Chapter 544: Once Upon a Time, We Were Young
Chapter 544: Once Upon a Time, We Were Young
The quartet quickly divided their spoils and fled, lest their scent attract more demonic insects. For the next half-month, Lu Chen, Sun Yunming, and the others patrolled the outskirts of Black Star City, occasionally encountering aberrant beasts influenced by outer realm demons. Working together, they dealt with these threats.
As their assignment drew to a close, the group returned to Black Star City and passed through the protective array's inspection before entering the inner city.
"We've finally returned safely," they said, exchanging relieved glances as the tension that had gripped them for so long finally eased.
Outside the city, one always had to remain vigilant against beast attacks, leaving no room for complacency. It was only upon their return that they could truly relax.
"We owe our safe return to Brother Lu," Meng Yue suddenly spoke up.
"Indeed. I never expected Brother Lu, a spiritual herbalist who rarely ventures into secret realms, to possess such formidable strength. You've truly exceeded my expectations," Sun Yunming added with a smile.
Among the four, he had the most humble background, the lowest cultivation, and the fewest treasures. To have teamed up with someone as powerful as Lu Chen was indeed his good fortune.
"If you have time, Brother Lu, I'd like to seek your guidance in the way of the sword," Qiu Changwan abruptly requested.
"You're welcome anytime," Lu Chen replied with a hearty laugh.
"Then, fellow daoists, we part ways here?"
"Farewell!"
As the four went their separate ways, Lu Chen turned towards his small courtyard. Suddenly, a frail, elderly voice called out to him.
"Brother Lu, please wait!"
He turned to see the thin, elderly man who had somehow appeared behind him, now standing just a few steps away.
"Brother Sun, is there something else?" Lu Chen asked curiously.
"It's nothing much. I just remembered that during our outing, you acquired quite a lot of demonic beast materials. Considering this is your first time in Black Star City, I thought you might not be familiar with the place. I'd like to introduce you to some connections so you can exchange them for more spirit stones," the old man explained.
"My sect, the Qingyuan Sect, is located near Black Star City, so I'm quite familiar with the ins and outs of the city," Sun Yunming said with a smile, his tone ingratiating.
"In that case, I'll have to trouble you, Brother Sun," Lu Chen agreed after a moment's thought.
As a newcomer, he knew little about Black Star City, and having Sun Yunming, a local with their shared team experience, as a guide would save him a lot of time and effort, allowing him to exchange his materials for more spirit stones.
"Please follow me, Brother Lu," the old man said, his smile widening. During their journey, he had witnessed Lu Chen's extraordinary abilities as a spiritual herbalist from a major sect—his exquisite sword skills and abundant resources. With a mere wave of his hand, Lu Chen could summon three fourth-grade sword talismans, and his amicable nature only added to his appeal.
Seizing this opportunity, the old man wanted to forge a closer connection with Lu Chen.
The two strolled slowly through the streets of Black Star City.
"This area is where solitary cultivators set up stalls. Most of them are Qi refiners, so if you have any low-grade materials, Brother Lu, feel free to hand them over to me. I'll have my sect's disciples handle them, saving you time," Sun Yunming explained. "At the end of this street, there are some well-funded and reputable shops. You can sell rare demonic beast materials there."
"Also, Black Star City is currently teeming with cultivators from various sects and powerful solitary cultivators. On certain special occasions, a black market even opens up. If you're interested, just let me know, and I'll get you the credentials to enter," he added.
The stall owners, sensing the powerful auras of the two men, bowed their heads to avoid attracting their displeasure.
Suddenly, Lu Chen paused, his eyes landing on a particular stall.
On display were low-grade materials, including spirit herbs of the first and second grade, as well as snake bones and blood. The stall owner was a slender youth with a pale complexion. His eyes were narrow slits, and a emerald green python poked its head out from his sleeve, its gaze indifferent as it surveyed the surroundings.
Sensing the presence of the cultivators, the youth lifted his head, about to greet them. But upon sensing their Foundation Establishment auras, his expression changed, his eyes flickering between alertness and fear.
"What can I offer the two seniors?" he asked, his voice low and respectful as he quickly tucked the python's head back into his sleeve.
His mind raced, desperately trying to recall if he had ever offended any Foundation Establishment cultivators.
Not knowing the reason for Lu Chen's pause, Sun Yunming also slowed his steps and turned towards the stall.
Lu Chen reached out, and as the youth held his breath in anxiety, he picked up a bottle of snake blood that had a reddish hue with a hint of green. A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.
"Is this the blood of a Greenwater Python?" Lu Chen inquired.
"Yes, senior, it is," the youth replied, his mouth revealing a set of sharp teeth.
"Are you the one called Yu Jie?" Lu Chen asked softly.
As soon as the words left his mouth, the youth's body trembled, and he lowered his head in acknowledgment. "Yes, but how does senior know of me...?"
Receiving the answer he sought, Lu Chen's smile widened.
"Lin Yang Marketplace, Greenwater Python blood... I never expected to run into you here." Lu Chen's heart was filled with mixed emotions as he recalled the past. He never imagined that years later, thousands of miles away in Black Star City, he would encounter an old acquaintance.
Back then, when he was in Lin Yang Marketplace, he had sought out snake blood to cultivate the Coiling Vine. With the help of a neighbor, he had met this youth named Yu Jie and obtained a significant amount of second-grade Greenwater Python blood from his grandfather, who was skilled in catching snakes.
The youth, who once had eyes as sharp as a venomous snake, had now become a late-stage Qi Refining cultivator.
"Lu... Senior Lu?" The youth's mind was struck by lightning as he suddenly recalled his experiences from over two decades ago.
Back then, a spirit herb cultivator had come to their home and placed a large order for second-grade Greenwater Python blood with his grandfather, greatly improving their difficult lives.
"Yes, it's me," the youth replied, a hint of disbelief flashing in his eyes. He remembered that back then, Lu Chen had only been a mid-stage Qi Refining cultivator. He couldn't believe that in just a short span of twenty years, Lu Chen had successfully broken through to the Foundation Establishment stage, becoming someone he now looked up to.
"What brings you to Black Star City? Where's your grandfather?" Lu Chen asked curiously.
"Previously, there was a beast attack in the marketplace, and many cultivators perished. My grandfather and I discussed changing our environment, and after some twists and turns, we ended up in Black Star City," Yu Jie explained.
"As for my grandfather, he was badly injured in that beast attack and never fully recovered. The journey here was long and arduous, and although we arrived in Black Star City on a merchant guild's treasure ship, his health was still fragile. He insisted on hunting snake-type demonic beasts, but eventually, his old wounds and new injuries overwhelmed him, and he passed away," Yu Jie said, a hint of sadness flashing in his eyes.
"What a pity," Lu Chen sighed.
"However, the fact that you've grown this strong today is a comfort to your grandfather's spirit," he added, looking at the now late-stage Qi Refining Yu Jie with satisfaction.
(End of Chapter)
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