Chapter 525

"True, cultivators of evil arts are tolerable—they’re mostly just shadow-dwelling scum—but if we deny the beast tribes any channel for resource exchange, high-rank beast clans may well storm into our human territories and forcibly seize what they need."

"The Three Great Sects just fought a major battle with the Snow Wolf Clan and haven’t held the Chaotic Spirit Domain long; they don’t want another large-scale conflict with other beast tribes anytime soon. So even the Elders of the Three Sects can only pretend not to see, leaving behind a few chaotic trading sites like the Three Stone Workshops where identity and race are ignored."

"If the Three Sects are acting out of such considerations, then it’s no surprise that evil cultivators and beast tribes frequent the Stone Workshops," Wang Yu nodded thoughtfully.

"Don’t worry yourself needlessly, Mo Li."

"Even if there are evil cultivators or beast tribe Golden Cores lurking here, this is still the Three Stone Workshops—never mind the flesh puppets, even the third-rank formation arrays here are enough to deter ordinary Golden Core beings."

"Besides, as we analyzed earlier, if any beast tribe or evil cultivator truly intends to cause trouble here, don’t they fear losing the last few places where they can trade resources?" Yan Lingxiang said dismissively.

"Perhaps I’m being overly cautious, but since you and Brother Wang are going to gamble on stone, you must be extra careful. Don’t provoke any outsiders in the Stone Workshops lately—don’t accidentally run into a Golden Core Ancestor."

"We’re not reckless, and I’ll take your warning to heart. But how many Chaos Stones has Wan Shi Shop recently acquired? How many are treasures? Which stones have high gambling potential? You must find out for us."

"Rest assured—I’ll do my best to gather the information within these two days. Until then, you may stay at Hunxiang Residence."

"Also, Brother Wang, would you like me to arrange two beauties to accompany you tonight? You strike me as a man brimming with yang energy—I’m sure those little girls would be only too eager."

"Cough… no need. I’m currently cultivating a secret technique and must avoid close contact with women for now." Wang Yu recalled the half-beast beauties he’d seen in the hall, his heart stirring slightly—but he quickly remembered something and coughed politely to decline.

"That’s a pity. It seems those little girls aren’t destined for such fortune," Mo Li said with regret.

"Mo Li, Brother Wang can’t, but I can! Why not arrange seven or eight beauties for me tonight? I think I can handle them."

"Seven or eight? Last time you came to Hunxiang Residence, the girls who accompanied you all fell into lovesickness and needed half a year to recover before taking clients again. Are you planning to ruin them once more?"

"Or perhaps… I should accompany you myself for a few nights?" Mo Li raised an eyebrow, lips curling.

"You? No thanks. You’re too beautiful for me to handle. Just show us to our rooms."

"Sigh… you rascal. Follow me," Mo Li gazed at Yan Lingxiang with a distant, melancholy look.

She rose and stepped out of the chamber, leading the two away from the courtyard.

After passing through the garden and a winding path, several adjacent courtyards appeared ahead.

"These courtyards are reserved for our esteemed guests. Pick any two empty ones to stay in—I won’t accompany you further."

"Wait, are there other guests here?" Yan Lingxiang sensed something and asked sharply.

"There is already one guest here whom I dare not offend—and the very type I least wish to deal with. That’s why I’ve only brought you this far."

"Who is it? Who could make you so wary? Isn’t your patron the Half-Beast True Immortal Pan Shi? Who could you possibly fear here?"

"I wouldn’t dare call Elder Pan Shi my patron—he merely praised me once years ago. But the one who arrived before you? His background rivals that of the Bi Shui Palace—he’s an inner disciple of Ling Lei Sect. I’m merely a half-beast Foundation Establishment cultivator; how could I dare offend him?"

"Ling Lei Sect"

Wang Yu and Yan Lingxiang exchanged glances, both surprised.

"Alright, settle in. I’ll notify you as soon as there’s news from Wan Shi Shop. Young Master Yan, you’re truly sure you don’t want me to accompany you tonight?"

"Countless men have offered vast amounts of spirit stones just for one night with me—I’ve never accepted."

"Mo Li, don’t joke like that. I have zero interest in you."

"Brother Wang, let’s go." Yan Lingxiang’s face darkened instantly. He gestured to Wang Yu and strode toward the courtyard ahead.

Wang Yu bowed slightly to Mo Li, then followed with a strange expression.

Mo Li let out a soft laugh and turned away.

"Brother Wang, Mo Li…?" Yan Lingxiang paused, turned to Wang Yu as if to say something, then fell silent.

"What about Lady Mo?" Wang Yu blinked.

"Never mind. You’ll find out soon enough." Yan Lingxiang’s lips twitched, then he waved his hand and turned back to walk ahead.

Wang Yu rubbed his chin, growing increasingly curious about Mo Li.

Fifteen minutes later.

Wang Yu sat cross-legged on a bed, fingers forming a seal, a faint solar halo shimmering behind him as he silently refined the pill he had taken earlier.

After a while, he released the hand seals, opened his eyes, and the solar halo behind him dissolved and vanished.

He sent a thread of spiritual sense through his body, then smiled faintly.

At last, the injuries to his meridians were fully healed—he no longer had to fear lingering weaknesses in battle.

Now, all he needed was to acquire Chaos Stones, forge the Flame Demon Star Armor, and awaken his bloodline power using the unknown energy—securing a True Disciple position in the Sect Competition would be all but certain.

Moreover, with Star Stones, he might even accelerate his spiritual sense through Star Mind Force cultivation before the competition.

That would increase his chances further.

Thinking this, Wang Yu silently murmured, "Overclock."

Around him, all things slowed. His senses expanded. His mind entered an unimaginable superstate.

His pupils glinted faintly as he began silently contemplating the fourth-level incantation of Star Mind Force.

He would soon receive a large quantity of Star Stones—he must thoroughly study the Star Mind Force cultivation method first.