Chen Fan also breathed a sigh of relief. He nodded, "Get ready, and we'll go to the black market to get it back then."
Chen Fan's eyes were filled with determination to obtain the Gu Ling Dan.
Two days later.
Yin Ping accompanied Chen Fan to the black market.
Chen Fan was no stranger to this place. After getting out of the car, he felt quite at home.
"Does the black market often hold auctions?"
Yin Ping nodded at the question. "This place is untouched by any of the major powers. Auctions held here are absolutely fair. Over time, the major powers have also tacitly approved of this practice."
"Therefore, whenever there is a large-scale auction event in Europa, it is usually held in the black market."
In the innermost part of the black market stood a circular palace with a decidedly Gothic design.
This was where the auction was to be held today—the Zhen Ge.
Chen Fan looked up at the ostentatious sign and shook his head with a light smile.
Now, he was becoming even more curious about the person who controlled the black market.
Not only could they manage so many heinous criminals, but they could also operate places like the Fighting Market and the Zhen Ge so successfully.
Yin Ping guessed Chen Fan's thoughts and shook his head with a smile. "The black market wasn't like this at first."
"The reason it's a no-man's-land is that in the past, there was constant robbery and murder in the black market, and no power could conquer those desperadoes."
"Coupled with the fact that the location wasn't advantageous, no power was willing to spend the time to tame this place. All the changes began three years ago."
"No one knows where a formidable figure emerged from, who subdued everyone in the black market who dared to challenge his authority."
"This place has always believed in the strength of martial power. With someone who could make everyone submit, a sense of restraint emerged. Later, when the external powers reacted, the power structure of the black market had already transitioned, and this place became independent of Europa's old powers."
As Chen Fan listened, he began to examine the decor inside the Zhen Ge.
It was in line with the black market's consistent aesthetic—barbaric and wild.
It was a completely different style from the aristocratic families, as if displaying their arrogance to everyone.
Chen Fan's gaze paused on a stone sculpture not far away. "This is..."
The stone sculpture had a peculiar appearance: a masked knight holding aloft a Dragon Slayer Sword stood before a coiled golden dragon.
The sculpture depicted the knight with one foot on the dragon's horn, gaining the upper hand.
Yin Ping followed his gaze and then chuckled. "They all say this is the black market mocking the Divine Hall. As everyone knows, the Divine Hall's totem is the golden dragon, and the black market has been using the knight emblem in recent years."
After speaking, Yin Ping waved his hand with a smile. "Of course, this is all nonsense. Because I later heard that this was a gift from Ge Jun's fans, and the masked knight is him. But he himself didn't seem to care, so the black market used it to display it in the Zhen Ge, as a recognition of Ge Jun's strength."
Ge Jun?
Chen Fan had a deep impression of the man.
As they talked, the two had already entered the Zhen Ge.
A waiter from the Zhen Ge approached them. "Are you two gentlemen here for today's auction?"
Yin Ping handed over the invitation card in his hand. "Please lead the way."
The waiter's eyes widened upon seeing the gold-edged invitation card, and he immediately became serious. The invitation cards issued by the Zhen Ge were not to be trifled with. Those with gold edges indicated some of Europa's top powers.
The waiter dared not delay and respectfully led them inside.
"There are still half an hour before the auction begins. You gentlemen can rest in this private room. When the time comes, the curtain in front of the room will naturally be drawn open."
After the waiter finished speaking, a tea master in a qipao elegantly entered from outside and professionally brewed a pot of Gongfu tea for the two of them. Once the aroma of tea filled the air, she then retreated to the side.
Yin Ping leaned back in his seat and looked at Chen Fan, who was sipping tea. "Using a fine Yixing teapot as a tool and the finest Maojian tea as a welcome drink—it's truly a grand gesture."
"No wonder people always say this black market makes a fortune every day. They are truly willing to spend money."
Chen Fan smiled and looked at him. "Have you not noticed that upon entering the Zhen Ge, you feel refreshed, as if your entire state of mind has opened up considerably?"
Yin Ping frowned, savored it carefully, and then looked up in surprise. "It's true. What does this mean?"
"That is calming sandalwood incense, which can relieve irritability and promote vital energy. The price of a single stick on the market is usually four figures. And the scent of sandalwood here in the Zhen Ge is so rich, it's as if thousands of sticks were lit simultaneously and never extinguished."
Even Yin Ping was greatly surprised by the Zhen Ge's lavish spending!
At this moment, a man's fawning voice came from the adjacent room. "Miss Tong Yan, I know you are the seller of this Gu Ling Dan. Can you give me some inside information? Do you have any remaining stock? I am willing to pay a high price!"
The private rooms were designed with carved railings, and there were no solid walls between each room. Once the curtain was drawn, it served as a partition, offering no sound insulation.
The seller of the Gu Ling Dan?
Chen Fan and Yin Ping exchanged glances, their interest piqued.
"There is only this one. There will be no second Gu Ling Dan in Europa."
The man sighed heavily, his voice filled with regret. "Then, Miss Tong Yan, can you tell me the price at which you sold it to the Zhen Ge?"