Shen Long put away the Spirit Stones on the Communication Array and walked out.
Qin Qing stood at the doorway, his face slightly pale.
Relying on two First Rank spells cultivated to Great Perfection, he had escaped safely.
Qin Qing was somewhat surprised to see Shen Long unharmed, but he did not ask further questions. They arrived at Green Bamboo Courtyard, where Xu Lei and the other four were seated in a stone pavilion, discussing something.
Xu Lei's face was pale, Xu Wen's right arm had vanished without a trace, and Sun Yang and Xu Wu did not look well either.
"Fellow Daoist Shen, you weren't pursued?"
Sun Yang asked doubtfully.
"I slaughtered him."
Shen Long spoke lightly. Thinking of something, he asked curiously, "Daoist Xu, weren't three Qi Refining Cultivators chasing you?"
"I killed one of them, but the Ice Crystal Scorpion also died at the enemy's hands. I barely managed to escape. After this battle, we won't be able to go out hunting Monster Beasts for some time. Everyone should focus on recovering first. Don't leave the Marketplace lightly during this period. Chen Xiong will definitely keep an eye on us."
Xu Lei spoke in a somewhat weak tone.
The Spirit Insect that had accompanied him for years had been killed, leaving him deeply regretful. Without the Ice Crystal Scorpion this time, he would have lost his life.
Shen Long nodded. He had killed members of the Chen Xiong Monster Hunting Team, so Chen Xiong certainly would not let the matter rest. Within the Marketplace, Chen Xiong and the others did not dare lay hands on him, but once he left the Marketplace, that was another matter.
After chatting for a few moments, Shen Long and the other three departed one after another, leaving behind Xu Lei and Sun Yang.
"Is he really that strong? He actually killed a sixth-layer Qi Refining Cultivator."
Sun Yang asked doubtfully.
"That kid has been hiding his abilities all along. Over the years, he set aside time every day to practice spells. He must have cultivated several First Rank spells to Great Perfection. Few Rogue Cultivators can match that kind of perseverance."
Xu Lei said.
"That's true. Chen Xiong is a huge problem. We have to find a way to get rid of him."
Sun Yang suggested.
"We'll discuss it after I recover. If I do not avenge this grudge, I swear I am not human."
Xu Lei's eyes brimmed with icy light.
After returning to his residence, Shen Long sat cross-legged on the stone bed and considered how to handle the situation before him.
He had killed someone from Chen Xiong's Monster Hunting Team. They definitely would not spare him, so he needed to increase his strength as much as possible.
He had not been at the fifth layer of Qi Refining for long, and it was impossible for him to advance to the sixth layer in a short time. He currently possessed six Dharma Artifacts, but could control at most two at once. Therefore, he needed to purchase powerful Talismans for protection against unforeseen circumstances.
No one knew how long Xu Lei and the others would need to recover. For a long period, he might have no income at all.
Rent and the cost of purchasing Golden Pearl Spirit Rice came to at least twenty Spirit Stones a year.
Under such circumstances, he simply could not afford to raise the Snow Wing Ice Centipede. Selling it for a sum of Spirit Stones and improving his strength as much as possible was the best strategy.
Having thought this through, Shen Long gained a clear plan for the future.
He silently recited the incantation and began circulating his cultivation technique.
Night fell, and the Marketplace was ablaze with lights. Shen Long emerged from the stone house and headed toward the Martial Practice Garden on the mountain.
More than half an hour later, a plain-looking Blue-Shirted Youth emerged from the Martial Practice Garden. It was Shen Long, his appearance altered.
He wandered through the streets, stopping and starting along the way. Only after confirming that no one was following him did he arrive before a nine-story Cyan Pavilion. The three golden words "Treasure Pavilion" on its plaque shone brilliantly. This was the largest shop in the Marketplace. It was said to have been opened by some merchant alliance, and in any case, it had no connection to the Chen Clan, Han Clan, or Li Family.
Shen Long strode inside. The main hall of the Treasure Pavilion was far grander than that of the Hundred Spirits Pavilion. A group of attendants dressed in identical green robes were introducing goods to customers.
"How may I assist you, Fellow Daoist?"
A Green-Shirted Attendant hurried over and asked warmly.
