174: Chapter 174: So Dark It's Unbelievable

Early the next morning.

Xiao Ran and Song He left the stronghold and flew toward the Luoxia Sect.

The Luoxia Sect was located several thousand miles south of the Sword Qi Great Wall, slightly off the center of the wall's line.

However, that didn't affect anything at all.

Xiao Ran passed by Sunset Mountain on his way to the Luoxia Sect.

From a distance, Sunset Mountain was indeed a fine peak.

The slopes were steep, ancient trees reached for the sky, and several palaces were faintly visible halfway up the mountain.

At the foot of the mountain, a small river meandered past, with a light mist floating on its surface.

Unfortunately, not far from Sunset Mountain, a large patch of black mist loomed, radiating a chilling Yin Qi.

“This is a good spot to establish a Sect gate.”

Xiao Ran completely ignored the Poison Barrier Forest.

Song He, listening from the side, felt utterly exhausted.

But there was nothing he could do; being under someone else's control, he could only continue following Xiao Ran down this dark path.

The two continued their journey.

Soon.

The mountain gate of the Luoxia Sect came into view.

Xiao Ran and Song He landed before the gate.

Two Disciples standing at the gate saw them and quickly hurried forward to greet them.

“Seniors, may I ask what business brings you to the Luoxia Sect?”

Both Xiao Ran and Song He were at the Soul Transformation Stage, so they naturally commanded respect wherever they went.

Song He stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, “Elder Xiao of the Eternal Night Demon Sect has come specifically to visit your Sect Master.”

The two Disciples exchanged glances, their expressions changing slightly.

The Eternal Night Demon Sect?

That was one of the four transcendent powers of the Northern Territory!

Though their sphere of influence wasn't in the Far North Land, the name alone was very intimidating.

“Please wait a moment, Senior. I will go and report this immediately.”

One Disciple hurriedly ran up the mountain.

A moment later, a middle-aged man flew down from the mountain.

He had a square face and a steady aura, at the Middle Stage of Soul Transformation.

“I am Zhao Boyong, the Grand Elder of the Luoxia Sect. I did not know an honored guest from the Eternal Night Demon Sect was arriving; please forgive my lack of a proper welcome.”

Xiao Ran cupped his hands.

“Elder Zhao is too polite. I, Xiao Ran, have taken the liberty of visiting, and I hope for your understanding.”

Zhao Boyong looked Xiao Ran up and down, secretly astonished.

Such a young Soul Transformation Stage Cultivator?

“Elder Xiao, please.”

The two followed Zhao Boyong up the mountain.

Although the main hall of the Luoxia Sect couldn't compare to the grandeur of the Eternal Night Demon Sect, it was still quite magnificent.

Zhao Boyong invited Xiao Ran to sit and ordered tea to be served.

“Our Sect Master is currently in secluded cultivation, so I shall receive you both.”

“May I ask what business brings Elder Xiao here?”

Xiao Ran didn't beat around the bush and got straight to the point.

“Elder Zhao, to be honest, I have come this time because I wish to make a deal with your Sect.”

Zhao Boyong was taken aback. “A deal? What kind of deal?”

Xiao Ran said calmly.

“I want to buy a piece of land next to Sunset Mountain.”

Zhao Boyong's expression shifted slightly. “Which piece of land is Elder Xiao referring to?”

Xiao Ran said, “That hundred-mile stretch of empty land east of Sunset Mountain and west of the Poison Barrier Forest.”

Zhao Boyong fell silent for a moment before slowly speaking.

“Elder Xiao, although that land is not a core area of the Luoxia Sect, it still falls within our sphere of influence.”

“According to the rules of the Far North Land, outsiders aren't supposed to interfere!”

“However, seeing as Elder Xiao has made a special trip, I can set a precedent!”

Xiao Ran immediately cupped his hands.

“The Grand Elder is truly benevolent!”

“Elder Zhao, name your price. If the price is right, I'll take it now!”

Zhao Boyong pondered for a moment and held up three fingers.

“Three hundred thousand Spirit Stones.”

