145: Chapter 145 Undercurrents

Every piece of furniture in the room was priceless, even the teacup on the table was carved from spirit jade.

The middle-aged man had a square face, wore a deep cyan brocade robe, and had a jade belt tied around his waist; his aura was as steady as a mountain.

In front of him hovered a steel saber. The blade was as black as ink, emitting a cold glint, with lightning faintly flickering across its surface.

The steel saber vibrated slightly, emitting a low humming sound, as if warning of something.

"Hmm?"

"There is Demonic Qi."

The middle-aged man's brows furrowed slightly.

He raised his hand and gently stroked the blade. The humming sound rang out again just as he was about to investigate further.

"Creak~"

The door was pushed open.

A young girl walked in.

She was about sixteen or seventeen years old, wearing a light pink long dress. Her long hair was held up by a jade hairpin. She had delicate features, and her eyes and brows bore a slight resemblance to the middle-aged man.

A sweet smile was on the young girl's face, and as soon as she entered, she called out, "Daddy, I'm back."

The middle-aged man opened his eyes and looked at the girl. The cold rigidity on his face instantly dissipated, replaced by tenderness and doting.

He stood up and opened his arms, and the girl threw herself into his embrace.

"Haha."

"Xin'er is back."

The middle-aged man laughed heartily, stroked the girl's head, and said in a low, gentle voice, "Did you cause any trouble while you were out this time?"

The girl was named Fang Xin'er, and she had a Foundation Establishment Early Stage cultivation.

This man was none other than the Master of Longcheng Fairy Market, Fang Zhen, Master of Longcheng Fairy Market. His Golden Core Third Turn cultivation did not belong to any immortal sect; he was sent by the Dachuan Dynasty to guard the various Immortal Markets.

Fang Xin'er pouted, broke free from his embrace, put her hands on her hips, and feigned anger, "Daddy, when has your daughter ever caused you trouble?"

The middle-aged man chuckled but did not respond.

The girl ran to the table, picked up a Spirit Fruit, and took a bite. Juice splashed everywhere, and she spoke indistinctly.

Fang Zhen, Master of Longcheng Fairy Market looked at his daughter with a gentle smile and asked casually, "Weren't you with that kid from the Xiao Family in the Commandery City? Why did you come back alone?"

Fang Xin'er chewed the Spirit Fruit and spoke indistinctly.

"Big Brother Xiao had some business to discuss at the Xuanyi Sect's restaurant, so I'm waiting for Big Sister Zhou to go over together later."

The Big Sister Zhou she mentioned was Zhou Ruoling, the legitimate daughter of the Zhou Family in the Commandery City, who had grown up with Fang Xin'er and had an excellent relationship with her.

Fang Zhen, Master of Longcheng Fairy Market nodded and didn't ask further.

He had met that kid from the Xiao Family a few times; his Aptitude was good, he was steady, and his family background was worthy of his Xin'er.

However, he didn't want to interfere too much in young people's affairs.

After finishing the Spirit Fruit, Fang Xin'er clapped her hands, rolled her eyes, put on a fawning smile, edged up to Fang Zhen, Master of Longcheng Fairy Market, grabbed his arm, and acted coquettishly, "Daddy, give me some more Spirit Stone, please."

Fang Zhen, Master of Longcheng Fairy Market looked down at her, raising his brows slightly, "Didn't I just give you one thousand Spirit Stone three days ago? You spent it all already?"

Fang Xin'er stuck out her tongue and made a face, her voice filled with a bit of guilt, "Oh, Daddy, girls spend money fast."

"Besides, none of my little friends are not dressed in gold and silver; I can't be too shabby, can I?"

Fang Zhen, Master of Longcheng Fairy Market shook his head helplessly, reached into his sleeve, took out a Storage Pouch, and threw it to Fang Xin'er.

Fang Xin'er caught it, swept it with her spiritual sense, and her eyes instantly lit up. She kissed Fang Zhen, Master of Longcheng Fairy Market on the cheek and said with a giggle, "Thank you, Daddy! Daddy is the best!"

After saying this, she turned and ran off, her footsteps light, and she soon disappeared at the end of the corridor.

