Spirit Beasts Make Their Mark
Seven days passed quickly at Chen Family Rice Shop.
Chen Liang was greeting guests when he seemed to sense something and instructed Chen Er, "Chen Er, you greet Fellow Daoist Liu. I have some matters to attend to."
After saying this, he quickly walked to the backyard, casually placed a Soundproof Barrier, took out a cyan Communication Disk, and cast a spell. Shen Long's voice rang out. "Five hundred miles southwest of the Marketplace, follow the guide to find a cave. I'll be waiting for you in the cave."
"Yes, Uncle Yu."
Chen Liang agreed, put away the cyan Communication Disk, and took out a golden Communication Disk. He cast a spell and said, "Fellow Daoist Zhao, my Uncle Yu has arranged to meet me at a cave 500 li southwest of the Marketplace."
"Then go ahead! Just give him the things."
Zhao Bin gave the instructions.
"Yes, Fellow Daoist Zhao."
Chen Liang agreed, put away the golden Communication Disk, and walked out.
After leaving the Marketplace, Chen Liang rode his weapon southwestward at a very fast speed.
After flying more than 500 miles, Chen Liang landed in a Cyan Bamboo Forest and, following the markings, arrived at a hidden underground cave.
He had just entered the cave when he saw Shen Long.
"Uncle-Master Yu!"
Chen Liang breathed a sigh of relief; he thought he had made another wasted trip.
"Where's Golden Cypress Stone?!"
Shen Long asked.
Chen Liang quickly took out a piece of golden ore and handed it to Shen Long.
Shen Long took the golden ore, feeling its weight. After careful examination, he confirmed it was Golden Cypress Stone and said, "Not bad, thank you for your hard work, you did a good job."
"Uncle-Master Yu, how's that matter going? When can I be transferred back to the General Headquarters?"
Chen Liang asked.
"I haven't been able to get in touch with my superiors yet. You did a great job this time. I'll mention your case when I contact them."
Shen Long said.
"Then I'll leave it to you, Uncle-Master. This is just a small token of my appreciation; I really don't want to stay in the Zhao Kingdom any longer."
Chen Liang took out a Blue Storage Bag and handed it to Shen Long.
Shen Long took the Storage Bag, scanned it with his Divine Sense, nodded, and was about to say something when he frowned, quickly retreated, and dozens of thick Yellow Earth Spear burst from the ground, striking his original position.
Even if his reaction is only half a beat slow, he will be stabbed through the heart.
Shen Long's face darkened as he looked at Chen Liang.
He never expected that Chen Liang would betray him; if it weren't for his quick reflexes, he would have died here.
Chen Liang shuddered, gave a bitter laugh, and said, "Uncle-Master Yu, I have no choice but to join the Hundred Ghosts Sect! There will be many ways out for us."
Li Jian, Chen Hong, and Liu Biao emerged from underground, their expressions indifferent.
"Fellow Daoist Yu, a wise person knows when to yield. You'd better cooperate with us obediently! Otherwise, you'll have a hard time even if you want to die."
Li Jian said.
Just as Shen Long was about to answer, he quickly moved to the left, and a semi-transparent Ghost Shadow appeared, lunging towards Shen Long's original position.
Judging from the powerful Yin Qi emanating from the Ghost Shadow, it was clearly Foundation Establishment Realm Ghost Creature.
Shen Long released the Iron Tail Scorpion, the Fire Rock Beast, and more than two thousand Gold-Eating Ant. The Iron Tail Scorpion emitted a bright yellow light and burrowed into the ground.
Li Jian released the Copper Armored Corpse, while Chen Hong summoned a Black Scroll depicting numerous Ghost Creature. He infused it with a spell, and a mournful Ghost Wail sound rang out as a large number of Ghost Creature flew out and pounced on Shen Long.
Liu Biao brandished a long staff that gleamed with black light and charged towards Shen Long.
Chen Liang also unleashed a Mid-grade Magical Tool to attack Shen Long.
Shen Long made a hand seal, and more than two thousand Gold-Eating Ant suddenly condensed into hundreds of Golden Arrow about a foot long, which rushed towards the attacking Ghost Creature.
