Identity Exposed, Wolves on Every Side

Wang Mengde felt a chill run down his spine.

The three of them had just come out of Myriad Medicines Studio when he happened to be at the entrance, only three steps away.

At such close range, retreating rashly at this moment would only make them seem suspicious and attract the attention of the three men.

Zhao Tianming, the deacon of the Evergreen Sect's External Affairs Hall, had presided over his and Liu Yiyi's dao companion ceremony years ago, and was extremely familiar with his spiritual energy aura.

His disguise would be rendered useless if the other party simply swept it with their divine sense.

Fortunately, this is Jade Wave Island, the territory of True Lord Myriad Treasures, where private duels are strictly prohibited.

The rules of True Lord Myriad Treasures are not just for show. Three hundred years ago, the Foundation Establishment Late Stage Cultivator who killed and robbed treasures on the island had his body hanging in the port for a whole month. Even the sect leader of the Evergreen Sect couldn't do anything to True Lord Myriad Treasures.

Even if Zhao Tianming discovers his identity, he probably wouldn't dare to make a move here.

Although Wang Mengde was tense inside, his face remained completely calm.

Without pausing, he maintained his previous pace and walked unhurriedly towards Myriad Medicines Studio.

The two sides are getting closer and closer.

Three steps.

Two steps.

Step.

We brushed past each other.

The three men walked past him without stopping.

A gentle breeze stirred up by Yun Jingshan's sleeve, brushing against Wang Mengde's cheek.

The footsteps were neither hurried nor slow, gradually fading into the distance and blending into the bustling crowd on the street, becoming indistinguishable from the others.

Wang Mengde stepped into the gate of Myriad Medicines Studio, and the aroma of herbs wafted towards him.

He breathed a long sigh of relief, and his back relaxed slightly.

However, at that moment, a voice transmission suddenly sounded in his mind. It was Yun Jingshan's gentle yet urgent voice. "Mengde, Deacon Zhao has discovered you. His divine sense has locked onto you, and he plans to kill you after you leave Jade Wave Island. Whatever you do, do not leave Jade Wave Island."

Wang Mengde's heart sank.

They were eventually discovered.

We cannot leave Jade Wave Island for the time being.

Facing a cultivator in the Foundation Establishment Early Stage, he believed he still had a fighting chance.

But to say that there is absolute certainty is impossible; no one knows what methods those Foundation Establishment monsters possess.

Moreover, both Zhao Tianming and Zhao Hongying are Foundation Establishment cultivators of the Zhao Clan's Foundation Establishment Immortal Clan.

If the two of them team up, he would most likely be no match for them.

Even more critically...

As long as Zhao Tianming roars, countless Peak Qi Refinement cultivators, and even Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators, will flock to Jade Wave Island for the Foundation Establishment Pill offered by the Evergreen Sect.

In other words, as soon as you leave Jade Wave Island, you will be ganged up on and beaten.

Fortunately, even Deacon Zhao of the Evergreen Sect, did not dare to make a move on Jade Wave Island.

The rules set by True Lord Myriad Treasures are not ones that anyone dares to break.

It's likely that other cultivators wouldn't dare to act recklessly on Jade Wave Island either.

He will be able to Foundation Establishment soon.

His Ninth Layer of Qi Refinement Refining was nearing its limit, with only a little over 700 points of spiritual energy remaining.

At his current cultivation speed, he should be able to break through to the Foundation Establishment in a month at most.

Once he successfully Foundation Establishment, his combat strength will increase dramatically.

Most importantly, no one expected him to be able to Foundation Establishment in such a short time.

Therefore, neither the Zhao Immortal Clan nor the Evergreen Sect would send a Foundation Establishment cultivator to deal with him, who Peak Qi Refinement.

In their eyes, it was like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut for Zhao Tianming, who was only at the Foundation Establishment Early Stage, to target him.

Even if Zhao Tianque came in person, he could not possibly wait Jade Wave Island for too long.

It is said that Zhao Tianque has reached the Half-Step Golden Core realm, and breaking through to the Golden Core realm is his top priority.

Zhao Tianque has hundreds of wives and dozens of children. He would never waste too much time on Wang Mengde for the sake of a bastard daughter's revenge.

