Chapter 37

What's this guy up to?

Chen Zhao was puzzled.

After a moment's thought, he ventured:

"That place is filled with miasma—Brother, do you have a way to counter it?"

He Chengdao's lips curled.

What good method did he have? Could he really say he'd just swallow Qingxin Pills and walk through?

Seeing the other stammer, Chen Zhao also declined:

"Thank you for the invitation, Brother, but I have no way to counter it either. I'll just stay in Juxian Pavilion and let things take their course."

Juxian Pavilion is rich in Spirit Qi, and with Huanglong Pills aiding him, his chances of advancement are considerable—no need to risk his life.

Besides,

his income from Spirit Stones is substantial, enough to support five Low-grade Spirit Stones per day for cultivation.

If only Muling Pills were available, he'd definitely get one to try.

He Chengdao sighed at this, and didn't press further.

"I'll go recruit others—if you change your mind, I'll save you a spot."

Watching his retreating back, Chen Zhao shook his head.

The next day.

The He Family Brothers took leave, seemingly off to search for treasure.

Until a week later.

He Chengdao sneaked back, pulled Chen Zhao aside, and whispered:

"Chen Brother, are you going to Yuhua Lou tonight? I'll get you an Earth-rank Private Room!"

As he spoke, he patted his Storage Bag, looking utterly smug.

Earth-rank Private Room.

That's one level higher than the last three Evil Cultivators' status—better quality female cultivators too.

Of course, the cost is naturally higher.

Spending dozens of Low-grade Spirit Stones in one night counts as cheap entertainment—let alone renting a private room.

"Brother, we just wrecked their place last time..."

Chen Zhao declined with an excuse.

That exorcism operation nearly tore Yuhua Lou apart.

"What's to fear? The madam's all about money—with me leading, you can pick as many as you want."

He Chengdao rubbed his fingers, his tone tempting.

But Chen Zhao still refused.

"Thank you for your kind offer, Brother, but I don't wish to stir up more trouble."

Chen Zhao wasn't unwilling to go—he just needed to focus on cultivation; no need to distract himself.

That night,

He Chengdao returned with a dark face.

"What kind of Earth-rank Private Room is this? Eyes only, hands off—I just sat there staring!"

That day, though he didn't enter the room, he engaged in a Dharma Battle near Yuhua Lou.

And Yuhua Lou, to protect its reputation, never revealed the three women were Evil Cultivators.

The female cultivators, unaware, kept their distance from him, fearing he'd attack them.

In the following days, He Chengdao was furious and irritable.

He invited Chen Zhao to drink at Baixian Tower.

Chen Zhao didn't refuse.

Because he had already agreed to Liu Chen's offer to remain as Chief Alchemist, to maintain his Spirit Stone expenditure for cultivation.

And Liu Chen, to celebrate this, hosted a banquet at Baixian Tower.

Again on the top floor, just like when he celebrated Su Wanyao's advancement.

But this time,

it was noticeably quieter.

All attendees were from Juxian Pavilion—only out of obligation to maintain good relations with colleagues did they bother to come.

Between the dining tables, a young girl played with a Spirit Cat, drawing a crowd.

"This is Sister Yang Xiao from the Spirit Beast Hall—she runs a shop on the third floor."

Liu Chen gestured, introducing Chen Zhao and Xin Tong to their colleagues:

"According to your plan, next year we'll claim a plot on the first floor's perimeter for Spirit Beast boarding—I plan to hire her as Chief Beast Tamer."

Chen Zhao grew slightly interested and looked up.

What an energetic girl.

Her smile shone like a summer sun; she bounced as she walked, utterly unconcerned with the ample curves in front of her.

Seeing Chen Zhao and the others, her eyes lit up, and she ran over holding the Spirit Cat:

"Congratulations, Pavilion Master, on gaining a new powerhouse! Congratulations, Chen Alchemist, on your official appointment!"

Yang Xiao bowed slightly, her words sweet:

"If either of you sees any Spirit Beast in my shop, just let me know."

Chen Zhao nodded.

He sized up the spirit cat.

The little cat leapt down, vanished into Yang Xiao's shadow, then reappeared beside Xin Tong's feet.

