Chapter 444: Bai Suzhen’s Guidance

Although the Free Market was not small, Su Jingzhen and his group managed to thoroughly explore it within an hour.

After a complete circle around the market, Xuening and Ye Zhiqiu enjoyed the joy of shopping.

Between them, they had purchased nearly a hundred different items, including herbs and alchemy recipes.

Though some items were quite expensive, both of them were fourth-grade alchemists.

The amount of spare pills they had on hand was considerable.

Aside from spirit stones, pills were almost becoming a second universal currency in the cultivation world.

After all, every cultivator, regardless of their level, could make use of them.

Even if they weren’t needed immediately, they were the easiest to trade.

Many non-alchemists even sought to buy various pills to resell them as a side business.

However, Su Jingzhen had yet to find anything of interest.

If he were still in the Flesh Body Golden Embryo stage, some items might catch his eye.

But now, with the black brick as his primary offensive weapon, he had no need for defensive items.

His illusionary robe was only valuable for its minor invisibility ability.

As for defense, his Heavenly Dragon scales were more than enough.

Pills and recipes were even less necessary.

If he needed to refine pills, he could always ask Xuening.

In this regard, Xuening’s resources were essentially his as well.

As for body-tempering treasures, apart from some low-grade tempering liquids, there were no more suitable options.

Yet Su Jingzhen was not disappointed.

For him, the most important aspect of this trip to Free Market was gaining knowledge.

“Perhaps it’s time for us to leave.

The number of pursuers behind us is increasing, and if this continues, we’ll become the center of attention.

Master does have a certain deterrent effect, but as the number of people grows, it will eventually give some a chance to be bold.”

He glanced around nonchalantly.

Su Jingzhen smiled as he spoke to Xuening and Ye Zhiqiu.

Dawn was approaching, and they might soon enter the ruins. During this process, Su Jingzhen didn’t want to complicate things.

After all, the target person he wanted to see had not yet appeared.

If Tuoba Junlin and Zou Zeyu happened to show up at this time, he would naturally be happy to play with them.

Even a battle wouldn’t be a problem.

But he had no interest in others.

Shen Yifeng continued to silently follow the trio, without speaking a word.

Regardless of Su Jingzhen’s decisions, he remained merely as a bodyguard.

And during this time, Shen Yifeng, who was following behind Su Jingzhen’s group, had paid attention to the stalls and found that there was indeed nothing suitable for Su Jingzhen.

“I thought this kid might find some good items, but it’s a pity.

It’s also a shame that these guys are too timid, only daring to follow quietly and not brave enough to take the initiative.

Otherwise, today I might have found a legitimate reason to vent my frustration by killing some of these people.”

Shen Yifeng muttered to himself with a hint of strong killing intent.

In fact, when he brought Su Jingzhen and his group out, one reason was to let them see the scene and hopefully find some good items.

But on the other hand, he was also itching for a fight.

Recently, the Evil Moon Sect’s Second Elder and the Six Heavenly Generals under him, as well as the Seventh Elder, had continuously provoked their Linjiang Branch.

In Linjiang City, there were also many forces eyeing them covetously.

Shen Yifeng suddenly felt that perhaps he, the fierce tiger, had been lying in wait for so long that people had forgotten what it was like when he bared his fangs.

So much so that even within the Evil Moon Sect, many no longer feared him.

Thus, he had come to the Dantai Clan’s ruins with the intention of restoring his fearsome reputation.

But now, with things calm and others merely watching them, he couldn’t use this as a reason to kill.

He was bloodthirsty but not indiscriminate.

The people he had killed in his lifetime were all within the bounds of his principles.

…

“This was such a good opportunity. They are about to leave, and no one has taken action yet?

One must know that the one following Evil Moon Sect is a descendant of the Dantai Clan. If they capture her, they will likely gain the upper hand in the ruins.

I didn’t expect everyone to be so patient.”

From the distant, broken pavilions, many top forces had their eyes fixed on the Free Market.

