Chapter 898

Luo Chen did not hesitate and immediately replied:

"Exactly. Qi prefers the path of body refining, and I never let go of any relevant cultivation techniques. I just don't know what price you are asking for that technique of yours, Master?"

To this, Master Master Li Tian waved his hand.

"The price is not important. Before discussing the price, you had better take a look at it first."

While speaking, he nodded to Marquis Ziyi beside him.

The other party flipped his hand, and a jade slip appeared before them.

Luo Chen raised an eyebrow, took it, injected his spiritual sense directly into it, and scanned it.

The "Hundred Poison Body-Refining Technique" was indeed the high-level body-refining technique the Master of Thunder Cave had mentioned earlier.

However, unlike the time when the other party wanted to see it but couldn't, Luo Chen had the opportunity to read a brief version as soon as he made the request.

From this, it could be seen that the difference in cultivation and strength led to different treatment.

Luo Chen felt a joy in his heart.

However, after browsing through the small portion of content that wasn't restricted, his heart gradually sank.

"This technique is really a bit……"

He didn't know where to start, and while hesitating, he saw Master Master Li Tian's smiling eyes.

With a thought, Luo Chen gripped the jade slip tightly.

"I'll take it!"

Master Master Li Tian was stunned, and even Marquis Ziyi beside him was greatly surprised.

Marquis Ziyi advised: "This body-refining technique is no ordinary technique; it requires taking a King Bug into the body, refining a hundred poisons, and eroding the flesh, tendons, and bones day and night—the pain is self-evident. But we who have achieved the Nascent Soul realm can all endure pain to some extent. The real danger is that with your current body-refining realm, to have an effect on your physical body, the poison refined must be a strange poison of extremely high potency. One careless mistake, and that would be total destruction……"

"Fellow Daoist, no need to persuade me further!" Luo Chen waved his hand, "Although Qi has quite some attainments in the path of body refining, the deeper I cultivate, the more obstacles I see. Therefore, I really need relevant techniques for reference to break through the bottleneck. Since there is such a wonderful technique, how can I retreat upon seeing the difficulty?"

Marquis Ziyi opened his mouth, and in the end, could only sigh with appreciation and stop persuading him.

He had also read the full text of the "Hundred Poison Body-Refining Technique" and knew how high its power was after completion.

The phrase "invulnerable to a hundred poisons, untouchable by water and fire" was an understatement.

If it weren't for the many taboos and the extreme difficulty of cultivation, he would have chosen to concurrently cultivate this technique long ago.

Now that the other party was eager to try, persuading him further would instead make him the villain.

Luo Chen turned his attention to the true owner of this technique, "Master Master Li Tian, please state your price! As long as it is something I can allow, it can be traded."

Master Master Li Tian smiled

and asked in return: "In your view, what is the value of this technique?"

Luo Chen frowned slightly.

Recalling the small portion he had seen earlier, he hesitated: "This technique is actually not too exquisite; it's just moving toxins to temper the flesh, tendons, and bones. What's truly valuable is the accompanying Hundred Poison King Bug."

"That's right!"

Master Master Li Tian smiled and nodded.

"This technique was created by me, and it's true that it's not very profound. Because creating this technique was originally to accompany the Hundred Poison King Bug I refined back then. Rather than saying you are buying the technique from me, it's better to say you are buying the Hundred Poison King Bug. And this bug is my proud work, as for its value……"

Master Master Li Tian looked Luo Chen up and down, and after making Luo Chen feel uncomfortable, he suddenly stated his price.

"If you are willing to make a move for me once, I will agree to give this bug and the accompanying technique to you for free."

"Hmm?"

Luo Chen showed a look of confusion.

With Master Master Li Tian's high status in the Southern Border, it was comparable to Luo Chen's level in the Eastern Wasteland.

With a wave of his arm, countless powerhouses would be willing to run errands for him.

Just like when Luo Chen initiated the opening war in the Eastern Wasteland cultivation world in the name of the Alchemist Sect, countless large and small forces and Nascent Soul powerhouses gathered to respond.

Did he actually still need his help?

Moreover, with Master Master Li Tian's own Nascent Soul late-stage Great Cultivator realm, his own strength was already extraordinary; why would he need the help of a "stranger" like him?

I fear this "free" is the greatest cost!

Luo Chen said coldly: "Please speak plainly, what kind of matter requires Qi to make a move?"

