Sea Market of the Void Realm

The black gate stood towering in the middle of the great hall.

No light.

No runes.

Not even a single obvious fluctuation of spiritual energy.

And yet, the longer Hao Nhien looked at it, the less it resembled an ordinary door.

Not because its aura was overwhelming.

But because it was too still.

Around the hall, cultivators dressed in every kind of clothing moved constantly in and out. Some had just entered. Some sat waiting. Others argued with gray-robed cultivators standing behind stone counters.

In a distant corner, several people lowered their heads over jade slips, occasionally recording something onto smaller jade tablets.

Yet the area directly before the black gate remained noticeably empty.

No one casually stood too close.

Hao Nhien observed for a moment.

"This is the Sea Market?"

Earth One leaned on his staff.

"Mm."

"Where is the market?"

Earth One glanced at him.

"You think the Sea Market only sells objects?"

Hao Nhien did not answer.

Earth One stepped onto the stone stairs.

"In Sea City, anything with value can be sold."

"Objects."

"Information."

"Sea routes."

"Experience."

"Even…"

He looked toward the black gate.

"…the way a person chooses."

Lang Tuyet raised an eyebrow slightly.

"Even a person's choices can be sold?"

"If someone is willing to buy them."

Earth One answered as naturally as if discussing pills or spirit stones.

Hao Nhien looked around again.

Only now did he notice that the people behind the stone counters did not resemble ordinary merchants.

There were no goods displayed before them.

Instead, stacks of jade slips covered the counters.

Large and small sea charts hung on the walls behind them.

Some regions had been marked in red.

Some were crossed out.

Others bore only simple symbols.

Several cultivators who had just emerged from the black gate were immediately guided toward different sections.

None appeared critically injured.

But most did not look like people who had merely completed an ordinary trial.

One Foundation Establishment cultivator stepped out and immediately turned back toward the gate.

Once.

Then again.

Then a third time.

Only after that did he finally sit on a stone bench.

His hands were still trembling.

A gray-robed cultivator approached.

"What did you see?"

The man remained silent for a long time.

"The sea."

"Where?"

"Don't know."

"Direction?"

"Unclear."

"Did you have a Sea Mark?"

"Yes."

"Position?"

The man frowned.

"At first, it still appeared on the chart."

"After that…"

"I'm not certain."

The gray-robed cultivator showed no irritation.

He simply continued recording.

"What did you do afterward?"

"Kept going."

"Why?"

"I thought I would die if I turned back."

"Was something chasing you?"

"Don't know."

"But it was very strong."

The gray-robed cultivator nodded and added several more lines to the jade slip.

Hao Nhien watched for a while.

"What do you collect all of this for?"

Earth One answered immediately.

"To sell."

"To whom?"

Earth One gave a hoarse laugh.

"To people who want to live longer than the ones before them."

Lang Tuyet had slowed her pace.

Her gaze passed over the jade slips being classified across the tables.

"So Earth Spirit collects the experiences of people who entered the Void Realm, organizes them, and sells them again?"

"Mm."

"Whether they succeeded or failed?"

"Both have value."

Lang Tuyet smiled faintly.

"Waste nothing."

Earth One did not deny it.

At that moment, the black gate trembled slightly.

There was no sound.

But the surface, previously as still as stone, suddenly rippled.

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In the next instant, three figures were thrown out almost simultaneously.

BOOM!

One dropped to his knees.

One landed flat on his back.

The last began crawling backward the moment he hit the floor.

"No!"

He gasped for breath.

Sweat covered his forehead.

"I'm not going in again!"

A gray-robed cultivator calmly walked over.

"You're already out."

"I know."

"But…"

The man continued staring at the gate.

His eyes were filled with fear.

Lang Tuyet watched for a moment.

"Dying inside does not mean dying in reality?"

"Within the protected limits of the rules, that is correct."

Earth One replied.

Lang Tuyet turned toward him.

"Then what is that man afraid of?"

Earth One looked at her.

"Perhaps because when he died, it did not feel false."

Hao Nhien frowned slightly.

Earth One continued,

"Those who enter the Void Realm still carry their own bodies, spiritual sense, and power."

"What they experience inside feels real."

"Pain."

"Exhaustion."

"Even death."

"But once they are defeated, the Void Realm forcibly expels them."

"Physical injuries can be restored within the limits of its rules."

Hao Nhien looked at the gate.

"And the soul?"

This time, Earth One paused.

"That is where the real danger lies."

Lang Tuyet narrowed her eyes slightly.

"The body can be restored, but the soul cannot?"

"Not always."

Earth One replied.

"If the impact is too severe, the lighter cases fall unconscious."

"The heavier ones damage their foundation."

"Some wake and discover that a section of memory is missing."

"There are even people…"

He paused.

"…who are no longer entirely the same person they were before entering."

Hao Nhien fell silent.

He understood how dangerous that was.

