Chapter 132: Reunion

At the very first glance of Chen Yinshan, Li Guanxuan even suspected that he had mistaken his man.

Was this really the once honest, steadfast middle-aged man with a stubborn, somewhat unreasonable streak?

He had been thoroughly demonized; his eyes brimmed with aggressiveness, as if he were ready to kill and drink blood in pursuit of the Dao at any given moment.

The Seven-Slaying Demonic Art was by no means a benevolent technique. If he continued to practice it in the future, Old Chen's entire life would be ruined... No, it was already ruined. Li Guanxuan's eyes flickered with complex emotions, and his heart felt heavy and bitter.

In the vast world of immortal cultivation, Chen Yinshan and Zhao Guili were the best friends he had encountered during his lowest days.

They were people he could open his heart to, trust completely, and rely upon.

Yet, because of certain events experienced during the Qi Refining stage, years later, things remained the same while the people had changed beyond recognition.

It felt bitter, yet there was nothing he could do.

Li Guanxuan sighed inwardly. Shaking off these negative emotions, he retrieved a jar of wine from his storage ring and smiled:

"I brought some wine. Care for a couple of sips? We aren't so pressed for time that we can't spare a moment from treasure-hunting and cultivation."

For Chen Yinshan to form his golden core, he still needed a few heavenly treasures.

His purpose in coming here this time was to help him find those heavenly treasures and guard him as he formed his core.

And by the way, to slay Sang Shaoxian.

Time was tight.

Yet, there was still time for a drink.

Even when Chen Yinshan smiled nowadays, it was fraught with fierce malevolence and gloominess. Yet upon hearing Li Guanxuan's words, he forced out a smile that he believed to be kind and amiable:

"Alright!"

Wen Rongxin watched from the side, her heart aching deeply.

Noticing Wen Rongxin's gaze, Chen Yinshan wore an unnatural smile on his face and said:

"Rongxin, don't be afraid. Ever since I practiced this Seven-Slaying Demonic Art, it has become very difficult for me to control my emotions, and I always wear this ferocious and terrifying expression.

"However, in these Hundred Thousand Great Mountains, if one isn't a bit savage and fierce, one truly cannot survive. Besides, I'm dragging along a useless burden, so at times I am indeed affected by the technique."

"What kind of utter nonsense are you spouting?" Fang Xingzhi cursed angrily. "If it weren't for me, you'd be dead long ago!"

Chen Yinshan grinned, too lazy to bother with him, and continued speaking to Wen Rongxin:

"Guili has been settled by me in a relatively safe place. There is a restriction placed by a Nascent Soul demon lord there; if anyone dares to approach, I'll have to trouble you to look after her later."

"Alright, no problem at all."

Wen Rongxin nodded and said softly.

Li Guanxuan said, "Lead us there."

Chen Yinshan took the lead, walking ahead as he said: "I've crossed paths with Sang Shaoxian before. Something felt a bit off about him. Back then, I had just entered the ninth layer of Foundation Establishment, and facing an old-school peak Foundation Establishment cultivator like him, I should have found it difficult to hold my ground.

"Yet after exchanging a few blows, I discovered that Sang Shaoxian's magic power wasn't very stable. At times he showed signs of being at the Great Circle, and at other times he felt like a mere ninth-layer Foundation Establishment cultivator, fluctuating unpredictably."

This was the part Chen Yinshan found most puzzling, but unable to figure it out, he brought it up for discussion.

Li Guanxuan frowned, pondered for a moment, and said: "Possessed by a spiritual entity?"

Hearing this, Chen Yinshan paused in his steps, turned to look at him, and asked doubtfully: "You mean possessed by a Nascent Soul remnant soul?"

He had heard that once one's cultivation reached the Nascent Soul stage, the spiritual core shatters to give birth to the Nascent Soul, and as long as the Nascent Soul remains undestroyed, one can seize a body and be reborn.

"Not certain for now; we need to investigate first to understand the situation," Li Guanxuan said in a deep voice.

Qin Jiyue perceived Li Guanxuan's worry and said: "Even if it's a Nascent Soul seizing a body, it requires a significant amount of time. Furthermore, even after possessing a body, a Nascent Soul True Monarch still needs to continue cultivating starting from the original host's realm...