When Shen Yifeng and his group came out of their resting courtyard, the news had already spread.

These top forces had come to watch the show on purpose.

“Heh, although Shen Yifeng hasn’t made a move for some time, he is still a bloodthirsty demon.

Who would want to risk their life to gamble with him?

Among those who have reached this Dan Holy City, who is truly foolish?

As long as someone takes the lead, countless others will follow, and perhaps in the end, a lucky person might achieve their goal.

But the one who takes the lead will definitely die.”

Most people saw things with a clear perspective.

They certainly didn’t believe that Shen Yifeng alone could oppose everyone who had arrived at the Dan Holy City.

But they did believe that if he targeted a specific individual, that person would likely be doomed.

Though they were cultivators, life was still only once.

No one would joke with Shen Yifeng.

At this moment, on an unremarkable pavilion, the Evil Moon Sect’s Second Elder and the Holy Son Zou Zeyu stood, gazing at the Free Market.

“Is that the person Yuebai is interested in?

At least for now, I don’t see how he could surpass me.”

The elegant and distinguished Zou Zeyu looked at Su Jingzhen in the distance with deep skepticism.

Although the matter between Luo Yuebai and Su Jingzhen wasn’t public, it was clear to observant eyes.

Those paying attention knew about their extraordinary relationship. Even Zou Zeyu, far away in Longyan City, had received some news.

He and Luo Yuebai were childhood friends.

Since they were young, Zou Zeyu never thought he would be unable to win Luo Yuebai’s affection.

When Luo Yuebai was appointed as the Chief Holy Maiden of the Evil Moon Sect and he was named Chief Holy Son, Zou Zeyu was even more convinced that he and Luo Yuebai would, like countless predecessors of the Evil Moon Sect, complement each other perfectly.

One managing the internal affairs and the other the external, they would help the Evil Moon Sect reach new heights.



So when he first heard the news, he paid it no mind.

And when the rumors of Luo Yuebai’s extraordinary relationship with Su Jingzhen became widespread, he only felt endless confusion.

Although he and Luo Yuebai were rivals, it was merely a formal rivalry in his eyes.

He had never truly believed that Luo Yuebai would choose someone else.

Therefore, for Zou Zeyu, exploring the Dantai Clan’s ruins was secondary.

It would be best to obtain treasures, but if not, it was of no consequence.

His primary motivation was his curiosity to meet Su Jingzhen in person. Searᴄh the Nôvel(F)ire.ηet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

Otherwise, with his current status as the Sect Master of the Evil Moon Sect’s Longyan Branch, he would naturally have stayed behind like Luo Yuebai.

In this regard, Zou Zeyu, Su Jingzhen, and Tuoba Junlin had a tacit understanding.

“Zeyu, what do you plan to do about Su Jingzhen?”

At this moment, the Second Elder beside him asked.

Zou Zeyu’s eyes remained filled with confusion.

But after a moment, Zou Zeyu’s expression hardened with determination.

“I’ve heard that the Third Elder has taken him as a disciple. By now, he is indeed a core figure in our Evil Moon Sect.

But no matter his status, the moment he chose to engage with Yuebai, his fate was already sealed.”

As he spoke, a sharp killing intent emanated from Zou Zeyu.

Although he was puzzled by Luo Yuebai’s choice, it was a matter for her alone.

Once Zou Zeyu received news about Su Jingzhen, regardless of its accuracy, his attitude was already decided.

However, Zou Zeyu then added, “But this matter is a personal one for me.

I hope the Second Elder will not interfere.

As for the competition between the Longyan Branch and the Linjiang Branch, I have confidence in handling it myself. Regarding Su Jingzhen, I also wish to deal with him personally.”

He paused and continued, “Therefore, the Six Heavenly Generals can be withdrawn. With the Third Elder present, their involvement would be futile. I’m sure you understand the Third Elder’s strength better than I do.”

Hearing this, the Second Elder’s face, marked by years, showed a hint of helplessness.

