Chapter 227: Seeing Through the Disguise

The white-faced middle-aged man before him had undergone some sort of sophisticated disguise.

Much like Qin Ming's own True Demon Illusion, it shared the same exquisite craftsmanship; let alone ordinary cultivators, even a Jin Dan old ancestor would likely be unable to see through it.

However, under Qin Ming's 'Dharma-Breaking Double Pupils', the opponent's exquisite disguise appeared as nothing more than an empty illusion.

Furthermore, his cultivation base was also concealed; the man's actual cultivation was at the peak of Foundation Establishment.

This person was none other than the long-absent demonic tyrant—Lin Zi Xiao!

'It's actually him! What purpose could he have for infiltrating this black market?'

Qin Ming's thoughts raced rapidly; the arrival of such a demonic tyrant was surely no good omen.

He must be plotting something.

However, with Qin Ming's current cultivation and strength, he had no fear of this opponent; unlike in the past when he was chased everywhere, today was different from yesterday.

It was quite possible that even if Lin Zi Xiao had now broken through to the peak of Foundation Establishment, he was no longer a match for him.

The white-faced middle-aged man disguised as Lin Zi Xiao glanced at Qin Ming, and a hint of obscure, complex emotion flashed in his eyes.

Clearly, he still vividly remembered that year in Qingyang Market, where he had nearly died under Qin Ming's Divine Sword Lightning Summoning Technique.

"This Daoist friend has arrived too late; that bottle just now was Qin Mou's last stock."

"If you truly have a need for Yu Xuan Dan, you can wait for the upcoming black market auction to begin; I have already submitted one bottle for auction," Qin Ming replied calmly, his expression unchanged, pretending not to have seen through the other party.

Hearing this, the white-faced middle-aged man transformed from Lin Zi Xiao paused for a moment, then continued smiling as he said, "I pride myself on possessing some good items as well; would Daoist Qin care to take another look?"

Qin Ming felt a chill in his heart; seeing Lin Zi Xiao's persistent demeanor, refusing to trade with him might easily arouse suspicion.

"I also have the essence blood of a second-rank peak demonic beast, and even a demon core; I wonder if Daoist Qin has any need for them?" After speaking, Lin Zi Xiao took out a jade bottle and a creamy jade box.

Daoist Qin took them and looked; indeed, they were exactly as the other party had described.

At the same time, he formed a new assessment of Lin Zi Xiao's strength; this second-rank peak great demon had likely been slain by the man's own hands.

This demonic beast had died no more than three days ago.

"I have heard that Daoist Qin exclusively brews an immortal wine named 'Bai Yulin Wine'; I have long admired it. Could I exchange these two items for two jars of your Bai Yulin Wine?" Lin Zi Xiao said with a smile.

Qin Ming showed no abnormality on the surface, unable to understand why the other party would use two top-tier demonic beast materials to exchange for merely two jars of spirit wine, wondering what he was really after.

However, observing the demonic beast essence blood in the other's hand, its bloodline grade was not low; after pondering for a moment, he took two jars of Bai Yulin Wine from his storage bag and promptly handed them to Lin Zi Xiao.

"Since Daoist friend is so enthusiastic, Qin Mou would be rude to decline."

"Deal!"

Lin Zi Xiao smiled as he accepted the spirit wine handed over by Qin Ming, putting it away without even glancing at it.

Qin Ming became increasingly unable to figure out what scheme the other party was hatching.

He only wished to wait until the black market auction concluded, collect the spirit stones from Xue Zhili, and leave this place as soon as possible.

Afterwards, Qin Ming wandered around the black market once more, picking up a few items.

It was exactly three quarters past noon.

The black market auction began, and Xue Zhili, as the organizer, took the stage.

After a passionate opening speech, item after item, rarely seen in the outside world, was brought out.

Since the minimum cultivation requirement for participating in this transaction was Foundation Establishment initial stage, the atmosphere was intense.

The bidding process was exceptionally heated, and Xue Zhili earned a fortune.

After dozens of items had been successfully auctioned off, another object was brought up.

Xue Zhili slowly lifted the red cloth, revealing half a fragment of a bronze mirror before everyone.

The moment Qin Ming saw this object appear, even his usually rock-steady state of mind experienced an unprecedented fluctuation! 'It's actually the other half of the magical treasure fragment!'

