After his main body exited Myriad Things Space, Chen Ze sent his consciousness back into Myriad Things Space.
Arriving at the Myriad Things Shop, he handed all the spirit herbs he had harvested to the Green-robed Woman.
Before long, all the spirit herbs had been exchanged for Points.
There were five spirit herbs that matured in ten years. Their values differed, and Chen Ze received 200 Points.
"Another 200 Points. It's time to buy another clone."
"I want to exchange for a clone."
"Exchanging for one clone will consume 200 Points. Confirm?"
Chen Ze had already looked over the Clone Skill shopping interface, so there was no need to go through the tedious process again.
This time, he made the request directly to the Green-robed Woman.
"Confirm."
The 200 Points he had just obtained were instantly returned to the system.
Without looking at the newly condensed clone phantom, Chen Ze went to check the clone's description in the Skill Section.
"The next clone needs 300 Points? Luckily, the price only went up by 100."
Once Chen Ze confirmed that the price had not doubled as he had feared, his gaze returned to the clone phantom.
"What kind of clone should I make this time?"
The first clone looked exactly like Chen Ze, but he still found it rather strange.
"It can't look like me again."
A moment later, a figure appeared in Chen Ze's mind.
The clone phantom slowly began to change shape, its body gradually solidifying.
A valiant figure emerged. He stood tall and straight, with handsome features, thick brows, bright eyes, an imposing heroic air, and a spirited bearing that made him look exceptionally dashing.
"Isn't this a little too handsome? He's even more handsome than me." Chen Ze sighed at the sight before him.
The face condensed from the clone phantom belonged to none other than Changshan Zhao Zilong, Zhao Yun—the man famed for charging in and out seven times, known as the Ever-Victorious General.
A moment later, the phantom fully solidified, and the clone Zhao Yun's eyes regained their clarity.
"Master." Clone Zhao Yun cupped his hands and bowed.
"Good. From today onward, you shall be called Zhao Yun."
"Yes, Master."
"Come out with me."
With that, Chen Ze brought clone Zhao Yun out of Myriad Things Space.
"First familiarize yourself with Wannan City. Gather some information, and keep an eye on Shopkeeper Tong of Tongfu Restaurant while you're at it."
"Yes, Master."
After clone Zhao Yun left, Chen Ze communicated with clone Chen Fan through his thoughts.
Shopkeeper Tong had shown no movement these past few days. Since clone Chen Fan did not need rest, he had watched the activity outside the house from morning until night every day.
"Keep waiting here. Shopkeeper Tong will probably make a move within the next couple of days."
"Yes, Master."
After communicating with clone Chen Fan, Chen Ze resumed cultivating.
Tongfu Restaurant's rear courtyard.
Over the past few days, Shopkeeper Tong had constantly felt uneasy, as though something bad was about to happen.
First, Wu Li had suddenly vanished. Now Zhang Tai had gone without any news for several days as well.
For the time being, he had no one available to use. His other subordinates were all stationed at the Mine.
Shopkeeper Tong had already sent word to the Mine, telling them to send several people back.
He had not told the Lineage he cooperated with about this matter either. It was not yet time to ask for help.
His power had weakened now. That cooperating Lineage might very well destroy him outright and swallow the Mine whole.
The two sides had never been equal in strength to begin with. Even the Mine's profits were split three to seven, with him receiving three and that Lineage receiving seven.
Though he had discovered the Mine, his strength was insufficient, so he could only swallow his grievances and seek compromise. Otherwise, he might not even get a single hair.
Shopkeeper Tong felt utterly exhausted in both body and mind. Ever since he had crossed paths with Chen Ze, everything had veered from its original course.
"No, there must be something wrong with this Chen Ze. Wu Li and Zhang Tai both disappeared because they went to capture him. There has to be some connection."
Shopkeeper Tong was beginning to suspect that Wu Li and Zhang Tai's disappearances were related to Chen Ze.
