Chapter 768: Soul Wood

Chen Qing’s interest was piqued when he heard this, but he quickly realized it was only natural.

The Ruan Family was a great clan with deep roots in the Land of the Three Paths, their influence widespread and complex. It was perfectly reasonable for them to have established both overt and covert businesses in Black Water Giant City, the largest marketplace for illicit goods in all of Yan Country.

With the plan settled, the trio wasted no more time. They immediately summoned the Golden Feathered Eagle, soared into the air, and headed southeast of Longze Lake toward Black Water Giant City.

The Golden Feathered Eagle was incredibly fast, riding the wind and clouds.

In less than half a day, on the edge of a vast expanse of water, the silhouette of a magnificent city gradually appeared on the horizon.

As they drew closer, the full vista of Black Water Giant City unfolded before their eyes.

The massive city was built along the water, its walls towering like mountains.

The walls were lined with countless battlements and watchtowers, and the faint figures of patrolling guards could be seen, indicating that the city was heavily fortified.

The city’s scale was immense, truly living up to its name, “Giant City.”

In Yan Country, there were only eleven such magnificent cities, each a center of deeply entrenched power with a population in the tens of millions.

The docks near the water were especially bustling, with boats of all sizes packed tightly together, their masts forming a forest.

Some were giant cargo ships, hundreds of feet long, resembling mobile fortresses.

To be able to stand firm in a place where the Three Paths met and all sorts of characters mingled, to become a “lawless land” that even the Six Great Upper Sects were reluctant to openly antagonize—the foundation and strength of Black Water Giant City were certainly not to be underestimated.

The trio rode the Golden Feathered Eagle and soon arrived in the skies above Black Water Giant City.

Following the rules, they landed on a wide street outside the city walls and proceeded on foot.

As she led the way, Ruan Lingxiu explained to Chen Qing, “There’s a no-fly restriction in the Inner City. Unless you’re a Grandmaster Level expert, no one is allowed to ride a flying mount. That estate up ahead is one of the Ruan Family’s properties in this city.”

The trio arrived before a quiet, elegant estate. Ruan Lingxiu stepped forward to knock on the gate, and an elderly man emerged a moment later.

“Young Miss, what brings you here so suddenly? If you had sent word, I could have prepared a proper welcome.”

There was a hint of panic in the old man’s voice.

“Don’t trouble yourself. This is Elder Gong Nansong, and this is my fellow disciple, Chen Qing.”

Ruan Lingxiu continued her introductions, “Liu Yue is the Steward here. If either of you needs anything, feel free to ask him.”

Liu Yue quickly bowed to Gong Nansong and Chen Qing, his demeanor deferential.

Ruan Lingxiu then said, “First, prepare a meal for us. Then, arrange for three Quiet Chambers so we can rest.”

“Yes, Young Miss. This way, please.”

Liu Yue led the trio through a covered walkway to an elegantly furnished dining hall.

Before long, a table of exquisite dishes was served.

Having traveled for days on end, the three were finally able to relax and ate their meal in silence.

However, midway through the meal, Ruan Lingxiu suddenly furrowed her brow, put down her chopsticks, and pressed her left arm.

Chen Qing noticed her unusual behavior and asked, “Junior Sister Ruan, is something wrong?”

Ruan Lingxiu shook her head, her tone uncertain. “It’s nothing. My left arm just feels a bit numb with a piercing cold… Perhaps it’s the lingering effect of Lü Hanyin’s Poison Skill from back at Ghost Cry Ravine, or maybe the damp chill from Longze Lake has seeped into my body.”

Upon hearing this, Gong Nansong’s expression grew serious. “No matter concerning Cultivation is trivial. You must not be careless. Let me take a look for you.”

Chen Qing agreed. “Elder Gong is right.”

Ruan Lingxiu considered this for a moment, then nodded. “Then I must trouble you, Elder.”

Gong Nansong brought two fingers together like a sword, slowly channeling a strand of pure, gentle True Essence into Ruan Lingxiu’s meridians to carefully investigate them.

After a few moments, he withdrew his fingers, his brow slightly furrowed. He shook his head. “Strange. Her meridians are clear, and her qi and blood are vigorous. I can’t detect any traces of poison or an accumulation of cold energy.”

Ruan Lingxiu let out a sigh of relief and smiled. “I suppose I was just overthinking it. It’s probably just fatigue.”

Gong Nansong nodded. He still felt something was amiss, but since his investigation had yielded no results, he set his doubts aside for the time being.

After the meal, Gong Nansong said, “I need to circulate my energy to recuperate and recover from my injuries as quickly as possible. I won’t be going out with you two.”

The injuries he had sustained fighting the Demoness Qi Yu from the Demon Sect did indeed require quiet recuperation.

Ruan Lingxiu turned to Chen Qing. “Brother Chen, would you like to see the Ghost Market? The one in Black Water Giant City is quite famous. It’s filled with all sorts of characters, but you can often find unique items with mysterious origins for a good price. You might even come across rare things that aren’t even in the Celestial Treasure Upper Sect’s Collection.”

Chen Qing’s interest was piqued. He nodded and said, “Alright. I’d like to see it.”

The two bid farewell to Elder Gong and left the estate.

It was nearly dusk, and the sky was growing dark.

The street they were on was quite wide, paved with massive bluestone slabs. It had been swept spotlessly clean, with hardly a fallen leaf or speck of dust to be seen.

Most of the buildings lining the street were compounds with high walls and deep courtyards, their gates shut tight, exuding an air of mystery.

Ruan Lingxiu seemed quite familiar with the area. Pointing to a magnificent, brightly-lit, seven-story tower up ahead, she said, “That’s the Eight Treasures Tower. It’s one of the best-stocked shops in the city, and it has the backing of a Vice City Lord. They really do have some fine goods inside.”

Chen Qing looked up and saw the Eight Treasures Tower, with its upturned eaves, ornate brackets, carved beams, and painted rafters. Two massive lanterns hung before the entrance, illuminating the area as if it were day.

The tower was majestic, making it an exceptionally striking sight on the otherwise quiet street.

“Let’s go in and take a look.”

Chen Qing concealed his aura and walked toward the Eight Treasures Tower with Ruan Lingxiu.

The space inside was far more vast than it appeared from the outside. The floor was paved with obsidian polished to a mirror-like sheen. The walls were adorned with a dazzling array of Spiritual Treasures and Elixirs, all faintly shimmering with Spiritual Light.