Physical injuries could still be treated with pills and spiritual energy.

But once the soul itself was affected, ordinary methods might be useless.

Lang Tuyet looked toward the man who had just been expelled.

"If they know it is so dangerous, why would anyone want to enter again?"

Earth One shrugged lightly.

"Because there are things inside worth going back for."

Hao Nhien followed her gaze.

The man who had been trembling only moments earlier had already begun asking the gray-robed cultivator beside him about the price of entering again.

Hao Nhien could not help thinking.

A place capable of frightening someone that badly—

yet still unable to stop them from returning.

What exactly existed inside?

"Did Earth Spirit create it?" Hao Nhien asked.

"Not entirely."

Earth One continued walking with his staff.

"The original thing already existed."

"Earth Spirit only exploited it, developed it, and found ways to control what could be controlled."

Hao Nhien looked at the black gate again.

He wanted to ask about its true origin.

Earth One clearly had no intention of explaining further.

Lang Tuyet suddenly spoke.

"I still think what everyone is rushing toward is far too vague."

Earth One glanced at her.

Then laughed.

"Don't you already have a reason to enter?"

Lang Tuyet fell silent.

Hao Nhien did not answer either.

They reached the registration area on the right side of the hall.

Three large stone counters stood there.

Above them hung white, black, and dark-red plaques.

Earth One stopped.

"To enter the Void Realm, you first sign a contract."

Hao Nhien looked at the three plaques.

"They are different?"

"Very."

Earth One pointed toward the white one.

"White Contract."

"After leaving, you only surrender basic data."

"Starting position."

"Route taken."

"What you encountered."

"And the final result."

"Earth Spirit does not ask deeply."

His staff shifted toward the black plaque.

"Black Contract."

"Besides route information, the merchant association is also permitted to record the way you fight, use spiritual energy, and respond to danger."

"In exchange, the merit reward is higher."

"You also gain access to some information unavailable to those who sign the White Contract."

Lang Tuyet looked toward the dark-red plaque.

"Blood Contract?"

Earth One nodded faintly.

"Almost everything."

"Not merely actions."

"Choices."

"Hesitation."

"What you prioritize."

"Who you save."

"Who you abandon."

"What you are willing to sacrifice."

"And what you refuse to sacrifice."

Lang Tuyet smiled faintly.

"In other words, you sell your nature as well."

Earth One looked at her.

"You understood quickly this time."

Hao Nhien looked at the red plaque.

"People actually sign it?"

"Many."

"Why?"

"It has a price."

Earth One answered immediately.

"Some need spirit stones."

"Some need pills."

"Some need a place aboard a ship."

"Others simply want one more chance."

His gaze shifted to Hao Nhien.

"People who possess something they cannot afford to lose are often willing to pay very high prices."

Hao Nhien did not answer.

The words reminded him of the Sea Lake.

Lang Tuyet looked at Earth One a little longer.

"Senior did not bring us here intending for us to sign a Blood Contract, did you?"

"No."

Earth One answered immediately.

Lang Tuyet looked slightly surprised.

"No?"

"If you signed one, this old man would find it troublesome."

"Why?"

Earth One looked at her.

"You want Earth Spirit recording everything you know?"

Lang Tuyet paused.

"No."

He looked toward Hao Nhien.

"And you?"

"I do not intend to do that either."

Earth One gave a faint snort.

"At least you still know how to think."

The corner of Lang Tuyet's mouth lifted.

At that moment, Hao Nhien noticed several gazes around the hall beginning to turn toward them.

At first, only brief glances.

Then more people began paying attention.

Some looked at him.

Some at Lang Tuyet and Lanh Hoa.

But most ultimately stopped on Earth One.

Lang Tuyet noticed as well.

"Senior is famous?"

"No."

"Then what are they looking at?"

"Me."

Lang Tuyet paused.

Earth One laughed hoarsely.

"This old man does not often bring people here personally."

Hao Nhien understood.

One newcomer might not attract attention.

Three newcomers might not either.

But three newcomers personally escorted by Earth One were something else.

As expected, before ten breaths had passed, someone approached.

A middle-aged man in pale-blue robes.

Late Foundation Establishment.

Six or seven jade plaques hung from his waist, each bearing the name of a different merchant association.

He stopped two steps from Lang Tuyet and politely cupped his hands.

"Miss."

Lang Tuyet tilted her head slightly.

"You know who to speak to."

The man laughed professionally.

"First time entering the Void Realm?"

Lang Tuyet did not answer.

He apparently did not require one.

He took out a thin jade tablet.

"I represent three groups purchasing data."

"We do not need cultivation methods."

"We do not need combat techniques."

"We do not even care what type of spiritual energy you use."

"We only purchase routes."

Hao Nhien looked at the tablet.

"Even roads can be sold?"

The man immediately turned toward him.

