Other generals also successfully acquired a significant amount of materials. Although these materials were more expensive than those found elsewhere, Zhou Yan did not care. They could be purchased with spirit coins, so a higher price was irrelevant.
Soon, Zhou Yan witnessed a conflict ahead. Several people were surrounded by dozens of others, quickly being overwhelmed and killed. The attackers immediately seized all the items the victims carried before swiftly departing.
Seven or eight corpses lay on the ground, confirming the reality of the fight and dispelling any notion of illusion.
A moment later, a group of people arrived, pushing a cart bearing two more bodies. They loaded the corpses onto the cart and then produced a liquid to clean the bloodstains. Upon application, the blood quickly vanished.
Having completed their task, the group departed impassively. Their practiced movements indicated this was a familiar chore.
The surrounding onlookers appeared accustomed to such scenes, showing no surprise, and merely watched with indifference.
The sheer speed of these events caused Zhou Yan's subordinates to instinctively draw closer to him. Despite knowing Zhou Yan's considerable strength, they worried about his safety as his subordinates.
This was the unwritten law of the black market: no one cared about your survival. If you died, you were simply discarded into the river to feed the monsters, leaving no trace behind.
"Just stay vigilant," Zhou Yan reassured them, indicating they needn't worry as he was constantly aware of their surroundings.
Furthermore, he was prepared. Even if opponents exceeding the seventy-seventh heaven appeared, Zhou Yan was confident he could ensure they would never return.
For a cheater, insufficient strength could be compensated by items. The advantage of having abundant wealth was the ability to acquire anything money could buy.
Zhou Yan continued to purchase items while meticulously scanning his surroundings.
There were several assassination attempts later. In one instance, the attackers were themselves annihilated by their target. Over a dozen assailants were eliminated by a single person whose strength was clearly at least at the eighty-seventh heaven.
Encountering such individuals was simply a matter of their own misfortune.
Zhou Yan had sensed attempts on his life earlier. However, the increased proximity of his generals, who circled to protect him, had deterred the assailants. Zhou Yan was surrounded by many people, and they lacked the confidence to attack.
Zhou Yan spotted another stall, his interest piqued. The items displayed were exceptional and highly valuable, capturing his attention.
"An S-grade bridge structure!" Zhou Yan exclaimed, surprised to see another bridge-building structure.
Zhou Yan examined the building's information.
[Building: Tong Ming Bridge]
[Type: Bridge]
[Quality: S]
[Description: Can be built in the territory.]
"How much for this?" Zhou Yan inquired.
"Not for sale," the vendor replied coldly.
"How can you be like this? Why display it if you're not selling?" Xiao Zhao asked, finding the vendor peculiar.
"For trade," the vendor replied curtly.
"What do you want to trade for?" Zhou Yan inquired.
"I don't know," the vendor stated impassively, remaining motionless.
Xiao Zhao was exasperated, having never encountered someone who wished to trade yet had no idea what they wanted. It was infuriating.
Zhou Yan gently pulled Xiao Zhao aside and stroked her head. "Alright, let me handle this. You just stand by."
"Okay," Xiao Zhao replied obediently, moving to Zhou Yan's side.
Zhou Yan addressed the vendor. Since trade was an option, the matter was simpler. He reviewed the items in his territory and produced a skill book.
"Is this acceptable?" Zhou Yan presented it.
"No," the vendor replied without even looking, their gaze unwavering.
Some of Zhou Yan's more impatient generals grew angry, on the verge of acting, but they refrained as more level-headed generals shook their heads at them.
However, Zhou Yan perceived the vendor's hidden strength. Despite not looking directly, the vendor had scanned the item with their divine sense.
"Powerful mental energy. A mage, warlock, shaman, Taoist, or cultivator?" Zhou Yan was unsure of the vendor's class but decided to offer a mental power cultivation technique.
"How about this?" Zhou Yan asked.
The vendor hesitated but remained still, responding, "No."
Zhou Yan sensed that the vendor genuinely needed such items, which simplified things. He then presented ten cultivation techniques and skills related to mental power, each of S-grade quality or higher.
"What about now?" Zhou Yan asked.
"Shua!" Suddenly, three of the skill books in Zhou Yan's hand vanished. Zhou Yan was astonished, unable to react in time.
The generals behind Zhou Yan moved to act, but Zhou Yan raised his hand, signaling them to stand down.
This individual was incredibly powerful. Even combined, they might not be able to defeat him.
The black market was indeed full of hidden dragons and crouching tigers; one could not underestimate it.
"Choose any three items on the table," the vendor stated.
The vendor spoke again, still motionless and without looking at them, remaining seated like a statue.
"Three is not enough. At least six. One of them is an SSS-grade Taoist cultivation technique. I cannot afford to lose out," Zhou Yan countered.
"Five," the vendor replied.
"Deal," Zhou Yan agreed, unconcerned. The items on the table were indeed excellent, and selecting five would not be a significant loss.
For his first selection, Zhou Yan naturally chose the Tong Ming Bridge. Second, he opted for a cloak of Diamond quality with stealth attributes, making it highly desirable.
Third, Zhou Yan selected an S-grade General Summoning Token, effectively acquiring a top-tier talent.
Fourth, Zhou Yan chose an SS-grade item that could create a five-hundred-meter confinement array to trap enemies.
Fifth, Zhou Yan selected an egg, an S-grade pet egg that would hatch into a valuable companion, suitable for anyone.
He would decide who to give the pet to later.
As for the other items, Zhou Yan was indifferent.
After the trade was completed, they departed.
"Lord, more people are noticing us," Cai Yan observed keenly, realizing that many individuals were now regarding them with ill intent, more so than before.
"I know. I'm waiting for them to make their move. I'm quite eager," Zhou Yan replied.
Cai Yan: (｡•v‸v•｡)