Chapter 59: I Know It Was You

Li Chang’an sensed this feeling of disgust.

He didn’t press his luck.

He just chatted casually for a bit.

"Alright, that’s enough for a first impression. I’ll take you to meet some other people."

Luo Kun understood the principle of not overdoing it and led Li Chang’an away.

Through his introductions,

Li Chang’an’s network of contacts continued to expand.

In less than an hour, he had met several dozen Cultivators with impressive Skills, such as the previously mentioned Middle Grade Spirit Plant Master, Chu Mu.

Before long,

Li Chang’an saw a familiar face.

"Senior Wang Hu."

"Chang’an!"

Wang Hu saw Li Chang’an as well, and a warm smile instantly appeared on his face.

The two had first become acquainted over some Earth Fire Stone and a Yellow Sand Dog.

They had kept in touch over the past few years.

After some conversation,

Wang Hu introduced Li Chang’an to many Beast Masters.

When they heard Li Chang’an wanted to purchase Demon Beast Essence Blood, most of these Beast Masters were very receptive.

After all,

selling Demon Beast Essence Blood was one of their main ways of earning Spirit Stones.

However,

the Zheng Family also needed Demon Beast Essence Blood for Alchemy, so much of the Essence Blood had already been reserved in advance.

One of the Beast Masters said, "Daoist Li, the Zheng Family has already reserved my Red Fire Python’s Essence Blood for the entire year, but I’ll find a way to set aside a portion for you."

Li Chang’an cupped his hands. "Many thanks, Daoist!"

Afterward,

the other Beast Masters also chimed in, saying they would save some Essence Blood for Li Chang’an.

In return,

Li Chang’an gave them some Talismans, using the opportunity to build a closer relationship.

Luo Kun, watching from the side, nodded in silent approval.

’This kid has learned the ways of the world so quickly. It seems my guidance was effective!’

About a quarter of an hour passed.

The banquet officially began.

The one hosting the banquet was not the young miss, Zheng Qingqing.

But rather, the second young master, Zheng Lingfeng.

’It seems the rumors were true. The person in charge of the Marketplace really has changed,’

Luo Kun transmitted his voice to Li Chang’an.

Li Chang’an nodded slightly but said nothing more.

At the banquet,

Zheng Lingfeng put on a very easygoing facade; his treatment of the guests was impeccable.

After some conversation,

many of the Zheng Family’s Honored Guest Elders came to accept him.

For most of the Honored Guest Elders, as long as their treatment by the Zheng Family remained unchanged, they didn’t care who was in charge.

Soon,

he walked up to Li Chang’an, a smile on his face.

"Daoist Li, we meet again."

At the same time, a cold voice entered Li Chang’an’s ears.

"Li Chang’an, I know you killed Zheng Jinbao. Give me all of his belongings! If you do, I can let bygones be bygones!"

Li Chang’an gave him a cool glance but did not reply.

’Let bygones be bygones?’

’Even a complete fool wouldn’t believe that!’

...

「In the evening.」

The banquet came to an end.

At the end of the banquet, Zheng Lingfeng made an announcement.

"Everyone, the Patriarch suspects there is still a Tribulation Cultivator spy in the Marketplace. There may be some major moves in the coming days, but you need not worry. It will not affect any of you."

Hearing this, everyone exchanged glances.

The Zheng Family was going to start investigating the Tribulation Cultivator spy.

’Something like this...’

’...should have been handled secretly. Why announce it publicly?’

’Could it be they want the spy among them to panic and expose themselves?’

Filled with doubt,

the crowd began to disperse.

Li Chang’an and Luo Kun also returned to their respective residences.

’The days ahead might not be so peaceful,’

Li Chang’an mused.

Fortunately,

he had his daily Divination to warn him of fortune and misfortune in advance.

’Next, it’s time to start Body Refinement.’

...

「Marketplace Center, Hundred Affairs Hall.」

Zheng Lingfeng’s eyes were icy as he stared at the contract in his hand.

’Zheng Qingqing actually gave Li Chang’an such a lenient contract, even allowing him to tear it up unilaterally!’

The Zheng Family was a Foundation Establishment Family!

Any Loose Cultivator in the Marketplace had to bow their heads before the Zheng Family.

Not even the Honored Guest Elders could unilaterally break their contracts, let alone a mere Loose Cultivator like Li Chang’an!

To the side,

Zheng Ming’s face was a little pale.

He said nervously, "Th-this is because... the young miss felt that Li Chang’an’s talent was quite good, so she gave him this more lenient contract."

