Dark Moon Era

Chapter 418: Floating Ice

Indeed, Tang Ling was severely lacking combat techniques.

However, with Precise Instinct, any traditional combat techniques were not much use to him.

One could easily understand it with a little thought. Precise Instinct turned Tang Ling into a precise battle machine, so sometimes having techniques would be a shackle for him.

“I know what you are thinking, but I have to agree to disagree. It might be difficult for you to challenge something like combat techniques after having Precise Instinct, but there are techniques that are useful to you such as how you unleash your strength and the correct way to do that, the steps you take in battle...” Boss Huang paused for a moment before adding, “In the Purple Moon era, the evolution of mankind has produced a lot of geniuses, and I’m talking about this kind of genius...”

Boss Huang tapped his head with his finger. He was referring to the intelligent type of genius.

“They are always researching traditional combat techniques to adapt it to the current era. With the help of the simulation of super-advanced machinery and even combining one’s talent ability, a new type of combat technique was born unique to the Purple Moon era. It’s generally known as the Purple Moon Combat Arts. Without a doubt, it’s expensive and rare. Every single combat art includes the strong points of traditional techniques, and on top of that, they have their own unique final skill, something we call the ultimate.”

Boss Huang’s explanation startled Tang Ling.

He had been relying on his Precise Instinct to fight all this time, and the only technique he learned was the dagger techniques that he got from Lionel.

As for the sword intent, it was not exactly a technique. It was more of a state of his mind and body.

Before Boss Huang mentioned the combat art, Tang Ling could not find a use for the techniques even though the dagger technique was useful.

However after Boss Huang brought it up, Tang Ling was inspired.

Indeed, he was clueless about how to unleash his strength effectively. Maybe he could get an idea of how to use his strength when his spirit visualization reached a higher level, but since there was something ready-made, why would he not use it to his advantage?

Moreover, how could a single person’s intellect be comparable to all the people out there?

On top of that, he was totally clueless about the combat steps too.

Lastly, the Purple Moon Combat Arts sounded like something cool. What was the ultimate about?

After noticing Tang Ling’s interest, Boss Huang added, “The geniuses from the big factions will master at least two or more Purple Moon Combat Arts. Although most of the combat arts are used to serve one’s talent ability, there are also combat arts that serve your basic abilities.

“I’m just saying that on April 28th, you’ll see the ultimates from some of the young geniuses. The ultimate holds tremendous meaning. Although it might not be able to turn the tide of the battle when facing absolute power, it’s highly likely to save your life.”

“Then, I guess I should learn a set of Purple Moon Combat Arts!” Tang Ling’s eyes shone.

Before Boss Huang could continue, Tang Ling moved closer to his face and said, “Boss, since you are telling me all this, are you trying to tell me that you have some combat arts with you?”

Boss Huang rolled his eyes at him. “I do, but none of them are suitable for you. Purple Moon Combat Arts that serve basic abilities can be either astronomically expensive or ridiculously cheap. It all depends on the ultimate...I think no matter how lousy the ultimate might be, you should go and get yourself a manual or two if possible.”

“There’s a limit on how much you can spend your money in the cultivation room and you can only accumulate that much. You might as well spend it on something more useful,” Boss Huang advised.

A quick calculation later, Tang Ling accepted Boss Huang’s advice.

...

Where should he look for a Purple Moon Combat Arts manual?

There were a total of three ways.

First, a large auction.

Second, the black market.

Third, the auction in the black market.

Since the Purple Moon Combat Arts was precious, common trading companies would never sell them.

An auction was probably the best way to get one. Usually, manuals from auctions were better and one did not have to worry about its usability.

However, through the black market, one might face all kinds of problems with the combat arts manuals such as getting an incomplete manual, useless ultimate skills, or even limited potential. In short, one might spend the money purchasing peace of mind rather than a load of problems.

Lastly, there was the auction in the black market. Compared to a normal auction, items auctioned in the black market were usually illegal, forbidden, or even stolen.

According to Boss Huang, the black market would usually filter the items first. Then, the items with better quality would be transferred to the black market auction.

Therefore, his advice was to participate in a black market auction, at least, once.

“A large black market auction happens once every three months and a small one usually twice every week. You can simply wait it out,” said Boss Huang.

The last large black market auction was held during the lively Medley Sea Day and it has been three months since then. Maybe Tang Ling was lucky enough to encounter another. He did not usually pay attention to the black market or auction, so he was not sure.

The black market in Darkness Port was far bigger than the one in Safety Sector No. 17 and the routes were a lot more complicated. The entrances were numerous, but the structure was still the same.

All black markets had a so-called ‘black market lobby’ where there were receptions to register as mercenaries or freelancers, receptions for inquiries, and all sorts of trading booths. In summary, the lively black market lobby might be even bigger than the commercial district of Darkness Port.

Due to the numerous visitors, the lobby that was decorated like a banquet hall of a ship was rather stuffy and people were allowed to smoke indoors, hence the pungent smell.

