Chapter 1694: Chapter 834: Theft? Hidden Secrets?
They knew this mission could be very dangerous, so they made some preparations in advance.
It’s necessary, and it’s also considered taking responsibility for their own lives.
...
Near the Alliance, there are many Cultivator Markets.
Among them, only a few are larger in size and scale.
This time, Luo Chen and Qing Shuang are heading to a Cultivator Market called White Mist Mountain Market.
White Mist Mountain Market is one of the larger markets nearby, known for its high daily trade volume.
Moreover, the items in this market are often of good quality and reasonably priced.
That’s why Luo Chen chose to come to this market.
...
Outside of White Mist Mountain Market.
Luo Chen and Qing Shuang silently walked forward.
Although they had not yet entered White Mist Mountain Market, they could still feel the market’s grandeur.
Even outside the market, there were quite a number of cultivators coming and going.
"Hey, you two look unfamiliar!"
"Newcomers?"
A man with a fierce scar on his face squinted slightly, watching Luo Chen and Qing Shuang.
"We are here to purchase some necessities." Luo Chen calmly replied, his gaze passing over the man without a trace of fear.
Qing Shuang smiled slightly and nodded politely, knowing that in such a place, keeping low-key and polite is the best way to avoid trouble.
"Oh? In that case, you better be careful; all kinds of people are in the market." The man seemed satisfied with Luo Chen’s response and spoke with a hint of warning.
Luo Chen and Qing Shuang didn’t say much, just nodded and continued to walk into the market.
The entrance of White Mist Mountain Market was bustling, with various stalls filled with items from Spirit Grasses to Spiritual Medicine and Magic Artifacts to Magical Treasures.
"Let’s check out the Spirit Grass area first." Luo Chen suggested, needing some special Spirit Grasses to concoct elixirs for restoring True Qi.
Qing Shuang agreed with a nod, and the two headed towards the Spirit Grass section.
The stalls in the Spirit Grass section were filled with a variety of rare Spirit Grasses, and many cultivators were selecting and haggling.
"The quality of these Spirit Grasses is good. It seems the market’s supply is quite rich." Qing Shuang whispered, her knowledge of Spirit Grasses no less than Luo Chen’s.
Luo Chen carefully selected at a stall, his gaze finally resting on a Spirit Grass emitting a faint glow.
"This ’Blazing Sun Grass’ is top grade, just suitable for concocting a ’Blazing Sun Pill.’
The stall owner, a middle-aged woman, saw Luo Chen’s interest in the Blazing Sun Grass and enthusiastically introduced it: "You have a good eye, Young Master. This Blazing Sun Grass was freshly picked from the deep mountains, and its potency is excellent."
Luo Chen nodded, and after some bargaining with the stall owner, he bought the Blazing Sun Grass at a reasonable price.
Qing Shuang also selected some other Spirit Grasses, and the two then visited a few more stalls, purchasing some necessary materials.
After completing their purchases, Luo Chen and Qing Shuang found a relatively quiet corner to sort through their items.
"With these materials, we’re almost ready to concoct the elixirs." Luo Chen said contentedly.
Qing Shuang agreed with a nod, knowing Luo Chen had a notable expertise in Alchemy.
"We still need to prepare some defensive Magical Treasures." Qing Shuang reminded him, aware that the upcoming mission is fraught with unknowns and dangers.
Luo Chen nodded understandingly, and the two headed back into the Magic Artifacts section.
The stalls in the Magic Artifacts section were filled with various Magical Treasures, from defensive armors to offensive Flying Swords.
Luo Chen’s gaze was caught by an ancient Longsword; he stepped forward to examine the sword closely.
The sword’s blade was engraved with complex patterns, emitting a faint cold light.
"This sword seems unusual." Luo Chen whispered, his intuition telling him the sword might harbor unknown secrets.
The stall owner, an elderly man, saw Luo Chen’s interest in the Longsword and introduced it: "This sword is called ’Ice Sword,’ left in the market by a master. It’s said the sword contains Ice Element Spiritual Power, and its might is exceptional."
Luo Chen nodded, attempting to inject True Qi into the sword, and the Ice Sword immediately let out a crisp sword cry, the air around the blade seemingly freezing into frost.
"Good sword!" Luo Chen praised, deciding to buy the Ice Sword.
Qing Shuang, on the other hand, selected a piece of defensive armor, made from special materials, capable of resisting powerful attacks.
The two completed their purchases and left the Magic Artifacts section.
Before leaving, Luo Chen also purchased some special talisman paper and cinnabar for use during the mission.
"With these preparations, we can set off." Luo Chen stated, his eyes gleaming with determination.
Qing Shuang nodded, knowing the upcoming mission would be challenging, but believing that as long as she and Luo Chen were together, nothing would be impossible.
But just as they were about to leave White Mist Mountain Market.
Suddenly, there was a commotion inside the market.
"Stop him, stop him!" An urgent shout came from the other side of the market, and the crowd began to stir.
Luo Chen and Qing Shuang exchanged a glance, knowing the sudden commotion might not be related to them, but as cultivators, they understood that staying alert was necessary in such an environment.
"Shall we check what’s happening?" Qing Shuang proposed.
Luo Chen nodded, and the two headed in the direction of the commotion.
Through the crowd, they saw a man in a black robe running desperately, pursued by several cultivators.
"Stop right there!" A pursuer shouted, holding a talisman paper glowing with golden light, clearly preparing to attack.
The black-robed man seemed exhausted, stumbled while running, and fell to the ground.
The pursuers quickly surrounded him.
Luo Chen and Qing Shuang stood at a distance, observing the scene.
They didn’t intend to intervene easily but also didn’t want to miss any possible clues.
"You thief, how dare you steal the market’s prized treasure!" A pursuer berated.
The black-robed man gasped for air, raising his head to reveal a pale and youthful face, eyes filled with despair.
"I’m not a thief, I just... I just..." He tried to explain, but his words were filled with helplessness.
Luo Chen and Qing Shuang exchanged a glance, sensing there might be an unknown story behind this.
"Let’s first see what the situation is." Qing Shuang said softly.
Luo Chen nodded, and the two approached the crowd slowly.
"What happened?" Luo Chen asked a nearby onlooker cultivator.
The cultivator noticed Luo Chen and Qing Shuang’s exceptional demeanor and explained in a low voice: "This kid stole a treasure from the market, and the market guards caught him."
"What kind of treasure?" Qing Shuang curiously asked.
"It’s said to be an ancient Magic Artifact that can enhance a cultivator’s Spiritual Power." The person replied.
Luo Chen and Qing Shuang felt a sudden interest.
They knew such a Magic Artifact is priceless to a cultivator, no wonder it caused such a stir.
At that moment, the black-robed man suddenly took out an item from his arms, an amulet made of special materials.
The necklace was in black and white; it looked ordinary but was in fact extraordinary.
"Look, it’s this!" The black-robed man panted, his voice carrying a hint of despair and determination, "I... I’m not stealing; I’m just reclaiming what belongs to me."
The pursuers looked at each other, seemingly surprised by this sudden turn.
Luo Chen and Qing Shuang also found themselves intrigued by the necklace, sensing it might hide unknown secrets.
"What do you mean by that?" A pursuer frowned and asked, evidently dissatisfied with the man’s explanation.