Cover Blown? Seeking Protection!

Purple Cloud Sect.

Inside an elder's Cave Mansion!

Zhao Tianhai was enveloped in towering killing intent as he coldly stared at Hong Ming, who knelt before him.

He said in a low voice, "Tell me. Why did he die when you and Wu'er went together to search for that man's whereabouts?"

His voice was icy, his terrifying killing intent cold enough to pierce the bone!

Cold sweat streamed down Hong Ming's face, and his body trembled without stop.

But he knew that his life now rested on Zhao Tianhai's every whim.

If he answered poorly, there was only death!

Bang! Bang! Bang!

With terror on his face, Hong Ming knocked his head against the ground three times. Blood streamed from his forehead, yet he was completely unaware of it.

"Elder Zhao! That man killed Senior Brother Zhao!"

Zhao Tianhai's expression changed upon hearing this, and his killing intent instantly vanished.

Compared to the Earth Core Fire Crystal, what the hell did his grandson matter!

In a flash, he arrived before Hong Ming and yanked him to his feet.

He demanded, "You found the person who took the Earth Core Fire Crystal?"

Feeling the killing intent vanish without a trace, Hong Ming secretly rejoiced.

He had gambled right!

He immediately said, "Absolutely, Elder! He is in Little Village, Wuhe County, Qing Kingdom!

"Other than that village, every mortal in Wuhe County was subjected to a Blood Sacrifice by Evil Cultivators.

"Senior Brother Zhao and I grew suspicious after learning the news.

"So we went to investigate.

"And sure enough, we found that man!

"But he was very strong, and he had quite a few Second-Grade Spirit Talismans in his hands. Senior Brother Zhao and I were no match for him, so we split up and fled. If one of us could escape, then one escaped—we had to return and report the matter so he could be captured!

"This disciple only just learned of Senior Brother Zhao's death as well!"

After hearing Zhang Xuanchen's exact location, Zhao Tianhai had no interest in listening to the rest.

As long as he could obtain the Earth Core Fire Crystal, forget one grandson—even if all his grandsons died out, it would not matter.

He immediately dragged Hong Ming to the sect master's Main Hall.

Before long, Purple Cloud Sect dispatched more than half its disciples to guard and patrol the various teleportation arrays, marketplaces, and other locations!

Zhang Xuanchen knew nothing of Purple Cloud Sect's actions.

By then, he had already successfully boarded the teleportation array bound for Black Dragon Immortal City.

After asking around among the locals, he learned

that half a month ago, the major factions had become exceptionally overbearing.

As long as one did not belong to a Golden Core faction, one's Storage Bag had to be inspected before one could live safely within the city.

At that moment, he secretly rejoiced.

Sure enough, staying in Little Village for twenty days was the right choice. Otherwise, it really would have been dangerous.

As the teleportation array activated, Zhang Xuanchen's vision went dark. The next moment, he had arrived in Black Dragon Immortal City.

He looked at the Soul Stabilizing Profound Jade in his hand.

It truly was a remarkable item. It seemed he would have to make more dishes for Sister Ruyu in the future.

For example, the spicy pepper soup from his hometown in his previous life.

And sweet tofu pudding with white sugar.

After all, he had been taking teleportation arrays rather frequently lately, and this jade was quite helpful to him.

After playing with it for a while, he found a place with no one around and swiftly changed into a new face.

A weathered Wandering Swordsman.

The moment he stepped out, he sensed that something was off.

A squad of cultivators dressed in identical purple robes had appeared by the teleportation array!

Purple Cloud Sect!

Not good!

Had he been discovered?

That could not be.

Though he did not quite believe he had been discovered, he immediately took action.

He needed to find someone to rely on!

If there was anyone Purple Cloud Sect would not dare investigate now, it was Horizon Restaurant!

Not a single faction in the South Sea Immortal Continent was willing to provoke this mysterious force.

