Chapter 240: A Minor Incident – Celestial and Terrestrial Anomalies

Chapter 240: A Minor Incident – Celestial and Terrestrial Anomalies

Hearing the murmurs around him, Xiao Chen glanced sideways.

The wooden notice board listed no fewer than nine types of Fourth Stage Life Extension Pills, boldly declaring that all nine spirit pills lay outside the bounty scope.

It wasn’t hard to deduce that the Yi Family’s ancestral founder had already consumed them all.

To secure these, the Yi Family had spared no expense, offering a bounty and promising several additional generous conditions.

Between the lines, a desperate hunger for survival radiated clearly.

“I heard Golden Core True Sovereigns can live a full thousand years—five lifetimes for me,” a cultivator mused. “But even reaching such a cultivation stage, longevity remains elusive.”

Another cultivator shook his head. “This isn’t the first time the Yi Family’s made such a bounty. Even a thick fortune would’ve been drained by now.”

“If my lifespan neared its end, I’d stop squandering resources. Better to leave a foundation for the younger generation.”

The Foundation Building Late Stage cultivator who’d mocked others earlier scoffed again, “Give me a break. With your meager savings, you’d be lucky to match a single hair from the Yi Family’s armpit.”

“You’re lecturing them now? The Yi Patriarch’s lived over 1,200 years!”

“How many of you’ve reached even a tenth of that?”

The words ignited a hornet’s nest, instantly sparking outrage. Several cultivators glared furiously. A hot-headed Foundation Builder in the crowd immediately hurled curses back.

“1,200 years?” Xiao Chen raised his eyebrows slightly, mildly surprised.

To extend life by two centuries, nine pills from the bounty list probably wouldn’t suffice.

But besides spirit pills, secret techniques could also prolong life.

It seemed the Yi Patriarch hadn’t been idle, exhausting efforts in other areas too.

“Let’s go.”

As the argument escalated toward physical blows, Xiao Chen turned decisively, uninterested in such squabbles.

As for the remaining bounties, several offered generous rewards, but they demanded excessive time—better to consider them later.

For now, he’d prioritize heading to Wuling to seek Wuqi.

Before leaving, he casually handed Guo Pan ten spirit stones as payment, instantly earning a lengthy string of gratitude.

“Fellow cultivator, please wait!”

Before Xiao Chen could depart, a golden core cultivator with a long face, thin lips, and two wisps of mustache hurried over from behind.

Dressed in the Cang Ming Immortal Sect’s Magic Robe, a golden tiger’s head embroidered on his lapel, he approached with a beaming smile, hands clasped in a bow.

"I’m Wang Qianghu. I have an urgent matter to discuss—guaranteed generous compensation."

Xiao Chen waved him off. “No time.”

He resumed walking, but Wang Qianghu quickly stepped ahead.

“Fellow cultivator, don’t rush off. Hear me out.”

Hmm?

Xiao Chen paused. “Wang Fellow Cultivator, what do you want?”

Normally, cultivators of equal rank respected boundaries.

He’d already refused, yet the other persisted—something was amiss.

Wang Qianghu first shot a fierce glare at Guo Pan, eyes brimming with warning.

The youth shrank his neck, face paling with fear. Without a word, he fled.

Only then did Wang Qianghu force a smile. “Fellow cultivator, I’ll be frank—I’ve no other hobbies. I love exploring ruins.”

“Recently, I stumbled upon an ancient Cave Mansion.”

“Unfortunately, several Golden Core Late Stage beasts guard its perimeter—utterly detestable.”

“These past days, I’ve visited several friends in the bazaar, but still lack one companion.”

He pointed at Xiao Chen. “Today, our fates crossed. I see your attire and bearing—surely you’re no ordinary cultivator.”

“Thus, I dare to invite you.”

“Assist me, and I’ll offer 200,000 spirit stones plus first pick of treasures inside.”

Xiao Chen’s face chilled. “I said no time. Scram.”

He’d already guessed the ploy—luring solitary cultivators to share spoils, then killing them for their wealth.

The method was laughably crude.

“Stop!”

Wang Qianghu roared, his jowls quivering.