Song He's expression changed.

Three hundred thousand Spirit Stones?

This was a massive demand!

What normal Soul Transformation Stage Cultivator could save up so many Spirit Stones?

Wasn't this fucking robbery?

“Elder Zhao...”

Song He wanted to haggle.

But Xiao Ran reached out and stopped him.

Three hundred thousand Spirit Stones was a fortune to other Soul Transformation Cultivators, but to Xiao Ran, it was a minor issue.

He was currently filthy rich!

Xiao Ran didn't want to keep bickering, so he immediately agreed.

“Elder Zhao, three hundred thousand Spirit Stones is not a problem, but I have one condition.”

Zhao Boyong felt a surge of joy.

He had originally intended to name a random high price to scare the two away.

That way, everyone could save face.

He hadn't expected Xiao Ran to actually agree.

Selling a piece of land near the Poison Barrier Forest for three hundred thousand Spirit Stones was something Zhao Boyong would naturally accept.

“What condition?”

Xiao Ran said, “I want permanent usage rights for that land.”

Zhao Boyong was stunned.

Permanent usage rights?

That meant the Luoxia Sect could never touch that land again.

He frowned. “Elder Xiao, this...”

Xiao Ran raised his hand, took out a jade box from his storage ring, and pushed it toward Zhao Boyong.

“Elder Zhao, take a look at this first.”

Zhao Boyong opened the jade box, and his pupils constricted slightly.

Inside was a Lingzhi Mushroom of exceptional quality, brimming with medicinal power.

A Spirit Medicine of this level was worth at least a hundred thousand Spirit Stones in the Far North Land.

“This is...”

Xiao Ran said calmly, “A deposit. There will be another heavy reward once the matter is settled.”

Zhao Boyong swallowed hard.

The Luoxia Sect just happened to be lacking such a Spirit Medicine to refine a barrier breaking pill.

He thought about it; it was just a piece of undeveloped land anyway.

“Fine, I agree.”

“However, I need to report the matter of the permanent usage rights to the Sect Master.”

Xiao Ran nodded. “As you should. Then I shall wait here for your good news, Elder Zhao.”

Zhao Boyong left hurriedly.

Song He leaned in and whispered.

“Elder, isn't three hundred thousand Spirit Stones too much? Our savings...”

Xiao Ran waved him off. “I have money!”

Those three words completely put Song He's heart at ease.

If you have money, what else is there to say?

But Song He was still a bit puzzled.

“Elder, what's so good about that land? It's near the Poison Barrier Forest, it doesn't produce spirit ore, and there's no Spiritual Vein...”

“With three hundred thousand Spirit Stones, we could definitely get a much better place.”

Xiao Ran smiled.

“Deacon Song, you've forgotten one thing.”

Song He was taken aback. “What?”

Xiao Ran looked out the window at the distant, greyish Poison Barrier Forest, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.

“That land is indeed worthless, but being near the Poison Barrier Forest is its greatest value.”

Song He still didn't understand.

Xiao Ran didn't explain.

He just stared at the Poison Barrier Forest, a smirk playing on his lips.

It was time for the ten thousand poison bead to be put to use.

He had personally experienced the toxins within the ten thousand poison bead; once a Soul Transformation Stage expert was affected, death was certain.

This meant that as long as Xiao Ran could get close, Soul Transformation Stage experts were nothing but small fry.

This was the important reliance that gave him the courage to venture into the Far North Land alone.

It was also a trump card.

When the time came, if anyone rubbed him the wrong way, Xiao Ran would just block their Sect gate and release poison.

He couldn't kill those at the Body Integration Stage or Void Refinement Stage.

But below the Soul Transformation Stage, not a single person would survive.

He was devious beyond belief.

Since ancient times, those who used poison were the filthiest and also the most feared by Cultivators.

Because poison was something that couldn't be blocked.

One never knew when they might be affected.

Especially someone like Xiao Ran, who was playing with poison while standing on the shoulders of giants; he was even filthier.

Otherwise, how could he have conquered the Poison Lady!