Bachelor [EN]: Chapter 537

The Heavenly Orchid Saintess held a small, silver mirror, watching the cultivators entering and leaving the market. As time passed, the mirror’s silver light grew stronger, but the woman remained silent.

Beside her, Gal Cheon-ho and the other elders’ expressions grew increasingly dark.

“He’s not here. Some used disguise techniques to alter their appearances, but none of them were him. Could it be that he didn’t attend the auction?” After a long while, the Heavenly Orchid Saintess, Im Eun-byeong, sighed and spoke.

“That’s impossible. A high-level cultivator in the Core Formation stage wouldn’t miss this opportunity. Besides, we met him in front of the Treasure Light Hall a few days ago. He must have attended this auction.”

“Could it be that the Myoeum True Mirror isn’t as powerful as rumored, or that it hasn’t been refined enough to unleash its full power?”

“That’s not the case. The Myoeum True Mirror is one of the treasures of True Person Chilmyo, and it’s famous throughout the cultivation world. Moreover, ancient treasures don’t require refining to activate. A few days of familiarization is enough. Otherwise, we wouldn’t have been able to find the other cultivators who changed their appearances.”

“Then, it’s possible that his secret technique is superior to the Myoeum True Mirror, or that he left the market through another route. Or perhaps he’s still in the market.”

Gal Cheon-ho’s eyes gleamed as he summarized the situation.

“The Myoeum True Mirror is famous because there are very few illusion techniques in the world that it cannot see through. No matter how great he is, could he use such an illusion technique? Besides, there are powerful barriers of the Daoist sect throughout the market, making it difficult for anyone to leave silently. He’s most likely still in the market.”

“What Im Fellow Daoist says is…”

“Let’s keep watch here. If he’s still in the market, he’ll surely pass by here. And we can send our nimble disciples to patrol the market.”

“That’s a good point. Let’s keep watch until tonight, as the Fellow Daoist says. If he’s still in the market, he’ll appear here.”

After thinking it over, Gal Cheon-ho accepted Im Eun-byeong’s suggestion. They sent voice transmissions to summon several Yin Fiend Sect low-level cultivators and gave them orders.

While the Yin Fiend Sect disciples were searching, Han Li was in the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion, talking with Elder Ok after reuniting. He had returned to his original face.

Elder Ok was very pleased to see Han Li again, knowing that he and Old Man Bu had agreed to meet here, and he led him to a VIP room. Han Li chatted with him, discussing his experiences and insights on cultivation, and they both gained some help from each other.

* * *

After a while, Old Man Bu arrived at the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion and joined their conversation without hesitation. The three cultivators’ exchange continued for almost half a day, and they finished their conversation with laughter as the sun set and the sky darkened.

* * *

Old Man Bu and Han Li left the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion.

As soon as they exited the pavilion, Han Li’s face became blurry and transformed into that of an unfamiliar man with a yellowish complexion. Old Man Bu was startled but didn’t think it was strange.

Unexpectedly, Old Man Bu led him not to the outside of the market but to a small pavilion called the Sulingjae near the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion.

“Brother Bu, what is this place?”

“This Sulingjae is a privately run shop, and I’ve known the owner for a long time. Recently, they’ve temporarily installed a teleportation array that can take you directly to a place near the underground trade fair. I’ve already spoken to them, so you can use the teleportation array.”

“Aren’t teleportation arrays strictly prohibited within the market?”

“Don’t worry. This teleportation array has already been approved by the market’s backers. It’s only temporarily installed and can only be used for a few months, and only a few people know about it.”

“I see.”

The owner of Sulingjae was an ordinary-looking, neat old man whose words and actions were unique, and he made people feel good even when meeting him for the first time. However, what surprised Han Li even more was that the other party was a famous formation master. Han Li wanted to build a relationship with the old man.

Unfortunately, he didn’t have much time to talk because he had to attend the underground trade fair quickly. He used the small teleportation array installed in the secret room under the pavilion to leave the market.

