Chu Yanran

Sun Huowang inspected the wolf pelt and sharp claws, nodded, and said, "One hundred and eighty spirit stones, how about it?"

This price was slightly higher than the market rate, so he agreed readily.

Sun Huowang took out one hundred and eighty spirit stones, and Shen Long tucked them into his storage bag.

"By the way, a Five Poisons Cult has emerged recently, causing quite a stir. I heard they have harmed many cultivators, so be careful when you go into the mountains to hunt demonic beasts."

Sun Huowang cautioned.

"Five Poisons Cult? How strong are they?"

Shen Long asked curiously.

"I heard the leader is a Foundation Establishment cultivator who raised a second-tier Purple-Striped Fire Centipede. This evil organization has already been wiped out by the Spirit Control Sect, but the ringleader, Five Poisons Rogue, is nowhere to be found."

Sun Huowang said. Thinking of something, he added, "Come to think of it, over a hundred years ago, another evil organization appeared and was also wiped out by the Spirit Control Sect."

"Many thanks for the warning, Shopkeeper. I will be careful."

Shen Long expressed his gratitude.

After chatting for a few more moments, Shen Long took his leave.

Returning to his residence, Shen Long activated the Soundproofing Array, entered the Spirit Control Tower, and released the Iron Tail Scorpion.

The Iron Tail Scorpion's tail stinger swayed left and right, and a sharp hissing sound emanated from its mouth.

Shen Long took out the carcass of a Howling Wind Wolf, drew his Mystic Water Blade, and skinned the wolf so the Iron Tail Scorpion could feast on the flesh.

"Enjoy your meal!"

After saying this, Shen Long exited the Spirit Control Tower.

He took out a red storage bag, shook it upside down, and after a flash of red light, a pile of items appeared on the stone bed.

After counting, there were one hundred and forty-seven spirit stones, two mid-grade magical artifacts, three jade slips, and two stalks of thirty-year-old Fire Cloud Grass.

He picked up a cyan jade slip and projected his divine sense into it.

The three jade slips contained the Earth Spirit Art, Miscellaneous Records of Qin Kingdom, and Record of Hundred Herbs. The Earth Spirit Art was a cultivation technique that could be practiced up to the eighth level of Qi Refining. Miscellaneous Records of Qin Kingdom recorded some anecdotes and interesting stories about the cultivation world of the Qin Kingdom, with some content overlapping with Travels of Master Azure Cloud. As for the Record of Hundred Herbs, it documented the appearance, efficacy, and growth environments of over a hundred types of spiritual herbs.

Shen Long put these items away. This time, the harvest was substantial; he had obtained two mid-grade magical artifacts, and both his first-tier talismans and the Iron Tail Scorpion had played significant roles.

He ate a bowl of spirit rice, sat cross-legged, and began to practice his cultivation.

A day passed quickly. Shen Long strolled along the street, planning to visit the square where rogue cultivators set up their stalls.

Passing an intersection, Shen Long saw Xu Lei, Sun Yang, Ye Yuqing, and Ye Yutang walking toward him.

"Fellow Daoist Xu, Fellow Daoist Sun, Fairy Ye, you have returned."

Shen Long greeted them with a smile.

"Fellow Daoist Shen, where are Fellow Daoist Qin and the others?"

Xu Lei asked.

"I'm not sure. I haven't run into them yet."

Shen Long replied truthfully.

"Come to my residence to talk!"

Xu Lei said.

The five of them arrived at Green Bamboo Courtyard and gathered in the stone pavilion.

"Fellow Daoist Xu, did you kill Chen Xiong?"

Shen Long asked.

"With Fairy Ye's help, Chen Xiong has been executed. However, Li Yue escaped. Since you killed her brother, she might seek revenge on you. But you don't need to worry too much; with Chen Xiong dead, Li Yue likely won't dare to stay here. Just don't go into the mountains alone."

Xu Lei said.

"Li Yue escaped."

Shen Long frowned and nodded.

After chatting for a while, Shen Long and the two sisters took their leave, but Sun Yang stayed behind.

"Shen Long actually managed to wipe out a sixth-level Qi Refining cultivator. This kid is far less simple than he looks."

