Can a Scholar Be Called a Villain - Book 2: Chapter 2: Trade

“The sect masters of the ten great sects?” Feng Zhe inquired, his expression a mix of surprise and disbelief.

Ling Yu affirmed with a nod, “Indeed, the sect masters of the ten great sects will personally be present to select disciples. If you perform exceptionally well, you might even have the opportunity to become their direct disciple!”

Even Ling Yu’s excitement was palpable. After all, these were the sect masters of the ten great sects—each one residing in the Tribulation realm—and considered the most formidable individuals on the continent.

The gathering crowd instantly buzzed with excitement, their collective excitement overpowering any concerns about the competition’s brutal nature and their lack of strength to even survive to the end of the tournament.

Murong Lin, on the other hand, stood on the side with a solemn expression, his brows furrowed. What Ling Yu had just disclosed was not part of Sheng Yi’s memories. In those memories, there was no mention of sect leaders from the ten great sects; only a few elders and deacons were present.

However, given Ling Yu’s unwavering confidence, it was clear that this was a change that had occurred in their timeline, very likely influenced by a protagonist.

As Ling Yu continued to address the assembly, he went on to discuss the formidable individuals present on the flying ship alone.

“The most powerful country this ship will visit is Shixin. Their second prince, Shi Ji Mi, is a Cognizance realm expert. In addition to him, there are about ten or so Sky Reaching realm experts among their ranks.

The Verdant Olive Alliance is similarly formidable, boasting a comparable number of Sky Reaching realm experts, as well as a mysterious Cognizance realm expert, Wang Chuang.

Then there’s the East Sea Alliance, boasting an exceptionally skilled Cognizance realm expert in the Sword Dao, Sun Qiao Long, and a significant number of Sword Dao prodigies.”

Murong Lin regarded this information with a peculiar gaze, not expecting to find three Cognizance realm experts within the participants on this flying ship alone. To him, this was a clear indication of an imminent, significant conflict involving prodigies and exceptional individuals from around the world.

In his mind, he recognized the three mentioned figures.

Ling Yu continued, “There are numerous other prodigies and formidable individuals hailing from various regions, and experts in the ninth layer of the Sky Reaching realm are plentiful. This tournament promises to be fiercer and more perilous than any before it. Exercise caution, and focus on elevating your own strengths.

Like in the past, this tournament will be held in the ‘Heaven Martial’ hidden realm, where participants would be expected to survive for a month. The selection of the strongest 10,000 participants would be based on the quality of their hunts.

Remember this well! Within the hidden realm, there are countless fortuitous opportunities for us to grow stronger that we must seize. Strive to make it into the top 10,000 ranks to earn the chance of being selected by the ten great sects. As for the final competition, it’s optional, but the top ten participants will receive substantial rewards.”

Ling Yu provided additional details about the tournament before distributing the information Jade Slips to the members of the Ridge Fir Alliance. Subsequently, he retired to his room for cultivation.

Meanwhile, a fair number of participants ventured to the marketplace, curious to explore the items that their fellow competitors had made available for trade. While they all represented different alliances, the reality was that they prioritized their own futures over the collective interests of their alliances. To them, they believed that the marketplace might offer valuable items worth purchasing.

Murong Lin, accompanied by the other four participants from Yan, decided to explore the marketplace as well. The expansive square in the front of the flying ship hosted numerous stalls where people engaged in buying and selling items, all with the permission of Ye Lan. At this point, thousands of individuals roamed around, examining the goods on display.

The ship’s resting areas were primarily located at the rear and lower floors, offering ample accommodation for the over 10,000 passengers with the four levels of rooms available.

Murong Lin carefully observed his surroundings, and once he was satisfied that everything appeared normal, he began to pay particular attention to individuals whom he suspected might be protagonists. More accurately, individuals who were absent from Sheng Yi’s memories.

However, he understood that he wouldn’t find a protagonist relying solely on Sheng Yi’s recollections.

