Chapter 47

The morning sun spilled into the room through the gaps in the curtains, and Luo En had already opened his eyes from the meditation state.

He had already asked for leave from Lady Ailan before leaving yesterday, and today he decided to try to go to the black market to find those special materials.

Thinking of this, he took out the parchment glowing with faint light again and carefully checked the items recorded on it:

Dream-Eating Spider Eye Fluid, Moon Shadow Bat Heart Ash, Crystalline Moss, Night Talk Pollen...

In the small booklet of precautions he obtained after being certified as an entry-level apprentice, he found most of the materials in the "Restricted Trade Items" list.

"These things, indeed, can only be obtained through unconventional channels in the black market..."

Just as he was thinking about countermeasures, a burst of urgent knocking sounded.

Luo En went to open the door and saw Andre wearing a practical dark-colored casual suit, his blond hair simply tied behind his head, obviously prepared for today's "unofficial activities."

"Good morning, respected ally."

After the joking greeting, he flashed into the room without hesitation, closed the door, and lowered his voice: "Have you considered today's itinerary?"

Luo En nodded and pointed to the parchment spread on the bed: "The primary task is to find these materials, at least to get a rough range first."

Andre leaned closer to look, his brows gradually furrowing: "God, what exactly does Lady Ailan want to refine? Even 'Thirsty Person Tongue Coating' is on the list."

"Do you know this thing?" Luo En was somewhat surprised.

"Of course, that is a common material for advanced curse spells." Andre's expression became serious:

"It is said that you have to bind a normal person alive in the desert and let them die of thirst to extract the material with enough potency to be used as a spellcasting medium."

Luo En felt a chill in his heart. No matter what Lady Ailan wants to refine, it doesn't look like a good potion.

But he quickly made a decision—since he had already promised, he would try his best to complete it.

"It's fortunate to have you, this know-it-all who knows a little bit about everything." He patted the blond young man's shoulder: "Otherwise, I really wouldn't know how to find these things."

"That's really an honor to be able to help Young Master Luo En." Andre revealed a trace of proud smile: "Regarding the black market, I do know some inside information."

He looked at the sky: "These few days are a good opportunity. At this time every month, the 'Sunset Tavern' will have special trading sessions, just in time for us to try our luck."

Luo En quickly packed his personal belongings, including some magic stone fragments, self-defense weapons, and several self-made potions, and then the two quietly left the apprentice dormitory area.

Through several paths with few people, they gradually moved away from the school's central area and moved toward the mortal settlements and streets on the outer edge of the Black Mist Jungle.

"Be careful of the eyes around you."

Andre reminded in a low voice while walking: "Although the school will not explicitly forbid apprentices from going to the black market area, if they are caught trading restricted items directly, they will not refuse the magic stone fragments delivered to their door."

This is probably the so-called... fishing law enforcement, Luo En nodded and remembered, while strengthening his vigilance against the surroundings.

Through the keen perception acquired by his multiple professions, he could feel that the further he walked toward the edge of the Black Mist Jungle, the more chaotic the magic power fluctuations in the air became.

All kinds of messy energy traces intertwined, forming a unique atmosphere.

After passing through several winding alleys, they finally arrived in front of a dilapidated two-story wooden building.

"This is it—'Sunset Tavern'." Andre looked up at the rickety sign in front of the door:

"It's just an ordinary tavern on the surface, but it's actually the safest underground trading place in this area."

Pushing open the creaking wooden door of the "Sunset Tavern," what rushed toward them was a complex breath mixed with alcohol, tobacco, and the body odors of various alien races.

Luo En wrinkled his nose, trying to adapt to this rich smell that was suffocating.

The light in the tavern was dim, and a few magic crystal lamps barely illuminated the crowded space.

Outside of sight and smell, the low conversations of various creatures and the sound of wine glasses colliding mixed together, forming a strange harmony.

Strange-looking alien races squeezed together, some with bodies as tall as mountains, but curled up in the corner sipping wine from huge wooden cups;

Some were small and agile, but could finish a wine glass bigger than their own head in one breath.

The way these strange guys talked in low voices or drank alone made this place look both mysterious and dangerous.

Luo En's gaze swept across the tavern and saw several humans in different outfits mixed in—

There were tattered clothes unique to exiles, gorgeous robes in noble style, and some outfits that looked like hunters or mercenaries. Their eyes were generally vigilant and sharp.

"Over there." Andre pulled Luo En's sleeve lightly, his voice pressed very low, pointing to a corner of the bar with his eyes:

"See that gray dwarf? That's Ao Tuo, an intermediary I know who is relatively reliable."

Luo En followed his pointing and found a gray dwarf with a thick beard and a height only to the waist of an ordinary person sitting on a high stool, with half a glass of beer in front of him.

That dwarf looked like a wrinkled rock endowed with life—his skin was gray-brown, covered with calluses, and his hands were tightly holding the wine glass, as if it were some priceless treasure.

The two walked toward the bar. Andre skillfully gestured to the bartender, and then whispered to Luo En: "Let me do it first, Ao Tuo doesn't like strangers asking about transactions directly."

The bartender quickly sent two cups of turbid liquid with foam. Luo En took it carefully. The liquid emitted a sour smell that made people frown, and a layer of foam floated on the surface.

Andre picked up a cup and took a light sip, then pretended to turn to the gray dwarf unintentionally:

"Long time no see, Mr. Ao Tuo, the taste of today's ale is still so bad."

The gray dwarf didn't even raise his head, just tapped the rim of the cup with his rough fingers, making a regular thumping sound, as if confirming some kind of secret code: "Oh? Which old friend is here?"

The voice was low and hoarse, like two rough rocks rubbing against each other.

"The 'Highland Mineral Vein Guide' you helped me find last time was a big help."

Andre used a specific secret language, his voice pressed even lower: "Unfortunately, I encountered some small troubles later and had to lose the book. It's really a pity, that was a rare good book."

Hearing this, the dwarf slowly raised his head, and a pair of blue eyes flickered with shrewd light under thick eyebrows.

Those eyes formed a sharp contrast with his rough appearance, clear and sharp, revealing a kind of wisdom that did not match his appearance.

"Hey, it's you, Your Highness the Little Prince." He said softly, while vigilantly scanning the surroundings: "Looks like you have some special needs again?"

(End of chapter)