Chapter 699: Yuan Ying Cave Dwelling

“Daoist Fan was actually able to invite Daoist Qin; it seems we have nothing to worry about on this trip.”

The scholar in green smiled kindly at Qin Sang.

Qin Sang’s expression softened slightly. He cupped his hands and said, “You flatter me, fellow Daoist. I’m still not clear why Daoist Fan invited me, and I haven’t agreed yet.”

The short, stout cultivator quickly said, “Daoist Qin, why not come onto the island and wait for a moment? Once the other Daoists arrive, I’ll explain the entire situation clearly. As long as you agree, the conditions I promised you will certainly be fulfilled.”

Qin Sang thought for a moment, then flew over on his sword. His eyes gleamed as he confirmed there was nothing unusual on the island, then he swiftly landed on a reef, maintaining his distance from them.

The scholar in green exchanged a few pleasantries with Qin Sang. Seeing Qin Sang’s indifferent expression, he wisely refrained from speaking further.

After a while, three more cultivators arrived in succession. They were all cultivators Qin Sang had previously encountered in the market.

Qin Sang observed dispassionately, realizing that these individuals were all outstanding cultivators in the early Core Formation stage, each possessing considerable strength. It seemed the short, stout cultivator’s objective was not small.

“Daoist Fan, you’ve invited so many of us here. What exactly is the matter? Can you tell us now?”

Night had fallen, and someone impatiently questioned.

The short, stout cultivator replied with a deferential smile, “Don’t rush, Daoist Qian. One more Daoist hasn’t arrived yet; they should be here any moment. Once they’re here, I, Fan, will definitely not hold back and will explain everything without reservation.”

Just as he spoke, a streak of green light suddenly flew from afar, also stopping outside the island, revealing the figure of a gaunt old man.

“Daoist Wan is here!”

The short, stout cultivator’s expression lit up with joy. Just as he stepped forward to greet him, he suddenly heard the gaunt old man angrily shout, “You, Fan! You said you invited me to search for treasure together, but now you’ve gathered so many people to ambush us here. What is the meaning of this?”

The short, stout cultivator hastily explained, and only then did the gaunt old man fly over, still half-believing, half-doubting.

By now, seven Core Formation cultivators had gathered on the island, enough to form a small trade fair. Everyone looked at the short, stout cultivator, curious about what he intended to do.

It was clear without a doubt that to persuade so many people, the short, stout cultivator must have paid a hefty price. Whatever he sought had to be commensurate with that compensation.

The short, stout cultivator cleared his throat. Without further suspense, he solemnly said, “Today, I, Fan, have invited all of you here because I wish for your help in breaking a restriction.”

“A restriction?”

“What kind of restriction?”

“Could it be an ancient restriction? Has a legendary ancient secret realm in the Monster Sea been discovered by a fellow Daoist?”

“Where is it located?”

For a moment, everyone’s interest was piqued by the short, stout cultivator, and they pressed him with questions.

Even the gaunt old man, who had been frowning, showed an excited expression.

After cultivators from both races advanced into the Monster Sea, due to the immense power of the monster race, Great Barren Island and Sky Sorcerer Island were almost breached by beast tides. Later, they managed to gain a foothold, but they only occupied a very small area of the Monster Sea, constantly facing the threat of beast tides. They had never discovered any legendary ancient secret realms within the Monster Sea.

Some suspected that before the Monster Sea was discovered, it might have always been the domain of monster beasts, with no cultivators having ever been active there. This was why there were no traces left by ancient cultivators.

Hearing that the short, stout cultivator was actually inviting people to break a restriction, everyone was surprised, but also very interested.

The short, stout cultivator repeatedly waved his hands, “Fellow Daoists, you’ve misunderstood. It’s not an ancient secret realm. I, Fan, suspect it’s a cave dwelling of a senior cultivator…”

“A senior cultivator’s cave dwelling?”

Everyone exchanged glances.

The gaunt old man sneered, “Such temporary cave dwellings are everywhere. Who would be foolish enough to put anything valuable inside? Aren’t you afraid of getting excited over nothing?”

The scholar in green frowned and pondered for a moment, then gravely said, “Since fellow Daoist is willing to pay such a high price for our help, you must have sensed something, right? May I ask whose senior’s cave dwelling it is?”

The short, stout cultivator nodded, “To be frank, the cave dwelling’s restriction actually has three layers. I racked my brains and only managed to break two of them, but the third layer couldn’t be moved an inch, no matter how I tried. I had originally intended to return and ask friends for help, but unexpectedly, they got trapped on Huntian Island and couldn’t get out. So, I had no choice but to resort to this, taking advantage of the market opening to invite you all for assistance. Even just by opening two layers of restrictions, I discovered some things that suggest the cave dwelling’s owner might be someone extraordinary. I’m taking the risk of losing everything because I want to take a gamble.”

The gaunt old man sneered, “Who exactly is the owner of that cave dwelling? Daoist Fan, you’re being so mysterious. Could it be a Nascent Soul Grandmaster?”

The gaunt old man’s laughter faded as he noticed the short, stout cultivator staring at him with a strange expression. His face stiffened, and he asked in disbelief, “Is it truly a Nascent Soul cave dwelling?”

“It’s hard to say.”

The short, stout cultivator shook his head, “I believe I possess some capabilities. A restriction that I couldn’t budge an inch, despite racking my brains, must be at least a technique from a peak Core Formation cultivator. Furthermore, I discovered something inside the cave dwelling…”

As he spoke, the short, stout cultivator took out a decayed fish skin.

The fish skin was clearly heavily corroded; it seemed a gentle touch could tear off a piece. Originally covered with tightly packed scales, it was now patchy, with many scales having fallen off.

Upon seeing this almost shapeless fish skin, everyone’s expressions changed simultaneously.

“This is…”

The scholar in green swallowed, his voice trembling slightly, “The hide of a Transfiguration stage great monster?”

Qin Sang also stared intently at the fish skin. Despite its decay, it still retained the aura of the great monster from when it was alive, a truly chilling sensation. Qin Sang had only ever felt this instinctive deterrence and oppression from a Nascent Soul Grandmaster!

The hide of a Transfiguration stage great monster!

It was the first time in his life he had seen one.

Everyone was too stunned to speak, staring blankly at the fish skin.

The short, stout cultivator nodded, “Fellow Daoists must have realized by now that I found this hide in that cave dwelling. At the time, I, Fan, was ecstatic. However, I didn’t expect the hide to only have simple restrictions that had long since expired due to the passage of time. Even the hide of a Transfiguration stage great monster couldn’t escape the erosion of ages. You all should understand how terrifying a Transfiguration stage great monster is. A hide this large would be considered a treasure even by a Nascent Soul Grandmaster. Conversely, to treat it so carelessly, only a Nascent Soul Grandmaster would possess such boldness.”

The hide was decayed and no longer had any practical use.

The short, stout cultivator casually handed it to someone nearby, and it was passed around.

When it was Qin Sang’s turn, he took it in his hand and carefully stroked the hide. He had seen a living Transfiguration stage great monster in the Small Cold Domain, but this was his first time seeing a deceased one.

The hide was not fake; no one could imitate its unique aura.

The short, stout cultivator gravely said, “Can you all believe me now, fellow Daoists?”

The gaunt old man reluctantly returned the hide to the short, stout cultivator and probed, “Since there’s even the hide of a Transfiguration stage great monster in there, it seems fellow Daoist must have gained considerable benefits, right? Surely not everything there is as decayed as this hide. Why not let us feast our eyes on some of it?”