"Therefore, we still have hope of slaying Sang Shaoxian."

When a Nascent Soul True Monarch seized a body, they did not directly return to their peak state. Instead, whatever realm the current body happened to be in was where they had to begin adapting, acclimatizing, and recultivating.

Chen Yinshan grinned and said: "Don't worry, Old Li. In another year or two, I'll slay this dog of a man, and by then you'll also be able to repay a part of that favor."

He had also caught wind of the matters concerning Silver Maple City.

"Those are just minor matters."

Li Guanxuan smiled.

Following Chen Yinshan through a layer of restrictions, Li Guanxuan finally laid eyes on Zhao Guili.

She appeared completely unharmed, lying on a bed woven from tree vines, her eyes tightly closed, her face pale, with wisps of demonic Qi lingering around her entire body. It was precisely because of this demonic Qi that her last breath of vitality had been sustained.

"Guili, Old Li and Rongxin's family have all come to see you."

Upon seeing his wedded wife, the fierce malevolence in Chen Yinshan's eyes gradually receded, replaced by a trace of tenderness as he lowered his rough voice as much as possible.

Yet, the fair beauty on the wooden bed gave no response.

Wen Rongxin walked over in silence. After a careful examination, her apricot-shaped eyes were filled with aching pity.

She had spent a relatively long time with Zhao Guili, and it was Zhao Guili who had taught her how to practice fist techniques.

Although Qin Jiyue had not spent much time with Zhao Guili, she had constantly heard Wen Rongxin speak of her. She silently walked to Wen Rongxin's side and gently supported her.

"If you talk to her, she can hear you, she just can't reply," Chen Yinshan grinned and said.

Wen Rongxin nodded. Looking at Zhao Guili, she spoke slowly: "When you wake up, I'll cook a table full of good dishes for you to taste...

"The scenery of Silver Maple City is quite nice, and there is a good city lord there. When we have leisure time, we can also stroll through the city together..."

"..."

Her voice was gentle, her speaking pace unhurried.

Qin Jiyue and Song Zhiqiao both kept her company by her side.

Li Guanxuan sat down cross-legged on the ground, produced the wine, and poured three bowls.

After clinking their bowls together, the three of them downed the liquor in one hearty gulp.

"Spiritual wine from Qing'an City?"

Chen Yinshan was slightly startled, and with a sense of deep nostalgia, he said: "In the past, aside from drinking your medicinal wine, the wine from the old yellow wine shop in Qing'an City tasted the best."

Back then, he had just moved into Qing'an City and lived together with Li Guanxuan.

Unfortunately, they hadn't been able to drink it for many years before misfortunes struck.

Li Guanxuan nodded slightly, smiling as he said: "When I came over, I stopped by to buy a few jars. The original proprietor has already changed; after asking around, I found out that the former owner was his father, who has already passed away from old age, and now his son has taken over the tavern."

"If I remember correctly, that old man was already over ninety years old back then..."

Chen Yinshan sighed emotionally: "He was even a mid-stage Qi Refining cultivator. I used to be terrified of him when I saw him, and since I didn't have many spirit stones in my pouch, I was always afraid he would look down on me and treat me with cold disdain...

"Who would have thought that the old man said I could have a taste, and if it didn't taste good, he wouldn't want any spirit stones.

"At that time, I actually went up and took a sip, mumbled that it didn't taste good, and bolted away... Thinking about it now, I truly feel ashamed."

At this point, Chen Yinshan looked at Li Guanxuan and chuckled wryly: "Guili told Rongxin about this matter, Rongxin told you, and the very next day you went out and bought several jars of wine back."

Li Guanxuan laughed heartily and said: "I just wanted to taste what kind of flavor this wine you called 'not tasting good' actually had."

Chen Yinshan poured another bowl, downed it, and grinned: "It has both bitterness and sweetness."

Fang Xingzhi took a sip; he couldn't taste either bitterness or sweetness, only feeling that it stung his throat somewhat.

"Indeed."

Li Guanxuan chimed in with a nod.

The two men drank and reminisced about the past, a scene that made Fang Xingzhi, sitting nearby, feel somewhat envious.

