Immortal Venerable of the Beast Race
Chapter 338 - 250 Witch Clan’s Spy_1

Chapter 338: 250 Witch Clan’s Spy_1

Shangguan Yunfei expressed deep approval and said, "That’s right, when encountering a Witch Clan Cultivator, it is best to eliminate them with the utmost speed, not giving them a chance to cast spells. If we get into a war of attrition with a Witch Clan Cultivator, even if the Witch Clan Cultivator is defeated, they might still use themselves as a medium to cast powerful curses and perish together with us, the Human Cultivators. There have been many such cases."

After chatting idly for more than an hour, Shangguan Yunfei suggested exchanging cultivation resources, and none of the cultivators had any objections.

Shen Long had attended many similar exchanges; the cultivators had many items to offer, but few caught Shen Long’s eye.

Shen Long used a bottle of Vajra Bone Tempering Pill to exchange with Shangguan Yunfei for a bottle of Blood Python Pill. Both elixirs could greatly strengthen the physical body.

Shen Long took out several Yin Pearls from Core Formation Stage ghost creatures in exchange for the poison sac of a third-grade Jiuxia Beast and some demon cores from third-grade poisonous insects and beasts.

"Taoist Friend Shen, if I may be so bold to ask, did you visit the Profound Yin Cave Heaven? You produced so many high-grade Yin Pearls."

Chu Shan asked curiously.

Shen Long nodded and said, "I almost didn’t make it back; there are indeed many ghost creatures in the Profound Yin Cave Heaven. I encountered a Nascent Soul Stage ghost creature, but fortunately, I’m quick on my feet."

"To escape from the hands of a Nascent Soul Stage ghost creature, Taoist Friend Shen is truly impressive."

Chu Shan said admiringly.

"Taoist Friend Chu misunderstood, I didn’t face the Nascent Soul Stage ghost creature. It was slaughtering other cultivators while I immediately fled. If I had faced the Nascent Soul Stage ghost creature, I wouldn’t have been confident in escaping unscathed,"

said Shen Long.

His divine sense chased after the Great Perfection of Core Formation, and the Soul Nourishing Medallion Technique was indispensable.

Realizing the situation, Chu Shan nodded with a smile and said, "I see. But, the fact that Taoist Friend Shen made it out of the Profound Yin Cave Heaven alive is quite impressive."

Over an hour later, the exchange ended, and Shen Long and the others took their leave one after another, leaving Shangguan Yunyu and Shangguan Yunfei behind.

"This Taoist Friend Shen’s physical body is much stronger than mine now. It seems he has consumed many miraculous elixirs for body tempering,"

commented Shangguan Yunfei.

"Cousin, Taoist Friend Shen actually held back. His vitality is much stronger than yours. If he had made a full effort, you would have been sent back more than just two steps. He was giving you face,"

said Shangguan Yunyu seriously.

"You sensed that correctly?"

Shangguan Yunfei said in surprise.

Shangguan Yunyu shook her head and said earnestly, "The technique I cultivate is somewhat special, and it allows me to sense the strength of a cultivator’s vitality. I don’t know exactly how strong he is, but I’m certain he held back just now."

"I hope to spar with him again in the future."

Shangguan Yunfei’s face showed a look of longing.

Returning to his residence, Shen Long entered the practice room and sat cross-legged on a red-colored meditation cushion.

He took out a golden porcelain bottle and poured out a blood-red pill with nine pill patterns on its surface – it was a Blood Python Pill.

He put the Blood Python Pill into his mouth, and as the elixir melted upon entering, a vast surge of energy rose in his abdomen and spread out rapidly.

Shen Long hastily cultivated to refine this energy, guiding it towards the Golden Core in his dantian.

His skin slowly grew red dragon scales, and a red halo emerged, enveloping his entire body.

······

In a secluded courtyard with green tiles, Lu Xin and Xu Tong sat in a green stone pavilion.

"Taoist Friend Shen has actually killed a Witch Clan Cultivator. I just don’t know whom he has killed. Reporting this might save us from punishment by the Witch Clan,"

Lu Xin suggested.

"Let’s hope so! This person has considerable divine skills, and I fear the Witch Clan might order us to confront him,"

Xu Tong said with a worried face.

