Chapter 158: Assessing the Situation, Seeking Out a Fellow Sect Member

Taibai Sword Sect.

Never heard of it.

However, with a name so grand, and an Apprentice under its banner acting so recklessly as to draw a sword and wound others in a place like this, it is clearly no small or obscure sect; it might well be a major sword-cultivation school from some other continent overseas.

"Taibai" refers to the innate metal-natured Qi; the cultivation world has no intellectual property protection, and it has always been the case that one takes a name as grand as one's ability.

Just like Longhu Mountain.

Just like He Mountain Sect.

There are rules behind the names of these sects.

Outside the side chamber, the commotion was clearly not small. The owner of this Guiyue Pavilion, being able to set up a red boat in the Liangjiang Sea Market and easily produce a thousand Four Seas Ruyi Treasure Money, is nine times out of ten backed by Liuyun Palace. As the saying goes, a strong dragon does not suppress the local snake; even if that Taibai Apprentice might have some background, it is unlikely this matter will end easily.

Chen Ci's heart stirred, and he felt a bit like seeing what was happening, but he did not want to join the crowd. He simply tapped the tabletop lightly. Hong Zhong let out a giggle in the void, then quietly slipped through several ship cabins and hid in a corner of a bright, spacious hall. Chen Ci then secretly urged the Five-Ghost Wonderful Technique, and his own consciousness descended into Hong Zhong, sweeping over the situation in the hall with a rather peculiar perspective.

"Heh, you think you're worthy?"

This immortal guest is clearly not as simple as just a talisman master.

Seeing that Chen Ci seemed to have dispersed his secret technique, Qiao Niang asked in a low voice.

Though he looked refined, the long sword in the hands of this cultivator surnamed Xu was anything but. He swept his gaze across the scene and asked coldly: "What, do you mean to say I cannot exchange it?"

Having said this, the man ignored the others, his escape light ignited, and he flew away from the top of the ship, like a streak of sword Qi shooting straight into the clouds, disappearing in the blink of an eye.

Chen Ci's consciousness stirred, and he returned from Hong Zhong. His whole person slowly regained its vitality, though his eyes were slightly narrowed, as if he were thinking about something.

"It's nothing. By the way, Qiao Niang, have you ever heard of the Taibai Sword Sect?"

Chen Ci did not yet know of the changes that had occurred to him; he only felt a bit cold and subconsciously shivered. Looking forward, he saw a refined and handsome young cultivator standing in the hall, with red lips and white teeth, looking to be not even twenty years of age.

This sword cultivator, who had appeared from nowhere, extended his sword to flick the money pouch into his arms, then sneered and tossed a sleeve-pouch onto the ground: "One thousand five hundred Spirit Pearls. Don't say that a Taibai Apprentice took advantage of you."

Chen Ci chuckled and asked.

"Immortal guest..."

Did the owner of this place not even utter a few harsh words?

However, this display of escape technique alone is indeed something ordinary cultivators cannot compare to; it is at least three times faster than his own lackluster White Cloud Talisman Method.

A yellow-clad female cultivator hurried out, holding a five-colored money pouch in her hands. She carefully walked from behind the hall screen to the center and respectfully offered the pouch: "This immortal guest, my master says that the one thousand Four Seas Ruyi Treasure Money is offered for free, only wishing to make a friend of the immortal guest and form a good connection."

I suppose one really does need to get a flying sword; this sword-riding flight is truly extraordinary.

"It can be exchanged! This Taibai high disciple, please, do not resort to violence!"

The beautiful woman had naturally heard the sword cultivator reveal his sect. She thought for a moment and replied cautiously: "This servant has only stayed in the Sea Market and has truly never heard of such an immortal sect. Please forgive my ignorance, immortal guest."

Qiao Niang, who was at the side, also heard the noise outside. Her expression changed slightly, as if she wanted to say something, but the immortal guest, who had been quite approachable just a moment ago, had inexplicably begun to radiate coldness, and his eyes did not look like those of a living person. Although she did not understand, she knew he was performing some kind of secret technique. Her heart trembled, she lowered her head submissively, and dared not speak again.

Is that it?

Huh?

Chen Ci rubbed his chin. From what he had just seen, the owner of this place clearly knew the background of this Taibai Apprentice; otherwise, they would not have offered the treasure money immediately after he wounded someone. The main point was that he was someone who could not be offended, yet the sect's reputation did not seem to have spread, which left him a bit puzzled.

