Seventh Princess immediately blinked frantically at Wu Xiang while secretly giving Fourth Prince’s arm a fierce pinch.
Fourth Prince nearly cried out in pain, his handsome face contorting for a moment before he glared irritably at Little Seven. “I have no interest in these dead objects,” he said.
Beautiful women were more to his liking. He waved his hand casually. “I’ll go look around elsewhere. Remember to call me when it’s time to leave.”
With that, he turned and ascended the stone steps.
Seventh Princess silently thanked her fourth brother for accommodating her and was about to speak when she heard Wu Xiang leisurely remark:
“I recall someone mocking me at the entrance of the Ghost Market, didn’t I?”
Seventh Princess forced a dry laugh and stubbornly played dumb. “Did they? Who could be so blind?” She pointed at Ox-Head. “Was it you?” Then turned to Horse Face. “Or you?”
Shen Qingwu couldn’t help but chuckle at her clever antics. This little princess knew when to yield and when to stand firm, making her quite endearing.
“Never mind, come in together.”
“Thank you, Your Excellency Wuxiang!” Seventh Princess happily twirled the braid at her chest, beaming at Wu Xiang as she entered before obediently following behind. Yet inwardly, she thought: For Mother Empress’s birthday gift, she would endure!
The negative fifth floor was starkly different from the eerie atmosphere of the other levels. Twelve Night-Shining Pearls hung high from the dome, while lights covered the floor, illuminating the entire space as bright as day. Descending here felt like stepping instantly from the gloomy underworld into a mortal paradise.
At the center, a massive Glazed Round Platform shimmered brilliantly under the glow of the Night-Shining Pearls, surrounded by elegant seating.
Meng Po led them to the most spacious spot with the best view. Because Meng Po personally escorted them, their group attracted attention from the moment they entered.
As soon as she sat down, Seventh Princess couldn’t resist inquiring, “Your Excellency Meng Po, what is today’s treasure?”
The Ghost Market’s monthly treasure on the fifteenth was never announced until the day it was displayed.
Hearing this, Shen Qingwu also looked over curiously.
Meng Po traced an elegant arc in the air with her crimson nails. “It’s something that drives women across the land mad—Jiaoren Meat.”
“Really?!” Seventh Princess stood up excitedly. “The legendary Jiaoren Meat that rejuvenates the skin after consumption? It truly exists in this world?”
Meng Po smiled without answering, tacitly confirming it.
“Wonderful!” Seventh Princess clapped her hands. “This will surely become Mother Empress’s favorite birthday gift!”
Meng Po’s gaze briefly swept past Seventh Princess, her smile deepening at the corners of her lips.
Shen Qingwu, however, frowned. Her master had said that most of these bizarre legends were false, especially something like Jiaoren Meat. If anyone presented it, it was likely created through sinister methods with severe repercussions.
Would the Ghost Market offer such a thing to its guests?
Beside her, Ye Chen lazily leaned back in his chair, propping his chin with one hand while idly toying with a jade bracelet with the other. He even casually rested one foot on the edge of the seat.
“It’s starting,” he reminded them languidly.
A figure in a black robe slowly ascended the platform holding a jade box. The voluminous robe enveloped them completely, making it impossible to discern even their gender.
As the treasure was unveiled, the entire hall fell silent. All eyes fixed on that jade box, the air thick with tense anticipation.
Shen Qingwu scrutinized the robed figure. “This must be the seller of the Jiaoren Meat.”
“Correct,” Meng Po replied, her eyes smiling. “Your Excellency Wuxiang, if you have any treasures, you could also bring them to the Ghost Market to try your luck. The Ghost Market only takes a twenty percent commission—quite a bargain.”
Before the words faded, the lights in the private seating area abruptly went out, leaving only the circular stage bathed in a dazzling radiance, drawing everyone’s gaze.
The black-robed figure slowly opened the jade box, and a strange fragrance instantly filled the air. Inside the box lay a piece of crystal-clear flesh, its surface shimmering with a pearlescent glow.
The buyers leaned forward to get a closer look. The Seventh Princess, especially excited, gripped the railing: “It’s exactly as described in the ancient texts!Shen Qingwu, however, keenly sensed something unusual. The fragrance was refreshing at first, but upon closer inspection, it carried a faint, elusive sweetness tinged with the scent of blood.
She turned to ask Meng Po, only to find that she had disappeared at some point.
Shen Qingwu quietly activated the Turtle Breath Technique to hold her breath, then took out two brown pills and handed them to the two beside her: “If you trust me, take these.”
The Seventh Princess was puzzled: “What does this mean? I’m not sick.” But out of the corner of her eye, she saw her uncle swallow the pill without hesitation.
“Uncle, aren’t you trusting her too much? We’ve only just met her.” She pouted and threw the pill away. “This is utterly ridiculous.”
Ye Chen, however, had already leaned close to Shen Qingwu, his warm breath almost brushing her ear: “Your Excellency Wuxiang, have you noticed something unusual?”
Shen Qingwu gave a slight nod.
“But the Ghost Market transactions have always been reliable.” He narrowed his eyes, staring intently at the black-robed figure on the stage, his brow gradually furrowing. “Why hasn’t he announced the price yet…”
Before he could finish, a sudden change occurred!
The black-robed figure violently threw the jade box to the ground, and thick white smoke instantly exploded, spreading like a tide throughout the space.
Ye Chen pulled the Seventh Princess behind him, his palm strike sharp as he dispersed the thick smoke rushing toward them.
“Uncle, let me help you!” The Seventh Princess drew a fan from her sleeve, stepped forward, and channeled her energy to fan vigorously—
But her expression suddenly changed: “My Neili… it’s gone?” She tried again to regulate her breathing, but her dantian felt completely empty.
Chaos erupted all around, with exclamations rising:
“My Neili is gone!”
“This smoke is problematic!”
“Then, Uncle, you…” The Seventh Princess suddenly thought of something. “It’s the pill Wuxiang gave!”
If only she had taken it.
But speaking of Wuxiang… the Seventh Princess then realized she had disappeared at some point.
Ye Chen gazed toward the circular stage deep within the thick smoke and pushed the Seventh Princess behind a pillar: “Stay here and don’t move recklessly.” With that, he leaped down from the viewing platform.
“Uncle!” The Seventh Princess watched helplessly as his crimson-purple figure vanished into the smoke, her heart filled with anxiety.
Within the thick smoke, Ye Chen followed the sounds of fighting. As he approached the circular stage, he saw two figures locked in fierce combat. Seeing one of them being forced back, he swiftly moved forward, steadying the other’s back with a firm hand.
Wuxiang turned her head, her gaze sharp beneath the Wolf Fang Mask: “Thank you. Care to team up? He’s a bit tough to handle.”
“The honor is mine.”
Exchanging a smile, the two simultaneously leaped into the air, their robes fluttering like cranes spreading their wings.
The sounds of fists and feet clashing echoed incessantly within the thick smoke, with energy waves radiating in all directions. As the smoke gradually cleared, Ye Chen and Wuxiang were seen standing on the circular stage, each with one foot pressing down on the black-robed figure’s back, striking a victorious pose.
At that moment, Meng Po emerged slowly from the shadows, clapping lightly with a soft laugh: “Marvelous, truly marvelous.”
Her gaze rested meaningfully on Shen Qingwu:
“As expected… of someone he values.”