Shortly after, Han Li and Old Man Bu appeared in a small cave. After leaving the cave, Han Li realized that it was a mountain south of Jinkyeong City. The huge walls of Jinkyeong were visible not far away.

When Han Li left the market, Gal Cheon-ho, who was guarding the entrance, looked at the darkening sky and said,

“Fellow Daoist Im, it’s almost time for the underground trade fair to start. Since he hasn’t appeared yet, it’s possible that he’s already escaped using some method. Why don’t you join me at the underground trade fair? He might appear there, and even if he doesn’t, we might find some good items.”

“It seems that waiting here will be fruitless. Alright, let’s go together.”

Im Eun-byeong bit her lip and looked around the market before answering as if she had no choice.

After discussing it, Gal Cheon-ho and the other cultivators decided that only two of them would remain, and one would go with Gal Cheon-ho to the underground trade fair. The remaining cultivators said their goodbyes and disappeared, saying they had other business to attend to.

The Yin Fiend Sect elders had scattered before they could even find Han Li.

After the Yin Fiend Sect cultivators dispersed, two cultivators walked out of a nearby pavilion. They looked at the entrance, exchanged voice transmissions, and then left the market.

One of them waved a small flag, was enveloped in purple energy, and secretly flew in the direction Gal Cheon-ho and the others had gone. The other turned into a beam of light and headed towards the imperial city.

* * *

At the same time, in an unnamed mountain near Jinkyeong, Old Man Bu said to Han Li,

“We’ve used the teleportation array to get here, don’t you have anything to ask?”

“Is there a need? I’m sure Brother Bu has his reasons.”

The moment he came out of the teleportation array, Han Li had already scanned his surroundings with his consciousness to see if there was anything strange. Old Man Bu couldn’t have been unaware of his cautious behavior, but he seemed to like it rather than be bothered by it.

“Actually, there’s no special reason. According to the information I received, the Yin Fiend Sect cultivators are looking for someone at the market entrance. I thought a Fellow Daoist might not want to meet them, so I used the teleportation array. I hope you don’t think I did something unnecessary.”

Old Man Bu’s eyes gleamed as he smiled meaningfully.

“Yin Fiend Sect cultivators? I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“You don’t have to worry so much. If I had intended to do something to you, I would have already set something up here. Aren’t you the Fellow Daoist who clashed with Gal Cheon-ho in front of the Treasure Light Hall?”

“I didn’t know Brother Bu knew. But why are you helping me? It’s unbelievable that you’d make an enemy of the Yin Fiend Sect just to keep a promise.”

Han Li was silent for a moment before finally admitting it.

“What is the Yin Fiend Sect that I should fear them! Fellow Daoist Han, you don’t know my background. I’m just a deficient old man, but I’m the Law Enforcement Elder of the Nine Underworld Sect. Our sect has a history with the Yin Fiend Sect, so there’s no reason for me not to help with Gal Cheon-ho’s matter! Of course, another reason I’m helping you is that I have a favor to ask.”

“The Nine Underworld Sect? I almost made a mistake by not recognizing you. I’ve heard of the Nine Underworld Sect’s reputation for a long time. Did you say there’s something I can do for your sect?”

Since the other party was also an elder of the Nine Underworld Sect, one of the ten demonic sects, he became wary.

“This is a personal matter, so there’s no rush. Let’s participate in the trade fair together first, and then I’ll explain it in detail. It will also be beneficial for you, and if you don’t want to, I won’t force you, so don’t worry!”

“Alright, I understand.”

Old Man Bu smiled, and Han Li thought about it and smiled back. He had already made an enemy of the Yin Fiend Sect, so he couldn’t afford to make an enemy of another demonic sect. It wasn’t too late to think about whether to grant the other party’s request after hearing it.

“I knew you had a straightforward personality. Shall we go then? The place where the trade fair is held isn’t far.”

Old Man Bu’s face lit up. He seemed satisfied enough with Han Li’s answer.

