Of the two familiar faces, one was Tang Zixian and the other, Master Fakong.

Tang Zixian was as pretty as ever, although she did not use the Yingu Soul-suppressing Talisman. She appeared just like she had always looked.

Tang Zixian s.h.i.+fted her eyes and stared straight at Ning Tao, as well as Qing Zhui, whose arm was in Ning Tao's,

Their eyes met and their expressions were both rather strange.

Master Fakong instantly furrowed his brows, chanting Buddha's name. He had advised Ning Tao to break off with this snake demon, and yet here she was, her arm in Ning Tao's! Although he was the disciple of Fahai, this staunchly principled monk had only frowned. Had he subdued her on the spot, everyone would consider it his rightful duty.

Ning Tao and Tang Zixian exchanged glances. Then, Ning Tao s.h.i.+fted his eyes away, surveying the hall rapidly.

There were dozens of people in the hall—warriors, demons and pract.i.tioners. Only a handful of them were ordinary people. The eyes of almost everyone converged on Ning Tao and Qing Zhui, their expressions all varied.

Ning Tao was astonished too. He said to himself, “Is this 'Heaven on Earth' a venue for pract.i.tioners?”

Tang Huaiyu was also a warrior. Her internal strength was quite powerful. This was not strange since she had hailed from Tang Sect. She came to Tang Zixian's side and whispered in her ear, mumbling.

He could guess what she was saying even without eavesdropping. She must have told her he was Huai Kebing's murderer and asked for Tang Zixian to avenge her son. But he did not need to fear her under this circ.u.mstance, because he was sure Tang Zixian was no unreasonable woman.

After whispering, Tang Huaiyu retreated a step.

Tang Zixian walked towards Ning Tao.

A greenish light flashed across Qing Zhui's eyes and her demon aura soared.

Ning Tao reached out and grabbed Qing Zhui's hand, whispering to her, “It will be alright. Don't panic.”

Qing Zhui nodded and drew near Ning Tao's ear, speaking in a low voice, “Everyone here is abnormal. You have to be careful. If Tang Zixian dares to strike, leave first. I will stay behind to cover you.”

Her words gave Ning Tao an impulse to embrace and kiss her.

“Doctor Ning, the world is so small. Fancy meeting you here,” Tang Zixian said as she approached Ning Tao. He did not know whether her words were a greeting or a provocation.

Ning Tao said nonchalantly, “Miss Tang, do you mean I cannot come to this place?”

Tang Zixian knitted her brows a little. Her lips parted, but no sound emerged.

But Ning Tao's ear could hear her voice. Her voice seemed to have converged into an invisible string of “acoustic threads,” entering his ear and clas.h.i.+ng against his eardrum.

“This is no place to talk. Let's find an opportunity to talk later.” These were Tang Zixian's words transmitted to Ning Tao.

But Ning Tao could not do what she did. With Tang Huaiyu opposite him, he could not even nod to show his agreement. He merely listened.

“Mr. Ning, let your girlfriend stay here. You come with me,” said Liu s.h.i.+ba.

Ning Tao said, “The two of us are inseparable. She goes wherever I go.”

Liu s.h.i.+ba kept silent for a while before throwing a glance at Reverend Qingsong and Hai Dongfang by his side. They both gave a slight nod. Only then did he speak, “Very well, the two of you come with me.”

Ning Tao and Qing Zhui followed the three men through the hall and into a stairway. They went up the stairs, stopping at a private room on the third story. In it was a square table and four benches at each side, all crafted from superior rosewood.

“Please sit.” Liu s.h.i.+ba took his seat before all the rest. Reverend Qingsong and Hai Dongfang also took their seats on benches by his sides.

Ning Tao could see that Liu s.h.i.+ba, who had long known Ning Tao's ident.i.ty, had engaged two heavyweight bodyguards.

There was only one bench left at the square table. Ning Tao took his seat while Qing Zhui stood behind him.

A woman in Manchu costume served them tea, and then retreated from the private room.

After sipping a mouthful of tea, Liu s.h.i.+ba broached the subject. “Mr. Ning, I know your background and you know mine. Let's not beat about the bush. I shall come straight to the point. What do you want from this visit?”

Ning Tao said, “Since Old Master Liu is so forthright, I will be direct too. I want to know who paid Zeng Xunlong ¥100 million to raid the immortal's tomb.”

A keen glimmer flashed across Liu s.h.i.+ba's eyes. He said agitatedly, “So Zeng Xunlong died in your hands! The Picture of the Six Samsara Realms must be with you, right?”

Ning Tao shook his head. “That is no ordinary item. It flew away.”

“Flew away?” The man who spoke was Reverend Qingsong, sounding completely surprised.

Ning Tao replied, “Yes, it flew away. Whether or not you believe me, it did fly away, I don't know where it flew to. Besides, I did not kill Zeng Xunlong. He was killed in the last formation of the immortal's tomb.”

He had told a half-truth. Since Zeng Xunlong was dead, no one could corroborate his words. Ning Tao did not care if Liu s.h.i.+ba believed him. Even if Liu s.h.i.+ba suspected him to be the murderer, what could he do?