Master Master Li Tian did not beat around the bush and spoke frankly about the ins and outs of the matter.

Since stepping onto the path of bug-refining, his dream had been to refine a Divine Bug that transcended the mundane!

A Fifth-Rank Divine Bug!

However, as everyone knows, in the history of the Southern Border, there have only been three Fifth-Rank Divine Bugs, and a fourth has never appeared.

Even those three Fifth-Rank Divine Bugs have gradually become incomplete with the passage of time.

The Life-Death Symbiosis Bug was destroyed, evolving into many low-rank bugs like the Spiritual Rhinoceros, Demon Heart, and Qi-Eating bugs.

The Calamity Bug disappeared, rumored to be attached to a top-tier powerhouse who left the Southern Border.

Only the Fortune Bug is still preserved in the Life-Death Gate.

Master Master Li Tian, after carefully studying various bugs and collecting many clues, gradually discovered an ancient remnant secret realm.

Inside, there is a very high possibility that the original bug formula for the Life-Death Symbiosis Bug is preserved!

But that secret realm is extremely dangerous, and even Nascent Soul cultivators are like walking on thin ice inside.

For the sake of perfection, Master Master Li Tian intends to organize manpower to go and explore it.

And for the composition of the exploration team, he must ensure there are no omissions.

Talents in all aspects have already been recruited.

Only in terms of body refiners is there a deficiency.

Originally, he placed his hopes on Marquis Ziyi, but……

Marquis Ziyi smiled freely, "Although I consider my body-refining attainments to be not bad, Master Master Li Tian still doesn't trust me very much, so he brought out the 'Hundred Poison Body-Refining Technique' to try and lure out some hidden body-refining powerhouses in the Southern Border cultivation world."

Luo Chen raised an eyebrow, "So Qi is that big fish lured out?"

Marquis Ziyi looked at Master Master Li Tian, who did not avoid the question.

"Being able to suppress the Demon Buddha Ning Yuzhuo with body-refining techniques and beating the two great Nascent Soul True Persons of the Zhaoying Sect to one death and one injury—with such attainments, the contemporary body refiners of the Southern Border are likely second to none."

"The Master's source of information is truly extraordinary!"

Luo Chen gave a neither cold nor warm compliment, and then fell into silence.

He had always avoided things like exploring secret realms.

If it weren't for the sake of forming a core, he wouldn't even have gone to the Fallen Demon Land.

Now that the other party opened his mouth to invite him to explore some ancient secret realm, how could he not be cautious?

Master Master Li Tian and Marquis Ziyi looked at each other, slightly surprised.

This domineering cultivator Qi Tian was rumored to have a bold and unconstrained style, but now he appeared somewhat cautious.

"That's right, if he weren't cautious, how could he have reached this point today."

Master Master Li Tian thought secretly, then tempted him with profit.

"The cultivation of the 'Hundred Poison Body-Refining Technique' not only requires the Hundred Poison King Bug as a core, but also various powerful poisonous substances as consumables."

"Although you have the Wind-Thunder Gorge as your backing, Fellow Daoist, it is mostly composed of loose cultivators who have not achieved much, making it difficult to collect poisonous resources for you."

"If you are willing to help, I can use the power of the Fierce Mountain Zombie Alliance to wantonly purchase corresponding poisonous substances for you, and even some strange poisonous bugs can be found for you."

This was indeed not empty talk.

Just from Luo Chen's brief glance earlier, he saw the various poisonous substances recommended in the jade slip.

There were high and low ranks, from first-rank poisonous substances for beginners to fourth-rank ones, numbering in the thousands.

Perhaps the price wasn't too expensive, but relying on himself alone, it would be very difficult to collect them all.

Luo Chen asked in a low voice: "Master Master Li Tian, can you use the manpower and material resources of the Fierce Mountain Zombie Alliance?"

Master Master Li Tian smiled slightly, "Fellow Daoist Qi, don't underestimate my influence in the Zombie Alliance!"

"If so……" Luo Chen's mind was set, and he directly opened his mouth like a lion, "Qi also wishes to join the Fierce Mountain Zombie Alliance; I ask you to introduce me."

"That is a small matter."

"In addition, I also wish to use the Zombie Alliance's intelligence

channels to inquire about a hidden powerhouse who has disappeared in the Southern Border for many years."

"Easy to say, just state the name; with the complex composition of forces within the Zombie Alliance, we can always find some clues for you."

