Chapter 114: Praying Mantis Catches the Cicada

Yan Buji walked up to the shop selling Spiritual Materials, clasped his hands and asked, "May I ask, boss, do you have second‑transformation fire‑refining herb?"

"Hm??? "

The other party glanced at Yan Buji a few times, found it hard to gauge his strength, felt he was around Lianqi Level, and was somewhat surprised.

Since he couldn't see clearly, he vaguely sensed Lianqi Level?

That must mean he's practicing some concealment technique, otherwise even I at Lianqi Sixth Layer couldn't see him.

Thinking of this, the other party clasped his hands and smiled, "Why would this customer want a second‑transformation fire‑refining herb? Its turbid nature is hard to remove; using it to refine into a core isn't a good choice."

"Does a merchant have to ask a customer's purpose?" Yan Buji gave a faint smile.

In fact, everyone knows that most who need turbid Spiritual Materials are cultivators who have taken some demonic path. But these days, raw power is what matters; in the Lianqi Phase, worrying about pure versus impure is unnecessary.

Only when preparing to breakthrough the Foundation Establishment Stage must one pay attention.

Hearing Yan Buji's words, the boss immediately understood he wasn't a fledgling lone cultivator, and laughed, "Ah, I asked too much. Customer, don't mind. I do have the second‑transformation fire‑refining herb, but the price…"

"Fine, fine…."

Yan Buji smiled, saw the boss bring out the second‑transformation fire‑refining herb, and began haggling.

In the end Yan Buji bought it for three hundred Spiritual Stones; the herb is indeed a full two‑hundred‑year‑old specimen, the maximum growth span for this Spiritual Material, unless it was cultivated exceptionally from the start to possibly reach third‑transformation.

Moreover, fire‑refining herb is needed in few places; most cultivators won't use such strongly turbid Spiritual Material unless they are demonic path cultivators.

Both parties were satisfied with the price; Yan Buji had brought roughly a thousand Spiritual Stones, so this took three‑tenths of his stock.

The main ingredients for the Bright King elixir are ready!

The Bright King Technique requires many materials, but the main ingredient is only a single fire‑refining herb. Earlier Yan Buji heard a rumor of a first‑transformation fire‑refining herb here, thought that such herbs never grow alone, so he asked around and actually obtained the second‑transformation fire‑refining herb he needed!

The turbid nature of the second‑transformation fire‑refining herb is far stronger than that of the first‑transformation, so combined with the other ingredients, the resulting elixir should be better than expected.

However, the cultivation of the Bright King Technique cannot be completed instantly; the text states one must undergo at least nine elixir baptisms to see whether it can purge most of the mortal body's turbid Qi before formally beginning the Bright King practice.

If it fails, it shows one is fundamentally unsuited to cultivate this unorthodox technique.

Thus this upfront investment is also a huge expense; one must find ways to earn more Spiritual Stones.

Afterwards, Yan Buji visited nearby shops again; although something caught his eye, he did not continue spending, lest he attract attention.

Yan Buji lingered in Huo Xiong Zong Fang Shi for several days, and in his spare time he inquired about rumors within the market.

By chance, Yan Buji suddenly saw a familiar figure in the market, and when he saw him being taken away by a few cultivators, he felt something odd.

"Isn't that the youngster who sold books at the Huo Xiong Zong Fang Shi before? How did he end up here?"

He looked as if he were being threatened, but the other cultivators didn't want to cause a scene, so they led him out of the market.

Yan Buji gave a slight smile.

Rescue?

Absolutely unnecessary.

Yan Buji thought at the time that he wanted to see what books the youngster was selling; since they met by chance, fate had arrived!

With no followers, Yan Buji became more convinced that going into hard cultivation with no savings would yield no good results, so he ventured out to try his luck.

Indeed, once luck arrives it's hard to control!

Yan Buji quietly followed, also wanting to see why those cultivators were coercing him.

