My gorgeous wife Chapter 2048 - 2016: Marketplace in the Desolate Mountains

Gazing at the expanse below, Li Chen's thoughts drifted to distant horizons.

A decade had passed since he left Earth, and during this time, the density of spiritual Qi had surged, fostering a boom in martial artists. Concurrently, technological advancements had marched forward relentlessly.

Fuelled by the populace's newfound strength, technological innovations had taken on a more daring character, pushing boundaries.

This era was in a constant state of flux, updated by a continuous stream of novel inventions and cutting-edge technologies.

The very flying car Li Chen was currently aboard served as a testament to this evolution.

Earth's transportation had fundamentally shifted skyward; vehicles were no longer earthbound. Anywhere within the cities, airborne vehicles navigating the skies were a ubiquitous sight, giving Li Chen the distinct impression that time had wrought dramatic transformations.

In the heavens above, roadways distinct from those of the past had been meticulously planned and constructed.

This spectacle gradually imbued Li Chen with a subtle sense of the unfamiliar within the familiar landscape.

Earth remained Earth, Huaxia, his homeland; yet, in certain aspects, it presented a somewhat altered facade.

While the transformation of an ordinary person into a martial artist through rigorous training signifies metamorphosis, perhaps even an evolution of the species, the collective effort of countless individuals reshaping the entire world represents the true evolution of civilization.

Undeniably, after his prolonged absence, Earth's civilization had undergone a profound metamorphosis and evolution.

Piloted by the captain, Li Chen's flying car hurtled towards Linchuan.

As they traversed a vast mountain range, Li Chen suddenly addressed the captain beside him, "Old Chen, halt here for a moment."

The captain, whose actual name was Chen Tianguang, did not take offense at being called 'Old Chen.' With a smile, he stopped, "What is it? This is desolate territory. You're not planning to stop here and pilfer from an old man like me, are you?"

Li Chen, unbothered by Chen Tianguang's jest, simply shook his head with a smile. "You're mistaken, Old Chen. This is not an ordinary barren mountain."

"Not a barren mountain?" Old Chen expressed surprise, then peered down. Yet, aside from a dense forest stretching below, nothing else was visible. For a moment, he couldn't grasp Li Chen's meaning.

"Let's descend and take a brief stop. I'll take you somewhere. Are you interested?"

"Where?" Old Chen couldn't help but inquire.

"You'll know when we arrive," Li Chen responded with a knowing smile.

Old Chen readily agreed, parking the vehicle casually by the roadside and following Li Chen.

Having lived many years, Old Chen had actually contemplated retirement a few years prior, seeking to relish life at his leisure. This current journey back to Linchuan was merely to finalize some administrative matters before his complete freedom.

Although not fully retired, accompanying Li Chen on this excursion posed no inconvenience.

"What's going on? Why have they veered into that desolate wilderness?"

Witnessing their abrupt halt in such an unpopulated area, the group discreetly trailing them was taken aback.

"Could they have detected us and intend to use this place as an escape route?"

"Unlikely. That man works for the Nether King Group. Even if they sensed us, he probably wouldn't be concerned, let alone attempt an escape!"

"Then what are they…"

"Who can say? This remote wilderness presents an ideal setting for an ambush, wouldn't you agree?"

"You're right!"

Unconcerned with the intentions of those following, Li Chen led Old Chen deeper into the forest.

Old Chen's eyes held a measure of curiosity; he couldn't fathom what secrets this desolate wilderness might conceal.

While certain Sects favored secluded wilderness locales, his extensive tenure within the Nether King Palace meant he rarely encountered Sects deeply rooted in such remote areas. Should he have, they were typically renowned establishments like Wudang or Shaolin, whose outer precincts resembled tourist destinations more than places of secluded cultivation.

"We've arrived."

Their pace was swift. Old Chen, possessing a degree of cultivation, and Li Chen, despite his Foundation Establishment cultivation being sealed, moved with remarkable speed, relying on sheer physical prowess and outpacing even Old Chen. Before long, they reached a densely wooded section.

"Here?" Old Chen surveyed the surroundings but found nothing extraordinary about the location.

"Sense it carefully," Li Chen instructed with a smile.

Old Chen paused, then slightly narrowed his eyes, concentrating his senses on the environment.

At last, he perceived a subtle fluctuation in the ambient spiritual Qi.

"Is there a formation here?" Old Chen inquired.

"Indeed, there is a formation," Li Chen responded with a smile, then extended a finger to lightly tap forward.

"Pop."

With a soft sound, the space before Li Chen suddenly rippled, spreading outwards.

Soon, a large, shimmering door of light materialized before the two.

"Let’s go in and take a look," Li Chen said to Old Chen with a smile, leading the way inside.

Old Chen hesitated for a moment but ultimately chose to follow.

Upon entering, Old Chen felt as if he had stepped into a completely different realm.

The outside world was one of quiet mountains and fields, but this space was as lively as a bustling marketplace.

Passersby in garments from various eras surrounded them, and Old Chen could clearly sense that everyone present was a martial artist, with many possessing power far exceeding his own!

"What is this place..." Old Chen asked, his voice filled with astonishment.

Li Chen’s smile widened, and he spoke in a low voice, "This place, I don’t know its current name, but over a decade ago, it was a... marketplace!"

"A marketplace!" Old Chen felt a slight tremor of recognition. He had heard of this term before; a marketplace was a designated area for martial artists to conduct exchanges and trade. While official trading areas resembling marketplaces existed now, many still favored these ancient marketplaces.

"Oh, visitors! Come take a look, friend! I have newly unearthed strange stones that can help one live to a hundred!" A vendor eagerly called out to Li Chen and Old Chen as they arrived.

"Friend, you’re showing a junior around, aren’t you? Perfect timing! I also have a matching piece of miraculous jade, excellent for those young in cultivation... Hmm, friend, your junior hasn’t even reached the Yellow Rank? Then this jade is precisely what you need!"

The middle-aged vendor addressed them as 'brother' repeatedly, his enthusiasm palpable.

However, at that moment, Li Chen calmly remarked, "The renowned Dark Moon Saber Liang Qi, why are you personally engaged in such small-time business out here?"

The vendor’s body stiffened at his words, his smile freezing instantly. His eyes, sharp as knives, locked onto Li Chen in a flash.