"Demon Heart Bug Emperor!"

When these four words appeared, Luo Chen stared fixedly at the two people before him.

Master Master Li Tian's expression sank, somewhat angry; Marquis Ziyi's expression changed slightly, quite disgusted.

Luo Chen asked tentatively: "I wonder if you two have any understanding of the Demon Heart Bug Emperor?"

Marquis Ziyi snorted coldly: "A person who gains without working."

Master Master Li Tian's anger faded, leaving only a sigh.

"The Demon Heart Bug, originally a good bug, has been reduced to a tool for plundering cultivation—truly a waste. Since you want to find this person, I don't mind asking a few more questions for you. But you must be mentally prepared; this person's whereabouts are extremely secretive, and he hasn't appeared for many years, so I fear it will end in nothing."

"Agreement is enough." Luo Chen didn't force it; he hadn't been in the Southern Border cultivation world for long and wasn't in a hurry.

Master Master Li Tian nodded, "Then what about the matter I mentioned?"

Luo Chen smiled slightly, "Qi agrees; when the time comes, just let me know, and I can set off at any time."

"No rush, no rush; before the Fierce Mountain Zombie Alliance attacks the Life-Death Gate, we have enough time to prepare." Master Master Li Tian breathed a sigh of relief, then waved his hand, casting several magic arts. The many restrictions on the jade slip in Luo Chen's hand were instantly unlocked, and now he could read the full text. "I will have someone send you the corresponding Hundred Poison King Bug as soon as possible, and some basic poisonous substances can also be given to you for free."

Luo Chen was somewhat surprised by this.

"The matter hasn't even been done, yet the reward is given?"

Master Master Li Tian laughed, showing full confidence.

"In this Southern Border, there is no one who can take advantage of me for free; what harm is there in giving you the reward first?"

Luo Chen's mind stirred, and he bowed, "Then many thanks!"

This scene was just like when he refined pills for Ling Fengzi back then.

He wasn't afraid of the other party running away with the pills.

As for the result, didn't Ling Fengzi finally join the Luo Sect?

"Marquis Ziyi, I still have some trivial matters to attend to; I'll trouble you to entertain Fellow Daoist Qi for me."

"Master, go ahead and get busy; I'm enough to handle Fellow Daoist Qi here."

After Master Master Li Tian left in a hurry, Marquis Ziyi winked at Luo Chen, looking eager to try.

Luo Chen was helpless, "The matter of sparring is not urgent; I still want to see more of this ten-day exchange meeting."

"Haha, that's true." Marquis Ziyi laughed heartily and took Luo Chen back into the great hall.

……

This exchange meeting, involving more than half of the Nascent Soul True Persons in the Southern Border, appeared quite restless from beginning to end.

The lectures by powerhouses were just a formality.

Except for Master Master Li Tian, who brought out some real goods at the very beginning, the rest were basically old clichés.

This was also normal; everyone wasn't exactly close friends, so where would they be willing to lecture on useful cultivation insights for free?

The focus of the exchange meeting was on two points.

Exchanging resources to meet each other's needs, and joining the Fierce Mountain Zombie Alliance!

Especially the latter; in the next few days, one after another, ten more Nascent Soul cultivators joined the Fierce Mountain Zombie Alliance.

Only people like Bei Puti, the Left Envoy of the Luo Sect, and the Master of Thunder Cave of the Wind-Thunder Gorge hesitated and did not express their stance.

Late at night on this day.

Luo Chen was in the fourth-rank cave dwelling arranged for him by the Fierce Mountain Zombie Alliance, counting the resources he had traded for during the day.

"Gold-Eating Vine, Corrupting Immortal Miasma, Ghost Dew……"

Bottles and jars were placed before him, all covered with sealing restrictions, making one feel awe.

They were all substances containing extreme poison!

Like the Corrupting Immortal Miasma, it was an extreme poisonous miasma extracted from the Wilderness of Mist; if it spread even a little, cultivators below the Golden Core stage would die upon contact.

Or like the Ghost Dew, rumored to be refined from the filthy places deep in the earth's veins where spiritual energy is stagnant. With just one drop, a Golden Core cultivator's magic power would stagnate, becoming livestock on a chopping board, waiting to be slaughtered.

These were all relatively rare items, and even if their rank wasn't high, they rarely circulated in the market.

