Chapter 312: Unexpected Alliance and New Clues

Qin Feng and his team took a short break after the Dragon Soul went out of control. Everyone understood that they couldn't let the middle-aged man disappear with the Dragon Soul. Everyone gathered together to discuss the next move, and the air was filled with tension and anxiety.

"What should we do now?" Chu Tian asked with a frown, "The man in black robe is gone, and now a more powerful guy has appeared."

"This new guy is very powerful." The Flame Warrior said coldly, "But he doesn't seem to be in a hurry to deal with us."

"He is just interested in the Dragon Soul." Ye Li nodded, "Maybe we can take advantage of this."

"Use? We don't even know who he is, let alone what he is going to do." Zhang Meng spread his hands helplessly.

"This is exactly what we need to figure out." Qin Feng said firmly, "We can't just sit there and wait for death. First, we have to find out his identity and purpose."

"That's easy to say." Lin Xiao curled his lips, "But he's gone now, how can we find him?"

The old man touched his chin and thought for a while: "Maybe we can go and find out if there are any unusual incidents near Tiebi City recently, especially about this mysterious person."

"Good idea!" Chu Tian agreed, "Iron Wall City is the largest city nearby. If there is anything unusual, there will definitely be news."

"It's decided then. Let's go back to Tiebi City to gather intelligence." Qin Feng made the decision.

After some discussion, they decided to return to Tiebi City first. Although they were mistakenly captured by the guards of Tiebi City before, the situation is different now, and they must risk going back to look for clues.

Back in the city, Qin Feng and his team carefully walked through the alleys and narrow streets, trying to avoid attracting attention. They came to a familiar tavern, where adventurers and various news dealers often gathered.

The tavern was noisy, with adventurers talking and laughing loudly, cups clinking, and the air was filled with the aroma of alcohol and various foods. Qin Feng signaled everyone to disperse and find out the news on their own.

"Lin Xiao, go find those vendors who often go around gathering information and see what they know." Qin Feng whispered.

"No problem, leave it to me!" Lin Xiao nodded with a smile and disappeared lightly into the crowd.

"Chu Tian, ​​go find those resident adventurers. They usually have a lot of inside information." Qin Feng continued to make arrangements.

"Okay, let's see what I can dig up this time." Chu Tian nodded.

Qin Feng and Ye Li walked to the bar. The bartender was an old acquaintance who could always provide some useful information. Qin Feng nodded to him, and the bartender smiled knowingly: "Ah, Qin Feng, long time no see, you guys don't seem to be very lucky recently."

"We are looking for some information about a mysterious person." Qin Feng went straight to the point, "A middle-aged man wearing a black cloak and holding a staff. Do you know who he is?"

The bartender thought for a moment and whispered, "I seem to have heard of the man you mentioned. There is a rumor recently that a man who calls himself the 'Shadow Wizard' is moving around and looking for some ancient relics. I heard that he bought some strange things on the black market outside the city."

"Black market?" Ye Li frowned. "What did he buy?"

"I don't know, but I heard that those things are related to ancient magic." The bartender shrugged, "You'll have to ask the people in the black market for details."

Qin Feng nodded to express his gratitude and turned back to the corner where the team was gathered. Others also came back one after another. Lin Xiao looked excited: "I heard some news. Someone said that a strange person appeared in the black market recently and bought some rare magic scrolls."

"It seems that the information we received is consistent." Chu Tian added, "Several adventurers also mentioned this 'Shadow Wizard'. He said that he came here to find some kind of ancient power."

"Black market, it seems we have to go there." Qin Feng said.

"But it's not easy to go to the black market." Zhang Meng reminded, "That place is not accessible to everyone."

"That's right, someone needs to lead the way." Lin Xiao agreed, "And you have to pay a lot of entrance fees."

Just when everyone was worrying about how to enter the black market, a steady voice came from the side: "Maybe I can help you."

Qin Feng turned around and saw a hooded man standing in front of them, his face hidden in the shadows. He smiled slightly: "Are you looking for the entrance to the black market? I know how to get in."

"Who are you?" Ye Li asked cautiously.

"My name is Sel, and I'm a free adventurer." The man took off his hood, revealing a kind face. "I heard your conversation, and I'm also very interested in the 'shadow wizard' you mentioned."

"Why do you want to help us?" Qin Feng asked suspiciously.

"I have my reasons." Searle smiled mysteriously, "But maybe we can work together. I can take you to the black market, and you help me find the wizard."

Qin Feng exchanged glances with the team members, then nodded: "Okay, let's cooperate."

Searle led them through several dark alleys of the Iron Wall City and came to a hidden iron gate. The guard at the door looked at Searle and nodded: "Old rules, do you have the money?"

"Of course." Sel handed over a bag of gold coins. The guard nodded with satisfaction and opened the door.

