Outside the stone door, many couldn’t help but stop in their tracks and look up at the entrance.
Above the stone door, the words "Ghost Market" were strikingly engraved within the mountain itself, carrying a hint of subtle strangeness.
The stone door before their eyes was the second entrance to the Ghost Market, which also determined the opening and closing times for the market.
The stone door was a Mechanism Stone Door; though it was mechanized, it could not be manually controlled. It opened and closed naturally, precisely at nine o’clock in the evening each day, and would close again at six in the morning the following day.
If you were still in the Ghost Market by six in the morning and hadn’t left, you would be locked inside the entire day, only able to leave after the door opened again at nine in the evening.
After walking through the stone door, there was a body of water, and several boats were docked on it.
Once on a boat, crossing the expanse of water would take about ten minutes; after docking, you would find yourself within the black market.
The light inside the Ghost Market was dim, and everyone wore unified black robes and black masks. With so many people, one glance around was met with an overwhelming sea of darkness.
Gu Zhiqi hadn’t walked far in the market before they found the cinnabar and yellow paper they were looking for.
After purchasing the yellow paper and cinnabar, Gu Zhiqi didn’t rush to leave.
During their last visit, they were in a hurry to get back to Drawing Talismans, leaving hastily after buying Talisman Paper. Since they didn’t need to go back for that tonight, they could afford a leisurely stroll around.
The black market was crowded, bustling with a throng of people moving shoulder to shoulder.
The roadside stalls were numerous, with hawkers calling out continuously. Occasionally, you could see a stall owner leisurely drinking tea, humming a tune. However, the noise of the market made it impossible to discern what they were humming.
Gu Zhiqi walked and looked around before stopping in front of a stall.
Like Gu Zhiqi, the vendor was cloaked in a black robe, wearing a black mask, with a small tea table beside them and a set of teaware on the table. They were currently lying on a lounge chair with their eyes closed, humming a tune.
As soon as Gu Zhiqi stopped in front of the stall, the vendor seemed to sense their presence and opened their eyes, glancing at Gu Zhiqi.
Upon opening their eyes, they locked gaze with Gu Zhiqi’s deep, cool eyes, and the vendor was slightly stunned.
They sighed inwardly at the beauty of those eyes.
After a brief pause, they looked at Gu Zhiqi and cheerfully spoke up, "Lass, see anything you fancy?"
Hearing the vendor’s words, Gu Zhiqi slightly raised an eyebrow, surprised that the vendor could discern their gender at a glance.
Instead of speaking immediately, they first crouched down, pointing to a brush on the stall, "How much for this?"
Upon hearing Gu Zhiqi’s question, the vendor rose smoothly from the lounge chair without a sound, "Interested in buying?"
"Are you using it for calligraphy or painting traditional Chinese paintings?" the vendor asked with interest.
Gu Zhiqi: "...Neither."
So, you’re buying it as an ornament?
"To draw talismans," Gu Zhiqi stated frankly.
Ordinary brushes could be used for talismans as well, but over time, they would break due to the inability to bear the energy of the Yuan Force.
But this brush was different; it was made from special material that wouldn’t break from bearing the energies of Yuan Force, Vital Energy, or Spiritual Energy.
More than that, the brush had a Formation engraved on it which gathered energy. Using it to draw on Talisman Paper, the Yuan Force would not dissipate easily, which allowed for the crafting of high-grade talisman papers.
Listening to Gu Zhiqi’s response, the vendor’s mind was topped with a string of question marks.
"Drawing what?" they asked in disbelief.
Gu Zhiqi: "Talismans."
Very well, they had not misheard.
"You mean those... talismans that fortunetellers use for rituals?" the vendor was still incredulous.