A Chance Encounter with an Enemy

"Uncle-Master Deng?"

Lan Chang'an glanced at the Core Formation True Person from Golden Cloud Valley in the distance, a middle-aged man with a large build and a ruddy complexion.

The Golden Cloud Valley suffered fewer losses than the other sects during this opening of the secret realm.

Zhang Tieshan nodded, looking quite pleased; clearly, this trip to the secret realm had been quite fruitful.

Zhao Siyao's expression was indifferent, seemingly not having met her expectations.

Although she made some gains, she did not obtain the key resources for breaking through to the Foundation Establishment Late Stage.

Lan Chang'an thought to himself: Honestly exploring for fortuitous opportunity in the secret realm is far more efficient than killing and robbing for treasure.

Subsequently, Lan Chang'an examined the mid-grade third-tier "Purple Glare Spirit Wood," estimating its value at three to four thousand Spirit Stone, and completed the transaction with Zhang Tieshan.

Although this piece of spirit wood is of high grade, without special effects, it is merely a raw material for refining ordinary Law Treasure.

Fortunately, Lan Chang'an had prepared sufficient Spirit Stone beforehand, some of which were offset by second-tier Talisman, leaving some surplus for later acquisitions.

In addition to the third-tier spirit wood, Zhang Tieshan also gave Lan Chang'an a Jade Cylinder containing information about the recipients of certain resources.

"Fellow Daoists, how exactly did Chen Fuhai die?"

Lan Chang'an inquired.

Zhao Siyao said, "The details are unclear. This person ambushed and robbed cultivators from all sides, offending too many people. At the time, many cultivators chased after him, including representatives from several major sects and great cultivation Aristocratic Clan."

Although Chen Fuhai's actions have angered many, similar figures have appeared in previous openings of secret realms.

To the Golden Core Realm Formation, some people would even go to extreme lengths to extend their lives by several hundred years.

"When Chen Fuhai was being chased, Zhang noticed something suspicious."

Zhang Tieshan pondered for a moment.

"Oh, Brother Zhang, what have you discovered?"

Lan Chang'an knew that Zhang Tieshan worked in the sect's Law Enforcement Hall and had extensive experience in pursuit.

"The value of Chen Fuhai's belongings after his death was only equivalent to that of an ordinary Foundation Establishment Late Stage."

Zhang Tieshan said.

Upon hearing this, Lan Chang'an couldn't help but make some guesses.

Normally, Chen Fuhai, having attacked and robbed many cultivators, should be very wealthy.

"Such insane behavior shows absolutely no regard for the body it inhabits."

"Hmm? Chen Fuhai is over a hundred years old, his physical potential is average, at most he can achieve the False Core."

Lan Chang'an thus suspected that the "Hundred-Host Soul Gu" had shifted its target.

Even the looted wealth was transferred along with it.

The new host may be one of the Foundation Establishment cultivators involved in the siege.

The case involves many factions and cultivators, making it difficult to investigate.

Lan Chang'an put himself in others' shoes:

If he is Hundred-Host Soul Gu, the first target he would need to exclude is a genius with Earth Spiritual Root.

Those with such Spirit Root often have strong sect or lineage backgrounds, attracting much attention and thus facing a greater risk of exposure.

Secondly, it's best not to stay with cultivators from the Blazing Fire Palace.

The Blazing Fire Palace has Nascent Soul True Lord and powerful Core Golden Core Realm Grand Cultivators.

With the opening of this secret realm, only a few individuals with unique Earth Spiritual Root have arrived.

When targeting someone, it's best to choose someone relatively young with good potential and High-Grade Spiritual Root, as this significantly reduces the risk.

Furthermore, Lan Chang'an suspected that the Hundred-Host Soul Gu might possess methods within its memories that could evade inspection and harvesting.

Otherwise, once those valuable items were transferred out of the secret realm, each powerful faction's True Person would personally screen them.

Before parting, Lan Chang'an sent a telepathic message to Zhao Siyao:

"Daoist Zhao, I'll repair that damaged Turtle Puppet for you free of charge."

Previously, Zhao Siyao insisted on only accepting half the price of Spirit Stone in their transaction with him.

Lan Chang'an felt bad and wanted to make it up to her.

Perhaps the Puppet and Talisman he provided to Zhao Siyao saved her life at a crucial moment.

But in essence, their previous transaction was a fair partnership, and there was no real debt owed to them.

"Hmm." Zhao Siyao didn't object this time and handed a Storage Bag to Lan Chang'an.

The entrance to the secret realm will close for the next half day.

The True Person Yuxiao from the Blazing Fire Palace has already returned.

It's really just for show.

