Chapter 648: Make a Deal

"Fu Hai Gate, founded by the patriarch Hong Yuan, Tribulation Crossing Stage Martial Cultivation...." Yan Buji searched for a long time, finally found a classic recording ancient Martial Dao, and discovered the entry on Fu Hai Gate.

Tribulation Crossing Stage Martial Cultivation?

"That's absurd; the Tribulation Crossing Stage Martial Cultivators of the ancient era probably already possessed the overwhelming power to tear the heavens and earth, and we don't know about now...."

Yan Buji suddenly thought of something.

Back then in Youming Jie, wasn't I also sent by a fellow called Wu Konghou to the Huang Tian Soul?

Then I went to the Dragon People and found the ancient rare beast Jianfan, and from her I learned that none of those Tribulation Crossing Stage warriors had died, they were hidden there, lurking.

"Hold on, it's a bit messy, let me sort it out." Yan Buji frowned: "First, I discovered the fragrance of a Youming Jie flower courtesan at Feng Yue's residence, leading me to infer that the Outer Gate might house Youming Jie cultivators."

"Then, combining the anomaly I previously found on Mo Dengqing, who belongs to the Miscellaneous Hall, I deduced that the Wang Dao Long of the Miscellaneous Hall might be problematic."

"So I went to confront him, indeed I asked about his identity, but still don't know their purpose."

"He asked me whether I knew Hong Chengtao, the ancient era's Refined Void Martial Cultivator, so I came to investigate the situation of Fu Hai Gate."

So what is it that I want to know?

What relation does Hong Chengtao have with Youming Jie cultivators....

Youming Jie.....

"Hold on, Wu Konghou previously said there would be others joining me to take the Huang Tian Soul; it wouldn't be this guy Hong Chengtao who took the Huang Tian Soul, right?"

"That's not right; hasn't Youming Jie merged into one? Could it be that the Six Realms Reincarnation Wheel hasn't been restored yet, and now it's only that the Underworld has been defeated?"

Then why did these Youming Jie cultivators come to the mortal realm?

Seeking aid wouldn't be so covert, so it's unlikely.

Since they don't dare to make a big show, they must be looking for something that can turn the tables....

Turn the tables....

Yan Buji thought: "If this matter still involves Youming Jie, then those people's goal is probably to obtain something in Paolong Sacred Land that would enable them to defeat the opponent."

But on further thought, since they asked whether I know Hong Chengtao, it shows they are also searching for him, and the fact that I am a Martial Cultivator might have caught their interest.

Yet I truly don't know him, so no matter how they investigate, at most they'll only know that I have been to Youming Jie.

"Moreover, their focus shouldn't be on me, but on the Inner Gate."

Yan Buji flipped through the classic, and a person approached from beside.

"Hall Master?"

"Is that you?"

Seeing He Caifei also walk over, Yan Buji frowned: "Why are you here?"

"I naturally came to investigate some matters.... It seems Hall Master already knows," He Caifei said with a smile, his peripheral glance catching the book in Yan Buji's hand that records ancient Martial Dao sects, and he laughed.

Yan Buji, puzzled, asked: "What do you mean? Are you also investigating ancient Martial Dao sects?"

"To be precise, it's related to a Refined Void Martial Cultivator named Hong Chengtao," He Caifei said, looking at Yan Buji.

Where did he get this information, perhaps?

He Caifei's eyes flicked: "I wonder how much Hall Master knows?"

"I'm just curious, and besides, where would a Refined Void Martial Cultivator come from in this era? Don't try to deceive me," Yan Buji closed the book and placed it on the shelf, pretending ignorance.

"Is that so? I thought Hall Master wanted to know Hong Chengtao's whereabouts," He Caifei laughed.

Yan Buji frowned: "Is there really a Refined Void stage Martial Cultivator? Impossible, right?"

"Why not?" He Caifei smiled: "Ancient warriors were so powerful that sealing their own origin to slumber until now is not difficult. Moreover, cultivators can possess bodies, let alone those ancient warriors. How can you be sure they have no way to endure the long ages?"

"Even so, what's the use? A person lives one life; whether they die early or late, they must die. Why bother?"

"Perhaps it's to fight for a future," He Caifei smiled.

Yan Buji, with a strange expression, asked: "Then I ask you, why are you looking for him?"

"I can't say that openly, but I can confirm that Elder Hong Shu is probably kin to Hong Chengtao."

"Hong Shu?!"

Yan Buji was stunned for a moment: is that the Inner Gate elder who just came to the Outer Gate?

"How... how could that be possible?"

"How could it not be possible? You don't really think ancient warriors left no inheritance at all, do you? Otherwise, how could you still find historical records here?" He Caifei laughed.

"I admit my insight was limited," Yan Buji nodded.

So that Hong Shu is related to Hong Chengtao, meaning Paolong Sacred Land and the ancient Fu Hai Gate actually have some connection?

But one can't say that definitively, since Yan Buji still doesn't know whether Elder Hong Shu is backed by some force, making it hard to evaluate.

He Caifei picked up the ancient book and examined it carefully for a long time.

Yan Buji, also flipping through books nearby to look for information, casually asked: "Is the Blood Path inheritance of the Great Sinful Sect intact?"

"You ask that, are you perhaps looking to join our sect?" He Caifei laughed.

"Not really; I've also practiced some Blood Path techniques. Though their power is great, the side effects are considerable, so I'm just curious whether all Blood Path methods are like this."

He Caifei thought: "Of course not! Outside, Blood Path techniques are often fragmented, never a complete set, so the aftereffects are endless. In our sect's Blood Path secret arts, there is a technique specifically to enhance a person's aptitude, capable of forcibly turning a completely untalented mortal into immortal aptitude, with no side effects!"

"Hm?!"

Yan Buji's eyes widened: "A technique like that?!"

"Naturally, but the price to pay is not small."

"One must pay to obtain it; as long as the price can be paid, it's worthwhile," Yan Buji said with a gleam in his eyes, having endured the hardship of insufficient aptitude, and asked:

"Does the Blood Path secret art truly have such miraculous effect?"

"Hmph, what would you say?" He Caifei said proudly.

"I know what you'd say…" Yan Buji waved his hand.

He Caifei's face darkened, and Yan Buji immediately said: "But you definitely know where such a secret method can be found."

"Where do you say it is?"

Sin‑End Corpse King!

If that person truly is the founder of the Blood Dao, he must know this secret technique.

However, Yan Buji's ties with them are not deep, and the reform of Paolong Sacred Land is imminent, so Yan Buji thought carefully:

"The Hong Chengtao you mentioned, I've heard of him before."

"What?"

He Caifei squinted and looked at Yan Buji: "Don't joke with me; didn't you just say you didn't know this person?"

"I truly don't know him, but I guess he might be a warrior of the ancient Fu Hai Gate. Since you're looking for him, is it because of the Youming Jie matter?"

He Caifei set the book down, clasped his hands, and looked at Yan Buji: "Then, Hall Master, what would you like to say?"

"How about a deal?"