Chapter 203 - 148: Descending from the Sky, a Trampling Stomp

Chapter 203: Chapter 148: Descending from the Sky, a Trampling Stomp

The entire island was enormous.

It was divided into several districts.

Aside from the residential area for the Martial Alliance experts, the other side of the island housed the black market under the Alliance’s jurisdiction.

The black market was set up like a sprawling flea market, with stalls lining the path along the island’s edge.

A dazzling array of goods was on display, with seemingly everything one could imagine.

Some stalls even sold demon beasts, women, or secret manuals...

As for heavenly and earthly treasures...

Chen Xuan looked around carefully and did indeed see quite a few.

However, there were very, very few that could enhance one’s cultivation.

As they strolled along the island path,

Elder Wuu, for his part, was not idle.

He had immediately placed the Fire Python Inner Core in a conspicuous location.

This was the easternmost part of the black market, an excellent spot.

Typically, only the most precious and important items were put on sale here.

And it was here that the greatest number of experts gathered.

Soon, a crowd gathered, their voices buzzing with discussion.

"That’s a Fire Python Inner Core..."

"I think it is. Rumor has it that the Fire Python Inner Core was obtained by Chen Xuan, the first on the Human List. He’s actually selling it here?"

"That’s right. It’s the Fire Python Inner Core used to refine the Nine-Turn Nirvana Pill."

"Elder Wuu, what’s the price for this Fire Python Inner Core?"

...

"This Inner Core is only for trade, in exchange for heavenly and earthly treasures used for cultivation. No other items will be accepted!"

Elder Wuu announced domineeringly.

He had to project an imposing air, considering who he was selling this item for.

With Yama Chen backing him, how could he show any weakness in his demeanor?

"Only for heavenly and earthly treasures used for cultivation?"

The crowd’s expressions shifted again.

Generally speaking, heavenly and earthly treasures were divided into dozens of categories.

There were those for healing, support, calming the mind, extending one’s lifespan, and so on.

But the rarest among them were undoubtedly the ones used for cultivation.

This was because anyone who obtained such an item would almost always consume it immediately.

Who would ever take one out to sell?

And who would ever complain that their cultivation was too high?

"Excuse me, how many cultivation-type heavenly and earthly treasures are you asking for in exchange?"

Someone else asked.

"The more, the better. Whoever offers the most gets it,"

Elder Wuu replied faintly.

A stir went through the crowd once more.

Many began to deliberate inwardly.

’A Fire Python Inner Core can be refined into a Nine-Turn Nirvana Pill, which is said to be capable of healing any injury in the world...’

’Obtaining this item was undoubtedly like gaining a second life.’

’But the crucial thing was its immense value.’

’It wouldn’t be easy for an ordinary person to acquire it.’

"Huh? A Fire Python Inner Core. Good stuff. Let me have a look!"

Suddenly, a surprised exclamation came from within the crowd.

Then, a black whip shot out like a bolt of lightning, instantly lashing toward the Fire Python Inner Core, intending to wrap around it and forcibly retrieve it.

Elder Wuu’s expression changed, and he quickly reached out to grab the Fire Python Inner Core.

However, the black whip seemed to have a life of its own. It swerved, carrying an unfathomably terrifying force, and suddenly swept out, striking Elder Wuu’s body.

CRACK! With a pained grunt, Elder Wuu spat out a mouthful of blood and was sent flying. He crashed heavily in the distance, his chest a bloody mess, his clothes torn open, revealing the bone beneath.

After sending Elder Wuu flying with a single strike, the black whip coiled around the Fire Python Inner Core and, under everyone’s shocked gazes, rapidly retracted, landing directly in the hand of a woman with a cold, arrogant face, dressed in a black skirt.

The woman appeared to be in her mid-thirties. She had a tall figure and a cold gaze. Taking the Fire Python Inner Core, she inspected it closely, a look of delight on her face. "Excellent, excellent. It’s even an adult Fire Python Inner Core. These are rare, even in the Grotto Heavens. I’ll take it. What’s the price?"

