sjar Chapter 110: Walking in the Black Market
Chapter 110: Walking in the Black Market
Xu Xiaoxiao, Chu Yi, and Chu Er walked out of the library dejectedly. The sunlight shone on them, but it could not dispel the gloom in their hearts.
Xu Xiaoxiao bit her lower lip tightly, her eyes filled with resentment. She stopped and looked up at the distant, rolling mountains, as if speaking to the first and second grades of junior high school, or encouraging herself: "We can't give up like this, there must be other ways."
The first and second-year students nodded firmly, their eyes shining with trust and determination.
At this moment, Xu Xiaoxiao's eyes suddenly lit up, and she said excitedly, "Perhaps we can consult those elders who are highly skilled in alchemy. Maybe they know the method of refining the Nine Yang Divine Furnace, or they can provide us with some useful clues."
After saying that, she clenched her fists, as if she had already seen hope.
The three of them immediately headed to the elders' residence. Along the way, Xu Xiaoxiao walked quickly, her clothes fluttering in the wind.
The first-year student, like a cheerful little bird, hopped and skipped ahead, muttering, "The elders must know a lot of things we don't." The second-year student followed closely behind, his eyes focused and serious.
Arriving at the Third Elder's courtyard, Xu Xiaoxiao took a deep breath, straightened her clothes, and then gently knocked on the door.
An elderly man with white hair opened the door, his eyes filled with doubt.
Xu Xiaoxiao bowed respectfully, her face showing a hint of expectation, and said, "Third Elder, we are troubled by the search for the method of refining the Nine Yang Divine Furnace. You are highly respected in the art of alchemy. I wonder if you could give us some guidance?"
The Third Elder frowned slightly, pondered for a moment, and then said, "The Nine Yang Divine Furnace is extremely rare, and my knowledge of it is limited. However, you can try your luck at the black market outside the sect. There may be some ancient books that have been sealed away or people who know the secrets there, but you must be very careful."
A hint of hesitation flashed in Xu Xiaoxiao's eyes, but it was quickly replaced by determination. After bowing again to thank the Third Elder, she turned and left with Chu Yi and Chu Er.
On the way down the mountain, Chu Er said with some worry, "Master, the black market is a mixed bag, won't it be dangerous?"
Xu Xiaoxiao raised her chin slightly and said fearlessly, "For our senior brother, we have to try even if it's dangerous."
The first-year student clenched his little fists and chimed in, "Yes, we're not afraid!"
When they stepped into the bustling black market, the place was filled with people coming and going, and all sorts of hawking and noise mingled in their ears.
Xu Xiaoxiao carefully weaved through the crowd, her eyes warily observing her surroundings.
First-year students clung tightly to Xu Xiaoxiao's clothes, while second-year students followed behind, alertly watching for any movement behind them.
They stopped in front of a stall selling old books. Xu Xiaoxiao carefully flipped through the old books, her eyes revealing eagerness and longing.
The stall owner, a shrewd middle-aged man, sized them up and said, "Young lady, these are all rare ancient books. You might find what you're looking for."
Xu Xiaoxiao did not respond, but focused on searching.
Suddenly, she picked up an ancient booklet. On the cover of the booklet was a faint image of a furnace. Her hands trembled slightly, her heart raced, and she eagerly opened it to take a look. However, there was no information about the method of refining the Nine Yang Divine Furnace inside.
Her eyes dimmed for a moment, but she quickly rallied and continued searching for other possible clues in the black market.
The three continued their journey through the bustling black market, surrounded by all sorts of people: mysterious figures in black robes looking hurried, and vendors loudly hawking various strange items.
Xu Xiaoxiao held tightly to the first and second year students, her eyes scanning the various stalls, not missing any corner that might hold clues.
Suddenly, Chu Yi pointed in a direction and shouted, "Master, there seems to be a stall selling alchemy tools over there. Maybe we can find something there!" Upon hearing this, Xu Xiaoxiao immediately led them toward the stall.
The stall owner was a burly man with a full beard. In front of him were all sorts of alchemy furnaces and tools. Although most of them looked quite ordinary, Xu Xiaoxiao still decided to ask about them carefully.
"Uncle, do you have any information about the Nine Yang Divine Furnace or any related refining methods?" Xu Xiaoxiao asked politely, her eyes filled with anticipation.
The burly man glanced up at them, frowning slightly as if deep in thought. After a moment, he said, "The Nine Yang Divine Furnace? That's a rare item. I've heard some rumors about it, but the specific method of its creation isn't easy to obtain. However, I have an ancient book here, which I acquired from a mysterious person years ago. It records many strange and unusual alchemy techniques, and it might mention the Nine Yang Divine Furnace. As for the price..."
Xu Xiaoxiao's heart skipped a beat, and she quickly asked, "Uncle, how much? As long as you can help us find useful clues, the price is negotiable!"
The burly man held up five fingers and waved them: "Fifty mid-grade spirit stones."
Xu Xiaoxiao's expression changed slightly; this price was no small sum for them.
She gritted her teeth, preparing to bargain with the burly man, when suddenly a short man with a pointed face and monkey-like features approached her, grinning and saying, "Oh, little girl, I can see you really want it. How about this, I have some information here that's much more useful than this ancient book. Just give me thirty mid-grade spirit stones, and I'll tell you."
Xu Xiaoxiao looked at him warily: "Are you serious? What news?"
The short man lowered his voice mysteriously: "I heard that the method of refining the Nine Yang Divine Furnace once appeared in the hands of a reclusive alchemy master. He lives in the Cloud Mist Mountain not far from here. If you can find him, you might be able to obtain the method of refining it."
Xu Xiaoxiao hesitated, unsure whether she should believe this person.
At this moment, the second-year junior high school student whispered in her ear, "Master, this person doesn't seem very reliable. We should be careful."
Xu Xiaoxiao nodded and said to the short man, "Thank you for the information, but I can't confirm its authenticity yet. I'll give you the reward after I verify it."
Upon hearing this, the short man's face showed displeasure: "Hmph, what's wrong with you, little girl? I kindly told you the news, but you don't believe me. Fine, fine, if you don't want to, then forget it." With that, he turned and slipped away.
Xu Xiaoxiao ignored him and continued to negotiate prices with the burly man selling alchemy equipment.
After some haggling, they finally bought the ancient book for thirty mid-grade spirit stones.
She carefully opened the ancient book and studied it carefully with the first and second graders. However, although it mentioned some methods of making divine furnaces, none of them were the Nine Yang Divine Furnace.
Just as they were feeling somewhat disappointed, a commotion suddenly arose from not far away.