Translator: CinderTL
Song Wen walked through the streets of Great Tan City, his fingers stroking a Communication Jade Slip.
This was Xu Mengyu's Communication Jade Slip.
In fact, he possessed the Communication Jade Slips of not only Xu Mengyu but also Che Jing and Liu Shanshan. He had deliberately requested them during their journey together on the Giant Flying Ship.
Upon arriving in the Southern Nether Continent, Song Wen had no channels for obtaining crucial information or rare spiritual materials. Although the three women, disciples of a major sect, appeared to have modest cultivation levels, they sometimes had access to information beyond the reach of outsiders.
Having intended to cultivate a connection with the three women from the start, Song Wen naturally wouldn't neglect to obtain their Communication Jade Slips.
After a moment's contemplation, Song Wen put the jade slip away.
Contacting any of the three women now would seem too hasty.
They might still be enduring Bai Wei's punishment.
Song Wen soared into the sky, flew out of the city, and headed east.
After traveling millions of miles at full speed, Song Wen arrived in a hilly region.
According to the map he had purchased, this area was rich in Spiritual Qi but unoccupied by cultivators, making it an ideal location for establishing a cultivation cave.
Only after Song Wen carefully surveyed the area from above did he understand why no one had claimed this place.
The hilly region, spanning roughly a thousand miles, was utterly devoid of greenery, a desolate landscape stretching as far as the eye could see.
For reasons unknown, a nauseatingly putrid stench continuously emanated from the valleys between the hills.
This foul odor clearly contained toxins, making it unbearable for low-tier cultivators, while high-tier cultivators disdained to stoop to such a place.
"We'll settle here for now," Song Wen sighed softly. "We can find a more suitable cultivation cave later."
Other locations rich in Spiritual Qi were either too far from Great Tan City, making travel inconvenient, or already occupied.
Song Wen chose the hill with the densest Spiritual Qi, summoned the Soul Cleaving Blade, and hollowed out its interior, creating a cave roughly half a mile in diameter.
Stepping inside, Song Wen felt a pang of helplessness as he watched the foul stench seep continuously from cracks in the ground.
He deployed two sixth-tier formations—the Nine Heavens Spirit Guarding Formation and the Phantom Sea Traceless Formation—which finally managed to dilute the pervasive stench somewhat.
Song Wen summoned several Gu insects and the Nether Fox, intending to feed them medicinal pills and blood food.
Unexpectedly, the Nether Fox spoke as soon as it materialized.
"Master, why does it stink so much here?"
Song Wen's expression turned slightly cold. Just as he was about to speak, several Gu insects vibrated their wings and burrowed back into his body through his mouth and nose.
"Master," the Nether Fox continued, "you're a dignified Void Refinement Stage cultivator. Even if you wish to conceal your strength, there's no need to degrade yourself by residing in such a filthy place. If you ask me, you should find a place brimming with Spiritual Qi and breathtaking scenery—only such a place befits your cultivation level."
"Those places have already been claimed," Song Wen replied. "There's no room for you and me."
"Why worry so much, Master?" the Nether Fox countered. "We can simply seize one by force. We could even enslave some people to serve you."
"Such actions would be too conspicuous and invite trouble," Song Wen warned.
The Nether Fox scoffed. "Master, you're just being overly cautious."
Song Wen's tone darkened. "If you don't want to stay here, return to the Spirit Beast Pouch."
"Fine, I will."
With that, the Nether Fox transformed into a beam of spiritual light and vanished into the Spirit Beast Pouch.
Song Wen shook his head, his mood for cultivation completely gone.
He flipped his hand and retrieved a Dark Orchid Wood sapling he had just purchased from Great Tan City, then began casting a spell to refine it.
A month later.
Xu Hour (7-9 PM).
Night had swallowed the earth.
A crescent moon hung like a hook, casting a pale, ghostly blue light.
Mountain shadows loomed like crouching beasts, their forms indistinct.
Insects chirped in the forest, their rustling sounds like whispered secrets.
A figure sliced through the darkness. Song Wen arrived at Auspicious Jade Mountain as promised.
This mountain stood significantly taller than the surrounding peaks, making it an excellent vantage point. Someone had built several pavilions at its summit, though who remained a mystery.
Over time, more and more people came to admire the view, mostly young couples.
Gradually, ninety percent of the mountain became a place for romance.
As Song Wen approached Auspicious Jade Mountain, he spotted a figure standing on the pavilion's roof ridge—the stall owner, Shi Lei.
"Greetings, Senior Yun Xu," Shi Lei said, bowing respectfully.
"Little friend Shi Lei, I've kept you waiting," Song Wen replied.
"This junior only just arrived here. Senior, shall we depart for the exchange conference now?" Shi Lei asked.
"Let's go," Song Wen agreed.
"Please follow me, Senior," Shi Lei said, leaping into the air and flying eastward.
Song Wen followed closely behind.
The two sped through the vast night sky, dark mountain ranges receding beneath them.
As they moved further from Great Tan City, the surrounding Spiritual Qi gradually weakened.
Before long, they arrived at a desolate, Spiritually barren area rarely visited by cultivators.
"Senior, we're almost there. It's just a hundred li ahead, by that great river," Shi Lei said, gradually reducing his escape speed.
Song Wen nodded slightly, a faint smile playing on his lips.
He had already sensed the Giant Flying Ship hovering above the river.
The ship was roughly three hundred meters long, its ship tower protected by a Restriction formation. Even with his early-stage void refining divine sense power, he couldn't penetrate the formation to detect any movement inside.
At the ship's bow stood a late divine transformation stage cultivator, seemingly waiting for the cultivators arriving for the exchange conference.
"Senior Yun Xu, this is Senior Kang Shi, the organizer of the exchange conference," Shi Lei introduced as they landed on the ship's deck.
"Ah, Fellow Daoist Yun Xu! Please, come aboard!" Kang Shi gestured toward the ship tower's entrance, his face radiating warmth as he greeted Song Wen.
Song Wen stared intently at Kang Shi, a cold smile curling his lips.
"Enough with the theatrics," he said.
Kang Shi and Shi Lei froze, disbelief flashing in their eyes.
"Senior Yun Xu, what do you mean by this?" Shi Lei asked.
"The ship tower is completely empty," Song Wen replied. "Meanwhile, hidden in the surrounding dense forest are a divine transformation stage cultivator and four nascent soul cultivators. You lured me here solely to kill me and seize my treasures."
"Since you've seen through me, then die!" Kang Shi roared, his eyes burning with malevolent fury.
His hands transformed into razor-sharp claws, slashing viciously at Song Wen's chest.
Song Wen retreated swiftly, narrowly evading the deadly strike.
"Kang Shi, haven't you noticed a faint, refreshing fragrance?" Song Wen asked mockingly.
Kang Shi's expression twisted in alarm.
He suddenly recalled the faint fragrance he had detected when Song Wen first landed on the deck, but he had dismissed it as insignificant.
Now, Song Wen's words triggered a sense of dread. He felt his spiritual power stirring uncontrollably within him, his body growing weak and numb.
Abandoning his pursuit of Song Wen, Kang Shi bellowed, "Attack!"
As his command echoed, a dark, semi-transparent barrier erupted across a hundred-mile radius around the Giant Flying Ship.
Black needles materialized on the barrier's surface, trembling before launching in a torrential barrage toward Song Wen.
Faced with the overwhelming onslaught, Song Wen remained calm, a hint of disappointment flickering across his face.
"I had hoped you would possess some formidable tactics, even preparing countermeasures specifically for this. Yet all you have are two mere Divine Transformation Stage cultivators."
(End of the Chapter)
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