BTTH: I have a key to travel to Wu Dong Qian Kun.

Chapter 16: The Ancient Wood Appears Early

Qingyang Town's trade fair is well-known within a hundred-mile radius. Not only do the locals enjoy coming here, but even people from surrounding towns often visit.

When the three of them arrived at the entrance of the fair, it was already packed with people and bustling with noise.

Lin Dong suggested, "Sir, let's go to the underground market. Sometimes, they have good stuff there."

"Alright," Xiao Tian nodded slightly, following Lin Dong through several streets before entering the underground market.

Upon entering, the sides of the entrance were lined with trading rooms, places where items were sold. Moving further in, they reached a spacious underground market.

It's called the underground market not only because it's located underground but also because most of the items here are of questionable legality. Most people wore straw hats, making it hard to see their faces. You never know if the person you bump into might be a notorious thief or a ruthless bandit.

Because of this, the quality of items in the underground market often surpasses those above ground.

"Wow, so many medicinal herbs!" Lin Dong exclaimed as he looked at the various herbs on the stalls. It was his first time seeing so many herbs, even though they were all below third grade.

Lin Dong had come to the fair to buy a fourth-grade herb to heal his father.

Qing Tan suddenly pointed ahead and shouted, "Lin Dong, there's a fourth-grade herb over there!"

"Let's go!" Lin Dong immediately headed in the direction Qing Tan pointed.

"Eh?" Xiao Tian looked ahead and noticed something causing a slight vibration in his soul power.

Seeing this, he followed them.

At the stall, Xiao Tian saw a piece of ancient wood covered in moss with faint, blurry runes on it. He realized that these runes were resonating with his soul power.

"Could this be the ancient wood that Lin Dong found?" Xiao Tian thought, feeling quite happy. He hadn't expected to find it so early.

It seemed that the ancient wood had been at the market all along, just waiting for someone to buy it. The vendor had priced it at 50 Yang Yuan Stones, which was too high for most warriors who frequented the market.

Lin Dong asked the vendor, "How much for this fourth-grade herb?"

"100 Yang Yuan Stones," the vendor replied.

"What? 100 Yang Yuan Stones? That's too expensive!" Lin Dong frowned.

"Take it or leave it," the vendor said indifferently.

Xiao Tian stepped forward and picked up the ancient wood. "I'll give you 100 Yang Yuan Stones for the fourth-grade herb and this wood."

"No, it's 150 Yang Yuan Stones for both," the vendor replied, still indifferent.

Xiao Tian narrowed his eyes slightly, emitting a faint aura. He had the money, but he didn't want to be taken advantage of. While he knew the true value of the items, the vendor was clearly trying to rip him off.

"100 Yang Yuan Stones, take it or leave it," Xiao Tian said firmly.

Feeling Xiao Tian's oppressive aura, the vendor quickly agreed, "Okay, okay, 100 it is."

Xiao Tian took out 10 Yang Yuan Pills and handed them over.

The vendor gratefully accepted the pills, "Thank you, sir, thank you!"

Xiao Tian handed the fourth-grade herb to Lin Dong and kept the ancient wood for himself.

"Thank you, sir!" Lin Dong said gratefully. He had recently obtained a Yang Yuan Pill and planned to exchange it for a healing herb for his father. He didn't expect the fourth-grade herb to be so expensive and was relieved that Xiao Tian helped him.

After purchasing their items, the three of them wandered around the underground market a bit more before deciding to leave.

As they walked back to the surface, Xiao Tian noticed a few people tailing them.

"Seeking death!" Xiao Tian thought, his eyes flashing with cold light as he continued walking.

Once they were away from the crowd, Xiao Tian turned around and said, "Come out!"

Clapping sounds echoed as a burly man and a lean, scarred man emerged.

The scarred man eyed the fourth-grade herb in Lin Dong's hand greedily. "Didn't expect you to notice us. Hand over the herb and scram."

"And leave the girl too," the burly man added, his gaze filled with lust as he looked at Qing Tan.

Feeling their malicious intent, Lin Dong and Qing Tan quickly hid behind Xiao Tian.

"Two mere Heavenly Yuan Stage warriors dare to command me?" Xiao Tian sneered, reaching out with one hand, grabbing them through the air.

In an instant, the two men were caught by an invisible force.

With a clench of his fist, they were crushed into a mist of blood.

Using Yao Lao's power to kill them, Xiao Tian glanced into the distance before grabbing Lin Dong and Qing Tan and flying back to the Ironwood Estate.

"Such terrifying strength!"

"Didn't expect the two leaders of Black Dragon Stronghold to be crushed by this youth!"

"Who is this young man? Even Heavenly Yuan Stage experts are no match for him?"

"Luckily I didn't make a move. Otherwise, I would have ended up like Yan Kuo and Wu Sha!"

Those who had been secretly watching from afar were filled with shock and relief. Initially, they regretted not acting sooner, but now they were only grateful.

They realized that with the Black Dragon Stronghold's leaders dead, they could raid the stronghold and take a share of the spoils.

With this thought, they quickly gathered their men and headed to Black Dragon Stronghold.

...

Meanwhile, Xiao Tian and the others returned to the Ironwood Estate.

Seeing them, Lin Xiao hurried over.

"Sir," he greeted Xiao Tian before turning to Lin Dong, "Where did you go? I was so worried!"

"Father, I went to the underground market with Sir," Lin Dong said, handing the fourth-grade herb to Lin Xiao. "This is a fourth-grade herb Sir gave me."

"How could you let Sir spend money on you?" Lin Xiao scolded Lin Dong before turning to Xiao Tian. "Sir, this is too valuable. I can't accept it."

"Lin Dong is a filial son. Just accept it," Xiao Tian said, waving his hand. "You know this is nothing to me."

"Thank you, sir!" Lin Xiao gratefully accepted.

"Haha, thank Lin Dong," Xiao Tian laughed. "If it weren't for him and my finding the ancient wood, I wouldn't have bought it."

Lin Xiao ruffled Lin Dong's hair and said, "Thank you, son!"

"Hehe!" Lin Dong grinned happily at his father's words.

(End of Chapter)

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