"Qiao Niang, do you know which sect has the most famous sword cultivators around the Liang Kingdom?"

Chen Ci thought for a moment and asked out of curiosity.

"This servant rarely leaves the ship and does not know much about the affairs of the cultivation world."

Qiao Niang pursed her lips and smiled: "However, I have heard some immortal guests say that if it is a major sword-cultivation sect, the cultivators of Banxuan Island in the sea are the most famous. It is said they are the legacy of the Shaoqing, but the specifics are not something a person like this servant could know."

"Sword cultivators are still the most impressive. So cool!"

Qingyun Workshop, residence.

Chen Ci glanced at his own White Bone Heart-Locking Sword with some regret. He wondered if he would ever have the chance to fly on a sword in the future. Not to mention anything else, that sword-riding escape technique was far superior to any flight method he had seen so far; even Lin Laohu was far from it.

The quality of an escape technique actually represents the strength of a high-level cultivator's combat ability. Those who can advance and retreat freely to seize the initiative have a massive advantage in battle.

As for the Cloud-Stepping Talisman... let's not even mention it. With that speed, that altitude, and that duration—are you kidding me? A meal's time is too short even for Master Chen to use it for a cloud-shaking session.

But then again, if Chen Ci wants to rely on this talisman method to make money in the Sea Market, it is probably a bit shaky.

After all, he is not truly a Loose Practitioner without a foundation; his primary job is still that of an External Deacon of the He Mountain Sect.

Chen Ci had originally worried that he wouldn't be able to cover up what Lin Laohu had done, and that he would be implicated and lose his status as a He Mountain Apprentice. If he were forced to hide in the Liangjiang Sea Market as a Loose Practitioner without a trade to rely on, let alone cultivation, even living comfortably would be difficult. That was why he had resorted to opening up sources and reducing expenditure.

Now that Lin Laohu has become a True Inheritor with hopes of condensing a Golden Core, he, Chen, must certainly focus his mind on the promising career of the He Mountain Light. He likely won't stay in this Liangjiang Sea Market for long. The business line for Peiyuan Yangshen Wine can still be maintained in some way, but as for the White Cloud Talisman Method, he, Master Chen, has his integrity—such small change is not worth the effort.

He can perfectly well return to Xishan Workshop in Xishan Prefecture, bringing advanced cloud-service and monopolizing the market.

As for competing with peers in the Sea Market?

That doesn't exist, okay?

"He Mountain Inner Gate, True Inheritor..."

Chen Ci let out a long breath of turbid air. Suddenly, he heard a light sound outside the door; it was He Cheng bringing today's cultivation resources. The materials he consumed every day, not to mention the money, always required someone to handle the labor for him.

"Master Chen, I have delivered the items to the side chamber for you."

He Cheng placed the materials down but did not leave immediately. He said respectfully to Chen Ci: "Master Chen, there is news about the residence you previously wanted to find. It is by the sea, quiet, occupies a large area, and costs over a thousand gold. It is the private residence of a sea merchant, but..."

He Cheng paused and quietly gauged Chen Ci's expression.

"Speak quickly, don't stutter."

Chen Ci's expression remained unchanged. Judging by his look, he probably had other matters to discuss.

"Yes, to inform you, Master, that wealthy merchant seems to have caused some trouble overseas and wants to invite some cultivators to help him resolve it. If Master Chen is willing to assist, the merchant says he is willing to gift this residence and offer an overseas treasure as a reward. As for the specific details, a face-to-face meeting is required."

He Cheng was a bit apprehensive but still spoke truthfully.

"Forget it. No need to look for other residences for me. I find this Qingyun Workshop acceptable; no need to change."

Chen Ci waved his hand and refused the matter. If it were just a matter of spending some money, he would have let it go, but he couldn't be bothered to deal with this inexplicable wealthy merchant.

Seeing He Cheng's apprehensive expression as if he had done something wrong, Chen Ci thought for a moment and chuckled: "Don't worry about it. Your Wanshi Pavilion makes a living this way; I won't take my anger out on you for such a small matter. You may go."

"Reporting to Master Chen, there is one more thing."

He Cheng replied cautiously: "There is a cultivator master from the Red Dragon Temple looking for a fellow sect member surnamed Chen in Qingyun Workshop. I wonder..."

Hmm?

Chen Ci was truly a bit surprised this time; why would his cheap fellow disciples from the Red Dragon Temple suddenly come looking for him? Could it be that something else had happened?

(End of this chapter)