Gu Yuan hadn’t yet reacted to what had happened when the light returned to his eyes.
A massive jade-colored palace floated in mid-air, surrounded by flowing stars, encircled by large stars, resembling a Celestial Palace.
The entire palace seemed to stand directly above the Star River, radiant and dazzling to the extreme.
"This is..."
Gu Yuan was momentarily stunned, almost unable to believe his eyes.
Just a moment ago, he was on the island of Silver Moon Bay, and now he suddenly found himself in this place that seemed like a Celestial Palace?
"Haha, is this brother here for the first time at the Celestial Star Dark Market?"
Amidst Gu Yuan’s confusion, a cheerful voice came from the side.
Gu Yuan looked intently and saw a figure glowing all over, as if condensed from moonlight, floating beside him.
Gu Yuan couldn’t see the other’s mouth moving, but he could clearly hear the other’s voice.
"Don’t panic, brother, look at yourself!"
The figure laughed again.
Gu Yuan lowered his head and only then noticed that his body had also turned into this moonlight form at some point, merely a hazy shadow floating in the Star River, completely obscuring his true appearance.
His cultivation was indistinct, his voice altered, everything was blurry.
Only the Storage Bag at his waist remained tangible.
"This is Elder Xuan’s ’Phantom Star Seal’, he left this seal at Silver Moon Bay, creating this ’Celestial Star Dark Market’."
"Here, reality and illusion combine in profound mystery, not only protecting your and my privacy but also allowing for arbitrary transactions, indeed an extraordinary wonder!"
"When I first came here, I was so shocked that words failed me!"
The figure also looked at the distant existence that seemed like a Celestial Palace, filled with emotion.
Then he laughed again: "Embarrassing as it is, with Elder Xuan’s splendid Celestial Palace, we can only trade in these shoddy items each time, truly a stain on this Celestial Palace!"
With that, he led the way, floating forward, reaching the interior of the Celestial Palace in an instant.
Brilliant tiles and white jade paved the ground, large stars suspended, a scene of opulent splendor in the Celestial Palace.
Yet at this moment, a myriad of mysterious figures, seemingly condensed from moonlight, emitted all sorts of noisy sounds.
"This is fifty-year-old Jade Water Python Skin, the Dao Patterns on it are radiant, at the very least it should sell for twenty Spirit Stones!"
"You’re full of rubbish, this Jade Water Python is dead at forty years, a Dao Pattern is missing, and you dare sell it for twenty Spirit Stones, why don’t you just rob, ten Spirit Stones, take it or leave it!"
"Deal!"
"..."
"Damn, tricked again!"
As Gu Yuan stepped into the Celestial Palace, he heard the rough curses one after another.
"Haha, brother, don’t mind, no one knows anyone’s identity here, so everyone is a bit reckless, don’t take it to heart!"
The light figure leading Gu Yuan couldn’t help but laugh and explained to Gu Yuan.
"No problem, I haven’t even thanked you for clarifying things for me!"
Gu Yuan cupped his hands, smiling as he returned the courtesy.
"You’re too kind, brother. I wonder what you’re here to sell or need today? I’m quite familiar with this place and might be able to introduce you to someone."
The light figure in front seemed to be good-natured, very enthusiastic towards Gu Yuan.
"To be honest, I’m looking for a Second-Grade Spirit Gathering Array Disc, and I’d like to exchange some Spirit Stones as well."
Seeing the place’s mystery, and considering it’s the work of a Golden Core cultivator, Gu Yuan didn’t hide his intentions anymore and directly revealed his purpose.
"A Second-Grade Spirit Gathering Array Disc, brother, could it be that you’re about to break through to a greater realm?"
The light figure in front, though its expression was unclear, had a hint of joy in its voice.
But quickly, the figure realized his mistake, ceased the questioning, and led Gu Yuan towards the west side of the Celestial Palace.
"I misspoke, follow me, brother!"
"I know who has the Array Disc!"
...
The humanoid figures in the Celestial Palace were no less than a hundred, almost rivaling the number of cultivators in the Market, surprising Gu Yuan and also making him deeply feel the profound foundation of the Cyan Peak Daoist School.
"Brother, big business, another brother is looking to purchase a Second-Grade Spirit Gathering Array Disc."
Just as they flew onto a Jade Platform, the light figure leading Gu Yuan excitedly shouted.
"Oh? Hurry, come here!"
Behind the Jade Platform was still a light figure with an indistinct face, who, upon hearing of business, immediately beckoned joyfully.
Some beside the Jade Platform heard this and couldn’t help but glance over, but in the Celestial Palace, no one could identify anyone, so they paid it no more mind.
...