Chapter 1371 |
Chapter 1371: Realm Merchants
"Rules?"
Su Jingzhen shook his head.
"I’m not quite familiar with them. Perhaps you gentlemen could enlighten me?"
As he spoke, Su Jingzhen’s expression remained relaxed, showing no trace of fear.
Behind him, Mo Xuantian’s face was equally calm.
He had already discerned that the strongest among the five before them was only at the ninth stage of the Demon Sage Realm.
The other four were roughly on par with the three bandit cultivators who had died outside the city.
These types were likely the sort who’d resort to robbery once they left the city.
Su Jingzhen raised an eyebrow slightly.
There were always excuses for coveting others’ wealth.
"Alright, do you think this is enough?"
As he spoke, Su Jingzhen took out the World-Suppressing Demonic Orb and the Void Tower of the Martial God.
Seeing the powerful aura emanating from these treasures, the eyes of the five bandit cultivators lit up instantly.
"Not enough! Not enough! Do you have more? Hand it all over! If you do, we’ll be your patrons, and you can roam freely in the City of Chaos under our protection!"
The five men’s gazes were now fixed on the treasures.
Even other denizens of the City of Chaos on the street couldn’t hide their greed.
For these people, treasures of this caliber were likely something they’d never seen before.
They knew the potent aura from the World-Suppressing Demonic Orb and the Void Tower of the Martial God marked them as treasures that, even before these individuals fell into the Domain of Chaos, would’ve been a sect’s most prized possession.
Many began to gather around, hoping to claim a share of the spoils.
"They really are complete newcomers. Don’t they know not to flaunt their wealth? Especially in the City of Chaos. Even if these five can’t take them down, they probably won’t survive the night."
"Still, the ownership of those treasures won’t be decided by mere Demon Sage Realm cultivators."
Those who recognized the treasures’ value sighed, aware that Demon General Realm experts had likely already taken notice.
The five men realized this too.
Seeing Su Jingzhen and Mo Xuantian hadn’t responded, a fierce expression crossed their faces.
Their auras sharpened, and they charged toward Su Jingzhen.
"Kid, hand it over!"
Just as they came within three zhang of Su Jingzhen, one drew a ghost-headed greatsword and slashed without hesitation.
He wanted to end this quickly!
He planned to kill Su Jingzhen and Mo Xuantian swiftly and seize the World-Suppressing Demonic Orb and the Void Tower of the Martial God.
He knew that if he delayed, a Demon General Realm expert’s arrival would leave him no chance at the treasures.
But as he reached the three-zhang mark, he found he couldn’t advance another inch!
The space within three zhang of Su Jingzhen seemed to solidify.
Terror filled the five men’s faces.
"Who… which lord is this?"
"Spare us! We’ll give up these treasures!"
"Please, spare our lives! We’ll leave immediately!"
"…"
At this moment, neither Su Jingzhen nor Mo Xuantian had moved.
The five instinctively assumed the terrifying energy field came from a hidden Demon General Realm expert nearby.
Compared to the treasures, they knew their lives mattered more!
But no matter how they pleaded, it was useless.
A smile curled Su Jingzhen’s lips.
Then, with a series of muffled bangs, the five turned into clouds of blood mist, scattering across the street.
This was, of course, Mo Xuantian’s doing.
With his Demon King-level power, eliminating five Demon Sage Realm cultivators was effortless.
After their deaths, the killing intent they’d accumulated dissipated into the air.
Su Jingzhen waved his hand, gathering it into a ball and storing it in the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.
The killing intent from these five was slightly stronger than that of the three bandits outside the city.
Su Jingzhen then turned his gaze to the surrounding crowd.
The World-Suppressing Demonic Orb and the Void Tower of the Martial God continued spinning in his hands, their potent aura still on display.
Though many in the crowd were envious, fear dominated their expressions.
The City of Chaos was full of desperadoes, but they weren’t fools.
They saw the five Demon Sage Realm cultivators die at Su Jingzhen and his companion’s hands.
Anyone capable of that was at least at the Demon General Realm—perhaps even a high-level one, fifth stage or above!
As Su Jingzhen’s gaze swept over them, many stepped back, wary of drawing his attention.
"So these are the so-called desperadoes of the Domain of Chaos? They don’t seem all that impressive," Su Jingzhen muttered before continuing forward with Mo Xuantian.
