The Lord of Void and Real
Chapter 1374

Chapter 1374: Chapter 1370: Assistant Chapter 1374: Chapter 1370: Assistant The Black Bear Demon and Shen Luo quickly arrived at an underwater canyon northwest of the East Sea Dragon Palace. This place was already far from the important areas of the Dragon Palace, with few Dragon Palace soldiers stationed around. The entire canyon was enveloped by a huge blue light screen that kept the seawater out, and shops lined both sides of the canyon, forming a large market area that was no less impressive than the West Market of Chang'an City.

The buildings in the Sea Market were adorned with dragon patterns and carvings of divine dragons, exuding a strong ambiance of the East Sea Dragon Palace.

The Market was bustling with members of the Eastern Sea Aquatic Race and some human cultivators, making it a lively place to be.

With a sweep of his divine sense, Shen Luo had the entire Sea Market within his grasp. The items for sale in the shops were mostly special products from the Eastern Sea and were significantly more precious than the goods in the markets on the islands above the sea, with a higher grade.

Although the goods displayed outside did not catch his eye, some of the treasures locked behind prohibitions inside the shops were brimming with treasure light and had great utility even for a True Immortal like him.

“The things in these shops are just ordinary spiritual materials, nothing interesting. I'll take you to see some real treasures.” Just as Shen Luo was about to take a closer look, the Black Bear Demon pulled him along and quickly walked forward, turning a few corners until they arrived in front of a shop at the very back of the Market.

This shop, which appeared to deal in spiritual materials, was named Fu Gong Tower and was extremely spacious, occupying an area of forty to fifty zhang, and was over ten zhang high, surrounded by other stores like stars encircling the moon, conspicuously situated in the central most prominent section.

The Aquatic Race with varying skin colors and looks and human cultivators were coming in and out of there, some with joy clearly written on their faces while others appeared downcast and anxious, making for a colorful and busy scene with a booming business.

“What a big shop, is this the place?” Shen Luo asked, his interest piqued.

“Yes, this is it. Follow me,” the Black Bear Demon nodded but instead of entering through the main door, he headed toward a side door at the back of Fu Gong Tower and pushed it open to enter.

They found themselves in what seemed like a side hall void of customers, with only a teenager lazily napping.

“Xiao San, where is your master? I've found the help needed, and he can't keep putting it off,” the Black Bear Demon said, slapping the teenager to wake him, indicating their prior acquaintance.

“It turns out to be Elder Black. My master has been waiting for you for a long time. Please follow me inside,” the teenager stood up, glanced at Shen Luo with a bit of surprise but did not say much, and led the way to a small door inside the side hall.

As Shen Luo's divine sense swept over the teenager, his gaze subtly changed.

The youth's cultivation was not profound, only at the Nascent Soul Stage, but he possessed an odd aura that carried both human and demon powers, suggesting that he might be a human-demon hybrid.

Behind the small door was a stone chamber. The teenager took out a snow-white shell-shaped magical instrument, pointed it at the stone wall, and a white light merged into it. A layer of white light instantly surfaced on the stone wall and then, with a rumbling noise, a staircase leading downwards appeared.

The teenager did not bother to explain to the Black Bear Demon and stepped down first, while the Black Bear Demon, apparently not a stranger to this place, casually followed.

“Black Daoist, now that we're here, can you share in detail with me who we are going to meet and what we are going to do?” asked Shen Luo as he followed along, inquiring through a transmitted message.

“Of course. Have you heard of the Earth Core Fire Lotus?” the Black Bear Demon responded via a transmitted message.

“Earth Core Fire Lotus? I've read about it in an ancient book; it seems to be a precious Spirit Lotus that only appears in areas with a high concentration of fire attribute spiritual power, like volcanic regions,” replied Shen Luo, slightly startled.

