Chapter 411: Comrade

"Did a disciple of the Immortal of the Southern Sea act?"

Li Rui tilted his head upward.

Surprise flashed in his eyes.

Just now, it was almost a killing blow; that Immortal of the Southern Sea is indeed ruthless.

"Ruthless is good."

At least this proves the Southern Sea Immortal Market is not a lawless zone—it still follows rules.

Lin Lang and Fei Ming also showed expressions of relief.

A completely lawless place is unsuitable for the Tianyuan Commerce Guild to conduct long-term business.

The three ascended to the highest platform on the island, a vast square roughly a hundred mu in size; in the southeast corner stood a palace—that must be the Immortal of the Southern Sea's residence.

"Where are you three from?"

A handsome young man blocked their path.

Li Rui raised an eyebrow slightly.

Impressive!

This handsome youth was a Tongxuan powerhouse—completely beyond his expectations.

Clearly, this man was a disciple of the Immortal of the Southern Sea.

He glanced at the sword at the youth's waist.

Identical to the one he'd seen on the beach just now—this man was the one who had acted earlier.

The man's cheerful smile bore no resemblance to the cold ruthlessness he'd displayed moments before.

Lin Lang chuckled: "I am Lin Lang, Vice Director of the Tianyuan Commerce Guild of Yu State."

He announced his title.

The young man finally nodded: "So you're Director Lin. Please proceed."

The Southern Sea Commerce Guild never inquired about visitors' identities.

But now, they ask one by one—this rule dates back three years.

A demonic cultivator caused chaos in the Immortal Market, creating an extremely negative impact.

He was eventually slain by the Immortal of the Southern Sea himself; since then, this rule was added.

Its purpose: to prevent unknown individuals from entering and disrupting the market's order.

As long as one's origins are clean, no one will be blocked.

The Tianyuan Commerce Guild of Yu State carries sufficient reputation.

The Immortal Market exists for cultivators to exchange goods, somewhat like a mortal marketplace, except here only spiritual items useful to cultivators are traded.

There are no shops.

Everyone simply spreads out a cloth and places their goods upon it.

The less meticulous simply lay their wares directly on the ground, then sit in meditation, silent and unobtrusive—emphasizing spontaneity.

As Li Rui walked, he was inwardly astonished.

Pei Ling Great Elixir, Earth Spirit Pearl Sand.

All rare treasures that, outside, would spark nationwide frenzy upon appearance—but here in the Southern Sea Immortal Market, they were as ignored as street-side cabbage.

Lin Lang arrived at a secluded spot.

Like other cultivators, he casually pulled out a white cloth, laid out some treasures, and sat cross-legged on the ground.

The Tianyuan Commerce Guild's purpose in coming to the Southern Sea Immortal Market was never profit.

They only needed to understand the market's situation and return safely.

What they sought was stability.

"Brother Mu, the Southern Sea Immortal Market truly hides dragons and tigers."

Since entering the island, Lin Lang had begun calling Li Rui "Brother Mu."

To conceal Li Rui's true identity.

Li Rui nodded: "Indeed."

Everyone entering the island is at least a Xiantian-level powerhouse; even Tianxiang cultivators can be seen—scenes unimaginable elsewhere.

Most cultivators passing the Tianyuan Commerce Guild's stall merely glanced once, rarely stopping.

As Li Rui and Lin Lang chatted idly,

Li Rui's peripheral vision subtly shifted to one side.

"Chunxu Zi?"

A hundred zhang away, two Daoist-looking cultivators walked through the crowd—it was Chunxu Zi and Ziyang the Elder, brothers of Qingwei Sect.

Li Rui was not the least surprised Chunxu Zi would come.

Since Chunxu Zi had sought him out that day, he naturally would come here too.

The Qingwei Sect pair moved slowly, pausing often.

Mostly they merely observed; they rarely bought anything.

Li Rui cast only a fleeting glance, then looked away.

Both Chunxu Zi and Ziyang were Tongxuan-level powerhouses with extremely sharp spiritual senses—cannot stare too long.

As cultivators, they had no distinction between day and night.

The Southern Sea Immortal Market at night was no different from daytime.

Li Rui left the square.

He came to a corner of the island.

On a stretch of rocks, the night wind whipped his robes; a middle-aged man stood motionless.

On a reef, the night sea wind whipped at his clothes as a middle-aged man stood still, unmoving.

Li Rui spoke.

The middle-aged man turned, his voice drifting over: "You are the one the Tianyuan Commerce Guild wishes to buy the Elixir of Longevity for?"

