Chapter 6 – Twilight Market

Lin Yue hopped onto an empty crate, studying the utterly mundane alley entrance on the other side of the unnamed square. Nothing marked it as special—just another gap between buildings choked with refuse and shadows. A stray cat darted past, pausing to hiss at something unseen before bolting away.

“So let me get this straight. You want me to walk into a place where mortals become dinner?” Lin Yue kicked at an empty wine bottle. “Sounds like you’re trying to convince me to off myself.”

Shadow performed a lazy loop through the air. “Us, remember? We’re connected. Your death equals my death.”

“Liar.” Lin Yue snorted. “The second someone stronger walks by, you’ll probably rip free and leave me for dead.”

“Such cynicism!” Shadow coiled closer. “You should feel honored. I find your vessel quite acceptable.”

“Bullshit.”

“Listen carefully, ignorant child.” Shadow’s form puffed up. It reminded her of a cat trying to make itself look bigger than it was. “Mortals lack spiritual barriers. They wander around spiritually naked—their soul energy radiating like beacon fires to anyone with cultivation. Those righteous sect fools call it qi.”

Lin Yue straightened. “News flash, asshole. I’m a mortal.” She gestured at herself. “Unless your parasitic ass somehow made me immortal while I wasn’t looking?”

Shadow drifted. “Mortals and immortals—such sloppy terminology. These cultivators strut around calling themselves immortal just because they can punch through a wall or shoot sparkly lights from their hands.”

The ethereal dragon performed an elaborate loop-de-loop. “True immortality belongs to gods like myself. These weaklings? They’ll die just the same when entropy devours this mid-shit plane. Real immortality means ascending beyond—to the higher realms.”

Lin Yue squinted at the serpentine form. “Planes? Heavens? Mid-shit plane? What the fuck?” She jabbed a finger into his body that sent him sailing away. “Start making sense, you stupid worm.”

Shadow recoiled, his smoky form billowing. “Worm? WORM?” Red eyes blazed like twin furnaces. “I am an elite Shadow Dragon God! How dare—”

“For fuck’s sake.” Lin Yue pressed her palms against her temples. “We’ll be here all damn day at this rate.” She slapped her hands against her thighs. “Can you please focus?”

Shadow’s smoky form compressed into a tight coil. “Look, I don’t want to waste time either. All this soul energy is making me sleepy, and your soul is a cozy place, even if it’s filled with the most ridiculous things.” He stretched out like a cat in sunlight.

Lin Yue rolled her eyes. “Fine. Explain the planes then. And while you’re at it, tell me why I won’t end up as someone’s lunch. Oh, and this immortality bullshit too.”

“Right.” Shadow uncoiled and drew a line of smoke near Lin Yue’s knees. “See these lower planes? That’s where most mortals exist. Weak energy, pathetic creatures clawing their way toward the heavenly realm.”

Shadow’s form rippled as he created dozens of smoky dots floating above the line. “These are mid-planes—like this city. Powerful cultivators, divine beasts, heavenly immortals, yadda yadda, create them. Some stick around forever, others pop like bubbles. They float randomly through the multi-verse, more than anyone can count.”

Lin Yue studied the floating diagram. “Wait. Is that why everything comes through portals? All our resources, supplies—”

“Bingo!” Shadow swirled excitedly. “Now you’re catching on.”

Shadow’s smoky form twisted until he was eating his tail. “Everyone wants power. Even those self-righteous sect fools who preach about spiritual enlightenment—they’re all chasing immortality and superpowers. At least demons admit it.”

A third line of smoke materialized above the others. “Here’s where it gets interesting. The heavens—my true home!” The smoke separated into distinct layers. “Different sections for different dogma. The rulers up there enforce their rules on the lower realms according to whatever bullshit doctrine they follow.”

Lin Yue scratched her chin. “Hold up. How can they all enforce rules at once? Wouldn’t they conflict?”

Shadow burst into crackling laughter that echoed off the alley walls. “They don’t! They carve up the mortal realm like a feast. That’s why everything’s so fractured. These ‘gods’ are just entitled pricks doing whatever they want.” He swirled dramatically. “The universe bends to their whims.”

“Fascinating geography lesson.” Lin Yue crossed her arms. “But you’re dodging one very important point.”

Shadow’s red eyes blinked. “What point?”

“How the fuck won’t I end up as someone’s dinner in this demon cultivator market you keep pushing?” Lin Yue slapped her palms on her thighs.

Shadow bobbed at her. “Most demonic cultivators will snatch mortal souls without thinking twice. Free snack, free cash—they operate just like you. Instead of cutting purse strings, they clip people.”

Lin Yue drummed her fingers against the crate. “So me walking in there would be like tossing my money pouch in the middle of the gang den floor?”

