Inventorying the Harvest

"Speaking of which, I wasn't entirely suffering misfortune for no reason, was I?"

Reviewing all the preceding events and consequences, Shen Changchuan suddenly recalled the token carved with the character 'Elephant' that he had discovered alongside the Azure Origin Water Grass in the hidden cave beneath the Great Bay River.

That token, was likely the token of token of remembrance from that branch family member of the Shen Family back then, wasn't it?

Although there was no direct evidence, Shen Changchuan guessed it was highly probable.

Zhao Hantao was in the backyard, he could just ask him directly when the time came.

However, thinking of Zhao Hantao, Shen Changchuan also remembered another matter from before.

"No wonder Zhao Hantao knew my identity from the very beginning. He was probably watching me from the start, wasn't he?"

Shen Changchuan remembered that when he first met Zhao Hantao, the latter had been extremely deferential.

At that time, when he asked why, Zhao Hantao had replied it was because he knew Shen Changchuan's true identity.

That was why he was so respectful.

In contrast, the cultivators from the other six villages he had interacted with later had no idea about his identity whatsoever.

Shen Changchuan had found it a bit strange at the time.

Now, looking back, Zhao Hantao had likely set his sights on Great Bay Village long ago.

That was why, at the first opportunity, he had learned his identity.

However, at the same time, although he knew Shen Changchuan's identity, he didn't know the specifics about Shen Changchuan.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have worried about potential Guardians or other bodyguards behind Shen Changchuan and set up an ambush.

"It was fortunate that those people didn't make a move immediately, giving me two to three months' time."

Thinking of this, Shen Changchuan couldn't help but feel a sense of relief.

If Zhao Hantao and the Four Fiends of Heshan had known his status and treatment within the Shen Family back then, and understood that there couldn't possibly be any bodyguards or Guardians behind him, they would have likely come straight for him!

And with his strength at that time, he would have been completely powerless against such opponents!

It could be said that, Shen Changchuan had narrowly escaped a deadly crisis!

"The cultivation world is too dangerous! I was lucky this time, narrowly escaping a deadly crisis, which gave me enough time to develop."

"And then my luck continued to be good, I encountered successive opportunities, and my strength improved rapidly in a short period, giving me the ability to protect myself."

"Otherwise, the one lying on the ground now would likely be me!"

"Strength! I need even greater strength!"

A determined light shone in Shen Changchuan's eyes.

His desire for increased strength became even more urgent.

When he was at the Shen Family Manor, he had to live in constant fear.

But after leaving the Shen Family Manor and coming to Great Bay Village, thousands of miles away, he had almost faced utter annihilation without even realizing it.

The root of all this, was his insufficient strength!

If he had the strength of the Out of Body Stage, who in the Shen Family Manor would dare to target him?

How could the mere Four Fiends of Heshan scheme against him?!

Strength, he needed even more powerful strength.

to freely control their own lives!

Shen Changchuan's heart grew even firmer.

"Grandpa, leave everything concerning Zhao Hantao's next steps to me."

"However, the secrets involved must not be leaked."

"The ruins of an Out of Body Stage expert's cave dwelling—if this news gets out, I fear countless people will flock here."

"If I'm not mistaken, the Out of Body Stage expert who personally annihilated the Hu Family of Great Bay Village twenty years ago was likely acting because of those Out of Body Stage cave dwelling ruins."

"If the news leaks, we'll be in big trouble!"

Shen Changchuan said in a low voice, holding the thick stack of documents.

At the same time, with a thought, his perfected Fireball Technique was cast almost instantly. Blazing heat engulfed the documents in his hand in the blink of an eye, burning them to ashes.

Shen Changchuan waved his palm gently, and the ashes in his palm turned to dust, disappearing into the world.

Thus, all traces were completely destroyed.

"Don't worry, Changchuan. I'll be the only one questioning him."

"I know the gravity of the situation. No one will reveal this secret, not even Dayong!"

Han Qinhu nodded solemnly.

The precedent set by Zhao Jingming, Zhao Hantao's son, was right before his eyes.

Han Qinhu would naturally not make such a mistake.

He had already decided, all the secrets concerning this matter would be locked deep within his heart, not a single word would be revealed to the outside world.

"Then I'll trouble you, Grandpa."

After a brief discussion about the subsequent management of Zhao Family Village, Han Qinhu took his leave.

Shen Changchuan, meanwhile, entered the back room.

It wasn't until half an hour later

that he left with a calm expression.

He had inquired about more detailed information from Zhao Hantao, and also confirmed, that the token discovered at the bottom of the Great Bay River back then

was indeed the token of passage into the ruins for a collateral branch of the Shen Family.

Shen Changchuan also obtained from him

a map leading to the cliff where the ruins were located.

However, Shen Changchuan was not so blinded by the prospect of an Out of Body Stage cave dwelling that he rushed into danger.

He had looked at the map.

It was located deep within the Yao Beast Mountain Forest.

He was only at the mid-stage of Qi Gathering Fourth Level.

Although he had some means to compensate for his combat power, he was ultimately too weak.

Shen Changchuan did not intend to explore it now.

He felt that even if he were to investigate, he would need to reach at least Qi Gathering Fifth or Sixth Level.

Being cautious was always the right approach.

With various matters temporarily concluded, Shen Changchuan finally had time to take stock of his gains.

The battle where he counter-killed the Four Fiends of Heshan

was the most perilous battle Shen Changchuan had faced since his transmigration.

It was also the battle where he gained the most.

After organizing the various resources within the storage bags, Shen Changchuan's final gains were as follows:

There were two hundred and twenty-three spirit stones, The magic items included one Soul-Snatching Bell, a poisoned dagger in the hands of the second of the Four Fiends of Heshan, a broken defensive magic item, leather armor, from the fourth, and a quasi-low-grade magic item mixed with a lot of gold essence in the hands of the third.

The spiritual herbs included one Green Spirit Grass, three Heart Jade Leaves, two Jade Dew Flowers, and so on. These were all low-grade spiritual herbs, similar to the spirit ginseng Shen Changchuan had consumed when he was cultivating, and there were no particularly noteworthy spiritual herbs among them.

In total, there were thirteen Qi Nourishing Pills and two Essence Pills.

The remaining materials and miscellaneous items included ninety jin of spirit grain, twenty jin of iron essence, a piece of Crimson Origin Iron Ore, several dark, unidentifiable ore pieces, spirit wood, Yao Beast materials, and so on.

Inside the storage bag, Shen Changchuan also found a handwritten manual detailing true spell explanations, which recorded basic spells such as the Breath Concealment Technique, Water Blade Technique, Water Dragon Technique, Earth Stone Collision, Earth Shaking Technique, and Golden Bell Technique.

It seemed to be a collection of various spells gathered by the Four Fiends of Heshan over the years.

It also included the basic Qi Absorption Art, various cultivation experiences, and so on.

And besides these, There was also a formation that Shen Changchuan had pulled from the ground before leaving, named the Mizong Liangyi Formation.

He didn't realize the extent of his gains until he inventoried them.

Upon inventorying everything, Shen Changchuan was almost shocked.

As he was now, He could practically say he had become rich overnight!