Once he successfully Foundation Establishment, he will unleash his Transcendent Mastery Sword-Controlling Technique to escape, and even Foundation Establishment Middle Stage cultivator will be unable to catch him.

At that time, birds will be free to fly in the sky, and fish will be free to leap in the sea.

Just then, a voice rang in his mind again. "Fellow Daoist Wang, Deacon Zhao has discovered you. His divine sense has locked onto you. Do not leave Jade Wave Island."

Wang Mengde was slightly taken aback.

It was Zhao Hongying's voice.

She is a member of the Zhao Clan Foundation Establishment Immortal Clan, and Zhao Tianque is her second great-grandfather.

He killed the illegitimate daughter of the Zhao Immortal Clan's patriarch and is wanted by both the Evergreen Sect and the Zhao Immortal Clan.

He never expected that Zhao Hongying, a member of the Zhao Immortal Clan, would send him a telepathic reminder.

A warm current welled up from the bottom of my heart, subtle and gentle, like a stream melting in spring.

Back on Azure Cliff Island, he taught Yun Jingshan and Zhao Hongying Water Escape Technique and Spirit Eye Technique, but only to earn Spirit Stones.

But as he spent more time with them, he found that they were both quite nice and worth getting to know.

He put in a lot more effort when teaching the two of them Law Technique.

Both of them had reached Mastery in both the Spirit Eye Technique and the Water Escape Technique.

In retrospect, these two truly considered him a friend.

After all, the two of them could get a Foundation Establishment Pill as a reward if they captured him.

Foundation Establishment Pill, one pill costs 130,000 Spirit Stones.

This is no small sum for a cultivator in the Foundation Establishment Early Stage.

This kind of friendship is truly rare in the dog-eat-dog, treacherous world of cultivation.

These two are worth getting to know better.

He suppressed his chaotic thoughts and walked to the counter.

Behind the counter stood an elderly man with white hair and Ninth Layer of Qi Refinement of Qi Refining. Hearing footsteps, he looked up, saw Wang Mengde, and his usual smile appeared on his face.

"Fellow Daoist Zhuge, is there anything you need?" The old man's voice was gentle and polite.

Wang Mengde said, "Give me a Jade Spirit Fruit."

The old man took a jade box from his Storage Bag, placed it on the counter, pushed it over, and said with a smile, "Six thousand two hundred Spirit Stones each."

Wang Mengde glanced at the jade box, then at the old man, his brow furrowing slightly, his tone tinged with displeasure. "An old friend, you're raising the price for me? That's not fair."

The old man stroked his beard, sighed, and a helpless expression appeared on his face. "Fellow Daoist Zhuge, it's not that I'm being unfair, it's just that the purchase price has gone up."

As you know, Jade Spirit Fruit is a hot commodity, and its price has been rising in recent years.

This is already a discounted price. If you ask around elsewhere, it will cost at least 6,500.

Wang Mengde remained silent for a moment, then said nothing more.

He took out sixty-two Medium-Grade Spirit Stones from his Storage Bag and piled them on the counter.

The old man put the Spirit Stones into his Storage Bag and pushed the jade box towards Wang Mengde again.

Wang Mengde opened the jade box, inside which lay a bright green spiritual fruit, crystal clear, emitting a sweet fragrance.

He put the jade box into his Storage Bag, turned around and walked out of the Myriad Medicines Studio.

The streets were still bustling with people, but Yun Jingshan and his two companions had vanished without a trace.

Wang Mengde's gaze swept across the crowd, but he found nothing unusual.

However, Zhao Hongying and Yun Jingshan just sent him messages saying that Deacon Zhao locked onto him with her divine sense and is definitely watching him now.

Wang Mengde went directly back to the A-53 Courtyard.

The moment he pushed open the door, a thought flashed through his mind, and the pale blue Light Barrier above the courtyard gate closed in like ripples, completely enveloping the small courtyard.

It was shrouded in a dense veil.

This protective Light Barrier has the effect of blocking divine sense probing; even the divine sense of the Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator cannot penetrate it.

Wang Mengde stood in the courtyard and let out a long breath.

