point? Any member of the Law Enforcement Team could use their Spiritual Eye and see everything, right down to his junk."

"My fellow disciple, your line of thinking and focus are truly... one-of-a-kind. Your hobbies must be particularly unique."

"I think he just accidentally revealed something deep about himself."

"Such as?"

"Such as a problem with the way he looks at things. What kind of normal person’s first reaction is to use their Spiritual Eye to look at someone’s junk?"

"HISS... That’s some scary-good analysis!"

"I think he’s hit on the truth!"

"Yep, that’s the truth!"

"..."

And with that, the conversation went completely off the rails.

Listening to the ongoing discussion, Zhang Deming grew increasingly embarrassed. He had only been focused on hiding his identity, but damn it, the trope he’d learned from novels in his past life was useless...

’No, it’s not that it’s useless, it’s a total scam!’

Looking at the stares and hearing the gossip, he had become the center of attention—a total weirdo.

It would have been fine if he were some kind of eccentric, but he was here to sell something discreetly.

With a flicker of his Heart Spirit, a pair of miniature Light Wings on his heels vibrated, and Zhang Deming quickly sped away.

The gossiping crowd didn’t pay him any mind, simply returning to their stalls and their conversations, completely unfazed.

Zhang Deming ducked into a deserted alley and quickly stripped off the god-awful black robe.

’Hiding your identity with a black robe really is a terrible idea!’

After casually tossing the black robe aside, Zhang Deming reappeared in the market. This time, he didn’t draw any stares.

He passed through the various stalls and arrived at the central block.

Zhang Deming headed directly for the core of the district, where there were several storefronts with respectable-looking facades.

After surveying them for a moment, he decided. ’Hundred Spirits Tower it is.’ Apparently, the Hundred Spirits Tower was a major Business Alliance in the Hongmeng Cultivation World.

It was essentially a supermarket chain in the Hongmeng Realm, only it didn’t sell household goods. Instead, it sold the various products of the countless Miscellaneous Arts of the Cultivation Realm.

It was said that you could buy anything from One-Star to Nine-Star Items there.

Of course, that was only in their high-end stores, which you’d have to go down the mountain to Celestial Spirit City to find.

Here, most of the items were Non-Star.

In the Hongmeng Realm, besides Techniques being divided into Twelve Tiers, all products and materials from the Miscellaneous Arts were graded from One-Star to Nine-Star.

One-Star corresponded to items at the Tai Chi Cultivation Level, and it went up from there.

As for the Apprentice Stage, most of what they came into contact with were Entry Level items that were classified as Non-Star.

As one of the few businesses in this market that wasn’t owned by the Sect or a family with close Sect ties, the Hundred Spirits Tower was considered quite large.

"Hello. Is there anything I can help you find today?" A young saleswoman approached and greeted Zhang Deming as soon as he entered.

Zhang Deming smiled faintly and replied, "I’m not here to buy. I’m here to sell. Does the Hundred Spirits Tower purchase items?"

The saleswoman paused for a moment. "We do. We purchase most items related to cultivation.

May I ask if you’re selling ordinary materials or a more uncommon artifact?"

Zhang Deming hesitated, then said, "I suppose it wouldn’t be considered a common, ordinary item."

The saleswoman’s smile grew even brighter. "In that case, please come this way. Any uncommon items you wish to sell must first be appraised.

After that, we’ll discuss the method of sale, then move on to valuation and price negotiation before finalizing the deal."

Zhang Deming nodded and was led by the saleswoman into an adjacent side hall.

Unlike the main hall with its display cabinets, the side hall was not very large. Half of it was set up like a reception area, while the other half resembled a pawn shop with a high counter.

In the reception area, an elderly man was behind the counter, engrossed in studying an object.

"Elder Bai, a customer is here to sell an item. Could I trouble you to appraise it?" the saleswoman said, stepping forward.

The old man, who had been studying the object, furrowed his brow slightly. He set the item down and nodded.

Seeing this, the saleswoman silently excused herself.

The elder sized up Zhang Deming. "And what might you be selling, young man? Are you looking for a long-term business relationship or just a one-time sale?"

Zhang Deming stepped up to the counter and glanced around. He didn’t answer the elder’s question right away. Instead, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a glass-like sphere.

He weighed it in his hand for a moment, then tossed it onto the counter. "I’m selling this. What’s your price?"

The elder was momentarily stunned by Zhang Deming’s casual action, but his gaze quickly fell upon the glass-like orb.

’Hm?’

’Is this...?’

The elder glanced at the glowing sphere and let out a soft murmur of intrigue. His expression flickered, and he immediately picked it up to examine it more closely.

After a moment, he quickly fished a monocle out of his pocket.

Dense, flowing Runes were visible on its white-gold frame. It was clearly no ordinary item; it was very likely a Magical Artifact.

In the Hongmeng Realm, equipment was also graded up to Nine-Star. Aside from Non-Star Artifacts, they were divided into Magical Artifacts (three Star Levels), Spiritual Artifacts (three Star Levels), and Magical Treasures (three Star Levels).

Forget about Spiritual Artifacts—even a One-Star Magical Artifact was incredibly precious.

The elder put on the monocle. It glowed faintly, projecting a Light Screen.

Item: Spirit Nurturing Ball

Technique: Growth Technique (Tier One, Secret Level Low Grade)

"It really is a Spirit Nurturing Bead! Young man, where did you get this?

If I remember correctly, the Celestial Spirit Sect only has three Spirit Nurturing Masters right now, doesn’t it?

Which of those old codgers are you a Disciple of?"

Zhang Deming looked at the elder and replied, "You needn’t concern yourself with that, Senior. I just want to know if your shop will buy this."

The elder looked startled for a second. "Apologies. I got ahead of myself and asked too many questions.

As for Spirit Nurturing Beads, of course we buy them! We’ll take as many as you can provide.

If you could convince your master to supply us with his surplus creations each month, beyond the Sect’s fixed quota...

...and become a stable supplier for our Hundred Spirits Tower, well, the price is something we could discuss very favorably."

Zhang Deming shook his head. "Senior, let’s focus on finishing the current transaction for now."