“Perhaps it’s hard to believe, but the Six Heavenly Generals went to Linjiang City of their own volition.

With Wind and Yin already fallen there, it’s impossible to make them withdraw now.

Even if it’s my order, they likely won’t comply.

They’ll either all die in battle or achieve their revenge. Once deaths start occurring among them, it becomes a personal vendetta.”

Zou Zeyu raised an eyebrow but chose not to press further on this issue. He knew the Second Elder would not deceive him regarding these matters.

…

Naturally, Su Jingzhen was unaware that the two people he was most concerned about were watching him from a high building nearby.

They both harbored a tacit killing intent towards him.

If he knew this, he might have felt even more excited.

Indeed, after his breakthrough to the Flesh Body Nascent Embryo stage, Su Jingzhen was eager for others to take the initiative in confrontation.

Otherwise, he would have to find reasons to stir up trouble himself, which could be quite troublesome.

He needed to stabilize the surrounding area of Qingzhou as soon as possible because he had a yearly appointment with Ning Yao by the Luo River.

Moreover, there were many tasks waiting for him along the Luo River’s banks.

For instance, issues related to Yan Xia.

If his abilities reached the right level, he also wanted to assist his master and the legendary mistress Ji Qinghe.

And there was Bai Suzhen wrapped around his waist, as well as matters between himself and the Heavenly Dragon people.

Furthermore, he hoped to gather information about Shuang Jiang and Zhang Xiu by the Luo River…

God, just thinking about it, Su Jingzhen felt his schedule was already brimming with tasks.

There were still so many things waiting for him to do.

“One of the goals within the year is to visit the Luo River; let’s set that as the basic target for now.”

Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, Su Jingzhen muttered to himself.

With so many things to do, tackling one goal at a time might make it easier.

At that moment, he suddenly felt a tightness around his waist.

“Don’t hurry to leave. I sense something,” Bai Suzhen’s voice rang in his ear.

Hearing this, Su Jingzhen paused, his heart suddenly stirred with excitement.

Finally… finally it was his turn?

Although he didn’t mind whether he made any gains during this trip to the Free Market, he had come with hopes.

“Bai Suzhen, has my opportunity finally arrived? Where is it?”

He quickly sent a message to Bai Suzhen.

Bai Suzhen did not hesitate: “The stall at the very edge on your left hand side. G

o there. I can’t sense exactly what it is.

The perception is too vague, but it seems to have some use for either me or you.”

Su Jingzhen’s heart moved again, but his expression remained calm.

He casually strolled towards the indicated location.

Since he was the one leading the way, Shen Yifeng followed at the back, and Ye Zhiqiu and Xuening merely trailed behind him.

No one doubted his route.

Soon, he arrived at the spot Bai Suzhen had pointed out.

It was a stall run by a gaunt old man with small eyes and a pointed chin, giving him a somewhat lecherous appearance.

The old man’s aura was not discernible, leaving his cultivation level unknown.

At first glance, Su Jingzhen instinctively judged that this man was not a good person.

On the stall, there were only a few items: a tattered longsword with some rust on it, an extremely plain jade vial with an unknown content, and two fist-sized crystals.

Su Jingzhen recognized these crystals. One was a Flame Crystal, and the other was an Ice Stone—both decent materials for refining weapons, but nothing exceptional.

There was also a piece of bone, its origin from some beast, looking rather worn out.

Su Jingzhen glanced over the stall and frowned. Apart from the two refining materials, everything else seemed like junk.

No wonder the stall was set up in the most peripheral location.

However, Bai Suzhen had specifically pointed him to this stall.



At this moment, Bai Suzhen’s voice sounded in his ear again.

Confirming once more, she said, “It’s definitely here!”

“Does this friend want to buy something? I accept spirit stones or item exchanges,” the old man at the stall said with a grin, though his smile was even more lecherous.

Su Jingzhen nodded silently but felt increasingly puzzled.

“Bai Suzhen, which one of these items are we after?”