The courtyard was very quiet.

The leaves of the Spirit Jujube Tree rustled in the breeze.

Xue Linglong lay curled up on the Soft Chair, her pale blue robe covering her body, her cat ears drooping, and her tail curled to her side.

Hearing footsteps, her cat ears twitched like two leaves fluttering in the wind, but her eyes remained closed.

She simply rolled over lazily, her voice soft and sweet, still half-asleep. "Master, you're back."

Wang Mengde walked up to her and looked down at her.

Moonlight shone on the Cat Demon's face; her long eyelashes cast soft shadows on her eyelids.

"Linglong, don't go out these next few days, and especially don't leave Jade Wave Island. It's best to stay in the courtyard."

Wang Mengde's tone was calm, revealing no emotion whatsoever.

Xue Linglong opened her eyes.

His golden, vertical pupils narrowed slightly in the moonlight, and the languor in his eyes vanished instantly, replaced by alertness and seriousness.

She sat up from the Soft Chair, her cat ears standing straight up, looked at Wang Mengde, and asked, "What's wrong?"

"There are people from the Evergreen Sect outside; they've discovered me."

Wang Mengde's voice remained calm. "But they dare not make a move on the island. As long as we don't leave the island, we'll be fine."

Xue Linglong's pupils contracted for a moment, like two golden gems trembling slightly in the moonlight.

She didn't ask any more questions, nor did she show any fear. She simply nodded, her voice soft yet firm. "Yes, Master."

Looking at her obedient appearance, Wang Mengde felt a surge of warmth in his heart.

He suddenly smiled, reached out and pinched her cat ears, half-jokingly saying, "Cultivate diligently and reach Foundation Establishment as soon as possible, so you can protect me."

Xue Linglong nodded emphatically, her cat ears twitching up and down, her golden vertical pupils filled with seriousness.

She jumped off the Soft Chair, stood up straight like a kitten that had been given an important mission, and said in a clear voice, "Master, I will start cultivating diligently now."

As she spoke, she actually took out a futon from her Storage Bag, placed it on the ground, sat down cross-legged, made hand seals, and began to circulate her Cultivation Method.

Looking at her serious expression, Wang Mengde's lips curled up slightly.

He turned and walked into the underground chamber.

The secret chamber was small, only about ten feet square, with several luminous pearls embedded in the walls, emitting a soft glow.

A futon was placed in the very center.

He sat cross-legged on the futon and took out the Jade Spirit Fruit from his Storage Bag.

Wang Mengde took a bite; the fruit was crisp and the juice was sweet. It melted in his mouth, transforming into a cool spiritual energy that flowed into his meridians.

He closed his eyes, activated the Luan-Phoenix Harmony Formula, and guided the spiritual energy to flow slowly along the circulatory pathways.

[The Luan-Phoenix Harmony Formula +26]

[Spirit Power Cultivation +26]

Inside a private room at a restaurant on Jade Wave Island.

The light from the spirit lamp illuminated the room brightly and warmly. Several dishes of Spirit Cuisine and a pot of spiritual wine were placed on the table, and the three of them sat around the table.

Zhao Tianming sat in the main seat, picked up his wine glass, took a sip, and frowned slightly.

Yun Jingshan leaned back in his chair, toying with the wine glass in his hand, and suddenly said, "That bastard Wang Mengde, he really has some nerve."

I thought he had already escaped the Blue Wave Sea, but I never expected him to be hiding in these Shattered Star Archipelago.

Zhao Hongying nodded, picked up the wine pot and poured herself a cup, her voice cold. "Perhaps he has seen us before."

"We've been coming to the Shattered Star Archipelago quite often these past few years; the chances of us running into them are pretty high."

Yun Jingshan clicked his tongue, swirling the spirit wine in his glass. The amber liquid spun around in the glass. "Speaking of which, Wang Mengde, with only Five-Element Spirit Roots, unexpectedly saw his cultivation level soar to the Peak Qi Refinement Refining in just three years."

This cultivation speed is truly remarkable.

Zhao Hongying picked up her wine glass and drank it all in one gulp. She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and said, "Wang Mengde is indeed cautious."