They entered the black market and were immediately shocked by the chaotic scene. Various vendors were selling strange items, some of which looked like ordinary junk, but there were also some magical objects that flashed strange lights. There were all kinds of people in the crowd, including adventurers, mercenaries, and some members of the dark forces who obviously had bad intentions.

"Welcome to the black market." Searle whispered, "The 'Shadow Wizard' you are looking for should be somewhere in there, but he is very careful, so we have to look carefully."

"What are you waiting for? Let's get started." Chu Tian rubbed his hands together.

They dispersed and began to search the black market. Lin Xiao saw a small stall selling strange scrolls, and she pretended to be interested in the scrolls and talked to the vendor.

"These scrolls are really rare. Is there anything special about them?" Lin Xiao asked with a smile.

The vendor looked up at her and gave her a mysterious smile. "These scrolls are used to summon powerful creatures, but not everyone can use them. You must have enough magical talent."

"Then did you sell it to other people?" Lin Xiao continued to ask.

The vendor narrowed his eyes. "You ask too many questions, little girl. However, a fellow who calls himself 'The Shadow Wizard' bought some. He said he was looking for some ancient power."

Lin Xiao's heart moved, and he pretended to ask casually: "Dark Shadow Wizard? Where is he now?"

The vendor looked around and whispered, "He should be at the other end of the black market, where there is a secret trading place."

Lin Xiao told the others the news, and Qin Feng decided to go to the secret trading place immediately. Searle led them through the crowded crowd and came to a hidden cellar entrance.

"This is where the secret transaction takes place." Searle whispered, "We have to be careful not to be exposed."

They carefully went down to the cellar, walked through a long and narrow corridor, and vaguely heard a low conversation coming from the front. Qin Feng signaled everyone to be quiet, and then quietly approached.

At the end of the corridor, there was a half-open door with a faint light coming from inside. Qin Feng gently pushed the door open and saw a familiar figure standing in the middle of the room, holding the Dragon Soul in his hand and trading with several people.

"It's him!" Ye Li said in a low voice.

"We have to find out what they are doing." Qin Feng whispered.

They hid at the door and listened carefully to the conversation in the room.

"This is the Dragon Soul you want." The shadow wizard said coldly, "Now, give it to me."

The people opposite nodded, and one of them took out an ancient scroll from his arms and handed it to the shadow wizard.

"This is an ancient prophecy scroll. It will guide you to find the lost power." said the man.

"Very good." The shadow wizard took the scroll and smiled proudly, "It seems that my plan will finally come true."

"We must act!" Zhang Meng said anxiously.

Qin Feng nodded: "When they finish the transaction, we will take action."

The shadow wizard put away the scroll and was about to leave, but Qin Feng and his team members rushed in immediately.

"Stop! Don't try to escape!" Qin Feng shouted.

The shadow wizard was stunned for a moment, then sneered: "It seems that you are still haunting us."

"Hand over the Dragon Soul, otherwise you won't be able to leave here!" Chu Tian threatened.

"You idiots, do you think I will let you have your way?" The shadow wizard grinned, "Today I will let you see what real power is!"

After that, he raised the Dragon Soul and began to chant. The room was instantly filled with blue light, as if time had frozen.

"We can't move!" Lin Xiao screamed.

Qin Feng and his team felt a powerful force restraining them, unable to move at all. The shadow wizard laughed and walked towards the door, saying proudly: "Goodbye, everyone, you can't catch up with me this time."

At this moment, a familiar voice suddenly came from outside the door: "Who said that?"

A figure rushed into the room quickly and knocked down the shadow wizard in an instant. It was Sel, who was so fast.

"You!" the shadow wizard shouted in surprise.

"It's me." Sel sneered, "Have you forgotten who I am?"

"Sel, you are..." The shadow wizard suddenly realized something, but before he could finish his words, Sel had knocked him to the ground.

"Everyone, come on!" Qin Feng shouted.

The team quickly regained their ability to move and rushed forward to subdue the shadow wizard. Lin Xiao took back the Dragon Soul from him and said excitedly: "We succeeded!"

Searle smiled and said, "I owe you a favor this time."

"Who are you?" Qin Feng asked, "Why do you want to help us?"

Searle smiled slightly: "You will know later. Now, you'd better leave here quickly. It's not safe here."

Qin Feng nodded: "Okay, let's retreat first."

They quickly left the black market and returned to a safe place outside the Iron Wall City with the Dragon Soul. Despite all the twists and turns, the team finally succeeded in taking back the Dragon Soul.

"It seems that we still have many unknown enemies." Ye Li sighed, "We must be more careful."

"That's right, but at least we know there are people willing to help us." Chu Tian said.

"Yes, although Sel is mysterious, at least he helped us this time." Qin Feng agreed.

"What's next?" Lin Xiao asked.

Qin Feng looked at the Dragon Soul in his hand and said firmly: “We must find the secret of the Dragon Soul and how to really use it to fight our enemies.”

The team gathers again to face new challenges. They know that the adventure is far from over, but they are ready for everything in the future.