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.
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.
Advertisements 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!"
Han Kexin's cheeks flushed, her eyes bright and enthusiastic. She no longer carried the regal air of a Succubus Queen or the imposing dominance of a Demon King. Zhang Nu was equally amazed. This place was indeed incredibly rich and fascinating. Perhaps only a nation as free and open as the Azure Water Federation could create such a prosperous business environment.
Zhang Nu asked, "Where would you like to go?"
Han Kexin waved a leaflet in her hand, saying, "Look here!"
"At the south gate of the Sky Ocean Grand Market, there's a very renowned chain of sea nymphs themed tea houses opening."
"I've heard that these sea nymphs already have a thousand chain stores in the Azure Water Federation. They prepare tea and food using magic, making it a unique experience."
Speaking of which, this was Han Kexin's first date with the opposite sex. Her face was filled with anticipation as she looked at Zhang Nu.
Zhang Nu said, "Really? A sea nymph owned place? I'd love to see it." Since they were already out, it would not hurt to broaden his horizons a bit more.
Han Kexin suggested, "We're passing by the free trading area anyway. Let's take a look and see if we can find something valuable."
The Sky Ocean Grand Market in Holy Tides City had two main sections: the shop trading zone and the free trading Zone. The streets they had strolled through earlier were part of the shop trading zone. The upcoming free trading zone was entirely composed of various stalls, from all walks of life. Here, adventurers sold antiquities retrieved from ruins, mercenary groups offered materials acquired during missions, and even fallen nobles pawned off ancestral treasures. Traveling merchants from all over the world also set up shop here. Compared to the shop zone, the free trading zone was a mixed bag. While the quality of items purchased here could not be guaranteed, there was a chance of finding high-value treasures at an excellent price or even stumbling upon rare and precious items for instant riches.
"So many stalls!"
Han Kexin's shopping desire was reignited. Most of the items here were unavailable in the underworld, so there was a possibility of discovering valuable treasures.
Zhang Nu, on the other hand, casually looked around.
[Damaged Ancient Sword] Gray middle grade... A sword unearthed from a graveyard, with no particular special value.
[Ancient Mage's Bracelet] White high grade... A bracelet found in a ruin that can somewhat amplify psychic power.
[Ordinary Ore] Gray low grade... Craftily disguised by a shady merchant as an adamantite ore, it is actually just an ordinary iron ore.
[Antique Flower Vase] Gray low grade... A palace vase from some ancient kingdom, without any value.
[Worn-out Spellbook] White middle grade... Notes on magic from a wild mage two centuries ago, with some unique insights into magic.
[...]
As Zhang Nu continued through the market, he realized that the free trading zone had a wide variety of items for sale. Everything from ingredients, herbs, ores, gemstones, equipment, antiques, magic scrolls, to even tamed beasts and slaves, could be found here. There was truly nothing that could not be found if one could think of it. However, most of these items were of low quality and held little value for someone at Zhang Nu's level. He also noticed that due to the less stringent regulations in the free trading zone, there were many unscrupulous vendors selling counterfeit and inferior goods. To make a purchase here, one needed to have a keen eye.
Zhang Nu was merely browsing without any intention to buy. Just then, the stall of an old turtle-like person caught his attention. Turtlefolks were a relatively common marine race, known for their longevity but average talents. The particular turtlefolk he saw was quite old, with wrinkles covering his face. The stall was simple, filled with marine specialties and odds and ends. Passersby, including travelers and merchants, did not even spare a second to stop for a glance. Zhang Nu's gaze landed on a black pearl about the size of a chicken egg. It appeared unremarkable, lacking any luster, but he sensed something special about it.
[Sealing Magic Pearl] Orange low grade...
Introduction: Six thousand years ago, after the Azure Water Empress suppressed the Calamity Trench, twelve sea tribal kings jointly set up a powerful sealing formation in the trench at the cost of their lives. This pearl can unlock the seal formation.
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!