108: Wang Teng: Shen Li is so insidious!

The person in front of him had an ordinary appearance, one could even say he was unremarkable.

Those extremely ordinary eyes stared at him, yet they seemed to carry a certain profound inquiry.

Shen Li felt as if he had been seen through, from the inside out.

Just like a naked lamb.

However, Shen Li did not show any panic; he simply sat down, then took a sip of tea and spoke directly.

"Fellow Daoist, I wish to inquire about the method for refining sword pills."

Zhao Si's expression remained unchanged; he merely poured a cup of tea, not minding the young man's presumption, and said with interest,

"Which kind do you want?"

"The best kind."

"But that method of refining swords is quite valuable. Have you prepared enough Spirit Stones?"

"No."

"Then have you prepared items equivalent to the sword refining method?"

"No."

Zhao Si became even more interested. He raised his teacup, lightly clinking it with Shen Li's, and said,

"According to the rules of the Dao, if one cannot pay enough Spirit Stones or items, there is another form of payment."

"Based on the preciousness and grade of the information or clues, you can complete certain tasks for me."

"The omniscient is benevolent and naturally wouldn't ask you to do anything treacherous... but that doesn't mean the commission is simple."

"In fact, few people are willing to do so."

"I'd like to hear the details."

Shen Li looked at Zhao Si, and Zhao Si likewise looked at Shen Li, tapping the folding fan in his hand as he spoke.

"Alright, can you find a three-legged golden toad?"

"No, I can't."

"A few days ago, a strange incident occurred at the border of Huangfeng Plains: hundreds of Cultivators guarding the area were drained into human skins. Can you investigate this matter thoroughly?"

"I can't do that."

"At the end of Huangfeng Plains, there is a Yao Beast lair, and the leading demon is a Half-Step Dao Foundation Realm... Can you level and eradicate it?"

"I can't do it."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Si smiled faintly, his expression gradually calming as he said,

"Since this won't do, and that won't do... what do you intend to do?"

"Dine and dash, or get a free meal?"

"Or rather... do you have the means? Enough to pay for this sword pill?"

Shen Li smiled, drained the tea in his mouth, and then said,

"Fellow Daoist... don't be anxious."

"The omniscient not only sells information but also collects various interesting anecdotes, sifting through them to find many clues to achieve infallible foresight."

"For you, information is Spirit Stones, it is the price."

"I happen to have a piece of information here... you might be interested."

"What?"

"longevity pill."

Zhao Si's uninhibited gaze suddenly became several shades more composed. He scrutinized Shen Li from head to toe, then asked,

"What grade?"

"You don't suspect I'm deceiving you?"

"If it's false, someone will naturally come to your Shen Family to collect the debt."

"Ninth grade."

"A ninth-grade longevity pill that extends life by three years... that should be enough."

Shen Li interjected, saying,

"However, this clue... is not for sale to you, Fellow Daoist."

"What do you mean?" Zhao Si now looked at Shen Li with some confusion, unable to understand him.

Shen Li, however, said,

"I want Fellow Daoist... to spread this news of the longevity pill, taking this opportunity."

"As for how Fellow Daoist prices it and collects Spirit Stones, I will not interfere at all."

Zhao Si's gaze towards Shen Li grew increasingly strange.

"Playing with people's hearts will lead to backlash. If the longevity pill is taken by you beforehand, I will reveal the full story, and this debt will fall on you, on your Shen Family. You must think carefully."

"Moreover, you cannot take this longevity pill, otherwise, it would break the rules."

"Naturally," Shen Li smiled.

Zhao Si took a deep look at Shen Li and said in a deep voice,

"Agreed."

Zhao Si continued, saying,

"Bring the clue for the longevity pill, and I will present the method for refining the sword pill in full."

The conversation ended.

Shen Li left from behind the screen.

He returned to the inn with Wang Teng and Qiu Ya.

After a brief stay, they took advantage of the night, mounted their horses, and followed the clue.

They traveled without stopping, finally finding the secret chamber cave in an unnamed isolated mountain two days later.

Blasting open the concealing boulders, a decaying scent wafted out.

Wang Teng snapped his fingers, and fire spirits seemed to dance at his fingertips, illuminating the surroundings like day.

They walked no more than a hundred steps before reaching a cave.

Around the cave, there were some tables, chairs, and benches, all long covered in dust.

Inside the cave was a stone slab, and on the slab lay only a decayed skeleton.

The clothes on its body had long since weathered away and disappeared.

And the Immortal Fate intelligence in Shen Li's mind sounded again.

[Currently, walk thirteen steps forward, and you can obtain a rare treasure: Ninth-Grade longevity pill (extends life by three years)]

There were no mechanisms here; the decayed skeleton held the bottle's neck with one hand and supported the bottle's body with the other, seemingly unable to open it before death.

Qiu Ya's hands trembled as she took the dark black bottle.

As she slightly opened the bottle's mouth, a pure essence of life force wafted out.

Looking inside, she saw a Medicinal Pill shaped like a curled-up infant suspended within.

It emanated a fatal temptation.

This kind of temptation was fatal to any living creature.

Shen Li forced himself to press the bottle cap shut, and the temptation quietly dissipated.

He turned to look at the two, nodding.

"It's real."

Wang Teng said incredulously,

"A ninth-grade longevity pill, just obtained so easily?"

"This secret chamber really has no traps at all?"

"A heaven-sent blessing? I'm afraid it's not a good thing!"

"Presumably, at the last moment, this Cultivator, for some unknown reason, failed to swallow the longevity pill, leading to its waste and preservation until now," Shen Li shook his head, not feeling surprised.

There were too many inscrutable things in the world; why delve so deeply?

The three did not linger much longer, then returned to Fu Yu Mountain.

After staying in the mountain for about two or three days, they heard a slow knocking sound at the door.

Opening the door, they found Sun Xingtu, covered in mud and looking weak.

Although Sun Xingtu's aura was a bit unstable at this time, his mental state was very good.

He looked at Shen Li and said in a deep voice,

"I did not fail you!"

Shen Li saw traces of fighting on Sun Xingtu's body and asked with a frown,

"Were there any complications?"

Sun Xingtu shook his head and said,

"During that time, I was discovered several times, and once I was almost caught red-handed by a Refining Qi Cultivator, but in such a dangerous situation, I managed to escape."

"...."

Shen Li nodded.

Sun Xingtu quickly took out a recording stone from hisPregnant and handed it to Shen Li.

He said in a deep voice,

"What I found is definitely their lair! This place is called Yanmo Mountain, and it's a Yao Beast lair!"

"I don't know what method the Luan Xiu Alliance used, but they're actually coexisting peacefully with the Yao Beasts within!"

"Cultivators at Qi Refining (Level 4) and above are everywhere, and there are countless Extreme Martial Warriors, not to mention the Yao Beasts, which could pile up into mountains."

"I observed for a long time and saw two Refining Qi figures!"

"And one... Extreme Martial Warrior."

"It's a big show!"

Shen Li and Wang Teng exchanged glances....

Wang Teng gasped and said,

"This scale... is a bit grand!"

Shen Li, however, smiled and said,

"I wonder if these Immortal Sect Disciples can handle it?"

"When they travel, their elders should have taught them some life-saving techniques, right?"

Wang Teng suddenly realized something, looking at Shen Li in disbelief.

Then, looking at Shen Li's handsome and elegant face, his shock gradually turned into a cackling laugh.

"So that's your plan? You live up to your name, Shen!"

"Have you figured it out?"

"I've figured it out!"

Leaving a bewildered.... Sun Xingtu.

"Huh?"