Immortal Venerable of the Beast Race
Chapter 153 - 153 97 Faction of Hermit Cultivation_1

153: 97 Faction of Hermit Cultivation_1 153: 97 Faction of Hermit Cultivation_1 “One hundred and fifty Spirit Stones, how about that?”

The young man in white spoke up.

“No problem, did you refine this Magic Artifact yourself?

The design is nice.”

Shen Long asked casually.

The young man in white was likely not the murderer of Shen Long’s parents, selling seized Magic Artifacts openly would just be asking for trouble.

“I didn’t refine it myself, I seized it from the possession of a Qi Refinement Evil Cultivator.”

The young man in white said.

Shen Long nodded, paid the Spirit Stones, took the Qinglian Ornament, and returned to Qian Dafu’s side.

Qian Dafu didn’t ask any further questions, as everyone has their own secrets.

After wandering around Azure Stone Plaza for a while, Shen Long bought some Artifact Refining materials, planning to use them to feed the Gold Ants, while Qian Dafu purchased a dozen or so Spiritual Medicines before the two left Azure Stone Plaza.

Back in Spirt Control Garden, Shen Long asked, “Junior Brother Qian, do you know the vendor who sold me the Magic Artifact?”

“I don’t know him, but if you want to get to know him, I can think of a way.”

Qian Dafu said.

“Then I’ll trouble you with that.

I want to find out his background clearly.

If I can talk to him face to face, that would be even better.

I want to ask him about the origin of that Magic Artifact.”

“Is there something special about that Magic Artifact?”

Qian Dafu hesitated slightly and asked.

“It was something my father always carried with him, they went missing while hunting Monster Beasts.”

Shen Long stated truthfully.

Qian Dafu’s expression became stern, and he said, “Leave this matter to me, I’ll help you check this person’s background.”

“Thank you, Junior Brother Qian.

If there’s anything you need my help with in the future, just let me know.”

Shen Long promised.

Qian Dafu nodded, chatted for a few more moments, and then turned to leave Spirt Control Garden.

Back in Qingchan Courtyard, Shen Long entered a guest room, took out the Qinglian Ornament, and showed a look of reminiscence.

“Dad, Mom, no matter who killed you, I will make them pay in blood.”

Shen Long muttered to himself, his face full of murderous intent.

After so many years, he had finally found a clue.

······

Qixia Garden, Jinxia Reverend and a woman in a golden dress with extraordinary looks were sitting in a stone pavilion of green hue, sipping tea and chatting leisurely.

“Xu Yang, the chief of the seventy-two talents of Spirt Control Sect, has entered the Core Formation Stage.

In this Xuanyang Ceremony, Master Nephew Xu and the others will face one less formidable opponent.”

The woman in the golden dress said.

Fairy Yuncai, Mid Core Formation Stage.

“Master Nephew Chen is in retreat trying to break through to the Core Formation Stage and couldn’t participate in this Xuanyang Ceremony.

However, Junior Sister Yu, who has inherited Junior Sister Yu’s teachings well, should be able to secure a good ranking.”

Jinxia Reverend spoke up.

“Hope so.

I wish to use this Xuanyang Ceremony to break through my bottleneck, otherwise I’ll need to look for a solution elsewhere.”

Fairy Yuncai sighed, her face full of worry.

She had been stuck at a bottleneck and had yet to break through it.

······

A vast estate with a majestic entrance, a gleaming gold-plated plaque bears the words “Xuanyang Garden” in large golden letters, with two Xuanyang Sect disciples guarding the entrance.

Qianyang True Person and a corpulent man in a green robe were sitting in a stone pavilion of green hue, while a man in green garments of average build reported to them.

“Both Spirt Control Sect and Badao Villa have arrived.

Spirt Control Sect is led by Ice Silkworm True Person, Badao Villa by Golden Blade True Person.

Xu Yang of Spirt Control Sect has entered the Core Formation Stage.

The two ladies from Qixia Sect haven’t shown up, probably detained by some matter.”

The man in green said slowly.

“Understood, Master Nephew Li, pass a message to those Core Formation Cultivators, let’s gather tonight in Xuanyang Garden.”

Qianyang True Person instructed.

“Yes, Master Uncle Chen.”

The man in green complied and retreated.

“With the skills of Master Nephew Qian, Master Nephew Liu, and Master Nephew Li, they should be able to secure the top three places.”

The man in the green robe said with a confident smile.

Qingyang True Person, Mid Core Formation Stage.

“The sparring of the younger generation is trivial; I hope to exchange for the items I need.

Aside from the Core Formation Cultivators from the five sects of Qin Country, there are also several Core Formation Cultivators from other countries.”

Qianyang True Person expressed, his face lit with anticipation.

“Indeed.

It’s not easy to exchange for the items we need.”

Qingyang True Person remarked.

Qianyang True Person nodded, choosing not to say more.