The middle-aged man turned around, his voice drifting over: "You are the one the Tianyuan Trading Association wants to buy the Water of Longevity from?"

Li Rui nodded.

The middle-aged man showed interest: "May I ask what use you have for the Elixir of Longevity?"

Li Rui snorted: "That's hardly your concern."

The middle-aged man's gaze settled on Li Rui.

After several breaths,

He smiled: "My apologies—I spoke out of turn."

The middle-aged man muttered inwardly:

"I never expected the Tianyuan Commerce Guild has such a formidable figure."

Earlier, he had been secretly probing Li Rui's aura.

Impossible to fathom!

He possessed a skill to sense others' spiritual energy, but Li Rui's aura was shrouded in mist—he could discern nothing.

Precisely because he couldn't fathom it, it proved Li Rui's strength all the more.

The Elixir of Longevity was granted by my immortal master.

Legend says it greatly enhances one's spiritual root.

I originally intended to collect all the Immortal Treasures, but after decades of searching, I found nothing—even after reaching Tongxuan, this Elixir became useless, so I considered exchanging it for other treasures.

My earlier question was merely a casual test.

Li Rui stared at the middle-aged man: "Comrade Chu, where is my item?"

The middle-aged man chuckled, then withdrew a small jade vial from his sleeve: "And where is mine?"

Li Rui produced the wooden box he had prepared.

Inside were two second-grade great elixirs.

They had cost Li Rui dearly.

Li Rui opened the box; the middle-aged man opened the vial.

An exotic fragrance filled the air; even three zhang away, one could sense its potent vitality—exactly as described in legends.

The middle-aged man smiled in satisfaction: "Comrade, I'll count to three—we throw our items simultaneously."

The middle-aged man also showed a satisfied smile: "Brother Daoist, I will count to three, and we both throw the item out together."

"Two."

"Three!"

When he reached three,

The middle-aged man did not release his grip; neither did Li Rui.

Seeing this,

The middle-aged man grew awkward, laughing nervously twice.

Li Rui said coolly: "Comrade, if you wish to play games, I can play with you all day."

"How about this? I have a barter talisman—each of us takes one?"

The middle-aged man: "As you wish, Comrade."

The middle-aged man: "Then as the Daoist friend wishes."

Li Rui immediately threw a talisman covered in runes at the middle-aged man.

Both stuck exchange talismans onto the small jade vial and the wooden box.

Activate the talismans.

The small jade vial and wooden box glowed with green light.

In the blink of an eye.

The small wooden box in Li Rui's hand was replaced by the small jade vial.

He now possessed the Water of Longevity.

He had no intention of staying longer; he bowed to the middle-aged man, then leapt dozens of zhang into the air and soon vanished into the island's jungle.

The middle-aged man watched Li Rui's retreating figure, squinting slightly.

"An interesting fellow."

In a moment.

Li Rui reappeared atop the official marketplace of the Southern Sea Immortal Market.

Lin Lang merely glanced at him.

He said nothing.

It was their unspoken understanding: if the deal had gone wrong, Li Rui would speak up—no need to ask.

Since Li Rui said nothing,

it meant the deal had succeeded.

A faint smile curled his lips.

Li Rui had long sought the Water of Longevity; now, through his intervention, he had finally secured it, earning a great favor.

This would prove immensely useful to the Tianyuan Trading Association in the future.

A single vial of the Water of Longevity might secure a hundred years of peace for the Tianyuan Trading Association.

How could he not be pleased?

Lin Lang spoke: "By the way, Brother Mu, have you heard? Demon cultivators are rampaging and plundering in the Southern Sea—we must be cautious on our way back."

Li Rui nodded.

The matter of demon cultivators has long existed.

So-called demonic cultivators are not all those who have cultivated demonic arts that heaven and earth cannot tolerate.

Most were once disciples of the major Immortal Sects of the Southern Sea.

They merely betrayed their sects for some reason and turned to banditry.

That's why they're called demon cultivators.

With the Southern Sea Immortal Elder stationed at the Southern Sea Immortal Market, these demon cultivators dared not act recklessly—even the seas within ten li of the market were avoided.

But once beyond the Southern Sea Immortal Market's boundaries,

they grew active again.

Most of these demon cultivators were at the Primordial Realm, many even at the Profound Transformation Realm.

As for demon cultivators at the Celestial Phenomenon Realm—if they'd reached Celestial Phenomenon, they'd be demon ancestors; why would they bother with petty banditry themselves?

Li Rui glanced at the Water of Longevity in his sleeve, lost in thought.

"I need to find a place and raise my spiritual root first, before something goes wrong."

(End of Chapter)