The smile vanished, replaced by a ferocious scowl.

“You heard my secret. Leaving now?”

He stepped closer, eyes threatening. “What if you spread my secret? How do we settle that?”

Ah, so he’d dug a pit here.

Xiao Chen blinked, surprised at the new twist.

Not luring him out—striking within the bazaar itself.

Fine. He’d learn something new today.

Glancing at the distant port, he noted the Skyflight Sealing Formation barred direct action.

He beckoned. “Wang Fellow Cultivator, let’s talk where fewer people are. I have something private to say.”

“It concerns the Yi Family. Best not overheard.”

The Yi Family?

Wang Qianghu narrowed his eyes. That didn’t add up.

He’d tailed Xiao Chen from the port, confirming he was a background-less outsider with ample spirit stones—prime prey.

Yet now, he claimed ties to the Yi Family?

Even if the Yi Patriarch’s days were numbered, while he drew breath, the Yi Family remained untouchable to a mere sect manager.

Better to clarify this misunderstanding, lest he incur enmity.

But was Xiao Chen truthful or bluffing?

Wang Qianghu scrutinized the Han Hai Ring, especially the feathered robe—clearly not local craftsmanship.

Haha! A fraud!

He’d just seen the Yi Family’s bounty notice and now used them as a shield?

Too naive.

Seeing through the ‘disguise,’ Wang Qianghu relaxed.

A sneer surfaced. “Fine. Let’s hear what you’ll say.” He studied Xiao Chen’s expression, eager to see his reaction.

He fixed Xiao Chen’s expression, eager to see his reaction.

Yet the youth showed no panic. “Then follow me.”

Hmph. You play the part well.

Wang Qianghu trailed Xiao Chen off the main street into a side alley.

He wanted to see Xiao Chen’s face when his bluff failed.

Besides, his next move was unsavory—best done discreetly.

Even without the invitation, he’d planned to isolate his target.

As for resistance? Unconcerned.

First, Wang Qianghu had principles—never targeting above Golden Core Middle Stage.

As a major sect disciple, he feared no lone cultivator.

Second, this was the Cang Ming Immortal Sect’s bazaar.

If conflict erupted, he’d accuse the other of attacking first.

Who’d the enforcers side with—sect members or outsiders?

The answer was obvious.

In the empty alley, Wang Qianghu crossed his arms, head high.

“No need to check further. This place’s deserted.”

“Even the courtyards are vacant—long abandoned.”

“Say what you must.”

Watching Xiao Chen inspect the area with spiritual eyes, Wang’s conviction solidified.

Locals knew these alleys were empty—only outsiders were clueless.

If the brat kept babbling about the Yi Family, he’d flex his authority, declaring he feared no one.

A simple bluff—let’s see who out-bluffs whom.

“Indeed, no one’s here.”

Xiao Chen nodded, stepping close. “Let me share a secret…”

Leaning in as if whispering, he suddenly slung an arm over Wang’s shoulder.

Then, his arm shot down, yanked back, and locked around Wang’s neck.

“Actually, I’m a body cultivator. Surprise?”

“Mmf!”

“Mm!”

Wang Qianghu clawed at Xiao Chen’s arm, activating his protective secret technique.

But the Jade Talisman at his waist barely glowed before Xiao Chen crushed it to dust.

Impossible!

Wang’s eyes bulged, despair flooding him.

That Jade Talisman cost 100,000 spirit stones—a top-tier treasure.

Had he bought a fake?

No time to verify.

“Crack!”

A bone-snapping sound echoed.

Xiao Chen’s left hand removed Wang’s Storage Ring, then flicked a hand—storing the corpse in Dai Tianrui’s spare Storage Ring.

Three breaths.

No noise. No spell residue. No spiritual energy ripple.

Even the bazaar’s defense formation detected nothing.

Xiao Chen strolled out, leisurely departing the bazaar, flying westward.

Wang Qianghu’s ill intentions meant no prior notice.

Days passed before his “friends” noticed his absence.

Eventually, their search failed, adding another “mysterious disappearance” case.

Irrelevant to Xiao Chen.

