Translator: Cinder Translations
The old cultivator turned his head and looked at Song Wen beside him.
"This friend looks familiar. May I know your name?"
Song Wen replied, "I am Ji Yin. Pleased to meet you."
"Is this the alchemist who helped the Bamboo Sound Sect Leader deal with the Bloodthirsty Bees on Sheep Island?" the old cultivator asked.
"That's me. How did you come to know about this matter?" Song Wen responded.
The old cultivator said, "I am Yu Qi from the inner sect of Wu Ji Island."
Yu Qi was a mid-stage Golden Core cultivator and a registered disciple of the demon lord Yin Shuo. He was also the master of Jing Kai.
Song Wen quickly recalled this information in his mind. No wonder the old cultivator knew about the situation on Sheep Island—it must have been through Jing Kai.
"Ji Yin, I've heard that your alchemy skills are quite impressive. Perhaps in the future, I might trouble you from time to time."
Yu Qi's old face twisted into a forced grin.
"You overpraise me. My alchemy skills are rudimentary, hardly worthy of recognition," Song Wen responded humbly.
Yu Qi continued, "You're too modest, my friend. It's truly unlike a demon cultivator. By the way, Ji Yin and Chu Qian, I noticed you both met here at the Tide Listening Pavilion. May I ask what business you were discussing?"
Song Wen's expression turned serious, "Yu Qi, you are overstepping with that question."
Yu Qi immediately apologized, "I misspoke, please don't take offense."
"It's getting late. I must return to the island. Farewell, Yu Qi," Song Wen said, turning to leave.
The sun had already set, and only a faint afterglow remained in the sky.
Chu Qian also said to Yu Qi, "Senior Yu, I must take my leave as well."
He quickly caught up with Song Wen.
After they left the Tide Listening Pavilion and the doors were closed, Yu Qi's expression gradually turned cold.
"Ji Yin, don't get too close to Yu Qi. This person is deeply scheming and will stop at nothing to achieve his goals. His reputation in the inner sect is very poor."
Once they were far enough from the Tide Listening Pavilion, Chu Qian spoke through spiritual sound transmission.
It was unclear whether he was genuinely warning Song Wen or if he was worried about the impact of Yu Qi's closeness on his future dealings with Song Wen regarding pill purchases.
Song Wen replied, "Thank you for the warning. I am returning to Ji Yin Island now. Let's part ways here."
"Take care, Senior." Chu Qian called out to Song Wen as he soared into the air.
An hour later, the night had fully set in.
Song Wen flew over a deserted island and suddenly stopped in midair.
"Friend, you've been following me for so long. It's time for you to show yourself."
"Heh heh... Ji Yin, you have quite a bit of courage. You know I'm trailing you, but instead of fleeing, you actually led me to this quiet spot," came a mocking voice.
A dark figure emerged from the shadows in midair—Yu Qi.
"Yu Qi, this is our first meeting. Since you've gone through the trouble of escorting me back to the island, I thought I should find a secluded place and properly thank you," Song Wen said with a smile.
Yu Qi sneered, "It seems not only do you have courage, but you also think highly of yourself. Don't worry, as long as you cooperate, I won't harm you."
Song Wen's smile faded as he asked, "Yu Qi, you've been following me for so long. What do you want from me?"
"Foundation Establishment Pills! Hand over your Foundation Establishment Pills. Also, swear an oath of the soul that you will sever all ties with Chu Qian and sell all your pills to me from now on. If you agree, I'll let you go," Yu Qi demanded.
Song Wen flipped his hand, and a jade bottle appeared out of nowhere.
"I happen to have two Foundation Establishment Pills here. If you want them, take them. I can also agree to your other conditions. But before we go any further, I'd like you to answer one question."
"What question?" Yu Qi asked.
"Are you cultivating the 'Corpse King Blood Refining Art'?" Song Wen asked.
Yu Qi's face turned dark, "The 'Corpse King Blood Refining Art' is the sect's foundation technique. Not everyone in the inner sect can practice it. Why does an outer sect elder like you care about it?"
Song Wen smiled, "It seems you really are cultivating this art. I have a suspicion that I need your cooperation to confirm."
Yu Qi's expression turned cautious, "Ji Yin, what do you mean by that? What do you need my help with?"
Song Wen's eyes suddenly turned sharp, a cruel and bloodthirsty smile curling at the corner of his lips.
"I'm here to take your head!"
Before Yu Qi could react, Song Wen rushed toward him with incredible speed.
"Ji Yin, you're courting death!" Yu Qi shouted in anger.
A mid-stage Golden Core cultivator from the outer sect dared to make such bold threats.
Yu Qi raised his hand, and an iron spike glowing with black light appeared in midair.
The spike, two feet long, shot toward Song Wen's chest like a black lightning bolt.
Song Wen didn't dodge or retreat. Instead, he opened his mouth and expelled a large stream of black energy.
The black energy rapidly condensed in front of him, forming a black shield.
A dull crash echoed through the air.
The spike collided with the black shield, and the force sent Song Wen flying backward, but the shield remained intact, without a scratch.
Yu Qi's expression suddenly turned grim. "The Gui Yuan Qi! No wonder you're so fearless. Hmph! Let's see how much of this evil qi you can withstand before I break through."
Before he could finish his sentence, the spike surged again, its black light intensifying, as it hurtled toward Song Wen.
Once again, Song Wen spat out a massive amount of Gui Yuan Qi. The energy formed a giant black hand that reached for the iron spike.
The black hand curved through the air, swiftly seizing the spike.
It clenched tightly, holding the spike in place.
The iron spike trembled and struggled, trying to break free.
Yu Qi frantically tried to control the spike, but it was locked firmly in the black hand, and his face gradually grew darker.
He summoned a soul flag, preparing to activate it, but before he could, Song Wen spoke.
"That's enough. The Gui Yuan Qi test is almost complete. You can die now!"
Yu Qi, who felt belittled, was about to lash out, but before he could, three transparent blades shot toward him at incredible speed.
His face changed dramatically.
"Spiritual Sense attack!"
Yu Qi, who had no defense against spiritual sense, could only concentrate fully and summon his spiritual energy to protect his sea of consciousness.
At the same time, he quickly activated his body technique to retreat.
'Ji Yin only has early-stage Golden Core cultivation, so his spiritual sense should be weaker than mine. If I can withstand this spiritual sense attack, I still have a chance to escape.'
Yu Qi thought to himself.
Read (RDC) on Pa.treon@CinderTL - c676.
Translated (5) Series, (2K+) Chapters, (2.5M+) Words.
🎉Review Objective Achieved Mass Release (14/26)