Chapter 125: Unexpected Encounter With An Enemy

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"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.

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)