In the cave of Nine Cloud Peak, the Tier Three Spirit Gathering Array was slowly operating, and the faint golden spiritual energy flowed around Chen Sheng like a stream.
He had just finished a round of "Myriad Phenomena Sources Returning to Spirit Skill" nurturing when the Communication Jade Scroll at his waist suddenly vibrated violently.
Chen Sheng pinched the jade scroll with his fingers, his divine sense probing into it like a thread. In just an instant, his previously relaxed expression tightened abruptly, and the spiritual energy flowing around him came to a halt.
"An ambush? Even Xilong is heavily injured?"
His gaze swept across the jade talisman, noting the words "Purple Thunder Crystal Core," "ambush," and "severely injured," his voice colder than usual.
Chen Xilong was his fifteenth son, a cultivator with a high-grade spiritual root, and in terms of contributions to the family, he ranked among the top three of the second generation.
Chen Sheng, recognizing his merits, often rewarded him and had even specially refined two bottles of Tier Three High-Grade Healing Elixir "Golden Jade Soul Reviving Pills," and gave him two pieces each of the Life-Saving "Earth-Jumping Golden Light Talismans" and "Tier Three High-Grade Forbidden-Breaking Talismans."
Chen Xilong himself was also quite promising. A few years ago, he condensed a Qi Blood Golden Core and advanced to the early-stage Golden Core, awakening a formidable physical divine technique. Coupled with his magical treasures, his combat strength was considered top-notch for his level.
Now stationed at the Northern Territory Sub-Branch, who would have thought that during this escort mission of the Purple Thunder Crystal Core, he would be ambushed by the Celestial Bamboo Double Fiends and suffer such heavy injuries? If not for the life-saving items granted by Chen Sheng, he might have perished on the spot.
"Celestial Bamboo Double Fiends!"
A glint of cold light flashed in Chen Sheng's eyes, and the temperature around him seemed to drop a few degrees.
This pair of loose cultivator brothers were noteworthy figures among evil cultivators. The elder, Celestial Bamboo Golden Elder, was in the late-stage Golden Core, and the younger, Celestial Bamboo Silver Elder, was in the mid-stage Golden Core.
Both cultivated the "Celestial Bamboo Technique" and were adept at setting up the "Celestial Net Bamboo Array," having ambushed numerous cultivators carrying valuable treasures. It was unexpected that this time they targeted Chen Xilong!
...
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Meanwhile.
At the Northern Giant Deer Market, inside the branch of Chen Clan Commerce Association.
Chen Xilong, appearing slightly ill, came out to greet him: "Big brother!"
Chen Xixing helped him to sit down in the inner chamber:
"No need for formalities. How was the effect after you took the 'Golden Jade Soul Reviving Pill' father gave you?"
Chen Xilong caught his breath, still with lingering fear in his eyes:
"Thanks to that elixir, the Celestial Bamboo Technique was incredibly vicious. It was only after taking the pill that I barely managed to stabilize my injuries."
Chen Xixing sat down on a nearby chair, his voice steady as iron:
"The Communication Talisman described it briefly, tell me in detail, what exactly happened?"
Having managed the Chen Clan Commerce Association for many years, he was used to maintaining calm in moments of great anger, for only calmness could help clarify the situation.
Chen Xilong nodded and slowly began to recount:
"Last time father sent a communication, asking me to look out for information on those spiritual objects. So I inquired about it at the Golden Core Assembly in the Northern Territory."
"At the beginning of last month, I finally learned from a fake pill loose cultivator that Master Celestial Wind of Dingfeng Mountain had one."
"I immediately visited to negotiate a purchase. That old fellow saw my eagerness and brazenly demanded thirty thousand middle-grade spirit stones and a Tier Three Top Grade Celestial Wood Reishi."
He paused, with a bit of helplessness in his tone:
"Though the price far exceeded the market value, father had emphasized that the cultivation path is what matters. Spirit stones can always be earned again. So I reported to father with gritted teeth, and he agreed to the transaction."
A hint of caution flashed in Chen Xixing's eyes, and he quickly asked:
"Was the transaction smooth?"
Chen Xilong nodded:
"Yes, it went smoothly. As agreed, I brought the required spirit stones and reishi, completing the transaction in the Market."
"Later, I escorted the crystal core back on a whim, traveling solo for confidentiality."
His tone turned grave:
"Unexpectedly, after traveling for thousands of miles, a large green-black net suddenly descended from midair, sealing the entire airspace— it was the 'Celestial Net Bamboo Array's' void restriction!"
"I was caught in the grand array and hadn't yet reacted when a green palm strike hit my chest. If my physical body weren't strong, I would have been heavily injured by the first strike."
Chen Xixing's voice grew colder:
"Seems you were already targeted by the Celestial Bamboo Double Fiends."
