Chapter 22: The Black Market Guide

"Young lady," just as the girl and the fox were intently scanning their surroundings, a figure as black and spectral as a phantom suddenly appeared behind her.

The shadow was so silent and ghost-like that even the fox, with its keen sense of hearing, failed to notice anything amiss.

A hand, thin and withered as a branch, rested lightly upon her shoulder.

Ouyang Xiaoyue’s body reacted far faster than her thoughts.

Almost the instant that hand made contact, she recoiled like a startled rabbit and whipped her head around.

Her beautiful, expressive eyes now flickered with a chilling, crimson light as she barked, "Do not touch me!"

The person standing before her was draped from head to toe in a robe as black as ink, enveloping him completely. The only things visible were the withered, skeletal fingers extending from his sleeves.

Faced with Ouyang Xiaoyue’s reaction, the mysterious man remained unnervingly calm, as if such scenes were commonplace to him. He neither retreated nor showed the slightest hint of surprise; he simply spoke again in a low, hollow voice, "Young lady, what is it that you seek?"

Despite the indescribably eerie aura emanating from the man, strangely, there was not a trace of hostility to be felt. This contradiction only heightened Ouyang Xiaoyue's vigilance.

"Could it be... a Water Spirit Root? No, that’s not it. Looking at you, young lady, could you perhaps be here in search of an alchemy furnace?"

Ouyang Xiaoyue remained silent, yet the mysterious man’s fingers twitched slightly, and he accurately named the purpose of her visit, as if he possessed the power of foresight.

"Yes," Ouyang Xiaoyue nodded, the crimson glow in her eyes deepening.

"Young lady, I am the guide of this Ghost Market. Anyone wishing to enter must provide the necessary 'currency.' I wonder, young lady...?"

The guide’s gloomy voice sounded as if it had risen from the depths of the underworld, bone-chilling and macabre. Had it been someone with weaker nerves, they might have been frightened into turning and running on the spot.

Ouyang Xiaoyue frowned, a flicker of contemplation in her eyes. She stood still for a long moment before her gaze slowly drifted to the exquisite little space ring on her slender finger.

The guide watched her intently, his eyes filled with curiosity. Seemingly oblivious, Ouyang Xiaoyue reached out her right hand and gently delved into the space ring.

As her fingers rummaged within, the surrounding atmosphere grew increasingly tense. The robed man held his breath, eyes fixed unblinkingly on her movements.

Finally, Ouyang Xiaoyue’s hand stopped. The robed man’s heart jumped.

She then pinched something with great care and slowly withdrew it from the ring. When the object was fully revealed, the robed man was stunned.

In her hand lay nothing more than a low-grade spirit stone, glowing with a faint light. It was about the size of a hen's egg, crystal clear and translucent, like an unblemished jade or a brilliant gemstone. Compared to the rare medicinal pills and precious treasures typically offered by others, this low-grade spirit stone seemed far too common and mundane.

"..." Seeing that she had offered such a measly stone, the guide was struck dumb.

Since he had taken up the post of guide for the Ghost Market, he had never received such a peculiar form of "toll." Everyone who came before had produced rare pills or powerful artifacts as exchange. This young lady, however, had honestly offered him nothing but a mere low-grade spirit stone.

Yet, while the Ghost Market had its rules about an entry fee, it never strictly specified that the currency had to be a rare treasure or a high-level elixir.

Suppressing his surprise and amusement, the guide regained his composure. With a blank expression, he reached out, took the stone, and tucked it away into his robe.

Without another word, he turned and walked toward the depths of the alley. Ouyang Xiaoyue followed closely, the small fire-red fox trotting along at her heels.

Together, the girl and the fox vanished into the dark, mysterious depths of the alleyway behind their guide. As he walked, the guide glanced once more at the small creature in Ouyang Xiaoyue’s arms, but he could discern nothing—it appeared to be nothing more than an ordinary pet.

For the Ghost Market, the concept of "the greatest hermit hides in the city" did not apply. The black market was protected by barriers set by powerful masters; without a guide, it was impossible to breach the barrier and enter. However, since the black market was ultimately a place of commerce, anyone who could produce the currency was welcome to enter.