Chapter 37: Ghost Market, Yin Soul Jade

Early the next morning, Lu Chen left the sect's bounds together with Su Qian.

The two proceeded along the road where Lu Chen had previously killed Wang Qun, quickly reaching the mountaintop.

From the mountaintop looking down, he soon found a concealed valley entrance.

In the valley, a few simple stalls could be vaguely seen, with several dozen cultivators moving about; it appeared not large in scale.

"This ghost market is rather shabby compared to what I imagined," Lu Chen said with a light smile.

However, after a moment's thought, since the trade involves things not exactly proper, choosing such a remote place is actually normal.

"Let's go."

The two went down the mountain path and quickly reached the valley entrance.

A young Foundation Establishment cultivator in a black robe lazily leaned against the stone wall at the gate; seeing them approach, he stretched out a hand to block their path: "Newcomers? The entry fee is one bottle of medium-grade killing qi each."

Seeing that spirit stones were required, Lu Chen said nothing and immediately took two bottles of killing qi from his storage bag to hand over.

But just then, the cultivator's gaze swept over Su Qian, and his whole body suddenly shuddered.

"Condensing… Condensing Spirit realm cultivator?!"

"Sorry! Junior didn't know a senior had arrived, my apologies for the offense!"

The young cultivator hastily straightened up and, with both hands, respectfully bowed to Su Qian.

He respectfully took the bottle of killing qi Lu Chen handed over, then immediately returned it to Su Qian with a clasped‑hand salute.

"I dare not accept the entry fee; it is an honor for our humble ghost market to have a senior grace us with your presence."

Seeing this, Lu Chen's expression changed slightly.

Su Qian took the item from the cultivator, returned it to Lu Chen, then linked her arm with his and quickly entered the ghost market.

"Let's go."

The black‑robed cultivator, seeing their relationship, showed even more shock on his face.

"How can a Foundation Establishment perfection cultivator be so closely approached by a great Condensing Spirit cultivator?"

"Does he have some extraordinary talent?!"

The interior of the ghost market somewhat resembled an ancient market in Lu Chen's memory.

Because the location is not fixed, these stalls are temporarily erected and look rather crude.

However, although the appearance is somewhat shabby, there are not a few treasures he could make use of.

Although Su Qian's clothing did not reveal her figure, when she appeared in the ghost market many cultivators couldn't help but turn their gazes toward her.

However, once they noticed Su Qian's cultivation level, the disrespectful thoughts they had originally could only turn into an exclamation of astonishment.

"Condensing Spirit stage?! Which sect's elder has come?"

"And what is the identity of that male cultivator beside this senior? No wonder he's from the Heavenly Demon Sect."

Many cultivators at the stalls merely glanced and then hurriedly averted their eyes in fright.

"Does our ghost market actually have treasures worthy of a great Condensing Spirit cultivator's patronage?"

"Or perhaps it's that male cultivator beside her who needs some treasure."

"Looks like we'll make a killing in killing qi this time—no need to risk venturing into the Bone Burial Ground for a while."

"A killing? That great Condensing Spirit cultivator could casually produce a treasure far better than yours."

All of the cultivators' whispered gossip was kept extremely low, yet it still reached Lu Chen's and Su Qian's ears.

Hearing their discussion, Lu Chen faintly sensed that this trip would bring a considerable gain.

Immediately, the two walked forward and came to the nearest stall.

The stall's owner was an old man full of vicissitudes.

On the stall lay several dozen items, most of which were low‑grade magic artifacts.

What interested Lu Chen was not these magic artifacts, but a small object hanging from the old man's neck.

【Detected ancient treasure, Yin Soul Jade!】

【Original effect: Long‑term wear nurtures the soul and increases killing‑qi absorption efficiency. However, it hosts a wisp of remnant soul, which is not only useless to the wearer but, due to long‑term wear, absorbs spirit‑killing qi, causing weakness and qi deficiency, making it hard to circulate spiritual power.】

【Reversed effect: Long‑term wear nurtures the soul and increases killing‑qi absorption efficiency. It hosts a wisp of remnant soul, and long‑term wear can absorb the remnant soul's remaining soul power.】

"Nurturing the soul? I don't know if it works on the Empress Elder Sister."

The old man saw Lu Chen pause, seemed interested in his wares, and enthusiastically picked up a few items to introduce.

"Young friend, I don't know which item you've taken a liking to?"

"This blood‑colored long spear is a third‑rank magic artifact…"

However, Lu Chen wasn't listening at all; instead he countered:

"Senior, where did you get that ornament on your neck?"

"Ornament?" The old man lowered his head to glance at the Yin Soul Jade on his neck, "I found it by chance in the Bone Burial Ground half a month ago, but this item isn't for sale—you'd better look at something else."

"Not for sale?" Lu Chen frowned, fell silent for a moment, then suddenly changed the subject.

"Senior, haven't you often felt weak and powerless, fatigued to the point of being unbearable, since you obtained this?"

Upon hearing this, the old man's expression suddenly changed; he clearly sensed something unbelievable.

"How do you know?!"

"I not only know that, but I also know that if you don't take it off soon, you'll soon die from exhausted lifespan."

"What?!" The old man, frightened, hastily retreated two steps.

After thinking it over carefully, what Lu Chen said was completely correct.

When he first saw this ancient treasure, he discovered it had the effect of nurturing the soul, so he kept wearing it all the time.

But lately, not only has the soul‑nurturing effect disappeared, he also frequently feels fatigued.

Even circulating spiritual power has become somewhat difficult.

But he had never suspected before that the problem lay with this ancient treasure.

Thinking of this, the old man hurriedly took off the Netherworld Jade and threw it to the ground.

Whether it was psychological comfort or some other reason, he immediately felt his body relax considerably.

"Senior, this item is of some use to me; since you don't need it, why not give it to me?"

Lu Chen said, and was about to pick it up.

At that moment, the old man's expression suddenly changed, and he snatched the Netherworld Jade ahead of him.

"No matter what, this is my thing; if you want it, you have to name a price!"

"..." Lu Chen fell silent, but he still restrained his temper and asked the price: "How much?"

"At least fifty bottles of medium-grade killing qi."

"Fifty bottles?!" Lu Chen's eyes turned cold upon hearing that, and he immediately became displeased.

"You should know, in this grand competition's rewards, there are only a hundred bottles of medium-grade killing qi in total."

"We are all demon cultivators; reasoning with you is giving you face."

"But if you open your mouth like a lion, don't blame me for taking action."

Lu Chen withdrew his gaze and glanced at Su Qian beside him.

"Before being led, Su Qian was a thorough demon cultivator, so she naturally understood quickly."

"However, there are too many people at the ghost market; we can only look at other things for now."

"Since that's the case, forget it; I'll look at the next one."

Seeing Lu Chen about to leave, the old man still wanted to detain him a bit.

But everything was still a little too late.