The Infernal Plane: Book 5 of the Coiling Dragon Saga

by Wo Chi Xi Hong Shi

  “Offensive artifacts!”

  Linley and the other two walked past the long row of counters on this side. Business here clearly was very brisk, and there were many onlookers as well. But Linley himself was greatly shocked.

  “This is considered an offensive artifact?” Linley didn’t pay attention to ordinary weapons.

  But he had discovered a unique weapon; an arrow!

  Linley wouldn’t be surprised at the sale of a godly bow, but a single ordinary arrow… this couldn’t help but cause Linley to be startled.

  “And the price is set at fifty thousand inkstones. What? You have to buy them in units of ten?” Linley couldn’t help but shake his head.

  The violet-robed salesman, seeing Linley stare at the arrow on the counter while shaking his head, couldn’t help but speak out. “This is a godslayer arrow. Generally speaking, if a full God is hit by this arrow, he will definitely die. Even a Highgod, upon being hit by ten arrows, will most likely have his soul dissipate and his spirit shatter!”

  “How is that possible?” Bebe stared. “This arrow is just a material attack. How could it so easily kill someone?”

  “Material attack?”

  The violet-robed salesman snickered. “If it was just an ordinary arrow, how could it be sold here? This arrow has been dipped in a special soul poison developed by a Highgod of the Edicts of Death. Hmph, this is specially meant for dealing with souls.”

  Hearing this, Linley couldn’t help but be intrigued.

  Soul poison?

  “When I was in the Yulan continent, when I encountered that Grand Warlock, didn’t he have Yale use soul poison to kill me?” Linley had drank that wine, then suffered the attack of the soulsilk poison.

  Linley knew long ago that some of the experts who trained in the Edicts of Death were skilled in using soul poison to kill!

  That Grand Warlock was only a Demigod.

  But now, from the sound of it, this poison was made by a Highgod of the Edicts of Death. Then the power of this poison definitely couldn’t be underestimated. It most likely truly was capable of killing a God in a single strike, and ten for a Highgod was about right as well.

  “But although it is powerful, you still have to be able to hit your enemy with it.” Linley understood this principle. Neither a God nor a Highgod would just stand there, letting you hit him at leisure.

  However…

  There were some people who were skilled in assassination.

  In addition, when ten thousand people in an army shot out with bows, anyone, no matter how fast, would most likely be finished.

  Linley, Delia, and Bebe continued to look at the various items. They discovered… that there truly were far too many ways to spend money. Many of the items here had effects that were simply terrifying.

  They continued to walk forward.

  “Medicines!” Linley walked to a nearby counter. He was shocked. “No matter how badly injured one’s soul is, as long as one’s soul hasn’t completely been shattered and dissipated, it will heal instantly and the spiritual energy will also be completely recovered. This was created with great care by a Highgod who was a master of the Edicts of Life.”

  Linley stared at the explanation placed atop the crystalline medicine jar. He couldn’t help but be interested.

  When executing soul attacks, the greatest cost was to one’s spiritual energy.

  But as soon as he saw the price, Linley felt his heart ache in pain.

  A single pill… cost a million inkstones!

  “Let’s go. Stop looking at these.” Linley felt his heart clenching. Many items were good, but the prices were simply too terrifying.

  After seeing many items, Linley’s group left the third floor’s main hall. The prices here were simply too terrifying. Linley’s group thus returned to the second floor.

  The second floor had many people and many items. It even had Golden Soul-Pearls. However, in the Infernal Realm, Golden Soul-Pearls couldn’t be considered particularly valuable. Because…

  In the Infernal Realm, although there were many Deities, there were even more Saints!

  Many races in the Infernal Realm would naturally reach the Saint-level in adulthood. With so many Saints… quite a few of these Saints had their souls used for refining souls into Golden Soul-Pearls.

  “A single Golden Soul-Pearl, roughly the same size as the one I previously acquired. The price… a hundred thousand inkstones. Whew. Still pretty expensive,” Linley said to himself.

