Chapter 189 - 188: Malice Radar 2

As they spoke, Fang Yun collected the corpse of the Qi Refining Sixth Layer Demon, along with its Storage Pouch.

The Storage Pouches used by Demons required Demon Power to open; Spiritual Power wouldn’t work.

For an Artifact Refiner like Fang Yun, however, this was a simple problem to solve. He could even reforge the pouch, adapting it into one that could be opened with Spiritual Power.

The two of them headed toward the core of the Shen Family’s territory at an even faster pace.

「On the way.」

Fang Yun had a small regret.

’He hadn’t used that Qi Refining Sixth Layer Demon from the Stone Demon Sect for an experiment.’

’He should have let the Demon from the Stone Demon Sect try to escape, just to see if he could maintain his combat state under those conditions.’

’It was his first time truly acting, and he felt he was a bit inexperienced, killing the enemy too quickly.’

’There was still much about his own Combat Talent that he hadn’t yet uncovered.’

’And as his Combat Talent continued to upgrade, there would likely be more and more for him to explore.’

When the two of them reached the core of the Shen Family’s territory, an elder came out to greet them—an elder whom Yang Yingjie had met before.

"Young Friend Yingjie, it’s good to see you’re well. Thank you for coming to support our Shen Family!" the elder first said to Yang Yingjie with a cheerful laugh. Then, he turned his gaze to Fang Yun. "And this young friend is?"

"Fang Yun."

"You’re Fang Yun!"

Shen Xingchen was startled. This was something he had never expected. His surprised expression quickly gave way to an even broader smile.

"Thank you, Young Friend Fang Yun, for coming to support us!"

"There’s no need for thanks. We chose to accept this mission," Fang Yun replied, his demeanor easygoing.

As long as people showed him no ill will, his attitude toward them was generally quite good.

"For Young Friend Fang Yun, the reward for this mission is too low. When you return, our Shen Family will pay out double the reward."

"You know, I’m the one who brought Junior Brother Fang here," Yang Yingjie said, slinging an arm around Fang Yun and gesturing for Shen Xingchen to show him some appreciation as well.

"Young Friend Yingjie gets double, too."

"Now that’s more like it," Yang Yingjie said, nodding in satisfaction.

The more mission rewards, the better. That way, he would have more resources to use for improving his Cultivation and strength.

"This is a Demon from the Stone Demon Sect I killed on the way here."

Fang Yun took out the corpse of the Qi Refining Sixth Layer Demon.

Seeing this, Shen Xingchen didn’t hesitate, immediately taking out thirty Lower Grade Spirit Stones and handing them to Fang Yun.

Normally in such a situation, he would have to report it first, and the family treasury would then issue an additional reward to the Celestial Cloud Sect disciple. But the person before him was Fang Yun. To make a better impression on him, Shen Xingchen decided to pay out of his own pocket first.

"Thank you, Young Friend Fang Yun! This is an extra reward for killing a Qi Refining Sixth Layer Demon from the Stone Demon Sect."

"Many thanks."

Afterward, Shen Xingchen led Fang Yun and Yang Yingjie to their quarters, explaining the Shen Family’s current situation along the way.

When it came to the situation, Fang Yun listened intently.

This was exactly the kind of information he loved to gather.

In terms of Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi concentration, their temporary residence was only slightly less dense than the A-grade residences in the Celestial Cloud Sect’s Inner Sect.

"You two young friends have had a long journey. Please rest here for today. This old man will take his leave."

After Shen Xingchen left, Yang Yingjie started chatting with Fang Yun.

"Junior Brother Fang, it’s great coming on missions with you," Yang Yingjie said, still thinking about the doubled reward. "With your reputation now, any Foundation Establishment Influence affiliated with the Celestial Cloud Sect should know who you are."

"A great reputation has its benefits, but also its drawbacks," Fang Yun couldn’t help but remark.

’I’m number one on the Inner Sect Ranking and first in the Four-Sect Trials.’

’The Evil Sects must have a lot of information about me.’

’They also know I have Five Spirit Roots.’

’Knowing I have Five Spirit Roots probably lessens the Evil Sects’ desire to hunt me down.’

’If I had Three Spirit Roots, or even Dual Spirit Roots, I’d have to be much more careful when I’m out and about.’

