Immortal Venerable of the Beast Race
Chapter 1144 - 1048 Recontact Jin Qianqian"

Chapter 1144: 1048 Recontact Jin Qianqian"

"Could it be that the owner of the Qinglian Casket came from the Tiangong Immortal Domain? Or did he spend a long time there?"

Shen Long pondered silently.

None of the jade slips mentioned the owner of the Qinglian Casket, leaving Shen Long unable to discern their identity.

He categorized and stored these items away, unexpectedly discovering that the contents of the Qinglian Casket were incredibly valuable—not only was there a Second Rank Immortal Flame, but also a Divine Beast Descendant.

With this, Shen Long gained another capable ally, Shen Pixiu.

The sixteenth to eighteenth layers of the Beast Immortal Scripture required assistance from the Devouring Immortal Pill for cultivation, which was refined primarily using the Essence Blood of the True Spirit Devouring Immortal Cicada at the Golden Immortal Phase.

Compared to spiritual beasts and birds, spirit insects were far more challenging to cultivate into true spirits.

Shen Long and Chu Buyu had wandered the Ancient Cloud Continent for many years, encountering many true spirits at the True Immortal Realm, but not a single one was a spirit insect.

Most spirit insects were inherently weak in physical constitution, making tribulation transcendence exceedingly difficult, with many perishing under the Heavenly Tribulation.

"It seems I need to make a trip to the Tianyue marketplace and consult Jin Qianqian about the Essence Blood of the True Spirit Devouring Immortal Cicada."

Shen Long murmured to himself.

He altered his appearance, concealed his aura, and left the Myriad Beasts Island.

······

Profound Yin Island, Heavenly Ghost Sect.

In a secluded estate, Chen Yin, Liu Ling, and Ning Chu sat in a green stone pavilion, engaged in conversation.

"What? The Ancient Cultivator’s Cave Dwelling that Liu Yuhai discovered turns out to be the Zouhua Cave of the Xuanluo Demon Sovereign?"

Liu Ling exclaimed in surprise.

"The Tianyue Sect has done an excellent job keeping secrets. If not for a certain disciple accidentally leaking information, Xu He wouldn’t have known it was the Zouhua Cave of the Xuanluo Demon Sovereign. Strangely, while we obtained some treasures, none of them mentioned the Xuanluo Demon Sovereign."

Chen Yin said with doubt.

"There’s one possibility: the cave’s owner killed the Xuanluo Demon Sovereign, but was severely injured in the process. Retreating to Nine Stars Island to heal, the wounds proved fatal, leading to their demise. Amid the chaos, Liu Yuqian and Liu Yang might have taken treasures that belonged to the Xuanluo Demon Sovereign."

Liu Ling speculated.

"Could it be Fourth Grade Dao Pills? The Xuanluo Demon Sovereign stole several Fourth Grade Dao Pills and was then pursued by the Li Family."

Ning Chu frowned, his eyes reflecting a trace of concern.

"Sect Master Senior Brother, didn’t Fellow Daoist Xuan tell you what the Xuanming Clan cultivators obtained?"

Chen Yin asked.

Disciples of the Tianyue Sect, cultivators of the Xuanming Clan, and the Heavenly Ghost Sect had all appeared near the cave dwelling. After a fierce battle, each faction departed with their spoils.

Shen Long had destroyed anything that might reveal his identity, leaving the higher-ups of the Heavenly Ghost Sect and the Tianyue Sect unable to confirm the identity of the cave owner. The Xuanming Clan, however, knew and refused to disclose the information.

"Some low-grade immortal artifacts! But according to Xu He’s intelligence, there should have been middle-grade immortal artifacts. The Xuanming Clan did not mention these, which leaves two possibilities: first, there could be very precious middle-grade immortal artifacts that the Xuanming Clan chose to conceal—although, given their strength, it seems unnecessary to do so; second, the valuable items were likely obtained by the Tianyue Sect, including the Fourth Grade Dao Pills."

Liu Ling carefully analyzed.

"Middle-grade immortal artifacts are not a concern, but if Fourth Grade Dao Pills were in play, they must have been consumed by Golden Immortals of the Tianyue Sect. The Dao Pills are secondary; I worry that the Tianyue Sect might use the Xuanluo Demon Sovereign’s Identity Token to approach the Li Family of the Immortal Clan. Any rewards from the Li Family would be enough for Golden Immortal cultivators to benefit endlessly."

Chen Yin said with apprehension.

"It’s too late to say anything now. The matter is settled. Coordinate with the Xuanming Clan and let it go. Prolonging the conflict is unwise. If it escalates to a full-blown clash with the Tianyue Sect, Xu He might be dispatched to the frontline."

