Chapter 370

Chapter 370: Newcomer to the Forbidden Zone – A Big Loser

"Patriarch," a burly man stepped forward, respectfully addressing Bai Ji Xue.

Bai Ji Xue regarded the man, asking, "Is everything alright now?"

Not just Bai Ji Xue lived in his palace; several Bai family Martial Venerables and Martial Saints resided there, many of whom were often in seclusion. Neither Muchen nor Ye Shi had met them before.

Bai Xiongtao, when his curse struck, was placed in a formation room by Bai Ji Xue out of necessity.

"There were moments I wished to end it all, but, alas, I couldn’t let go. I really am a coward," Bai Xiongtao said, scratching the back of his head sheepishly.

Bai Ji Xue gave a bitter smile, "Don't say that. Sometimes, living is harder than dying."

Even ants cling to life. Who, when truly alive, would desire death? Especially humans.

Although the chances of escaping are slim, as long as we're alive, there's hope.

"Ancestor, has someone from our clan arrived again?" Bai Xiongtao asked with a frown.

Bai Jiexue nodded slightly, a bitter smile emerging, "Indeed. A young prodigy named Xiao Shuang has joined the family. At just 21, she achieved the rank of Martial Saint and mastered the art of the formation technique."

Bai Xiongtao's eyebrows tightened, he snapped, "What is the clan thinking? How could they allow such an unparalleled talent to be placed here?"

As far as he knew, the spiritual energy in the Central Continent was thinning, making advancements more challenging. A 21-year-old Martial Saint must possess incredible talent.

Bai Jiexue shook his head, "It's not entirely their fault; they aren't fully aware of the situation inside."

Bai Xiongtao remained silent for a long moment, exhaling deeply.

Bai Jiexue forced a smile, "Xiao Shuang also brought her partner, a 22-year-old Martial Saint who understands both formations and alchemy. Quite the knowledgeable one."

Bai Xiongtao couldn't even muster a wry smile, "Do they see this forbidden zone as a tourist spot? But maybe it's better this way. At least they have company. I wonder how the clan is doing."

Bai Jiexue assured, "You needn't worry about that. Apart from Xiao Shuang, the clan has three other Martial Saint experts. They can hold their own."

Bai Xiongtao nodded, "That's good to hear. By the way, Ancestor, where are they now?"

Bai Jiexue replied with a wry smile, "They went to the general store in the Central City."

Bai Xiongtao's face darkened, "The general store? What are they doing at that infamous place? The shopkeeper is no easy person to deal with."

"They went to buy books," Bai Jiexue said.

Bai Xiongtao, still frowning, asked, "Buy books? What kind of books?"

Bai Jiexue sighed, "Yan Xing mentioned they need books on inscriptions and symbols."

"Why would they need those books? They're of no use here," Bai Xiongtao responded, puzzled.

In this secret realm, there were once inscription masters and symbolists of the ninth rank, but they've all perished. The remaining experts know only basics and have gradually faded away.

Bai Jiexue shrugged, "Who knows? Xiao Shuang's partner seems to know inscriptions and symbols. Perhaps they're for her."

Bai Xiongtao shook his head disapprovingly, "This is a forbidden zone, not like the outside world. Even if one mastered inscriptions and symbols up to the ninth rank, it's of no use here. Ancestor, why didn't you warn them?"

Bai Jiexue sipped his spiritual tea, "They just arrived and might not fully grasp the situation. They'll learn once they face some hardships. And stopping them? That's easier said than done."

Those who can enter this secret realm are influential figures outside, and adapting immediately isn't possible.

While inscriptions and symbols might not be useful in the forbidden zone, it's different in the Central Continent. They just arrived; expecting them to change their perspective immediately is unrealistic.

Bai Jiexue once tried to warn Bai Xiongtao, but he never listened and had to learn from his mistakes.

"Weren't you the same, thinking you were invincible and that only you could find a way out?" Bai Jiexue remarked, glancing at Bai Xiongtao.

Bai Xiongtao chuckled awkwardly, scratching his face, "That's in the past, Ancestor. Why bring it up now?"

"We've arrived," Mu Chen announced, halting his steps.

"It really is just a general store!" Ye Shi exclaimed in surprise.

The sign on the store simply read "General Store," its plainness rather striking.

"Given the state of this shop, do they even have what we need?" Ye Shi muttered.

Mu Chen pondered for a moment, "Let's go in and see."

