Tang Yilong

"Madam Tang, have any Second-Rank Flood Dragon appeared in the Shu Kingdom?"

Shen Long asked casually.

"Never heard of it. Third-Rank Flood Dragon are quite common, but Second-Rank Flood Dragon are extremely rare."

Tang Kexin said.

After chatting for a while, a man of medium build in a blue robe came up, took out a Cyan Storage Bag, and handed it to Tang Kexin.

"Fellow Daoist Shen, see if this is what you want."

Tang Kexin handed the Storage Bag to Shen Long.

Shen Long took out the items from the Storage Bag, carefully inspected them, and after confirming that everything was correct, he put them away and nodded. "Yes, it's what I wanted."

"After deducting these expenses, there are still 15,000 Spirit Stone left."

Tang Kexin took out 15,000 Spirit Stone and paid them to Shen Long.

Shen Long put away the Spirit Stone, got up and left. He rented a small courtyard and settled down.

He wanted to know more about the Loose Cultivator Assembly, so he needed to build a good relationship with the Tang Clan disciples. If he immediately asked the Tang Clan Tang Clan disciples about the Loose Cultivator Assembly, they might not tell him the truth.

Shen Long wasn't in a hurry. While investigating the murderer of his parents, he also traveled around, hoping to use this opportunity to overcome his current difficulties.

He had already made up his mind: he would first settle down in the Marketplace, use his identity Alchemist to gradually expand his social circle, befriend the Tang Clan members, and once their friendship deepened, he would then inquire about the remnants of the Loose Cultivator Assembly.

Shen Long lived in Green Begonia Courtyard, which contained a two-story Cyan Pavilion and a Cyan Stone Pavilion. The plaque on the pavilion read "Green Begonia Pavilion" in large characters.

He entered Green Begonia Pavilion and found a magic array about ten feet in size in a Stone Chamber. He activated the Formation and released more than 100,000 Gold-Eating Ant.

They flew into the air and coalesced into a huge golden cloud.

Shen Long took out a Cyan Storage Bag, shook it with the opening facing down, and a cyan glow swept across, revealing a large pile of ores and Spirit Wood on the ground.

The Gold-Eating Ant flew down onto the ore and Spirit Wood and began to gnaw at them.

Before long, more than 100,000 Gold-Eating Ant had devoured the ores and Spirit Wood. Shen Long fed the queen of the Gold-Eating Ant Queen a Beast Spirit Pill and then put all the Gold-Eating Ant back into his Spirit Beast Bag.

He released the Iron Tail Scorpion, the Green-Eyed Spirit Fox, the Hundred-Eyed Golden Cicada, and the Snow Wind Sparrow, feeding each of them a Beast Spirit Pill and a Azure Cloud Ganoderma.

He took out the Crimson Crow Cauldron and the alchemy materials, and began to refine the elixir.

Before long, a faint medicinal fragrance filled the entire secret room.

Half a month passed quickly, the door to the secret room opened, and Shen Long walked out.

He refined a batch of pills, which were now ready for sale.

Stepping out of Green Begonia Courtyard, Shen Long strolled along the street.

A quarter of an hour later, Shen Long appeared in a vast Bluestone Square. There were many stalls there, and most of the stall owners were Qi Refining Cultivator, but there were also quite a few Foundation Establishment Cultivator.

Shen Long had inquired with Tang Kexin and learned that people could set up stalls freely here without being charged.

He walked around, his gaze sweeping over the various stalls.

The stall had a wide variety of items, but few were truly good; it was a mixed bag with little quality. Shen Long didn't find anything of value and failed to snag any bargains. However, a few Qi Refining Cultivator were selling insect Insect Eggs from the Heaven and Earth Exotic Insect Ranking. Upon closer inspection, Shen Long discovered that the Insect Eggs were all fake, not what was advertised.

For laymen who aren't experts, it's difficult to distinguish Insect Eggs from fake ones just by looking at their shape, color, and texture. Besides fake Insect Eggs, there are also many monks selling fake materials.

Shen Long saw through the forgery but didn't expose the swindlers. Cutting off someone's livelihood was like killing their parents; he just wanted to avoid being fooled himself.