“But! But!” Shadow performed an excited spiral. “You’ve got me now!”

“What, you make me immune or something?”

Shadow’s crackling laughter bounced off the alley walls. “Hell no. You’re defenseless as a newborn.” He coiled tighter. “The difference is I’ve got your soul wrapped up nice and tight in my coils. They won’t smell you properly—you’ll register as someone hiding their power. Makes them wary.”

Lin Yue frowned. “Or makes me look weak?”

“Well, yeah.” Shadow twisted into intricate patterns. “But lots hide their strength. It’s a game. Long as you don’t let them realize you’re mortal, you should be fine. If you seem valuable or protected, no one will fuck with you randomly.” He paused. “Probably.”

“This sounds like bullshit.” Lin Yue kicked another bottle over. “Can’t you just make their heads explode?”

Shadow’s form twisted in front of Lin Yue’s face. “Are you even listening? Mortals are like walking snacks without wrappers. No protection, no barriers—their souls just float there ready for picking.” His smoky coils rippled. “Cultivators pack their souls behind walls of spiritual energy. Popping their heads takes actual effort.”

Lin Yue picked at a splinter in the crate. “If mortals are such easy prey, why aren’t we extinct? Every square should be full of assholes like that one in Rat Square, sucking up souls like noodles.”

“Ah.” Shadow muttered. “That incident might’ve been my fault. The idiot did whatever I suggested without thinking.” Red eyes flickered with amusement. “Anyone that obvious gets caught fast.”

“But?” Lin Yue prompted.

“Sometimes entire districts vanish overnight. Poof! All souls harvested for some fancy weapon or ritual.” Shadow’s form expanded. “The bureaucrats just replace the population and bury the news. Righteous sects help keep everything quiet, maintain order.”

Lin Yue’s fingers froze on the crate. Anxiety crept through her. “That actually happens? I’ve never heard of—”

Lin Yue stared at the empty square as forgotten whispers surfaced. Stories passed in hushed tones about entire districts vanishing overnight. Official notices always blamed fires, plagues, or riots—but the pattern clicked into place now. No survivors. Ever.

The splinters beneath her fingers turned sharp as her grip tightened on the crate. The city stretched vast around her, filled with dark corners and hungry predators she’d never truly understood. Even the gangs seemed tame compared to soul-hungry cultivators stalking the shadows.

“How do I get those spirit stones?” Lin Yue released the crate, flexing her cramping fingers.

Shadow erupted in crackling laughter that bounced off the alley walls. “Finally! Now we’re talking business.” His smoky form twisted with excitement. “I can provide souls—twelve for the stones, plus a small fee for the trader. We’ve got plenty stored from your former friends.”

“Ha.” Lin Yue’s laugh cut sharp as broken glass.

Shadow continued his spirals. “We just need an immortal vendor who deals in spirit stones and accepts energy payments. The demonic market crawls with them.” His red eyes glowed brighter. “I’ll handle the transfer myself.”

“What else?” Lin Yue drummed her fingers against her knee. “Besides spirit stones?”

“You’ll want some talisman papers.” Shadow performed an elaborate loop. “Oh! We’ll need some blank manuals too. Much cheaper than the written ones.” His red eyes glowed brighter. “I can ink the basic techniques once we crack open those meridians. Then—” He floated near her head. “You’ll need to join a sect.”

“What?” Lin Yue recoiled from the crate as she stood up.

“Can’t stay in the mortal districts forever.” Shadow’s smoky form compressed into tight coils. “You’ll need to move to the immortal section. There are rules about co-habitation.” He twisted and grinned at her with teeth. “Ever wonder why you barely see cultivators around here? Bureaucracy!”

Lin Yue blinked at him. “But—”

“Don’t worry!” Shadow interrupted. “The cultivator district isn’t far. Just as fucked up as what you’re used to.” He drew another set of lines of smoke in the air. “See? The righteous sect and demonic sect areas are only as far as Inn Street is from these slums.”

Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.

Lin Yue stared at the floating diagram. Her brain struggled to process the information. “What... the fuck?” She shook her head. “How does that even work? Don’t they murder each other for breakfast?”

Shadow flipped over. “An endless dance. They can’t exist without each other anymore.”

She kicked at loose stones on the ground. “Maybe we should skip this cultivation bullshit. Just gather souls when needed and figure something else out with Xue.”

Shadow snorted. “Oh? Is the mouthy little bitch finally scared?” Red eyes blazed brighter. “Won’t work anyway. Someone will sense that double soul of yours, eventually. They’ll want you. Maybe alive, maybe as a trapped soul, maybe a fancy spirit stone?” His smoky form twisted into a sneer. “Then I’ll find a new host, and you’ll be food.”

