Chen Shiyu

A Quiet Manor with a waterwheel corridor and an artificial hill garden.

Shangguan Yulong and a slender Silver-Skirted Maiden sat in a Red Stone Pavilion, sipping tea and chatting.

"I didn't expect Fellow Daoist Shen to have come to the Southern Border Cultivation World. It seems I've arrived just in time."

The Silver-Skirted Maiden smiled and spoke in a sweet voice.

"It's been a while since I've seen Fellow Daoist Shen. I wonder what level he's reached in his cultivation."

Shangguan Yulong said with a smile.

Not long after, Shangguan Yunshuo brought Shen Long in.

"Fellow Daoist Shen, it's been a long time."

Shangguan Yulong said warmly, inviting Shen Long to sit down.

"This humble sister, Xue Xingyue, greets Fellow Daoist Shen."

The Silver-Skirted Maiden bowed and smiled.

"I've long admired Fairy Xue's name; today I'm finally able to meet her in True Person."

Shen Long's tone was warm.

He was telling the truth. Xue Xingyue was a descendant of Xue Yuan, the sect leader of the Heavenly Talisman Sect. She was skilled in talisman-making and had a considerable reputation in the Southern Border Cultivation World.

"My sister only has some empty reputation, unlike Fellow Daoist Shen, whose name is truly renowned. In any case, I am not capable of killing the Mysterious Yin Ghost Mother on my own."

Xue Xingyue smiled wryly.

After a cup of tea, the conversation naturally began.

"By the way, Fellow Shangguan, I heard you're quite familiar with Du Xiao of the Thousand Poisons Sect. Could you introduce us?"

Shen Long said politely.

The Thousand Poisons Sect is one of the six major forces in the Southern Border Cultivation World, with numerous experts. Du Xiao is a diviner and is known as the number one diviner in Southern Border.

There are fewer than five Nascent Soul Realm diviners in the entire Gan Yang Realm, and Du Xiao is one of them.

Shen Long wanted to consult Du Xiao fortuitous opportunity his future fortune, hoping it might narrow down the possibilities.

"Fellow Daoist Shen, your timing is unfortunate. Half a month ago, Fairy Du went to the North Sea Cultivation World. She told me this herself."

Shangguan Yulong said.

"He's gone to the North Sea Cultivation World!"

Shen Long frowned.

"Yes! As for when she'll be back, that's unclear."

Shangguan Yulong said.

"Fellow Daoist Shen, it's rare for you to come to Southern Border. Stay a little longer; perhaps Fairy Du will return later."

Xue Xingyue said.

"Yes! Fellow Daoist Shen, if Fairy Du returns to the Southern Border, I will inform you immediately."

Shangguan Yulong said.

Shen Long nodded and said, "I also plan to stay in the Southern Border Cultivation World for a while longer. By the way, has anything major happened in the Southern Border Cultivation World recently?"

"Internal strife has broken out among the Witch Clan, with several Nascent Soul Cultivator engaging in a fierce battle. Some Witch Clan cultivators have even asked our Human Race cultivators for help."

Shangguan Yulong said with a smile.

"The Witch Clan currently has no Spirit Transformation cultivators, and they are all unwilling to submit to each other. It's normal for them to fight amongst themselves. Even a major power like our Human Race would fight amongst themselves if it didn't have high-level cultivators to keep it in check. It's just a matter of time."

Xue Xingyue didn't take it seriously. She remembered something and said, "By the way, Fellow Daoist Shen, I heard that the Ten Thousand Swords Assembly is being held in the East Hua Cultivation World. Did Senior Mo of the Ten Thousand Swords Sect show up?"

It's just a matter of time; news of what happened at the Ten Thousand Swords Assembly hasn't yet reached the Southern Border Cultivation World.

Shen Long briefly recounted the situation of the Ten Thousand Swords Assembly, omitting his sparring session with True Monarch Li Huo, and focusing on the Preaching of the Green Lotus Sword Venerable.

"What! The Green Lotus Sword Venerable Preaching? If I had known this, I would have dropped everything and gone to the Ten Thousand Swords Assembly."

Xue Xingyue said in a regretful tone.

"Indeed! Spirit Transformation cultivator Preaching a once-in-a-millennium event."

Shangguan Yulong expressed his strong agreement.

After chatting for a while, Shen Long got down to business. "Shangguan Daoist Shangguan, I'd like to search for fire-attribute spirit medicine and Fourth-Rank Spirit Beast. I wonder which places in the Southern Border Cultivation World have the most Volcano?"

