READ NOVEL ONLINE Chapter 129: Underground Market
Chapter 129: Underground Market
After waiting for about an hour, there was a knock at the door.
Xu Lian opened it to find Jiang Xianyu standing outside.
At such a close distance, his impression of her became even more vivid.
Her youthful face, clad in a fitted leather armor, accentuated her full figure.
“Have you finished delivering the goods?” Xu Lian asked casually, stepping aside to let her in, unsure of what else to say.
Jiang Xianyu walked in and nodded with a soft “Mm.”
Xu Lian closed the door and looked at her with eager eyes. He decided not to beat around the bush and said directly, “Shall we chat first, or shall we complete the rules of the fateful marriage from Ghost Child Ridge?”
Jiang Xianyu’s cheeks flushed slightly as she removed the large sword from her back and leaned it against the door. “It’s up to you, husband.”
Who could wait? Without hesitation, Xu Lian replied, “First, let us complete the rules of the fateful marriage of Ghost Child Ridge, then we can talk about our respective situations.”
Jiang Xianyu had no choice but to take out the red veil, place it over her head, and sit down by the bed.
Xu Lian immediately walked over, and without further ado, they consummated their union.
At noon, Xu Lian received an affection level notification, which surprised and delighted him.
[Name: Xu Lian]
[Stage: Bright Strength Stage 9]
[Skills: Breaking Wind Sword Technique (Volumes 1-3), Seven Styles of Primal Gang (Complete), Short Fist – Shadow Pursuit]
[Item: 3-Star Longsword (Not Equipped)]
[Note 1: Jiang Xianyu’s affection for you is 80/100]
[Note 2: You have already allocated points to your stage. Add one Nightbloom Flower to advance to Dark Strength Level 1.]
[Note 3: You have six unused progression points.]
Xu Lian never expected Jiang Xianyu’s affection for him to start at 80!
It was clear that Jiang Xianyu’s impression of him wasn’t bad at all.
Of course, the main reason was that Jiang Xianyu believed in fate, which made her more accepting of him psychologically.
There was a knock at the door, and the voice of the innkeeper came through, “Guest, your lunch is here.”
Xu Lian had no choice but to get up and bring in the food.
After Jiang Xianyu finished washing up, they ate together.
“Xianyu, eat more,” Xu Lian said warmly, clearly fond of her.
Jiang Xianyu began to share her story, “I’m from the Jiang family of Taizhou Prefecture. My cultivation talent is decent.
At the age of sixteen, I reached the 6th Stage of Bright Strength. For the past three years, I’ve been busy with the caravan, which has slowed down my cultivation. My progress has only increased by one level, and my family has been pressuring me to return.
Now that I’ve found you, my destined husband, and fulfilled Ghost Child Ridge’s fateful marriage, I don’t want to stay with the caravan anymore.
I’ll be returning to Taizhou Prefecture soon. Will you accompany me to Taizhou Prefecture to meet my parents?
After meeting my parents, whether you want to stay with the Jiang family in Taizhou Prefecture to cultivate together or return to Pingyang County, I’m willing to stay with you and follow your arrangements.”
A woman who believes in fate is truly wonderful… Xu Lian thought. He then said, “Xianyu, it’s only right that I accompany you to Taizhou Prefecture to meet your parents. However, it’s unlikely that I’ll stay in Taizhou Prefecture. As you know, you’re not the only person in my life.”
Jiang Xianyu suggested, “What if we bring them all to Taizhou Prefecture? The city is rich in cultivation resources, and it’s much more convenient for cultivation than Pingyang County.”
Xu Lian shook his head, “Bringing so many people to rely on the Jiang family wouldn’t be appropriate. The Jiang family would surely have objections. It’s better if you come with me.”
Jiang Xianyu didn’t insist any further. She gently nodded and said, “I will listen to you, husband.”
After finishing their meal, they naturally took an afternoon rest.
In the evening, they got up for dinner.
