"Black market!!"
Yi Tianxing looked ahead. Right in front of him stood a grand archway. Hanging atop it was a plaque, inscribed with two strange characters. These characters didn't match the typical ancient seal script, yet anyone who laid eyes on them could instantly understand their meaning — what this place was.
Here, things were bizarre beyond belief. There were monsters and demons, ghosts and fiends. The items sold here came from unknown origins, some perhaps real, some fake — even their sellers' identities were shrouded in mystery. It was a true gathering of all walks of life, a crossroads where anything and everything could happen. This black market carried all the goods forbidden by the outside world — as long as you had the money, you could even make ghosts work for you.
Even through the mist, he could make out that what lay ahead was a massive marketplace.
"Now this is a real black market. I wonder what sets it apart from the rest."
The thought flashed through Yi Tianxing's mind.
Then he smiled carefreely. Whether he bought anything or not, once inside the black market, his life would at least be safe.
"This black market must have a master. I wonder who that is. Owning such a place wouldn't be something an ordinary cultivator could manage."
The idea floated through his mind, but he soon shook his head. It had nothing to do with him. The master of the black market was probably a powerful being — someone far beyond what he could hope to glimpse at the moment.
Yi Tianxing stepped into the black market.
All along the roadside were stalls. Hooded cultivators in black robes crouched behind them, while others moved between the booths, browsing the goods.
"Selling lifespan!!"
While strolling through the market, a long banner suddenly caught his eye. Even Yi Tianxing was startled by the bold claim. Selling lifespan? That was no small thing.
He couldn't resist stepping closer.
The stall owner made no effort to hide his identity. Though dressed in a black robe, his face was exposed — wrinkled like the bark of an ancient tree. An old man, puffing from a blackened pipe, sat calmly behind the stall. Before him were glowing orbs — flickering with shifting brightness, each radiating an extraordinary aura.
"Boss, what are these?"
Yi Tianxing asked, glancing at the glowing spheres.
"Lifespan, of course," the old man grinned, revealing a mouth full of rotted teeth. "Absorb and refine one, and it'll restore your essence and extend your lifespan. This one here contains a year, that one two, three, four, five… even ten years. Not inferior to those so-called Longevity Herbs."
His tone was full of pride.
"These lifespan orbs can extend a cultivator's life?"
"They can replenish lifespan — not add to it. You can't go beyond your limit or generate a new Wheel of Fate," the old man answered honestly.
In other words, the orbs could restore lost life, but not surpass one's inherent lifespan limit.
For example, a cultivator at the Divine Sea Realm might have a theoretical maximum lifespan of 300 years. But due to flaws in their foundation or other issues, most might only reach 200 or 230 years. These orbs could fill in that gap, restoring the total to its upper limit — letting one die peacefully of old age at 300.
That alone made these orbs incredible. Not inferior to rare Longevity Herbs, and to many cultivators, nearly irresistible.
Unfortunately, to Yi Tianxing, they weren't very useful.
After all, he had no shortage of lifespan.
"How do you sell them?"
Yi Tianxing asked anyway.
"Incense coins, or merit coins. One year of life costs one merit coin, or ten incense coins," the old man replied, still smiling.
"Incense coins? You mean these?"
Yi Tianxing's hand glowed as he produced a pure white Willpower Pearl, crystalline and flawless.
"Indeed, that's incense money — and very pure too. Rare to see."
The old man's eyes glimmered with greed and excitement.
Incense power — the willpower and faith of sentient beings — was a priceless treasure for any cultivator. It boosted cultivation speed, enhanced mana, and came with no side effects. A universal treasure for cultivation.
"Forget it. I don't need extra lifespan. I'll keep browsing."
Yi Tianxing smiled faintly.
Even though he had a huge reserve of Willpower Pearls, he didn't casually spend them. They were far better used to mint Eternal Coins — a renewable, standardized currency. Spending them directly was wasteful.
He preferred using Eternal Coins for transactions — unless absolutely necessary.
He turned and walked away, heading toward the other stalls.
Not long after, something else caught his attention.
Another stall had a banner with just three bold words: "All-Knowing Booth."
Clearly, this vendor wasn't selling items — but information.
"You really know everything?"
Yi Tianxing approached and looked at the vendor. This one kept their face completely hidden behind a black hood, wrapped in mystery.
"To say I know everything would be an exaggeration. But I know most things — especially what's happening in Weizhou right now. Ask what you want, but it won't come cheap."
The vendor's voice was confident — confidence that came from deep inside.
"How do you price information?"
"Ten incense coins per piece of intel."
Yi Tianxing didn't hesitate.
"I don't have incense money. How about this?"
He revealed an Eternal Coin, his expression calm. He doubted anyone could stay indifferent in front of an Eternal Coin.
"Excellent currency. One hundred Eternal Coins per piece of intel," the vendor responded quickly.
Clearly, he had increased the price — but showed no sign of turning down the Eternal Coins. Such exquisite currency, rich with value, would be welcomed by anyone.
"Fine. Deal."
Yi Tianxing nodded. "What secrets is the Wei Dynasty hiding? What is the origin of the tomb?"
"That's two questions. Two hundred Eternal Coins," the vendor said with a chuckle.
Yi Tianxing paid without a second thought. Pocket change. No need to quibble.
"Reliable intel says a tomb lies within the Wei Dynasty's borders. The dynasty has been trying to explore it, hoping to enter and seize the treasures within. Rumor has it — it's the tomb of a Pharaoh, from ancient Egypt."
The vendor spoke calmly, but with practiced clarity.
"A Pharaoh's tomb… no wonder. No wonder the sphinx-like monster showed up. That makes it ninety percent likely that this tomb is what I've been searching for."
Yi Tianxing's mind cleared.
Sphinxes were known to guard Pharaohs' tombs. Though it was strange that such a creature had appeared outside the tomb, it strongly suggested that the tomb in question was indeed of a Pharaoh.
And if that was true — this was no ordinary tomb.
Pharaohs, among undead beings, were among the most powerful. Their births were soaked in blood and dark rites. Their techniques were eerie, sinister — masters of curses.A single Pharaoh could command a vast undead army.
Could it be… that Cao Cao planned to loot the Pharaoh's tomb and claim its treasures?
"Where is this tomb located?"
"Based on intelligence, it's buried beneath Xuchang, the capital of the Wei Dynasty."
Hissss!!
Even with Yi Tianxing's composure, his expression tightened. That was bold — building the royal capital right atop a Pharaoh's tomb?
If the tomb ever emerged, the entire city could be destroyed. Who knew how many undead might crawl out?
If the capital fell, the Wei Dynasty itself could collapse. Its national destiny would shatter.
"Why is everyone converging on the Wei Dynasty now? Is the Pharaoh's tomb about to open?"
"Correct. According to confirmed reports, the tomb is on the verge of emerging. It's said to contain countless treasures — including the legendary Necronomicon, which can create a vast undead puppet army. Whoever obtains it would instantly gain a powerful force.There are also rumors… of a Divine Spark belonging to the Sun God."
The vendor took a deep breath.
"A Divine Spark? That's impossible. How could a Sun God's Divine Spark end up in a Pharaoh's tomb?"
Yi Tianxing's first reaction was disbelief.
A Divine Spark — the source of a god's power — was no small thing.
The Sun God? A deity capable of wielding solar authority — such a being couldn't possibly be dead. Or if they were, not now. More likely, they were still being gestated.