"We’ll take things one step at a time! I didn’t expect that his physical body would be so strong, not even Taoist Friend Shangguan could match him,"

Lu Xin said with a grave expression.

······

In a three-story black tower, Chu Shan sat in the main seat while Qin Tianhe reported to him.

"That’s all I know. As for how Senior Shen managed to join the Spirit Control Sect, or how he achieved Core Formation, I’m not sure,"

said Qin Tianhe.

When Chu Shan suddenly inquired about Shen Long’s situation, Qin Tianhe didn’t have much information.

"Has the bottleneck you encountered during this auction been loosened at all?"

Chu Shan asked.

"Disciple has exchanged insights with many Taoist friends and feels that the bottleneck has loosened up a bit," he said. "I plan to retreat for closed-door cultivation for some time, hoping to resolve this bottleneck."

Qin Tianhe said.

"Good, if you can progress to Great Perfection in the Foundation Establishment, I will provide you with the resources to attempt the Core Formation Stage," Chu Shan promised. "Whether you can enter the Core Formation Stage will be up to you."

Overwhelmed with joy, Qin Tianhe bowed deeply and gratefully said, "Thank you, Master, for your cultivation."

"I hope you can advance to the Core Formation Stage. Go and cultivate now!"

Chu Shan instructed.

Qin Tianhe acknowledged and bowed before retiring.

...

Half a month quickly passed by.

Shen Long was cultivating in a secret chamber when a Sound Transmission Talisman flew in.

He hastily concluded his cultivation and opened his eyes. With a flick of his fingers, he caught the Sound Transmission Talisman and pinched it forcefully, burning it up and releasing the voice of Lin Yutong: "Senior Brother Shen, Master Aunt Du is calling us for a meeting."

Shen Long stood up and walked out, finding Lin Yutong standing at the doorway.

"Senior Brother Shen!"

Lin Yutong greeted Shen Long with a sweet smile.

Han Yuwei and Ice Silkworm True Person had buried the hatchet, and Lin Yutong had already accepted Ice Silkworm True Person.

"Junior Sister Lin, is Master alright?" Shen Long asked.

"Father has recuperated for a while and is alright now. Let’s go; we shouldn’t keep Master Aunt Du waiting,"

Lin Yutong suggested.

Shen Long nodded and followed Lin Yutong to a quiet, secluded courtyard where Du Yinyin sat beside a green stone table, with Xu Yang, Ice Silkworm True Person, and Han Yuwei standing beside her.

Ice Silkworm True Person looked much better, and Han Yuwei was radiant, as if nourished.

Shen Long bowed deeply and said, "Disciple greets Master Aunt Du, Master, and Mistress."

"Nephew Shen, we are planning to return to the Donghua Cultivation Realm. What are your plans?"

Du Yinyin asked.

"Disciple plans to stay in the Southern Border Cultivation World for the time being, trying to resolve my bottleneck,"

Shen Long replied.

Stuck at a bottleneck, he had intended to travel anyway; there was no need to return to the Donghua Cultivation Realm so soon.

"If that’s the case, then stay here. Be extra cautious; this place is not the Donghua Cultivation Realm,"

Du Yinyin advised.

"Yes, thank you for the reminder, Master Aunt Du,"

Shen Long agreed.

"Shen Long, take good care of yourself. Return to the Donghua Cultivation Realm once you’ve resolved your bottleneck,"

Ice Silkworm True Person advised.

Shen Long nodded, "Yes, Master."

"Let’s set off! We should return to the Donghua Cultivation Realm as soon as possible,"

Du Yinyin said.

The six of them left their residence and walked down the mountain.

When they reached the foot of the mountain, Du Yinyin conjured a red Flying Boat and boarded it, followed closely by Ice Silkworm True Person and the others.

"Take care, Senior Brother Shen."

Lin Yutong said.

With a gesture from Du Yinyin, the red Flying Boat shone brightly with a blinding red light and flew high into the sky, soon disappearing from view.

Shen Long contemplated briefly, then stomped his right foot on the ground and turned into a streak of Escape Light, breaking through the air and leaving the place.