The Fire Rock Beast opened its mouth and spewed out dozens of Crimson Fireball the size of millstones, which slammed into the Ghost Creature.
The Copper Armored Corpse bent its legs, leaped up several meters high, and pounced on Shen Long.
As soon as it landed, more than a dozen thick, Cyan Vine sprouted from the ground and wrapped around its body.
The Copper Armored Corpse struggled violently, easily severing the Cyan Vine. A Giant Fireball fell from the sky and smashed into its body, engulfing it in billowing flames.
At the same time, a Cyan Tornado came rushing towards it, and the powerful airflow pushed it into the Cyan Tornado.
One after another, sharp Cyan Wind Blade struck the Copper Armored Corpse, producing a muffled clang of metal clashing. Its body was covered in bloodstains, and the white bones were faintly visible.
The Ghost Creature was struck by the Crimson Fireball and was instantly engulfed in raging flames. Dense Golden Arrow pierced through the Ghost Creature's body, and the Ghost Creature let out a mournful cry. A wisp of green smoke rose from its body, leaving only a dull Black Bead in place.
Liu Biao wielded his Black Long Staff, creating a series of staff shadows that shattered the incoming Crimson Fireball.
More than a dozen thick, Cyan Vine burst from the ground and headed straight for Liu Biao. Just as Liu Biao was about to dodge, a sharp screech rang out. His head slumped, and his reaction slowed down. The more than a dozen Cyan Vine quickly wrapped around his body. He struggled and easily tore the Cyan Vine off.
The Iron Tail Scorpion burst from the ground and appeared behind him. With a sudden jerk of its stinger, it struck Liu Biao's right leg.
Liu Biao felt a needle prick in his right leg, frowned, and was about to deal with the Iron Tail Scorpion when a Giant Fireball fell from the sky and smashed towards Liu Biao.
Liu Biao had no choice but to swing his Black Long Staff and smash it at the Giant Fireball.
With a deafening roar, the Giant Fireball collided with the Black Long Staff, instantly exploding into billowing flames that engulfed Liu Biao's body.
A burst of black light appeared, the flames dissipated, and Liu Biao was enveloped in a thick Black Light Screen.
A Cyan Tornado swept in, and Liu Biao's expression tightened. He quickly swung his Black Long Staff and smashed it down at the Cyan Tornado.
With a deafening roar, the Cyan Tornado was shattered by the Black Long Staff, and hundreds of Giant Wind Blade shot out, heading straight for Liu Biao.
After a muffled thud, the Black Light Screen shattered like a bubble, and Giant Wind Blade struck Liu Biao one after another. His body bled profusely, and his bones were faintly visible. If he hadn't been Body Cultivator, he would have been dead.
Before Liu Biao could even catch his breath, a Giant Fireball, three zhang in diameter, descended from the sky and crashed down upon Liu Biao.
Liu Biao was terrified. Before he could dodge, a sharp screech rang out, and his head began to spin.
By the time he came to his senses, the Giant Fireball had already slammed into him.
A tremendous explosion rang out, and flames engulfed an area of several dozen feet around Liu Biao, with signs of the ground melting.
A Giant Wind Blade, three zhang long, shot out and plunged into the sea of fire, cleaving it in two.
As the flames subsided, Liu Biao lay on the ground, his body charred black, cut in two.
Seeing that Shen Long had dealt with Liu Biao so quickly, Li Jian and Chen Hong's expressions turned grim. Not only had the opponent been raising Spirit Beast Spirit Insect, but he had also cultivated multiple Law Technique to the Great Perfection.
Hundreds of Golden Arrow shot out, heading straight for Li Jian and Chen Hong, while the Fire Rock Beast opened its mouth and spewed out a thick stream of Crimson Flame, heading straight for Li Jian.
The Copper Armored Corpse pounced, leaping in front of Shen Long. Its black, sharp fingernails, like scythes, hurtled straight at Shen Long.
Shen Long staggered backward, and a Ghost Shadow appeared behind him, lunging at Shen Long.
Shen Long raised his right hand, and a Giant Fireball flew out, crashing down behind him.