He chased them into a dense forest, concealed himself in a tree and watched the scene not far below.

"What exactly do you intend to do?!"

"What do you intend? Hand over your family heirloom, Lin Fan! Don't think I don't know you once shook the Eight Dao, single‑handedly slaying a third‑transformation Abnormal Beast of the Lin family!"

"Hm?"

Is he referring to the Lin family or a certain member of the Lin family? His words are incomprehensible.

Yan Buji frowned; he despised people whose speech was so unclear.

With such words, how can I judge the value of whatever is on Lin Fan's body?

But being able to slay a third‑transformation Abnormal Beast… at least he must be a Core Formation Stage cultivator, right?

That is indeed worth observing.

Lin Fan's face turned pale; he apparently didn't expect his identity to be exposed, and he clenched his teeth in angry resentment, "You won't have it! Even if I'm the sole remaining member of the Lin family, you…"

Puff!

A free cultivator couldn't stand it, and with one slash killed Lin Fan.

Yan Buji frowned, saw Lin Fan's unwilling face collapse into a pool of blood, lifeless.

This Lin Fan was pitifully weak, and even his family heirloom he couldn't protect; what use is that?

Several free cultivators rummaged Lin Fan's body, only pulling out a few Spiritual Stones and a book; their expressions immediately soured.

"Wasn't it said the Lin family once had a Core Formation Stage cultivator stationed? How come Lin Fan has no treasure at all?"

"The Lin family is a millennia‑old clan; now it has declined to only him, so the family's inheritance was likely spent long ago!"

"Alas, such misfortune, for just a few Spiritual Stones and a broken book, not worth the trip."

A bald big man laughed, then suddenly looked toward Yan Buji's hiding spot: "That may not be so! Friend, you've hidden for so long without showing yourself? Hiding your head and tail doesn't make you a hero!"

"Hahaha, fellow Daoist, your words are amusing. If I were truly a hero, could I stand by while you slaughter the innocent?" Yan Buji was startled, then confidently stepped out to stand before the free cultivators.

Though he didn't know how they discovered his hiding place, this only made Yan Buji realize that the cultivation world is full of capable and extraordinary people, not to be taken lightly.

"Hmph, since you dared follow, I assume you're prepared, right?"

Yan Buji scanned the group, noting that aside from the bald big man who was quite strong—probably between Lianqi Fifth Layer and Lianqi Sixth Layer—the others were only around Lianqi Third Layer.

If they had met earlier, Yan Buji might still have been worried.

But now he also has a trump card, so he's not necessarily afraid of them!

However, to strike, he must…

First strike to be strong!

Yan Buji suddenly rushed forward to attack, for he used True Essence and had never employed magical power; instead, it left several loose cultivators stunned.

Seeing the opponent's ferocious speed charging at them, several people instantly drew various weapons: 'Kill!'

The several loose cultivators before him were actually not using magical arts; instead, they held weapons and advanced like ordinary martial artists, engaging Yan Buji in close combat.

Yo ho?!

Not easy.

Yan Buji was still worried about encountering their magical arts and had to be extra careful, but do you dare to get close to me?

Then I'll have to show you what true Martial Dao Profound Skill really is!

In an instant, Yan Buji dodged the sharp blade lights and sword shadows, then struck the sword-wielding cultivator's chest with a sudden Absorption Yuan Hand!

Smack!

"Ahhh!!!"

With a crisp crack, the sword-wielding cultivator screamed and was flung backward, hitting the ground and losing all signs of life instantly!

That crisp crack sounded like his chest ribs breaking, but in fact it was the sound of his qi and blood throughout his body losing control, rushing rapidly toward his heart and bursting it in an instant!

"You damned scoundrel!"

The bald, burly man widened his eyes, then saw Yan Buji's hands emitting eerie black qi, using fists and palms together to unleash a terrifying power never seen before, striking a sword-wielding loose cultivator so that his head shattered and chest caved in, killing him on the spot.