He strolled around the Bluestone Square and bought some second-tier refining materials to feed the Gold-Eating Ant.

He found an open space, took out a piece of coarse cloth and spread it on the ground, then took out some Monster Beast Material and a dozen porcelain bottles and placed them on the stall.

Shen Long took out a thick Blue Book the four large characters "Travels of East Hua" written on the cover. It contained the travelogues of several Spirit Control Sect cultivators in the East Hua Cultivation World, which the Spirit Control Sect had compiled into a book.

From time to time, Foundation Establishment Cultivator would pass by, inquiring about the price of the pills and checking their quality. Shen Long sold several bottles of pills.

"Hey, Fellow Daoist Shen, what are you doing selling pills here?"

A pleasant female voice rang out.

Shen Long looked up and saw Xu Yubing standing in front of the stall.

"Fairy Xu, what a coincidence!"

Shen Long greeted him.

Xu Yubing smiled and nodded, saying, "I didn't expect to see you again so soon. Did you refine these pills?"

"That's right, they're all Second-tier Medicinal Pill. If Fairy Xu takes a fancy to them, I can give you a discount."

Shen Long said.

Xu Yubing inquired about the types and effects of the pills, purchased two bottles of Beast Spirit Pill, chatted for a few moments, and then took her leave.

Shen Long continued reading "Travels of East Hua," a book that recorded the customs and traditions of the Thirty-Six Kingdoms of Donghua and the situation of the major powers. He read it with great interest.

Time passed slowly, and the sky darkened. Many stall owners took out their lighting tools, and the soft white light illuminated the entire Bluestone Square, causing the number of people to increase rather than decrease.

Xu Tianlei walked over and said with a smile, "Fellow Daoist Shen, I heard from Yu Bing that you sell pills in the Marketplace. Would you mind having a word with me in private?"

Shen Long nodded, packed up his things from the stall, and left with Xu Tianlei. They arrived at a secluded red-tiled courtyard, where there was a three-story red pavilion and a Red Stone Pavilion.

Two men and two women sat in the stone pavilion, Xu Yubing was also there, and fine wine and delicacies were laid out on the stone table.

"Let me introduce you. This is Fellow Daoist Shen, whom I mentioned earlier. Without Fellow Daoist Shen's help, Yu Bing and I wouldn't have been able to return."

Xu Tianlei explained.

"My name is Shen Shi, and I greet you fellow Daoists."

Shen Long clasped his hands in a fist salute and said.

"You are Fellow Daoist Shen. My cousin Fellow Daoist Shen Bing told me that you raise many Gold-Eating Ant, are skilled in Insect Control Technique, and Divine Ability abilities. My name is Tang Keqing."

A woman in her early forties wearing a blue dress spoke up.

"My name is Tang Kezhen. I greet Fellow Daoist Shen."

A tall, thin man in a gold shirt introduced himself.

"Xu Yuchen greets Fellow Daoist Shen."

A stout Red-Robed Elder robe spoke up.

Xu Tianlei led Shen Long over and sat down in the stone pavilion.

"Fellow Daoist Shen, Yu Bing and I raise a toast to you to thank you for saving our lives."

Xu Tianlei said sincerely, raising his wine glass.

Xu Yubing also raised her glass to toast Shen Long.

Shen Long raised his glass and returned the toast.

"Fellow Daoist Shen, you are so young yet you have raised so many Gold-Eating Ant. I wonder which sect or school you belong to."

Tang Keqing asked curiously.

Feeding over 50,000 Gold-Eating Ant is a considerable expense, something that ordinary Foundation Establishment Cultivator simply cannot afford.

"When I traveled abroad, my master instructed me not to act in his name."

Shen Long said politely.

Master Ice Silkworm repeatedly warned that there was no need to travel, and that one should not act as a disciple of the Spirit Control Sect, since the Spirit Control Sect had a long history and many enemies.

"My master!"

Tang Keqing and the others suddenly realized that the other party did indeed have a master.

"I've heard that Fellow Daoist Shen is a second-tier Alchemist. Coincidentally, I am also a second-tier Alchemist, and I would like to exchange ideas with Fellow Daoist Shen."