“I won’t leave Xue alone in this shithole,” Lin Yue replied.

Shadow tilted his head. “Attachments to your little pet? Bring her with us, then.”

“What?” Lin Yue straightened from the crate.

“Make her a cultivator, too.” Shadow twirled. “Eventually. For now, we can just take her soul—”

Lin Yue snatched Shadow’s ethereal form mid-twirl. Her fingers clenched around the cold, metallic sensation of his essence. “What did you just say?”

Shadow went limp in her grip, his smoky form drooping between her fingers like silk. The metallic cold sensation remained, but the usual resistance vanished.

“You can’t hurt me now. You need me!” Shadow’s voice carried an amused lilt. “Besides, I didn’t suggest harming her or stealing her soul myself. I meant you should take it.” His red eyes dimmed to dull embers. “You’re not a shadow dragon—you don’t have to eat it. Just keep it in your orbit. Humans love keeping possessions, don’t they? You can give it back later, safe and sound.”

Lin Yue released her grip. Shadow drifted upward, reforming into lazy coils.

She shook her head. “I don’t understand.”

“Demon cultivators define selfishness.” Shadow performed a slow spiral. “But some mortals hold value to them. Take Xue’s soul and no one will touch her body—corpses barely compare to souls in value.” His form rippled. “Xue won’t even notice, as long as you maintain the connection.”

The words hit Lin Yue like ice water. Her fingers twitched as she processed Shadow’s suggestion, the implications crawling through her mind like venomous spiders.

“You want me to turn Xue into a—a zombie?” Lin Yue’s tongue stuck to the roof of her mouth at the word.

Shadow spun through the air, releasing puffs of ethereal smoke that dissipated before hitting the ground. “You’re really reading into this too much. It’s just a simple soul contract—Xue becomes yours.” He performed an elaborate twirl. “Think ahead! When we’re rich, you can make her a cultivator too. Your first little disciple! Isn’t it great?”

Lin Yue scraped her boot against the rough stone, watching small pebbles scatter across the square. “This has gotten awfully off track...”

“Well.” Shadow’s form compressed into tight coils. “I’m not the one with all the hang-ups, am I?”

The words settled like lead in Lin Yue’s stomach. Her fingers traced the rough edges of her robe while her mind raced through the entire conversation. Spirit stones. Soul contracts. Cultivation.

Markets full of demons who’d eat her alive if they knew what she really was.

She stared at the rough stone beneath her feet. Nine years of hell flashed through her mind—every beating, every assault before she could defend herself, every violation, every moment of degradation the slums had carved into her flesh. Her missing fingers ached with phantom pain.

No wonder I can’t let Xue go through that shit.

Rage burned through her veins, hot enough to scorch away uncertainty. The choice crystallized in her gut. Better to dive into hell on her own terms than wait for it to drag her down.

Lin Yue lurched forward and strode toward the alley entrance. “Fuck it.”

“Wait!” Shadow spiraled around her head. “One crucial detail—don’t mention me to anyone.”

“Why?” Lin Yue paused at the alley’s threshold.

“Jealousy breeds danger.” Shadow coiled tighter. “They’ll try to steal me from you. Bad for both of us—worse for you.”

“Fine.” Lin Yue scanned the empty square one last time. “How’s this soul exchange supposed to work?”

Shadow performed a lazy loop. “Just bullshit like you always do. I’ll handle the souls when needed.” His form rippled. “Remember—only you can see me.”

Lin Yue stepped into the alley. Heat slammed into her like a furnace blast. The world twisted sideways, reality bending until her stomach lurched. Wood transformed to stone beneath her feet. Daylight bled into evening shadows.

“What the actual fuck?” Lin Yue stumbled against the now-stone wall.

“Oh, right.” Shadow drifted past. “Might be a bit different and disorienting. Forgot to mention that.”

“Fuck you.”

The alley opened into a thriving night market, lanterns casting an eternal twilight across the crowded street. Paper lanterns swayed overhead, their flames never dimming despite the lack of wind.

“Time doesn’t move here,” Shadow drifted beside Lin Yue. “The residents prefer darkness.”

A scaled serpent slithered beneath a pile of discarded spirit tablets. Lin Yue tracked its movement until she passed it.

Merchants shouted prices from stalls draped in silks that shifted colors with each step. The crowd pressed together—but these weren’t ordinary people. A woman with fox ears haggled over crystalline bottles. A man covered in golden scales examined spirit weapons.

Lin Yue’s steps faltered. A translucent figure floated above a nearby stall, her ethereal robes rippling in the nonexistent wind.

“Fresh possessions!” The ghost merchant called. “Quality vessels, barely used! Perfect for cultivation!”

