Chapter 125: Unexpected Encounter With An Enemy
"Uncle-Master Teng?"
Lan Chang'an glanced at the distant Jin Yun Valley Core Formation cultivator, a middle-aged man of large build with a ruddy complexion.
This time, the opening of the secret realm caused fewer losses for Jin Yun Valley compared to the other sects.
Zhang Tieshan nodded, looking content; obviously, this trip to the secret realm had resulted in a good harvest for him.
Zhao Siyao's expression was indifferent, seemingly not having met her expectations. Although she had some gains, she hadn't obtained the key resources to break through the late Foundation Establishment stage.
Lan Chang'an mused: Honest exploration of opportunities within the secret realm can hardly compare to the efficiency of killing and looting.
Then, Lan Chang'an appraised the third-rank mid-grade "Purple Radiant Spirit Wood," estimating it to be worth three to four thousand spirit stones, and completed the transaction with Zhang Tieshan.
Though this piece of spirit wood is of high-quality, it had no special properties, and was merely a component for refining ordinary magic treasures.
Although Lan Chang'an had prepared plenty of spirit stones beforehand, he used some second-rank talismans to settle the payment, leaving enough surplus for the later acquisitions.
Apart from the third-rank spirit wood, Zhang Tieshan also gave Lan Chang'an a jade slip, which recorded the owners of certain resources.
"Fellow Daoists, can you detail Chen Fuhai death?" Lan Chang'an asked.
Zhao Siyao replied, "The details are unclear. This person ambushed and robbed cultivators from all sides and offended too many people. There were quite a few cultivators who were after him at the time, the four major sects and all the great cultivation families had people involved as well."
Although Chen Fuhai's actions had enraged many, such characters had appeared in past secret realm openings as well.
For the sake of achieving Core Formation and extending their lives by another few hundred years, people had committed even worse deeds than this.
"When Chen Fuhai was being chased, I noticed something unusual," Zhang Tieshan pondered.
"Oh? What did you discover, Brother Zhang?" Lan Chang'an knew that Zhang Tieshan, who worked in the sect's Law Enforcement Hal, had rich experience in pursuing people.
"After Chen Fuhai's death, his exposed wealth amounted to no more than that of an ordinary late Foundation Establishment cultivator," Zhang Tieshan said.
Hearing this, Lan Chang'an couldn't help but speculate. Normally speaking, Chen Fuhai who had killed many cultivators and amassed great riches, his net worth should have been substantial.
"Such reckless behavior, not cherishing the body it inhabited at all."
"Hmm? Chen Fuhai was over a hundred years old, his body's potential average, at most he would achieve Fake-Dan."
Lan Chang'an suspected that "The Hundred Abodes Soul Gu" had transferred to a new host. Even the plundered wealth seemed to have followed it. The new host could be among the Foundation Establishment cultivators who participated in the chase.
Given the number of involved forces and cultivators, it would be difficult to investigate.
Lan Chang'an thought from another perspective:
If he were The Hundred Abodes Soul Gu, when transferring to a new host, he would first rule out the geniuses with earth spiritual roots. Such talents were highly regarded by their sects and closely watched, thus posing a higher risk of being exposed.
Secondly, it was best not to inhabit a cultivator from Flame Departing Palace. Flame Departing Palace had Nascent Soul True Monarch powers and powerful Core Formation cultivators with formidable methods. For this secret realm opening, only a few earth spiritual root cultivators had come.
For the transfer, the target should be relatively young, with decent potential and high-grade spiritual roots, to minimize risk.
Additionally, Lan Chang'an suspected that The Hundred Abodes Soul Gu might possess a method to evade inspection of the harvest. Otherwise, any valuable items transferred out of the secret realm would be scrutinized by immortals from the major forces present.
Before parting, Lan Chang'an transmitted a message to Zhao Siyao:
"Fellow Daoist Zhao, I'll repair that damaged turtle puppet for you free of charge."
Earlier, Zhao Siyao had insisted on only accepting half the price in spirit stones for their transaction. Feeling indebted, Lan Chang'an wanted to make up for it.
Perhaps, the puppets and talismans he provided to Zhao Siyao saved the other party's life at a critical moment. But essentially, their previous transactions were fair collaborations, with no real debt owed.
"Okay." This time, Zhao Siyao didn't object and handed a storage pouch to Lan Chang'an.
...
The entrance to the secret realm had about half a day left before closing.