······

Three days passed quickly, Spirt Control Garden.

Qingchan Courtyard, a secret chamber.

Shen Long sat cross-legged on a blue cushion, currently feeding the Gold Ants.

Huge amounts of ores and Spirit Wood were scattered on the ground.

The dense mass of Gold Ants crawled over them, their teeth incredibly sharp, treating the ores and Spirit Wood before them as if they were tofu.

In half a quarter of an hour, they devoured all the ores and Spirit Wood on the ground.

Each feeding session for them required at least a thousand Spirit Stones, but luckily, Shen Long could afford it.

A Sound Transmission Talisman flew in and landed in front of Shen Long.

With a flick of his finger, Shen Long sent out a streak of blue light that hit the Sound Transmission Talisman.

The talisman ignited and Qian Dafu’s voice came through, “Senior Brother Shen, I’ve contacted the person who sold you the Magic Artifact.

Are you free to talk?”

Upon hearing this, Shen Long put the Gold Ants away into his Spirit Beast bag and walked out to find Qian Dafu standing at the door.

“Junior Brother Qian, you made contact so quickly?

What’s the background of this person?”

Shen Long inquired.

“This person is named Lan Tianhai, born into a small family clan, the Lan Family, which has had a history of over fifty years.

He’s quite easy to handle.

I can invite him over for a chat,”

said Qian Dafu.

“Junior Brother Qian, your efficiency is impressive!

Please invite him to chat.

I have some questions I’d like to ask him,”

Shen Long stated.

Qian Dafu nodded, took out a golden glowing Messaging Plate, and entered a spell into it, making a series of gestures.

“He’s on his way.

I’ll go out and meet him.

Senior Brother Shen, please prepare the tea,”

Qian Dafu said before turning on his heel and walking out.

Shen Long also stepped out, went into the Stone Pavilion, and began to prepare tea with the teapot and tea leaves.

Half a quarter of an hour later, Qian Dafu arrived with Lan Tianhai.

Shen Long greeted them, asked them to sit down, and poured the tea.

After some pleasantries, Shen Long got to the matter at hand, “Taoist Friend Lan, if I may be so bold, where did you obtain that Magic Artifact?”

“While I was handling affairs in Shu Country, I killed several Qi Refinement Realm Evil Cultivators and seized it from them,”

Lan Tianhai explained.

“Taoist Friend Lan, do you know their origins?”

Shen Long asked.

“Faction of Hermit Cultivation!

This is a newly emerging force, ostensibly a community of Loose Cultivators with many Loose Cultivators, but the Faction of Hermit Cultivation hasn’t shy away from committing murder and robbery.

They even organized a team that killed the descendants of the Tang Family, which led to their annihilation by the Tang Family,”

Lan Tianhai said.

“Annihilated!”

Shen Long’s brows furrowed.

“It is said that their leader was executed, but a group of their remnants vanished without a trace.

This is their Identity Token, which is of no use to me, so I’m giving it to you, Taoist Friend Shen,”

Lan Tianhai took out a green token with the three golden characters ‘Faction of Hermit Cultivation’ engraved on the front.

“This bottle of Heyuan Pills is a small token of my appreciation.

Thank you, Taoist Friend Lan,”

Shen Long said gratefully, taking out a blue porcelain bottle and handing it to Lan Tianhai.

Overjoyed, Lan Tianhai profusely thanked him, accepting the bottle of Heyuan Pills.

After chatting idly for half an hour, Lan Tianhai took his leave.

“Junior Brother Qian, you didn’t tell him what I wanted from him, did you?”

Shen Long asked.

“No, I wouldn’t casually disclose such matters.

I’ve checked, and currently, the Lan Family has over a hundred members and four Foundation Establishment Cultivators.

He wouldn’t want to offend us over a trivial matter,”

Qian Dafu responded.

“I hope you’re right.

I owe you one for this time, Junior Brother Qian.

Otherwise, he might not have told me so much,”

Shen Long expressed his gratitude.

If it turned out that Lan Tianhai had killed Shen Long’s parents, Shen Long would retaliate against the whole Lan Family.

“It was just a small effort, we are fellow sect brothers after all; no need for formalities,”

Qian Dafu said indifferently.

“I still hold to what I said before, if you need my help, just say the word,”

Shen Long promised.

Qian Dafu nodded, accepting the offer.

“By the way, Fairy Li of the Xuanyang Sect is hosting a gathering tonight.

I heard that quite a few Foundation Establishment Cultivators will be attending.

Do you want to go?”

Qian Dafu recalled something and asked.

“What time, and where?”

Shen Long inquired.

“Maple Forest Court, tonight at 7PM,”

Qian Dafu answered.

Shen Long nodded, “Let’s go together then!”

Following a brief chat, Qian Dafu left.

“Faction of Hermit Cultivation!”

Shen Long looked at the token in his hand, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.