“You are well-informed, Friend Shen. You are correct. The Earth Core Fire Lotus is a Heavenly Treasure that grows within volcanic lava, having absorbed the earth's core fire energy, and is filled with an abundant fire spirit power. The elixirs refined from it are not only potent and beneficial for True Immortal cultivators like us, but they also have a powerful body refining effect, making it a sought-after spiritual medicine for human cultivators who practice Body Refining Techniques and members of our Demon Race,” the Black Bear Demon's eyes flashed with fervor.

“Does this shop have a lead on the Earth Core Fire Lotus?” asked Shen Luo, feeling excited himself.

“Indeed, the owner of this shop is a significant figure in the Sea Market, and he knows a place where the Earth Core Fire Lotus grows. However, he mentioned that the place is quite dangerous, and he's currently gathering True Immortal cultivators to go there and harvest them. I've already agreed to join him, and since I've run into you, Friend Shen, I thought to bring you along as well. You don't mind, do you?” the Black Bear Demon said.

“Such a delightful opportunity is not something I, Shen Luo, could ever refuse. How could I possibly complain? I've only just reached the True Immortal Stage, so I hope Black Daoist doesn't find me a hindrance,” Shen Luo said with a smile.

“Why so modest, Friend Shen? Back when you hadn't even stepped into the Great Mahayana Stage, you were able to contest a True Immortal being with the help of your magical treasures. Now that you have advanced to the True Immortal Stage, I wouldn't dare claim a certain victory over your strength,” the Black Bear Demon laughed and said.

“I dare not accept such high praise, Black Daoist,” Shen Luo said with habitual humility, his expression betraying nothing.

Seeing Shen Luo's demeanor, the Black Bear Demon felt a chill in his heart.

He could sense that Shen Luo was strong, but he couldn't clearly determine to what extent. His earlier words had been a test, but Shen Luo's reaction was so indifferent–could it be that his strength truly matched or surpassed his own?

As the two conversed, they reached the end of the stairs, and a stone door appeared before them.

The youth took out a seashell magical instrument again to open the stone door, revealing a bright Hall in front of them.

Vividly colored brocade carpets, snow-white walls, high-hanging palace lanterns, various delicate antique decorations–it looked magnificent, resembling the living room of a wealthy family in the secular world, without much of a cultivator's aura.

The Master of this place is indeed a remarkable individual.

In the center of the Hall was a gold-inlaid large table surrounded by more than a dozen chairs. There were five people around the table, sipping tea and chatting leisurely, completely at ease–one look and you could tell they were no ordinary individuals.

As soon as the Black Bear Demon and Shen Luo walked in, several sharp gazes instantly swept over them.

“Fellow Cultivators have arrived already. Black has come a bit late; please forgive me, forgive me,” the Black Bear Demon said with a chuckle, seemingly acquainted with the people in the Hall.

Shen Luo didn't know any of them and, without being introduced, chose not to speak. He followed behind the Black Bear Demon, discreetly sizing up the few people in the Hall.

Sitting on the outermost side was a middle-aged man in blue brocade clothes, with neither body shape nor facial features exhibiting any traits of a demon race. He looked entirely like a human male, with three tufts of facial hair and an elegant appearance. In his right hand, he held a white fan with the bold words “Divine Calculation” written on it in thick ink, presenting himself like a fortune-teller.

Next to this man was a white-clothed young master, tall and handsome, with a grace that dazzled even Shen Luo, a man himself.

When it came to appearance, no man that Shen Luo had seen could compare with this white-clothed young master. However, a pair of coral-shaped horns grew on his forehead, indicating he was from some aquatic clan.

The other three were seated across from them. One was a blue-clothed old turtle with long whiskers by his lips, giving off an air of senility.

Yet it was this person who was sitting in the main seat, looking proud and glancing at others from the corner of his eye as though he were naturally superior.

The last two were a man and a woman. The man appeared to be in his early thirties, dressed in a black robe, tall and sturdy with a cold gaze. The woman wore a green shirt, was quite pretty, and especially her large, watery eyes resembled shiny black pearls, giving her a very unique appearance.

Both of their auras were of the demon race, but it was unclear from which clan they hailed.