At that moment, atop a building beside the street, a group of mysterious black-robed figures also noticed the scene.
"Those are genuine treasures! We can’t miss this chance!"
The leader exclaimed with delight before descending and quickly catching up to Su Jingzhen and Mo Xuantian.
There were eight in total.
The auras of the three leaders surged, revealing them as Demon General Realm cultivators. The foremost was an eighth-stage Demon General Realm expert.
At this level, whether in the Domain of Chaos or anywhere in the Moluo Realm, they were true powerhouses absent a Demon King.
The other five were high-level Demon Sage Realm cultivators!
"Friend, I’d like to make a deal. Would you part with that demonic orb and tower? Name your price."
The eighth-stage Demon General Realm expert spoke calmly.
There was no arrogance or aggression in his tone, nor any sharp killing intent.
To show sincerity, he removed his cloak’s hood, revealing a plump face.
His small eyes fixed on the treasures in Su Jingzhen’s hands.
The intense desire in his gaze was clear, yet there was no hint of greed or intent to seize them by force.
This demeanor surprised Su Jingzhen.
It reminded him of the Treasure Gathering Pavilion managers he’d met in the immortal realm.
The word "merchant" sprang to mind.
He hadn’t yet encountered proper merchant organizations in the Starry Sky Demons’ territory.
"Oh? Name my price? A proper merchant wouldn’t do business like this, would they?"
The plump man was momentarily stunned, surprise flickering in his eyes.
Su Jingzhen casually stowed the World-Suppressing Demonic Orb and the Void Tower of the Martial God.
He’d only displayed them as bait.
These treasures were important to him, and he was accustomed to using them. He had no intention of trading them.
If these people needed treasures of a similar level, he had plenty more in the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.
From Su Jingzhen’s perspective, the World-Suppressing Demonic Orb and the Void Tower of the Martial God were merely high-level Demon General Realm treasures.
The demonic orb came from the Heaven Slaying Demon Sect, and the tower from the Martial God Hall in the immortal realm.
Though both had ancient legacies, they couldn’t compare to Demon King-level treasures.
They weren’t even as potent as the bronze mirror and hairpin Huo Yang had taken from the Divine Flame Family’s treasury.
Still, high-level Demon General Realm treasures remained rare.
"Young master, you’re quite interesting. Why don’t we find a place to discuss further?"
After a pause, the man spoke again.
Though he’d revealed his eighth-stage Demon General Realm cultivation, he hadn’t resorted to force.
At his level, he understood what the deaths of those five Demon Sage Realm cultivators implied.
Even he couldn’t eliminate them so effortlessly.
In other words, he knew Mo Xuantian’s cultivation was at least his equal.
Su Jingzhen raised an eyebrow and nodded.
"Envoy…"
Behind him, Mo Xuantian’s expression showed confusion.
To him, the other party was just an eighth-stage Demon General Realm cultivator.
There was no need for such courtesy.
If needed, he could simply capture them.
With his Demon King-level strength, he stood at this world’s pinnacle.
Even if other Demon Kings lurked in the City of Chaos, he and Su Jingzhen together could dominate.
Plus, the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss held the tree demon and Mo Xuanling.
If they wished, three Demon King-level experts could establish a ruling force here.
"Have you heard of realm merchants? We’re heading to the Boundless Demon Realm and beyond. Experienced guides from other realms would save us much trouble."
"Every major world of the Starry Sky Demons has Demon Kings—often more than one. The Divine Flame Family is top-tier in the Moluo Realm, but in the Boundless Demon Realm, they’d be an ordinary Demon King-level force."
"Though I have you, Mo Xuanling, and the tree demon—three Demon Kings—we’re still not at this world’s peak."
After learning of the Starry Sky Demons’ nine major realms from the Fire Pupil Demon King, Su Jingzhen had grown cautious.
He wasn’t overconfident in his current strength.
Mo Xuantian nodded, saying nothing more, and resumed his steward role.
Soon, Su Jingzhen and Mo Xuantian followed the eight men back to their building.
The others revealed their faces.
Most were plump, their eyes gleaming with desire as they looked at Su Jingzhen.
"I’m Jin Zhongbao. As you guessed, I’m a merchant. Friends, you’ve seen I’ve no intent to take anything by force. I uphold fair trade."
