Chapter 193: Sky Ocean Grand Market

Holy Tides City had eight major markets, with the largest one being "Sky Ocean". This market spanned an expansive area, featuring thousands of shops and several open trading zones. It accommodated both permanent shop owners conducting business and traveling peddlers who set up stalls for trade.

As the two entered, they found the Sky Ocean Trading Market bustling with activity. Despite the considerable crowd, there was a well-maintained order. Various races could be seen here, including humans, orcs, elves, dwarves, merfolk, octofolk, and naga. Apart from these more common races, the market often played host to rare species not typically found in other places. Creatures that flew in the sky, ran on the ground, or swam in the water were all present, creating a diverse and comprehensive spectacle.Geett the latest novels on no/v/elbin(.)c/om

One could argue that even without their disguises or transformations, Zhang Nu and Han Kexin would not draw too much attention when entering the Sky Ocean Trading Market. At most, people would regard them as rare species they had not encountered before. This world was vast, and encountering uncommon species was not that extraordinary.

In contrast to the closed atmosphere of an empire, the Azure Water Federation was a realm of great freedom and complexity. With such a diverse array of races, the idea of establishing an empire was implausible; thus the federation could only form a loose alliance.

"Interesting! Very interesting!"

"This is truly fascinating!"

Han Kexin said with a smile, "I've never encountered such a vibrant place since I came to this world. Thanks, Mr. Potato, for broadening my horizons!"

Even for Zhang Nu, it was a first. While Giantree City was bustling now, it still paled in comparison to a well-established commercial hub. Holy Tides City's markets covered a comprehensive range of businesses, from basic necessities like food and shelter to herbs, potions, equipment, weapons, and various magical and specialty items. Many of these had already developed into recognizable brands and chains.

s and signs created by magical illusions adorned every street. Sales people were handing out flyers everywhere, and promotional jingles were looping in the background. The sensation was reminiscent of exploring bustling commercial districts in his past life, but with the transportation transformed into unique tamed creatures and neon lights replaced by magical illusions, it all seemed more enchanting.

Han Kexin immediately switched to shopping mode.

"Frost Silk is so cheap! I have to buy some to make new clothes!"

"It's said to have been imported from the distant Ice Dragon Empire!"

"Wow, take a look! These jewels are stunning. You won't find anything like this in the underworld. They might be worth a fortune there."

"The water gemstones of Holy Tides City are currently in surplus."

"They're even cheaper than what's sold in the Demon King's market."

"We could easily buy a large quantity of gemstones here and resell them at the Demon King's market. We could make hundreds of thousands, it's like a code to wealth!"

After strolling through the market, Han Kexin placed orders for a variety of materials, jewels, and gemstones. Zhang Nu noticed that even a woman as powerful as Han Kexin could not resist the allure of such a rich market with a plethora of goods. Whether in the past or the present, Han Kexin was not someone who lacked exposure to the world. Normally, she would not be so amazed and excited like a young girl. However, she had been in the primitive, chaotic, and lawless environment of the underworld for far too long. Finally arriving in a prosperous and peaceful place, brimming with business opportunities and money-making chances, it was only natural for her to be thrilled.

Zhang Nu took mental notes of the various price points on the items in the Holy Tides City market. He indeed identified numerous business opportunities, from procuring goods here to reselling them in the Demon King's market, potentially earning tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of extra profits daily. For any Demon King, these were irresistible figures. Even the renowned Succubus Queen Han Kexin could not help but be tempted.

However, Zhang Nu was not particularly concerned about these smaller opportunities. Compared to these fragmented business ventures, the large and vibrant market itself intrigued him more. After exploring various shops for a while, Han Kexin had placed orders totaling three million Demon King gold. She arranged for these items to be delivered to the White Sands Merfolk Manor. Three million Demon King gold amounted to thirty million standard coins in this world. Such a substantial sum, if placed in the Chaos Forest, could easily disrupt the markets of any forest city.