To have such true friends in the world of immortal cultivation made this journey of cultivation worthwhile.

...

"I've already collected the Blood-Melting Lingzhi; what remains are the Star Soul Grass and the Flame-in-Stone."

Chen Yinshan said: "There is a late second-tier fierce beast guarding the Star Soul Grass, and we can join forces to eliminate it. But the Flame-in-Stone is rather troublesome; too many people have their eyes on it, including some demonic cultivators and beast cultivators, and many of them are at peak Foundation Establishment."

"Give the Blood-Melting Lingzhi to me."

Li Guanxuan stated: "We will act together, first taking the Star Soul Grass, and then the Flame-in-Stone."

Afterward, Li Guanxuan looked at Wen Rongxin and continued: "Wife, I leave this place in your care. Both Jiyue and Zhiqiao must come out with me."

"Rest assured, Husband."

Wen Rongxin nodded slightly.

This operation might involve quite a few dangers. After all, the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains were different from the Scarlet Training Mountain Range, where mostly Qi Refining cultivators went for training.

In the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains, Foundation Establishment cultivators were a common sight.

Moreover, these Foundation Establishment cultivators had sects backing them up, with relatively few rogue cultivators, meaning they naturally traveled in larger groups.

Qin Jiyue was a demonic sword cultivator, and Song Zhiqiao was well-versed in array techniques. With one specializing in offense and the other in defense, they could help Li Guanxuan face those major sect Foundation Establishment experts without fear.

Night fell.

Moonlight spilled across a vast grassland, making it gleam with specks of starlight, dazzling and eye-catching.

Following Chen Yinshan to this location, Li Guanxuan had already spotted quite a few immortal cultivators engaged in fierce spell battles with fierce beasts.

There were also many demonic and evil cultivators, though no trace of beast cultivators was yet to be seen.

Right at the center of this moonlight grassland stood a stalk of Star Soul Grass exuding rich spiritual energy.

A quick, rough glance told Li Guanxuan that it was around three hundred and sixty years old. If he nurtured and ripened it for a few more months, it would easily reach four hundred years.

"What's the plan?"

Chen Yinshan licked his lips.

Both his and Fang Xingzhi's appearances had been altered, and breath-concealing talismans were plastered on their bodies—all of which had been strictly demanded by Li Guanxuan.

After all, their current strength had not yet reached the point where they could act with supreme arrogance.

Even Golden Core True Persons had to proceed with much caution when operating here in the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains.

"What's the rush?"

Li Guanxuan said: "Zhiqiao and I will engrave a transference array into a magical artifact. Once we obtain the Star Soul Grass, we'll immediately activate the array to leave this place, remain concealed for a period, and then plot for the Flame-in-Stone."

This was the most prudent method.

A transference array was a formation Li Guanxuan had strongly insisted Song Zhiqiao must master.

At critical moments, such arrays could be used to flee and save one's life.

Chen Yinshan was slightly speechless, but he still nodded and followed Li Guanxuan's arrangements.

Fang Xingzhi heaved a quiet sigh of relief. With Li Guanxuan here, Chen Yinshan could remain somewhat restrained.

After all, when Li Guanxuan wasn't around, Chen Yinshan was a complete loose cannon. Back when he was plotting to obtain the Blood-Melting Lingzhi, he had been utterly frantic and beyond reckless.

That completely clashed with Fang Xingzhi's current style of conduct.

Seven days later.

Li Guanxuan and Song Zhiqiao had successfully engraved the transference array inside the umbrella-sword magical artifact belonging to Qin Jiyue, capable of instantly transferring five people forty miles away.

By then, using their breath-concealing talismans and altering their appearances once more, they would completely shake off any pursuit.

The battle over the grassland had also entered its white-hot phase.

After all, those coveting the Star Soul Grass were not just sect cultivators, but also demonic and evil cultivators.

Evil cultivators, in particular, operated alone, best at hiding in the shadows and striking when an opportunity arose.

"Let's move!"

Li Guanxuan watched with his own eyes as an evil cultivator was instantly targeted by a concentrated barrage from sect cultivators, his physical body blasted into ashes and vanishing from heaven and earth within a single breath.