But it was only suspicion. After all, Chen Ze's cultivation was right there for all to see.
He still believed that someone was targeting him. Perhaps that cooperating Lineage was plotting against him.
Meanwhile, clone Zhao Yun had already made a full circuit of Wannan City and gained a certain understanding of it.
Clone Zhao Yun was now using the Breath Concealment Art to restrain his aura, hiding in the shadows as he watched Tongfu Restaurant.
At the residence, Chen Ze received the message sent back by clone Zhao Yun.
"Shopkeeper Tong hasn't left these past few days. He has been running Tongfu Restaurant the entire time, and there have been no unusual actions."
After receiving the message, Chen Ze pondered for a moment. "Zhao Yun, continue monitoring Shopkeeper Tong's every move."
"Yes."
After arranging matters for clone Zhao Yun, Chen Ze sent another message to clone Chen Fan.
"Chen Fan, enter Myriad Things Space and wait for orders. Tonight, you and Zhao Yun will capture Shopkeeper Tong and bring him here."
"Yes."
With a thought, clone Chen Fan entered Myriad Things Space.
The shabby house was instantly emptied, suddenly looking bleak and desolate.
For a long time to come, no one would be staying in this house anymore.
After clone Chen Fan entered Myriad Things Space, Chen Ze communicated with both clones through his thoughts, planning tonight's operation.
Now that they had the Breath Concealment Art and the Ignition Art, Chen Ze believed Zhao Yun and Chen Fan should have no problem dealing with Shopkeeper Tong.
Though he still did not know Shopkeeper Tong's realm, as long as he had not reached Foundation Establishment, the two clones together had a fair chance.
Even if the two clones failed, it would not matter. At the very least, they would probe out Shopkeeper Tong's true capabilities.
Shopkeeper Tong's existence was destined to be a threat. Chen Ze still did not know whether Shopkeeper Tong had any other cards up his sleeve.
Tonight's operation would be treated as a test. In any case, there would be no losses.
After making the plan, Chen Ze immersed himself in cultivation once more.
The feeling of growing stronger, of being able to control everything, filled him with longing.
The sky gradually darkened. Chen Ze had cultivated for fifteen hours today, on top of the Automated Training Room's nonstop cultivation.
His Breath Concealment Art had now reached perfection, its proficiency attaining the legendary realm.
His Earth Shield Art had also reached Major Accomplishment.
Most importantly, after the Xuantian Record's proficiency reached Minor Accomplishment, every circulation of the Xuantian Record increased his cultivation by one point.
Chen Ze was now only ten points away from breaking through to the Qi Refining Fourth Layer. In other words, after one night's sleep, he would break through by dawn tomorrow.
"Finally, I'm no longer worthless trash at cultivation."
After rejoicing over his increasingly rapid cultivation speed, Chen Ze stopped cultivating as well. Night had fallen, and it was time to prepare to make a move against Shopkeeper Tong at any moment.
Chen Ze had clone Chen Fan come out of Myriad Things Space and prepare a meal.
Clone Chen Fan had perfectly inherited Chen Ze's cooking skills.
Chen Ze happily enjoyed the food while clone Chen Fan stood beside him, waiting to clean up after he finished eating.
Now that he had clones, naturally he did not need to handle everything himself. Whenever there was work, he could simply have the clones do it. He only needed to quietly enjoy himself.
"Mm, next time I should get a female clone. That way, I'll have color, fragrance, and flavor all complete." Halfway through eating, Chen Ze suddenly paused and muttered to himself.
Clone Chen Fan, standing nearby, changed expression. A bitter smile appeared on his lips. So I'm being disliked.
Not long after, Chen Ze finished eating.
Clone Chen Fan cleared the table and returned to Myriad Things Space to await orders once more.
Now, all that remained was to wait for Zhao Yun to infiltrate Tongfu Restaurant's rear courtyard.
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