The Yuxiao Immortal from Flame Departing Palace had already returned.
In fact, he was only just putting on a show. Once everything was settled, he needed to return to Flame Departing Palace and explain himself to the law enforcement elder.
Through Zhao Siyao, Lan Chang'an learned about the death of Xia Fan, who was the grandson of the law enforcement elder.
The law enforcement elder of Flame Departing Palace had peak late Core Formation cultivation, and his strength, background, and authority all surpassed Lan Chang'an's second life.
In the same realm, cultivators from families were naturally half a step behind the ones from sects, and being able to stand their ground against those below their level was considered qualified.
Chen Fuhai, in the secret realm, acted like a shit-stirrer and was suspected of attacking Xia Fan of Flame Departing Palace.
To Lan Chang'an, it felt like The Hundred Abodes Soul Gu deliberately stirred up chaos to achieve its own goals.
...
Lan Chang'an examined the two jade slips from Zhao Siyao and the others, digesting the information within.
Within them was the information on resource owners he was interested in.
Some resource owners were not easy to approach, such as the late Foundation Establishment cultivator from Flame Departing Palace, who had high status.
There was also a female cultivator from Xuan Yin Pavilion. If Lan Chang'an approached rashly, it could easily be misunderstood.
Xuan Yin Pavilion's female cultivators were outstanding in appearance and temperament, proficient in melodies, they were beneficial as dual cultivation partners as well and often had suitors behind them.
Lan Chang'an prioritized information on non-sect cultivators, preferably loose Foundation Establishment cultivators.
"Xiang Jinglong, suspected to have harvested the most among loose Foundation Establishment cultivators in this secret realm opening, obtained the main ingredient for the Youth Retaining Pill, second-rank Life Extension Pill, and a special second-rank monster core."
"Zhou Qingxuan, a female Foundation Establishment cultivator from the Beast Taming Zhou Family, gained significant harvests in the secret realm through her beast-taming talent. Suspected to have obtained magic treasure materials and auxiliary herbs for Core Formation."
"Hu Zhou, a cultivator from Jin Yun Valley, obtained a natural magic treasure embryo, likely to be submitted to the sect or acquired by an elder."
...
Lan Chang'an reviewed dozens of pieces of intelligence, ruling out most targets.
He planned to first approach "Xiang Jinglong" to see if he could privately trade the main ingredient for the second-rank Life Extension Pill. This person's special monster core could serve as the main material for Foundation Establishment pills. So if he wasn't too strict, it was worth a try as well.
Lan Chang'an had about seventy percent of the materials for a Foundation Establishment pill. If he could gather the remaining materials, refining two or three Foundation Establishment pills could bring a substantial fortune.
Xiang Jinglong, with late Foundation Establishment cultivation, had a fierce reputation among the wandering cultivators in the Liang Kingdom.
On a leveled sand dune, Lan Chang'an found him. Xiang Jinglong appeared about forty years old, robust, with tanned arms exposed, and sharp and bright eyes, sitting on the dune.
Nearby, five or six Foundation Establishment cultivators were communicating with him, discussing details via spiritual sense transmission.
Outside the secret realm, there were many cultivators like Lan Chang'an waiting to purchase resources. Some of them were representatives from merchant forces or large stores.
One of them, an elderly man with flowery whiskers had just finished communicating with Xiang Jinglong. The latter shook his head, seemingly dissatisfied with the old man's request.
"Fellow Daoist Xiang."
Lan Chang'an cupped his hands in greeting, and seeing Xiang Jinglong looking at him, he transmitted:
"My surname is Lan. I'm looking to purchase the main ingredient for the second-rank Life Extension Pill and the special monster core on behalf of an alchemist friend. I wonder how we can make a deal?"
"So it's Fellow Daoist Lan. I, Xiang, know of you."
Xiang Jinglong's voice was deep, his expression calm.
Earlier, Lan Chang'an had interacted twice with two Foundation Establishment cultivators from Jin Yun Valley, so he hadn't disguised himself or changed his appearance—otherwise, it would have seemed suspicious.
"The main ingredient for the second-rank Life Extension Pill requires at least auxiliary herbs for Core Formation to trade. If there's a magic treasure embryo or a main ingredient for Core Formation, even better. Xiang can make up the price difference appropriately."
"As for the special monster core, these two fellow Daoists are also interested. It's a matter of who bids higher."