Xiao Chen flew nonstop for nearly 5,000 kilometers before finally stopping at a deserted island.

First, he meditated to restore his true mana, then quickly refined the newly acquired Storage Ring.

The first item was a staggering eighty-three thousand two hundred spirit stones.

“They say money spent will return, but is this speed really that fast?”

Honestly, Xiao Chen had only spent over 60,000 spirit stones at the Cang Ming Bazaar this time. In the end, his stockpile had actually increased instead of decreasing.

Wang Qianghu had carried one earth-tier cultivation manual, two bottles of pills, and three spiritual artifacts.

To Xiao Chen, these items were practically useless—mere clutter to exchange for spirit stones.

Only two things were truly valuable.

The first was a Return Origin Divine Stone, worth over 200,000 spirit stones.

The second was a vial of Cang Ming Heavy Water, a specialty product of the Cang Ming Immortal Sect.

It belonged to the upper echelon of Third Stage Spirit Waters and was particularly beneficial for water-element cultivators.

The final item was a peculiar identity token.

About five cun long, jet-black in color, its front bore five large characters: Presenting this token is the same as presenting the person themselves.

The back was divided into upper and lower halves.

The upper half featured an unrecognizable rune, while the lower half used ancient ling script to write the character “Sheep”.

“How come I encountered ancient ling script here again?”

Thankfully, Xiao Chen had previously seen this exact script on Tianxing Island. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have recognized its meaning.

Without a doubt, this token was likely used for some secret operation.

“Forget it, I’ll just keep it for now. Let things unfold naturally.”

Xiao Chen pocketed the token, erased all traces of his dismantling of the sealing formation, and incinerated Wang Qianghu’s remains along with his Storage Ring.

The reason for destroying the Storage Ring was because the Cang Ming Immortal Sect’s standard-issue Storage Rings were special.

Carrying one was inconvenient, and selling it would be difficult, so he decided to dispose of it.

After resolving this minor matter, Xiao Chen adjusted his course and flew northward again.

Guided by the latest sea charts, he successfully avoided disaster-prone zones.

During his flight, he strategically used the islands along the way as rest stops, making the journey significantly easier.

Half a month passed in the blink of an eye.

After exiting the Cang Ming Sea, he entered the territory of the Tian Gang Sect. Continuing north lay the Mo Zhang Sect.

Today, as Xiao Chen passed by Mo Zhang Peak, he immediately understood its reputation.

From above, the central peak towered a thousand zhang high, its base stretching a thousand li long. From afar, the distant mountains appeared as dark as ink.

In terms of scenic grandeur, it surpassed most landmasses.

Xiao Chen had traversed nearly the entire Southern Domain but had never encountered such a breathtaking sight.

Continuing north from Mo Zhang Peak brought him to the Zhao Kong Sect’s territory.

This region had long been plagued by feuding clans, never achieving unity.

Looking back now, those conflicts were likely just performances.

Cautious, Xiao Chen decided against crossing directly and prepared to detour.

For such an emerging power, it was best to keep distance. Unknowingly violating some taboo could waste precious time.

However, while detouring westward, Xiao Chen suddenly saw heavy snowfall ahead.

Snow itself wasn’t strange, but the flakes were enormous—like goose feathers.

He could even see ice forming on the sea surface three hundred li away.

“Huh? What’s going on now?”

Xiao Chen checked his sea chart, confirming no prior anomalies.

The chart hadn’t marked this area as unusual, meaning snowfall hadn’t started over a month ago.

Other intelligence also omitted this new celestial phenomenon.

“Tsk, should I detour the other way?”

He flew another 200 li westward but still couldn’t see the snow’s end, making it impossible to gauge its full extent.

Retreating eastward would add a two-week detour.

“Why did it start snowing so suddenly?”

He investigated briefly, finding the outer snow indistinguishable from ordinary snow.

Deciding to press forward, he reasoned: “This is likely just a rare celestial phenomenon. No need to detour.”

Though vast, such phenomena weren’t uncommon in the cultivation world.

Examples included the Li Zhou Huang Feng Valley, the Boundary Sea Thunderstorm, and the two-year rainfall in the Mercy Sea’s northwest.