His ability to make money is terrifying. He uses his Spirit Eye Technique and Entwining Silk Technique to catch Demon Fish, making money at an extremely fast pace, far exceeding what you or I can achieve.

It's normal that his cultivation speed is fast given that he has acquired a large amount of resources.

Zhao Tianming remained silent, but his divine sense continued to linger over the small courtyard where Wang Mengde lived.

Although the light blue protective Light Barrier blocked his divine sense, he could detect Wang Mengde the moment he stepped out of the courtyard.

At this moment, he regained some of his composure and spoke, his voice low and hoarse. "That kid killed Alchemist Xuan Yun Alchemist Xuan Yun, who has quite a lot of valuables on him."

However, with only Five-Element Spirit Roots, his Peak Qi Refinement.

He paused, picked up his wine glass, took a sip, and continued, " With Five-Element Spirit Roots, even with Foundation Establishment Pill, the hope of Foundation Establishment is extremely slim."

Moreover, even a single failure will damage the soul, requiring at least several years to recover.

Yun Jingshan placed the wine glass on the table with a soft sound. He looked at Zhao Tianming and said in a more serious tone, "As long as Foundation Establishment, there is hope for success."

There are quite a few cultivators who Foundation Establishment with Five-Element Spirit Roots.

Zhao Hongying sighed, gazing out the window at the brightly lit Jade Wave Island in the night. "Although there are many people there, the probability of Foundation Establishment is extremely low."

Zhao Tianming didn't pick up on that topic, but instead steered the conversation back on track. "That kid probably won't be out for a while."

Now that you two are familiar with his spiritual energy, the three of us will take turns using our divine senses to locate his courtyard.

Once he leaves Jade Wave Island, we'll capture him immediately. Then we'll exchange the Foundation Establishment Pills for Spirit Stones, and the three of us will split them equally.

Constantly projecting one's divine thoughts outwards is very taxing on one's mental energy.

After all, he was only at the Peak of the Foundation Establishment Early Stage, and his divine soul was not particularly strong.

If three people could take turns keeping watch, the pressure would be much less.

Zhao Hongying withdrew her gaze and looked at Zhao Tianming, her tone calm. "The auction is about to begin, and I still need to go to Myriad Treasures Island to sell things to exchange for Spirit Stones and raise funds."

I'm busy.

She has already sent a telepathic message to Wang Mengde.

That guy is so cautious, and his Talisman- drawing skills are so amazing; he can earn a lot of Spirit Stones just by drawing Talisman.

Based on her understanding of Wang Mengde, that guy would definitely not leave the island anytime soon.

Yun Jingshan leaned back in his chair, spread his hands, and gave a helpless smile, "Me too, I don't have time either. You should call another Foundation Establishment cultivator."

He paused, a mischievous glint in his eyes, and then offered Old Zhao a terrible suggestion. "How about this, you rent an attic next to Wang Mengde's house and keep an eye on him."

He also communicated with Wang Mengde telepathically, knowing Wang Mengde's cautious nature.

Given that guy's cautious nature, he could potentially survive on the island for twenty years.

I can't keep you up all night.

Zhao Hongying had also thought of this.

Although she felt no sense of belonging to the Zhao Immortal Clan because of her parents, she was still a member of the Zhao Immortal Clan.

The Foundation Establishment provided to her by her Lineage was used to help her Foundation Establishment Pill this time.

She didn't want Deacon Zhao to suffer here and waste his time.

After thinking for a moment, Zhao Hongying quietly used Voice Transmission Technique, her voice condensing into a single line and entering Zhao Tianming's ears. "Nineteenth Grandfather, why don't we just release Wang Mengde?"

You know Alchemist Xuan Yun's situation; she's lived to be nearly 160 years old.

Alchemist Xuan Yun's practice of the evil art of absorbing human Essence Blood is unknown to outsiders, but the higher-ups of the Zhao Immortal Clan are well aware of it.

A cultivator at the Peak Qi Refinement is considered lucky to live to be 130 years old, but Alchemist Xuan Yun lived to be nearly 160 years old.

In their quest to prolong their lives, they've drained the Essence Blood of countless men.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Tianming looked at Zhao Hongying, his brows furrowing slightly.