So tiny, yet its cultivation had reached Qi Refining seventh level; if another one showed up later, it would make a decent combat asset.

"Sister, I want this one… how many Spirit Stones?"

Xin Tong's eyes sparkled.

But she dared not touch it—only extended one finger to test, only for the spirit cat to hiss, making her quickly pull back.

"It was brought out from the middle layer of Fulong Mountain; if a second one appears, I'll notify Senior Sister immediately."

Yang Xiao summoned spiritual energy and lightly tapped the spirit cat; it raised a paw to cover its head, and its gaze instantly cleared:

"Or you could all try the middle layer—rumor says, besides Spirit Beasts, there are countless Spirit Medicines."

Yang Xiao seemed naive and romantic, and didn't hide anything.

He lowered his voice to tell everyone:

"But I heard Mu Qing Senior Sister say there's a faint breathing sound there—it induces illusions out of nowhere and summons countless ghostly shadows, terrifyingly so!"

Again, Su Muqing.

Chen Zhao frowned, then heard Xin Tong's mental voice reach him.

"A second-rank upper-grade Nine Apertures Bright Jade! From this description… it's almost certainly it."

Chen Zhao froze upon hearing this.

He had once seen Xin Tong's Nourishing Spirit Pill prescription—this item was one of its primary ingredients.

It resembles milky stone, formed over a thousand years from drops of spiritual liquid, its surface smooth as jade.

Chen Zhao performed another divination and confirmed Yang Xiao's words were true.

He immediately sensed something amiss.

This Su Muqing really wants me to enter the middle layer of Fulong Mountain.

First the Muchen Pill, now the Nine Apertures Bright Jade.

She only spreads rumors, luring those around Chen Zhao into the trap, then pulls Chen Zhao in, forcing him into the mountain.

The information isn't false, and the people are friends.

Her tactics are truly skillful.

Too bad Chen Zhao remained completely unmoved.

He looked at Xin Tong, whose expression showed clear interest, and sent a mental message:

"This is suspicious—don't act rashly. I suspect Su Muqing has laid traps within the mountain."

Though Su Muqing has lost most of her authority, she's even resorted to personally intervening to draw in Chen Zhao and the He Family Brothers.

But one must always fear the unexpected.

Xin Tong nodded upon hearing this, her mind elsewhere.

Seeing this, Chen Zhao sighed and sent another mental message:

"If you truly go, remember to disguise yourself. I'll persuade Wan Yao Senior Sister to have Duan Bo accompany you."

"Also, take three Nourishing Spirit Pills."

He quietly approached Xin Tong and slipped the pills into her sleeve.

Xin Tong's cheeks flushed red as she softly thanked him.

She wasn't foolish.

A Qi Refining seventh-level Formation Master, with Duan Bo's aid, would face no major danger as long as she avoided Foundation Establishment cultivators.

One month later.

Inside a solitary pill chamber.

Chen Zhao sat cross-legged in meditation, several Low-grade Spirit Stones in his hand crumbling to dust.

He no longer suppressed his cultivation—his Qi Refining sixth-level threshold now loomed just ahead.

But the cost was that the Huanglong Pill's effect on him had grown steadily weaker.

"Fortunately, the remaining time should be enough for me to break through."

He slowly rose and snapped his fingers.

A dark-blue flying sword circled beside him, its blade wreathed in faint mist, adding an ethereal aura.

"The Muchen Stone has fused successfully—its power now approaches that of a high-grade Dharma Treasure."

Chen Zhao was highly satisfied.

The fusion was flawless—this sword could fully unleash the Muchen Stone's ability to slay evil.

If he met Murong De again, he would have a fighting chance.

Just then.

The door banged violently.

He opened it.

There stood Duan Bo, supporting Xin Tong, who was barely breathing.

Her veins bulged like spiderwebs across her skin, her face as pale as paper, pupils dilated, lips trembling.

"Duan Bo… take me to Zhao…"

Seeing this, Chen Zhao rushed forward to take Xin Tong.

He pressed his fingers to her slender arm to feel her pulse—his heart clenched tight.

This was barely a step away from Murong De's demonic transformation state.

Her soul was unanchored, Evil Qi attacking her heart.

Chen Zhao looked at Duan Bo, who shook his head.