Chapter 20

Book 8 Chapter 20 – Underground Trade Gathering

Lei Xinfeng couldn’t help but comment, “What the heck is this, it’s scary…”

Even Fengying and Shihu agreed that this climate is completely unsuitable for human habitation . Even with so many layers of warm clothes that covered everything except their eyes, they could still feel the violent frozen air . They could not drop let down their defenses and had to constantly expel the cold air that got in or their whole body will freeze .

After much effort, they finally found a place to rest . After wolfing down some dry rations and recovering their energy, they went back into the ripping blizzard winds .

Fortunately, they had Chuizi and Futou leading the way . None of others could, because it was a natural ability of the natives here . No matter the weather or terrain, the natives will never get lost .

The way back was uneventful, and they didn’t see a single person, neither did any beasts appear .

After a few days of struggling through the winds and snow, the seven of them finally arrived back at Hanya Castle .

Miaolin began complaining as soon as she saw Xin Zhaolun and Lei Xinfeng . “It’s so cold! I couldn’t even go outside, it’s too cold,” she said, huddled under a huge pile of beast skin, revealing only her face . The sight of it made Lei Xinfeng want to laugh, it was so ridiculous .

Xiao Diya was sitting sat next to a pan of charcoals . “This is a good location to cultivate, I’m about to have a breakthrough… It’s just that this place is too cold . It doesn’t even matter how much you wear . Hongjie said there no one walking around outside . ”

Lei Xinfeng laughed . “On our way back, we saw a bunch of natives outside . It’s only the outsiders that are all huddled in their rooms cultivating . ”

“It’s not always going to be this cold . This place alternates between extreme cold and mild weather every few days, so don’t worry . When it’s warmer, we can go outside and take a breath of fresh air,” Xin Zhaolun said .

It certainly was indeed a lot warmer inside than outside,  but Miaolin still huddled and shivered . Only by concentrating and cultivating can she temporarily ignore the cold weather . As a result, her power was increasing rapidly .

Suddenly, Miaolin spoke up . “Ah, that’s right . There was something… Hongjie said that someone brought an invitation inviting you to go somewhere . Xiao Diya, go call Hongjie back . ”

Xiao Diya ran to the door and shouted out, “Hongjie! Hongjie, come back quickly!”

After repeating a few times, he ran back to the brazier, stirring the coals to warm himself up .

After a while, Hongjie walked in . “What is it?”

“Hongjie, uh, that invitation,” Miaolin said .

“Oh, I have it . Third master, Ninth master… Mao master sent this . The underground trading is about to begin, so he sent a few invitations . ”

“Oh, the trade meeting? Not bad, I’ve long prepared for it . We must come . Miaolin, you should come with us,” Xin Zhaolun said .

“I don’t want to go outside . I’ll freeze,” she muttered .

Xin Zhaolun laughed . “The meeting is underground, you dummy . It’s quite warm down there . ”

Miaolin’s two eyes almost glowed . “Wha! Yes! Then I will go…” Then she hesitated . “But how will I get there?” She really was afraid of the cold .

“It’s close, do you can just shield yourself . It’s such a short distance that no matter how cold it is, you’ll be fine,” Hongjie said, smiling .

“Then that’s fine I guess! Also, that place, is there a place that I can live? Can I just stay there?” Miaolin asked, eyes sparkling .

Her idea was shot down immediately . “Your cultivation won’t advance as fast underground . It’s a bad decision,” warned Xin Zhaolun .

Miaolin grimaced . “Aw, alright . I’ll just warm up and then come back up to train…” She knew in her heart that training and cultivation was important . There’s no contest between the decision to be warm and cozy versus advancing her cultivation .

Lei Xinfeng also received an invitation . “That’s interesting . There’s only three invitations, and none for the others . How do they know that we are the three in charge here?” he asked .

“Don’t be surprised . That how we registered . We don’t need to register just for entering this world, but if we wish to Hanya Castle, it’s required . It’s a rule to prevent people from making trouble,” Xin Zhaolun explained .

Everyone who comes here are from secret sects, and the places where they live are largely in Hidden Spaces, and among the most mysterious of people . There are countless conflicts between secret sects and meeting between them might break out in fights . However, there’s only one rule, which is that Monarchs generally don’t fight… at least not out in the open . In the dark, however, it wasn’t strange if a Monarch slaughters some weaker practitioners .

At the same time, there’s a general agreement between secret sects, that unless there was a huge conflict in interests, fights generally don’t happen . It was better to settle things peacefully in talks because if two secret sects fight, both will be weakened, and that’s something neither side wants .