As she spoke, she didn’t even spare a glance for the Elder Wuu she had just sent flying.

Her male companion standing beside her also looked surprised.

His eyes fell on the fist-sized Fire Python Inner Core. "Senior Sister Zhou, your luck is really something else. You just came out for a casual stroll and stumbled upon this. Once you find someone to refine it, you’ll have a Nine-Turn Nirvana Pill."

"Hehe, wonderful, truly wonderful!"

A smile played on the woman’s face.

She completely ignored Elder Wuu.

"How dare you attack someone in the black market? And engage in a forced sale?"

Elder Wuu coughed up blood, shocked and furious. A burning pain seared his chest as he roared, "Someone, help!"

"Hmph?"

The woman’s eyes turned cold. Acting with extreme arrogance, almost as soon as Elder Wuu’s words fell, her black whip once again struck him like lightning, following an incredible trajectory.

CRACK! The blow split Elder Wuu’s skin, and he was sent flying once more.

"Noisy!" the woman said coolly. "Now, what’s the price?"

"You...!"

Elder Wuu was horrified.

’An expert!’

’This is definitely an expert!’

’They aren’t from an outside power!’

’They’re from a Grotto Heaven!’

’I’m no match for them at all!’

’They kill without a second thought. If I keep this up, I might die here today.’

"The Fire Python Inner Core was entrusted to me by Chen Xuan. He will only trade it for heavenly and earthly treasures used for cultivation..."

Elder Wuu said quickly, "If you don’t have any such treasures, I advise you to put the item down."

"Heavenly and earthly treasures for cultivation?"

The woman casually raised an eyebrow. "What audacity. Such things have always been rare. How dare he make such an exorbitant demand? I’ll take it for three thousand silver!"

"No! You can’t be so unreasonable!"

Elder Wuu’s face changed drastically, and he shouted hastily.

’Sold for three thousand silver?’

’Chen Xuan would tear him apart alive!’

He quickly activated the Token in his hand, then lunged forward, charging at the woman again.

But the woman didn’t seem to care at all.

Almost as soon as he lunged, her black whip once again traced an incredible arc and viciously struck him across the face. CRACK! The blow burst the skin on his cheek. With a miserable grunt, he was sent flying backward again, crashing hard on the ground.

This strike was even more brutal; the bone in his cheek was exposed.

A stark white patch, searing with pain.

"You court death. You still want to fight me?" the woman said in an icy tone. "I said three thousand silver, and not a penny more. Here is the money. Take it!"

With a flick of her hand, a silver note shot out straight.

THWIP.

Like a dart, it pinned itself to the ground right beside Elder Wuu.

His face contorted in pain, Elder Wuu cried out, "You might as well kill me!"

"Noisy!"

The woman’s eyes turned frigid. Her whip wrapped around Elder Wuu’s neck. With a casual sweep and flick, accompanied by a series of CRACKS, she slammed him against the ground two or three times. Each impact made Elder Wuu vomit torrents of blood, a ghastly sight to behold.

"Did you really think I wouldn’t dare to kill you?"

the woman said icily, releasing Elder Wuu’s neck.

The surrounding crowd was in an uproar.

Everyone was pointing and muttering, their faces filled with horror.

’Is that an expert from a Grotto Heaven?’

’No wonder she’s so bold, daring to cause trouble in a black market run by the Martial Alliance...’

"Hehe, Senior Sister Zhou, I think I’ve heard of that Chen Xuan."

The male companion at her side chuckled. "This person has only recently made a name for himself. I believe he’s first on something called the Human List. Oh, right, not long ago, he also defeated Xie Xinghe. His cultivation is at the True Essence First Layer."

He didn’t know much, as they had only just emerged from their Grotto Heaven.

Moreover, the information from the Celestial Secret Pavilion was sporadic.

Unlike the major powers of the outside world, Grotto Heaven factions like theirs weren’t as quick to receive news.

