The two looked towards the location, a vast platform bathed in light where participants of the black market trade fair gathered.
Upon seeing the surroundings, Ye Bufan expressed astonishment, "This place isn't within the city, nor does it have any buildings."
It was a plain, devoid of any structures, with only numerous stalls that left everyone dumbfounded by its sheer simplicity. They had expected the black market trade fair to be held indoors, but this setting left them speechless.
"This is a small world. The organizers are extremely cautious, holding the trade fair within this pocket dimension. This way, no one knows its location, as it can be teleported anywhere at any time," Zhou Yan, with his formidable strength, could sense the nature of this place. It held no power over him, and he could leave whenever he wished.
Unlike Zhou Yan, other lords were unable to summon their territories or heroes here. This was the organizers' small world, where their rules and laws reigned supreme. While the environment posed significant dangers, with everything controlled by the masterminds of the black market, those masterminds wouldn't be foolish enough to antagonize them. Doing so would not only cost them their own profits but also the influence they had painstakingly built over years. With so many participants, representing numerous factions, a mere black market entity could not possibly withstand the combined might of so many forces.
"Whatever place it is, let's go see what this black market trade fair has to offer," Ye Bufan urged.
Zhou Yan, also curious, approached the first stall. Each stall was sizable, with a dedicated arena behind it, forming a separate space capable of accommodating multiple simultaneous battles. Several individuals were already issuing challenges. Zhou Yan observed some people wishing to purchase items from the stalls, presenting an item as a challenge. After agreeing on the rules and conditions with the vendor, they would step onto the arena to summon a warrior for the challenge. Once the summon was complete, they would descend to watch the match.
"This is quite interesting. It's like a challenge arena, but with a trading element. These black market organizers really know how to play the game," Zhou Yan remarked.
"There are also places where you can trade directly without challenging. This just adds a different atmosphere and makes it unique. It's essentially a marketing strategy. Genuine merchants wouldn't set up such arenas," Ye Bufan explained.
"Why didn't you mention this earlier?" Zhou Yan inquired.
"I only found out later. My understanding of this black market trade fair is limited, and I learned about this aspect by chance," Ye Bufan replied.
"Then let's head there. And while we're at it, let's see if there's anything here that catches our eye. After all, half-price trades are worth considering," Zhou Yan suggested.
Despite it being a marketing tactic, this novel approach had indeed attracted many, and even Zhou Yan found it fascinating. He began to examine the items displayed at the stalls. There were too many things. While some were excellent, others were already being challenged. Zhou Yan, however, had no time to wait for those challenges to conclude and moved on.
Suddenly, Zhou Yan spotted an item that no one had challenged yet. The vendor was a woman. Zhou Yan asked, "I wish to purchase this."
It was a spiritual artifact necklace, a rather rare item. Zhou Yan inquired, "What kind of challenge is required?"
The female merchant, wearing a mask, replied, "I have several trading methods. First, barter. Second, purchase directly for fifty billion spirit coins. Third, send forth a hero at the eighty-fifth heaven. This hero will battle my hero without any equipment. If you win, you can take this spiritual artifact for ten billion spirit coins. Which method do you choose?"
Zhou Yan immediately understood. This was indeed a black market. Regardless of its quality, this spiritual artifact necklace was certainly not worth fifty billion spirit coins; it would be lucky to fetch over ten billion.
"If I win, fifty billion spirit coins!" Zhou Yan countered directly.
"Agreed, but can you do it?" the female merchant asked with a sly smile, seemingly doubting Zhou Yan's capabilities.
Zhou Yan, displeased, responded, "I can handle ten women at once, how long do you think you can last?"
The merchant paid no mind, chuckling. "You still need to provide an item as a stake for the challenge."
"Of course." He knew the rules and produced a diamond-grade weapon.
After examining it, the female merchant continued, "Send your hero to the stage. My hero will show no mercy."
With that, the female merchant stepped onto the arena behind her and summoned a hero at the eightieth heaven. To Zhou Yan's surprise, this hero was also a female. He couldn't immediately discern her race, but with his keen eyesight, he could tell she was definitely not human.
"Your turn." After summoning her hero, the female merchant stepped off the arena. The arena possessed an automatic detection capability, confirming the opponent's cultivation was indeed at the eightieth heaven.
Zhou Yan pondered for a moment, then looked towards the heroes in his territory. Since the opponent had summoned a female hero, he decided to summon one as well. A female hero at the eighty-fifth heaven. He carefully considered his options and found a suitable candidate. He addressed Si Teng, a hero in his territory, "Si Teng, do you want to come out and fight? If not, I'll choose someone else."
Si Teng, who was watching a movie in the territory, was surprised by Zhou Yan's request. She asked, "Fight? Of course, but Lord, why are you sending me out this time?"
"Because the opponent is a female hero. I felt it would be unfair to send a male hero. If you win, I'll gift you a spiritual artifact necklace," Zhou Yan explained.
"There's a reward too? I agree!" Si Teng quickly replied.
"Right, you're not allowed to wear any equipment this time. Take off all your gear," Zhou Yan instructed.
"Such a condition? Fine, I'm confident I can defeat her even without equipment!" Si Teng responded.
After Si Teng agreed, Zhou Yan summoned her. A beam of light scanned Si Teng, confirming her cultivation level at the eighty-fifth heaven. If Si Teng hadn't been less inclined towards cultivation, her level wouldn't have lagged so far behind Diao Chan. However, Zhou Yan placed no demands on them; it was their freedom.
Upon appearing, Si Teng looked at her opponent and said, "This is my opponent? She looks interesting."
"Fight hard. If you fail, there's no reward," Zhou Yan pointed to the spiritual artifact necklace on the opponent's stall.
"Don't worry, I'll do my best to defeat her," Si Teng replied.