75 - Divine Mastering Dragon System

## Chapter 75: The Black Market The underground black market serves as a gray area between humans and demons, a secretive channel that arose to meet the demand for rare treasures and materials that regular markets don't offer. Word of mouth and introduction allow access, drawing those with connections and resources—making it an ideal place to find hard-to-locate materials. Resources specific to both demons and humans converge here, cementing the special nature of the black market. In these tense times, it’s nearly impossible to legally obtain certain spiritual plants growing in demon territories or artifacts crafted with demon techniques under the regulations of the Thirteen Seats of the Celestial Sect. This demand is mutual, and navigating through the black market is far safer than blatantly charging into another territory. Thus, it’s common for cultivators to venture into demon lands when the market is open, and you might occasionally see people with animal ears or scales in underground human markets. People don’t interfere with one another. The facade of nonchalance allows a temporary pause in racial conflicts in these unofficial channels. The black market could even be considered a leading edge where human and demon life borders interweave, evidence of calming relations. To most cultivators, the occasional demon appearance isn’t cause for alarm. But this is Huaihai City. Once a power center for humans in the cultivation world during the dominance of the great families, it is a majestic City of Ascension. The main families—Zhu, Xu, and Bai—reside here, with their allied cultivators defending the city. They've thwarted demon assaults fourteen times, with the massive walls they built a thousand years ago showing little wear, constantly reflecting their former glory. Located near the boundary of both races, this city staunchly excludes mortals and demons alike. It stands as an outpost of human supremacist ideals and won't allow demons to encroach. The existence of a black market is common knowledge, and the presence of demons in these markets is also well known, but that pertains to other cities and not Huaihai City. The underground market in Huaihai City thrives with contraband, with hundreds of cultivators bustling about each day, trading all sorts of exotic items. But demons? Absolutely not. Huaihai City has just one entrance, fortified by formations that utilize the ambient spiritual energy emitted unconsciously by the city’s cultivators. The walls are reinforced by the cyclic energy contribution from residents. Even Xiang Shi Yan had to put in considerable effort and use her system to smuggle Du Ruo in, masking her from detection formations. Ordinary demons would need tacit approval from the city guards to enter. If demons were really in Huaihai City's underground market, it could only mean the city's governing triumvirate of families allowed it. Decades ago, the Taixu Sect tried to redirect disaster to weaken the great families. Naturally, these families couldn’t just sit idle. They fervently rallied ordinary cultivators, who should have been under their protection, to fight off external threats while preserving their strength in the background. The city suffered severe losses in the conflict with demons, yet many affected cultivators still reside here. Old grievances resurfaced, and public discontent was ablaze. While it's natural for capable cultivators to defend their homes, many who settled in Huaihai City under the families’ governance undertook duties akin to donating energy monthly to fortify city defenses in return for better resources and stability. Although Xiang Shi Yan spread rumors, the families' typical conduct lent credibility to these claims. Previously, they dared not voice their grievances, but now they had a ready excuse to vent pent-up resentment. The Celestial Sect, consisting of the five major sects and seven great families, manages the human cultivation realm amid intertwining interests, with the Zhu, Xu, and Bai families holding three of the thirteen seats. Banned items are collectively determined by the Thirteen Seats, and exchanges with demons are likewise prohibited, implicating the families in these regulations. Though everyone knows enforcement is lax, it's merely a pretext. Previously, few cared; now, many do. It's not that the black market couldn't be investigated and eradicated. The celestial powers simply see the masses as beneath notice, contemptuous and wary, prioritizing stability above all else. The black market is a grassroots establishment, but neither buyers nor sellers are powerless mortals; they're resourceful, daring lawbreakers selling high-value forbidden treasures. Any conflict risks injury to enforcers and bystanders alike, too dangerous with no gain. As cultivators aspire solely for ascension, they also depend heavily on these resources, consenting to trade risks for potential. Could it truly be different? The enormous sects could obliterate less