Fang Zhen, Master of Longcheng Fairy Market watched his daughter's back disappear outside the door, and the smile on his face gradually faded.

He turned around, walked to the window, pushed it open, and looked toward the direction of the Immortal Market.

His spiritual sense surged out like a tidal wave, sweeping across every corner of the Immortal Market.

He had sensed that Demonic Qi; although it was extremely faint, it did exist.

To be able to conceal itself to this extent under his spiritual sense, the entity either had a cultivation not weaker than his, or possessed a special Divine Ability.

No matter which it was, it was not a good thing.

Fang Zhen, Master of Longcheng Fairy Market swept the Immortal Market with his spiritual sense again and again, but found nothing.

The Demonic Qi had disappeared. Seeing this, his brows furrowed even tighter. He withdrew his spiritual sense, closed the window, and walked back to sit in his chair.

The steel saber hovered quietly in front of him, the lightning on the blade flickering on and off, and the humming sound had long since ceased.

Fang Zhen, Master of Longcheng Fairy Market closed his eyes and tapped his fingers on the armrest—once, twice, thrice.

Someone from the Yao Race had infiltrated the Immortal Market, and their cultivation was not low.

He had to find out, but he could not alert the enemy.

Fang Zhen, Master of Longcheng Fairy Market opened his eyes, a trace of coldness flashing through them, stood up, and walked out.

...

In the back alley of the restaurant, Wu Li retracted his Blood Pupil and stepped out from the shadows of the corner.

"This is a bit tricky."

The good news was that Su Wanyue had not lied to him.

The bad news was that the location of that Storage Pouch was right below this Xuanyi Sect restaurant. If he wanted to get it out, he would have to tear down the entire Xuanyi Sect restaurant...

Wu Li took a deep breath, looked up at the direction of Xuantian Tower, and then turned to walk out of the alley.

Now was not the time to act; Xuantian Tower was crowded, with Xuanyi Sect Disciples coming and going, not to mention Xiao Yi and those people.

He still wanted to wait and see if there was a better opportunity to make less of a commotion.

Wu Li walked out of the alley and blended into the crowd.

While walking, Wu Li noticed that there were suddenly many Cultivators wearing armor, intentionally or unintentionally scanning their surroundings.

'Hmm?'

'Have I been discovered?'

Wu Li remained composed and left the area with a steady, unhurried pace.

Meanwhile, Fang Zhen, Master of Longcheng Fairy Market was walking on the streets of the Immortal Market, his spiritual sense scanning the surroundings. He was dressed in plain clothes and had no attendants, looking just like an ordinary middle-aged Cultivator.

No one would have expected that the Master of Longcheng Fairy Market would personally appear to scan the area with his spiritual sense.

'The location is about here.'

Fang Zhen, Master of Longcheng Fairy Market walked through street after street, arriving near where Wu Li had appeared, and swept his spiritual sense across every corner.

But he found nothing unusual. Fang Zhen, Master of Longcheng Fairy Market's brows furrowed even tighter. He stopped, stood by the roadside, and watched the passing crowds.

"Market Master."

At this moment, an old man in a grey robe emerged from the crowd, walked up to Fang Zhen, Master of Longcheng Fairy Market, and bowed with cupped hands.

Fang Zhen, Master of Longcheng Fairy Market nodded, his voice low and calm, "Have you found anything?"

The old man shook his head, his voice hoarse, "No. The Demonic Qi you mentioned appeared for a very short time, vanishing in less than three breaths. Your subordinate has searched every corner of the Immortal Market but found nothing unusual."

"Continue the search."

"Report immediately if you find anything."

The old man acknowledged and turned to disappear into the crowd.

Fang Zhen, Master of Longcheng Fairy Market stood by the roadside, watching the passing crowds, silent for a moment, then turned and walked toward his mansion.

His back disappeared into the crowd, and he was soon out of sight.

On the streets of the Immortal Market, the flow of people was like a weave, bustling and lively.

No one noticed that there was a Yao Race member in the crowd, waiting for the night.

And no one noticed that the Master of Longcheng Fairy Market was secretly searching for that Yao Race member.