Tang Keqing said enthusiastically.

Shen Long nodded and started chatting with Tang Keqing about alchemy, leaving Xu Tianlei and the other three unable to get a word in edgewise.

"Fellow Daoist Shen's alchemy skills are quite impressive! He even knows the Water Refining Method."

Tang Keqing said.

"I only know this; I don't know it's Water Refining Method."

Shen Long said.

Some Alchemist use Water Refining Method to refine pills, and Shen Long is familiar with this method.

"Fellow Daoist Shen, speaking of which, I also raise some Gold-Eating Ant and would like to ask you for your guidance on their breeding methods."

Tang Kezhen said politely.

"I wouldn't presume to ask for your advice; let's exchange ideas."

Shen Long said.

Tang Kezhen talked about cultivating the Gold-Eating Ant. He had more than 30,000 Gold-Eating Ant and had fed them a lot of refining materials. However, he only had more than 30 Second-tier Gold-Eating Ant, Ant Queen was only at the early stage of the second tier.

Shen Long shared his experience in raising Gold-Eating Ant, mainly involving feeding them a Beast Spirit Pill at regular intervals, which wasn't a major secret.

When the topic of cultivating Spirit Insect came up, Xu Yubing and the others were able to join in the conversation. Shen Long spoke eloquently and knowledgeably. During their casual conversation, Xu Yubing and the others subtly inquired about Shen Long's background and origins.

Shen Long naturally wouldn't let anything slip; he was still mindful of keeping secrets.

More than an hour later, Shen Long changed his tone and said, "By the way, before I came to the Shu Kingdom, I heard that killing and robbing were rampant Shu Kingdom, and that Evil Cultivator even dared to attack members of the Tang Clan. Madam Tang, is this true?"

"It is true. Fellow Daoist Shen is referring to the Loose Cultivator Assembly. This Evil Cultivator organization has already been wiped out by our Tang Clan."

Tang Keqing said.

"Speaking of which, why did they attack your Tang Clan members? There are rumors that your Tang Clan acts domineeringly and felt that the Loose Cultivator Assembly a threat to them, which is why they wiped out the Loose Cultivator Assembly."

Shen Long continued.

"Hmph, nonsense. The Loose Cultivator Assembly doesn't even have Core Formation Cultivator, so how could they threaten our Tang Clan Loose Cultivator Assembly is Evil Cultivator organization that harms the innocent. Their vice president Master Golden Centipede, attacked and killed our clansmen for Golden Core Spirit Item, but unfortunately, he escaped. We only eliminated the leader."

Tang Keqing said in a regretful tone.

This matter is widely known and caused a great uproar back then, with many different opinions. Some said that the Tang Clan acted tyrannically, while others said that the Loose Cultivator Assembly harm the innocent.

"Master Golden Centipede! I see. However, with the strength of your Tang Clan, apprehending this person should not be a problem. At that time, the rumors will be dispelled on their own."

Shen Long said.

"No, this person should no longer be in the Shu Kingdom, otherwise we would have captured him long ago. He might have already advanced to the Golden Core Realm. If he dares to show his face, we will send someone to take him down."

By the end, Tang Keqing's face was filled with a chilling aura.

Shen Long nodded. This was the same as his judgment. The Master Golden Centipede was no longer in the Shu Kingdom and had most likely gone to other countries. It wouldn't be easy to find the remnants of the Loose Cultivator Assembly.

After chatting for most of the hour, Shen Long took his leave.

"Madam Tang, how is it? Is this person alright?"

Xu Tianlei asked.

Shen Long rescued Xu Tianlei and Xu Yubing, and then reappeared in Tian Shu Marketplace. Coincidentally, both Xu Tianlei and Xu Yubing were there. He felt it was too much of a coincidence and worried that Shen Long might be up to something.

"There shouldn't be any problem. Judging from his words, he does indeed come from a cultivation sect. If he were making things up, he wouldn't know the details so clearly. This person is proficient in insect control and beast taming, and is also Alchemist. He's most likely traveling around."