organized, smaller civilian markets if inclined but prefer the status quo. The rumor spread rapidly, engulfing Huaihai City, and even threatened to extend beyond it into other congregation areas. Frankly, the intertwining of demons and the black market alone wasn’t enough to cause such upheaval. A large part was due to Xiang Shi Yan's compelling storytelling. In a humble teahouse in Huaihai City, two cultivators chatted over tea. After a while, the one with a long beard couldn't suppress himself anymore. He slammed his cup on the wooden table, his expression darkening, "Have you heard the rumors about demons entering the city?" The burly, dark-faced man waved it off. "It's just hearsay. How could demons sneak in?" The long-bearded man’s gloom deepened. "Efforts to keep demons out of the city led to broken homes and lasting wounds hindering cultivation, but not for the big families. They hold no grudge against demons and profit within the black market, no wonder they’re pleased!" Seeing a Zhu family guard in red passing by, the dark-faced man quickly hushed his friend. "Stop talking! Even if true, demons wouldn’t dare disturb us. Why get so angry?" The mention incensed the bearded man further, "Unrelated? Do you know what’s being auctioned in the black market this time?" "...What's being auctioned?" His friend couldn’t fathom as he'd never been there. With a sigh, the dark-faced man realized he'd only heard rumors. The long-bearded man, face red with anger, whispered conspiratorially, "Furnaces!" The dark man's brow rose. Among numerous forbidden goods, buying and selling female cultivators stands as most taboo. A furnace, being equivalent to a perfect elixir, provides gains without side effects. Even those with partners and offspring have indulged such dreams. As men, he doubted the irate friend hadn't fantasized. The dark-faced man coughed, "Human trafficking defies natural law, but it's beyond our control... So long as furnaces exist, there’ll be abductions." This reasoning eased his conscience, lessening shame. Men, by and large, thought the same, he assured himself. The long-bearded man scolded him, "That's no excuse! They didn't choose to be furnaces, and being one isn't inherently wrong. It’s those with resources orchestrating kidnappings!" The dark-faced man snorted, "Blame Luxurious birth. If aware of their fate, they should be discreet." The long-bearded man rebuked, "You're fickle! If diligent, you'd fault them for being too wary." He wasn't a woman, nor a furnace, so the matter soon passed, his friend's lax morals overlooked—just men being men. Shaking his head, he continued, "Setting that aside, did you know these furnaces are not genuine?" "Oh? What do you mean, not genuine? Can furnaces be fake?" The dark man’s curiosity piqued. "These 'furnaces' are just normal female cultivators!" The abduction and auction of unfortunate women destined to become furnaces has sadly become commonplace. Because it's an issue perceived as distant from male cultivators and affects only a small portion of female cultivators, it is commonly dismissed as something that could never personally impact them, preventing anyone from considering confronting an entire human trafficking ring. But what did it mean by "ordinary female cultivators"? Black Face was stunned. Ordinary female cultivators made up half of the cultivation realm's populace—with the other half being "ordinary male cultivators" like them. He took a sip of tea to steady his surprise. “If they aren’t furnaces, then how do they benefit anyone? They merely invite public condemnation.” Seeing Black Face still feigning ignorance, Long Beard grew exasperated. “Oh, come on, stop pretending you don’t understand! These women—they’re being sold to serve as…” His face flushed red, struggling to express it. Black Face, morose, continued sipping his tea. "These matters... how can people like us make any difference? My friend, it’s best not to meddle in affairs beyond us..." Before he could finish, Long Beard shouted angrily, "What nonsense! Are we to tolerate our fellow female cultivators being traded like livestock? Don't you have a shred of righteousness?" As the commotion captured the attention of the teahouse patrons, Black Face gestured frantically, urging him to calm down. "Our women are kidnapped, cloaked as furnace deals, and traded like possessions! The three families not only allow this but secretly permit demons into the city!" Seeing all eyes on him, Long Beard stepped onto a chair, proclaiming loudly, "They pretend to investigate demons entering the city but actually search for those spreading these rumors!" "Stop saying more!" Black Face broke into a cold sweat as he noticed the approaching Zhu family guard alerted by the disturbance. "The three families collude with enemies, watching passively as our women are sold off to those demon barbarians!" "They're coming, stop talking!" Black Face anxiously tugged his sleeve, causing Long Beard to stumble slightly. Unexpectedly, Long Beard pushed