  At this time, the violet-robed salesman behind the counter laughed and said, “This Golden Soul-Pearl can be used for strengthening the soul, and it is easily absorbable. It doesn’t have to be refined.”

  “There’s another type of gem here. That one over there. It is known as an ‘amethyst’! If you absorb all of the energy within it, in terms of the amount of benefit it provides to your soul, it is roughly on par with that of a Golden Soul-Pearl. The price, however, is only ten thousand inkstones,” the violet-robed salesman said.

  Linley was somewhat startled.

  The nearby Bebe spoke out. “Oh? You said the amount of benefit is about the same for nourishing the soul. So why is the difference in price nearly ten times? It’s too much.”

  The violet-robed salesman laughed, “That’s because refining and purifying this amethyst is extremely difficult. A person who isn’t an expert in refining will most likely lose 80% of the power the amethyst holds while refining it, leaving only 20% remaining… and the speed is very slow as well. It takes a lot of time. Thus, the price is only ten thousand inkstones.”

  “Refining and purifying?” Linley had a thought.

  Actually, Deities of the Edicts of Death had to spend a great amount of spiritual energy in refining souls or in refining these ‘amethysts’.

  But Linley was different. He had the Coiling Dragon ring!

  “I’ll buy one and give it a try. Let’s see if the Coiling Dragon ring is capable of refining an amethyst just like how it refines souls,” Linley said to himself.

  Linley immediately spend ten thousand inkstones to buy an amethyst.

  The amethyst was semi-translucent, and it contained a blurry, violet fog within it. It seemed very beautiful. With a flip of his hand, Linley stored the amethyst into his Coiling Dragon ring.

  “Crackle…”

  In almost the blink of an eye, that amethyst was transformed into a pile of rubble, while at the same time, an enormous amount of golden fog began to swirl about within the Coiling Dragon ring.

  The refining had already completed!

  Linley’s eyes lit up. “Doesn’t that mean I can buy amethysts and refine them into Golden Soul-Pearls?” This meant that he could buy an amethyst for ten thousand inkstones, and then sell them for seventy thousand inkstones.

  This was a profit of 700% to 800%!

  He currently had roughly a million inkstones. In but a few cycles, he would then have tens of millions of inkstones.

  “Wait. The Coiling Dragon ring only refines it to a golden fog. How would I crystallize them into a golden pearl?” Linley didn’t have any idea as to how to cause the golden fog to crystallize.

  The golden fog was soul essence. Linley didn’t have any means to compress it. There was no way his divine power could interact with this sort of soul essence. His spiritual energy could, but upon the spiritual energy drawing near, it would begin to absorb the golden fog and strengthen his soul.

  “Unfortunately, although I have a good method of making money, I don’t have any way of condensing the golden fog into a golden pearl.” Linley sighed to himself.

  The refining, purifying, and condensing of soul essences belonged to a technique of the Edicts of Death.

  Linley also wanted to be able to fill the golden fog into a crystal ball.

  He trusted that the golden fog stored within a crystal ball could be sold to someone. At worst, the price would be a bit lower than for the Golden Soul-Pearl. He would still be able to make a killing.

  But…
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br />   “This golden aura… although I control it through the Coiling Dragon ring and I can make it leave the ring, as soon as it does so, it will begin to dissipate. After it leaves the Coiling Dragon ring, I don’t have any way of controlling it. Naturally, I won’t be able to make it enter a crystal ball.” Linley felt very discouraged.

  Linley was completely incapable of controlling this golden fog.

  He didn’t understand the Edicts of Death. Thus, his spiritual energy naturally devoured the soul essences as soon as they touched. Perhaps others might understand the Edicts of Death, but they couldn’t possibly control something like the Coiling Dragon ring.

  “Forget it. It is already good to be able to strengthen my own soul.” Linley didn’t care too much.

  The purpose of him coming to the Infernal Realm was to grow and to break through.

  As for money? He just needed enough to use.

  “These amethysts, give me ten of them,” Linley said. The more powerful the soul, the faster one would train, and the stronger one’s spiritual attacks would be.

  Linley naturally wouldn’t be too stingy.