"If you choose not to trade, that’s fine too. We can still be friends."
Jin Zhongbao’s tone remained calm.
"A merchant, but not an ordinary one, right? Are you a legendary realm merchant?"
Su Jingzhen asked curiously.
Jin Zhongbao and the others paused, then nodded.
Realm merchants were a group, a force.
The Fire Pupil Demon King’s information had highlighted them.
They traveled between major worlds, trading goods.
Also called inter-realm traders, they operated across realms like the Moluo Realm, Boundless Demon Realm, and Demon God Realm—each with unique products and laws.
Items common in the Moluo Realm might be treasures elsewhere.
Weapons with Moluo Realm laws could fetch high prices in other worlds.
Though interconnected under the Starry Sky Demons, traveling between realms required significant strength.
The World-Suppressing Demonic Orb and Void Tower of the Martial God held Moluo Realm Dao laws.
In another realm, experts could study these laws, boosting their power.
To inter-realm traders, treasures were more than just objects.
"Which realms do you travel between, Fellow Daoist Jin?"
Su Jingzhen asked again.
Though he wielded vast strength and resources, ties with realm merchants could simplify many tasks.
Jin Zhongbao smiled. "I handle the Moluo Realm and Boundless Demon Realm. Their laws are compatible, making them closely linked."
For realm merchants, this wasn’t secret information.
They saw Su Jingzhen and Mo Xuantian as extraordinary, and Jin Zhongbao had long-term goals in the Moluo Realm.
Befriending such figures would ease his dealings.
Su Jingzhen’s eyes brightened.
This was a fortunate coincidence.
Seeing Su Jingzhen’s reaction, Jin Zhongbao was pleased.
He knew the trade was likely secured.
"I sincerely wish to befriend you both. May I ask if the trade can proceed? Oh, I forgot to ask your names."
Jin Zhongbao’s eyes shone with anticipation.
Su Jingzhen nodded without hesitation.
A realm merchant trading between the Moluo and Boundless Demon Realms was exactly what he needed!
Since his days in Linjiang City, he’d enjoyed dealing with merchants.
With them, money solved everything, keeping things simple.
Su Jingzhen took out three more Demon General Realm treasures imbued with Moluo Realm Dao laws.
Though less valuable than the demonic orb and tower, they were still rare.
Jin Zhongbao and the others’ eyes lit up again.
With the earlier two, that made five Demon General Realm treasures.
Even core disciples of the Boundless Demon Sect might not have such wealth.
"We’ll take as many as you’ll sell. We’ll buy them all."
Jin Zhongbao said.
Su Jingzhen thought briefly, then produced five more Demon General Realm spirit tools.
They varied in type—magical tools from the eight ancient demon sects’ treasuries in the trial grounds.
He had many such tools, most unneeded.
With Little Green’s replication, he could make more anytime.
"For now, let’s trade these eight."
To Su Jingzhen, this was trivial.
But Jin Zhongbao and the others grew serious, then ecstatic.
"Eight Demon General Realm spirit tools! In the past, gathering this many took several trips. These are sects’ prized possessions—who’d trade them so easily?"
Someone as wealthy as Su Jingzhen was rare.
"Of course, of course. What do you want in return?"
Jin Zhongbao asked.
Su Jingzhen didn’t hesitate, having decided earlier.
"First, I need the unique killing intent from the City of Chaos’ desperadoes—preferably Demon King-level."
"Second, we’re not here to dominate the City of Chaos. We aim to use the inter-realm passage to the Boundless Demon Realm. Meeting you is fortunate, so I’d like to accompany you there and have you arrange suitable identities."
The City of Chaos’ killing intent could be key to the Demon Warrior Legion’s Demon King-level breakthrough.
More was better.
Mo Xuantian and others could kill freely here, but it’d waste time and risk exposure.
This time, he wanted his Moluo Realm whereabouts unknown to Demon King-level forces.
Jin Zhongbao’s brow furrowed slightly.
"The second request is easy. With your strength and resources, a prominent identity in the Boundless Demon Realm is no issue. But Demon King-level killing intent is hard to obtain. I can only promise to try my best!"
Su Jingzhen smiled.
"Doing your best is enough!"
He extended his right hand. "I’m Su Han… Let’s be friends."