"Xie Xinghe?"

The woman’s elegant brows arched in disdain. "What kind of trash is that, daring to be compared to me!"

She shot a cold glare at Elder Wuu. "I’m taking this. If that Chen Xuan wants it, tell him to come find me. Remember my name: Zhou Xueyun!"

Ignoring him further, she took the Fire Python Inner Core and was about to turn and leave.

The man smiled faintly and followed beside her.

But just as they turned,

an immense sense of crisis suddenly washed over the woman.

Her expression changed, and she quickly looked up.

A burly, golden figure seemed to descend from the sky, carrying a supremely terrifying aura as it stomped down toward her. The powerful and frightening pressure made the woman’s heart skip a beat.

She had no time to swing her whip. With a startled cry, True Essence erupted from her body. Sheets of powerful True Essence, like liquid, gathered the potent Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi around them, forming what looked like a giant palm of light that she blasted upward.

BANG!

CRACK!

In a single exchange, the palm of light shattered, unable to withstand the blow.

Chen Xuan’s body descended from the sky. His giant, flame-wreathed foot stomped viciously on the woman’s head, causing her to instantly spray a mouthful of blood. With a shriek and a BOOM, she was slammed backward onto the ground.

RUMBLE!

The ground shook violently.

Vast swathes of fire erupted from the spot.

Billowing waves of energy swept out in all directions.

A crater, over half a meter deep and four to five meters in diameter, appeared in the ground.

Everyone’s expression changed in shock, their faces filled with disbelief.

But soon, they recognized the newcomer.

"Chen Xuan!"

"Chen Xuan is here!"

...

"Zhou Xueyun, you thought you could just walk away after taking my shit? You told me to come find you? Well, here I am. Now tell me, how should I deal with you? Should I flay you alive, or should I slam you to death!"

Chen Xuan said icily, his foot pressing down on her cheek.

[You have severely injured a True Essence Realm expert. Retribution is exceptional. +18,000 retribution points!]

A terrifying chill surfaced in his heart.

’Son of a bitch!’

’Another one trying to pull a forced sale.’

’How bizarre!’

He had just been accompanying Mr. Zhuo through the black market when he suddenly felt the gold Martial Alliance Token on his person begin to glow and heat up.

This definitely meant a Martial Alliance disciple was in danger!

Chen Xuan immediately saw this as retribution points waving at him.

So, without a second thought, he followed the Token’s sense and rushed over.

He never expected to actually run into a troublemaker!

’Daring to snatch my things by force!’

’Are you fucking tired of living?’

The last person who dared to treat him this way had already been beaten until they were half-paralyzed, their bones and tendons shattered.

"Chen Xuan, you’re that Chen Xuan?"

The male companion not far away looked at Chen Xuan in astonishment.

’This is unbelievable.’

’Zhou Xueyun has a cultivation at the True Essence First Layer...’

’Yet she was taken down in a single move.’

’Is this some kind of joke?’

"You get down too!"

A cold glint flashed in Chen Xuan’s eyes, and his body suddenly vanished.

The male companion’s expression changed drastically. He quickly circulated his True Qi to defend himself.

But it was completely useless.

The next moment, an incredibly terrifying blow struck his abdomen. BOOM! His clothes exploded, and he vomited a torrent of blood with a scream. Chen Xuan then grabbed him by the neck and, like planting a green onion upside down, slammed him headfirst into the ground. BANG! The earth shook from the impact.

Chen Xuan had buried his entire upper body alive in the ground. His bones were broken, a ghastly sight, with only his two bare legs left twitching outside.

Many in the crowd found the sight amusing.

But they didn’t dare to laugh.

Because these two were from the mysterious ’Precious Land Grotto Heaven’.

Laugh at them today, and tomorrow they could track you down and slaughter your entire family.

[You have severely injured a True Qi Ninth Layer expert. Retribution is exceptional. +9,000 retribution points!]