Chapter 337: Sky‑High Deal

We went down two more levels and arrived at a cave in the Skull Harbor black market.

"Sir, we have arrived," Kangbas said, looking toward the cave, leading Lei En into a corner inn and adding, "The trading fair's rule forbids bringing guards inside; you may have the barbarian brothers wait at the inn."

While speaking, he produced an invitation letter for the inn's owner to examine.

The inn was clearly not ordinary—no guests, only guards or bodyguards came and went; after confirming the invitation was fine, the owner promptly assigned a room.

Lei En didn't want to draw attention, so he had Xikalius bring an Extreme Warrior and stay with Kangbas's guard.

Before entering the cave, the inn's owner handed over three mithril masks.

Lei En took the masks but didn't put one on, muttering that everyone in Thus: Thus: Shengangcheng loves masks, as if no one wants to be seen clearly.

"Sir, this is a black market trading fair; many wish to conceal their identities, so they disguise themselves," Kangbas seemed to anticipate Lei En's doubt and explained, "It's also due to the Masked Lord's influence; if you dislike it, you may forgo the mask."

Lei En inspected the mithril mask in his hand; it bore markings and enchantments.

Wearing it altered his voice and blocked investigation spells below the sixth circle, showing the organizer had put considerable effort into the fair.

Kangbas and Shiweifute also chose to wear theirs.

Lei En went with the flow, pressing the mask to his face, and made sure to stow his blood‑red cloak; otherwise, others could recognize him at a glance without seeing his face.

The three entered the cave, and a masked servant immediately guided them.

They passed a dim corridor lined with rune formations, then entered a private room; the servant silently withdrew, standing outside the door to wait.

The private room was sparsely furnished, only a few dozen square meters, containing a set of wooden tables and chairs; three walls were solid stone, while one side was fully opened, revealing a theater‑like hall outside, with a performance stage directly opposite the room.

Dozens of private rooms were carved into the stone walls, stacked across multiple levels, the overall layout resembling a massive bookshelf; from any room one could see the activity on the stage.

Lei En used the Voice of All Things to listen, but gained nothing.

Obviously, the hall dedicated to the black market trading fair was equipped with a Soundproof Force Field, preventing clients in each private room from spying on one another, isolating them in separate spaces.

Only the organizer could grasp the overall situation.

Lei En sat down casually.

After a short wait, the trading fair officially began.

Another masked figure in a gray robe stepped onto the stage, clapped his hands to draw everyone's attention, and got straight to the point: "Ladies and gentlemen, let us begin. First is the auction; the first item tonight is an exquisite longsword…"

The organizer's voice was featureless, his tone flat.

He said no superfluous words, produced the longsword, outlined its enchantments and effects, added a few simple yet precise comments, then announced the reserve price, without mentioning its provenance.

Obviously, the fair didn't care whether the items were clean.

What mattered to people was the value.

Soon someone coveted the sword and began bidding.

Bids rose and fell, each client's voice altered so acquaintances couldn't recognize them. Of course, some clients wore no masks, showing their true faces, evidently unafraid of their identities being known.

The first item sold quickly, and the second began immediately.

Everything the organizer put up for auction was a masterpiece or a top‑grade item—various weapons, armor, magic soul gems, rare materials, property deeds, corporate mines, even slaves or rumors—everything was in high demand, with almost no unsold lot.

Kangbas was a veteran client of the fair, wealthy, and snapped up two items.

Shiweifute was attending for the first time; hearing bids that routinely reached tens of thousands of Gold Shields felt as effortless as splashing water, making the penniless legendary Iron Guard's heart race.

Lei En felt nothing.

From his perspective, nothing caught his eye; he knew the real highlight lay ahead, so he refrained from bidding.

The organizer was highly efficient, finishing the auction of all items in under an hour.

Among them was an epic‑grade armor that caused a stir; after fierce competition it sold for 160,000 Gold Shields, driving the fair's atmosphere to a climax.

Next came two legendary magic souls, each bearing a superlative Element, both fetching tens of thousands of Gold Shields.

Lei En attended the fair with the goal of acquiring a superlative Element, but they were all physique‑type Elements, unable to solve his teacher's problem, leaving him somewhat disappointed.

After the auction, it was time for clients to trade.

The servant stationed outside the private room entered, respectfully saying, "Clients, if you have items to sell or things you need, you may tell me now."

Kangbas had explained earlier.

The black market trading fair differs from a regular one; clients try to avoid face‑to‑face meetings, communicating through the fair's host.

Of course, if both parties agree to meet, it doesn't matter.

The fair's servants gather clients' requests, compile them for the organizer, and after sorting, distribute a catalog to all clients for subsequent negotiations.

This process design is evidently flawed.

The organizer not only extracts a hefty service fee as the primary holder of information, but also gains further advantages by intercepting certain hot items and trading them early, without other clients' knowledge.

Everyone understood this, but it is a rightful advantage for the organizer, and clients suffer little loss, so no one objected.

Hearing the servant, Kangbas and Shiweifute turned to Lei En.

"I wish to sell two items,"

Lei En said, "A young green dragon's dragon soul, unrestricted in trade, exchangeable for anything; and a Dragon Priest's Shadow Mask, an epic magical item sold for money only. Interested clients may quote, but not less than 300,000 Gold Shields."

The servant remained silent for a long moment; even with his mask on, his shock was evident.

A transaction of such value is rare even in the black market.

"Any issues?" Lei En asked.

"No, none!" the servant finally recovered, hurriedly saying, "Esteemed client, please wait a moment; I will report to the owner immediately." With that, he rushed out of the private room, so excited he forgot to close the door.

Kangbas closed the door from a distance, exclaiming, "Sir, you intend to sell the Dragon Priest's mask?"

An epic item, no one is reluctant to part with; it's rare for someone like Lei En to sell it within two hours of acquiring it.

Moreover, according to the Masked Lord, the Dragon Priest's mask in Lei En's hand is a top‑tier epic item, truly hard to let go.

Shiweifute said nothing; he was stunned by the 300,000 Gold Shields.

"Hmm," Lei En nodded, "The Shadow Mask isn't suitable for me; no matter how valuable, if I can't use it, I'd rather sell it for cash."

Kangbas and Shiweifute were unimpressed.

Epic items are rare and cannot be sought; many people with money still cannot buy them. Perhaps now they can be sold for a sky‑high price, but later buying them back at the same price is basically impossible.

The best approach is to keep it, wait for an opportunity, and exchange it with others for an equally usable epic item.

A few minutes later, a portal suddenly opened in the private room, and a strong figure stepped out; Kangbas and Shiweifute saw each other, were both startled, and hurried to stand up shouting:

"We have seen you, City Lord."

(End of Chapter)