Lies

Song Wen first devoured the souls and blood essences of the three men, then thoroughly looted their storage rings and cave dwellings before fleeing toward the depths of Rift Valley.

Rift Valley was more than ten miles deep, and at its bottom surged a rushing torrent.

Several yards above the torrent, Song Wen carved out a temporary cave dwelling.

After setting up defensive and concealment formations, he released two Shadow Gu to keep watch around Rift Valley while he himself entered seclusion to cultivate.

He opened a soul bottle and inhaled deeply. The soul within was devoured by the black hole in his sea of consciousness, then refined by the Soul-Banishing Technique into nourishment that increased Song Wen's spiritual sense.

Eight months later, Song Wen's spiritual sense suddenly surged, successfully advancing to the Nascent Soul Middle Stage.

Another four months later, Song Wen ended his cultivation and emerged from the cave dwelling.

He recalled the two Shadow Gu, rose into the air, and left Rift Valley for Anzhou City.

As soon as he arrived in Anzhou City, he took out Hao Kong's communication jade slip.

[Senior Hao Kong, has that high-grade lightning-element magic treasure been successfully refined?]

A moment later, Song Wen received Hao Kong's reply.

[It was completed a month ago. I sent you messages several times, but you never replied. I thought the Nascent Soul Cultivator behind you no longer wanted this treasure.]

[Senior Hao Kong jests. That senior expended immense effort and paid a great price for this treasure; how could he give it up so easily? When would it be convenient for Senior to make the trade?] Song Wen said.

[Bie Chou, don't forget. One of my conditions is that the Nascent Soul Cultivator must come in person.] Hao Kong said.

[Senior Hao Kong, rest assured.