Seeing the Credit Peddler Again

Emperor Daye pondered for a moment, the golden flames in his eyes still flickering slowly.

The hall remained silent for a long time.

"Very well." Emperor Daye finally spoke, his voice aged yet possessing an undeniable, profound aura. "It can be considered a journey of survival... In that case, what harm is there in me protecting you?"

He slowly raised his right hand, his fingertips moving slightly!

In an instant, a layer of golden light suddenly shone from the first joint of his left index finger.

It carried a mysterious and unsettling aura, as if something was slowly awakening within that finger bone.

Then, to Chen Lingxi's astonishment, the finger bone detached itself from Emperor Daye's finger.

There was no wound or blood to be seen, only that finger bone, as if alive, detached on its own and then hung in the air, still exuding a mysterious aura.

Upon closer inspection, Chen Lingxi saw that this finger bone shimmered with golden light and was crystal clear. A misty aura flowed continuously over the bone, just like a priceless treasure!

What alarmed Chen Lingxi even more was the Spiritual Qi contained within this finger bone.

The Spiritual Qi was so dense that it almost solidified, as if a lake of Spiritual Qi was sealed within it.

At that moment, Emperor Daye suddenly snapped his fingers.

The Golden Finger Bone, suspended in mid-air, floated down and arrived before Chen Lingxi!

"Keep this bone talisman with you. It contains a spell of mine, which, though only for a single strike, is enough to protect you."

Emperor Daye stared at Chen Lingxi: "If you encounter Dao Foundation Realm cultivator, crush this finger bone."

Once the finger bone shatters, the magic sealed within will be activated on its own. At the same time, the bone powder will transform into a beam of light, carrying you thousands of miles away.

"I will sense it and come to protect you."

Chen Lingxi's eyes were clear and bright as she reached out her hand.

The Golden Finger Bone seemed to possess a spirit, falling into his palm.

Chen Lingxi could clearly sense the immense power emanating from this finger bone, which secretly alarmed him.

"Emperor Daye is a man of deep thoughts. He once used the Beast-Fighting Palace to track me down. I must also be careful with this finger bone and not blindly trust Emperor Daye's words."

Thinking this to himself, Chen Lingxi put the finger bone back into his Hongdong Bag, a satisfied smile appearing on his face, "Thank you, Emperor Daye."

Emperor Daye nodded slightly, but his gaze had already shifted from him to a corner deep within the palace, shrouded in heavy shadows.

He flicked his sleeve.

The wide sleeves of the dragon robe fluttered gently in the Void, as if an invisible hand had parted layers of veils.

The shadow deep within the palace receded like the tide, revealing the Void shrouded in thick fog behind it.

The Void, roughly ten feet in diameter, hung in mid-air above the palace, like a dark mirror embedded in the wall.

Thick fog surged like waves in the mirror, layers upon layers of gray mist piled up, completely obscuring everything behind it.

But in the deepest part of that thick fog, the outline of something could be vaguely seen.

That was an arm.

The arm was a pale gold color and was more than a size larger than a normal person's arm.

At the same time, this arm exuded an unimaginable aura of profound Dao, obscure, noble, powerful, and mysterious.

Immortal Husk.

Chen Lingxi's pupils contracted slightly.

He had seen this arm during his Sight-Roaming; at that time, it was submerged at the bottom of the great river in Long River Prefecture, enveloped by layers of a mysterious array personally set up by Emperor Daye.

But at this moment, this arm was hanging in the side hall of the Great Zhou Imperial Palace, very close.

As soon as the Immortal Husk was revealed, an indescribable aura of vastness emanated from that arm.

It possessed a timeless, awe-inspiring charm, like a divine artifact passed down through the ages, still radiating an imposing aura that commanded respect even after countless years of silence.

Chen Lingxi felt the spiritual energy in his Qi Sea surging under the impact of this aura.

Emperor Daye stood up, his hands behind his back, before the Void, looking up at the pale golden arm suspended in the thick fog.

The two golden flames in his eyes flickered slowly, reflecting the golden light flowing across his Immortal Husk.

"I was able to ascend to the Dao Foundation Realm in this realm thanks to the power of this Immortal Husk," Emperor Daye said slowly, his voice echoing in the empty palace. "The essence contained within this thing is like an inexhaustible Spirit Vein."

"I have been nourishing my physical body day and night with the Immortal-Husk Essence, which has enabled me to suppress the chronic illness caused by the Sundial Reversal."

Chen Lingxi listened, but her gaze remained fixed on that arm.

He had heard Daoist Shurong say during his Sight-Roaming that the Dao-Below Academy Pool-Soul Institute, would use this Immortal Husk as its foundation, supplemented by the Spirit Spirit-Absorbing Wonder Pearl of Lingguang True Person, and with the many accumulations of Pool-Soul Institute, to refine a Nine-Transformation Treasure Body.

The value of a treasure that would be so highly regarded by a behemoth like the Dao-Below Academy is self-evident.

"I intend to use this Immortal Husk to advance to the Dao Foundation Middle Stage." The Emperor Daye's voice continued, his tone tinged with undisguised arrogance. "Even those cultivators from the Great Xuanzhuo Realm who projected their Dao Foundation Middle Stage cultivation."

Chen Lingxi listened silently, feeling a certain respect for this Emperor Daye.

This person was able to suppress and defeat many Rebirth Realm beings in this Qi-Less Grotto-Heaven, and even surpass many powerful projection beings; it is truly legendary.

At this moment, Emperor Daye turned around and looked at Chen Lingxi: "Once you reach the Dao Foundation Realm, I will try to see if you can use this Immortal Husk to awaken the Great Sage Luo Yuan."

Chen Lingxi met Emperor Daye's gaze and slowly nodded.

He still wore that satisfied smile on his face, and bowed to Emperor Daye: "In that case, Chen Lingxi will take his leave."

Emperor Daye nodded slightly and did not linger.

With a flick of his sleeve, the rainbow light that had traversed the palace gates shone once more, extending outwards from the palace like a seven-colored bridge, reaching straight into the clouds.

Chen Lingxi stepped onto the rainbow light, and her figure was enveloped by the light, soaring into the sky. In an instant, she was already above the clouds.

He glanced down at the Great Zhou Imperial Palace hidden in the night, then looked up at the two bright mirrors in the sky that only he could see, and the smile on his lips slowly faded.

He turned around, silently activating his Cloud-Riding Method, and his entire body transformed into a pale blue streak of light, flying away into the distance.

Emperor Daye stood with his hands behind his back before the palace gate, watching the faint blue light gradually disappear into the distance, the two golden flames in his eyes slowly flickering.

His still-aged face revealed no emotion, except in his deep eyes, which reflected the ever-shrinking figure on the horizon.

A gust of wind blew in from outside the hall, and his black robes shimmered with a deep light.

He stood before the palace gate, as silent and unmoving as a mountain.

Only after the pale blue light completely disappeared into the depths of the sea of clouds did he slowly withdraw his gaze, turn around, and walk back into the hall.

Emperor Daye walked back to the prayer mat, lifted his robe, and sat down.

He sat cross-legged, closed his eyes and concentrated. The pale golden Immortal-Husk Essence around him surged again, enveloping him like a thin mist.

Silence returned to the hall.

But a slight smile suddenly appeared on Emperor Daye's lips.

"The Great Sage Luo Yuan?"

--

Chen Lingxi left the Great Zhou Imperial Palace and rode the Cloud-Riding Method eastward.

The wind whistled past my ears, and the mountains and rivers rushed past beneath my feet.

He sat cross-legged on the clouds beneath him, his eyes slightly closed, feeling both a sense of peace and a touch of doubt.

"But I wonder if Emperor Daye truly believed the words of that Great Sage Luo Yuan, or if he had other motives?" Chen Lingxi asked himself. "However, upon closer reflection, with the great calamity of the World-Refining Furnace imminent, it's not unreasonable for Emperor Daye to believe me, after all, this can be considered a new opportunity for survival."

He thought for a moment, then shook his head slightly.

"This person's cunning Non-Self comprehension," Chen Lingxi thought to himself. "But so be it. Whether he believes me or not, at least he's willing to protect me for now, and that's enough... It's just that finger bone; I still need to test it."

He stopped thinking about Emperor Daye and instead focused his thoughts on the Immortal Husk.

A single severed arm contained such terrifying power that it attracted numerous powerful figures, and even a figure like Emperor Daye could only absorb a small portion of its spiritual energy for cultivation, far from unleashing the true power of Immortal Husk.

"What would it be like if it were a complete Immortal Husk?" Chen Lingxi couldn't help but imagine it in her mind, then shook her head.

Such treasures are beyond his current level to covet.

"I only hope that this Immortal Husk can truly awaken the Great Sage Luo Yuan's incarnation," he muttered to himself, a glimmer of expectation flashing in his eyes.

If the Great Sage Luo Yuan's incarnation truly awakens, it will likely not be so easy for the Xi Family True Lord to refine the Cave Heaven.

At that time, Chen Lingxi would no longer need to struggle for that sliver of hope, and could calmly cultivate and await the future.

As he pondered these thoughts, the Cloud-Riding Method had already carried him thousands of miles.

The mountains and rivers beneath my feet transformed from the fertile plains of the Great Zhou into the rolling hills of the Great Li, and then from the hills into the familiar, vast forests surrounding Yuan River Prefecture.

Chen Lingxi descended from the clouds and landed on the mountain outside Yuan River Prefectural City.

It is indeed Ancestral Mountain.

Ancestral Mountain remains unchanged.

Thick fog surged like waves in the sea, completely enveloping the entire mountain, making it impossible to see anything more than a few steps away.

Chen Lingxi had walked through this thick fog many times in his Total Perception, so walking through it again now was as easy as walking on a familiar road.

He walked along that road all the way into the mountains.

After walking for about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, they saw the stone again.

He walked up to the stone, stopped, and waited quietly.

Before long, a very faint ripple appeared on the surface of the stone, and finally a person walked out from it.

It was Credit Peddler.

He still looked as young as ever, around twenty-three or twenty-four years old, with delicate features and a slightly upturned mouth, carrying a hint of slyness.

The Credit Peddler emerged from the stone, looked up and saw Chen Lingxi, and his sly smile became even brighter.

He cupped his hands in greeting and said with a grin, "Fellow Daoist, it's a pleasure to meet you. Since you've come all this way to find me, you should know what I do, right?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Lingxi didn't stand on ceremony and went straight to the point. "Peddler, I've come here to do business with you."

Upon hearing Credit Peddler's eyes flashed with a shrewd light.

He raised his right hand, his thumb tapping rapidly between the knuckles of his index and middle fingers a few times. After a few breaths, he lowered his hand, a look of surprise on his face.

"Strange," he muttered under his breath, raising his head and scanning Chen Lingxi up and down with his clear eyes. "Fellow Daoist, you seem to know exactly what you want."

Chen Lingxi couldn't help but ask curiously, "Could it be that many of those who trade with you, senior, don't even know what they want?"

The Credit Peddler replied, "All living beings in this world can only see me once and trade with me once. Many people see me and think I am just a mere cultivator of the Qi Circulation Realm, so they are naturally unprepared."

That's why I calculate with my fingers to discern their various desires and wants before selling the goods to them!

I never imagined that you would come looking for me so clearly, knowing exactly what you seek.

Having said that, he dropped the sly look on his face and continued, "I have several treasures here that can help you investigate the whereabouts of your enemies."

Credit Peddler finished speaking, a shrewd glint flashed in his eyes. "You can afford it, but I'm afraid you're unwilling to pay the price."

As he spoke, he reached into his robe and pulled out three items from the inside of his short brown robe, placing them one by one in front of Chen Lingxi.

The first item is an Incense Burner.

The Incense Burner was about the size of a palm, cast entirely in bronze, with many relief patterns engraved on Incense Burner. The meaning of these patterns was unknown, but they made Chen Lingxi feel that it was extremely mysterious and profound.

At the same time, the Incense Burner burner exuded an ancient and aura.

"Cauldron Artifact Fragment?"

Chen Lingxi's eyes flickered.

"These are indeed Cauldron Artifact Fragment; this is the [Fame-Pursuing Furnace]."

The Credit Peddler pointed to the Incense Burner and laughed, "Put incense in the burner, shout out the name and background of the person you are looking for, and you will know their location with unparalleled accuracy."

However, this object is a fragment of a certain Cauldron Vessel; although its power remains, it is now incomplete.

Every time this Incense Burner is used, a considerable price must be paid; the amount depends entirely on the cultivation level of the person you seek out."

He paused, then held up one finger. "To obtain this item, you will need one of your Law Treasure from the future."

Chen Lingxi remained calm and focused her gaze on the second item.

The second item is a Heavenly Eye Law Treasure.

The Law Treasure was about the size of a palm, crystal clear, like an eye carved from crystal.

In the center of its eyeball was a golden bead smaller than a grain of rice, from which a mysterious light seemed to emanate.

"This is the [Heaven-Patrolling Eye]." The Credit Peddler held the crystal eye in his palm and laughed, "Just take a wisp of the aura of the person you are looking for and refine it into this treasure. As long as that person enters a radius of a thousand miles, this treasure will sense it and immediately inform you."

However, this Heavenly Eye Law Treasure can only be infused with a single strand of energy at most.

Once the vital energy is refined into it, it cannot be replaced.

He held up two fingers. "To exchange for this item, I need one of your future Law Treasure, as well as the fragment of the Taotie Urn Cauldron Artifact Fragment you possess."

Chen Lingxi's expression remained unchanged as her gaze fell upon the third item.

The third item was a precious mirror.

The mirror was about the size of a palm, made of silver, with a smooth, water-like surface that could reflect a person's image. However, what was reflected in the mirror was not the thick fog of the mountains, but a bottomless, dark Void.

In the deepest part of that Void, three faint points of Mystic Light flickered slowly, illuminating the surroundings.

"This is the [Three-Mystery Mirror]," the Credit Peddler explained. "By simply taking a wisp of someone else's energy and refining it into this treasure, you can use the Mystic Light within the mirror to locate that person's whereabouts... Moreover, this treasure can be refined with up to three wisps of energy, allowing you to track down three people simultaneously."

He paused slightly, then held up three fingers. "To exchange for this item, I need one of your future magic Law Treasure, as well as the Cauldron Artifact Fragment the Taotie Urn urn you possess."

Besides that... we also need to see what other treasures you possess, fellow Daoist?"