Chapter 1726: Chapter 524: Sweeping Goods at the Black Market, Tons of Treasures_3

Before showing up, Leonard Churchill had already inquired about the Black Market, and throughout their journey, none of the gangs lurking in the market had troubled the trio.

They entered a small cabin with “Owl Magic Shop” hastily written over the doorway.

This was the most established shop in the Black Market; the longer it had been open, the wider its sources of goods and the more treasures it held.

Upon entering, the shop hosted only two individuals: an old woman with eyes like an owl’s, and a young apprentice.

Leonard Churchill walked in and called out to the old woman: “Old Witch, you’ve got customers.”

Examining “Kulan,” the old woman glanced at Sophia Jones and her company discreetly and remarked, “Oh, Kulan, long time no see.”

This was the coded language of the Black Market, asking what kind of background the customers had.

Leonard Churchill, posing as just one of many small brokers in the Black Market, was not expected to know any distinguished guests, so the old woman didn’t pay them much attention.

But without further ado, he simply stated, “This visitor is a distinguished guest from the north.”

“Heh.”

The old witch chuckled lightly, not looking overly impressed or contemptuous, and turned to Sophia Jones to ask, “What can I get for you, guest? Since you’ve been brought by Kulan, I assure you our shop has only satisfying goods.”

Her words were full of confidence.

Sophia Jones wasted no time, tossing over a bag of magic cores: “Money is no issue. Just bring out your finest wares.”

This was a show of financial proof.

It was also a rule of the Black Market.

Only by revealing one’s funds would these old market hands show their best items.

Her cover, agreed upon with Leonard Churchill, was that of an outsider from a Commerce Guild, intending to buy a wide range of goods.

The old woman checked the bag on the counter, and with a flash of sharpness in her eyes that quickly disappeared, her expression turned jolly, “Oh, you’ve definitely come to the right place, my esteemed guest. We’ve just received some splendid new items.”

A guest who could produce a Sixth-Tier Demon Core on the spot was certainly considered a VIP.

With a sweep in her Storage Ring, several boxes appeared on the counter, and she said with a beaming smile, “Take a look…”

Sophia Jones opened a box to find a Relic Ring, a piece of Sixth-Order Dark Gold Undead Material, and a Classic Book–all fine selections.

Yet her expression was indifferent, even slightly disappointed, as she casually remarked, “Is this it?”

This seemingly unimpressed comment didn’t insult the old woman; instead, she realized she was dealing with a truly major client.

With years of experience in the Black Market, the old witch had honed her ability to read people. Although the female customer’s face was concealed, the composure in her eyes was not easily feigned.

This was not someone from a big corporation; this was from a Noble Family, or even from the Royal Family!

Sophia Jones glanced at Leonard Churchill and, for the sake of the act, provocatively suggested, “If this is all there is, we don’t need to look any further.”

Seeing her own employer about to leave, the old woman became anxious.

Leonard Churchill also promptly urged, “Oh, Madam, won’t you have another look? I guarantee this is the best-stocked shop in the Giant Spirit City Black Market, filled with treasures.”

Saying this, he looked toward the shop owner with a sycophantic expression of fear that his commission might slip away: “Isn’t that right, Old Witch?”

Hearing these words, the old woman nodded repeatedly: “Yes! Yes! Yes!”

Sophia Jones was, of course, aware that the shop had good items but she feigned near-disinterest, straightforwardly saying, “Top-tier relics, the Demon God Secret Skill, the Royal Academy’s collection… as long as you can bring out the goods, money is not an issue.”

With that, she pulled out another bag.

This time it contained not just a Seventh-Order Demon Core but also some high-tier energy crystals.

The old woman’s pupils noticeably dilated when she saw the content.

This casual mannerism was a sure sign of a major customer.

…

Such is the ritual in the Black Market; both parties must test each other before the best items could be traded.

Initially, Sophia Jones’s statements, like “the Royal Academy’s collection,” would still raise suspicions.

But not anymore; many nobles come to the market for just such items.

The Royal Academy’s collection is something coveted by the Three Royal Families, or else they wouldn’t send their offspring there every year.

Previously, due to the Holy Church, nobody dared covet the collection.

But now it was different.

Though these items couldn’t be bought openly, the number of people buying them in secret was plentiful.

The old woman hurriedly signaled her apprentice to close the shop’s curtain, “Please wait, I’ll get you the catalog list!”

Their shop was not large, and it was impossible to have all the treasures on hand.

Bringing out the catalog meant showing the real top-quality goods.

Sophia Jones looked at the catalog passed by the old woman and finally showed genuine interest, proactively asking, “Everything on this list is available?”

Leonard Churchill also glanced at it; indeed, the list was extensive.

It included secrets like the Plum Blossom 7 Singer Series, [Netherworld Sound Burial], Black Spade 6 Holy Dragon Iron Guard [War God Unarmored], Black Spade 3 Holy Knight Series [Ignorance Pain], Plum Blossom 9 Grave Digger Series [No Forbidden Arts]…

Leonard Churchill saw six of the Fifty-two Demonic God Secret Skills!

Not just Secret Skills, the list also contained “Fire Dragon Language Forbidden Curse Secret Book,” “Zeratul’s Top-tier Profound Spell,” “Seventy-Two Legendary Cards Fabrication Recipes,” “Black Spade 8 Original Template”…

Leonard Churchill was all too familiar with it.

These were advanced collections from the Royal Academy!

These were the top collections that couldn’t be bought from outside.

Leonard Churchill knew why there were so many books.

While other items might be questionable, the Fifty-two Demonic God Secret Skills–all but the Primordial copper plate–could be copied, content-wise.

They had not been copied before due to the restrictions by the Holy Church; copying anything from the Royal Academy meant the whole family might end up at the gallows.