Chapter 2013: Chapter 76: Demi Immortal (Part 2)
"That person should be a scout for the treasure hunters."
Upon hearing this, the other four Ghost Kings and Yun Qi’s expressions changed slightly.
"Treasure hunters? Rob Cultivators?"
Wang Ba noticed the change in their expressions and spoke in a deep voice.
"Sort of, but they don’t just rob treasures; primarily, it’s the cultivators themselves."
The Corpse-digging Ghost King explained with an unpleasant expression.
"Cultivators?"
Wang Ba raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised:
"What can be done by robbing cultivators?"
The Corpse-digging Ghost King shook his head:
"The uses are many; if their physiques are decent, they’re sold to a place like the Great Joy Building. If their bodies are strong and Essence Yuan is abundant, they are sold as spirit food. The Primordial Spirit can be refined, serve as the spirit of an artifact, or be turned into an elixir. If the Dao Domain is consolidated and worth cultivating, it can be made into a Dao Seed, planted into a Realm Embryo, and after some years, might nurture a good treasure..."
"That scout probably had an eye on your Dao Domain, Mountain Lord."
He had suffered losses in the Sea Market, even sold himself, so he was very clear about the outcome of being captured by these treasure hunters.
Wang Ba was alright, but Yu Wuheng and Yu Yu, upon hearing this, couldn’t help but look cold:
"These treasure hunters really ought to be killed!"
The Corpse-digging Ghost King sighed:
"Who’s saying otherwise! The profits here are too great, it’s a business without cost. Although on the surface, every side resists, the fact that the treasure hunters’ scouts linger openly on the streets shows how many are involved... Though fortunately, they only dare rob halfway, never daring to commit a grave offense by directly killing off weak forces."
Wang Ba, however, slightly shook his head.
Human greed will be endless; perhaps some weak forces have already been emptied, just that most are unaware.
Looking at it this way, the Sea of Chaos Realm is filthier than he imagined.
Previously, he hadn’t delved deep enough to understand, it seemed quite glamorous, but now peeled back, it’s filled with filthy lice.
Thinking of this, he instinctively quickened his pace, as if unwilling to be tainted by the filth here.
Yet, the person they seek is in this Human Market, so ultimately, they cannot escape it.
The deeper they ventured, the cultivators resembled rats in dark alleys, sly but staring greedily like they saw prey, making Wang Ba rarely feel a fierce murderous aura.
Clearly, the wooden structures were the same as before, but the atmosphere deep in the Human Market carried more darkness.
Until they saw a shop selling cultivators.
Each living cultivator, tall, short, fat, thin, male, female, old, young, stood with vacant eyes in transparent crystal containers, arrayed like objects.
No one spoke, nor did they scream hoarsely, their clothes intact, no wounds visible.
Due to the incident at the Jade Pot Workshop, few customers were present; hence upon seeing Wang Ba and the others approaching, the shopkeeper hurriedly came down to warmly greet them.
The shopkeeper, although ugly, appeared honest and sincere, and his attitude was extremely enthusiastic. If unaware he sold cultivators, one might think he was a regular vendor hawking miscellaneous goods.
"Dear customers, these are first-rate treasures! If you want to employ them as Servant Cultivators, laborers, or guardians, they’re the finest choices!"
Wang Ba glanced swiftly, his voice cold, asking casually:
"Do you have unified cultivators?"
The shopkeeper was slightly stunned, carefully observed Wang Ba and the surrounding Five Ghost Kings, then spoke softly:
"The price for unified cultivators is quite different, each person has their own price. What kind are distinguished guests looking for?"
Wang Ba raised an eyebrow; he hadn’t expected there actually to be unified cultivators here.
"Do you have late-stage integration ones?"
"Well..."
The shopkeeper awkwardly chuckled:
"Distinguished guest jests, each late-stage integration practitioner is a major figure of their domain. Who would dare to capture a late-stage integration one, try at most for the mid-stage of unification. Such opportunities aren’t frequent. Occasionally, a few get reserved as soon as they appear."
Though the words were humble, Wang Ba was quietly astonished.
Even mid-stage practitioners can be captured and sold, clearly indicating these shops are backed by late-stage integration cultivators.
And each late-stage integration figure is a core strength in their forces, which means these forces have implicitly agreed.
The corruption of the Sea of Chaos Realm is evident.
Thinking this, Wang Ba casually asked more, ready to leave.
Upon realizing Wang Ba’s diminished interest and sensing the occasional death qi seeping from the Five Ghost Kings, the shopkeeper hastily said:
"Are the guests interested in corpses? It’s something other nearby shops don’t have!"
"Corpses?"
Wang Ba was indifferent, but the Five Ghost Kings showed interest, especially the Corpse-digging Ghost King.
Seeing their interest, Wang Ba did not hurry to leave; the shopkeeper then led them inside, revealing a dozen exquisitely preserved corpses, appearing as if asleep, vibrant as ever.
Wang Ba glanced briefly and guessed most were likely captured by the treasure hunters, as the Corpse-digging Ghost King mentioned.
Feeling slightly uneasy, he didn’t follow the Five Ghost Kings inside.
Yu Wuheng and others also stayed outside and didn’t follow.
Only faintly hearing the Five Ghost Kings speaking slightly joyfully:
"It’s a Body Refinement one, nearly at unification..."
"This one is good too, I’ll mention it to the Mountain Lord later..."
The shopkeeper realized that Wang Ba was the one in charge, having greeted the Five Ghost Kings, he then approached Wang Ba with a sincere and simple smile: