Chapter 113: The Central Sea Market (Part Two)

After refining the Red-Eyed Black Water Snake, Jiang Feng once again submerged himself in meditation. He reviewed his battle experiences against the Master of Wuming Island and the Thunder Roc, while also taking out the demonic scripture, *Earth-Fiend Heavenly Wave Hands*, to meticulously study its methods of circulating Nether Energy.

Three full days passed. He refined his Wood Emperor Nether Energy once more, honed his various combat techniques until his mind was sharp and agile, and restored his physical strength and Nether Energy to an unprecedented peak before finally opening his eyes.

Duan Xingyun had also nearly finished his own training.

"Let’s go! We’re heading to the Central Sea Market!"

Jiang Feng activated his alchemy furnace, rose to the surface, tucked the furnace back into his Jiangshan Bottle, and, channeling his Nether Energy, set his course and slowly flew forward.

"Ahead lies the South Sea Continent, the location of the Central Sea Market." Two streaks of leisurely cyan light soared through the air. The sea was calm and beautiful, and the faint breath of spring drifted from afar. Jiang Feng’s sharp gaze scanned the distance, where a vast continent floated upon the ocean. It appeared to have cities, a population, and merchant shops... Along the coastal ports, countless ships were docked or coming and going, appearing ten times more prosperous than anything in the interior.

Among the vessels were storied ships, sailboats, and even massive five-toothed warships. Jiang Feng had seen many ships in Jiuyan Town due to its proximity to the ocean, and he had seen large vessels capable of carrying one hundred thousand or even several hundred thousand jin.

However, the ships at this continental port left him stunned. He saw numerous giant warships floating on the sea like mountains, with people moving up and down like ants. Those massive ships could likely carry millions, perhaps even tens of millions, of jin!

Jiang Feng had never seen such gargantuan vessels. Moreover, he could clearly sense a strong metallic aura radiating from them; they were actually forged from steel.

"Those giant ships belong to the Langya Chamber of Commerce, the number one merchant guild in the world. Every year, they conduct extensive trade with the Central Sea Market, bringing in cultivated herbs and purchasing rare treasures, and they even transport Star Stones. These steel warships can cleave through waves and travel ten thousand li a day," Duan Xingyun explained as he saw Jiang Feng’s reaction.

"The Langya Chamber of Commerce actually trades in something as valuable as Star Stones?" Jiang Feng asked in surprise.

"The source of the Star Stones in this region is controlled by the Lingbo Town branch of the Langya Chamber of Commerce. The mineral veins they possess are immeasurable. It is rumored that outside of Lingbo Town, they have opened up many mining fields and discovered massive deposits of Star Stones," Duan Xingyun said. "Otherwise, why would the Lingbo Town branch be so arrogant?"

"Indeed, the disciples of the Lingbo Town branch act like envoys from the heavens, claiming to act on behalf of the divine. They interfere in everything. I don't believe that if they continue to be so overbearing, the Langya branches in other regions won't grow resentful, and the demonic sects will surely seize the opportunity to infiltrate." Jiang Feng recalled the faces of "Thunder Roc," "Su Bing," "Huo Liu," and that Zhang Tianhao—all disciples of the Lingbo Town branch—and felt extremely uncomfortable, wishing he could kill them instantly.

However, Jiang Feng understood that this was only a thought; he could not actually carry it out. To kill a disciple of the Lingbo Town branch would surely invite a catastrophe that no one could protect him from.

Moving against their disciples was akin to killing an imperial envoy in the secular world; it was tantamount to open rebellion. Even if they harassed you, you could only swallow your pride. Otherwise, if you struck back, you would be the one in the wrong.

"The Lingbo Town branch has the strength to suppress the Langya branches of the nearby major cities as well as the demonic sects. Not only do they have many righteous masters of the True Nether Realm, but it is also rumored that they possess a Nether Immortal Artifact!" Duan Xingyun added.

"A Nether Immortal Artifact!"

The "White Emperor Glazed Tripod," hidden within the Jiangshan Bottle, could be manipulated at will, and thanks to its internal arrays, the quality of the pills he refined had improved significantly. However, upon hearing the words "Nether Immortal Artifact," it suddenly appeared lost in thought, as if recalling some ancient secret.