He replied telepathically, his voice low and stern. "I know you and he are friends, but his killing of my Zhao Immortal Clan is a slap in the face to my Zhao Immortal Clan."

Helpless, Zhao Hongying picked up her wine glass, took a sip, and said no more.

Then you'll just have to endure it.

Zhao Tianming suddenly stared straight at her, his gaze burning like two drawn swords.

His voice transmission sounded again, carrying a hint of accusation. "You haven't already told Wang Mengde about my surveillance, have you?"

Zhao Hongying's heart tightened, but her face remained expressionless.

She picked up her wine glass, covered her mouth, and whispered back, "No."

Zhao Tianming's gaze remained fixed on her, his aged voice carrying an undeniable air of authority. "Swear Soul Oath."

Zhao Hongying put down her wine glass, secretly regretting her actions.

Why did I remind Deacon Zhao?

Now that's settled, the other party has realized what's happening.

She lowered her eyelashes, remained silent for a moment, and her mind raced.

Suddenly, she raised her head, met Zhao Tianming's gaze calmly, and said in a telepathic voice, "Grandpa Nineteen, Wang Mengde saved my life before."

If I don't communicate with him telepathically, my thoughts will become blocked, and it will become a demon in my heart.

Zhao Tianming's face instantly turned extremely ugly.

He stared at Zhao Hongying for a long time, seemingly wanting to say something, but in the end he just let out a heavy snort.

Now that Wang Mengde already knows about his surveillance, staying here indefinitely is not a wise choice.

That kid could easily stay on the island and cultivate for ten or eight years.

As a Foundation Establishment cultivator, Zhao Tianming couldn't possibly spend ten years on this Jade Wave Island.

Zhao Tianming took out a Second-Rank Voice Transmission Talisman from his Storage Bag, gathered spiritual power at his fingertips, and quickly wrote on the Talisman.

Since Wang Mengde already knows he's being watched, he should inform the clan leader and let him handle it himself.

He activated the Voice Transmission Talisman then transformed into countless points of light and dissipated.

Inside the sealed room.

Wang Mengde refined and absorbed the last trace of the medicinal power of the Jade Spirit Fruit, and slowly opened his eyes.

With a mental focus, he observed that the spiritual energy in his Dantian had become even more abundant.

This Jade Spirit Fruit increased my spiritual power by a total of eighty points.

Wang Mengde sighed.

Over the past few years, he has refined the Jade Spirit Fruit multiple times, and his body has developed resistance to it. The efficacy of the Jade Spirit Fruit has decreased by at least 30% compared to the initial one.

If this trend continues, the effect will continue to diminish after taking a few more pills.

He stood up, stretched his limbs, and pushed open the door to walk out of the secret room.

Moonlight streamed into the courtyard, where Xue Linglong was still cultivating.

She sat cross-legged on the Soft Chair, her hands forming a mudra, her eyes closed, and her cat ears twitching slightly.

Wang Mengde watched her retreating figure, a slight smile appearing on his lips.

This Cat Demon is rarely so serious.

He didn't disturb her, but walked to the Spirit Jujube Tree and sat down at the stone table.

His brows furrowed slightly.

After Transcendent Mastery the Spirit Shield Talisman, his earning ability increased significantly. In addition, after selling the Trapping Array Plate, he now has a full 160,000 Spirit Stones on hand.

I originally planned to go to the auction to buy some Yin Spirit Fruits for Xue Linglong, but now I can't leave Jade Wave Island.

The auction is starting the day after tomorrow; he can't risk being ganged up on to attend.

Wang Mengde pondered for a moment, then took out two First-Rank Voice Transmission Talisman from his Storage Bag.

He gathered spiritual energy at his fingertips and typed a message into the first Voice Transmission Talisman: "Lord, something urgent has come up, and I can't attend the auction in three days. Could you please bid for three Yin Spirit Fruits and ten Xuanhuang Pills for me?"

The Xuanhuang Pill is a high-grade third-rank elixir that can directly enhance Spirit Power Cultivation. Its medicinal effects far surpass those of the Spirit-Treasure Pill, and it is said that there are quite a few of them at this auction.