Yang Yingjie understood Fang Yun’s meaning and nodded. "That’s right. For someone like you, Junior Brother Fang, it’s best not to leave our sect’s Earth Realm when on missions. And especially don’t go to the Celestial Demon Sect’s Earth Realm."

"Senior Brother Yang, once you break through to the Qi Refining Tenth Layer, you’ll have to be even more careful if you still take missions in the Celestial Demon Sect’s Earth Realm."

"Hahaha, Junior Brother, I know that."

After the Qi Refining Tenth Layer came the Foundation Establishment Stage. Cultivators of that level from the Celestial Cloud Sect were the Celestial Demon Sect’s favorite targets for assassination, especially those under forty years old.

In theory, all of them had the potential to reach Foundation Establishment.

...

「The Residence of Patriarch Shen.」

"Third Uncle, important news!" Shen Xingchen called out the moment he entered.

The family patriarch was his third uncle. Outwardly, Patriarch Shen looked like a middle-aged Cultivator, while Shen Xingchen already appeared very old.

"What important news?"

"Two disciples from the Celestial Cloud Sect have come to support us. One of them is Fang Yun."

"What! Fang Yun!"

Patriarch Shen was just as astonished. He couldn’t have imagined, not in a million years, why Fang Yun would accept a support mission for their Shen Family.

This was indeed important news—and important good news at that.

"Fang Yun... he came to support us. Could it be because of Elder Bai Qinying? I’ve heard Elder Bai Qinying and Fang Yun have a good relationship."

"That’s a possibility," Shen Xingchen said with a nod, then continued, "Yang Yingjie came with him—the same one who helped our Shen Family capture a Demon from the Stone Demon Sect alive last time. According to him, he’s the reason Fang Yun was able to accept this mission."

"And Fang Yun didn’t object... Judging by the way those two martial brothers acted, their relationship is indeed very good."

"Tell me everything about your encounter with Fang Yun, in detail."

"Yes, Third Uncle."

As Shen Xingchen recounted the events, he also offered his evaluation of Fang Yun.

This number one of the Four-Sect Trials, the Direct Disciple of the Artifact Casting Peak’s Management Elder, had a very good personality and temper.

Based on his many years of experience observing people, Shen Xingchen judged that this was genuinely who Fang Yun was; he wasn’t someone who would deliberately put on a facade.

"Mm, Xingchen, you handled that very well!"

He felt Shen Xingchen had done the right thing by increasing Fang Yun’s reward and giving him an extra bonus on the spot.

Leaving a good impression on Fang Yun was crucial.

’Even though Fang Yun only has Five Spirit Roots, with a Management Elder for a master, it’s highly likely he’ll reach Foundation Establishment in the future.’

If Patriarch Shen had known what the reward for first place in the Four-Sect Trials was, his conviction would have been even stronger.

After they finished discussing Fang Yun, Patriarch Shen was soon lost in thought.

Seeing his third uncle’s contemplative expression, Shen Xingchen stood silently to one side, careful not to disturb him.

"If Fang Yun is truly as you describe, then perhaps a certain matter might be possible."

"What matter?"

Patriarch Shen didn’t answer, but simply gave Shen Xingchen a smile.

Shen Xingchen saw it and nodded. He understood what his third uncle meant.

...

「Early morning.」

At this moment, Fang Yun was reading a book.

After resting to recover his energy the day before, he had spent most of the night consuming and refining an Upper Grade Qi Enhancement Pill.

When away from the sect, one could neglect neither cultivation nor study.

He had just finished refining the Upper Grade Qi Enhancement Pill by dawn. Since there wasn’t enough time to refine another, he began to read a book instead.

Not long after, a knock sounded at the door.

"Come in."

"Young Friend Fang Yun, I am Patriarch Shen." The patriarch introduced himself the moment he entered.

"So it is Patriarch Shen. This junior pays his respects."

Getting out of bed, Fang Yun quickly offered a junior’s salute.

"Hahaha, Young Friend Fang Yun is exactly as the rumors describe."

’Any other Cultivator with Five Spirit Roots who had Fang Yun’s talent in Artifact Refining and Alchemy would be insufferably arrogant by now.’

"Patriarch Shen, you praise me too much." Fang Yun didn’t know what the rumors about him said, so he decided to just take it as a compliment.

"Young Friend Fang Yun, I have come to see you today because I hope you can do the Shen Family a favor."