  “Amethysts?” The violet-robed salesman was very puzzled. It was very hard to refine amethysts. One was enough. Why ten more?

  But the violet-robed salesman didn’t really care. “Perhaps he’s too poor. He’d rather spend time to slowly absorb amethysts rather than buy a Golden Soul-Pearl.” But how could he have known that Linley had a Sovereign artifact that was able to instantly refine amethysts and purify the soul essences within?

  13

  Planning to Commit Violence?

  After Linley purchased ten amethysts, he left the sales counter, heading towards a distant sales counter. This sales counter was very large, and it had all sorts of items on display. The viewers of the sales counter were quite numerous as well. Many were spending money to buy things.

  This place was where defensive artifacts were being sold.

  “Linley, you want to buy a defensive artifact?” Delia looked at Linley, puzzled.

  “I don’t need it.” Linley laughed as he looked at Delia. “Delia, your defensive armor is only Demigod-level. It is too weak. Let’s buy a God-level armor.” Since they were preparing to join the Fiend examination, they had to increase everyone’s strength.

  Strength, aside from personal power, also included their divine artifacts.

  If they were to participate in the Fiend examination, Linley was worried most about Delia. As for Bebe… when they had left the Yulan Plane, Lord Beirut had given Bebe quite a few treasures. As for himself, he already had a soul-protecting Sovereign artifact, albeit slightly damaged.

  “Alright.” Delia didn’t refuse. She understood that when she grew stronger, Linley wouldn’t be as worried about her, and she would be able to help him more.

  “The prices of these defensive artifacts truly do exceed the prices of offensive artifacts.” Linley chuckled, then sighed.

  God-level offensive artifacts were just roughly a thousand inkstones, while God-level defensive artifacts were generally five or six thousand inkstones. To Linley’s team, this wasn’t much at all.

  People continually entered and left the main gates of Redbud Castle, but there was one person who stayed right there by the sides of the steps, always watching the main gate.

  “Those three really are slow. Isn’t it just shopping?” The God cursed softly. “They’ve never come to Royalwing City. They’ll most likely wander about for a long time. They are enjoying themselves inside, while I’m slowly waiting here.”

  Indeed, Linley’s team was very curious.

  This Redbud City had many items that expanded Linley’s horizons. Naturally, they had to have a good stroll and gain some experience.

  The God suddenly saw a human figure. He immediately headed over and said respectfully, “Lord Edmond.”

  Edmond nodded slightly, then said calmly, “The three still haven’t come out?”

  “Right. Not yet.” The God nodded.

  Edmond frowned, then turned to look at the gate. “They’ve already sold what they came to sell. I imagine they should be coming out from this front main gate.” Edmond was in no hurry. He just waited quietly outside.

  “It is Lord Edmond.”

  The other members of the Black Dragon Tribe, when departing Redbud Castle, saw Edmond standing there. Many of them assembled up behind Edmond.

  “Mm, here they are.” Edmond’s eyes lit up.

  “That metallic lifeform really is expensive.” Delia was sighing.

  Linley nodded as well. “Ordinary metallic lifeforms cost millions already, but high-level, powerful ones cost tens of millions… those large ones actually cost over a hundred million inkstones. Bebe, your grandpa really is powerful.” Linley sighed in praise as he looked towards the nearby Bebe.

  “Naturally!” Bebe puffed his chest out proudly.

  Lord Beirut’s metallic castle was a high-level metallic lifeform. The price of such a creature in Redbud Castle was more than a hundred million inkstones.

  As they spoke, the three of them walked out of the first main hall, following the tide of people outwards.

  “Linley.” Suddenly, someone called out at the gateway.

  Linley turned to look. It was Daebra.

  “Daebra,” Linley laughed as he spoke out. “Oh, you sold your things?” Linley said. He noticed that next to Daebra was a large group of people, all of whom belonged to the Black Dragon Tribe.

  Daebra laughed. “I was just selling a single God artifact. I heard you went to the third floor. You really are amazing.” Daebra’s words caused the nearby members of the Black Dragon Tribe to stare jealously at Linley.

