Chapter 416

Eastern Border.

Nanjiang City.

Nanjiang City is a major immortal city in the Eastern Border cultivation realm, one of the Five Great Cities, situated in the southern part of the Eastern Border cultivation realm; beyond it lies the vast monster‑filled Monster Forest.

Having just emerged from the teleportation formation, Yunhe had already disguised himself as an early‑stage Golden Core cultivator.

His fame in the Eastern Border cultivation realm is enormous; though it brings him many conveniences, it also invites trouble, so unless necessary he still prefers not to expose his identity.

Scorching sunlight beat down as the streets teemed with a steady stream of pedestrians and cultivators.

Nanjiang City's architecture and cultivators' dress are noticeably different from those of Taixuan City and other Eastern Border locales, carrying a distinct Southern Domain vibe.

Meanwhile, Yunhe made another observation.

Monks, who are seldom seen in Taixuan City, are relatively common in Nanjiang City, with roughly one bald monk for every twenty or thirty cultivators.

Ji Zheng?

Upon reaching Nanjiang City, he went to the Bai Xiao Tower's Nanjiang branch.

Good.

The shopkeeper immediately bowed deeply to Yunhe, saying, "Junior Nanjiang Bai Xiao Tower branch manager Ji Zheng, I pay my respects, Elder."

Yunhe gave him a look, flicked his wrist, and a jade toad materialized in his palm.

"Fellow Daoist, is there anything I can help you with?"

"My grand‑uncle has already explained the matter clearly, and another elder has been waiting inside for quite a while."

He made his way up to the top floor unimpeded.

Based on Ji Liuyun's information, traces of a fourth‑grade earth‑attribute demonic beast were discovered outside Nanjiang City.

After a brief stop, Yunhe walked toward the Bai Xiao Tower.

Ji Zheng promptly led Yunhe to the entrance of a secret room on the top floor, and before Yunhe could say anything, a voice sounded from within.

Upon entering, a shopkeeper in an earth‑yellow robe welcomed them with a warm smile.

Although that early‑stage fourth‑grade demonic beast had made a decent impression on Yunhe, and its existence could be regarded as partially protecting the Heavenly Insect Sect's ruins, he did not really wish to harm it unless he had no alternative.

After speaking, his expression instantly returned to normal, and he smilingly escorted Yunhe upstairs.

Nevertheless, the disturbances of the Abyss and Sea tribes, being far from Nanjiang, appear to have little effect on the local cultivators, and the area remains a lively crowd.

Seeing the jade toad, the Bai Xiao Tower shopkeeper's expression shifted instantly, becoming extremely respectful as he lowered his voice.

Yunhe lifted his hand, his expression unchanged.

In fact, Yunhe also had alternatives among earth‑attribute demonic beasts; the early‑stage fourth‑grade beast in the Tianling Mountain Range was one of his targets.

"Please follow me, Elder."

Thus, upon hearing that traces of a fourth‑grade earth‑attribute demonic beast had appeared in Nanjiang, he decided to come and check it out.

Furthermore, the three major Buddhist holy sites of the Eastern Border cultivation realm—Guangjin Temple, Hanshui Temple, and Cijing Abbey—are all situated in Nanjiang, so many cultivators there follow the Buddhist path.

"Has Master Yun arrived?"

Hearing this, Yunhe raised his eyebrows, a hint of surprise crossing his face.

After gesturing for Ji Zheng to withdraw, Yunhe pushed the door open and went inside.

Indeed.

He saw a familiar figure.

The old monk from Guangjin Temple, Wuchen, whom he had met before and with whom he had attended a Nascent Soul exchange.

When Ji Liuyun recruited Yunhe as a guest elder of the Bai Xiao Tower, he mentioned that, including Yunhe, the tower had three guest elders in total.

He never asked who the other two were back then, never imagining that one of them would be the old monk Wuchen.

But this also explains why the old monk Wuchen had once traveled from Nanjiang to the Eastern Sea to attend the Nascent Soul exchange.

"Master Yun, long time no see; I pay my respects."

Seeing Yunhe, Wuchen wore a kind, benevolent expression, placing his palms together in a salute.

"I never thought one of the Bai Xiao Tower's guest elders would be Fellow Daoist Wuchen." Yunhe returned the salute, feeling a touch of emotion.

Hearing this, Wuchen gave a faint smile, speaking with a hint of deeper meaning.

"I once said that you have a karmic connection with the Buddha."

Yunhe froze, then let out a wry smile.

Is it "having affinity with the Buddha" or "having affinity with me"?

The meaning is quite different.

However, he didn't really take it to heart.

Wuchen regarded Yunhe before him; although Yunhe had once been called the "Bee Old Devil", over the years Wuchen had also learned that the Bee Elder of the Ice Immortal Pavilion was Yunhe, now renowned as the "Cloud Old Devil".

He sighed, "I never imagined that after decades apart, Master Yun would have earned such a reputation; even though he is far away in Nanjiang, his name resounds like thunder."

Listening to Wuchen's flattering words, Yunhe gave a helpless smile.

Who wouldn't want to cultivate in peace and tranquility?

Who wouldn't want to cultivate immortality in peace and tranquility, smoothly and steadily?

Yet, to cultivate more smoothly, some things must be done and contested.

But to make cultivation proceed more smoothly, some things have to be done, and some things have to be fought for.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, the two took their seats.

Yunhe asked, "Since Fellow Daoist Wuchen is handling this, I can only trouble you to explain the details to me."

