Chapter 100: Secret Agreement in the Ghost Market

The trip to the Imperial City provided a massive amount of information, giving Lin Xuan a clearer understanding of his own situation and the landscape of this realm, yet it also brought a heavier sense of pressure. The meeting with the Emperor felt more like the beginning of a tacit transaction and cooperation.

Not long after returning to the Azure Cloud Cottage, a formal invitation from the Third Imperial Prince, Huangfu Hao, was delivered, requesting a meeting at the "Drunken Immortal Pavilion," the largest restaurant in the Imperial Capital.

Lin Xuan did not refuse. Since he intended to cooperate with the Imperial Family to explore the Star-Gazing Platform, it was necessary to have prior contact and discuss details with this prince who represented the Imperial Family.

On the top floor of the Drunken Immortal Pavilion, in the private room "Cloud-Gazing Pavilion."

The view here was excellent, overlooking most of the bustling Imperial Capital. Huangfu Hao was already waiting there. Today, he was not wearing his usual imperial robes, but a moon-white silk robe, which stripped away some of his royal majesty and added a touch of the dashing elegance of a noble scion, yet the faint air of nobility and confidence between his brows could not be concealed.

Seeing Lin Xuan arrive alone (Feng Xi had remained at the cottage), Huangfu Hao stood up to welcome him, a perfectly measured, enthusiastic smile on his face: "Brother Lin, forgive my presumptuous invitation, please, sit!"

"You are too kind, Third Highness." Lin Xuan returned the salute and sat down calmly.

After the maid served the spirit tea and snacks, she retreated quietly, leaving only the two of them in the private room.

Huangfu Hao personally poured tea for Lin Xuan and got straight to the point: "My Imperial Father has surely already spoken with Brother Lin about the Star-Gazing Platform at Falling Star Lake. I will not hide it from you, Brother Lin; this matter concerns the future of the dynasty and the response to the potential threat of the 'Abyssal Void.' I, Hao, cannot shirk this responsibility."

Lin Xuan sipped his tea and said indifferently: "Your Highness, speak freely. Regarding this cooperation, what is the plan?"

"Brother Lin is straightforward." Huangfu Hao set down the teapot, his expression turning serious. "The appearance of the Star-Gazing Platform brings opportunities, but the risks are immense. The Star Palace will never sit idly by while outsiders step into the periphery of their secret realm. Forces like the Shadow Tower and the Zhao family will surely move at the first sign of wind, and it may even attract other hidden old monsters. We must work together to have any hope of gain."

"My Imperial Father ordered me to accompany you, firstly to represent the Imperial Family, and secondly to provide whatever assistance I can. I have a team of Shadow Guards under my command, all experts who can take on ten men each; they can be responsible for perimeter security and dealing with the small fry. Furthermore, I will share all records in the Imperial Secret Vault regarding the Star-Fall Secret Realm and the Star-Gazing Platform with you, Brother Lin."

Lin Xuan nodded. The Imperial Family's support in intelligence and manpower was indeed what he needed. "Very well. Once we enter the Star-Gazing Platform, how shall we proceed?"

"According to ancient records, the core area of the Star-Gazing Platform has powerful restrictions that are difficult to enter without being proficient in the Dao of the stars or possessing a special token. Brother Lin carries the Chaos, and you have the 'Star-Fall Token' in hand, so the core area will naturally be led by you, Brother Lin." Huangfu Hao’s tone was sincere. "What I require are the ancient records and techniques that may exist within the Star-Gazing Platform regarding the stabilization of the Star Towers or the suppression of the Abyssal Void's demonic energy. As for your personal opportunities, Brother Lin, I, Hao, will never covet them."

This condition was quite sincere; it clarified their respective goals and avoided internal strife.

"Agreed." Lin Xuan accepted. "However, Your Highness must keep your subordinates in check. All actions must follow my orders. If a crisis arises, I will make the decisions, and they are not to be questioned."

His tone carried an unquestionable strength. Cooperation was fine, but the leading role had to remain in his own hands.

A flicker of something unusual crossed Huangfu Hao's eyes, but he quickly returned to normal and smiled: "That is only right. Brother Lin’s strength is peerless and your experience is vast; I, Hao, will naturally follow your lead."

The preliminary framework for cooperation was thus set.

After finishing the serious business, the atmosphere lightened slightly. Huangfu Hao asked seemingly casually: "How do you feel about the Imperial Capital, Brother Lin? If you need anything, just say the word."

"It's alright." Lin Xuan’s tone was flat. "It's just that there are some flies that are a bit noisy."

He was naturally referring to the constant harassment from the Zhao family and the Shadow Tower.

