Chapter 11

The magic core, also known as a magic crystal and the prototype of spirit pills, is, as its name suggests, an energy crystal found within the body of a magical beast. It is filled with extremely violent natural energy. Even a Dou Wang (Martial King) would not dare to risk the danger of bursting his body by forcibly absorbing this violent energy.

However, although the magic core cannot be directly absorbed by humans, it is an indispensable main ingredient for alchemists when refining medicines. After being refined by alchemists using secret methods, the violent nature of the magic core is neutralized by some magical herbs, transforming it into various highly sought-after spirit medicines that can enhance one's strength, causing its value to skyrocket!

Furthermore, the magic core can be embedded in weapons. Weapons embedded with a magic core not only have greater destructive power but also possess the enticing effect of amplifying martial qi, making them highly favored by the martial practitioners of the Martial Qi Continent.

Of course, besides weapons, the magic core can also be embedded in armor and other items, providing the owner with formidable defensive power, offering more protection in dangerous situations.

With so many effects, the magic core naturally became the most popular mainstream material on the Martial Qi Continent, sought after not only by martial practitioners but also by the esteemed alchemists, who often bend their bodies to search the world for high-level magic cores to refine higher-level pills.

Under this trend, the supply of magic cores on the continent is almost always in short supply. High-level magic cores, once they appear at auctions or other places, are immediately snapped up at high prices.

The high value of magic cores naturally gave rise to a large number of mercenary groups that specialize in hunting magical beasts. However, obtaining a magic core is not an easy task.

Firstly, magical beasts are not only powerful but also extremely cunning. Due to their ferocious nature and special attack methods, magical beasts are often stronger than human practitioners of the same level. Therefore, to hunt a magical beast of the same level alone, one needs exceptional strength; otherwise, it is easy to end up losing more than gaining.

Secondly, not all magical beasts have a magic core within their bodies. This seems to be a matter of probability. Sometimes, a mercenary group may suffer casualties of half the team to kill a magical beast, only to find themselves empty-handed in the end. Such incidents are not uncommon on the Martial Qi Continent and are not considered strange...

Therefore, the value of magic cores on the Martial Qi Continent has always been high, making them extremely sought after.

...

After taking a few turns on the wide street with Xun'er, they finally entered a medium-sized market in the southern part of the city. There are several such medium-sized markets in U坦 City, each controlled by one of the three major families in the city. The market Xiao Yan came to is controlled by the Xiao family...

To say it is controlled is more like maintaining the order and safety of the market. As a reward, mercenaries or merchants who set up stalls in the market have to pay some commission to the family. This has been a long-standing rule on the Martial Qi Continent, and it is rare to see anyone causing trouble.

Upon entering the market gate, there were two guards from the Xiao family at the entrance. They clearly recognized Xiao Yan and Xun'er. Seeing their arrival, they were surprised and then slightly bowed.

Xiao Yan nodded slightly and walked straight in. Standing at the gate, he looked at the bustling crowd inside and couldn't help but smack his lips. No wonder the family strictly controls the market; the profit from such a popular place must be substantial...

"Third Young Master, Miss Xun'er, are you here to buy something?" Just as the two were dazzled by the crowd, a respectful voice came from behind.

Hearing the voice, Xiao Yan turned around. Seven or eight men dressed in the uniform of the Xiao family were standing behind him, and the speaker was a middle-aged man in his thirties. The man had a badge on his chest with six golden stars, indicating that he was a Six-Star Martial Practitioner.

Seeing Xiao Yan's puzzled gaze, the man smiled kindly and said respectfully, "Third Young Master, my name is Payne. I am the captain of the guards appointed by the Patriarch to protect the market. Heh, I met you at your birthday last year..."

"Oh, it's Uncle Payne."

Xiao Yan blinked. Although he had no impression of this man, his introduction made Xiao Yan smile. Since he was appointed by his father, he must be a direct subordinate, and his loyalty should not be a problem.

Although the Xiao family is not a superpower, it is also divided into several factions. If the man in front of him belonged to another elder's faction, Xiao Yan would have ignored him and just gone through the motions.