In the Cultivation Realm, there are numerous techniques for tracking and locking onto enemies. Being schemed against by others is all too common.
Chen Xixing had long heard of the Celestial Bamboo Double Fiends and knew they excelled in tracking, concealment, and ambush tactics, and were notorious for picking on the weak!
Despite one being mid-stage Golden Core and the other late-stage, they still set up a formation to ambush Chen Xilong, an early-stage Golden Core cultivator— a sign of caution.
A glint of ferocity flashed in Chen Xilong's eyes:
"Indeed! Celestial Bamboo Golden Elder was the one who attacked while his younger brother, Celestial Bamboo Silver Elder, set up the array. They coordinated seamlessly, one attacking, the other defending."
"Despite my fierce resistance, they had both a late-stage and mid-stage Golden Core advantage, along with the array's support. I was no match."
"If I hadn't used a divine technique to buy a moment of time and then decisively crushed the 'Tier Three Forbidden-Breaking Talisman,' tearing the array restriction apart, and used the 'Earth-Jumping Golden Light Talisman' to escape, I would likely have perished on the spot, and the crystal core would have been taken by them."
Hearing this, Chen Xixing's brows furrowed even tighter, and his tone carried a touch of reproach:
"How could you be so careless? Father was not in a hurry. After acquiring the crystal core, why didn't you return with the Three Elements Trading Company's convoy?"
"With three Golden Core cultivators in the convoy plus you, even the Celestial Bamboo Double Fiends wouldn't gain any advantage. Not to mention, under the Three Elements' banner, these cowardly rascals wouldn't dare attack."
Chen Xilong's face showed remorse, and he lowered his head, saying:
"It was my lack of caution, wanting to return the crystal core to father as soon as possible. Worried about unforeseen complications, I thought of returning alone, not expecting..."
Seeing his remorseful appearance, Chen Xixing's anger subsided a bit. He sighed:
"What's done is done, and further blame is pointless. What's urgent now is to find the whereabouts of the Celestial Bamboo Double Fiends, to avenge you, and to show the cultivators in the Northern Territory that the Chen Clan's people cannot be trifled with."
"By the way, where's the crystal core?"
Chen Xilong hurriedly took out a jade box, revealing a faint purple crystal core, emitting intense thunder.
Chen Xixing glanced around, then stood up, his gaze piercing through the window toward the distant horizon, a hint of coldness flashing in his eyes:
"You first rest and recover at the sub-branch, I will immediately send a message to my father, we must find the Celestial Bamboo Double Fiends!"
...
Several months later, at Nine Cloud Peak, spiritual plants sprouted between the mountains, with clouds and mist entwining the pavilions like veils.
The morning sunlight pierced through the thin mist, casting a glow on the white jade square in front of the cave residence, causing the nearby spiritual spring to shimmer with golden light.
Chen Sheng had just finished his cultivation for the day when he sensed two escape lights speeding in from the sky.
One was sharp like a sword, with a piercing sound that cut through the air; the other was concealed like a shadow, landing without stirring a speck of dust.
He quickly stepped out of the cave residence, his dark alchemist's robe fluttering gently in the wind, a warm smile already appearing on his face.
As the escape lights landed, two figures gradually became clear.
On the left was Master Celestial Sword, dressed in a silver-white sword robe, a longsword hanging from his waist with its scabbard engraved with cloud patterns, surrounded by a fierce sword qi that forced the spiritual mist back by three feet.
On the right was Master Yun Xiao, dressed in a grey cloth daoist robe, his figure slender but his eyes bright and sharp, holding a tracking compass with his aura restrained like an ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivator.
Chen Sheng quickly stepped forward, cupping his hands with a smile and said:
"Fellow Daoist Celestial Sword, Fellow Daoist Yun Xiao, it's been years since we last met, I've missed you greatly!"
His friendship with Master Celestial Sword can be traced back more than ten years, facilitated by Master Qing Xiao.
Back then, Master Celestial Sword had been stuck at the mid-stage Golden Core for many years, and it was Chen Sheng's custom-made Realm-Breaking Pill that helped him break through successfully, leading to frequent interactions thereafter.
Meanwhile, Master Yun Xiao is a legendary figure among loose cultivators, at the mid-stage Golden Core, renowned throughout Yue Country for his unparalleled tracking technique, and had also previously sought Chen Sheng for pills to break through.
As a grandmaster in the realm-breaking domain, Chen Sheng has accumulated vast connections through pill refining over the years!
Finding the two had a simple purpose—slay the Celestial Bamboo Double Fiends. Professional matters are best left to experts, with Yun Xiao tracking and the sword cultivator executing, their cooperation couldn't be more suitable.
Master Celestial Sword, with his chilly disposition, merely nodded slightly, cupping his hands in return:
"Greetings, Fellow Daoist Micro-Image."