Tang Keqing analyzed.

"But I have a feeling he 'Loose Cultivator Assembly."

Xu Tianlei said.

"I don't know who spread the false information, saying that we destroyed the Loose Cultivator Assembly for the sake of the Spirit Treasure, and others saying it was for the Treasure Map. It's normal for him to be curious about this, but we should always be wary of people. We should be careful when dealing with this person, but there's no need to offend him."

Tang Keqing said.

Xu Tianlei nodded and agreed.

······

In Green Begonia Courtyard, Shen Long sat in a Cyan Stone Pavilion, holding a Jade Slip slip in his hand, a thoughtful expression on his face.

Tang Keqing and the others had been subtly trying to find out about his background. There was no way around it; it was too much of a coincidence that Shen Long had reappeared in Tian Shu Marketplace not long after rescuing Xu Tianlei and Xu Yubing.

Even if his identity is exposed, it won't have a big impact on Shen Long; at worst, he can just leave the cultivation Immortal Realm of the Shu Kingdom.

He talked with Tang Keqing and obtained a lot of useful information. After the incident, the Tang Clan offered a large reward for the capture of Master Golden Centipede.

The Master Golden Centipede led the attack on the Tang Clan members without informing the leader of the Loose Cultivator Assembly. This way, after succeeding, he should have left the Shu Kingdom as quickly as possible.

Of course, with the Master Golden Centipede not in the Shu Kingdom, Shen Long didn't plan to leave Shu Kingdom immediately. He wanted to communicate more with the Foundation Establishment Cultivator in the Shu Kingdom's cultivation Immortal Realm, hoping to break through his bottleneck.

Shen Long entered a secret room in the Green Begonia Pavilion and sat down to meditate and regulate his breathing.

Early the next morning, Shen Long left his residence and returned to Bluestone Square to set up a stall to sell pills.

Foundation Establishment Cultivator passing by Shen Long's stall might ask a few questions, but there weren't many buyers.

Shen Long flipped through "Travels of East Hua" with great interest.

As darkness fell, Shen Long sold two bottles of the pills he had taken out. Undeterred, he returned to his residence to rest, and set up his stall again early the next morning.

More than a month has passed, and on this morning, Shen Long arrived at Bluestone Square on time to set up his stall.

"Good morning, Fellow Daoist Shen!"

A tall, Yellow-Shirted Big Man greeted Shen Long.

The burly Yellow-Shirted Big Man had regular features and exuded a faint Sha Qi. His stall displayed some Monster Beast Material.

"Good morning, Fellow Daoist Huang!"

Shen Long greeted him.

He has been in Tian Shu Marketplace for almost two months, and has met some Foundation Establishment Cultivator while setting up a stall.

The Yellow-Shirted Big Man was named Huang Hu. He came from Rogue Cultivator and made a living by hunting Demon Beast.

Shen Long took out a piece of coarse cloth, a dozen porcelain bottles, and some Monster Beast Material, and began to peruse <The Travels of East Hua>.

The morning passed quickly, Shen Long only sold one bottle of the pills he had taken out. He didn't care much; he only set up a stall to sell pills to make friends with other Foundation Establishment Cultivator. Otherwise, he would have sold them all quickly if he had sold them to a large shop.

"Fellow Daoist Shen, are you still selling pills?!"

A familiar male voice rang out.

Shen Long looked up and saw Tang Kezhen and a burly man in a gold shirt standing in front of the stall.

The burly man in the golden shirt had a face full of scars, large hands and feet, and looked like a fierce demon.

"Fellow Daoist Tang, are you looking to buy pills from me?"

Shen Long said with a smile.

"No, Fellow Daoist Shen, this is my Eighth Uncle, Tang Yilong. He heard about your deeds and came to introduce himself."

Tang Kezhen explained.

"My name is Tang Yilong. I've heard that Fellow Daoist Shen is very powerful. Would you be interested in sparring with me?"

Tang Yilong's voice was loud and clear, his eyes burning with passion.

"Let's have a friendly spar!"

Shen Long was somewhat tempted; sparring with fellow practitioners was one way to overcome a bottleneck.