Trials of the Abyss

Chapter 164: The Trading Halls

The massive black roc soaring above Divine Fortune had a wingspan of over a dozen zhang and resembled a cluster of dark clouds. Its feathers and joints were akin to refined iron, and it exuded an aura of immense strength.

Its eyes shone with a greedy desire for the flesh and blood of cultivators.

Pang Jian sensed this creature's remarkable intelligence and extreme hatred for human cultivators through the World Eater Vine.

Many Vicious Beasts that had mutated after being tainted by the murky energy seemed to follow its lead.

Pang Jian had originally intended to obtain some rare plants and exotic fruits from the World Eater Vine but temporarily gave up his plan due to the massive black roc's presence. After silently observing for some time, he eventually cut off his connection with the World Eater Vine.

He sat cross-legged on a meditation mat in cave dwelling number fifty-six with knitted brows and a somber expression.

The massive black roc had to have been a formidable Vicious Beast even before the murky energy had contaminated the Fourth World. Its strength rapidly increased after the contamination, and its intelligence underwent a significant transformation, allowing it to become the leader of the mutated Vicious Beasts.

Pang Jian speculated that it had come from the Ouyang Clan's fragmented land and intended to invade other human territories. Divine Fortune was likely just a temporary stop for it.

These mutated Vicious Beasts would soon attack the uncontaminated territories of the Dong Clan, the Su Clan, the Ning Clan, and the Zhou Clan.

These Vicious Beasts would likely also target the group sent by the Celestial Maiden from the Fifth World. Even though the seals on the Heaven Ascension Tribulation Pillars had loosened, they still restricted stronger beings from ascending, only allowing those below Rank Five to break through the barrier.

What'll happen when Rank One to Rank Four beings arrive in the fragmented lands of the Ouyang Clan and the Shangguan Clan and encounter these mutated Vicious Beasts?

The strength of the terrifying black roc had undoubtedly surpassed that of a Rank Four Vicious Beast and was still rapidly increasing.

It did not originate from the Fifth World. It was filled with hatred for the human race and likely would not care about the foreign races from the lower world either. The Vicious Beasts under its command seemed solely driven by the desire to devour the flesh of the strong.

The sudden rise in power of the mutated Vicious Beasts meant the situation in the Fourth World would only become more chaotic. The space in which the seven major clans could operate would only decrease.

Migration to the Third World would need to accelerate. If they delay...

Knock, knock, knock!

A knock on the door broke Pang Jian out of his thoughts.

Han Ting gently called from outside, "Pang Jian, it's time to go to the trade fair today."

At this point, she had fully recovered from her injuries. She felt refreshed and invigorated, radiating with vibrant energy as she bathed in the golden sunlight.

"Alright, coming." Pang Jian stepped out and nodded at her with a frown. "Our agreement ended last night. You don't have to—"

"I'm really thankful for your help," Han Ting interrupted. "I have nothing else to do anyway, and since this is your first time attending Old Monster Cao's trade fair, I thought I'd help you familiarize yourself with it."

"Alright then." Pang Jian did not argue.

Soon after, the two of them reached the summit of the First Peak.

Unlike before, the doors of the trading halls were now wide open, and many early arrivals were already heading into these wooden buildings.

"Only those who have conducted transactions in the past three days are allowed to enter," Han Ting explained to Pang Jian, raising her token with a smile. "The ten percent commission we give to those women in white is recorded for every transaction we make. The trading hall requires at least one transaction recorded in your token to enter."

Pang Jian was surprised. Taking out his token, he noticed several marks beneath the Mang character. He had previously purchased Solar Essence Stones, Thunderstruck Wood, and Gold Obsidian. Each complete transaction resulted in an added mark.

"At least one transaction in the trading halls is required to participate in the grand finale of Old Monster Cao's trade fair, which is held on the seventh day." Han Ting walked gracefully toward the trading halls. "Each transaction in the trading halls involves tens of thousands of spirit stones. Some even involve hundreds of thousands of spirit stones. The commissions from these alone earn Old Monster Cao a substantial sum!"

The two soon arrived at one of the wooden doors. A woman in white stood at each door, checking the tokens of those entering. One such woman glanced at the marks on Pang Jian and Han Ting's tokens, smiled, and allowed them to pass.

The layout of the trading halls was similar to the outside, with mediation mats arranged in a circular pattern with wooden stalls in front of each mat. A large round platform was also set up in the center of the trading hall. Many women in white sat around the perimeter of the platform, smiling at those moving about inside the hall.

An elegant woman dressed in an indescribably luxurious gown stood out among the women in white. A pearl necklace adorned her slender neck, and her slim waist was embellished with fine jade. Her hairpin was also decorated with gems. This dignified and opulent woman smiled gently as she nodded at those she recognized.

"That's Lady Hua. She's Old Monster Cao's woman and is in charge of the trading halls," Han Ting introduced in a soft voice.