Tang Ling asked around and he found out that a large black market auction would be held in three days. It seemed like his luck had not run out.

However, there were rules regarding the auction and only those with an invitation could enter.

As for where to get his hands on an invitation, Tang Ling was clueless, but he had a way around it.

The lobby had a passage to the Floating Ice Black Market. He decided to hand in his mission there and find a way to get his hands on this invitation card.

The black market in Darkness Port might be huge, but it somehow shared similarities with other black markets. The passages were all simply made out of mud and rocks with yellow oil lamps on the wall as the only light source.

It was not the first time Tang Ling headed down to the Floating Ice Black market, so no matter how complicated the route was, he was able to find his way around with the map.

...

The Floating Ice Black Market was definitely bigger and grander than the Madame’s Black Market that Su Siao had once brought him to.

After he pushed open the crystal door that represented floating ice, he entered an artificial icy world.

In the center of the ice terrain was a rather large underground lake with a large piece of ice floating on top. If anyone was curious about what the floating ice was for, it was just purely decoration.

Yes, people behind the black market spent a great sum of money just for decoration! The guide of the Floating Ice Black Market had once proudly introduced Tang Ling to their monument. Wherever the Floating Ice drifted to, regardless of the size of the black market, there would be a piece of ice floating on some form of water. It was their symbol after all.

Tang Ling did not know anything about symbolism.

However, the black robe that he had to wear upon every entry was made out of thick animal pelt, and it made him uncomfortable. Even his movements were not as agile.

He could not do anything about it though. In order to keep the icy world as it was and keep the ice above the water, the temperature inside the black market was ridiculously low. Anyone who entered must wear the robe provided by the black market.

Even though Tang Ling found it uncomfortable, he did not plan on freezing.

After draping the robe around himself, he first walked to the side of the lake.

Be it for face or for extravagance, all black markets had a large space filled with a welcoming feast to show off their hospitality and the Floating Ice Market was no exception.

A large number of tents were set up beside the lake. Within, there were warm fireplaces with all kinds of stews and roasted mutated meats on top of them. Beside the fireplaces were long tables. It was said that the black market prepared snacks and fruits that they had gathered from all the factions around the world.

Alcoholic beverages and tobacco products were considered a necessity in the welcome area.

Tang Ling did not go after the fruits or pastries. He loved to eat, but the fruits and pastries could barely fill the seams in his teeth. He did not bother eating them, and even if he did, he would have to eat a lot to fill only half of his stomach as it would take a lot of his time.

He simply grabbed a roasted drumstick and munched on it as he smuggled a dozen packs of cigarettes into his backpack.

After that, he realized there were at least seven to eight other visitors beside him and a dozen more staff in the area.

The others more or less felt embarrassed, but not Tang Ling who even grinned at everyone.

Then, he headed to the mission lobby of the Floating Ice Black Market.

The mission lobby was located on an ice field further away from the underground lake. It was a giant igloo built from ice and it was said that this building structure was constructed with reference to the Eskimo culture of the old civilization.

The mission lobby was a lot warmer than outside. Tang Ling took his robe off and continued munching on his drumstick while he walked to a reception and declared, “Handing in my mission.”

He did not have to prove anything or update on his mission status. As long as the captain of The Great Peak notified the people of the black market while he was free, he would be considered to have cleared it.

Even if the captain did not notify the black market, the staff would contact the captain after the mission duration was over via a call.

The mission Tang Ling undertook was to become a temporary assistant on The Great Peak while his payment would depend on his performance and the client’s satisfaction.

If it was the highest satisfaction level, the Floating Ice Black Market would pay Tang Ling 50 Black Sea coins as payment.

The mission was not published by the captain but by the black market staff, so it was a decent way to build connections.

Without a doubt, Tang Ling acquired the highest satisfaction level and easily earned the 50 Black Sea coins in payment. As a matter of fact, getting 50 Black Sea coins as a reward was considered common to him.

There was another mission that he took on together with the first one, which he had done so with a playful attitude since the second mission did not have any penalty even if he did not complete it.

The second mission was to help The Great Peak earn a minimum of 2,000 Black Sea coins in profit and the black market would pay Tang Ling a commission based on the profit made.

This type of mission reward was high but completing it was nearly impossible. Even a Rank 3 Purple Moon Warrior might not complete it, but if there really was a Rank 3 Purple Moon Warrior around, he would not have been an assistant in The Great Peak.

Therefore, this mission was just something to attract people’s attention as a promotion of sorts.

Who would have expected that the sick psycho, Tang Ling, would have completed it?! 2,000 Black Sea coins? Was that a joke? After a quick count, he helped the ship get five Requiem Whales. Or was it only four? After all, he did buy one from the captain and the one-fifth of the profit that he gave the captain would not be included, so how much would he get from the black market?

Tang Ling was so generous with the payment with Boss Huang and even calculated the price for the cultivation room of 30 Black Sea coins an hour because he had strong support.

He might have simply accepted this mission, but it would reward him handsomely.

Now, he would have to see whether the black market would take advantage of him or not.

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