“What the absolute fuck?” Lin Yue whispered.

The market pulsed with energy and life—or whatever passed for life here. Laughter and haggling filled the air. Cultivators in elaborate robes browsed alongside creatures straight from nightmares. The scene felt almost... normal.

A massive figure shouldered through the crowd. The pig-faced cultivator, tusks gleaming with golden caps, slammed his fist into a passing bull-man’s jaw. The crowd scattered as the bull-man seized his attacker.

Bones cracked. Blood sprayed across cobblestones. The bull-man straddled his opponent’s chest, methodically pulping flesh with each punch. When the pig-man stopped twitching, the bull-man carved strips of meat from the corpse.

“Fresh pork!” The bull-man bit into a bloody chunk. “Half price for the next hour!”

“Don’t get distracted.” Shadow coiled tighter. “You’ve got no sect, no backing. You’re nothing here.”

Lin Yue ducked her head. “What exactly are we looking for?”

“A soul vendor.” Shadow’s form twisted through the air. “One that won’t eat you on sight.”

“You said they were common.”

Shadow released a smoky snort. “Oh, they are. Finding one that won’t consume you instantly?” His form rippled. “That’s the trick.”

“Fuck.” Lin Yue pressed closer to the buildings, avoiding the main flow of traffic.

Lin Yue edged through the night market’s sparse crowd. The whole setup made no sense. Blood sprayed across cobblestones while merchants haggled prices. A demon gnawed on fresh corpse-meat next to a stall selling spiritual herbs. The contrast twisted her stomach.

If everyone kills each other on sight, how does anyone make money?

She studied the merchants’ stalls, searching for patterns. A gopher-man arranged glowing pots filled with writhing plants. Incense smoke curled up from a burly fur-covered vendor’s weapon display. Curved axes and serrated blades gleamed on his tattered mat.

In a nearby square, a woman draped in living snakes preached to gathered cultivators. The serpents twisted through her hair, forming patterns that burned into Lin Yue’s retinas. Red liquid trickled from a stone fountain, the droplets catching lantern light like fresh blood.

Too many sights. Too many sounds. Nothing made sense—no clear rules emerged to her. Even the simplest stall might hide deadly traps.

What the fuck does a soul trader even look like?

Shadow’s presence weighed heavy against her skin. Doubt gnawed at her gut. Every step could lead straight into an ambush. For all she knew, Shadow guided her toward someone who’d tear out her soul for breakfast.

Lin Yue’s shoulder slammed into solid muscle. She stumbled back, looking up—and up—at the mountain of flesh she’d bumped into. Ram horns curved from a flat face. Red eyes blazed down at her.

Shadow’s crackling laughter filled her ears. “Oh! Making friends already, rat?”

The demon’s crimson eyes narrowed. “You dare?”

His massive hand reached toward her with deliberate slowness. Each muscle rippled beneath skin that gleamed like polished bronze in the lantern light.

Lin Yue lifted her chin and met those burning eyes with pure contempt. The same look she’d given gang leaders and street thugs a thousand times before. “Hey.” The word dropped from her lips with calculated boredom.

The demon’s fingers froze mid-reach, hovering inches from her face.

“Step out of my way.” Lin Yue injected each word with ice-cold disdain.

The demon remained motionless. Confusion flickered across his flat features, transforming his intimidating presence into something less so.

Shadow darted to the side. His ethereal form expanded, and then he puffed at her, releasing a gust that sent her hair floating in an otherworldly breeze.

The demon withdrew his hand as if he’d reached for a viper. Without a word, he stepped aside, his movements precise and careful.

Lin Yue strode past, each step measured despite her thundering pulse. Sweat trickled down her spine as adrenaline surged through her system.

When she was a safe distance, she wiped her damp forehead with her sleeve.

“Nice work!” Shadow cackled.

She shook from head to toe until she clenched her teeth to stop them from chattering. There was nothing to do but press forward through the market. The less said about that encounter, the better.

Shadow spun around her in excited loops before snapping straight as an arrow. “Soul seller. Big one. Right over there.”

Lin Yue followed Shadow’s direction to a crude dirt hovel that stuck out like a broken tooth among the market’s stone structures. Blue flames flickered in metal brackets along its walls, casting an eerie glow across the packed earth.

“What the heck?” The words slipped out before she could stop them. “Why this one?” Lin Yue studied the primitive structure. The contrast between its simple construction and the surrounding market made no sense.

“Because they’re fat,” Shadow said. “Full of souls. I can smell them.” His ethereal form rippled with excitement. “Anyone that full won’t be desperate to eat you. You’ll only have to fight their greed instead of their hunger.”

Lin Yue swallowed hard and took a step toward the hovel.