Li Yi Fan and Liu Wu made their way to the marketplace area catering to Sword Dao cultivators, while Li Wen Hao joined his clan members in their exploration. Feng Zhe, on the other hand, ventured into the regions where practitioners of physical arts gathered, in search of items he could acquire.

Murong Lin, with no particular destination in mind, strolled around the marketplace area, harbouring doubts about the possibility of a fortuitous encounter here. He didn’t anticipate finding anything that could significantly enhance his Blade Dao either.

Eventually, he entered the section of the marketplace dedicated to medicinal pills. After glancing at a few medicinal pills, he found a spot to sit down and began to arrange the items he had obtained in Yan for potential trade. These items had lost their efficacy for him after he advanced to the Cognizance realm, so rather than using them, he saw them as valuable resources to be exchanged for spiritual stones.

In no time, a white cloth materialized on the ground before him, upon which various spiritual medicines, spiritual fruits, and ingredients for refining pills and equipment covered in his spiritual power floated. While these items didn’t exceed the higher Sky grade, there was a significant quantity of them.

It didn’t take long for a crowd of interested individuals to run over.

The first to arrive was the pill refiner who had initially set up his stall next to Murong Lin. His gaze was fixed on the Dragon Ascending Crystal Fruit in Murong Lin’s collection, a higher Sky grade spiritual fruit that Murong Lin had acquired in Yan. It was the highest grade spiritual fruit he had obtained, although it was primarily useful for pill cauldrons rather than for cultivation.

The Dragon Ascending Crystal Fruit held significant value for pill refiners, as it could elevate the quality of pill caldrons, enhance the speed of ingredient refinement, and boost the success rate of pill-making. To pill refiners, these items were more precious than other higher Sky grade offerings. Mental energy, pill flames, and pill caldrons were the most vital elements for their craft.

The pill refiner’s gaze remained locked onto the Dragon Ascending Crystal Fruit before Murong Lin. Swallowing with visible anticipation, he eagerly inquired, “Dragon Ascending Crystal Fruit? How many spiritual stones are you selling it for? I want it!”

Their conversation immediately drew a crowd, with onlookers displaying excitement and amazement. Voices filled the air:

“That’s a Dragon Ascending Crystal Fruit? Is it genuine? A higher Sky grade one at that!”

“Look, it’s a Dark Sword Grass of higher Sky grade! Its juice can enhance the sharpness and hardness of a sword!”

“And there’s a lower Sky grade Brillance flower with thirteen stripes! It can be used to make the ‘Heavenly Brillance pill’ with thirteen stripes, which strengthens the mental energy of a Sky Reaching realm cultivator!”

“Oh my, there are so many spiritual medicines too!”

A crowd swiftly gathered around Murong Lin, their eyes fixed on the items before him with unbridled excitement.

The initial inquirer, now anxious, pressed, “So, are you selling it or not?”

He maintained a calm appearance, but his senses were actively attuned to his surroundings.

Some individuals exhibited intense desire, their eyes almost turning red, yet found themselves unable to make a purchase due to their empty pockets.

Others gritted their teeth and borrowed money from friends to secure one or two spiritual medicines that could enhance their strength.

A few wealthier attendees directly acquired higher Sky grade spiritual medicines, departing with expressions of joy.

The initial inquirer’s expression also underwent a transformation as he exhausted all of his available funds to procure a lower Sky grade spiritual medicine.

This commotion attracted not only everyone in the pill section but also people from other areas, who approached to inspect Murong Lin’s offerings.

Among them, Li Yi Fan and Liu Wu had also drawn near. Upon recognizing that the individual causing such a stir was none other than ‘Nie Wu Sheng,’ they exchanged wry smiles.

“I didn’t expect Nie Wu Sheng to possess the Dark Sword Grass; it’s immensely beneficial for our swords.” Li Yi Fan lamented.

“It’s a shame we can’t afford it.” Liu Wu added with a bitter smile as he gazed enviously at Murong Lin.

Standing behind them was a man dressed in black Jinzhuang, carrying two swords on his back. He simply inquired of the two, “Do you happen to be acquainted with the seller?”

Translator’s note:

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