The instant Han Ting uttered her name, the dignified lady turned toward them. She could seemingly hear when someone mentioned her name no matter how noisy and chaotic the environment was.

When Lady Hua shifted her attention to them, Han Ting hastily forced a smile and bowed. "My friend is participating for the first time and doesn't know how everything works, so I'm explaining things to him. Please forgive us, Lady Hua."

Lady Hua gave a barely perceptible nod and turned elsewhere, no longer paying attention to Han Ting.

Suddenly, Pang Jian felt a prickling sensation on his back. He turned to see Zhang Bin glaring daggers at him from a corner of the trading hall.

When Pang Jian turned to face him, Zhang Bin immediately concealed the coldness in his eyes and looked elsewhere with a faux calmness.

"Useless coward!" Han Ting sneered, having also noticed Zhang Bin. "He only dares to glare at you from the shadows. The moment you catch him, he hides his hatred. Your status as a disciple of an upper-world noble family makes him despise and fear you, forcing him to conceal his resentment.

"Hmph, I could never be interested in a man like him"

Pang Jian nodded.

Han Ting then pulled him to a corner and whispered, "Today's participants will be fewer in number but much higher in status."

"I've noticed." Pang Jian had already seen many people wearing the robes of the five major sects mingling in the crowd.

Most of the rogue cultivators from the first three days were nowhere to be seen, evidently aware they lacked the spirit stones to make it worthwhile participating in the trade fair. Noble family disciples, members of the five major sects, and elite rogue cultivators were the main participants in today's trade fair.

"You must purchase or sell something over the next three days to participate in Old Monster Caos' grand finale. That's why you'll see many renowned figures from the Third World here," Han Ting explained in a low voice.

"Little Brother, you're here too?" Lei Kun greeted Pang Jian from another wooden door. After entering, he spotted Pang Jian and Han Ting. Approaching them with a smile, he said, "I stayed in cave dwelling number fifty-seven for a while but had other matters to attend to, so I didn't continue renting it and didn't get a chance to say goodbye."

"Greetings, Senior," Pang Jian said with a slight bow.

Lei Kun also displayed considerable politeness, smiling warmly as he said, "Little Brother, you truly embody the demeanor of someone from a noble family. Despite the minor misunderstanding at the time, you were willing to lower yourself to explain the situation. It made Old Lei here feel quite honored."

Pang Jian modestly replied, "It was indeed my words that offended Senior Lei. It was generous of Senior not to hold it against me."

Lei Kun's smile brightened further. He nodded and glanced at Han Ting before saying, "I won't disturb you then. I'll take a look around."

"Seems like Sister Ting has truly climbed up the social ladder," Fang Xin muttered through gritted teeth as she watched this interaction from a short distance away.

Pulling away from where she had been leaning against Zhang Bin, she quietly sized at the tall, stern-looking young man in black next to Han Ting before glancing at Zhang Bin beside her.

They're both in the Innate Realm, but he's from a noble family in the upper world. Although Zhang Bin's cultivation realm is high, he's older and a rogue cultivator. Why? Why does Han Ting have a better fate than me? Just because she has a big chest and a big butt?

Fang Xin's expression shifted as her heart filled with complex emotions.

Lei Kun! Zhang Bin took a deep breath and lowered his head, no longer daring to stare too intently at Pang Jian and Han Ting.

He feared his actions would eventually anger Pang Jian. After all, even Lei Kun was courteous to him, meaning he had to be from a truly noble family that a rogue cultivator like him could not provoke.

As he glanced over at the heartbroken Fang Xin, Zhang Bin saw through her thoughts and lost interest in her.

This shallow bitch, he thought. I should've sincerely apologized to Han Ting last night and asked for her forgiveness.

If worst comes to worst, I'll capture this bitch Fang Xin and hand her over to Han Ting. Hopefully, after having her way with Fang Xin, she'll calm down and forgive our past actions.

"Ah!" Lady Hua smiled brightly and floated toward a wooden door. Glaring reproachfully at the woman in white, she said, "You clueless girl! She's Zhao Yuanqi from the Red Mountain Sect. She doesn't need a token!

"Miss Zhao, please come in!"

Lady Hua bowed and personally welcomed Zhao Yuanqi at the door.

A silver-haired girl with a ponytail and a large wine gourd on her back walked in with a cold expression. Jiang Li followed timidly behind her, hesitating as she also had no token.

"Come in." Zhao Yuanqi took her hand and led her into the trading hall. "Most of the rules in the Primordial Wilderness don't apply to us."

"Miss Zhao's presence brings great honor to the Primordial Wilderness. Of course, we'll make an exception for you!" Lady Hua nodded enthusiastically, guiding Zhao Yuanqi into the trading hall. "Today's just the beginning. There might not be anything interesting yet, but rest assured, there'll definitely be rare treasures that catch your eye on the last day!"

"Why don't the rules apply to her?" Pang Jian asked curiously.

Han Ting smiled wryly. "Because she's Zhao Yuanqi."