"Feeling bored at home, so I came out for a walk. Uncle Payne, you go about your business. If I need anything, I'll call you." Xiao Yan's young voice lacked the arrogance of a young master and was instead polite and gentle, making people feel at ease.

The respectful title "Uncle" made Payne's smile even broader and more enthusiastic. He scratched his head and nodded, smiling, "Then, Third Young Master, feel free to wander around. We have people everywhere in the market. If you need anything, just shout."

Xiao Yan nodded politely, then pulled Xun'er into the crowd and disappeared...

"Parry, take two men and follow Third Young Master. Warn the market's 'golden fingers' that anyone who dares to have ideas about Third Young Master and Miss Xun'er will not be allowed to stay here." Watching the disappearing youth and girl, Payne turned around and said lightly, his kind face instantly turning shrewd.

"Yes, Captain!" A man nodded solemnly, waved his hand, and led two men into the crowd.

"Heh, Third Young Master is still so kind, it's really comforting..." Watching the three merge into the crowd, Payne smiled and then sighed regretfully, "Such a good young man, alas..."

Shaking his head in regret, Payne led his subordinates to patrol the streets...

...

Lazily following Xiao Yan as he wandered, Xun'er glanced at the crowd behind them without a trace. She smiled faintly and said, "Brother Xiao Yan, Payne is quite good."

Xiao Yan hummed lightly, his gaze sweeping over a nearby vendor. His soul perception was much stronger than that of ordinary people, so he was well aware of the guards following behind. He slowed his pace, walked alongside the girl, and, smelling the fresh and elegant scent of the girl, he tilted his head and teased, "Ninth-level Martial Qi, yet you can sense three skilled guards. Xun'er, you're quite extraordinary..."

Xun'er mimicked Xiao Yan's gesture, cutely shrugged, and then used her ultimate move: a smile and silence!

Looking at the girl's silent expression, Xiao Yan's lips curved into a warm smile. He gently patted the girl's head and whispered in a voice only the two of them could hear, "Although I don't know your true identity or background, I only know that you are my sister, Xiao Yan's sister. No matter what happens in the future, remember, stand behind me, and I will protect you from the storms." He smiled lightly, patted her head again, and quickened his pace, moving forward.

Xun'er, with her beautiful, lively eyes, stared at the youth who walked away confidently. She stood there for a while, then finally came to her senses. The gentle smile on her lips gradually widened, eventually making her delicate face extremely charming.

In the bustling market, the girl stood and smiled, her elegant figure resembling a lotus in the secular world, elegant and serene...

"Is she my sister? Xun'er is a very greedy girl..." Tilting her head, Xun'er whispered softly, then smiled faintly, took a small step, and followed the leisurely walking youth.

...

Following Xiao Yan, they slowly entered the deeper part of the market. The items sold in the deeper part of the market are generally more precious than those outside, so the customers who come here are also more powerful in U坦 City.

While Xiao Yan was diligently searching for magic crystals, Xun'er, feeling bored, came to a clean stall and stopped. She extended her fair, tender wrist, picked up a light green bracelet. The bracelet was made of ordinary material, but it had some ice silver added, making it feel cool to the touch, perfect for summer. Although the material was ordinary, it was elegant and unique...

After playing with it for a while, Xun'er was about to buy it but remembered that she had already lent all her money to Xiao Yan. She turned her head slightly, looked at the youth who was busy with his own affairs, and could only shake her head helplessly. She smiled apologetically at the old man behind the stall, put down the bracelet, and continued to walk lazily... Her elegant personality made it difficult for her to actively ask anyone to buy something for her, even if it was Xiao Yan...

After walking a short distance, feeling bored, Xun'er was about to go back to accompany Xiao Yan when a clear and cheerful voice suddenly came from ahead.

"Hey, isn't that Miss Xun'er? Heh, I didn't expect to meet you here. What a coincidence."

Her delicate eyebrows furrowed slightly, Xun'er looked in the direction of the voice and saw a group of people coming over. In the crowd, a well-dressed young man was surrounded like a star.

The young man was about twenty years old, quite handsome, but his complexion was somewhat pale. His eyes were fixed on the graceful young girl not far away, filled with unhidden admiration.