Many ancient anomalies remained unexplained. The key was whether they posed danger.

If hazardous, they became disasters. If not, they became scenic wonders.

“Hiss~ Is it really this vast?”

After penetrating over 3,000 li into the storm, the blizzard showed no end, and the cold intensified.

As a Golden Core cultivator, he endured easily. A Foundation Building cultivator might struggle to survive long-term.

Thankfully, this snow fell over the sea.

Had it blanketed land, it would’ve become a widespread disaster, freezing and starving countless people despite sect aid.

“Could this be the birth of another perilous zone?”

Xiao Chen glanced westward, his gaze piercing the snow as if seeing a thousand li beyond.

He sensed he was still on the periphery—the coldest winds came from further west.

But he had no intention of investigating. Curiosity killed the cat, and he only had one life.

Continuing north, the temperature gradually rose. After another 4,000-5,000 li, he finally exited the blizzard.

In total, the snow stretched over 10,000 li from north to south.

Its east-west span remained unknown but was likely no smaller.

Such power dwarfed human capability—even a Golden Core cultivator couldn’t rival it.

“I wonder when I’ll master such force.”

Xiao Chen sighed wistfully, “What a pity this snow didn’t fall on the Darkness Sea.”

After exiting, twelve uneventful days passed before he reached the Mercy Sea’s northeast corner.

Though still nominally within the Mercy Sea, this was its edge.

Every Abyssal Sea ahead could potentially hide the Wuling.

According to current maps, he’d just left Zhao Kong Sect territory, still relatively close to civilization.

But ancient boundaries might differ.

Thus, Xiao Chen slowed his pace, expanding his spiritual sense to scan underwater.

If encountering deep-sea zones or Abyssal Seas, he’d dive to investigate, avoiding missing the Wuling.

Notably, diving was trivial for cultivators.

Whether swimming or forming protective mystic light around their bodies, deep-sea entry was effortless.

Some cultivators even mastered water evasion techniques, moving through the sea like fish.

However, Xiao Chen knew prolonged underwater stays were risky, especially in Abyssal Seas.

The reason wasn’t complicated—predatory sea beasts.

Underwater, spell effects weakened, especially fire magic.

Though weakened, fire spells still functioned but lost potency.

Despite his Body Cultivation and sword techniques, including his recent mastery of the Cold Light Ice Soul Needle, he remained cautious.

He only dove when suspicious signs appeared.

Indeed, the underwater world held its own wonders—coral reefs resembling forests and mazes, underwater mountains carpeted with shells and seaweed, and bizarre sea creatures.

“Boom!”

A three-zhang-high water spout erupted.

Xiao Chen leapt from the surface, gripping a sea beast’s tail.

“Heh!”

He grunted, lifting the beast high and slamming it down.

Crash! Flames erupted, roasting the seven-zhang-long beast into a crispy delicacy.

Flames erupted, roasting the seven-zhang-long beast into a crispy delicacy.

“Swoosh!”

With practiced ease, he sliced open the beast’s belly with his Donghua Wind Sword, extracting the mutated demon core inside.

He tossed the carcass back into the sea, watching swarms of fish fight over it, frowning.

Then he sheathed his sword and returned to a nearby island to rest.

“What’s going on? Why so many sea beasts?”

Initially delighted at encountering a Golden Core sea beast, he’d coated it with spirit honey before roasting, enhancing its flavor.

The glaze added a glossy brown sheen, and the meat became sweeter, tender, and juicy.

But after eating twelve roasted fish meals over three days, he finally realized something was off.

“Did I stumble into a beast nest?”

Confused, he muttered, “Why are there so many Golden Core sea beasts here?”

Golden Core beasts weren’t common. Normally, they wouldn’t gather so densely.

More concerning, while the beasts provided many demon cores, they severely slowed his search.

“This won’t work.”

After resting, Xiao Chen paused his search to strategize.

Initially, he’d blamed luck, but three days proved otherwise.

Something nearby was likely attracting these Golden Core beasts.

The best move was to temporarily halt his search and investigate the cause.

Even if fruitless, at least he’d understand the anomaly.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end