“The Picture of the Six Samsara Realms was ranked No. 6 on the top 10 evil magic tools list. It has a tool soul and is very powerful.” The person speaking now was the taciturn fish demon, Hai Dongfang. “I believe Mr. Ning is telling the truth. They say that unless a person has affinity with that picture, he cannot be its owner. No one can stop it from escaping.”

Liu s.h.i.+ba sighed. “What a pity, what a pity.”

Ning Tao said, “Could Old Master Liu tell me who hired Zeng Xunlong?”

Liu s.h.i.+ba eyed Ning Tao. “Mr. Ning, every occupation and every place has its rules. A rule of 'Heaven on Earth' stipulates that no one can inquire about the ident.i.ties of her guests. I know your ident.i.ty before you came, but I did not expose you. As the owner of Heaven on Earth, how I break her rules?”

Ning Tao said with a smile, “Everything has its price. I believe the same goes for information. Old Master Liu, quote me a price.”

Liu s.h.i.+ba gave a cold snort. “You don't seem to have understood me.”

Ning Tao placed his medicine chest on the square rosewood table and opened it. He took out a porcelain vial, pulled out its stopper, and poured out a Fine Primary Elixir.

A whiff of strange elixir scent instantly permeated the room, relaxing and refres.h.i.+ng.

The eyes of not only Liu s.h.i.+ba, but also Reverend Qingsong and Hai Dongfang, converged on that Primary Elixir.

Ning Tao had demonstrated through the Primary Elixir's light and scent that it was a top-grade elixir of the cultivation world.

Ning Tao said nonchalantly, “I won't lie. I'm a cultivating doctor. My forte is in trading refined pills for information I want. What do you say to that?”

“Mr. Ning, let me see your elixir.” Liu s.h.i.+ba pretended to be composed on the outside, but one could hear his voice quavering in agitation.

“This elixir can certainly prolong life. If Old Master Liu takes it, you will live for many more years.” With these words, Ning Tao magnanimously proffered the Fine Primary Elixir to Liu s.h.i.+ba.

Liu s.h.i.+ba pinched it in his hand, sniffing and examining it. He swallowed a few mouthfuls of saliva.

Ning Tao spoke again, “This elixir is nothing. I am now developing an even more powerful elixir. The spiritual power of pract.i.tioners will soar after taking it. So will demons' demonic power. If a warrior like Old Master Liu takes it, it will make you young again. It won't be difficult for you to live another decade or two.”

“I…” Liu s.h.i.+ba hesitated for a moment before saying, “Let me think about it.”

Ning Tao stretched out his hand. “Could Old Master Liu give me back my elixir?”

Liu s.h.i.+ba startled a little. He did not expect Ning Tao to be so miserly. But the elixir was, after all, Ning Tao's. Although he was most unwilling, he still returned Ning Tao the Fine Primary Elixir.

Ning Tao put that Fine Primary Elixir back into the porcelain vial and said calmly, “Old Master Liu, I have made myself clear. Everything has a price. As long as you are willing to trade, I can give you not only this pill, but even better elixirs.”

Liu s.h.i.+ba started to chuckle. “Cultivating doctors are rare. Cultivating doctors like Mr. Ning are rarer still. I regard myself as truly blessed to be your friend.”

Ning Tao said blandly, “Let's forgo pleasantries. You must give me a definite deadline. How long would you take to consider?”

Liu s.h.i.+ba said with a smile, “Mr. Ning, don't be anxious. You came at a right time today. Today is the day for our monthly flea market for pract.i.tioners. You can take a look around. You might discover something unexpected.”

Ning Tao remarked in surprise, “A flea market for pract.i.tioners?”

Clang!

A gong resounded from the lowest story. Soon, there was a hubbub from the crowds.

Liu s.h.i.+ba got up and said, “The market has started. Come with me, Mr. Ning. You're a new guest. Let me show you around.”

“Okay.” Ning Tao got up too, following with Qing Zhui behind Liu s.h.i.+ba, Reverend Qingsong and Hai Dongfang. They went out of the private room.

The five of them descended the stairs and came to the hall on the ground floor.

Only now did Ning Tao see a door etched in a center wall. There was a staircase paved out of stones descending downwards. On both sides of the stairway were wall lights, illuminating the way. Some people had already gone down the stairs. It was a bustling sight.

“Please come with me, Mr. Ning.” Liu s.h.i.+ba showed the company the way.

Ning Tao followed Liu s.h.i.+ba down the descending staircase. He could not help but feel agitated inside. “I didn't know there are flea markets in the cultivation world. Can I find the spiritual materials I need?”

Although he had entrusted Fan Huaying to help him purchase the spiritual materials, Fan Huaying was not a pract.i.tioner. Even if he could buy some of the spiritual materials, he was unlikely to find them all. He might not find even one. So Ning Tao had to have a contingency plan.

After reaching the last step of the stairway, they were greeted by a circular room. The ground was paved with black and white stone tiles, making up a Yin-Yang Taiji symbol. The size of the room was around that of a standard swimming pool.

Some pract.i.tioners and demons were already spreading their wares on the ground.