Chapter 169: That's Not What You Said Before We Came Here!

Chapter 169: That’s Not What You Said Before We Came Here!

Xiao Chen had little interest in the Yichuan Red formula.

Brewing alcohol often took years, which felt far too long for his current needs. However, he was intrigued by the already-fermented batch of Yichuan Red. After all, he’d only tasted a single cup and already sensed tangible benefits. If he could drink more and pair it with other Spirit Herbs, he might advance his Body Cultivation to the late Foundation Building stage.

The matter with the Wei family wasn’t overly complicated either, making it worth considering.

Under Wei Qixian’s hopeful gaze, Xiao Chen nodded lightly. “I can try mediating, though success isn’t guaranteed.”

“But I’ll need to go in two days. Tomorrow’s already booked.”

He had to visit the Scripture Pavilion to investigate clues about malevolent qi and also assess the strength of the Dong and Liang families. If this matter consumed too much time, he’d abandon it.

Wei Qixian hurriedly thanked him. “Thank you, Cultivator Xiao! With you involved, those two families wouldn’t dare act recklessly, even with the courage of bears and leopards.”

Xiao Chen waved him off. “Let’s not dwell on that. I have a small question.”

Wei Qixian replied, “Please ask! I’ll share everything I know.”

“How did you learn I was staying here?” Xiao Chen asked. “This residence was arranged by Master Lei Yin Zhenren’s apprentice. Someone of such low rank wouldn’t be easily bribed by you.”

Wei Qixian chuckled. “I’m afraid this is a minor trick. I know the manager overseeing chores at Spirit Origin Sect. An hour ago, Master Lei Yin’s apprentice told him to prepare a premium private room for a guest.”

“I simply guessed it was for you, Cultivator Xiao.”

Clever! So that’s how he’d tracked him down.

After finalizing plans to meet in two days, Wei Qixian took his leave, leaving behind two additional bottles of spirit wine. The remaining stock was sealed in a branch of the Yuan Ci Mountain spirit vein.

Watching him go, Xiao Chen returned to his room, poured himself a drink, and began contemplating which spell to cultivate tonight. Since acquiring the Yichuan Red, forging his body seemed ideal.

Thanks to the Divine Veil, intoxication wasn’t a concern. After metabolizing one cup, he drank another, continuously strengthening his vital energy.

Two hours later, after finishing three flasks, Xiao Chen felt a surge of newfound power in his body. The urge to test it by striking something nearly overwhelmed him—but he restrained himself, mindful of Spirit Origin Sect’s grounds.

---

The next noon, Xiao Chen arrived early at the Scripture Pavilion, flipping through the sect’s stored texts. Though the pavilion had similar levels to Lihuo Sect’s, each floor was six times larger, housing roughly five times more scriptures. Detailed guides on identifying Spirit Herbs and processing common spiritual materials lined the shelves. Such knowledge, if taken by a family cultivator, could lay the foundation for prosperity in a remote region.

Xiao Chen skimmed one out of curiosity before moving on. His goal was clear: locate the Five Elements Malevolent Qi.

“Silver Frost Malevolent Qi?”

In a book titled Eastern Travel Records, he quickly found a mention. A Spirit Origin Sect honorary elder had witnessed this “Silver Frost” malevolent qi in the Feidu Sea of the Eastern Territory.

“What a pity I’m not in Hezhou,” Xiao Chen sighed. The cursed Divine Flame Cult had severed external communications, blocking his access to the Silver Frost. Why did the cultivation world tolerate demonic sects? They were pure scourges.

Worse still, no other texts mentioned malevolent qi. After an afternoon scouring travelogues and biographies, he found no new clues. Without sufficient malevolent qi, breaking through to Golden Core would carry grave risks. He preferred thorough preparation to reckless attempts.

“Why doesn’t a meteor strike the Divine Flame Cult’s demons dead?”

As frustration mounted, the apprentice from yesterday approached, followed by inner sect disciples carrying armfuls of ancient texts.

“Senior Xiao, apologies for the delay. Too many classics to organize—I kept you waiting.”

Xiao Chen brightened. “No worries. You’re just in time.”

He resumed flipping through the newly delivered tomes but found nothing until the final volume: Southern Domain Strange Tales.

“In the Haozhou Region, an Eastern Sea cultivator once arrived—extraordinary figures with unique skills. Their leader mastered malevolent qi, channeling it into lightning of unmatched potency, capable of overwhelming ten foes alone.”

The Southern Domain’s easternmost edge bordered Haozhou, separated only by a boundary sea. Long ago, the Eastern Sea name originated from its vast waters, later renamed the Eastern Territory by Central Domain cultivators.

The phrase “channeling malevolent qi into lightning” intrigued Xiao Chen. Could it mean direct offensive use? Unlike demonic sects’ indirect methods or his own Xuantian Consumption Secret Method, this seemed far more potent.

Yet the text was maddeningly vague. To learn more, he’d need to visit Haozhou itself. But the Divine Flame Cult’s blockade made that impossible.

“Once I form my Golden Core, I’ll eradicate that damned sect,” he vowed.

For now, he shifted focus. "Could you fetch some records on the Demonic Calamity?"