Ning Chu instructed.

Xu He’s presence was vital, and Ning Chu did not want him to be jeopardized.

"Understood, Sect Master Senior Brother."

Chen Yin and Liu Ling agreed and set off.

······

At the Tianyue marketplace, the streets were bustling with crowds and clamorous carriages, thriving with activity.

A three-story golden pavilion bore the sign "Golden Pavilion" inscribed in three large characters.

Inside a room, Jin Qianqian sat cross-legged on a wooden bed, holding a shimmering Transcendent Mirror in her hand. The mirror’s surface displayed the image of a plump woman in a yellow dress.

"Golden Spirit Immortal Milk? What do you want in exchange?"

Jin Qianqian asked.

"Essence Blood and True Spirit Core of the True Spirit Devouring Immortal Cicada at the Golden Immortal Phase; how about that?"

The yellow-dressed woman spoke.

"What? I’m merely a True Immortal. Why would Madam Huang believe I possess such things?"

Jin Qianqian replied in confusion.

"I don’t know if the Golden Fairy does or doesn’t have them; I’m simply trying my luck. I’ve inquired with several major establishments, but none could provide them. It’s said Golden Fairy has extensive connections, so I’m asking you to look into it."

The yellow-dressed woman explained.

"I’ll inquire for you. If I find any news, I’ll let you know immediately."

Jin Qianqian promised.

"Thank you, Golden Fairy."

The yellow-dressed woman expressed her thanks and cut the communication.

"To think she’d inquire with me, a True Immortal, about the Essence Blood and True Spirit Core of the True Spirit Devouring Immortal Cicada at the Golden Immortal Phase—could this mean she has recognized my identity or is deliberately testing me?"

Jin Qianqian muttered to herself, her face riddled with confusion.

······

A golden three-story pavilion bore the sign "Golden Cicada Pavilion" inscribed in three large characters, its main doors tightly sealed.

Shen Long sat in the primary seat, with a plain-looking yellow-dressed woman standing nearby.

"Let’s hope she can secure the Essence Blood and True Spirit Core of the True Spirit Devouring Immortal Cicada at the Golden Immortal Phase. This matter is entrusted to you. Once you’ve acquired the blood and core, get in touch with Chu Yun."

Shen Long instructed.

The yellow-dressed woman was Shen Yao, whose true form was a Celestial Fox Beast at the True Immortal Middle Stage.

Upon arriving at the Tianyue marketplace, Shen Long visited several major establishments, inquiring about the Essence Blood and True Spirit Core of the True Spirit Devouring Immortal Cicada at the Golden Immortal Phase, but all claimed they didn’t have it.

Outsiders often regarded the True Spirit Core to be far more precious than Essence Blood. Shen Long, however, didn’t care for the Devouring Immortal Cicada’s core, concealing his true intention.

If only the Essence Blood was collected, it would clearly be for alchemy; collecting both the Essence Blood and True Spirit Core might suggest an attempt to nurture a true spirit.

"Yes, Your Excellency."

Shen Yao agreed wholeheartedly.

Using two supplementary resources, Shen Yao had successfully cultivated into a true spirit, her loyalty unwavering.

From Shen Long’s understanding, even spiritual beasts, insects, and birds of the True Immortal Realm could hardly cultivate into true spirits using three supplementary resources. Shen Yao’s success owed much to the Myriad Beasts Tower.

The Myriad Beasts Sect had several disciples and a procurement hall dedicated to gathering resources; for matters concerning Shen Long’s cultivation, he trusted the spiritual beasts and birds raised in the Myriad Beasts Tower since childhood.

Shen Long gave a few reminders, then altered his appearance and left.

Leaving the Tianyue marketplace, Shen Long transformed into an Escape Light and disappeared toward the distant horizon.

He arrived at the Azure Dragon marketplace, searching through several major establishments for leads on the Essence Blood and True Spirit Core of the True Spirit Devouring Immortal Cicada at the Golden Immortal Phase. Unfortunately, no results emerged.

Feeling disappointed, Shen Long considered sending someone to the Ancient Cloud Continent to gather information in hopes of obtaining the Essence Blood sooner.

After roaming the Azure Dragon marketplace with little to show for it, Shen Long departed and returned to the Myriad Beasts Island.

Shen Long called for Shen Lang and handed him a green jade slip, instructing, "Take a team to the Ancient Cloud Continent to search for clues about the Essence Blood and True Spirit Core of the Devouring Immortal Cicada, focusing particularly on the Essence Blood. Be cautious on the journey."

"No problem."

Shen Lang agreed and turned away to leave.

Shen Long stepped into a practice room, where he sat down to adjust his breath and meditate.