"I wish to sell something. I heard that your Treasure Pavilion also purchases goods."
Shen Long said.
"Please come upstairs, Fellow Daoist. The seventh floor is specifically responsible for purchasing goods."
The Green-Shirted Attendant led the way, bringing Shen Long to the seventh floor, where there were more than ten private rooms.
Shen Long followed the Green-Shirted Attendant into one of the private rooms. The room was small, containing a cyan wooden table and several wooden stools. In one corner stood a formation roughly a zhang across.
"Please wait a moment, Fellow Daoist. Someone will soon come negotiate with you."
After saying this, the Green-Shirted Attendant turned and left.
Not long after Shen Long sat down, a voluptuous Green-Skirted Young Woman and a maid in a yellow dress entered. The yellow-dressed maid carried a steaming cup of Spirit Tea. After setting down the tea, she withdrew and closed the door.
The Green-Skirted Young Woman sent a spell seal into the formation, and a thick Cyan Light Screen immediately appeared over the door.
"I am Lin Yu. Please take out your item, Fellow Daoist, so I may examine it and name a price."
The Green-Skirted Young Woman spoke somewhat lazily.
Shen Long was only at the fifth layer of Qi Refining, so she did not think he could produce anything particularly valuable.
Shen Long took out a white wooden box and pushed it before Lin Yu.
Lin Yu lifted the lid and saw a Black Centipede about a foot long inside. A pair of snowy-white thin wings grew from its back, and a pair of white antennae rested upon its head.
"This is a Spirit Insect I caught only after great difficulty. Madam Lin should be able to recognize what kind of Spirit Insect it is, right?"
Shen Long said.
"An ice attribute Spirit Centipede. That is rather rare."
Lin Yu's willow brows furrowed. She felt it strongly resembled a Spirit Insect listed on the Heaven and Earth Exotic Insect Ranking, but she did not dare be certain. If she misidentified it, that would be troublesome.
"Please sit for a moment, Fellow Daoist. I will invite Elder Qin over. Elder Qin is skilled in this field. How does that sound?"
Lin Yu asked politely.
"Go and return quickly."
Shen Long said, closing the lid.
Lin Yu bowed, removed the restriction, and pushed open the door to leave.
After a while, Lin Yu returned with a vigorous green-robed elder. They closed the door and activated the restriction.
"This old man is Qin Dong. Could Fellow Daoist release that Spirit Insect?"
The green-robed old man said politely.
Shen Long opened the lid, and the Snow Wing Ice Centipede flew out. It spewed frigid air, rapidly lowering the temperature in the room. A vast patch of white frost appeared in the air.
The Snow Wing Ice Centipede lunged at Qin Dong. Qin Dong brought out a Cyan Net gleaming with cyan light and ensnared the Snow Wing Ice Centipede.
The Snow Wing Ice Centipede struggled without pause, spewing frigid air. Even the Cyan Net froze over.
"It truly is a Snow Wing Ice Centipede!"
Qin Dong revealed a delighted expression.
"Since Fellow Daoist Qin recognizes it, name your price!"
Shen Long said.
Qin Dong pondered for a moment before saying, "We offer four hundred Spirit Stones."
"Only four hundred? Fellow Daoist Qin, the Li Family's Hundred Spirits Pavilion is not far from here."
Shen Long said meaningfully.
"Five hundred. This is the highest price this old man can offer, after all, it is only first rank early stage."
Qin Dong added another hundred Spirit Stones.
"Deal. I would like to purchase several powerful Talismans. What do you have to recommend?"
Shen Long asked, inwardly overjoyed.
He had never expected a first rank early stage Snow Wing Ice Centipede to sell for such a high price. Among the first rank early stage Spirit Insects in the Hundred Spirits Pavilion, the most expensive kind sold for only one hundred Spirit Stones.
"Lin Yu, I'll leave him to you. Treat this Fellow Daoist well."
Qin Dong instructed, then departed with the Snow Wing Ice Centipede.
Lin Yu took out a Golden Dharma Disk and handed it to Shen Long. Smiling warmly, she said, "This is our shop's Talisman catalogue. Take your time choosing, Fellow Daoist."
Before you continue