His voice was like the clash of gold and stone, carrying the distinctive straightforwardness of a sword cultivator.
In stark contrast, Master Yun Xiao's face bore a hearty smile:
"No need for such formality, fellow Daoist! I've long wanted to visit Nine Cloud Peak, not for anything else, but for that jar of 'Thousand-Year Intoxication' you have. After tasting a sip last time, I've been yearning for it still!"
Chen Sheng laughed heartily, gesturing for the two to follow him inside the cave residence:
"Rest assured, today you'll have plenty!"
The cave's interior remained elegantly furnished, with spiritual fruits and tea sets already arranged on the stone table, sandalwood incense curling up, dispelling the morning's slight chill.
Once the three were seated, Chen Xihuo served them spirit tea with a gentle fragrance, Chen Sheng turned the conversation, his expression growing serious:
"I invited the two of you today because I have a matter to ask of you."
Master Celestial Sword's hand holding the teacup paused slightly, a hint of understanding flashing in his eyes—for someone of Chen Sheng's current status, he wouldn't easily make a request unless it was a difficult matter.
Master Yun Xiao also put away his smile, the compass at his fingertip gradually stopping its rotation, listening intently.
Chen Sheng spoke slowly, his tone carrying a trace of coldness:
"In the Northern Territory, there's a pair of loose cultivators known as the Celestial Bamboo Double Fiends. The elder brother, Celestial Bamboo Golden Elder, is late-stage Golden Core; the younger brother, Celestial Bamboo Silver Elder, is mid-stage Golden Core. They both cultivate the 'Celestial Bamboo Technique,' skilled in ambushes and assassinations."
"A few days ago, they ambushed my son Xilong, injuring him severely. If it weren't for the life-saving talisman I gifted him, he might have perished already."
He paused, then took out a jade talisman. Infusing it with spiritual power, the appearance and aura of the Celestial Bamboo Double Fiends appeared clearly before the two of them:
"I know Fellow Daoist Celestial Sword is exceptional in swordsmanship, having comprehended Sword Heart and Sword Intent at the early-stage Golden Core, dealing with such tribulation cultivators is no problem. Fellow Daoist Yun Xiao's tracking technique is unmatched in the world, tracking them down should be a breeze."
"This time, I'm seeking your assistance to eliminate these villains, and also to let the cultivators in the Northern Territory know that the people of Yunlan's Chen Clan are not to be trifled with."
Hearing this, Master Celestial Sword placed down his teacup, a hint of fierceness flashing in his eyes:
"Such evildoers deserve to be eradicated! Last time, you helped me break through, I still owe you a favor; I will take this matter."
For a traditional sword cultivator like him, he held contempt for beings like the Celestial Bamboo Double Fiends who engage in ambush and assassination, especially since it involved Chen Sheng's favor.
Master Yun Xiao also nodded with a smile, the compass at his fingertip starting to rotate again, emitting a slight spiritual light:
"Leave the tracking to me, I'll ensure we trace the Celestial Bamboo Double Fiends' whereabouts completely!"
"But let me say upfront, I am only adept at tracking; when it comes to combat, we'll need to rely on Fellow Daoist Celestial Sword— you know, my combat power as a loose cultivator can't compare with you sect powerhouses."
Master Celestial Sword nodded slightly, his tone carrying a sense of confidence:
"Rest assured, they are merely two evil loose cultivators. Even if backed by a grand array, I can break it with one sword."
A sword cultivator who has comprehended Sword Heart and Sword Intent naturally possesses a suppressive advantage over same-level cultivators.
Moreover, coming from the inner sect of Myriad Swords Sect, with profound foundations and sharp swordsmanship, Master Celestial Sword is amongst the top experts, whereas the Celestial Bamboo Double Fiends, being merely evil loose cultivators, cannot be compared.
Seeing this, Chen Sheng laughed heartily: "In that case, thank you both!"
With that, he took out two storage pouches from his storage ring, handing them over:
"There's 100,000 middle-grade spirit stones in each, consider it your compensation for the trouble. Friendship is one thing, necessary rewards can't be skipped."
Master Celestial Sword initially intended to refuse, but was stopped by Chen Sheng:
"No need to be polite, Fellow Daoist, you deserve this. Moreover, if the need arises in the future, I'll still rely on you."
Master Yun Xiao briskly accepted it, weighing it with a jesting smile:
"Fellow Daoist Micro-Image, so generous! With these spirit stones, I can exchange for some new tracking magical artifacts."
After a few more exchanges, Master Celestial Sword rose to bid farewell, preparing to head to the Northern Territory and await orders.
Master Yun Xiao took the jade slab handed by Chen Sheng, imbued with the Celestial Bamboo Double Fiends' aura, then turned into a beam of escape light, disappearing into the horizon.