Just as the Ghost Shadow was about to dodge, a sharp screech rang out, slowing Ghost Shadow reaction. The Giant Fireball slammed into the Ghost Shadow, engulfing Ghost Shadow in billowing flames.
A Giant Wind Blade shot out, cleaving the Ghost Shadow in two, leaving only a Black Bead on the ground.
The Copper Armored Corpse lunged at Shen Long, and numerous Cyan Vine sprouted from the ground, binding the Copper Armored Corpse's body. The Fire Rock Beast spewed out a thick stream of Crimson Flame, striking the bronze- Copper Armored Corpse Copper Armored Corpse, and the rolling flames engulfed its body.
Shen Long drew a circle in the air with both hands, and a Giant Fireball with a diameter of five zhang appeared and smashed towards the Copper Armored Corpse.
After a loud explosion, the area within a radius of several dozen feet turned into a sea of fire. The Copper Armored Corpse let out a series of shrill roars, and the air was filled with the smell of burning.
The bronze armor on the Copper Armored Corpse showed signs of melting, with some small cracks visible.
A Cyan Tornado swept in, and the Crimson Sea of Fire quickly dissipated. The Copper Armored Corpse was pushed into the Cyan Tornado by the powerful airflow. It had been severely damaged and its defenses were much weaker than before.
Dense Cyan Wind Blade struck its body one after another, leaving numerous bloody marks on the Copper Armored Corpse's body, with flesh and blood flying everywhere. Before long, the Copper Armored Corpse was reduced to a pile of minced meat.
At this moment, Li Jian, Chen Hong, and Chen Liang were dealing with the Fire Rock Beast, Iron Tail Scorpion, and Gold-Eating Ant.
Li Jian wielded a Short Blade that gleamed with black light, slashing at the Fire Rock Beast. The Fire Rock Beast's body was covered by a red light barrier, which was the Fire Shield Technique.
The Ghost Creature that Chen Hong released were all wiped out by the Gold-Eating Ant and the Fire Rock Beast; hundreds of Gold-Eating Ant were killed.
Chen Hong held a Banana Leaf Fan that shimmered with black light. With a gentle wave, a large cloud of Black Poison Mist surged out. A first-tier Gold-Eating Ant touched the Black Poison Mist, its body emitted a puff of green smoke, and it fell to the ground, motionless.
The Iron Tail Scorpion lurked underground, occasionally emerging to launch sneak attacks; its Divine Sense Attack made Chen Hong extremely wary.
Li Jian was shocked to see Shen Long deal with the Copper Armored Corpse.
Chen Liang realized something was wrong, and his feet lit up with a blue light as he ran away.
He hadn't escaped far when more than a dozen thick, Cyan Vine burst from the ground, weaving into a Cyan Giant Hand that slammed down on Chen Liang from the front.
Chen Liang quickly produced a Red Banana Leaf Fan, and with a gentle wave, more than a dozen Crimson Fireball the size of bowls flew out, successively smashing into the Cyan Giant Hand, Cyan Giant Hand was then engulfed by rolling flames.
The Iron Tail Scorpion emerged from the ground, its stinger easily piercing Chen Liang's Body-Protecting Spirit Light. The stinger struck his head, causing his body to go limp and collapse.
Li Jian and Chen Hong realized something was wrong; they were clearly no match for Shen Long.
Li Jian took out a Talisman that shimmered with red light, emitting an astonishing fluctuation of Spiritual Qi.
He tossed the talisman forward, and with a muffled thud, the red Talisman transformed into a palm-sized Crimson Fire Bird, radiating an astonishingly high temperature. The Crimson Fire Bird flapped its wings and swooped down towards Shen Long.
Chen Hong unleashed a Hundred-Blade Talisman, and hundreds of Golden Flying Knife shot out, heading straight for Shen Long.
Shen Long raised his right hand, and a Cyan Tornado swept out to meet it.
With a flap of its wings, the Crimson Fire Bird dodged the Cyan Tornado. Hundreds of Golden Flying Knife collided with the Cyan Tornado, perishing together with it.
