35: Xining News, County Magistrate

“Hahaha, it is Chen Cuo’s fortune to be appreciated by Young Master Chang, and it is also the good fortune of my Vajra Sect. Young Master Chang will surely achieve success in his search for the Immortal Treasure in Xining County this time.” Shi Potian, though in a high position, showed great respect to Chang Shi.

His words elevated him without the slightest pretense.

At the same time, Shi Renhsan approached Chen Cuo, cupped his hands with a forced smile, and respectfully said, “Congratulations, congratulations, Brother Chen! If you can join the Chang Family, your future will surely be bright, and your martial luck will prosper!”

Chen Cuo’s expression turned cold, but he showed no dissatisfaction. He returned the bow and said, “This also relies on Hall Master Shi’s great efforts to facilitate it. Chen will surely repay you in the future!”

“Hahaha, it’s just a small matter!” Shi Renhsan laughed heartily.

The white-robed Elder beside Chang Shi saw this and showed displeasure.

Following this, amidst the flattery of Shi Potian and others, Young Master Chang Shi held a banquet in the main hall to discuss various matters concerning the search for the Mountain Spirit in Xining County, with Chen Cuo accompanying him throughout.

Chang Shi, being a high and mighty person, might have been very interested in Chen Cuo’s skills. Coupled with the strong praise from Shi Potian and his son, he had a sudden idea to recruit him as a servant, rather than it being a deliberate act. Therefore, no one paid attention to Chen Cuo during the banquet.

Chang Shi, on the other hand, was more interested in the delicacies and entertainment in the hall. After getting drunk, he embraced a beautiful woman with one arm and stumbled back to his room to rest.

“Gang Leader Shi, from now on, the Vajra Sect will be connected to our family through a contract. If you can achieve great merit in finding the Mountain Spirit, the family head will not pursue the death of White Chen!” After Chang Shi was escorted back to rest by his black-robed subordinates, the white-haired Elder said with a frown.

“Yes, thank you for your kind words, Esteemed Envoy. I will make proper arrangements and send more capable subordinates to assist,” Shi Potian replied immediately, both surprised and delighted.

He was delighted that his painstaking efforts had finally gained the Chang Family’s appreciation, and he might have an Opportunity to strengthen his own foundation. He was surprised that the Chang Family was indeed still concerned about White Chen’s death, and he couldn’t help but sigh softly in his heart. Then he gave Shi Renhsan a meaningful look.

Shi Renhsan, standing nearby, immediately reached out and handed over two silver notes, both worth five thousand taels.

The white-haired Elder’s brows instantly relaxed, and he put them into his bosom, saying, “Don’t worry, I will certainly speak well of Gang Leader Shi!”

“Thank you, Elder Bai.”

The white-haired Elder, or Elder Bai, nodded in satisfaction and headed towards Chang Shi’s room.

Chen Cuo, standing by, witnessed everything. Shi Potian did not show any apprehension towards him, only telling Chen Cuo, “Chen Cuo, you may go. We will depart in three days for the Wuya Mountain Range. You should prepare in advance.”

Chen Cuo cupped his hands and then took his leave.

After Chen Cuo had walked far away, Shi Renhsan snorted coldly and asked Shi Potian, “Father, do we really have to let this scoundrel follow Young Master Chang Shi? The Chang Family is a millennium-old family after all. What if…?”

He was worried that if Chen Cuo made a name for himself in the Chang Family and gained status, he would return to seek revenge for today’s events.

Shi Potian rebuked him, “Fool! What are you afraid of? If this little scoundrel truly enters the Chang Family, he will be nothing more than a tiger with its teeth pulled, just a Martial Artist in the Organ Tempering stage. Do you really think the Acquired Bottleneck is so easy to cross?

I have endured hardships, just to glimpse an Innate Opportunity, expending my mind and spirit. This little scoundrel is truly lucky.”

“However, what you said is not without reason. Coincidentally, the Chang Family needs hands to serve them in the mountains. Send more people, and send Stone Deficiency along as well, to let him find an Opportunity to eliminate Chen Cuo.”

Shi Renhsan’s face showed surprise. Stone Deficiency now had one hand severed, and his potential was far less than before. Chen Cuo, being a disciple of Fan Wufeng, possessed powerful fists and kicks, not comparable to an ordinary Organ Tempering Martial Artist.