"In Sea City, a road that keeps someone alive is one of the most valuable things there is."

Then he looked back at Lang Tuyet.

"I can advance five merit points."

"In exchange, if you discover an unrecorded region, our side receives priority in negotiating for the first copy of the data."

Lang Tuyet asked,

"Priority in negotiation?"

"Yes."

"We are not obligated to sell?"

"No."

"Who sets the price?"

"Both sides negotiate."

Lang Tuyet immediately handed the jade tablet back.

"Someone arrived before this friend of yours."

"My apologies."

The man looked slightly surprised.

He glanced toward Earth One.

Then laughed.

"Miss understands the trade."

He did not linger.

Only cupped his hands.

"If you change your mind after returning, ask for Jin Three."

The moment he left, a petite female cultivator walked over carrying a stack of jade slips.

"Route reports."

"Old maps."

"Data on lost Sea Mark connections."

"Sea-beast lists."

"Known anomaly zones."

"Prices range from one to twenty merit."

Hao Nhien looked at her.

"We don't even know what route we will enter."

"You can buy a general package."

Lang Tuyet immediately asked,

"How much?"

"Three merit."

"Includes the thirty-two most common routes."

"What about uncommon routes?"

"Sold separately."

Lang Tuyet thought for a moment.

"Give me the cheapest package."

Hao Nhien turned toward her.

The female cultivator immediately handed over a jade slip.

"Three merit."

Lang Tuyet pointed toward Earth One.

"Put it on his account."

Earth One: "…"

The female cultivator looked toward the old man.

Earth One was silent for a moment.

Then gave a faint snort.

"Record it."

Lang Tuyet accepted the jade slip.

Her spiritual sense swept through it once.

Then she returned it.

Hao Nhien asked quietly,

"Useful?"

"Yes."

"A lot?"

"No."

"Then why buy it?"

Lang Tuyet glanced toward the surrounding information counters.

"To learn how much three merit buys."

Hao Nhien paused.

Then understood.

Lang Tuyet smiled faintly.

"Information that is true but known by everyone is usually the cheapest kind."

Earth One's mouth twitched slightly.

Before he could say anything, another voice interrupted.

"Do the three of you need a ship?"

Hao Nhien turned.

A fat old man stood nearby.

Five miniature spiritual vessels, each no larger than a palm, were displayed before him.

"No."

Hao Nhien answered.

Earth One said,

"Yes."

Hao Nhien looked toward him.

"I already have one."

"I know."

"Then why buy another?"

Earth One leaned on his staff.

"If you have one, you should have a second."

Hao Nhien frowned slightly.

Earth One looked at him.

"At sea, the thing that ends a journey fastest is not necessarily an enemy."

His staff pointed toward the miniature ships.

"It is having no ship left."

Hao Nhien fell silent.

Earth One continued,

"The better your artifact, the less you should let others know it is the only thing you have."

Hao Nhien understood.

The Cosmic Ark was not something he could freely reveal before outsiders.

A normal spiritual vessel would be far more convenient as cover and for ordinary travel when the Ark was unnecessary.

Lang Tuyet had already walked to the stall.

"Which is the cheapest one that a Golden Core cultivator cannot easily break?"

The fat old man immediately smiled.

"Miss knows how to choose."

He took out a gray vessel.

"Azure Sea Vessel."

"Not fast."

"Not beautiful."

"No offensive formation."

"But the hull is sturdy."

"The defensive formation can withstand several attacks from a late Golden Core cultivator."

"Very suitable for ordinary travel."

"How much?"

"Eight hundred mid-grade spirit stones."

"Three hundred."

The fat old man: "…"

Hao Nhien looked at her.

Earth One did too.

The old merchant took a deep breath.

"Miss, this is not robbery."

Lang Tuyet nodded.

"That is why I offered payment."

The bargaining began directly at the stall.

In the end, the Azure Sea Vessel was purchased for five hundred and twenty mid-grade spirit stones.

The fat old man accepted the payment and happily departed.

Lang Tuyet continued holding the miniature vessel.

She slowly rotated it once.

Hao Nhien noticed that one fingertip had stopped at a very small point beneath the hull.

A strand of spiritual energy as thin as hair slipped silently between two formation layers.

A point of light flashed.

Then immediately went dark.

Lang Tuyet continued smiling.

Said nothing.

After they walked several steps, Hao Nhien asked quietly,

"What was it?"

"Someone wants to know where we go."

"A tracking mark?"

"Mm."

"Removed?"

"Two."

Hao Nhien paused.

"Two?"

"One remains."

"Why leave it?"

Lang Tuyet glanced at him.

"They worked so hard to place it."

"If we show them nothing at all, would that not be terribly rude?"

For a moment, Hao Nhien had no response.

Earth One laughed faintly ahead.

"People from Mystic Spirit truly know how to conduct business."

Lang Tuyet answered calmly,

"Because we conduct business as well."