Are all those who work for the Demonic Cult so rich now?

Tigers are considered the smartest animals among felines, so after Jiang Beiran had a friendly communication with it for about ten minutes, the White-browed Tiger, with its head full of bumps, led Jiang Beiran to a Chinese Tallow Tree.

"Roar." The White-browed Tiger extended its paw and pointed to a spot that had clearly been filled in.

"Hmm, good job." Jiang Beiran reached out and patted the White-browed Tiger's big head.

"Moo..." The White-browed Tiger let out a sound of enjoyment and rubbed its big head forcefully against Jiang Beiran's arm.

"Good boy, go on now."

Pushing the White-browed Tiger away, Jiang Beiran walked to the filled-in spot and squatted down. At the same time, two options popped up before his eyes.

[Option 1: Dig directly. Completion Reward: Azure Dragon Emerges from Water (Yellow Rank High Grade)]

[Option 2: Make thorough preparations before digging. Completion Reward: Random Basic Skill Points +1]

"Oh ho!"

Jiang Beiran truly didn't expect that there would be a trap worth the system offering options in this pit, especially since the owner was only at Qi Refining Second Order.

As expected, I can't underestimate any Cultivator. Who knows what strange treasures they might suddenly pull out and throw at your face.

Sighing inwardly, Jiang Beiran took out a highly poison-resistant "Osmunda Fiber Gauze" from his Universe Ring and put it on his face. Then, he took out a bottle of "Blue Python Juice" and poured a little into the soil.

After waiting for about five minutes, Jiang Beiran, wearing "Silk Gloves," was about to dig a little when he saw a Black-gold Centipede, about as thick as a finger, scurry out of the soil as if fleeing for its life.

Black Meteorite Centipede!?

Although Jiang Beiran didn't expect to see this thing here at all, his hands didn't slow down. With a grab and a release, he collected the Black Meteorite Centipede, which was about a foot long, into his Hulu.

"Nice, I didn't expect an unexpected bonus." Jiang Beiran shook the Hulu and chuckled.

As far as Jiang Beiran knew, the Black Meteorite Centipede was a signature poison of the Shura Chamber, but it was usually only possessed by high-ranking members.

This centipede's venom was extremely potent. If one were accidentally bitten, a Cultivator below the Profound Spirit realm would at best die later, and at worst die on the spot. Even a Profound Spirit realm Cultivator would not feel good after being bitten.

To think a mere Human Trafficker would use such a rare item to guard his treasure? It seems what he said about tomb raiding spoils was indeed a lie. He did keep some tricks up his sleeve.

Hanging the Hulu at his waist, Jiang Beiran, after confirming there was likely only this one Black Meteorite Centipede, began to dig downwards and soon touched a hard object.

Got it.

The corners of Jiang Beiran's mouth curved upwards. He completely cleared away the soil covering it and took out an orange-red box.

[Option Mission Completed, Reward: Chess Skill +1]

Seeing the system prompt, Jiang Beiran knew the alarm had been completely lifted.

He patted the dirt off the box and looked at the Copper Lock on the case, feeling a mix of amusement and exasperation.

'Seriously... if he could get this box, he wouldn't be afraid of a mere Black Meteorite Centipede, yet he's stumped by this tiny Copper Lock?'

Shaking his head, Jiang Beiran casually pulled out a piece of wire, inserted it into the keyhole, and fiddled with it. Then, with a "click," the lock opened.

He removed the lock, set it aside, and slowly opened the box.

'Damn... is being an outer member of a demonic cult this profitable!?'

Looking at the three Low Grade Gold Spirit Stones and the Formation Book in the box, Jiang Beiran couldn't help but curse inwardly.

He had thought the Low Grade Gold Spirit Stone he confiscated last time was all the Youth Leader had. He never expected it to be only a quarter of his wealth.

'No wonder more and more young people are willing to join the demonic cult now. This is too lucrative.'

Jiang Beiran sighed inwardly as he collected the three Low Grade Gold Spirit Stones into his Universe Ring. Then, he picked up the Formation Book, which had "[Water Heart Mechanism Pavilion]" written on its cover, and flipped it open. The moment he glanced at it, Jiang Beiran's interest was piqued.

'Hmm... Sixteen Earthly Branches. This is a formation from the Thousand and Eighty Situations. It's written quite chaotically. I'll need to deduce it with a live model when I get back.'

As he flipped to the middle pages of the book, Jiang Beiran knew his trip was worthwhile. He had learned something new.

'It seems this formation and that Black Meteorite Centipede were both given to him by the Shura Chamber. But how can just an Outer Disciple possess so many good things? Is the Shura Chamber that rich?'

Jiang Beiran's mind raced with possibilities. Perhaps the Youth Leader was the illegitimate son of some high-ranking official, or maybe he had stolen these items from the Shura Chamber.

'But it has nothing to do with me anyway.'

Putting an end to his baseless speculations, Jiang Beiran stuffed the Water Heart Mechanism Pavilion into his Universe Ring. He then stood up and looked at the White-browed Tiger, which had been sitting obediently beside him, and chuckled, "Do you think I should kill you to silence you?"

Upon hearing this, the White-browed Tiger's fur bristled. It immediately prostrated itself on the ground, trembling uncontrollably.

"Roar... Roar... Roar..."

Whether Jiang Beiran understood or not, the White-browed Tiger desperately conveyed that it was just an ordinary little tiger and posed no threat to him.

"Whimper..."

After another pitiful roar, the White-browed Tiger cautiously raised its eyes and found that Jiang Beiran, who had been standing in front of it, had disappeared at some point...

The next morning, Jiang Beiran woke up early. He made himself a bowl of lotus seed soup for breakfast and then set out feeling refreshed.

He had spent the entire night deducing the formations in the Water Heart Mechanism Pavilion and had gained a significant understanding of the art of Dun Jia, further solidifying his abilities in formations.

He skillfully navigated through several small alleys and arrived at the Blue Heart Xuan.

Since it was still early, no disciples were playing chess or Go here yet.

He walked all the way to the innermost room and cupped his hands towards a door, calling out, "Cheng Li Hall, your student has returned."

As soon as Jiang Beiran finished speaking, the door burst open with a "bang," and a hand reached out from inside, grabbing Jiang Beiran and pulling him in.

"Come, come, sit down quickly. I haven't played a game with you in two days, and my hands are itching."

A white-haired old man with a long beard said as he pushed Jiang Beiran into the seat opposite the chess table.

Jiang Beiran didn't want to dampen the old man's enthusiasm, so he nodded and said, "Then I'll take the white pieces and go first. Please go easy on me, Cheng Li Hall."

"No, no, I'm taking the white pieces this game." Cheng Li Hall said, swatting away Jiang Beiran's hand reaching for the white piece container and pulling the container to his side.

Jiang Beiran was stunned. As the saying goes, "Taking white pieces shows respect." He was offering to go first with white, implying, "My chess skill is lower than yours, Cheng Li Hall, so I should take white and go first."

But he didn't expect Cheng Li Hall to completely disregard these common courtesies today and forcefully snatch the white pieces.

"It seems Cheng Li Hall has had some new insights."

Jiang Beiran smiled slightly, took the black piece container and placed it by his side. He then focused his attention entirely on the chessboard, waiting for Cheng Li Hall to make the first move.

PS: I originally planned to have two updates... but this chapter took me four hours. (Okay, okay, I'm short, I'm short.)