The two turned into beams of light and flew up. They sped along and arrived at a dark mountain three thousand miles from Jinkyeong City. The old man led Han Li to a seemingly ordinary stone wall.

There was nothing special about the stone wall except for a faint green glow and the fact that it was mostly covered in dirt and moss.

When Han Li looked around, he saw that the valley between the two mountain peaks was overgrown with weeds as tall as a person, making it impossible to find without the old man’s guidance.

The old man, who had been there several times, skillfully flicked his sleeve and released a fist-sized disc. A white light flashed from the disc and disappeared into the stone wall.

Shortly after, the stone wall was enveloped in a yellow mist and disappeared before their eyes, revealing a huge cave entrance about ten yards in diameter.

Two middle-aged cultivators wearing cyan robes were guarding the cave entrance.

One of the middle-aged cultivators, who was in the Core Formation stage, was holding the disc that Old Man Bu had thrown.

“Senior Bu, you’ve arrived. This person’s face is unfamiliar, may I ask for his name?”

The cultivator holding the disc took a bow towards the two cultivators and then asked Han Li.

“This is Fellow Daoist Han from beyond the sea. I recommended him to come with me, what is there to investigate! Quickly give me another identity plate. We need to go in quickly.”

Old Man Bu glared and retorted without hesitation.

“If Senior Bu recommends him, there won’t be any problems. This is a Nascent Soul-level identity plate. You can enter the underground trade fair three times for free, not just this one. Of course, it will be taken back if you break the rules. According to the rules, you must pay 10,000 spirit stones to receive this disc artifact.”

“Here you go.”

Han Li’s heart ached at the number of spirit stones, but he calmly handed over a pouch full of spirit stones.

“Here you are, Senior.”

The cultivator in the cyan robe checked the number of spirit stones and handed Han Li a disc with the number 347 on it with a smile. Han Li raised an eyebrow when he saw it.

“347? Are that many cultivators attending?”

“No. Some seniors are not attending this trade fair for various reasons. Based on past experience, about two hundred people will attend.”

“That’s still quite a few.”

“It’s almost time, so we’ll go in first. If you have the chance, please send my regards to your master.”

Old Man Bu finished speaking and immediately walked into the passage.

“Both of those cultivators’ cultivation levels weren’t low, are they under the same master? Do you know them?”

Han Li asked as he followed behind.

“Their master is a great person. Have you heard of the Four Great Mountains of Daejin?”

“Of course, I’ve heard of them. Could it be that one of them is…”

“That’s right. The master of those two is the most mysterious of the Four Great Mountains, Fellow Daoist Yeok Secheon, who has been in the late Nascent Soul stage for quite some time. I had the chance to meet him once, and he easily killed an eighth-level demon beast, so his strength is amazing.

According to rumors, he is one of the two people in Daejin’s thousand-year history who has the highest chance of reaching the Deity Transformation stage. The fact that they placed those two at the entrance of this trade fair is also intended to use their master’s reputation to smoothly handle things.”

The old man explained to Han Li, unable to hide his admiration for Yeok Secheon.

“Brother Bu’s cultivation is also profound, so if you overcome the bottleneck in your cultivation, you’ll soon reach the late Nascent Soul stage. There’s no need to be envious. By the way, who is the other cultivator with a high chance of reaching the Deity Transformation stage?”

“It’s the Buddhist Sect’s Jeonghwa Sect’s Monk Byeokwol! He’s a publicly recognized genius in the cultivation world who reached the late Nascent Soul stage in just four hundred years. Compared to him, I’m nothing. Besides, I haven’t been focused on cultivation for two or three hundred years, so I’ve long given up hope. Fellow Daoist, you seem to have reached the mid-stage not long ago, so you should be able to overcome the bottleneck in your cultivation easily.”

“I wonder if such a good thing will happen.”

Han Li chuckled and didn’t react much to the old man’s words.

Old Man Bu continued to lead Han Li forward, and as the entrance to a large hall began to appear faintly, the sound of murmuring could be heard.
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