Huangfu Hao understood and mused: "The Zhao family is powerful and deeply rooted; because of the death of their direct descendant, they harbor deep resentment toward you. The Shadow Tower is like a bone-eating maggot, even more troublesome. Although my Imperial Father has the intention to restrain them, the Imperial Family cannot easily interfere in some of their underhanded actions. Brother Lin, you must be extra careful."

He paused and lowered his voice: "However, I do know of a place that might help you temporarily resolve some small troubles, and perhaps... find some more concrete information regarding the Shadow Tower’s core stronghold."

"Oh? Where?" Lin Xuan raised an eyebrow.

"The Ghost Market." Huangfu Hao uttered the two words, a glimmer of light flashing in his eyes. "The Ghost Market on the surface is a mix of all sorts, but the true core transactions and intelligence take place in the 'Dark Hall.' They have the most well-informed information brokers in the Imperial Capital; as long as the price is right, there is no secret they do not know. You can even... post missions there."

Lin Xuan’s heart stirred. The Ghost Market he had visited before was only the periphery. This "Dark Hall" sounded like the true underground core.

"Your Highness has connections?"

Huangfu Hao smiled slightly, took out a token as black as ink and engraved with strange runes, and pushed it toward Lin Xuan: "This is the entry token for the 'Dark Hall.' Only by holding this token can you enter the Dark Hall to participate in auctions and secret talks. At the hour of the Rat tonight, beside the 'Blood Spring' in the deepest part of the Ghost Market mines, someone will meet you."

Lin Xuan took the token; it was ice-cold to the touch, and as his spiritual sense swept over it, he could feel a strange spatial fluctuation. "Why are you helping me, Your Highness?"

"Brother Lin is a partner, and even more so, a potential aid in dealing with the great catastrophe of the future. Helping you is also helping the dynasty, and helping myself." Huangfu Hao said frankly. "Besides, the enemy of an enemy is a friend. The Zhao family... in some matters, they are not of one mind with the Imperial Family."

These words were pregnant with meaning. Lin Xuan took a deep look at Huangfu Hao; this Third Imperial Prince was not as simple as he appeared on the surface.

"Many thanks, Your Highness." Lin Xuan put away the token.

"You are too kind, Brother Lin." Huangfu Hao raised his cup. "I wish us a pleasant cooperation, and may our trip to Falling Star Lake in three months be a complete success!"

The two finished their spirit tea and chatted for a while longer, mainly with Huangfu Hao introducing the latest developments of various forces in the Imperial Capital and people to watch out for, while Lin Xuan mostly listened.

Leaving the Drunken Immortal Pavilion, the lanterns were already being lit.

Returning to the Azure Cloud Cottage, Lin Xuan toyed with the Dark Hall token, his mind already made up.

He had to go to the Dark Hall. Not only to obtain concrete information about the Shadow Tower, but also to purchase some special items to deal with the dangers that might appear at the Star-Gazing Platform, and perhaps, he might also find other clues regarding the Star Iron (Star-Fall Token) and the "Zhou Tian Star Technique."

At the hour of the Rat, the moon was hidden and the stars were sparse.

Lin Xuan quietly left the Azure Cloud Cottage again, slipped into the night, and headed straight for the abandoned mines in the West District.

Familiar with the route, he entered the Ghost Market and walked directly toward the "Shadow Zone" in the deepest part. According to Huangfu Hao’s description, the so-called "Blood Spring" was not a real spring, but a crimson puddle that never solidified, formed by the long-term accumulation of underground baleful energy and dark blood; it was the mark of the entrance to the Dark Hall.

Passing through even more chaotic and dangerous areas, Lin Xuan finally saw that "Blood Spring," which emitted a thick, bloody, and baleful aura, at the bottom of a huge rock fissure that looked as if it had been split by a giant axe. The spring eye was only about a zhang in circumference, the blood churning and bubbling, which was nauseating.

Beside the spring eye stood a figure shrouded in a black cloak, whose aura was as cold as a corpse, as if they had merged with the surrounding shadows.

Lin Xuan took out the Dark Hall token.

The cloaked person raised their head; beneath the hood were two points of scarlet light. They glanced at the token, nodded silently, and then turned to face the churning Blood Spring, casting a complex hand seal.

The center of the Blood Spring immediately began to rotate, forming a vortex; deep within the vortex, a portal emitting a ghostly light was vaguely visible.

The cloaked person stepped aside, signaling for Lin Xuan to enter.

Lin Xuan did not hesitate; he stepped forward and plunged into the Blood Spring vortex.

After a brief sensation of suffocation, as if passing through thick blood, the view before him suddenly opened up.

He appeared in a huge and empty underground hall. The dome of the hall was embedded with skulls emitting a pale, ghastly light, and the surrounding walls were rough rock, burning with green ghost fire. The air was filled with an even more intense cold, chaotic, and greedy aura than outside.