If it weren't for Luo Chen taking out a large batch of medicinal herbs collected from the Alchemist Saint Blessed Land and the Five Elements Sect, it would have been very difficult to trade for them.

But even so, Luo Chen didn't directly start cultivating the "Hundred Poison Body-Refining Technique."

Because this body-refining technique goes from low to high, step by step.

He was still missing some of the most basic poisonous substances as cultivation consumables.

It's ridiculous to say, but at his level, the circles he contacts are too high-end; instead, those most basic resources are very difficult to collect quickly.

"It seems I can only rely on Master Master Li Tian's side."

After counting, Luo Chen sorted and stored these things according to their rank and toxicity.

Outside the cave dwelling, there was movement.

Luo Chen's mind stirred, and he released the cave dwelling's formation.

The Master of Thunder Cave walked in.

After looking around the surroundings, he clicked his tongue in wonder: "Others who join the Fierce Mountain Zombie Alliance have to pass the assessment of Alliance Leader Master Song Yang. Your treatment, Brother Qi, is different; not only did you enter directly, but you were also arranged such a good cave dwelling."

"Is it very good?" Luo Chen asked casually.

"At least better than my Wind-Thunder Gorge," the Master of Thunder Cave said as such.

Luo Chen said indifferently: "In terms of the current cultivation environment in the Southern Border, aren't the better cave dwellings more dangerous for us

??"

The Master of Thunder Cave was stunned; it seemed to be the truth.

He waved his hand and spoke of the main business.

"I will be leaving Mije Mountain in a while."

Luo Chen asked curiously: "Tomorrow is the last day of the exchange meeting; listening to Master Master Li Tian's hints, important figures will appear—won't you stay and see?"

"No matter how important, what does it have to do with me?" The Master of Thunder Cave asked in return, then whispered: "It's better to leave early, to avoid trouble from Ning Yuzhuo."

Luo Chen suddenly understood.

"Then I wish you a smooth journey, Fellow Daoist!"

The Master of Thunder Cave smiled slightly; he could consider this trip worthwhile.

Not only did he get to know more top-tier powerhouses in the Southern Border, but he also traded for many useful resources.

After returning, he would reorganize the Wind-Thunder Gorge, establish his own force, and could also be considered a master of a region in the future.

However, before leaving, he still had some advice for Luo Chen.

"Beware of Old Man Zangsheng!"

"Hmm?" Luo Chen showed a look of confusion.

The Master of Thunder Cave transmitted his voice: "This person's whereabouts are mysterious and his style is ruthless; there is a high possibility that he is the Demon Heart Bug Emperor you are looking for. If you don't have contact, that's fine; once you have contact, be extremely cautious."

Luo Chen's lips tightened slightly, and the information about Old Man Zangsheng surfaced in his mind one by one.

The other party came from Zangsheng Valley and called himself the Valley Master.

But unlike normal forces, Zangsheng Valley didn't have many disciples.

If he really were the Demon Heart Bug Emperor, it would indeed fit his rumored style of doing things.

"That's all I can find out; there may be errors, so Brother Qi, you should verify it yourself and not just listen to me. I've said all I can; farewell!"

After speaking, the Master of Thunder Cave didn't linger and drifted away from Mije Mountain.

In the night, Luo Chen watched the other party's departing back, muttering the name of Old Man Zangsheng in his heart.

"Could he be the person I'm looking for?"

The second day.

Luo Chen saw Old Man Zangsheng, who had rarely appeared, in the great hall at the peak of Mije Mountain.

Four Great Cultivators sat above, waiting in full battle array.

When Luo Chen entered the hall, True Person Master Song Yang glanced at him, his expression neither sad nor happy.

Master Master Li Tian smiled and signaled, everything understood without words.

And that Old Man Zangsheng, with an ordinary appearance, showed nothing special.

Facing Luo Chen's gaze, he only returned a glance without any stance.

Luo Chen sat down beside Marquis Ziyi, feeling quite intrigued in his heart.

Even the Master of Thunder Cave could link the Demon Heart Bug Emperor to Old Man Zangsheng; why didn't Marquis Ziyi and Master Master Li Tian tell him about this possibility?

Moreover, with such a formation today, who were they welcoming?

The important figure Master Master Li Tian hinted at earlier?

Just at this moment!

At the great door, a vigorous and powerful aura rushed in without any concealment.

"Zhan Bingtao of the Tianyuan Dao Sect, here to pay a visit to the mountain!"