I hope the Token Sister Ruyu gave me is useful. It would be even better if she is still here.

Now, before the Purple Cloud Sect Disciples and the other factions could react, he had to enter Horizon Restaurant and find the manager there.

But he could not show any urgency.

Those disciples had not yet begun their inspections. They were likely afraid they lacked manpower and that someone might resist.

If his eagerness made him reveal a flaw and drew their attention, that would be troublesome.

"Stop! Purple Cloud Sect is conducting official business! Please hand over your Storage Bag for inspection!"

The voice from behind instantly froze Zhang Xuanchen in place.

Cold sweat trickled down his face.

If he were discovered here, his chances of escaping Black Dragon Immortal City would be almost zero.

In other words, there was an overwhelming chance Purple Cloud Sect would suppress him.

"How dare you! A mere Purple Cloud Sect outer disciple thinks he can inspect me? Get the hell out of here! My Bai Family is a Foundation Establishment Immortal Clan—how can we allow the likes of you to humiliate us!

"Damn it, I came all this way to do business, only to run into this kind of nonsense! What rotten luck!"

Hearing the young man's cursing voice not far behind him, Zhang Xuanchen let out a breath of relief.

It was as though a mountain weighing upon him had suddenly collapsed.

They were not calling for him.

Yes! That's it! Resist them! Hit them! Because there won't be another chance later!

Zhang Xuanchen knew very well that Purple Cloud Sect was only one Golden Core faction for now. After some time passed, several Golden Core factions would join forces.

By then, even the young masters of those Foundation Establishment families would have to obediently submit to inspection.

Without stopping, Zhang Xuanchen asked for directions all the way, and before Black Dragon True Person gave the order, he finally reached Horizon Restaurant without incident.

At that moment, all of Black Dragon Immortal City was under martial lockdown. Even a dog had to undergo inspection!

He arrived at the restaurant counter.

"Esteemed guest, there are menus on the tables. There is no need to come to the counter to order."

The slightly plump middle-aged man working an abacus looked at the weathered man before him and offered a reminder.

Zhang Xuanchen naturally knew there were menus on the tables. It had even been his suggestion to Yan Ruyu, and she had later implemented the measure across every Horizon Restaurant branch.

But he was not here to eat. He was here to seek protection.

So as not to draw attention, Zhang Xuanchen took out a pink Token engraved with the character for jade and handed it to the Shopkeeper.

He transmitted his voice, "May I ask whether your establishment's Master Yan, Yan Ruyu, is here?"

Fifth Miss's Token!

How many ancestral graves had this fellow's family blown up to obtain Fifth Miss's Token!

The slightly plump middle-aged man was immediately consumed by envy, jealousy, and resentment.

He had worked diligently for one hundred and twenty years, yet he had not even exchanged twenty sentences with Fifth Miss.

What virtue or ability did this brat possess...

Forget it. Someone with this Token was likely not someone he could afford to offend.

He immediately smiled. "She is here, my lord. Fifth Miss is cultivating in the underground cultivation chamber. This humble one will take you to her."

His smile was dazzling, and his tone even carried a hint of fawning.

Zhang Xuanchen took in the slightly plump middle-aged man's changing expression.

He was deeply astonished.

With the strength of his Spiritual Sense, he could detect cultivators at the Foundation Establishment Early Stage.

Yet he could not see through this man at all.

That proved the man before him was at least at the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage.

And yet a mere Token had made him fawn over Zhang Xuanchen.

Yan Ruyu's status within Horizon Restaurant was likely not low.

Am I borrowing a fox's might to frighten a tiger, or living off a woman?

Still, it feels pretty good.

Following the slightly plump middle-aged man, he arrived at the entrance of a Cave Mansion at the deepest part of the basement.

"Fifth Miss, an honored guest holding your Token has come to see you."

The moment his voice fell, a seductive voice came from within the Cave Mansion.

"I understand. You may leave."