him aside and pointed harshly, yelling, "Were you not born of a woman? Is not your partner a woman? Would you let your young daughter be taken and abused just because some man craves a high-grade female cultivator?" This statement instantly ignited the emotions of the surrounding onlookers, filling the teahouse with noise as Long Beard continued his impassioned speech from atop the table. The red-clad guards pushed their way through the onlookers, startled to find an average-looking, moderately-talented ordinary cultivator causing the ruckus. It took them a moment before they moved to stop his public tirade. However, he wasn't able to advance far before the crowd subdued him. This entire spectacle was captured by Xiang Shi Yan’s system. Upon receiving the report, she sat leisurely in a water pavilion, sipping tea as she watched Zhu Yu attempt to draw in spiritual energy, her face flushed. Hearing the details, Xiang Shi Yan shrugged lightly, lifting her cup to hide her mocking smile. "Truly, those with noble intentions, but the world is often disappointing. If a furnace is sold to their kin, it’s fine; but if sold to outsiders, it’s an issue. Ordinary female cultivators sold to kin are tolerable, yet sold to outsiders is the utmost disgrace... In the end, it’s not even about viewing people as equals," she thought, her lips curling coldly. The system chimed in, "Your attempt to trace gender equality within early-stage male-oriented cultivation narratives of a mid-level cultural civilization is nothing short of chaotic." “...” Zhu Yu suddenly paused, frowning deeply at Xiang Shi Yan. Xiang Shi Yan noticed her gaze and asked, "What is it?" The girl wrung her hands, bashfully saying, "Am I... am I being silly?" "What?" "I saw you laughing," Zhu Yu muttered, a blend of frustration, reluctance, and embarrassment crossing her small face. "I’ve been trying all morning and still can't direct energy into my body... Am I that thick-headed?" Her face flushed with urgency, her dark eyes shimmering slightly. She thought at least she could outshine her sister with blocked meridians on this path, only to receive a harsh slap from reality. If Zhu Yun had her intact meridians, she would’ve succeeded immediately, sparing Xiang Shi Yan from wasting so much time. Their austere teacher must think her talentless. After all, she came here for Zhu Yun… Children are complex. You might call them pure, but these two sisters raised here seem less so; yet accusing them of being conniving would be excessive as well. After all, they're merely ten. While chastising herself, Zhu Yu’s eyes welled with unspoken pleas, seeking comfort from Xiang Shi Yan. Sensing Zhu Yu’s feigned pity was an act, Xiang Shi Yan humorously thought to tease her, resting her chin in her hand, "You are indeed quite slow." The girl’s eyes reddened instantly, her cheeks puffing as she blinked fiercely to keep the tears from falling. "My first time drawing energy into my body took me five days, and your mother took seven." Her eyes widened, tears forgotten, "It took that long?" "Yes, the initial process of sensing, grasping, and refining spiritual energy is critical. However long it takes, it’s your enlightenment." Xiang Shi Yan softened her tone. This recollection made her feel a twinge of guilt toward He He, as she had deprived her of this learning process by doing it for her. Though necessary, Xiang Shi Yan had kept a close eye on He He’s progress, relieved to find her cultivation unaffected. Xiang Shi Yan added, "As a child, Lord Zhu secretly took elixirs to please his family head father, harnessed energy into his body in less than two hours, but his accomplishments... well." Zhu Yu returned to her attempts to sense the surrounding energy, unable to suppress her smile. Some adults can be so awkward. Even when comforting, they take a roundabout way... The Author’s Note: Hahaha, my ship sank (frustrated). Roughly estimating, this novel should conclude between 400,000 and 500,000 words; still a long road ahead… Seems tough to persist, but! As of today, I’ve finally earned a thousand! Though I can only withdraw half since it’s unfinished, perhaps to prevent me from disappearing—but I’m very happy! As a normally lazy college student, I actually earned a thousand yuan! I must boast about it to the whole world! Heehee, heeheehee, heeheeheehee (sudden giddiness). Boohoo, but I’ve almost written 300,000 words QAQ the journey is so long. Thanks to the angels who threw grenades and watered with nutrient liquid between 17 March 2022 at 35:57:58 and 19 March 2022 at 21:50:51~ Thanks to the angel who threw a hand grenade: Lantern Moon 1; Thanks to the angels who threw landmines: Nine Thousand Miles, Storm Brewing, Saintess Knight’s Press Squad 1; Thanks to the angels who watered with nutrient liquid: e 20 bottles; Split Husky 10 bottles; Leaning Song, Mo Jin Heng 1 bottle each; I’m extremely grateful for all your support, and I will continue to work hard! No pop-up ads on this site, permanent domain (xbanxia.com).