Sun Yang said in a deep voice.

Shen Long's strength was too great, indirectly threatening Sun Yang's status. If Shen Long reached the seventh level of Qi Refining, he would be on equal footing with Xu Lei.

"He spends several hours every day practicing spells. It's possible he has cultivated multiple first-tier spells to perfection. As of now, he is still easy to talk to and hasn't acted against us."

Xu Lei said.

His own bottleneck had yet to be resolved, and in this mission to kill Chen Xiong, Ye Yutang and Ye Yuqing had played a major role.

"At the end of the day, it comes down to strength. I hope you resolve your bottleneck soon!"

Sun Yang said.

After a few more words, Sun Yang took his leave.

A vast Bluestone Square was filled with numerous small stalls, and Shen Long walked around to take a look.

Shen Long saw Chen Yishan accompanying a beautiful young girl in a white dress, who had a purple maple leaf pattern on her clothing.

This was the emblem of the Chu Clan of Purple Maple Valley; the Chu Clan had a Core Formation cultivator presiding over them and was backed by the Mystic Yang Sect, making them a powerful force.

"Fairy Chu, you must be tired after walking for so long! Let's go to the teahouse to have some tea and rest for a while."

Chen Yishan said with a fawning smile.

"No need, I am a bit tired, let's drink another day!"

The girl in the white dress refused.

"Then let me escort you back!"

Chen Yishan said enthusiastically.

"There is no need, my residence is not far from here, I can go back by myself. Fellow Daoist Chen, you should go attend to your own business!"

The girl in the white dress tactfully declined.

Chen Yishan smiled slightly and agreed.

Shen Long wandered around the square for a lap, but finding nothing of interest, he returned to his residence.

He activated the Soundproofing Array, sat cross-legged on the stone bed, and began to circulate his energy to cultivate.

In a secluded courtyard with grey tiles, there was a three-story cyan pavilion and a cyan bamboo pavilion.

A refined-looking scholar in white robes sat inside the bamboo pavilion, and the girl in the white dress was reporting to him.

"Eighth Uncle, Chen Yishan is too annoying, he's like a piece of adhesive plaster; wherever I go, he follows. I have no way to inquire about news regarding the Blood Blade Rogue."

The girl in the white dress complained.

"Yanran, have some patience in your work. Since he is pestering you, can't you find a way to shake him off? This place isn't just home to one clan."

The scholar in white robes suggested.

"Shaking him off isn't difficult, but has the Blood Blade Rogue really been here?"

The girl in the white dress asked doubtfully.

Their true purpose for coming to Thousand Bamboo Valley was to search for the Blood Blade Rogue, a Core Formation cultivator who had been active over two hundred years ago.

"According to your Eighteenth Uncle's investigation, he appeared in Qing Prefecture. As for whether he has been to Thousand Bamboo Valley, it is hard to say. We only know that this person possessed a Blood Jade Toad, and since a Blood Jade Toad has appeared in the Thousand Bamboo Mountain Range, I decided to bring you here."

The scholar in white robes said.

Chu Wenbin, Foundation Establishment Middle Stage.

"The Blood Jade Toad is an exotic insect on the Heaven and Earth Exotic Insect Ranking. It is indeed strange for one to appear in the Thousand Bamboo Mountain Range, but that doesn't necessarily mean the Blood Blade Rogue is in Qing Prefecture!"

Chu Yanran said with doubt.

"That is true, but since we have a rare lead, we must come and investigate. I hope we can find his trail; if we could obtain that item, it would be wonderful."

Chu Wenbin's face revealed a look of longing.

Judging by his words, that item was something very precious.

"We have stayed here for so long without finding any clues. The spiritual energy here is barren, and the cultivation resources are pitifully scarce. There are many swindlers here; someone actually tried to pass off Fire Cloud Centipede eggs as Purple-Striped Fire Centipede eggs. They only manage to fool those who are ignorant."

Chu Yanran said with disdain.

"Let's stay for a while longer! If we still can't find any other clues, we will leave. This trip won't have been in vain, at least you obtained a Snow Cloud Fox."

Chu Wenbin said with a smile.

"Yes, Eighth Uncle!"

Chu Yanran was overjoyed and readily agreed.