“Rest for now,” Xin Zhaolun said . “We will go to the meeting tomorrow . Ah Feng, Little Lin, there will be many interesting things at the meeting, but don’t forget to prepare your own items . The trades there are generally revolved around barters . You can use Lun Rings, Lunyi Rings, and of course Yin Rings to buy items, but the last one will rarely appear . ”

At that, Lei Xinfeng took Fengying and Shihu back . When they returned to their room, Fengying lit their brazier and Lei Xinfeng cooked them a meal . After eating, Fengying spoke up . “With an invitation, two people will be admitted . Let’s go together . ”

Lei Xinfeng nodded . “Of course . I know that you got quite a bit of materials this time . Do you plan on trading them for some Yin Rings?”

“Yes . This place has a great effect on cultivation . With some Yin Rings, we can probably ascend . Old Hu, you’re the same, right?”

Shihu laughed . “As long as I have enough Yin Rings, I too can ascend . If I can advance even one more step, I will be satisfied . Eight Ring Bodies…are still just a bit lacking, especially if in Outer Worlds . ”

“I don’t understand this ‘Outer World . ’ How many worlds can the Hidden Door connect to?”

Fengying shook his head . “I’m not sure either . However I know that only people on the level of Monarchs can have Hidden Doors . They need to create… and the doors Monarchs create can only connect to three Outer Worlds . How it is opened, and how the destination is acquired, I have no idea . ”

“I will definitely ascend to Monarch!” Lei Xinfeng declared .

Fengying’s mouth opened slightly, and then closed, but Lei Xinfeng was watching . “Uncle Ying, you don’t need to hold back, what do you want to say?”

Shihu laughed . “I know what he’s going to say, hehe!”

“Nonsense! How would you know what I’m going say?”

“Of course I know! We’ve been together for so many years . I can tell what kind of shit you’ll produce by watching your ass,” Shihu said .

“My ass! Well then prove it; what am I going to say?” Fengying said .

“Easy . In regards to Lei Xinfeng’s ascension to Monarch, you have… reservations . ”

Fengying sighed . “The hell… am I that easy to read?”

“Yes,” Shihu replied .

With that, Fengying could only acknowledge his thoughts . “Yes… those that can ascend to the level of Monarch is few and far between . If Ah Feng can reach Monarch, I’ll be so happy I could die . But it’s just so difficult! Ah Feng, I’m not trying to scare you . Shihu and I are the people who most wish for you to reach your goal . ”

“I understand, but don’t worry! I will definitely ascend,” Lei Xinfeng replied said with full confidence . Of course, he had no idea if he really could ascend, but he knew that if he believed he can’t, then he will never even have the chance .

The underground trade gathering below Hanya Castle is fairly famous among secret sects . A few Monarchs might secretly attend to get some rare materials .

Although this world isn’t suitable for living, it has a large amount of valuable materials, making this a great place . But with just the hostile climate, this Outer World managed to block off most people that would gather, and only a lucky or strong few will manage to find good materials .

Xin Zhaolun took Xiao Diya, Lei Xinfeng brought Fengying and Shihu, while Miaolin had Hongjie with her . Together, they reached the underground gathering .

The location of the meeting will in the large space underneath Hanya Castle, around eight hundred square meters . It wasn’t too big nor too small . Because the people who were invited were only a select few, eight hundred square meters was more than enough space .

Lei Xinfeng was stunned . “This is the trade gathering? It’s very informal…”

“Don’t worry, this is just the place for loose change . Later, there will be an auction,” Xin Zhaolun explained .

“Are there any requirements for attending the auction?” Lei Xinfeng asked .

“You must have some things to sell, or have some Yin Rings as proof . ”

“We have a lot of Purple Crystals, so we can sell those . I wonder how much those are worth,” Lei Xinfeng said .

“Don’t bring out the big ones . Just use the small ones to test,” Xin Zhaolun warned .

Before Lei Xinfeng could reply, there was a large commotion not far away . “What the hell! Are you stealing?”

“Get back!” whispered Xin Zhaolun .

Boom!

Two people suddenly began fighting . As they collided, a massive shockwave bloomed from their fists, and everyone in the room instantly increased their defenses .

“Heavens, why are they fighting here? It’ll collapse!” Miaolin said .

Hongjie grabbed her and pulled her along, covering her . “Just get back, quickly!”

Fengying and Shihu also protected Lei Xinfeng, one on his left and one on his right . Xin Zhaolun himself couldn’t help but curse . “Fuck, it’s probably a couple of newbie! They don’t understand anything . Fighting here… do they want to die or something?”

The people in the lobby quickly dispersed, leaving only the two who was fighting in the center .