'Sought everywhere in vain, yet found without effort!'

'Hahaha!'

'I never expected to encounter this object here; it seems the matter of refining my innate magical treasure can now be scheduled.'

'However, I must first bid successfully for this fragment and leave this place as soon as possible.'

Xue Zhili began to introduce it: "This is an item entrusted for auction by a Daoist friend from the Wu Kingdom; it is a fragment of a magical treasure."

"The starting price is six hundred medium-grade spirit stones!"

As soon as his voice fell, cultivators began bidding one after another. "Seven hundred medium-grade spirit stones!"

"It's actually a magical treasure fragment, but somewhat useless! It's already destroyed and cannot unleash any power; there's no point in buying it."

"Although it is only half a fragment, it still holds research value; this old man offers seven hundred and fifty!"

"Eight hundred!"

Qin Ming observed for a while, then timely entered the bidding: "Eight hundred and fifty."

"Nine hundred!"

A familiar voice rang out; Qin Ming looked toward the sound and saw that it was actually Lin Zi Xiao joining the bidding.

His complexion turned somewhat ugly.

'Could it be that this Lin Zi Xiao intends to go head-to-head with me?'

"Nine hundred and fifty."

"Nine hundred and eighty!"

As the price climbed higher and higher, more and more cultivators in the scene dropped out of the bidding.

In the end, only Qin Ming and Lin Zi Xiao remained.

Lin Zi Xiao had noticed Qin Ming's interest in this object, which was why he joined the bidding; in truth, he himself had not discerned anything special about it.

"One thousand medium-grade spirit stones."

Qin Ming silently cursed Lin Zi Xiao in his heart, yet reported the price in a calm tone.

Even Xue Zhili on the stage had not expected that a fragment of a magical treasure could fetch such a high price; creating revenue once again, the smile on his face was almost unstoppable.

"Since Fellow Daoist Qin is interested in this item, I shall not compete for it," said Lin Zixiao, disguised as a fair-complexioned middle-aged man, smiling without reaching his eyes.

Hearing this, Qin Ming let out a long breath.

"One thousand mid-grade spirit stones, once!"

"One thousand mid-grade spirit stones, twice!"

"One thousand mid-grade spirit stones, thrice!"

"Congratulations, Fellow Daoist Qin!"

Xue Zhili acted efficiently, immediately ordering someone to deliver the bronze mirror fragment to him on the spot.

Qin Ming took the fragment into his hand and examined it closely; confirming it was the other half, he felt an intense surge of excitement in his heart.

However, he concealed it well, silently storing away the half of the bronze mirror without making a sound.

Next, Xue Zhili announced the finale auction item of this trading assembly.

The moment the Jade Yu Xuan Dan was brought out by a maid, the enthusiasm of every cultivator in the hall was ignited.

As soon as the bidding began, those few old monsters at the peak of Foundation Establishment could no longer remain seated.

They began placing bids one after another, and the price of the Yu Xuan Dan climbed steadily higher.

However, what struck Qin Ming as strange was that Lin Zixiao, sitting among the crowd, only added a few bids before ceasing to participate in the auction entirely.

This gave Qin Ming an ominous premonition.

'Could it be that this fellow intends to acquire it again with zero spirit stones?'

That bottle of Yu Xuan Dan was ultimately secured by a Jin Dan cultivator from the Jin Kingdom at the price of two thousand mid-grade spirit stones.

Next, when Xue Zhili presented the Five Elements Primordial Qi Spirit Peach, the air throughout the entire black market seemed to stagnate! "One second-grade top-grade spirit fruit, the Five Elements Primordial Qi Spirit Peach."

"After consumption, it increases one's magic power cultivation, and furthermore, the first time it is consumed, it extends one's lifespan by thirty years!"

Boom! For those young cultivators, it mattered little, as they still had much remaining lifespan to pursue the Great Dao.

But for those old and frail cultivators, it was different; they all stared fixedly at the Five Elements Primordial Qi Spirit Peach on the stage, their eyes revealing a mad gleam.

For those few great cultivators at the late and peak stages of Foundation Establishment, the spirit peach held an even more fatal attraction.

An extra thirty years of lifespan meant more time to seek opportunities and chase the Jin Dan Great Dao.

(End of Chapter)