  In the Infernal Realm, making a fortune was simply too hard.

  “Oh?” Linley laughed calmly, carefully inspecting the looks on the faces of the Black Dragon Tribe’s members.

  Actually, when he went to the third floor to sell items, Linley had already anticipated that he wouldn’t be able to avoid the attention of all the members of the Black Dragon Tribe. It was possible that he would be discovered… but so what if he was? After all, he didn’t have any plans to return to the Black Dragon Tribe.

  “Alright, let’s head out.” Edmond, standing in front, spoke out as he led his subordinates away.

  Edmond didn’t even look at Linley.

  The group walked a few dozen meters towards the direction of the pillars, moving in a direction that would bring them back out of Royalwing City. But Linley’s team took a curved route, heading towards a different direction.

  “Linley, where are you going?” Daebra said with surprise.

  At the same time, Edmond and many others halted, turning to look.

  “Oh, I’m not going back to the Black Dragon Tribe,” Linley said, laughing.

  “Not returning to the Black Dragon Tribe?” A gentle voice rang out. Edmond led his subordinates and walked over.

  Linley, seeing that it was Edmond who had come, couldn’t help but sneer coldly in his heart. “This old fellow. I’m not going to the Black Dragon Tribe, so he, the chief steward of Stirton and a Highgod, immediately came over? Does he think I don’t know what he is scheming?”

  The distance from here to the front main gate of Redbud Castle was less than a hundred meters. There were many people here. Linley’s group, standing there, wasn’t noticeable at all.

  “Lord Edmond,” Linley said, smiling.

  “Your name is Linley, right?” Edmond laughed calmly. “Your two friends are both Gods. In our Black Dragon Tribe, they can be considered elite members. It is truly a pity that you are planning to leave the Black Dragon Tribe. Right. I actually have taken a liking to you. I recently lack for subordinates. Would you be willing to follow me?”

  Linley remained very modest and courteous. “Thank you, Lord Edmond, for your kindness. Only, it truly isn’t necessary. Myself, my wife, and my brother here came to the Black Dragon Tribe only because we had just arrived in the Infernal Realm. However, I still feel gra
titude for the care the Black Dragon Tribe has shown me in this period of time.”

  Edmond couldn’t help but be startled.

  But seeing the meek smile on Linley’s face, he felt a stirring of anger in his heart. “This guy!”

  He knew that Linley was carrying a fortune on himself. Even he, Edmond, wouldn’t find it so easy to accumulate such wealth. After all, he, Edmond, had fused with a divine spark to become a Highgod. This was why he had always followed Stirton. Stirton made most of the money, while he only made do with leftovers.

  “We’re leaving now,” Linley said with a smile, then turned.

  “Swoosh!”

  Very suddenly, six Gods appeared in front of Linley.

  “You want to leave?” one of the Gods said coldly.

  Linley was startled, and then his gaze turned icy.

  “Fuck, what, you want to fight?” Bebe’s voice suddenly raised in pitch and volume, spreading in every direction. Many of the nearby people who had been moving about turned to look in their direction. Bebe jumped up and shouted out, “Milords of the Redbud Army, these people want to beat us, they want to fight!”

  The distance from here to Redbud Castle’s gates was less than a hundred meters.

  At such a close distance, those bored Redbud Army soldiers milling about at the gates to Redbud Castle naturally could hear Bebe’s shout. Although they were sent here to maintain order, normally who would dare cause trouble here? Naturally, they were always very bored. Now, hearing someone call out for them, they actually grew excited.

  “Hey, something’s happening?” a black-cloaked, muscular man called out hurriedly. “I’ll go take a look.”

  “Brothers, let’s all go check it out.”

  Ten or so Redbud Army soldiers all walked over curiously.

  Seeing the Redbud Army soldiers come over, Edmond’s face instantly grew ugly to behold.

  He was a Highgod, true! But he had only become one through fusing with a divine spark. In the Infernal Realm… there were far too many people that were more powerful than him. The steward of a tribe could perhaps show off his power and authority in that tribe… but in Royalwing City, he wasn’t even worth a fart!