Afterwards, when I return to the Blazing Fire Palace, I will give an explanation to the Elder of Law Enforcement.

Through Zhao Siyao and the other person, Lan Chang'an learned the general details of Xia Fan's death; the other person was the grandson of the law enforcement elder.

The enforcement elder of the Blazing Fire Palace, with a cultivation level at the peak of the Late Core Formation, possesses strength, foundation, and background that surpass his Second Life.

At the same level, Lineage cultivators are naturally half a level below sect cultivators; if they are not successfully challenged by those of lower levels, they are considered to have passed the test.

Chen Fuhai was like a troublemaker in the secret realm, and it is suspected that he once attacked Xia Fan of the Blazing Fire Palace.

Lan Chang'an felt that the Hundred-Host Soul Gu was deliberately stirring up the situation to achieve its own goals.

Lan Chang'an examined the two Jade Cylinder containing Zhao Siyao and her companion, processing the information within.

This includes information about the recipients of the resources he is interested in.

Some resource recipients are not easy to approach, such as the Foundation Establishment Late Stage Cultivator of the Blazing Fire Palace, who have high status and position.

There are also female cultivators from the Profound Sound Pavilion; if Lan Chang'an were to make any rash contact with them, it could easily lead to misunderstandings.

The female cultivators of the Profound Sound Pavilion are outstanding in appearance and temperament, proficient in music, and beneficial to their dao companion. They often have suitors behind them.

Lu Chang'an prioritizes intelligence on non-sect cultivators, preferably independent cultivators at the Foundation Establishment stage.

"Xiang Jinglong, suspected to be the Foundation Establishment Rogue Cultivator who gained the most from this secret realm, obtained the main ingredient of the Youth Preservation Pill, the main ingredient of the Second-Order Longevity Pill, and a special Second-Order Demon Core."

"Zhou Qingxuan, Foundation Establishment female cultivator from the Beast Taming Zhou Family specializing in beast taming, has made considerable gains in the secret realm thanks to her talent for beast taming. She is suspected of obtaining materials for Law Treasure and auxiliary ingredients for the Golden Core Realm fortuitous opportunity Formation opportunity."

"A cultivator from Golden Cloud Valley in Hu Zhou has obtained a natural Law Treasure Embryo, which will likely be handed over to the sect or acquired by an elder."

Lan Chang'an reviewed dozens of intelligence reports and eliminated most of the targets.

He planned to first ask "Xiang Jinglong" to see if he could privately trade the main ingredient of the Second-Order Longevity Pill.

The special demon core in this person's possession can be used as the main ingredient for Foundation Establishment. If he's not tight-lipped, it's worth a try.

Lan Chang'an possesses 70% of the materials needed for Foundation Establishment. If he gathers the materials and refines two or three Foundation Establishment, he can realize a huge fortune.

Xiang Jinglong, a Foundation Establishment Late Stage cultivator, was quite renowned among the Rogue Cultivator of the Liang Kingdom; he was a ruthless individual.

Lan Chang'an found the man on a leveled sand dune.

Xiang Jinglong appeared to be around forty years old, with a robust build, bare tanned arms, and bright, piercing eyes. He sat on a sand dune.

There were five or six Foundation Establishment cultivators nearby, communicating with him, and the specific content of their discussion was being conveyed through Divine Sense.

Outside the secret realm, there were many cultivators like Lan Chang'an who were waiting to acquire the items.

Some are representatives of chambers of commerce or large stores.

One of the elderly men with a white beard had just finished communicating with Xiang Jinglong.

Xiang Jinglong shook his head, seemingly dissatisfied with the old man with the frilly beard's request.

"Fellow Daoist Xiang."

Lan Chang'an cupped his hands in greeting, and seeing Xiang Jinglong looking at him, he transmitted his voice:

"My surname is Lu. I wish to purchase the main ingredients and a special demon core for Second-Order Longevity Pill for my Alchemist friend. I'd like to know how to conduct the transaction?"

"So it's Daoist Lu. I recognize you."

Xiang Jinglong had a deep voice and a calm expression.

Previously, Lan Chang'an had interacted with the two Foundation Establishment from Golden Cloud Valley twice, and he did not disguise himself, otherwise it would have seemed like he was trying to cover up the truth.

"The main ingredient of the Second-Order Longevity Pill can only be traded if the auxiliary ingredient has Golden Core Realm. If there is Law Treasure Embryo or Golden Core Realm main ingredient, that would be even better, and I, Xiang, can make up the price difference accordingly."

"A special demon core. The two fellow Daoists beside me are also interested. Let's see who offers the higher price."

After listening, Lan Chang'an knew that the deal would be difficult to make.