"That’s absurd!"

Zheng Lingfeng immediately snapped.

"He only has a Low Grade Spirit Root. So what if his talent is high? Does he really think he can reach Foundation Establishment? No wonder the Marketplace is in such chaos. That Zheng Qingqing doesn’t care about the Zheng Family’s interests at all, favoring an outsider like this!"

His expression was cold as he clenched the contract in his fist, his tone particularly severe.

"It’s a good thing I’m managing the Marketplace now. Otherwise, who knows what other outrageous things she would have done! I will report this to the ancestor and see how she explains herself!"

Clearly,

he planned to use this contract as an excuse

to suppress Zheng Qingqing once again.

’However... the relationship between Li Chang’an and Zheng Qingqing seems deeper than I thought.’

Zheng Lingfeng was lost in thought.

An idea that he found somewhat ridiculous suddenly formed in his mind.

’If it’s really what I’m thinking, then I don’t have to kill Li Chang’an for now. As long as I make good use of him, I can make Zheng Qingqing lose the ancestor’s trust forever!’

...

「At this moment.」

Li Chang’an was preparing for his first Body Refinement session.

’The Spirit Medicines and Demon Beast Essence Blood needed for the Early Stage of Body Refinement aren’t too precious. I’ve gathered them all.’

In front of him was a large vat steaming with heat.

Following the description in the "Demon Blood Body Tempering Skill," he crushed the Spirit Medicines and dripped the resulting medicinal liquid into the vat.

Then,

he added the required Demon Beast Essence Blood.

After this step,

the liquid in the vat had turned a dark brown and was emitting a foul, bloody stench.

Li Chang’an took a few deep breaths.

He slowly lowered himself into the vat, letting the medicinal liquid submerge his entire body.

In an instant,

an intense, stinging pain flared up.

It felt as if thousands upon thousands of long needles were constantly piercing his flesh all over his body.

’The Path of Body Refinement is truly painful.’

Li Chang’an frowned slightly.

He could endure this level of pain; he wouldn’t give up halfway like Zheng Jinbao.

Time slowly passed.

Before he knew it, it was Midnight.

A new Divination appeared.

[Divination has been refreshed]

[Today’s Divination: Neutral]

[The Tribulation Cultivators from Black Wind Mountain attempted to abduct you but discovered your courtyard was fraught with danger, so they temporarily retreated.]

’Black Wind Mountain?’

Li Chang’an was stunned.

’Why have these Tribulation Cultivators targeted me?’

’Could it be because I saved Zheng Songhe and Zheng Ling’Er last time?’

’My identity shouldn’t have been exposed during that incident,’

Li Chang’an pondered.

He had specifically warned Zheng Qingqing about it.

If it wasn’t because of that, then what could be the reason?

’Could it be because of Zheng Jinbao? Did he hire Black Wind Mountain again before he died?’

Li Chang’an mulled it over.

Zheng Jinbao had once hired the Third Master of Black Wind Mountain to deal with him.

Although that attempt had failed,

he might have tried again.

’During that time, Dahuang was keeping an eye on Zheng Jinbao and didn’t see him meet with any Tribulation Cultivators from Black Wind Mountain. But... Dahuang couldn’t get too close, after all, and could only watch from a distance.’

If the Tribulation Cultivators’ disguises were good enough, it wasn’t impossible that they had fooled Dahuang.

...

「At this moment.」

Outside the residence.

Liang Ying, the Fifth Master of Black Wind Mountain, was hiding in the shadows, staring intently at Li Chang’an’s residence.

’Damn it, Li Chang’an’s residence is actually protected by an Array! My Death Substitution Puppet, which I worked so hard to get, was used up just like that!’

Liang Ying’s face was filled with lingering fear.

If he hadn’t had the Death Substitution Puppet, he would be the one who was dead right now!

’This is most likely a Tier One Top Grade array. Using a Breaking Charm would be too risky. I’ll have to go buy a Small Forbidden Array set.’

The Small Forbidden Array was a special type of Array-Breaking array, rumored to be able to break through any array below Tier Two.

Its price was extremely high.

Liang Ying’s heart ached at the thought.

But the Big Master had ordered him to bring Li Chang’an back, and he didn’t dare disobey.

’Li Chang’an is only at the Qi Refining Fourth Layer. As long as I break this Array, I can capture him easily.’

Now, Liang Ying could only hope that Li Chang’an had enough Treasure in his Storage Pouch

to make up for the loss he would incur by purchasing the Small Forbidden Array.