Immortal Venerable of the Beast Race
Chapter 445 - 353 Zhou Family’s Invitation_1

Chapter 445: 353 Zhou Family’s Invitation_1

He arrived at another valley, where he could see the Soul Nourishing Wood. Not far away was a pond filled with Heavenly Soul True Water.

Shen Long used some of the Heavenly Soul True Water to irrigate the Soul Nourishing Wood. Unlike other Spirit Plants, in order to improve its growth, it needed to be watered regularly with Heavenly Soul True Water.

The Seven Stars True Monarch had set up a Formation to protect the Soul Nourishing Wood, and while the wood had not withered, its growth was not very good.

Shen Long left the Myriad Beasts Tower, flicked his sleeve, and a streak of rosy light swept across. The ground was now covered with several Spiritual Treasures.

He had many Spiritual Treasures on him, including the Qinglian Vase, Zizhu Blade, Qian Gold Needle, Purple Pupil Bead, Zyphyxial Blade, Lihuo Stick, Concealing Spirit Cloak, Hundred Ghosts Chart, Black Skulled Shield, Qiantu Blade, Qianyang Cauldron, and Qianyang Seal. Among them, the Qiantu Blade came from Zhuo Shan, and the Qianyang Seal was from Golden Crow True Monarch, having ended up in Zhuo Shan’s possession.

This time, on his journey to the ruins, Shen Long killed more than ten Nascent Soul Cultivators, obtaining no less than ten million Spirit Stones, numerous Spiritual Treasures, a batch of millennium Spiritual Medicine, a batch of Artifact Refining materials, some fourth-order Demon Cores, and so on. Indeed, it proved the saying, "A horse can’t get fat without night-time fodder, a man can’t get wealthy without windfalls."

Even if selling fourth-order Elixirs, accumulating such wealth would take an unknown number of years.

All twelve Spiritual Treasures were individual pieces, with no complete sets. Fortunately, Shen Long obtained some materials for crafting Spiritual Treasures and could ask an Artifact Refiner to help craft them. Fourth-order Leading Thunder Pearls and Absorbing Thunder Pearls could be refined into a complete set of treasures.

Shen Long picked up the Spiritual Treasures from the ground and sat down to meditate and regulate his breath.

...

Heavenly Ghost Island, the main sect of the Heavenly Ghost Sect.

In a secluded estate, Lin Feng and Su Ying sat next to a green stone table, their expressions somber.

A medium-built young man in a yellow shirt was reporting to them with a serious demeanor.

"We have already contacted the people from Three Immortals Sect and found that the Life-Bound Lamps of three individuals, including Senior Qin from the sect, have been extinguished. From the timing, they died before Senior Sister Zhao and the others," the young man in yellow reported.

Yue Feng, the head of the Information Hall of the Heavenly Ghost Sect.

The extinguishing of the Life-Bound Lamps of Zhao Xueying and the others prompted an immediate report by the Heavenly Ghost Sect disciples who were guarding the lamps, eventually alarming Yue Feng. Yue Feng promptly contacted the Three Immortals Sect and learned that Qin Biao and the other two were also dead. He immediately reported to Lin Feng.

"Where did they go?" Lin Feng asked with a frown.

The fall of four Nascent Soul Cultivators at once was a heavy blow to the Heavenly Ghost Sect’s vitality.

"It is said that they discovered a ruin. The specific details are unclear, but it’s known that they banded together in search of treasure. Then Senior Qin and his group of three were killed, followed by the demise of Senior Sister Zhao and her group," Yue Feng reported truthfully.

"With Senior Sister Zhao deploying the Subjugation Ghost Technique and having the Hundred Ghosts Chart, she has slain Late Stage Nascent Soul Cultivators. The person capable of killing Senior Sister Zhao is extraordinary; could it be a Soul Transformation Cultivator!" Su Ying speculated.

"Senior Sister Zhao wouldn’t be so foolish as to provoke a Soul Transformation Cultivator; it’s very possible they crossed paths with the Northern Sea Ten Immortals, who are Loose Cultivators with great strength. It can’t be ruled out that it was the work of restrictive formations. Nephew Yue, deploy more people, ascertain the cause of Senior Sister Zhao and her team’s deaths, and investigate the movements of the two palace masters of the Sun Moon Palace. Heighten our defenses," Lin Feng instructed.

"Yes, Master Uncle Lin," Yue Feng acknowledged, accepting the order and departing.

"Such a ruin wouldn’t be simple if it warranted Senior Sister Zhao to lead the team personally. Could it bear a Sky-Reaching Spiritual Treasure or an object for impacting the Divinity Transformation stage?" Su Ying expressed her anticipation.

"It’s hard to say. Let’s wait for Nephew Yue to come back with detailed information. I just worry it was the work of the Sun Moon Palace. Last time, Senior Sister Zhao killed a Nascent Soul Cultivator from their ranks, and they never avenged the loss, which is strange," Lin Feng said with a furrowed brow, filled with confusion.

The Sun Moon Palace and the Heavenly Ghost Sect were sworn enemies. The fact that Zhao Xueying had slain a Nascent Soul Cultivator from the Sun Moon Palace and the latter had not retaliated was very abnormal. Combining this with the fatalities of Zhao Xueying’s team gave Lin Feng reason to suspect the Sun Moon Palace’s involvement.

"If it was the work of the two palace masters from the Sun Moon Palace, that would make sense, as they possess the Combined Attack Technique and the corresponding Spiritual Treasures. Senior Sister Zhao and her group really are no match," Su Ying speculated with a frown.

"Hmph, if indeed it was their doing, I won’t be lenient. The Strong Golden-Backed Ape will be put to good use," Lin Feng said, his face filled with murderous intent.