After listening, Lan Chang'an knew the trade wouldn't be easy.
Xiang Jinglong was demanding high prices, even for the main ingredient of the second-rank Life Extension Pill, asking for auxiliary herbs for Core Formation and magic treasure embryo was too much. The former were materials to refine the Core Formation Pill and the latter can be used to nurture the embryo of a magic treasure.
A powerful late Foundation Establishment cultivator could barely wield a magic treasure embryo, and its power was far stronger than supreme-grade magical weapons. Nurturing a magic treasure embryo in advance meant smooth sailing when advancing to Fake-Dan or True-Dan.
The longer a cultivator's life-bound magic treasure was nurtured, the more powerful it would grow to become. Therefore, Lan Chang'an was also on the lookout for a promising magical artifact embryo that was well-suited to him.
"Forget it."
Lan Chang'an decided to move on to the next target.
Xiang Jinglong had a notorious reputation, his character wasn't well-regarded either.
Lan Chang'an didn't want to show too much interest in the main ingredient for the second-rank Life Extension Pill. As for the special monster core, he didn't have an urgent need for Foundation Establishment pills right now either.
He mainly considered that having seventy percent of the materials could make it convenient to purchase the remaining ones in passing.
Lan Chang'an bade farewell and turned to leave.
At that moment, he felt a subtle sense of being watched by the flower-whiskered old man not far away.
Lan Chang'an had a vague sense of familiarity.
The other party was at mid-Foundation Establishment level. He quickly scanned with his spiritual sense, blending into the Nine Seal Stele.
"Unexpectedly, It's him!"
The old man's disguise was seen through by Lan Chang'an, leaving him startled.
"Alchemist Hua?"
He didn't dare to use his spiritual sense for long to avoid catching the attention of distant Core Formation cultivators.
Lan Chang'an guessed that Alchemist Hua's dealings with Xiang Jinglong were likely for the Life Extension or Youth Retaining pill's ingredients.
Especially the Youth Retaining Pill, if successfully refined, could be used to win favors from high-level female cultivators, as well as the women in the entourages of high-level male cultivators.
...
Before the secret realm entrance closed.
Lan Chang'an negotiated with five other cultivators from the intelligence. There were wandering cultivators, family cultivators, and sect cultivators.
Lan Chang'an discovered that due to his lack of disguise, his slight reputation as someone who had reached Foundation Establishment at a relatively advanced age lent him some measure of respect during the negotiations.
Cultivators who came out of the secret realm were packed full of good things. Using second-rank middle-grade talismans and spirit stones, Lan Chang'an acquired two items he needed.
A complete second-rank superior-grade beast skin.
This alone exceeded several collaborations with the Beast Taming Zhou Family, expanding Lan Chang'an's reserve of second-rank superior-grade talismans.
And the rare second-rank superior-grade spirit sand stone, which he bought a decent quantity of. This supply of spirit sand stones would suffice for Lan Chang'an to cultivate his body refinement manual to the sixth layer.
...
Shortly after Lan Chang'an completed the transaction, the Green Underworld Mysterious Realm closed.
"Once every fifty years..."
Gazing at the closed passage, a thought crossed Lan Chang'an's mind.
Fifty years from now on, if he had the strength of a Fake-Dan, in this secret realm that presented Core Formation opportunities, he could practically walk unhindered as long as he didn't court death.
Of course, this was just a fleeting thought.
Around the secret realm, cultivators from various forces were retreating, with the pressure of the immortals condensing above the clouds.
Zhao Siyao and Zhang Tieshan departed on Jin Yun Valley's enormous golden boat.
Lan Chang'an, as a loose Foundation Establishment cultivator, flew at a low altitude, returning the way he came.
The flying magic treasures of Core Formation cultivators far outpaced the rest, and in no time they were gone.
Lan Chang'an flew south towards the gorge of the Black Fog Mountain Range.
Hmm?
Half a day later, Lan Chang'an frowned, sensing a tail behind him.
It was a gray-robed, hooded person in disguise.
"Alchemist Hua?"
Lan Chang'an was surprised.
Who gave this person the courage to target him alone?
Although mid Foundation Establishment could overpower early-stage, killing wasn't guaranteed without an ambush.
He merged his mind into the Nine Seal Stele, scanning a vast area around him.
He couldn't help but let out an "eh?"
"Interesting..."
The tail had a tail too?
(End of Chapter)