Seeking Help from an Old Acquaintance
The Mandala Mountain Range are located in the central part of the Southern Border Cultivation World. They are named after the large number of Mandala Wood that grow there, and this is the ancestral home of the Song Family.
The Song Family has a history of over ten thousand years, with many Nascent Soul Cultivator and numerous experts.
A group of the Song Family members were patrolling, led by a tall Purple-Robed Youth robe.
"Someone's coming."
The Purple-Robed Youth waved his hand, signaling his clansmen to stop.
A streak of Red Escape Light appeared on the distant horizon, then stopped in a flash. The Escape Light receded, revealing a red-glowing flying boat. Four men and three women stood on it. Besides Shen Long and his group of six, there was also a tall, thin man in red.
The man in the red shirt had regular features, and his clothes had a small tree pattern on them, which was the symbol of the Mantosong Song Family.
"It's the Great Ancestor Weiguang!"
The Purple-Robed Youth recognized the man in red and bowed respectfully.
"You can continue your patrol!"
Song Weiguang gave the instructions.
The Purple-Robed Youth and the others responded and flew away on their magical artifacts into the distance.
Du Yinyin made a hand seal, and the Red Flying Boat flew forward.
After a while, the Red Flying Boat stopped, and ahead was a Purple Miasma that covered hundreds of miles.
Song Weiguang took out a square token that shimmered with purple light, infused it with his Law Power, and a beam of purple light flew out and disappeared into the Purple Miasma. The Purple Miasma churned and slowly dissipated, revealing a continuous mountain range with numerous buildings and cultivators.
"Senior Du, please wait a moment. I'll go report to Aunt Xueqing."
Song Weiguang gave a greeting and then transformed into a Escape Light, flying inside.
Du Yinyin nodded and waited where she was.
Less than a quarter of an hour later, Song Weiguang flew out and said respectfully, "Senior Du, Aunt Xueqing invites you. Please come with me."
Song Weiguang led the way, with Du Yinyin piloting the Red Flying Boat closely behind.
They landed in a vast estate, where many poisonous flowers, pavilions, and towers were planted.
A White-Skirted Woman White-Skirted Woman graceful figure sat in a Cyan Stone Pavilion. Her features were exquisite, and she had a beauty mark at the corner of her mouth.
"Madam Du, it's been a long time."
The White-Skirted Woman greeted him with a smile.
"Madam Song, you've advanced to the mid-stage? Congratulations!"
Du Yinyin looked on with envy.
Song Xueqing invited Du Yinyin to sit down, and they chatted over tea, while Shen Long and the others stood aside.
After chatting for a while, Du Yinyin pointed to Master Ice Silkworm and said, "Madam Song, this is Nephew Lin. He has been afflicted by the Blood-Decay Spirit-Extinguishing Curse. Do you have any way to break this curse?"
It took them more than half a year to reach the Southern Border Cultivation World.
"Roll up your sleeves, let me see."
Song Xueqing gave the instructions.
Master Ice Silkworm dared not be negligent and obediently rolled up his sleeves, revealing blood-red patterns on his arms.
"When did you fall under the spell? Are you experiencing any physical discomfort? Tell me in detail."
Song Xueqing gave the instructions.
Master Ice Silkworm truthfully explained that with the Green Lotus Yuan-Stagnating Talisman, he did not feel any discomfort for the time being.
"So it was the Green Lotus Yuan-Stagnating Talisman. No wonder you could hold out for so long."
Song Xueqing suddenly realized.
"Madam Song, is there any way to resolve this?"
Du Yinyin asked.
"Of course, but it requires a few rare materials. I'll contact my clansmen to see if they have any."
Song Xueqing took out a Dharma Disk that shimmered with white light, cast a spell, and then gestured.
"The other materials are easy to find, but we are missing three: an 800-year-old Golden Neon Grass, Third-Rank Yin-Evil Beast's Poison Sac, and an 800-year-old Snow Hibiscus Seed. Yin-Evil Beast usually live in places with dense Yin Qi and are very rare now. We might be able to find them in the Mysterious Yin Grotto-Heaven. The Golden Neon Grass and Snow Hibiscus Seed have special growing environments and are not easy to find. We have a 700-year-old Golden Neon Grass."
Song Xueqing said.
"The Yin-Evil Beast, the Golden Neon Grass, and the Snow Hibiscus Seed!"
Du Yinyin's eyebrows furrowed slightly.
"Next month, the Shangguan Clan is preparing to hold a large-scale Auction, which will attract many Nascent Soul Cultivator. There may be these three items."
Song Xueqing said.
"More than half a year has passed, Green Lotus Yuan-Stagnating Talisman is about to expire. If Auction, Nephew Lin will be in danger."
Du Yinyin frowned and said.
They are racing against time; the longer they delay, the more dangerous it becomes for Master Ice Silkworm.
"Aunt Du, this disciple is willing to go to the Mysterious Yin Grotto-Heaven to find the Yin-Evil Beast."
