Bab 175: The Enigmatic Encounter at the Black Moon Merchant Guild
Raja walked down the cobblestone streets of the Blue Wind Imperial City, his mind preoccupied with thoughts of Xia Yuanba and his mysterious Tyrannical Emperor's Divine Veins. The bustling marketplace seemed distant as Raja pondered what Jasmine had recently told him.
"Jasmine," Raja called telepathically. "Are you absolutely sure about Yuanba's veins? They seem extraordinary, but he's struggling even to break into the Nascent Profound Realm. How can that be?"
Jasmine's voice echoed in his mind, calm yet decisive. "Yes, they are indeed the Tyrannical Emperor's Divine Veins. However, their potential is wasted on Yuanba. Without a tyrannical heart and the unyielding desire for power, those veins are as good as dormant. It's why he struggles so much; his temperament doesn't align with the veins' requirements."
"But," Raja pressed, "if those veins awakened, what kind of power are we talking about?"
Jasmine's tone turned grave. "If fully awakened, Yuanba's veins could propel him straight to the Emperor Profound Realm, perhaps even higher. But that is an if too steep to consider right now."
The conversation faded as Raja arrived at the gates of the Black Moon Merchant Guild, a towering edifice even grander than its counterpart in New Moon City. Its opulent facade gleamed under the sunlight, an intimidating display of wealth and power. As he entered, the sheer luxury of the guild struck him—lavish furnishings, grand chandeliers, and an air of exclusivity. Unlike most shops, it was nearly empty, catering only to the elite who could transact in the rare purple profound coins.
Raja approached the merchant counter, his gaze scanning the inventory. "I'd like to purchase three Cyan Profound Crystals," he informed the elderly attendant.
The old man nodded, retrieving the requested items. "That will be three purple profound coins," he said curtly.
Raja handed over the coins without hesitation, pocketing the crystals. As he turned to leave, a faint, fiery aura caught his attention. Intrigued, he walked toward a glass display case, where a faint, ominous glow emanated from within.
"Is that...?" Raja murmured.
The old man noticed his interest. "Ah, yes. That is a Devil's Flaming Blood Crystal, a rare item imbued with intense fire energy. It's priced at 600 purple profound coins."
Jasmine's voice chimed in his mind. "This is perfect for your Phoenix fire. Buy it."
Without a second thought, Raja handed over the required coins, securing the crystal for himself. As he prepared to leave, the guild doors opened, and an ethereal presence entered the room.
Raja turned to see a woman dressed in flowing white robes, her beauty captivating yet cold. Her face was hidden behind a delicate mask, but her aura was undeniable—regal and otherworldly. Even with her face concealed, she exuded an intimidating grace.
"Who is she?" Raja whispered to Jasmine.
Jasmine's voice sharpened. "Don't get involved. She's a practitioner at the peak of the Sky Profound Realm, possibly bordering on the Emperor Profound Realm. One of the top ten in the Blue Wind Empire. You'd be wise to avoid her."
The woman glided past him without a glance, heading toward the merchant. Raja smirked to himself. Avoid her? Let's see if she can resist coming to me.
As he exited the guild, Raja's confidence was unwavering. "I bet she'll come to find me," he said to Jasmine.
Barely minutes later, the woman appeared before him, her cold gaze locked onto him. "You have the Devil's Flaming Blood Crystal," she said, her voice as calm as it was commanding. "I'll pay you double its price."
Raja shook his head, unfazed. "Not for sale."
Her expression didn't falter, but a flicker of intrigue crossed her eyes. "Why?"
"Because it won't help you," Raja said bluntly. "That crystal can't cure the Poison of Origin you're suffering from. In fact, using it might worsen your condition."
The woman's eyes narrowed. "How do you know about my condition?"
"It wasn't hard to deduce," Raja said, his tone matter-of-fact. "You cultivate ice-attribute profound arts, and the symptoms of the Poison of Origin are clear to anyone who understands such things. You must have fought an ice-attribute profound beast recently. Its poison is now rooted in your body."
She studied him carefully, clearly surprised by his insight. "If you know so much, can you cure it?"
"I can," Raja replied with confidence, "but what's in it for me? Detoxifying the Ice Poison of Origin is no small task."
The woman hesitated but finally nodded. "What do you want?"
"Three things," Raja said, raising a finger. "First, your name."
Her posture stiffened. "That's not something I'm willing to share."
"Fine," Raja said with a smirk. "Then I'll call you 'Tsundere.'"
The woman frowned but didn't argue, seemingly resigned to the nickname.
"Second," Raja continued, "I'll need your protection for three to four months."
"Agreed," she said without hesitation.
"And third..." Raja paused, a mischievous glint in his eye. "I haven't decided yet. But don't worry, you can refuse it if it's unreasonable."
The woman nodded again. "Fine. Now, shall we begin?"
Raja gestured toward his courtyard. "Follow me."
Back at the Blue Wind Profound Palace, Raja was surprised to find the woman already waiting for him inside his room, standing by the bamboo window. Her presence was serene yet imposing, a stark contrast to the tranquil setting.
"How did you get in here?" Raja asked, genuinely impressed. "This place is heavily guarded."
She ignored his question. "Let's start."
Raja sighed, sitting cross-legged on the floor. "Before we proceed, I need to examine the extent of the poison. Give me your hand."
The woman hesitated. "Is physical contact necessary?"
"Not really," Raja admitted. "I can use my profound energy to probe your condition, but I'll need you to trust me."
After a long pause, she reluctantly extended her hand, and Raja began his examination. As his profound energy entered her body, he discovered something alarming. "The Ice Poison of Origin has evolved into a Poison Spirit," he said. "It's feeding on your profound energy and growing stronger. I'll need to destroy it without harming your profound veins."
The woman's gaze hardened. "Can you do it?"
"Of course," Raja said, smirking. "But this will hurt."
He activated his Phoenix Flame, its golden-red hue illuminating the room. The woman's eyes widened slightly. "Phoenix Flame? You're not from the Divine Phoenix Sect, are you?"
Raja chuckled. "Nope. But let's focus on the task at hand."
The Phoenix Flame danced around his fingers as he carefully directed it toward the Poison Spirit. The process was intense, requiring precise control to sever the spirit's bond with her profound veins. The woman remained silent, her composure unshaken despite the obvious pain.
Finally, with a burst of fire, the Poison Spirit was forced out of her body. Raja contained it within a small barrier, extinguishing its malevolent presence.
"It's done," Raja said, his voice steady. "But your body is still fragile. Rest for a while."
The woman didn't respond immediately, her gaze fixed on Raja. "You're...different from anyone I've met," she said softly. "Thank you."
Raja leaned back with a satisfied grin. "You're welcome, Tsundere."
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