Free Web NovelChapter 225: Chapter 28: Re-entering the Ghost Market
After Fang Cheng entered the gray fog, the hair-raising feeling at his back disappeared. He could no longer sense the slightest aura from the monster or the azure lightning.
After advancing a few dozen feet through the gray fog, the view suddenly opened up, and a circular clearing appeared before him.
The clearing was surrounded by an endless gray fog and was deathly silent.
The bustling, lively otherworldly market he had anticipated did not appear.
Fang Cheng was the first person to arrive.
Unfortunately, he only had two hours. Once his time was up, the gray fog would expel him back to Yinluo Island.
’Am I going to leave empty-handed this time...’
A sense of frustration washed over Fang Cheng. ’To wait ten years, only for it to end like this... It’s infuriating!’
Just as he was wondering what would happen, a withered vine slowly emerged from the clearing’s ground, followed by hundreds more that drilled their way out.
The withered vines intertwined, forming a giant Vine Person a hundred feet tall, with a face etched in sorrow.
It had three golden patterns on its body, located on its left and right arms and its chest.
These patterns were mystical and beautiful, as if naturally formed, and brimming with the meaning of the Dao.
The Vine Person leaned down to look at Fang Cheng, and a powerful thought was transmitted via its Divine Sense.
"Outsider, where have you come from?"
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Fang Cheng marveled to himself again. The aura of this Vine Person was in no way inferior to that of the eight-headed monster outside the fog.
’It’s roughly equivalent to hundreds, maybe even a thousand, of my senior sister, Cai Li...’
’What kind of world have I stumbled into?’
He cautiously replied with his Divine Sense, "I come from the place I came from."
A hint of a smile touched the Vine Person’s face, as if amused by Fang Cheng. It then actually spoke, using the language of the Human Race. "I bear you no ill will. There is no need for such verbal sparring."
It had learned the language of the Human Race the moment their Divine Senses made contact.
Fang Cheng’s expression turned serious. "I am not of this world. I came here by accident."
The Vine Person nodded. "So, you are from the outside. A thousand years ago, this world’s Boundary Membrane was breached by Outer Celestial Demons, who completely corrupted this land. After the last Feathered Mage fell three hundred years ago, no other living beings have remained."
Fang Cheng asked curiously, "Does that mean you are also a Celestial Demon...?"
The Vine Person pondered for a moment before shaking its head. "In terms you can understand, I am a puppet. My master was one of the strongest Feathered Mages in this world, and this place is her tomb. After this world was infested by the Outer Celestial Demons, I fell into a deep slumber within my master’s tomb. I only reawakened when this gray fog appeared, just over a decade ago."
Fang Cheng watched the Vine Person, contemplating for a moment before saying, "Perhaps... I can take you away from this world."
A look of sorrow returned to the Vine Person’s face. "My master refined me for the sole purpose of guarding her tomb. If I were to leave this place, the restriction placed upon me would activate, and I would turn to dust."
It sized Fang Cheng up again and sighed. "If your Cultivation were higher, you might be able to undo the restriction... What a pity!"
Fang Cheng sighed as well. ’How can I make a deal under these circumstances?!’
He said, "My time in this world is limited. This place is called the Void Ghost Marketplace, a mysterious location within the All Heavens and Myriads of Realms. It exists for Cultivators from different regions—or even different worlds—to trade for what they need. Since fate has brought us together today, why not trade with each other? We could exchange things we each require."
The Vine Person listened, then slowly shook its head and said with a smile, "I am but a puppet, with no wants or desires... It is a real shame. You should return to where you came from." freeweɓnøvel.com
With that, its body slowly dispersed into innumerable withered vines and began to recede into the ground.
"Wait!"
A glint flashed in Fang Cheng’s eyes as he quickly called out to the Vine Person. "In my homeland, we have a saying: ’Even if the deal falls through, goodwill remains.’ Since we’ve met here, why not chat a little longer?"
The Vine Person reformed its body and sighed. "You outsider, your heart is not without greed. To be honest with you, my master’s burial chamber contains all the Cultivation Techniques and treasures she collected in her life. Unfortunately, your Cultivation is too low for you to enter, and I cannot retrieve them for you... If, one day, your Cultivation is great enough to traverse the Outer Void, feel free to return."
As it spoke, a foot-long, dark-gold seed covered in patterns flew from the Vine Person’s hand to float before Fang Cheng.
"This seed contains this world’s Dao marker," the Vine Person said.
Fang Cheng took the seed and let out a long breath. He said with a self-deprecating smile, "You are absolutely right. I was indeed too hasty just now, blinded by the prospect of gain. If fate allows, we shall meet again."
The Vine Person nodded. After a moment of silence, it suddenly said, "You may commit the three Feather God Dao Patterns on my body to memory. Study them well. They may be of some use to you in the future when you refine puppets or create Talismans."
Fang Cheng’s expression was calm as he cupped his hands. "Thank you."
He wanted to give the Vine Person a gift in return but had no idea what to offer.
The being before him was of a far higher order, and a puppet with no wants or desires besides. He couldn’t rely on his usual understanding of social customs to handle this situation.
He silently committed the mysterious patterns on the Vine Person’s upper arms and chest to memory. The Vine Person then dissolved into innumerable withered vines and receded into the ground.
Not long after, the hourglass at Fang Cheng’s side ran out.
A repulsive force surged forth, pushing him out of the gray fog and into the gate of light.
The next moment, he was back in the Quiet Chamber of Canglan Cave on Demon Lion Peak.
...