Xiang Jinglong was waiting for the right price; he dared to mention the auxiliary ingredients for the Golden Core Realm and the Law Treasure Embryo, even though it was merely the main ingredient of a Second-Order Longevity Pill.

The former is an important material used in refining to increase the success rate of the Golden Core Realm core.

The latter can be used to nurture the Magic Treasure Prototype and to refine Law Treasure.

Foundation Establishment Late Stage cultivator with high Law Power power can barely control Magic Treasure Prototype, whose power is significantly stronger than that of a top-grade magical Law Artifact.

By nurturing the Magic Treasure Prototype in advance, it will be a natural progression when it is upgraded to False Core or a true core.

A cultivator's natal magic Law Treasure becomes more powerful the longer it is nurtured.

Therefore, Lan Chang'an is also paying attention to excellent and suitable Law Treasure Embryo.

"Never mind."

Lu Chang decided to move on to the next target.

Xiang Jinglong is notorious and has a bad reputation.

Lan Chang'an did not want to appear overly enthusiastic about the main ingredient of the Second-Order Longevity Pill.

As for special demon cores, he currently has no rigid need for Foundation Establishment.

The main consideration is that I have about 70% of the materials on hand, and it would be best if I could buy them easily.

Lan Chang'an took his leave and turned to leave.

At that moment, he sensed a subtle gaze coming from the elderly man with the flowery beard not far away.

Lan Chang'an had a strange sense of familiarity.

The opponent was at the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage stage. He fused with the Nine Imprint Tablet and quickly swept his Divine Sense over them.

"It was him!"

The old man with the flowery beard was seen through by Lan Chang'an, who was taken aback.

"Alchemist Hua?"

He dared not use his Divine Sense for too long, lest Core Formation True Person in the distance happen to be watching them.

Lan Chang'an guessed that Alchemist Hua contacted Xiang Jinglong most likely for the main ingredients of the Longevity Pill or the Youth Preservation Pill.

In particular, the Youth Preservation Pill, if successfully refined, can be used to please high-level female cultivators or the female relatives of high-level cultivators.

Before the entrance to the secret realm closes.

Lan Chang'an then negotiated with the five cultivators mentioned in the intelligence report.

Among them were Rogue Cultivator, cultivators from the Aristocratic Clan, and cultivators from sects.

Lan Chang'an discovered that, because he hadn't disguised his identity, his reputation as an advanced Foundation Establishment at an advanced age would earn him a little more respect from the other party during negotiations.

The cultivators who emerge from the secret realm are on a completely different level.

Using a second-tier Mid-Grade Talisman and Spirit Stone, Lan Chang'an purchased the two items he needed.

A complete, Second-Order High-Grade Monster Beast Hide.

This single item alone is worth more than several collaborations with the Beast Taming Zhou Family, enough to expand Lan Chang'an's reserves of second-tier High-Grade Talisman.

In addition, we acquired a large quantity of rare, Second-Order High-Grade Spiritual Sand Stone.

This batch of Spiritual Sand Stone is enough to support Lan Chang'an in cultivating his Body Refinement Art to the sixth level.

Shortly after Lan Chang'an completed the transaction, the Azure Underworld Secret Realm closed.

"Once every fifty years..."

Looking at the closed passage, a thought flashed through Lan Chang'an's mind.

Fifty years from now, if I have the strength of False Core cultivator, I can practically roam freely in this secret fortuitous opportunity with the opportunity to form Golden Core Realm, as long as I don't do anything reckless.

Of course, this was just a fleeting thought.

Around the secret realm, cultivators from various forces withdrew one after another, and the pressure of True Person level cultivators condensed above the clouds.

Zhao Siyao and Zhang Tieshan departed aboard the enormous golden boat of Golden Cloud Valley.

Lu Chang'an, a rogue cultivator at the Foundation Establishment stage, flew at low altitude and returned via the same route.

The flying magical Law Treasure piloted by the Core Formation True Person was far faster than the others, and disappeared in no time.

Lan Chang'an flew south towards the Broken Mouth Canyon of the Black Mist Mountain Range.

Um?

Half a day later, Lan Chang'an frowned slightly, noticing the tail following him.

That was a man in a grey robe and straw hat, disguised as someone else.

"Alchemist Hua?"

Lan Chang'an was surprised.

Who gave him the courage to target me, a mere individual?

Although Foundation Establishment Middle Stage can easily defeat an early-stage cultivator, a kill is not guaranteed unless it's a sneak attack.

He focused his mind on the Nine Imprint Tablet, investigating the situation over a large area.

He couldn't help but exclaim "Eh!" again.

"That's interesting..."

There's another tail behind the first tail?

(End of this chapter)