Shen Long volunteered.
Wu Mountain was originally targeting Shen Long, Master Ice Silkworm was suffering in Shen Long's place.
"The Mysterious Yin Grotto-Heaven is frequented by many high-level Ghost Creature, including even Ghost Creature at the Nascent Soul Realm stage. You alone don't have much of a chance."
Song Xueqing reminded her.
"This junior will go with Fellow Daoist Shen!"
Han Yuwei volunteered.
"Mother, I want to go too."
Lin Yutong echoed.
"The Mysterious Yin Grotto-Heaven Heaven is very large, and finding the Yin-Evil Beast is not easy. It's not simply a matter of having more people."
Song Weiguang explained.
"I'll go with Fairy Lin."
Shen Long said.
"Then so be it! Nephew Shen, Young Friend Lin, you two go to the Mysterious Yin Grotto-Heaven to search for the Yin-Evil Beast, and do what you can. We'll go to the Auction and try to gather these three materials."
Du Yinyin said.
"Yes, Senior Aunt Du."
Shen Long and Lin Yutong readily agreed.
Song Xueqing took out a black Dharma Disk and handed it to Shen Long, saying, "This is the Ghost-Seeking Disk. Within a certain range, it can detect traces of Ghost Creature. However, this only works for ordinary Ghost Creature. More powerful Ghost Creature cannot be detected by the Ghost-Seeking Disk, so please be careful!"
"Thank you very much, Senior Song."
Shen Long thanked him and accepted the Ghost-Seeking Disk.
"Act cautiously, within your capabilities, and do not overexert yourself."
"Master Ice Silkworm gave instructions."
Shen Long nodded and agreed.
Du Yinyin gave a few instructions, and Song Xueqing asked Song Weiguang to see Shen Long and Lin Yutong off.
After leaving the Song Family, Shen Long summoned the Sea-Crossing Boat and boarded it, with Lin Yutong following behind.
Shen Long made a hand seal, and the Sea-Crossing Boat emitted a dazzling blue light, flying into the sky and quickly disappearing into the horizon.
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The Five Saints Sect was once the number one sect in the Southern Border Cultivation World, with countless experts. However, after experiencing several major calamities, the Five Saints Sect suffered heavy casualties among its high-level cultivators, and is now far from what it used to be.
The Five Poisons Marketplace is Marketplace established by the Five Saints Sect, attracting merchants and travelers from all over.
The streets were teeming with people and bustling with traffic.
In a secluded manor, Qin Ming and a voluptuous Black-Skirted Woman sat in a Cyan Stone Pavilion, sipping tea and chatting.
Qin Ming has already formed his core; he is currently in the early stage of core formation.
"The Shangguan Clan is holding a large Auction. Let's go! Maybe we can get what we need."
The Black-Skirted Woman offered her advice.
Qin Ming nodded, about to say something, when he took out a golden Communication Disk, cast a spell, and a respectful male voice sounded, "Master, there is a senior named Shen Long who says he is an old acquaintance of yours and wants to talk to you about something."
"Shen Long? It's him! Bring him here!"
Qin Ming gave the instructions.
"Yes, Master."
The man agreed.
"After many years, he has already advanced to the Golden Core Realm."
Qin Ming sighed.
"My Husband, who is Shen Long? I've never heard you mention him before."
The Black-Skirted Woman asked, puzzled.
Lin Lin, early stage of Core Formation, is Qin Ming's dao companion.
"I visited the East Hua Cultivation World in my early years and met this person at a gathering. I traded a Spirit-Tracking Beast Spirit Beast Egg for a Hundred-Eyed Golden Cicada Insect Eggs with him."
Qin Ming explained.
"I see. What is this person's background?"
Lin Lin asked curiously.
"He said he was Rogue Cultivator, but he's skilled in insect and beast control, so he shouldn't be Rogue Cultivator. I haven't seen him for many years, so he must have something to say to me."
Qin Ming said.
Not long after, a short, stout man in a red robe and Shen Long walked in.
"Fellow Daoist Shen, it's been a long time."
Qin Ming said enthusiastically.
"It's been many years. Fellow Daoist Qin has advanced to the Golden Core Realm. And who is this fairy?"
Shen Long's gaze fell on the Black-Skirted Woman.
"I am Lin Lin. I have heard my Husband mention Fellow Daoist Shen before. I am finally able to meet True Person."
Lin Lin bowed and said politely.
"So it's Madam Qin. This bottle of top-grade Beast Rearing Pill is a small token of my appreciation. Congratulations to you two on your marriage."
Shen Long chuckled and took out a Cyan Porcelain Bottle, handing it to Qin Ming.
"A superior-grade Beast Rearing Pill?"
Qin Ming was slightly taken aback.
He had only met Shen Long once and they weren't particularly close. For Shen Long to give him a bottle of Beast Rearing Pill right away, there must be something going on.