Relying solely on the Five Saints Sect wouldn't be enough; Shen Long planned to leverage his personal network to find as many clues as possible.

"There are too many Volcano in the Southern Border Cultivation World. Ten Volcano Cluster are quite famous, the most famous being the Fire Qilin Mountain Range. A fifth-tier Fire Qilin Beast once appeared there. The Fire Element Demon Beast resources there are abundant. Don't underestimate the Fire Qilin Mountain Range. Several fellow cultivators have died there. If Fellow Daoist Shen is interested, I will send someone to compile a list of Volcano materials and send it to you later."

Shangguan Yulong said that this was a trivial matter for him.

"Thank you very much, Fellow Shangguan."

Shen Long thanked him.

After chatting for half an hour, Shen Long took his leave and arrived at the entrance of a vast manor with three large golden characters on the plaque: "Spirit Control Garden".

Two Foundation Establishment Cultivator stood guard at the entrance. Upon seeing Shen Long, they quickly bowed and greeted him, "Grandmaster Shen!"

"Have Changfeng and the others gone out?"

Shen Long asked casually.

"Uncle Su and the others are all at the Spirit Control Garden and haven't gone out yet."

"A Foundation Establishment Cultivator said."

Shen Long nodded and strode inside, where he met Su Changfeng and twelve other Core Formation Cultivator in a small courtyard.

"Greetings, Master (Uncle-Master Shen)."

Su Changfeng and the others bowed respectfully.

"You don't need to stay in the Spirit Control Garden forever. Proceed according to plan. Junior Nephew Liu, Junior Nephew Xu, and Junior Nephew Ning, you will form one team and follow Junior Nephew Liu's instructions."

Shen Long gave the order.

The twelve Core Formation Cultivator each had their own responsibilities. Su Changfeng was responsible for befriending Core Formation Cultivator from powerful forces, Liu Yuruo, Ning Qianqian, and Xu Feng were responsible for investigating the Volcano Cluster in the Southern Border and the deeds of high-level cultivators.

Shen Long didn't know what the great fortuitous opportunity was. It could be a miraculous elixir, a treasure, a powerful Spirit Beast, or even a rare and precious heavenly materials and earthly treasures.

"Yes, Master (Uncle-Master Shen)."

Su Changfeng and the others readily agreed.

Shen Long waved his hand, signaling them to move around freely.

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The Seven Clouds Mountain Range are located in the northwest of Southern Border, and this is the General Headquarters of the Seven Clouds Merchant Alliance.

Deep within the mountains, numerous buildings and figures can be seen moving about; this Seven Clouds Peak, the forbidden area of the Seven Clouds Merchant Alliance.

At the top of Seven Clouds Peak sits a sprawling estate with the three large characters "Seven Rosy Clouds Garden" inscribed on its plaque.

The Seven Rosy Clouds Garden features pavilions, terraces, waterside pavilions, and long corridors.

A plump Blue-Skirted Matron sat in a Blue Stone Pavilion, and Jin Bao was reporting to her.

"What! One of our caravans has been wiped out! Do you know who did it?!"

The Blue-Skirted Matron frowned as she spoke.

Chen Shiyu, early stage of the Spirit Transformation.

"It's still unclear. There are no survivors. We've already sent people to investigate. There were four Nascent Soul Cultivator traveling with them, and Fellow Daoist Li, who was leading the group, also had Spirit Treasure. Logically speaking, even if they were outmatched, he should have been able to escape. According to the person guarding the Life Soul Lamp, the Life Soul Lamp of the high-level cultivators in that caravan all went out in a very short time. This shows that the enemy was very strong, and they were powerless to resist."

Jin Bao told the truth.

"In my name, I will contact all the major powers in the North Sea to make every effort to apprehend the murderer and issue a hefty reward."

Chen Shiyu gave the instructions.

"Yes, Elder Chen."

Jin Bao agreed, then, remembering something, said, "Elder Chen, Senior Mo from the East Hua Cultivation World sent a message that Senior Ning has ascended to the Lingxu Realm and is no longer in the Lower Realm."

"So fast!"

Chen Shiyu asked in surprise.

"Senior Ning discovered an unknown Secret Realm and obtained many high-grade spirit medicine, which he refined into pills and consumed, saving him a great deal of time in arduous cultivation."

Jin Bao said.

Chen Shiyu suddenly understood and instructed, "Understood. Keep a close eye on any news from the unknown Secret Realm. Whoever finds a high-grade spirit medicine will be richly rewarded."

"Yes, Elder Chen."

Jin Bao agreed.