Chapter 59: The Black Market

It’s not a fossil.

Instead, it’s a live Primitive Strength Ant!

There’s even a video to verify it’s pretty much real.

Most crucially, the message didn’t include any news about a lucky someone capturing a juvenile of an ancient species and getting rich, which means…

It’s still hidden in a corner of the Primordial Ant Mound Desert!

Another village appears after a winding path!

Although it’s unknown how long it has been alive, based on the twenty-seven power rings from three days ago, even if it has improved since then, its strength should be between the middle to high ranks of the elite class. With its unique body structure and after flipping twenty times over, it should command at least thirty tons of strength.

One punch could take down an elite demon creature, and even ordinary commander-level pet beasts wouldn’t dare to confront it head-on.

But Lu Yu was not afraid at all, because Little Spider specializes in spatial abilities and doesn’t need to face it head-on. Including the spirit-attacking external accessory, The Little Hamster, they might actually stand a chance in a fight!

If he could capture it, whether as a third pet beast or to create a super-class skill secret food, both options are good.

Lu Yu didn’t get carried away by the excitement, soon he realized something was off because this piece of news, though three days old, wasn’t widely spread.

He’s well aware that even though he spent a million, it means nothing to the Dark Moon Trading Company, which makes a hefty profit each day. Such a gray-market salesman, the young lady guide, could earn just a few thousand in commission, which doesn’t justify revealing such precious ancient species news.

Even if it wasn’t internal information from the commerce association, why wouldn’t she sell the tips for money herself?

Lu Yu asked in confusion, “Is it really okay for you to tell me such important information just like that?”

In response to that question, the sales lady tilted her head, lightly tapped it with her pink fist, stuck out her tongue in a playful manner, trying to adorably brush off the seriousness:

“Ah! I almost forgot to mention, the information about the location of the Primitive Strength Ant will be sold in the black market at midnight tonight. It was exactly the adventurer who entrusted us, at the Dark Moon Trading Company, to handle it. Fifty thousand per piece. If you mention my name when buying, you can get a 5% discount. Oh, by the way, my name is Huang Tiantian!”

Well, well, the information is already out for public sale, appealing to both black and white markets and even getting me to chip in twice for commission.

I just finished benefiting from the Soul-capturing Demonic Cloud and now I’ve been hustled myself!

The fleecer has finally been fleeced!

Even Lu Yu, the great benevolent one, has had a day of exploding coins.

“This woman is truly adept at earning her commission. She noticed my interest, subtly transitioned the topic, then took the chance to sell the information…”

Lu Yu’s lips twitched slightly, but he didn’t get angry. After all, her capability to earn a commission is her own skill, and it didn’t harm him. Moreover, he got the desired information and got a discount.

Instead, he admired such money-minded people because he himself worked hard to earn money in his previous life, just to live the life he loved.

Those who cherish life will be rewarded by life!

The black market mentioned by Huang Tiantian is a secret market located not far outside the city to the east, open only at midnight and closing at dawn.

Due to its enough secrecy and being outside city limits, it doesn’t risk being instantly destroyed by the Star Beast Tower. Some beast tamers of chaotic alignments make trades there for necessary materials. Even members of the Evil God Cult sometimes disguise themselves to visit.

Therefore, the market often has rare special materials, dark items, legacies from various sects, or even ancient books containing mysterious powers. But the prerequisite is the ability to discern the true from the false, otherwise, brace to be slaughtered.

Since the Dark Moon Trading Company participates in the black market and can openly talk about it, it means several other major commerce associations and even the Special Department are involved. Otherwise, they would have been reported long ago.

And then again, that kind of trade cannot be stopped – it’s better to join and have a slice of the pie, and while earning operating funds, it’s easier to prohibit human trafficking, maybe even follow the trail to eliminate some of the Evil God Cults that have completely lost humanity.

Or else where do you think the Special Department gets so much information from?

Not even a pet beast master with the ability to predict would be able to foresee so much information without risking their life.

As for the dark side, although they know it’s a trap, they have no choice – everyone needs to eat, and they must perform for their own evil gods and sustain a large group of people, all of which require a significant amount of supplies.

And with the largest border and richest resources only available in Dayuan City, facing a sellers’ market, they have no choice.

Plus, with the Special Department intentionally playing the long game to catch the big fish, only occasionally picking a few for slaughter, taking advantage of human nature’s hope that they might not be the unlucky one, they take the risk.

Lu Yu certainly plans to visit the black market.

Even after this information sells, there will undoubtedly be many competitors, but he isn’t panicking.