---

Though the ancient texts yielded no immediate clues, revisiting old paths paid off. Scouring past records of demonic disasters, he pinpointed three locations where local malevolent qi had once manifested: the heart of the Northern Wanyao Mountain Range, the depths of Yellow Spring Palace’s forbidden realm, and Jiuhua Sect’s former spirit vein.

The Wanyao Mountains’ center was perilous, teeming with Golden Core-level beasts beyond the outer regions. Yellow Spring Palace’s entrance was shrouded in conflicting rumors, while Jiuhua Sect’s spirit vein now lay near Qingxiao Sect’s main vein.

At least this gave direction. Qingxiao Sect’s records might hold answers.

As midnight approached, Xiao Chen left, satisfied. Spirit Origin Sect’s archives had proven invaluable. Even dormant clues might serve him later.

For now, he’d investigate Qingxiao Sect’s spirit vein access protocols.

Xiao Chen needed a plausible excuse—one that wouldn’t reveal his true intentions.

“How many tasks do I have now?” he mused before bed, reviewing his plans.

Currently, there were four matters to handle, none particularly urgent.

First, mediate the Wei family’s dispute and secure the remaining batches of Yichuan Red.

Second, send surplus Spirit Herbs to the Xianghe Bazaar auction—though he could delegate this.

Third, dispose of inconvenient items at the Lion-Head Cave Black Market.

Wei Qixian could act as a guarantor, and finding another shouldn’t be hard.

Lastly, attend the Lishan Zhu Yun auction at month’s end to compete for Liuyun Dew.

None of these tasks were complex. Xiao Chen estimated he’d have ample time left for cultivation.

Regarding cultivation, recent disruptions—a sudden attack by the Divine Flame Cult and his forced return to the Spirit Origin Sect—had left him with little time to focus. But before the mid-month auction, he could likely break through to Foundation Building ninth layer. Stabilizing at Foundation Building Peak by month’s end remained achievable. After that, he’d shift focus to Body Cultivation and refining his spellcasting techniques.

As for his long-term plan—this month or this year—he had three core objectives:

1. Acquire malevolent qi from Qingxiao Sect to earn points for the Ascension Spirit Pill and a secret technique.
2. Prepare thoroughly for breaking through to Golden Core.

Unexpectedly, the next morning brought two unfamiliar Foundation Building cultivators waiting at his doorstep.

Seeing him open the door, they greeted in unison: “Dong Zhiheng of Anyuan County’s Dong Clan and Liang Xiuyuan of Anfeng County’s Liang Clan respectfully seek audience with Cultivator Xiao.”

The Dong and Liang families? The very clans pressuring the Wei family. Xiao Chen had planned to approach them about the Yichuan Red negotiations, but they’d beaten him to it.

“Esteemed colleagues, good morning! Please, come in,” he said, ushering them inside. “What brings you both here today?”

He suspected they’d come about the Wei family matter. Yesterday’s investigation had left him no time to probe further.

But how had they learned he was here?

Dong Zhiheng spoke first: “Cultivator Xiao, we heard the Wei family’s cultivator mentioned your interest in the Yichuan Red formula. May we ask if this is true?”

Ah, Wei Qixian had leaked this. No matter—improvisation was second nature.

Xiao Chen nodded. “Indeed. I do seek the Yichuan Red.”

The two exchanged glances, their hearts sinking. This was the outcome they’d feared most. They’d haggled with Wei Qixian for a year, nearing victory, only to face this new complication.

Xiao Chen’s recent reputation preceded him—tales of his exploits spread like wildfire. Even casual street gossip revealed his lethal reputation: forty Foundation Building cultivators slain in two days, the Demonic Sect’s Four Great Wanderers defeated. Rumors claimed Heaven Mechanism Pavilion observed a “Killer Star Descends” omen before his last battle.

Dong Zhiheng hesitated. Threatening him via Spirit Origin Sect regulations was standard practice, but could he risk retaliation? Even Foundation Building Peaks from Hezhou would crumble under Dong family pressure—but Xiao Chen had already formed a False Core. The stakes were terrifyingly high.

Suddenly, Dong Zhiheng reached into his storage bag and produced a flask of spirit wine. “A specialty of Anyuan County. Please, taste it.”

Liang Xiuyuan blinked. Wait, this wasn’t the plan! He’d expected Dong to leverage their sect connections, not offer gifts. But seeing Xiao Chen’s neutral expression, he scrambled to match the gesture, producing a box of apricot blossom cakes from his robe.

“Cultivator Xiao,” Liang interjected, “his wine is quite strong. These cakes from Anfeng County will soothe your palate.”

Xiao Chen watched, bemused, as they poured three silver cups and arranged the cakes on jade plates. The tension dissolved into an impromptu tasting session—the wine smooth, the cakes delightfully fragrant.

When he broached the formula matter, both answered in unison: “No problem. Cultivator Xiao may proceed as you wish. Harmony among peers is paramount.”

The ease of resolution surprised him. Yesterday, Wei Qixian had painted them as demons incarnate. Yet here they were, courteous and cooperative.

Later, as Xiao Chen cultivated(End of Chapter)

Chapter end