nashuaworldcup Chapter 346 The Otherworldly Market
Chapter 346 The Otherworldly Market
Chapter 346 The Otherworldly Market
Tang Zijun and Gloriand did not stay in the Storm Church for long before saying goodbye and leaving.
Tang Zijun was very satisfied with the visit. Although there were still many details and secrets that had not been revealed, it was clear from the words of the blue-robed herald that his investigation was on the right track. The Shadow World was indeed inextricably linked to the Dream World.
After leaving the house, Tang Zijun summarized the information she had gathered and gave it to Chang Lei, who was waiting outside—this guy actually stood still and didn't move an inch.
"So, for the past few thousand years, the Shadow World has been absorbing negative energy from here." Chang Lei stroked his chin, his brows furrowed. "That explains it. No wonder we've never noticed their presence. But I don't understand why that one in the shadows suddenly turned against us again. Can't they continue to extend their reach here?"
Tang Zijun glanced at him. "Perhaps it's not that I can't, but that I'm unwilling."
"Unwilling?" Chang Lei asked, puzzled.
"Don't forget, a war of the gods is taking place here right now," Tang Zijun said in a deep voice. "He could have reached out during the lull before, but if the gods notice something's wrong, he'll probably be the first to become their target."
"That's true..." Chang Lei said, looking at Tang Zijun with a complicated expression.
Although the other party did not say it explicitly, Chang Lei could tell that Tang Zijun at this moment was no different from the one in the shadow.
Both being lords from other dimensions, they can also extend their reach into the dream world. If there's a difference, it's probably their seniority. Unlike Tang Zijun, who became a new god, the one in the shadows has survived since the mythological era.
Thinking of this, Chang Lei's tightly furrowed brows slowly relaxed. "At the end of the mythological era, the gods of Earth and the gods of dreams fought each other. I guess that guy has fought with the gods here, which is why he doesn't want to be exposed."
But he quickly changed the subject. "Wait a minute, if they were afraid of being exposed, why did they only stop twelve years ago? Hasn't the war of the gods here been going on for a century?"
"I've investigated. The War of the Gods broke out ninety-seven years ago and has continued until now, but in reality, the people here don't really know that the war started for very long," Tang Zijun said in a low voice.
"What do you mean?" Chang Lei was a little confused.
"Don't you understand?" Hyacinth sat on Tang Zijun's head. "Simply put, this war was fought in a dimension outside the dream world. Before this, the war of the gods did not affect the dream world, so the people here have been unaware of it."
"Yes." Tang Zijun nodded as well. "Just like Ragnarok in Norse mythology, when Asgard fell, no one could observe what happened until the World Tree declined and the Nine Kingdoms fell apart, which then began to affect the ecology of the Arctic Circle on Earth."
"I think I get it now. You mean a bunch of gods are fighting behind closed doors, and because the soundproofing is so good, the people outside can't hear them."
"That's one way to put it," Tang Zijun nodded. "Communication between people and gods in this world is not frequent. Even the most devout believers cannot hear divine pronouncements at all times. I think that's why people were unaware of the war when it began."
"Of course, I think it's more likely that the gods themselves weren't prepared to tell their followers about this, after all, they are just mortals."
Chang Lei pursed his lips, pondered for a moment, and then couldn't help but ask, "I understand what you mean, but why twelve years ago specifically?"
Tang Zijun paused for a moment, then turned to look at Chang Lei. "Because twelve years ago, it was the first time the War of the Gods affected the dream world."
"...ah?""
"Twelve years ago, the world underwent a tremendous change. Extreme weather began to appear over a large area of the dream world. Sometimes it would rain red blood rain, sometimes it would rain black turbid rain, and there would even be natural disasters such as ghostly fog..."
"Sounds like a reaction to the laws of nature going out of control..." Chang Lei blinked, then gasped. "Could something have happened to the god who holds power?"
"I don't know, but there are rumors that the God of Nature has fallen." Tang Zijun shrugged, then continued, "And most importantly, the great fire in the Elf Forest happened twelve years ago. I think that might be the reason why the one in the Shadow World withdrew his hand."
Just like the example Chang Lei just gave, when gods close the door and fight each other, although the sound can't be heard, the blood still seeps out through the cracks in the door.
"Since then, many sects' heralds have begun to try to communicate with the gods, but have not received any response. Gradually, rumors of a war among the gods have begun to spread like wildfire."
