He stretched the card to them, surveying his surroundings.
A long corridor stretched out, and on both the left and right lay strange underground water bodies. The waters didn't flow as one would expect—they moved backward, as if drawn toward the direction of the gate. Their surfaces shimmered faintly, reflecting torchlight in broken silver ripples. The air was damp and cool, carrying the mineral scent of ancient stone, and the soft, whispering sound of the streams echoed like voices telling forgotten tales.
At the end of the corridor, he could see a vast hall supported by towering crimson pillars that seemed almost to reach the heavens.
"We are sorry for not recognizing you immediately, respected master. We will lead you to your special VIP room," one of the attendants spoke, their tone more calm and respectful.
He opened his eyes wider as one of them took his hand and guided him through the corridor. What surprised him even more was Xiao Long's connections. Where had she managed to obtain a VIP member's card? he wondered, though he didn't expect an answer. Everyone had their own secrets they hid in the shadows.
He wouldn't question her when she returned; he himself bore within him a soul fragment of a likely Lucifer.
As far as benefit was concerned, he cared little about good or evil. His life as a weakling had carved that principle deep into his bones. Jiao san was some how praised for injuring Xiao long, while he received only blame for doing the same. Good or bad—such things based on one's mentality and mindset.
They soon reached the main hall. Different figures stood there, each masked, just like him.
His entrance immediately caught every eye.
It wasn't that they hadn't seen other VIP members before, but it was difficult to glimpse them clearly. The security was strict, and their entrances were always silent, masked by their own unique powers.
Another specialty of VIP members was they would be taken care by Shangbiyu attendants,unlike normal people,they could also choose any companion among them that suit their taste for the night. This was one of the privileges of their status.
The masked figures began whispering among themselves as they noticed Meng xuan.
"Only a VIP member would be accompanied by Shangbiyu attendants."
"Judging from his appearance, he looks like a young boy from a wealthy family—probably borrowing his father's membership status card."
"But don't you think his clothes look shabby?"
"It seems he doesn't want to draw attention to himself. Keeping a low profile."
"Seems so."
Meng xuan, walking between the two attendants, overheard their discussion. A faint, self-deprecating smile curved his lips.
An individual, half-hidden in the shadows, leaned close to another and whispered softly into his ear, their eyes fixed on him.
The man reacted, scoldingly but in a low tone.
"Stupid servant. Every VIP member has a special room assigned to them. But what you said might not be totally impossible."
Due to the mask on his face, one couldn't see his mouth curling upward.
"That useless technique of yours would be effective here."
Meng Xuan was taken to a special room. He couldn't see anything from outside, but the inside was transparent.
After she served him a cup of red wine, she prepared to leave.
"A respected individual will soon attend to you," she said, bowing her head slightly.
He took a sip of his wine, looking down below.
As expected of a famous underground night market, the place was bustling with various people. He could even see a dark, secluded area where few dared to enter.
The door of the room slowly opened, and a beautiful youthful figure stepped inside.
Exquisite facial features, fair skin, slender thighs, and her tight dress only made her alluring figure more seductive. The long blonde hair tied in a ponytail gave her the look of a temptress rather than a mere worker.
She wasn't putting on a veil like the others. Her bearing was that of a matured lady.
"I greet your respected self, No. 24." She smiled lightly, a smile that tugged at every man's heart.
"I'm honored to serve you. You can call me Bai Ting."
"May I ask what your esteemed self needs? We practically do anything—buy, sell, exchange, gather information, or you can have any of the beautiful workers for the night," she said, blinking her eyes several times.
What if it's you I want for the night? he thought, sizing up the figure before him. Quickly, he focused his attention on what he truly came here for.
"I need a fake hunter card," he said.
Bai Ting wasn't surprised at his request. Those were things often asked for—some even came looking for stranger things.
She looked at the masked man again with a smile.
"A fake hunter card is something easy to get. Since you are a VIP member, we will abandon other requests and start yours immediately. The documents and other necessary items will be ready within the next hour."
She paused, then added with a sly grin,
"And you should know—the higher the stage, the higher the money."
Meng Xuan had already thought of this before, so he had prepared himself.
He gave her a particular cultivator stage and other information he had made up.
After a while, he left the compartment in disguise, heading out to purchase items. He bought a randomly crafted mask along with other miscellaneous goods. Just as he was about to return to his room, the hall suddenly grew abnormally quiet. The crowd's attention had gathered toward the stage in the hall.
On the elevated platform stood a young and familiar figure—the very same beautiful lady who had just visited him. Her smile, the one that always seemed to tug at every man's heart, was still present.
"Lady Bai is as beautiful as ever…" someone sighed.
"I wish she could be my wife. She will never know the thing called pain if she were mine."
"You fool," another scoffed. "Lady Bai is a high-ranked worker here. She signed a contract to remain single. Wake up from your dream, brother!"
Different compliments echoed through the hall, admiration lacing every word.
Lady Bai bowed her head toward the crowd, her charming smile never fading. Like always, the audience fell into silence, listening intently to her announcement, though some still couldn't help but fawn over her.
Meng Xuan returned to his room after the announcement. From her words, he learned that a general auction would be held in Shangbiyu Market on the 20th of the month, where various mystical items would be on sale. Among them was a rumored White Feather Boot, capable of making someone float in the air. The details were scarce, but everything would be revealed on the appointed day.
Upon reaching his room, Meng Xuan was surprised to see a lady waiting for him. She stood up the moment their eyes met.
"Lady Bai said I should give you this," she said, handing him a specially crafted, sizable box.
Meng Xuan paid her a total of ten soul coin leaving him with a soul coin, his heart clenched in pain.
Money was hard to come by but easy to spend. Though he had gotten the money easily, he thought self-deprecatingly,
"If you are ready to leave, there's a special exit for a VIP like you."
Meng Xuan was back outside, heading in a different direction from the apothecary shop, though still within the same Eden District.
The purpose of his trip to Shangbiyu's underground night market had been completed. He had a fake hunter card and a mask; he would be using both soon.
His false name was Chu Zhang—a hunter of the Chosen Stage, with no clear background and someone recognized as an expert in demonic zone. Twenty years of cultivation experience, a genius—though his actual age was only eighteen.
All the necessary information was included in the hunter's document that cane with the card.
He want to solo hunt inside a demonic zone without any guild, but to do that, he must be at least atthe chosen stage before he could be allowed. That's where the fake hunter card come into play.
He suddenly stopped. Up ahead, a man stood with his back turned, blocking the path. The man slowly turned around with a grin on his face.