"Let's," agreed Ye Shi.

Mu Chen nodded, "Alright."

The shopkeeper, previously dozing off at the counter, jolted awake at their entrance.

"Welcome, esteemed guests! Our shop offers only genuine products at fair prices, ensuring a satisfactory experience for both young and old. You won't leave disappointed!" the shopkeeper greeted them with a beaming smile.

Mu Chen eyed the overly enthusiastic shopkeeper, feeling slightly amused.

As Ye Shi browsed the inscription section, he was taken aback. Eighth and ninth rank inscription books were casually displayed, making him suspect the authenticity of the items.

In the formation section, Ye Shi found several eighth and ninth rank formation books.

To his astonishment, all the books were genuine. Some even belonged to the Bai family's top-tier formations. Ye Shi felt a sense of disorientation.

The shopkeeper, observing Ye Shi's reaction, felt more confident. "Whatever you need, we have it. We offer items you can't even imagine, and there's nothing we don't have."

Mu Chen picked up a ninth-tier inscription book and asked, "How much for this book?"

"Young man, you have a discerning eye. This item is the crown jewel of our shop. Just looking at your striking appearance and outstanding demeanor, one can tell you're someone exceptional, destined to be a ninth-tier inscription master..." The shopkeeper rambled on.

A twitch appeared at the corner of Mu Chen's mouth. If this is the crown jewel, then it's covered in dust!

"How much?" Mu Chen interrupted the shopkeeper.

"Two hundred thousand medium-grade spirit stones," replied the shopkeeper.

Ye Shi's eyes widened in shock. Two hundred thousand medium-grade spirit stones? Even a ludicrous price wouldn't be this high. In the outside world, even two hundred thousand high-grade spirit stones might not fetch it. This forbidden zone is truly mad.

The shopkeeper chuckled inwardly as he observed Ye Shi's reaction.

"That's too expensive," Mu Chen stated decisively.

Ye Shi's eyes widened again, thinking: Mu Chen is just as crazy.

"How much do you think it should be?" inquired the shopkeeper.

"Two thousand medium-grade spirit stones," Mu Chen responded.

"Young man, you must be jesting! This is a ninth-tier inscription book! Two thousand medium-grade spirit stones won't even get you a page," the shopkeeper exclaimed with an aggrieved look.

Mu Chen chuckled silently, his eyes playfully locked onto the shopkeeper.

"You sure can haggle. Since you're my first sale today, I'll let you have it," the shopkeeper said generously.

Ye Shi watched, dumbfounded. A ninth-tier inscription book for only two thousand medium-grade spirit stones? If the inscription masters outside heard about this, they'd weep.

After purchasing a number of technique books, Mu Chen left with Ye Shi.

"Safe travels, young masters! Do visit again," the shopkeeper said cheerily, waving them off.

As they faded from sight, the shopkeeper's countenance changed.

"Three thousand years... Another three millennia have passed. Untainted spirit stones, free from the curse; their essence is truly intoxicating!"

"Old Ghost, two naive youths just walked in! They're gullible and rich. Though they're Martial Saints, they must be newly ascended. Shall we make a move when they leave the city? We could make a fortune!"

Smiling slyly, the shopkeeper said to the thin air, "No one dares to make a move inside the city. Disturbing the old monsters of the inner city means a fate worse than death."

"We can't touch these two," a man in black emerged from the shadows to say.

"Why?" asked the white-clothed shopkeeper, puzzled.

"They were personally brought to the inner city by the Old White Monster. It seems they have ties with him," the man in black explained.

"Are they of the Bai family? Or personally invited by the Old White Monster? No wonder they weren't intimidated by my pricing. They even haggled. The Old White Monster must've tipped them off," the white-clothed shopkeeper mused.

"Count your blessings. You've made a good profit from this sale," remarked the man in black.

The white-clothed shopkeeper chuckled, "It's just a small business. How much could I possibly make?"

Changing the subject, he said, "Aren't the Bai family members all into array studies? Those two bought a myriad of miscellaneous books. Few on arrays though."

"Perhaps they're thinking of reselling them," the man in black sneered.

The white-clothed shopkeeper sighed, "Young and naive."

The man in black looked at the shopkeeper's lamenting demeanor and remarked, "Enough of your crocodile tears. If they weren't so naive, you wouldn't have profited."

The white-clothed shopkeeper laughed heartily, "True, true."