If the two palace masters from the Sun Moon Palace were responsible for killing Zhao Xueying and the others, the nature of the incident would change, signaling a declaration of war, marking the beginning of a fight to the death.

"The two palace masters from the Sun Moon Palace wouldn’t be so foolish. Such actions are no different from declaring war against us. In the past, the Nangong Family and the Seven Fiends Sect waged an all-out war against each other, resulting in heavy casualties and greatly weakened powers. Other forces swooped in and obliterated both factions," Su Ying analyzed.

Lin Feng nodded, "Let’s just hope not. Their Combined Attack Technique is indeed formidable, but we are not to be trifled with either."

...

Half a year passed swiftly.

In the Golden Flood Dragon Marketplace, the streets were crowded with throngs of people, bustling with carriages and horses.

Inside the practice room of the Golden Cicada Pavilion,

Shen Long sat cross-legged on a cushion, his eyes slightly closed, enveloped by a red aura.

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

The red aura around Shen Long dissipated as he opened his eyes and exhaled deeply.

With a flick of his fingers, he released a beam of red light that struck the Sound Transmission Talisman. The talisman ignited, carrying the voice of Zhou Yuliang, "Senior Shen, Hualong Ancestor would like to discuss a matter with you. Are you available?"

"The Zhou Family," Shen Long muttered to himself.

Shen Long strode out, opened the door, and saw Zhou Yuliang and a potbellied man in golden robes standing at the entrance.

"I am Zhou Hualong, it’s a pleasure to meet Taoist Friend Shen."

The man in the golden robe said with a fist and palm salute, his face full of smiles.

"There’s no need for formalities, Zhou Friend, please come inside and we’ll talk!"

Shen Long invited them in and closed the door behind them.

Shen Long asked Zhou Hualong to sit down while Zhou Yuliang stood by the side.

"It’s been many years, Shen Friend, you’ve reached the middle stage of the Nascent Soul, your speed of cultivation is indeed impressive, it puts me to shame."

Zhou Hualong said with a bitter smile.

"You flatter me, Zhou Friend, I have taken quite a few elixirs to advance my essence power," said Shen Long modestly.

After some idle chat, Zhou Hualong took out an invitation shimmering with yellow light and handed it to Shen Long, saying, "Taoist Friend Shen, Yu Hua has entered the Nascent Soul Stage, and we are holding a Nascent Soul Formation Ceremony. We’ve invited many guests, and if you’re available, please come to our Zhou Family and join us for a drink."

"Alright, if nothing comes up, I’ll definitely be there."

Shen Long accepted the invitation. He remembered something and asked, "By the way, Zhou Friend, do you have any information on a fourth-grade Flood Dragon or Flood Dragon Essence Blood?"

"I don’t, but I can keep an eye out for you, and I’ll let you know if I hear anything," Zhou Hualong said.

After chatting for more than an hour, Zhou Hualong stood up to take his leave, and he departed with Zhou Yuliang.

Shen Long pulled out a messaging plate that flickered with red light, inserted a spell into it, and Song He’s voice rang out: "Senior Shen, we’ve discovered the whereabouts of a fourth-grade Red Fire Flood Dragon."

"Come to the Golden Cicada Pavilion immediately and report to me," Shen Long ordered.

"Yes, Senior Shen," Song He hastily agreed.

Shen Long put away the messaging plate and quietly waited.

It took less than half an hour for Song He and his group of five to arrive.

"Where did you encounter the Red Fire Flood Dragon? How did you escape?" Shen Long asked directly.

Song He didn’t dare to conceal anything and reported truthfully.

They had encountered the fourth-grade Red Fire Flood Dragon slaughtering other fourth-grade Monster Beasts while hunting Monster Beasts in a certain sea area. They didn’t dare to stay long and immediately rushed back to report.

"Senior Shen, this is the location where we found that Red Fire Flood Dragon,"

Song He brought out an Ocean Chart and handed it to Shen Long, which had text marking on it.

Shen Long took out a cyan Storage Bag and tossed it to Song He, saying, "This is a reward for you. I hope you won’t notify anyone else about this information. I plan to join with other friends to go and slay this Flood Dragon."

Of course, he didn’t need to join hands with other Nascent Soul Cultivators. He was just saying so as a ruse, because if Shen Long alone managed to slay a fourth-grade Flood Dragon, it would undoubtedly arouse envy from others.

"Yes, Senior Shen," Song He and the others replied in unison.

"Any big news from the Outer Sea recently?" Shen Long asked casually.

"I’ve heard that a relic emerged somewhere, but the site soon collapsed; the specifics of what was inside are unknown. Oh, and the subordinates of the Heavenly Ghost Sect and Sun Moon Palace have come to blows," Song He said.

"The subordinates of Heavenly Ghost Sect and Sun Moon Palace are fighting? Do you know why?" Shen Long pressed.

"Not sure, Sun Moon Palace and Heavenly Ghost Sect have always been at odds, and it’s well known they don’t get along. Besides, Sun Moon Palace and Heavenly Ghost Sect won’t come to serious blows; the Nangong Family is a previous example," Song He explained.

"Yeah! Sun Moon Palace and Heavenly Ghost Sect won’t really fight, it would only create opportunities for other powers," Liu Xin chimed in.

"I understand. You may leave," Shen Long waved his hand, signaling them to depart.

"A fourth-grade Red Fire Flood Dragon! This comes at the right time," Shen Long muttered to himself before leaving the Golden Cicada Pavilion.

He made his way to the Golden Flood Dragon Hall and stepped onto the Transference Array, paying a sum of Spirit Stones.

Once ten people were gathered, the guard inserted a spell, and the array lit up with a soft spiritual light, engulfing Shen Long and the others. As the light dispersed, they vanished.