Soul Searching Technique, Failed Soul Search

Chen Ze switched the Soul Searching Technique that the Phantom had been automatically practicing back to the Earth Shield Art; an entry-level Soul Searching Technique should be sufficient for now.

Chen Ze withdrew his consciousness from the Myriad Things Space and opened his eyes.

Shopkeeper Tong, who had just heard Chen Ze mention leaving, was still feeling puzzled as he watched Chen Ze simply close his eyes.

However, it wasn't long before he saw Chen Ze open his eyes once again.

Furthermore, Chen Ze was looking at him with a somewhat eerie expression, causing a chill to run through Shopkeeper Tong's entire body.

"I just learned a new spell, and it just so happens that you can be my test subject."

Shopkeeper Tong looked at Chen Ze in terror, assuming he had learned some sort of torture spell. "What are you trying to do?"

"Nothing much, just searching your soul." Before Shopkeeper Tong could react, Chen Ze had already pressed his palm against the top of his head.

Shopkeeper Tong was well aware of the Soul Searching Technique. Although it was a low-level, simple spell, it was still a Forbidden Technique, and obtaining it was an incredibly difficult feat.

Moreover, the fact that Chen Ze claimed to have just learned it made him feel even more astonished.

Shopkeeper Tong also knew that anyone subjected to the Soul Searching Technique risked being reduced to an imbecile.

Shopkeeper Tong struggled desperately to resist, his Spiritual Sense clashing constantly with Chen Ze's. His face twisted in agony as he fought back in pain.

A moment later, Chen Ze withdrew his hand from Shopkeeper Tong's head.

"Hmm, no good. This Shopkeeper Tong's cultivation is a bit too high. With only my Qi Refining Third Layer cultivation and this entry-level Soul Searching Technique, I still can't search his soul."

Recovering from the agony, Shopkeeper Tong looked at Chen Ze with renewed terror.

Just moments ago, his Spiritual Sense had been straining against Chen Ze's, and the pain was self-evident; having experienced it once, he had no desire to go through it again.

"Don't search my soul again, I'll tell you everything." Shopkeeper Tong had compromised.

"Not good enough. Who knows if what you're saying now is true? Even if you try to trick me with your words, I have no way of knowing if you're lying."

Chen Ze shook his head and said to Zhao Yun and Chen Fan, "The two of you, tie him up and keep a close watch. I'm going to go cultivate."

"Yes."

Chen Ze returned to his seat, closed his eyes once more, and sent his consciousness into the Myriad Things Space; he needed to swap the Earth Shield Art back out of the Automated Training Room.

Hearing that Chen Ze intended to use the Soul Searching Technique on him again, Shopkeeper Tong fell into a panic.

"I have Spirit Stones, many, many Spirit Stones. I'll give them all to you, please, just let me go.

What can he possibly give you for working for him? Isn't cultivation resource the most important thing for a cultivator?

I'll give you everything I have, as long as you let me go."

Shopkeeper Tong had begun to beg Chen Fan and Zhao Yun, who were guarding him.

However, Chen Fan and Zhao Yun ignored him completely.

Chen Fan began to pull out rope to bind him, while Zhao Yun found a piece of rag from somewhere and stuffed it directly into his mouth, preventing him from speaking and leaving him only able to emit muffled, whimpering sounds.

Shopkeeper Tong felt utterly desperate; never in his life, from the moment he began his path of cultivation, had he felt such despair.

He hadn't felt this way when he failed to join the Qingyun Sect years ago.

He hadn't felt this way when he stumbled upon a cultivation manual by chance but lacked the Cultivation Resources to progress.

He hadn't felt this way even when he had been beaten to a pulp by others.

He knew that as long as he was alive and hadn't given up, he could succeed in cultivation and reach the very end.

Over the years, he had used every means necessary just for a scrap of Cultivation Resources; he had even killed friends he once cultivated alongside.

He had harmed many people without scruples, which was the only reason he had managed to climb to where he was today.

Now, he was at the Qi Refining Seventh Layer, possessing many Spirit Stones and plenty of Cultivation Resources.

In a short while, he would be able to break through to the Foundation Establishment Realm and become a titan in Wannan City.

He would never have to live in fear again, never have to grovel before others.

But now, everything was about to vanish like a bubble. He truly felt despair—a despair he had never known before.

He would never understand, even in death, how Chen Ze had transformed from a drunkard into the person he was today.

But now, it was all too late; regret was useless.

After entering the Automated Training Room and swapping the Earth Shield Art for the Soul Searching Technique, Chen Ze returned his consciousness to reality.

Seeing that Chen Fan and Zhao Yun had hog-tied Shopkeeper Tong and gagged him, Chen Ze said with satisfaction, "Keep watching him, and stay outside. If anything happens, call me immediately. I'm going to rest."

It was already late at night, and according to Chen Ze's usual habits, he would have been asleep by now.

Chen Ze didn't want to stay up late anymore; he was finished with the days of having his days and nights flipped.

To correct that habit, Chen Ze had suffered through several sleepless nights.

Now was the time for sleep; when he woke up, the Soul Searching Technique would have reached proficiency, and he could try again then.

The night passed in silence.

However, the entire Patrol Team of the City Lord's Mansion was in a frenzy, searching everywhere for the trail of those who had abducted Shopkeeper Tong.

Even the City Lord, who was in the Foundation Establishment Realm, had mobilized, yet unfortunately, he had come up empty-handed.

The City Lord's Mansion began interrogating the staff at Tongfu Restaurant, but the final conclusion remained a complete mystery.

Shopkeeper Tong seemed to have vanished into thin air, leaving not a single trace behind.

However, the signs of a struggle inside Shopkeeper Tong's room were undeniably real.

While investigating, the City Lord could only discern that the marks were caused by fire-attribute spells; as for the specific nature of the magic, even he could not tell.

Could it be that a Golden Core Grandmaster did this? To spirit Shopkeeper Tong away so silently without leaving a single trace—even I could not accomplish such a feat.

Having investigated all night without finding anything, the City Lord voiced his doubts.

He was now beginning to hesitate as to whether he should continue investigating Shopkeeper Tong's disappearance.

Wannan City had rules prohibiting private duels.

But those were only limited to the Foundation Establishment Realm, within the scope of what he could suppress.

If it involved a cultivator with a cultivation level higher than his own, those rules were nothing but hot air.

Any random Golden Core Senior could wipe out his City Lord's Mansion without leaving a piece of it intact.

Perhaps I should just report it? But if I do, will I face retaliation from a Golden Core Senior later on?

The City Lord had no choice but to think this way; he was only in the Foundation Establishment Realm, and he had been assigned to this remote, small city by the Dagan Dynasty.

If it weren't for the fact that this place was close to the Qingyun Sect and thus attracted many cultivators, there would be no need for someone of his Foundation Establishment Realm status to be sent to such a remote, small city.

Even after arriving in Wannan City, he had always lived with extreme caution.

Because it was close to the Qingyun Sect, various big shots could appear at any moment.

Furthermore, one never knew when a cultivator in Wannan City might catch the eye of some big shot from the Qingyun Sect.

He had never dared to easily offend anyone in Wannan City; he only wanted to cultivate in peace and keep Wannan City tranquil.

Once he reached the day his realm broke through to the Golden Core, he could leave Wannan City, head to the interior of the dynasty, and change his post.

In the end, after weighing his options, the City Lord decided not to report it, choosing instead to continue the investigation only as a superficial gesture.

For the time being, it was enough to keep the hearts of everyone in the city steady.

As long as the situation did not continue to escalate, nothing else mattered.