Setting aside the fact that large adventure groups possessing most of the Morning Star stage beast tamers are at the border and would take time to return, even if some big shots get involved, it’s not a problem.

At worst, he’ll simply follow behind others – if he can take the Primitive Strength Ant, he will, and if not, he won’t fuss over it.

As the creator of secret foods, he just needs to stay alive to have endless possibilities. However, he still needs to go because the Primordial Ant Mound Desert is vast. Who knows, he might find something overlooked?

But prior to that, there’s an issue – he’s out of money again!

The information costs fifty thousand a piece, plus he might find something to pick up in the black market, not to mention making use of the [Key of the Portal]’s ability. He’d also like to see if he can get some magic pills and entry-level inheritances. He would need at least one hundred thousand dollars.

The money from The Little Hamster can’t be used, and it’s definitely not enough. Today’s task limit is almost reached, no more scamming orders, just gotta open up new revenue streams.

The fastest way to make money is to sell pet beast evolution paths, but it’s not his preferred option unless necessary.

Red Moon Dream can bring things out of the Succubus’s Nest. It has a noble family background, so it’s unlikely to harbour malice over an evolution path, which can be explained away with her father’s relic.

Moreover, it’s as much about repaying a favor as it is about displaying value, gaining the qualification to have an equal dialogue with Lilith, and trading for more knowledge and resources while using this connection.

But not everyone has the background of the Red Moon family, to avoid trouble, it’s best to sell only the paths of low-level pet beasts.

But ordinary evolution paths aren’t worth much. Better-value alternative pet beasts can be chosen if he wishes to make money. He would have to sell several kinds at once. Those that are slightly better and enhance potential command a higher price but can cause a sensation.

If discovered, he wouldn’t be able to explain it away with relics or his notebook will turn into the secret treasure [Complete Compendium of Pet Beast Evolution].

Much riskier!

Thus, he would have to admit it’s his own research!

But for someone so tactical with pet beasts to suddenly produce results like a researcher would definitely attract many eyes, exploration, and even the greed of some.

He doesn’t like trouble; he prefers low-key development.

However, if there’s an auction for top-tier skill materials, Lu Yu would decisively sell his knowledge for money and buy those items to boost his powers. As for the reason…

Once he’s strong enough, he wouldn’t have to explain anything!

With genuine talent, it’s none of your business.

If one could become king, others must heed his demeanor.

But since it’s not the case yet, Lu Yu prepares to try the second, safer method of making money and asks:

“Do you accept extraordinary items made by pet beasts?”

“Of course, we do,” Huang Tiantian nodded and asked curiously, “May I know the type of material?”

Without any fuss, Lu Yu took out a clump of crystalline and pure white spider silk, which is the output of Little Spider at a proficient level.

“Silk? No wait, it seems to be spider silk!” Huang Tiantian touched it and was surprised to find it smooth and pliable, no less than top-tier silk, and quite durable to boot.

Although she didn’t know which pet beast it came from, it was definitely a quality item!

“I need to call an appraiser. Is that okay?” Huang Tiantian asked and, upon receiving Lu Yu’s consent, took out her phone and sent a message in the work group.

Within minutes, a man in a black uniform, wearing white gloves, and with neatly combed hair came downstairs, introducing himself as appraiser number three of the Dark Moon Trading Company’s Dayuan City branch.

After thorough examination, his meticulous face also showed a look of shock, as he praised, “It’s been a long time since I’ve seen spider silk of such high quality. It’s tenacious while being highly elastic, able to perfectly fit the skin. Its defensive efficacy is already on par with ordinary extraordinary armors, definitely from a top-tier spider pet beast…”

Lu Yu nodded slightly upon hearing this. Seems like he could fetch a good price!

Just when he was full of anticipation, he heard the appraiser excitedly say:

“These spider silks are simply the top-grade material for making stockings. If you are willing, sir, I can represent the Dark Moon Trading Company and purchase it for a hundred thousand per catty!”

Stockings!

My Little Spider, a mighty lord-level pet beast prodigy, producing proficient-level spider silk – not for making gold-threaded or silver-threaded armors, but to make stockings?

Specifically for female beast tamers to wear as white silk stockings!

How many can a catty make, how much it would sell for, and it’s not even sharing with me… No, that’s insulting the dignity of a beast tamer.

I would rather die of thirst, starve to death, or jump out from here than…

“Ding! Your savings card ending in 2767 has received an income of 110,000 yuan on June 24th at 20:17, with a current balance of 133,791 yuan. [Alliance Pet Beast Bank]”

Hmm… a pay raise!

Absolutely delightful!