Xu Lian brought up the matter of the Nightbloom Flower: “Xianyu, you’ve been leading the caravan for over three years, and you’ve frequently traveled between Pingyang County and Yanfu County. You must be quite familiar with Yanfu County. Do you know about the local specialty spiritual item, the Nightbloom Flower?”
Jiang Xianyu looked at him with a strange expression, “The Nightbloom Flower is a cultivation resource for the Dark Strength level. Are you about to break through to Dark Strength?”
Xu Lian didn’t hide it from her, “My cultivation has reached Bright Strength Stage 9, and I’m about to advance to Dark Strength.”
Jiang Xianyu’s eyes sparkled with admiration, “At your age, you’re already close to Dark Strength. Your cultivation talent is far superior to mine.”
Xu Lian smiled, “We both have good cultivation talents. Our children will surely inherit it.”
Jiang Xianyu hadn’t thought about having children so soon, but if her destined husband wanted it, she wouldn’t object.
Then she spoke about the Nightbloom Flower, “Have you noticed that in Yanfu County, although it’s chaotic, most of the people and demons are of average strength? There aren’t many powerful cultivators because the strong ones are all competing for the Nightbloom Flower.”
Xu Lian frowned, “So it’s difficult to obtain the Nightbloom Flower?”
Jiang Xianyu nodded, “It is indeed very difficult. The areas where the Nightbloom Flower grows are mostly controlled by various sects and powerful demons. They guard it fiercely, and anyone who gets too close is killed”.
Xu Lian asked, “If it’s hard to steal, is it available for purchase?”
Jiang Xianyu replied, “Only a small amount is circulating on the market, and the price is extremely high. Each Nightbloom Flower costs over a thousand Spirit Stones.”
Xu Lian made a quick calculation. One Nightbloom Flower was needed to advance to Dark Force level 1, two to level 2, four to level 3… and so on, until level 9, which required 256. This followed the same progression pattern as the Bright Strength Rank. In total, he would need 511 Nightbloom Flowers.
At one thousand Spirit Stones each, that would be 511,000 Spirit Stones.
Currently, he had a little over 290,000 Spirit Stones, which wasn’t nearly enough.
I thought I was quite wealthy… but it seems that I’m still poor, Xu Lian thought regretfully.
If he could only sell the Heavenly Serpent Grass, then 511,000 Spirit Stones would be nothing.
Noticing his dilemma, Jiang Xianyu asked, “How many Nightbloom Flowers do you need to buy? If you’re short on Spirit Stones, I have some.”
The benefits of a fated marriage… Xu Lian thought, but he hesitated to ask. If the shortage wasn’t too large, he could borrow some from her. However, he was short by a whopping 200,000 Spirit Stones, which was a huge sum. Even if she was from the Jiang family, she most likely couldn’t produce that amount immediately. He didn’t want to put her in a difficult position.
“I’m not short of Spirit Stones for now,” Xu Lian said thoughtfully.
He was currently at Bright Strength 9th Stage. Attempting to steal Nightbloom Flower would be extremely difficult. But what if he advanced to Dark Strength 7th Stage first and then went after them?
That would be a different story!
After all, the high level Bright Strength was the ceiling for young geniuses in the county.
Meanwhile, the high levels of Dark Strength was the ceiling for young geniuses in the prefecture city, putting him on par with the older generation in the county. Even if he couldn’t win, at least he could protect himself.
That’s the plan! Xu Lian decided.
“Xianyu, do you know where I can buy Nightbloom Flowers?” he asked.
Jiang Xianyu replied, “There is an underground market in Yanfu County where cultivation resources are traded.”
So Xu Lian and Jiang Xianyu left the Laifu Inn.
Since she said it wasn’t far, they decided to walk instead of riding their horses. Xu Lian carried his sword, while Jiang Xianyu had her large sword strapped to her back. Their imposing appearance deterred any trouble, and they arrived at the underground market without incident.