However, the Sky Ocean Grand Market was a completely different story. As the largest trading market in the most prominent commercial city of the Pale Moon nation, its daily transaction volume ranged from several hundred million to tens of billions, reaching its peak at a hundred billion. Throwing a few million coins into this vast market would hardly make any significant impact. After all, these shops were far from ordinary; behind what might seem like an ordinary gem stall could be a royal family from one of the Azure Water Federation's nations or even a large trading company from a distant empire.

"Today is truly delightful!"

"I feel like I've returned to my past life!"

Zhang Nu's expression changed drastically. This was an extraordinary item. It was closely related to the founders and pioneers of the Azure Water Federation. The Azure Water Empress had not received a grand burial, her final resting place was the Calamity Trench, one of the most dangerous forbidden zones within the federation.

Back then, the Calamity Trench harbored a catastrophe that could have engulfed and destroyed the entire Azure Water Federation. To save billions of marine people, the empress chose to suppress the calamity with her life, forever staying within the Calamity Trench and making it her eternal abode. Later, to prevent accidents, twelve kings placed seals to further secure the area. For the subsequent six thousand years, no one had entered the Calamity Trench, and nothing had come out of it. This meant that this magic pearl had the potential to unseal the Calamity Trench, granting access to the underwater tomb where the legendary empress had slumbered for six millennia.

Zhang Nu asked directly, "How much for this pearl?"

The old turtlefolk quickly responded, "My people found this on the seabed, and it's not in the best condition. You can just offer any price you want."

Zhang Nu casually threw a dwarven gold ingot over, asking, "Is this enough?"

The old turtlefolk was greatly astonished, hastily picking up the gold, afraid that others might see it. After carefully inspecting it and confirming it was genuine gold, a delighted smile appeared on his old face. "More than enough, more than enough. Not only can you buy this pearl, but you could also purchase everything else as well."

Zhang Nu only took the pearl. This old tortoise person did not recognize its value and was not aware of the significance of the Sealing Magic Pearl. Nevertheless, having possession of this item might not necessarily be a good thing for him.

"Not bad!"

"Who would've thought...to have such a haul here."

Zhang Nu thought to himself about the tomb of the Azure Water Empress. It must be at least a high ranking monarch-level area, right? Could it be that she had undergone a transformation similar to the Thirteen Malevolent King of the Thunder Highlands? This legendary empress was not an ordinary monarch. She was probably no less than a mythic-level existence. If that were the case, even Zhang Nu would need to carefully consider... Perhaps there was a chance to visit the Calamity Trench and check out the situation there.

After spending half a day, the two finally passed through the free trading zone. Han Kexin had sharp eyes and, by luck, managed to strike gold and found some good treasures. The Succubus Queen was not fully satisfied, saying, "This place is really interesting. We should come here more often when we have time. You never know what rare treasures might have been overlooked."

As the two arrived at the sea nymph restaurant, for two mighty Demon Kings, this was a rare day of relaxation in their intense lives. However, just as the two mighty Demon Kings were enjoying a romantic meal in the sea nymph restaurant, savoring exotic cuisine and the pleasant atmosphere...

In the northern part of the Chaos Forest, the southern border region of the Thunder Empire, the Kolo territory. A storm was brewing rapidly.Long Yi had led his troops and already arrived.

"The target is confirmed. We're about a hundred miles away from Kolo City. This is the capital of Kolo Province!"

"But the city has already closed its gates."

"It indicates that these humans have sensed something."

"They might organize some resistance."

Long Yi said calmly, "Even ants would struggle before they're crushed to death, but it's futile. They can't change their pathetic fate."

This was the first time he was leading an offensive mission. The fact that his master valued him and had promoted him to a monarch-level existence could not be disregarded. He must not fail his master's trust. This battle must be flawless.

Kolo City.

Kolo Region.

He must capture them all and demonstrate his abilities to his master! He shall show the world the terror of the Abyssal Dragon race from the Chaos Forest!"