After subduing three powerful ghosts, Zhao Letian set off again, heading straight to the Lion Mercenary Group with the information provided by Cheng Feng.

In the southeast of the Imperial City lay a remote street market.

To say it was remote, was only relative to the central area near the imperial palace.

In fact, every street market within the Imperial City bustled with life.

The prosperity of this southeast market exceeded even that of the Royal Capital of Dajin Country.

As such, every inch of land on this street was immensely valuable, truly worth its weight in gold.

To own even a modest shop on this street was enough to be considered wealthy.

Yet, the Lion Mercenary Group dominated the most central and golden section of this market, boasting a vast property of over ten thousand acres, envied by countless people.

It could be said that the Lion Mercenary Group was the absolute ruler of this market, their word law, with no one to challenge their authority.

Their leader was a King-level Expert, revered as the Lion King, and also the strongest on this street.

After a long journey, Zhao Letian finally arrived at this market and went directly to find the Lion Mercenary Group.

"Halt, this is Lion Mercenary Group territory, unrelated persons are strictly forbidden from approaching, leave at once!"

Just as Zhao Letian was about to inquire about a Martial Artist named Lu Yuan, a gatekeeper at the High-level True Martial Realm glanced at him disdainfully and arrogantly said.

Although this person was just a gatekeeper, it was an honor to be one for the Lion Mercenary Group, which made him very proud, giving him a strong sense of superiority over ordinary martial artists.

"Excuse me, brother, I'd like to ask if your group has a Martial Artist named Lu Yuan?"

Zhao Letian didn't mind the man's arrogance, still showing a friendly smile and asked very politely.

At this moment, he was the one asking for help, so naturally his demeanor had to be courteous.

"Lu Yuan? What do you want with him?"

The gatekeeper frowned slightly, as if recalling something in his mind, then looked at Zhao Letian with indifference and asked.

"I'd like to consult him on some matters."

Zhao Letian was inwardly pleased and spoke frankly.

Seeing the gatekeeper's reaction, it seemed he might have heard of Lu Yuan's name.

"What matters?"

The gatekeeper asked with curiosity, seemingly eager to delve deeper.

"Hehe, just some trifles really."

Zhao Letian chuckled and replied.

"Trifles? You'd come all this way for trifles? You think I'm a fool? Never mind then, you may go. We have no one named Lu Yuan here."

The gatekeeper glanced at Zhao Letian with disdain and said.

"Brother, please make an exception."

Zhao Letian smiled faintly, undeterred, as he reached into his robe and took out a Mid-Grade Essence Stone, passing it over.

He knew that such people wouldn't help without a bribe.

For someone in the High-level True Martial Realm, a Mid-Grade Essence Stone wasn't much, but for a simple motion of the hand, many would not refuse an easy gain of a Mid-Grade Essence Stone.

"Kid, you're sensible. Wait here, I'll notify him to come over."

A glint appeared in the gatekeeper's eyes as he immediately pocketed the Mid-Grade Essence Stone, smiling satisfactorily. He then took out a Communication Jade Scroll to inform Lu Yuan.

For just a word, to earn a Mid-Grade Essence Stone, he naturally would not reject such a good deal.

"Zhang Zhao, who's looking for me?"

Shortly after, a middle-aged man in a black robe approached, looking at the gatekeeper with a slightly furrowed brow.

"Senior Lu, it's this young man who was looking for you."

The gatekeeper Zhang Zhao hurriedly bowed and greeted.

Lu Yuan, with his Sect Martial first-tier cultivation, was much stronger than him, so naturally, he showed due respect.

"Who are you? What business do you have with me?"

Lu Yuan looked towards Zhao Letian with curiosity.

"Senior, it's like this. Some time ago, a friend of mine bought some items from you. I am also very interested and, if possible, I would like to make a transaction with the senior."

Zhao Letian said with a smile.

"A transaction? What kind of transaction?"

A gleam flashed in Lu Yuan's eyes, and he immediately became interested.

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"This matter is a long story, why not let me, the junior, be the host? Shall we find a restaurant to discuss it in detail?"

Zhao Letian proposed enthusiastically.

The entrance of the Lion Mercenary Group was bustling with activity, and with the gatekeeper present, it was not the place for a conversation.

"Sure, there is a pretty good restaurant nearby. Let's go."

Finally, Lu Yuan revealed a hint of a smile and nodded.

After that, he followed Zhao Letian and left together.

"Tch, a mere cultivator of the True Martial Eighth Realm, what kind of pathetic deal could he possibly have, and he's making it so secretive."

The gatekeeper sneered dismissively after watching Zhao Letian and the other person walk away.

A short while later, in a nearby restaurant, Zhao Letian and his companion took a private room and ordered some wine and dishes, starting their tasting.

The private rooms in this restaurant were protected by Array formations, making them very safe and secretive.

"Speak, what kind of transaction do you want to make with me?"

After a few rounds of wine, Lu Yuan took the initiative to ask.

"Do you recognize this item?"

Zhao Letian took out the crushed black stones with a calm smile and placed them on the table.

"This thing, isn't it the black stone I brought back from Ten Thousand Demon Mountain? You're not thinking of wanting this thing, are you?"

Lu Yuan examined the black shards closely and then asked, fixing his gaze.

"Ten Thousand Demon Mountain? Exactly, senior. I indeed need this item. However, more than the item itself, I want to know precisely where senior got this item from?"

Zhao Letian asked with a serious voice.

"You want to know the source of this item? Alright, I can tell you, but on one condition: you must first tell me what is so special about these black stones?"

Lu Yuan looked at Zhao Letian with anticipation in his eyes.

At that time, he only knew that the black stone seemed out of the ordinary and thus sold it as a treasure, but in fact, he did not know what was so special about it.

"Senior, I've heard that the Lion Mercenary Group always conducts their business for money, never inquiring into the client's purpose. Is senior perhaps going to break the Mercenary Group's code today?"

Zhao Letian saw with a teasing smile.

"Of course not. The rules of the Lion Mercenary Group, no one dares to break. The senior was just asking casually. If you don't want to say, then let it be. However, for me to tell you the source of that black stone, the price won't be cheap."

Lu Yuan was a bit startled and spoke with a serious voice.

He had assumed Zhao Letian, being young, didn't understand the Mercenary Group's code, but to his surprise, Zhao Letian appeared far wiser than he had anticipated.

"Price is not an issue,"

Zhao Letian said with an unfazed smile.