As the Crimson Fire Bird approached Shen Long within ten zhang, more than a dozen thick, Cyan Vine sprouted from the ground, quickly weaving into a Cyan Giant Hand that slapped towards the Crimson Fire Bird.
The Cyan Giant Hand collided with the Crimson Fire Bird, causing the Crimson Fire Bird's body to explode into a massive Crimson Flame, turning an area of dozens of feet in radius into a Crimson Sea of Fire.
Taking advantage of the opportunity, Li Jian took out a Talisman that was flashing with Zhang Qing and was about to slap it on his body when a sharp screech sounded and his head sank.
Before he could react, a Golden Spear shot towards him. He quickly drew his black Flying Dagger and met it head-on.
The Golden Spear flashed with a golden light and collided with the black Flying Dagger, producing a muffled sound of metal clashing. The black Flying Dagger flew backward, while the Golden Spear struck Li Jian's Body-Protecting Spirit Light Body-Protecting Spirit Light, which shattered like paper.
Li Jian felt a chill in his chest as Golden Spear pierced his body. His body went limp, and he collapsed.
Seeing this, Chen Hong was terrified, her eyes filled with fear.
The Golden Spear disintegrated, transforming into over a thousand Gold-Eating Ant, which coalesced into a Golden Giant Sword, slashing towards Chen Hong.
As Chen Hong waved his black Banana Leaf Fan, releasing a cloud of Black Poison Mist, he said, "Fellow Daoist Yu, our Hundred Ghosts Sect's reinforcements are already on their way. You'd better leave quickly."
The Golden Giant Sword spun around, avoiding the Black Poison Mist.
A Cyan Tornado swept in and instantly arrived in front of Chen Hong.
Just as Chen Hong was about to use other methods to deal with the situation, a sharp screech rang out. She felt as if someone had hit her head with a heavy object, making her dizzy and unable to stand steadily.
When she came to her senses, the powerful airflow pushed her into the Cyan Tornado.
Her Body-Protecting Spirit Light shattered instantly, shredded into a cloud of blood mist by the powerful airflow.
As the flames subsided, a Blue Light Screen enveloped Shen Long's body, and he breathed a sigh of relief.
Iron Tail Scorpion, Fire Rock Beast, and Gold-Eating Ant played a significant role in eliminating the four enemies this time, especially Iron Tail Scorpion, whose Divine Sense Attack were crucial.
In the battle, more than 500 Gold-Eating Ant were killed, Gold-Eating Ant Queen was unharmed.
Shen Long put away the Spirit Beast Spirit Insect, searched the corpse for valuables, threw out a few fireballs to burn the corpse, and left.
······
At Liu's Grocery Store, Liu Shi and Liu Yuruo were talking. Liu Shi's brows were furrowed, and Liu Yuruo's face was full of worry.
"I can't get in touch with Senior Yu right now. Don't go anywhere for the time being. Just stay in the backyard until I get in touch with Senior Yu."
Liu Shi gave his instructions.
A Foundation Establishment Cultivator took a liking to Liu Yuruo and wanted to take her as a concubine. The Foundation Establishment Cultivator practiced the Yin-Yang Absorption Cultivation Method, and several Qi Refining female cultivators disappeared soon after becoming his concubines.
Liu Shi naturally wouldn't agree, but they were only Qi Refining Cultivator and couldn't afford to offend Foundation Establishment Cultivator. Liu Shi originally wanted to contact Shen Long Shen Long and ask him to resolve the matter.
Unable to contact Shen Long for the time being, he could only tell Liu Yuruo not to leave her residence.
"Understood, Grandfather."
Liu Yuruo agreed, her face full of worry.
······
Three months later, Shen Long returned to the Marketplace.
Li Jian and his companions possessed a considerable amount of valuables, including ten Law Artifact, three of which were of superior quality and all of the offensive type, while the rest were of Mid-grade Magical Tool. They also had over 30,000 Spirit Stone in total.
He fed the Golden Cypress Stone to the Gold-Eating Ant Queen and discovered a mother-and-child stone. This material is divided into two pieces, which can sense each other's presence within a certain range, thus locking their positions.
He was worried that the Law Artifact on Li Jian and the other two had special markings, so he went to two Marketplace and sold Li Jian items in batches, getting more than 30,000 Spirit Stone.