Using magic power so frequently would inevitably lead to moments of depleted spiritual energy.

Seizing the precise moment, Li Guanxuan led the group charging straight in to snatch the Star Soul Grass.

"Courting death!"

Fearing that others might take advantage of the chaos, the sect cultivators had assigned specific people to keep watch over the battlefield situation.

A late Foundation Establishment cultivator noticed Li Guanxuan and his group charging in, killing intent blazing in his eyes as he cast thirty-six magic nails, shooting them explosively toward the five of them.

Qin Jiyue let out a cold snort, flicking her finger to send sword Qi surging forth. In an instant, a sword glare tore across the firmament, severing all thirty-six magic nails in one sweep.

Chen Yinshan made a move to strike, but was stopped by a single glance from Li Guanxuan.

Right now was not the time for Chen Yinshan to expose his identity.

"Damn it, come help me!"

Sensing Qin Jiyue's extraordinary strength, the late Foundation Establishment cultivator shouted in alarm.

Hearing this, two other late Foundation Establishment lookouts immediately rushed over, unleashing magical artifacts one after another toward Qin Jiyue's position.

Rays of dark light carried rolling, massive force, suppressing downward with an indestructible momentum.

Qin Jiyue showed not a trace of panic, tossing out her beast-skin umbrella to block the incoming artifacts, though the animal skin itself grew tattered in the process.

Swish!

Qin Jiyue grasped the umbrella handle, drew a slender sword from within, leaped forward toward the late Foundation Establishment cultivator, and slashed horizontally with her blade!

Behind her, Song Zhiqiao slapped a talisman array onto the ground, channeling boundless magic power into Qin Jiyue's body.

"Ah!"

The late Foundation Establishment cultivator let out a miserable scream, watching helplessly as his body was cleaved cleanly in two.

Terrifying sword Qi formed a crushing vortex, its razor-sharp force enough to fracture the void. The two late Foundation Establishment cultivators who had rushed over to assist did not escape the same fate either.

Having slain the three late Foundation Establishment cultivators, Qin Jiyue flicked her sword, sending it flying to land a hundred meters away from the Star Soul Grass.

On the sword hilt, a talisman array quietly manifested.

As magic power poured in, the talisman array activated, enveloping the Star Soul Grass within its perimeter. Anyone who entered the array would be subjected to the lethal crushing power of Li Guanxuan and Song Zhiqiao's formation.

"Where the hell did these bastards pop out from?!"

"Demonic cultivators, evil cultivators... and rogue cultivators, who on earth are they?!"

"Cease fighting! Let's slaughter them first!"

"..."

Numerous cultivators cursed angrily, fierce light glaring in their eyes.

Having plotted for the Star Soul Grass for so long, they had ended up having someone else snatch the fruit of their victory right at the final moment of contention.

Who could stomach that?

Even the late second-tier fierce beast roared continuously at this moment, charging toward Li Guanxuan's group with reckless abandon and slamming its horns against the array barrier.

All cultivators instantly redirected their hostility toward the five of them.

"Got it."

Li Guanxuan harvested the Star Soul Grass. Although they were targeted by everyone present, to him, none of this posed any real problem.

"Rumble..."

Countless divine abilities, spells, and magical artifacts came crashing down toward their spot.

Yet...

The talisman array suddenly erupted with a dazzling white light.

The next second, the five figures vanished without a trace.

"A transference array!"

A peak Foundation Establishment cultivator swept over at high speed, his face turning extremely grim upon seeing this scene.

Having plotted for so long, they had ended up working hard just to dress the bride for someone else!

Worse still, the opponents possessed a transference array—that was the most infuriating part.

"Search! Even if you have to dig three feet into the ground, find those three men and two women!" the peak Foundation Establishment cultivator roared furiously.

...

"The Star Soul Grass actually ended up in the hands of rogue cultivators?"

On the outer perimeter of the grassland, a demonic-path female cultivator with a white fox tail swaying behind her looked utterly astonished.

"Miss, they should still be around the outskirts of the grassland. Should we search for them?"

"Mm, find them... and see if we can purchase the Star Soul Grass. These five rogue cultivators shouldn't be weak; don't offend them needlessly."

(End of this chapter)