However, Stone Deficiency also cultivated a secret technique. Once unleashed, it could be equivalent to an Acquired Expert, making the killing of Chen Cuo a sure thing.

But that move would cause even greater damage to Stone Deficiency; it was a forbidden technique that harmed the enemy a thousand, but oneself eight hundred.

Shi Potian clearly intended to abandon Stone Deficiency.

This made Shi Renhsan feel a sense of dread and a slight feeling of empathy, so he quickly left to make arrangements.

...

Three days later, outside Xining County.

Lin Yue was drying freshly picked medicinal herbs on the rooftop. She carried all the baskets filled with herbs to the rooftop attic and arranged them neatly.

Before she could walk downstairs, she saw in the distance several swift horses galloping, heading majestically towards Xining County.

As they approached within a mile of Xining County, their speed naturally slowed down. Lin Yue looked from afar and saw the leader, dressed in a white robe, with a cold and domineering demeanor and handsome features. He was a young Young Master.

Lin Yue was secretly delighted and shouted downstairs, “Second Brother, we have more business coming!”

It was Chang Shi and his group. Once the horses’ speed had completely slowed, everyone slowly walked forward.

Chen Cuo was currently in the crowd, his eyes constantly surveying the surroundings. He pondered that on the official road of Xining County, grass grew lush, trees were dense, and along the way, there were sparse villages and towns in the wilderness, with few inhabitants.

Following Chang Shi to search for traces of the Mountain Spirit this time was a last resort, and Chen Cuo was quite unwilling.

However, Chen Cuo had no fear. Instead, he thought of using this Opportunity to escape the mundane affairs of the Gang for a period, venture into the wilderness for training, find a secluded place to cultivate, and achieve a Breakthrough to the Acquired Realm.

As long as he achieved a Breakthrough to the Acquired Realm, he would fear neither Shi Potian nor the Chang Family.

As for Innate Experts, he was even less concerned.

It turned out that Chen Cuo had previously probed for information about the secrets of the Mountain Spirit along the way.

His inquiry target was the white-haired Elder, who was consistent with the Chang Family old servant who died that day, only his name was White Chen.

He said, “Since Xining County has an Immortal Treasure like the Mountain Spirit that can extend life, and even ordinary Martial Artists like me can know about it, Innate Experts, being well-informed, would surely know as well. Why don’t they come to participate in the treasure hunt?”

The Mountain Spirit had the effect of extending life. Chen Cuo speculated that those elderly individuals who had achieved a Breakthrough to Innate but failed to achieve a Breakthrough to the Martial God Realm would surely scramble to snatch it once they knew of the Mountain Spirit’s emergence. How could they allow low-Realm Martial Artists like them to participate?

However, the reality was completely opposite. No Innate Martial Artist personally participated in the treasure hunt. Even the Martial Alliance Leader only issued a bounty, willing to exchange with any Martial Artist who obtained the Mountain Spirit.

This greatly puzzled Chen Cuo, hence his question.

White Chen’s answer was thought-provoking. He said, “Innate individuals are no longer mortals; they are not ordinary Martial Artists. They do not participate in mundane affairs, nor do they expend energy for an uncertain Opportunity. As for the reason, you will know in due time.”

Chen Cuo was shrewd and had some conjectures, but obtaining this information actually made him feel much more at ease. Once he achieved a Breakthrough to the Acquired Realm, with his methods, he would fear no one below Innate.

Therefore, Chang Shi’s words about him joining the Chang Family and becoming his personal guard or servant were nothing but a joke.

Soon, the group entered Xining County town.

Xining County was not large; though called a county, its actual size was small, resembling a slightly larger village. The entire town was built against the mountains, yet it was quite bustling. The town connected to the mountainside, and people of all sorts were busy with their own affairs.

As Chen Cuo and his group entered the town, a middle-aged man with a slightly dignified physique but simple attire immediately came to greet them, his face showing a mix of nervousness, fear, and flattery.

“May I ask, esteemed sirs, are you important figures from the prefecture? Are you here to seek news of the Immortal Treasure? I am the county magistrate of this county, and I am willing to recommend a hunter to guide you, sirs.”