Yunhe asked, "Since it is Daoist Wuchen who is in charge of this, I can only trouble you, Daoist friend, to explain it to me in detail."

After a pause, he continued, "Indeed, there is a fourth‑grade earth‑attribute demonic beast here, but it does not come from the Monster Forest; it originates from the Nanjiang cultivator clan, the Fan family."

He paused for a moment, then continued: "There is indeed a fourth-level earth-attribute demon beast here, but it does not originate from the demon beast forest; rather, it comes from the Fan family, a cultivation clan of the Southern Border."

"Immortal cultivation family?"

Yunhe was stunned.

Afterwards, Wuchen simply explained the Fan family and some details of the matter.

After listening, Yunhe's expression became somewhat strange.

The Fan clan is considered relatively famous and powerful in the Southern Border cultivation family, with no Yuan Ying cultivator in the clan, but they possess a fourth-level early-stage Gold-devouring Armored Beast, just like the Yuan State's Ten Thousand Beasts Sect.

Originally, the Fan clan possessing this beast was also considered a power in the Southern Border, not much inferior to those sects possessing Yuan Ying cultivators.

But the cultivator of the Fan clan who held the Beast Taming Token for the Gold-devouring Armored Beast suddenly died.

And he died rather ingloriously.

Because, he actually died on a woman's belly!

And when the Gold-devouring Armored Beast sensed that the cultivator maintaining the Beast Taming Token had fallen, it forcibly broke free from the token's restraint.

Possibly because the Fan clan had ordered it to do too many things, vengeful thoughts filled the Gold-devouring Armored Beast's heart; it immediately rushed into the Fan clan's territory, almost slaughtering all the Fan clan cultivators, only a few Fan clan cultivators or those out and not returned managed to survive.

The Gold-devouring Armored Beast directly occupied the Fan clan's land as its nest.

Now the once prosperous Fan clan's land, under the influence of the Gold-devouring Armored Beast, has become a desolate wasteland.

Even a clan like the Fan clan could be wiped out; naturally, few forces would bother, so those who know it was the Gold-devouring Armored Beast's doing are really few.

Wuchen also only learned the details after some investigation and understanding.

"A Late Jie Dan Stage cultivator died on a woman's belly," Yunhe smacked his lips and shook his head.

How hearing it feels so unreliable, as if there's some hidden truth.

Seems to have seen Yunhe's doubt, the old monk Wuchen said: "I also think this matter is suspicious; no matter what, that Fan clan cultivator is also a Late Jie Dan Stage cultivator, and possesses the Beast Taming Token of the Gold-devouring Armored Beast; such a death is indeed somewhat suspicious."

However.

These are actually not things he and Yunhe need to worry about.

In the entire Eastern Border cultivation world, many cultivators fall each day, and various powers rise and fall; how the Fan clan fell, what secrets there are, is not greatly related to them.

Nothing more than grudges, power struggles, conflicts of interest, etc.

"No matter what, the existence of the Gold-devouring Armored Beast cannot be escaped," Yunhe said.

"Indeed so."

Wuchen nodded in agreement, then tentatively asked: "Yun benefactor, do you want to deal with this demon?"

Hearing that, Yunhe smiled slightly, "I, Yun, merely want to 'borrow' something from this Gold-devouring Armored Beast."

Wuchen gave him a deep look.

Fourth-level monsters aren't that easy to deal with; even an early-stage fourth-level monster is the same.

Moreover, this Gold-devouring Armored Beast, not only is an earth-attribute beast exceptionally skilled at defense, but also lives up to its "Gold-devouring" name, able to continuously strengthen itself by consuming metal and stone.

Given the Fan clan's former resources, it likely provided this beast with plenty of metal and stone; the defensive power of this Gold-devouring Armored Beast is so strong that ordinary cultivators, even Yuan Ying cultivators, would probably find it hard to break its defense.

Moreover, the Gold-devouring Armored Beast is unlike other wild beasts; having resided in a cultivation family for so long, it certainly understands cultivators and their abilities, possibly even possessing some magical treasures; its power is absolutely not to be underestimated.

This is also why, even if someone eyed the resources after the Fan clan's destruction, no one dares to act.

At the same time, it's also why the Gold-devouring Armored Beast dares to openly occupy the Fan clan's land as its lair.

However, Wuchen thought of Yunhe having once slain a mid-Yuan Ying cultivator in reverse, and the words he was about to say to warn him were also swallowed back.

"Then I, Yun, will take my leave."

After understanding what he wanted to know, Yunhe rose to prepare to leave.

Originally, Wuchen thought about whether to go together to help Yunhe guard the formation; even if the Gold-devouring Armored Beast is hard to deal with, having two early-stage Yuan Ying cultivators present would undoubtedly be much safer.

But seeing that Yunhe didn't seem to have that intention, he also didn't mention it.

After all, most cultivators have their own secrets; rashly watching others' duels raises suspicion of trying to learn the opponent's secrets or hidden cards.

"Yun benefactor, if you have free time after dealing with the Gold-devouring Armored Beast, you can come to my Golden Light Temple to sit; perhaps you'll gain something." Wuchen said thus.

Hearing that, Yunhe raised his eyebrows, thought simply, didn't refuse, just said:

"If there's nothing, I, Yun, will definitely pay a visit."

"Good."

"Thus."

Yunhe left the Hundred Dawn Pavilion, following the map provided by the Hundred Dawn Pavilion, flying straight to the original Fan clan's territory, now the Gold-devouring Armored Beast's occupied ground.

(End of chapter)