Chen Liang possessed over ten thousand Spirit Stone, four Mid-grade Magical Tool, and a considerable amount of spirit rice.
After disposing of the belongings of the four people, Shen Long obtained nearly 80,000 Spirit Stone. Combined with his own savings, he now had over 100,000 Spirit Stone.
A horse won't get fat without night grass, and a person won't get rich without unexpected wealth!
Shen Long strolled around the streets and found nothing unusual. Instead of returning to Green Begonia Courtyard, he went into the Listen-to-Rain Pavilion, asked for a private room, and stayed there for half a day.
He took out a blue Communication Disk, cast a spell, and a melodious female voice sounded, "Uncle-Master Yu, what are your orders?"
This is the third spy, Chen Li. She is the owner of a winery, selling several types of first-tier Spirit Wine.
Shen Long only made contact with her six months ago and didn't assign her any tasks.
After Chen Liang betrayed Shen Long and defected to the enemy, Shen Long dared not trust anyone else anymore.
"Has anything unusual happened in the Marketplace recently? For example, there seem to be quite a few Foundation Establishment Cultivator here."
Shen Long asked.
"This disciple didn't notice anything unusual; it was the same as usual."
Chen Li said.
Shen Long asked a few more questions, then cut off contact and instead contacted Liu Shi.
"Senior Yu, what are your orders?"
Liu Shi's voice revealed joy.
"Has anything unusual happened in the Marketplace recently? For example, have there been a sudden increase in unfamiliar Foundation Establishment Cultivator or disciples of the Hundred Ghosts Sect?"
Shen Long asked.
"Nothing unusual was found. I haven't spotted any disciples of the Hundred Ghosts Sect. We can keep an eye out for them."
Liu Shi said.
"Has anything major happened in the Marketplace recently? Is there any news about Second-Rank Flood Dragon Blood Essence?"
Shen Long continued to ask.
"I haven't heard of any major events, but Chen Family Rice Shop has suddenly closed down, and the owner, Chen Liang, and the waiter, Chen Er, have disappeared without a trace. We haven't been able to find any information about the Second-Rank Flood Dragon yet."
Liu Shi hesitated for a moment before saying, "Senior Yu, I've encountered a major problem."
"What trouble!"
Shen Long asked.
"A Foundation Establishment Cultivator named Sun Tianfeng has his eye on Yu Ruo. He comes to the shop every few days to inquire about Yu Ruo's whereabouts, hoping that I will marry her to him. I cannot inquire about her, and it might expose me."
Liu Shi said.
He defined this matter as affecting his own work, which made it more likely that Shen Long would step in to help.
"Sun Tianfeng! What's his background?"
Shen Long asked.
"This person is Rogue Cultivator who practices the Yin-Yang replenishment Cultivation Method. Female Qi Refining cultivators who are targeted by him will mysteriously disappear. If it weren't for his persistent harassment, I might have had a chance to find out about the Second-Rank Flood Dragon Blood Essence."
Liu Shi said.
"Understood. I will contact this person. Do not offend him. If you have any news about Second-Rank Flood Dragon Blood Essence, notify me immediately."
Shen Long gave the order.
"Yes, Senior Yu."
Liu Shi agreed.
Shen Long put away the Communication Disk, finished his tea, and left Listen-to-Rain Pavilion.
He strolled Marketplace and bought a batch of refining materials, intending to use them to feed the Gold-Eating Ant.
Back at Green Begonia Courtyard, Shen Long entered a secret room. With a flick of his sleeve, more than a thousand Gold-Eating Ant flew out.
Shen Long took out a batch of ore and threw it on the ground.
The first-tier Gold-Eating Ant gnawed on Mystic Iron Ore, Gold-Eating Ant Queen gnawed on Ink Marrow Stone. As their tiers increased, the Gold-Eating Ant Queen lost interest in first-tier refining materials, which was also due to Shen Long's indulgence.
Shen Long now has over 100,000 Spirit Stone in his pocket, making him incredibly wealthy. Ironically, he now feels that the number of Gold-Eating Ant is too small.