"At first, not many people believed it, but as more and more disasters occurred, coupled with the falling idols from the sky and unknown divine power, the public gradually accepted this explanation."
"Unbelievable..." Chang Lei pouted, glaring at Tang Zijun with a resentful look in his eyes. "I told you I didn't want to get involved in this, but you insisted on dragging me in. What's normal about anything related to gods?"
Tang Zijun sighed. "If I weren't forced into this, I wouldn't want to get involved in these affairs, but right now, dealing with that person in the Shadow World is the key."
Although it's unclear what that guy's purpose is, judging from the information we've gathered, his power clearly has a strong corrupting effect on humans.
Perhaps because the dream world is too high-dimensional, he cannot use his full strength, so he seems somewhat restrained. But facing the real world, which is on the same level, if that guy really wanted to do something, then the trouble would probably be huge.
It's no longer as simple as a battle between magical girls and evil creatures.
Things have progressed to this point, and it has escalated to a point where multiple dimensions are colliding with each other.
Just then, Grilando suddenly shuddered as if waking from a dream, and then turned to Tang Zijun and spoke.
"Sir, the market is just ahead."
Throughout the journey, Grilando remained silent. It wasn't that she didn't want to, but at first she could understand the conversations of Tang Zijun and the others. Gradually, she suddenly felt that the words were becoming obscure and difficult to understand.
After Tang Zijun and Chang Lei directed their conversation toward the gods of the Shadow World, she could no longer understand what Tang Zijun and the others were saying.
Although each word is understandable, when put together, they sound like a jumble of noise, making it impossible to comprehend or conjure up any useful information.
Upon realizing this, Grilando immediately shifted her attention. She knew very well that the other party probably didn't want her to know something, so she quickly composed herself and didn't let herself be affected by that power.
As the leader of the Fire Fox Mercenary Group, and a veteran with many years of experience, Glolando knew when to suppress her curiosity.
Upon hearing Grelando's voice, Tang Zijun and Chang Lei also stopped.
Following the direction she pointed, the two indeed saw a cluster of various tents arranged together, resembling a '
A place like a market.
Previously, Tang Zijun had been so focused on the gods of the dream world that she hadn't had time to properly enjoy the local customs and culture of this world. Now, looking at the distinctly otherworldly art style, she temporarily put those messy thoughts aside.
"Is this the largest market in the human settlement?" Chang Lei looked curiously at the stalls on the side and shook his head slightly. "I thought there would at least be some kind of shed or something."
"This is just the outer edge of the market. The real market is in the very center. It was originally built by the city lord, and later it attracted many mercenary groups, and even some ordinary people chose to set up stalls here. Gradually, the scale grew larger and larger, and it developed into what it is today," Gloland explained softly.
"I see." Tang Zijun nodded, then asked, "What kind of things do they usually sell here?"
Gloriand thought for a moment and replied, "Basically, you can find everything here. Because after the influx of forces from other city-states, some black market dealers also ended up here, which means that some things that are not usually seen often appear in the markets on the front lines of the river basin."
As she spoke, Grilando pointed to the left front.
"That area is basically all equipment shops, with weapons and armor of all kinds. There's also a materials area next to it, with some ores and some taken from monsters, all used for crafting equipment."
"Going further in from the materials area is the alchemy area. Alchemy is a general term, but we usually call it the 'supernatural area.' It's a place that wizards and church members often visit. It sells supernatural items, and sometimes you'll even find forbidden or cursed items."
"Behind the alchemy area is the miscellaneous goods area, which is the largest sales area here, basically taking up half of the entire market. It has everything, and you can even buy some items used by noblemen."
Listening to Grelando's eloquent narration, Tang Zijun, Chang Lei, and Hyacinth were all intrigued.
The three of them had never experienced another world so realistically before, let alone shopped in another world.
"If Tang Cao were here, she'd probably be having a blast." Tang Zijun chuckled and shook her head. "That girl used to read novels every day in junior high, and she'd talk about time travel in her sleep."
Upon hearing this, Chang Lei gave him an "I understand" look.
"You know what, it actually has a certain charm. Perfect timing, I'll buy some gifts for Luan Luan to take back."
After saying that, he patted Tang Zijun on the shoulder. "Put the hyacinth in your pocket, I'll go for a walk by myself, let's meet here in half an hour."