"Fellow Daoist Shen, you're too kind. There are no outsiders here, so please feel free to speak your mind."
Qin Ming said solemnly.
"I am looking for the Poison Sac of Third-Rank Yin-Evil Beast. I wonder if Fellow Daoist Qin has any way to obtain it? I am willing to pay a high price or exchange it for other items."
Shen Long then explained his purpose.
The Five Saints Sect has a long history, and it might possess the Poison Sac of Third-Rank Yin-Evil Beast. Even if it doesn't, Qin Ming should have a better understanding of the Mysterious Yin Grotto-Heaven, which would be helpful for Shen Long's search for the Yin-Evil Beast.
"Third-Rank Yin-Evil Beast?"
Qin Ming frowned, shook his head, and said, "To be honest, our Five Saints Sect is also buying up the Poison Sac of Third-Rank Yin-Evil Beast at high prices, so I can't help you."
He returned the porcelain vase to Shen Long, but Shen Long refused to accept it.
"It's just a bottle of pills, which I refined myself. They're not worth much. I came to the Southern Border Cultivation World with Aunt Du on business this time, and I thought I'd come and pay a visit to Fellow Daoist Qin."
Shen Long said with a smile.
When he first met Qin Ming, he was Rogue Cultivator.
"Fellow Daoist Shen is Alchemist? You can refine High-Grade Medicinal Pill?"
Lin Lin asked in surprise.
"Yes! I can refine High-Grade Medicinal Pill. Does Madam Qin need my help with pill refining?"
Shen Long said enthusiastically.
The Mysterious Yin Grotto-Heaven is no good place, Shen Long certainly wouldn't enter it to find the Yin-Evil Beast Mysterious Yin Grotto-Heaven just a Ghost-Seeking Disk. If he could get Qin Ming's help, he might be able to avoid some detours.
Qin Ming and Lin Lin's eyes lit up, and they exchanged a glance.
"Fellow Daoist Shen, do you have any High-Grade Medicinal Pill that can cure fire poison? For Core Formation Cultivator."
Qin Ming asked, his face full of anticipation.
"I've run out. I can buy materials to refine it."
Shen Long said.
He possesses many Ice Snow Pill, which can cure fire poison.
Things that are too easily obtained are not valued by the other party.
"Fellow Daoist Shen, what materials do you need? I'll go find them. My elder brother has been poisoned by fire and needs High-Grade Medicinal Pill to heal him."
Lin Lin said sincerely.
"Does your Five Saints Sect lack Alchemist capable of refining High-Grade Medicinal Pill?"
Shen Long asked, puzzled.
"Of course there are, but not many. One is out, and the other is in seclusion for life-or-death cultivation. I would appreciate Fellow Daoist Shen's help; I will inquire about the Poison Sac of the Third-Rank Yin-Evil Beast."
Qin Ming promised.
"I have the materials, and I can refine it in a while. If I don't have Third-Rank Yin-Evil Beast Poison Sac, knowing where Third-Rank Yin-Evil Beast appear will also help."
Shen Long said.
Qin Ming nodded and said, "Alright, we'll return to the General Headquarters immediately to inquire about the Third-Rank Yin-Evil Beast's Poison Sac. Fellow Daoist Shen, please start refining pills right away."
To be honest, he hadn't taken Shen Long's words to heart. They weren't close, so he wouldn't have gone to great lengths to help find the Inner Core of Third-Rank Yin-Evil Beast. But things were different now; his brother-in-law needed High-Grade Medicinal Pill to cure his fire poison.
It's a deal.
Shen Long agreed.
After chatting for a few minutes, Shen Long said goodbye and left.
A quarter of an hour later, he appeared in a secluded Blue-tiled Courtyard. Inside the courtyard was a two-story Cyan Pavilion and a Cyan Stone Pavilion. Lin Yutong sat in the stone pavilion, looking anxious.
"So, Fellow Daoist Shen, has the other party agreed to help?"
Lin Yutong asked.
"They agreed to help, but we can't put all our hopes on them. Fairy Lin, please go out and about in the Marketplace, offer high prices to buy the Poison Sac of Third-Rank Yin-Evil Beast, gather some information and maps about the Mysterious Yin Grotto-Heaven, and buy Talisman and treasures to restrain Ghost Creature. I can't show myself for the time being, as I need to help them refine a batch of pills."
Shen Long said.
Since the fate of Master Ice Silkworm is at stake, Shen Long won't place all his hopes on Qin Ming and Lin Lin; he needs to make multiple preparations.
"No problem, I'll take care of it."
Lin Yutong agreed.
After chatting for a few minutes, Shen Long entered the Cyan Pavilion.
He entered the Alchemy Room, where there was a Red Prayer Mat. He sat cross-legged on the Cattail Mat, took out the Crimson Crow Cauldron and the alchemy materials, and began to refine pills.
He planned to refine more healing pills, Mysterious Yin Grotto-Heaven was very dangerous, and the more healing pills the better.