As a former Nether Saint who had once dominated his era, "Jue" naturally knew many ancient secrets and the hidden truths of the righteous sects.

"What? The Lingbo Town branch possesses a Nether Immortal Artifact?" Jiang Feng was startled. He knew that the treasures of the world were divided into Nether Artifacts, Nether Sacred Artifacts, Nether Divine Artifacts, Nether Profound Artifacts, and Nether Precious Artifacts, followed by the most powerful, mysterious, and indescribable of all: the Nether Immortal Artifacts. He knew what a Nether Sacred Artifact was, but he had no idea what a Nether Immortal Artifact actually looked like.

"I don't know what kind of Nether Immortal Artifact the Lingbo Town branch possesses; it is their highest secret," Duan Xingyun shook his head, appearing truly ignorant.

"Jue, do you know what a Nether Immortal Artifact actually is?" Jiang Feng secretly asked.

"A Nether Immortal Artifact... it can destroy the earth, move stars, alter the void, traverse without limits, connect the past and present, and possesses infinite power and profound mysteries! If you possessed a Nether Immortal Artifact right now, you could kill that Thunder Roc instantly! Even a master at the ninth stage of the True Nether Realm would be no match for you." Jue’s tone was heavy and slow, every word carrying immense pressure. "So, the hope of you becoming a Nether King within ten years is not entirely nonexistent—it lies in obtaining a Nether Immortal Artifact! But that hope is truly slim. In this world, there are many Nether King masters, but few Nether Immortal Artifacts. When one emerges, every Demon Emperor, Demon Sovereign, righteous leader, and hidden expert will strike; it wouldn't be your turn. Thousands of years ago, how many righteous-demonic wars were triggered by the emergence of a Nether Immortal Artifact?"

"I understand. It seems I have no hope of obtaining a Nether Immortal Artifact. Once I reach the Central Sea Market, I will buy pills for physical refinement to push my body to the realm of surging vitality first," Jiang Feng said, speeding up as he flew toward the distant continent.

Duan Xingyun naturally followed closely behind.

As they approached the continent, Jiang Feng saw others flying about. Most were wearing top-tier Nether Artifact robes or using top-tier flight talismans; he saw very few masters of the True Nether Realm.

Jiang Feng and Duan Xingyun were both wearing top-tier Nether Artifact robes, restraining their own Nether Energy and relying solely on the power of the robes to glide through the air, keeping a low profile.

"The largest merchant shop in this Central Sea Market is called the Tongtian Pavilion. It is run by the Central Immortal Island itself. It has all kinds of medicinal herbs, talismans, and spiritual medicines. You can even sell your own items there," Duan Xingyun introduced as the three of them landed in the center of a large city, in front of what looked like an imperial palace.

It was not a palace, for the massive plaque above the gate bore the characters "Tongtian Pavilion."

Atop this grand hall, a giant dragon had been sculpted, appearing as if it were about to soar into the heavens.

As soon as Jiang Feng and Duan Xingyun landed in front of the Tongtian Pavilion, several disciples approached them: "Which sect are you from? Or are you rogue cultivators? Have you come to buy or sell?"

These disciples wore fine robes and carried horsetail whisks. Their eyes shone with sharp light, and their physical auras were robust; their cultivation levels were not low. In the secular world, they would be martial arts masters, but in the world of Nether Energy practitioners, they were merely low-ranking disciples. However, the whisks in their hands emitted wisps of Nether Energy, suggesting they were themselves Nether Artifacts, and they carried other powerful artifacts on their persons.

They were clearly disciples of a wealthy, major sect.

"We are direct disciples of the Langya Chamber of Commerce from Jiuyan Town. We have come to the Central Immortal Island to buy some spiritual medicines for alchemy and, incidentally, to collect a reward." Jiang Feng raised his hand, gathering a ball of Nether Energy in his palm that emitted a powerful ripple.

"Ah! Third stage of the Void Nether Realm! Direct disciples!" The Central Immortal Island disciples exchanged glances, their expressions immediately becoming respectful. "Distinguished guests!"

As they spoke, two more disciples emerged from the entrance. These two had even higher cultivation—steadily at the sixth stage of the Nether Practitioner realm—and offered a salute, "Senior brothers, please follow us inside!"

Jiang Feng nodded and followed the two disciples into the Tongtian Pavilion.