There were far fewer people here than outside, but each one had a powerful aura, the lowest being at the early Nascent Soul stage; most had concealed their appearances and kept a wary distance from one another. In the center of the hall was a circular stone platform, which seemed to be used for auctions or displays. Scattered around were some independent stone rooms isolated by restrictions for secret talks.

This was the true dark core of the Imperial Capital—the Dark Hall!

Lin Xuan’s appearance did not attract much attention; those who could come here were no simple characters.

His gaze swept across the hall and quickly locked onto a thin, withered old man leaning in a corner with a wooden sign in front of him that read: "Selling all kinds of secrets, price negotiable." The old man’s aura was only at the mid-Nascent Soul stage, but his eyes were sharp, revealing shrewdness and cunning.

Lin Xuan walked over.

"Fellow Daoist, what information do you need?" The thin old man raised his eyelids and asked lazily.

"The Shadow Tower—besides the stronghold in the Shadow Zone of the Ghost Market, do they have other core nests in the Imperial Capital? The specific location." Lin Xuan asked directly, his voice processed by spiritual power, sounding somewhat hoarse.

A flash of light appeared in the old man’s eyes: "Information on the Shadow Tower? That’s a hot potato. As for the price..." He held up five fingers.

"Five thousand medium-grade spirit stones?" Lin Xuan raised an eyebrow.

"No, fifty thousand." The old man grinned, revealing yellowed teeth. "And, I don't guarantee it's absolutely accurate, but it's eighty percent true."

Lin Xuan did not waste words; he directly took out a storage bag containing fifty thousand spirit stones and placed it on the table.

The old man’s spiritual sense swept over it, a satisfied smile appeared on his face, and he quickly put away the spirit stones, lowering his voice: "That place in the Shadow Zone is just a front. The true core is on the edge of the 'Imperial Mausoleum Forbidden Zone,' underground in an abandoned village of tomb keepers. There is a secret teleportation array there that leads directly to the outer regions, and it is also the place where their highest-level assassins are trained and lie in wait."

The Imperial Mausoleum Forbidden Zone?! Lin Xuan’s heart was shaken. That was the place where the Imperial Family buried their successive emperors; it was heavily guarded and shrouded in powerful dragon energy and restrictions. The Shadow Tower actually dared to set their nest there? It was truly 'darkest under the lamp'! No wonder it was extremely difficult to discover.

"Source of the information?" Lin Xuan pressed.

"That is not convenient to disclose." The old man chuckled. "However, if you want to confirm it, Fellow Daoist, you might want to check the 'Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion's' stronghold in the black market. They recently received a batch of 'stolen goods,' and among them are some items that carry the scent of 'Ghost Grass,' which is unique to Shadow Tower assassins. The source... seems to be in that direction."

Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion? Lin Xuan noted this information.

"Also, regarding the recent movements of the Star Palace, especially information about the 'Star-Fall Token,' how much do you know?" Lin Xuan asked again, pushing over another bag containing twenty thousand spirit stones.

The old man’s eyes grew even brighter, and he nimbly put away the spirit stones: "The Star Palace has been very active recently; they seem to be collecting a large number of treasures containing star power, especially ancient star core fragments. Regarding the Star-Fall Token... it is said that the Star Palace itself is also frantically searching for it; this object seems to be the key to opening a certain key ruin. There are rumors that a strange treasure will appear at Falling Star Lake in three months, and it might be related to this. More specific details, I do not know."

This information corroborated what Lin Xuan already knew.

After purchasing the required information, Lin Xuan did not linger; he went to the stone platform area in the center of the Dark Hall to watch the secret auction in progress. He bid on and won a bottle of "Clear Spirit Jade Liquid" that could temporarily strengthen spiritual sense and resist illusions, as well as several high-grade "Restriction-Breaking Talismans" to prepare for the Star-Gazing Platform.

Having done all this, he did not stay any longer; following the sensation he had when he came in, he found the exit and left this dark place.

Returning to the Azure Cloud Cottage, Lin Xuan digested the night’s gains.

The location of the Shadow Tower’s core nest was extremely important information. The Imperial Mausoleum Forbidden Zone... with dragon energy and death energy intertwined and a complex environment, it was indeed an excellent place for concealment.

"The black market stronghold of the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion..." Lin Xuan mused. Perhaps he could go there to investigate further and confirm the truth of the information.

There were nearly three months left until the appearance of the Star-Gazing Platform at Falling Star Lake; he had enough time to prepare, and at the same time, he had to start dealing with some annoying "flies."

The Zhao family, the Shadow Tower... it was time to make them pay a greater price.

In Lin Xuan’s eyes, a cold light began to rise.