Chapter 1137: Encounter with Chen Xianger

The Violet Flame Abyss has over a dozen entrances, one of which is located near the Fiery Dragon Mountain Range.

The Fiery Dragon Mountain Range is situated in the northwest of the Northern Frontier, stretching for millions of miles. Deep within the range lies a vast valley, surrounded by mountains on three sides with only one exit. Outside the valley stands a golden stone monument over thirty feet tall, prominently inscribed with the three silver characters "Fiery Dragon Valley" in a majestic, flowing script.

Fiery Dragon Valley is a large market town. The Fiery Dragon Mountain Range is rich in both demonic beast resources and mineral resources. Crucially, one of the entrances to the Violet Flame Abyss is also located within the Fiery Dragon Mountain Range, which has indirectly contributed to the prosperity of Fiery Dragon Valley. Many high-ranking cultivators visit the valley to purchase cultivation resources, while others venture into the Violet Flame Abyss for exploration.

Two streaks of red light appeared on the distant horizon, swiftly approaching Fiery Dragon Valley.

In less than three breaths, the two streaks of light landed near Fiery Dragon Valley.

The lights dispersed, revealing Wang Mingren and Ximen Feng. After entrusting Wang Changjie to Wang Yingying, they had traveled day and night without rest, heading directly for the Violet Flame Abyss.

The Violet Flame Abyss is a notoriously dangerous place. Generally, only high-ranking cultivators nearing their demise would venture into it; other high-ranking cultivators rarely dared to enter.

Over the years, cultivators have learned some information about the Violet Flame Abyss. Many shops in Fiery Dragon Valley sell intelligence regarding it, though it is not always entirely accurate.

Indeed, the passages within the Violet Flame Abyss were forcibly opened by over a dozen Nascent Soul cultivators. The internal space is extremely unstable; powerful restrictions sometimes appear without warning, making it impossible to prepare for them, while at other times there is no danger at all.

Wang Mingren intended to acquire some information about the Violet Flame Abyss, inquire about the whereabouts of the Seven-Star Fiery Grass, and then enter the abyss to search for it.

As soon as they approached Fiery Dragon Valley, a cacophony of sounds reached their ears.

The streets of Fiery Dragon Valley were wide and clean, with all buildings constructed against the mountains. Crowds of cultivators moved in and out of various shops, presenting a bustling and prosperous scene.

After about the time it takes to brew a cup of tea, they arrived at a red stone plaza, about sixteen acres in size. Eighteen magnificent buildings stood tall on the plaza, with a large number of cultivators constantly entering and exiting them.

One of these was a towering red pagoda, over one hundred feet high, with the three golden characters "Fiery Dragon Pagoda" inscribed on a plaque at its entrance.

Wang Mingren and Ximen Feng entered the Fiery Dragon Pagoda and were greeted by a spacious and brightly lit hall. Dozens of cultivators were purchasing cultivation resources, while attendants in uniform red shirts were introducing merchandise to customers, creating an orderly scene.

“Welcome, esteemed seniors, to our establishment. How may I assist you?” a fair-faced young woman in a red dress quickly approached, asking with enthusiasm.

“Is Fellow Daoist Li Yunbin here? We have something to discuss with him.”

Wang Mingren had a wide circle of acquaintances. After he and Ximen Feng were reassigned to the Northern Frontier, they extensively befriended Core Formation cultivators, building a vast network of connections. One of Wang Mingren’s friends held a position at the Fiery Dragon Pagoda in Fiery Dragon Valley.

“The manager is on the fifth floor. Please, esteemed seniors, follow me upstairs.” The young woman in red dared not delay and quickly led the way.

Soon, they reached the fourth floor. The staircase leading to the fifth floor was guarded.

“The manager is currently in a business discussion. Please wait a moment, esteemed seniors.” No sooner had the young woman in red finished speaking than a cold-faced young woman in a blue dress descended from the fifth floor.

Wang Mingren frowned upon seeing the young woman in blue; she was none other than Chen Xiang'er.

Chen Xiang'er was also in the Northern Frontier. As an elder of the Law Enforcement Hall, her primary responsibilities included orchestrating defections among high-ranking cultivators from hostile forces, investigating traitors within the Taiyi Immortal Sect, and overseeing all cases of Taiyi Immortal Sect disciples violating rules and regulations.

In recent years, she had handled two major cases: one involved orchestrating the defection of the Deputy Valley Master of Seven Fiends Valley, and the other uncovered a Core Formation cultivator who had been bribed by the enemy. Due to her timely discovery, the Taiyi Immortal Sect incurred minimal losses. After these incidents, Chen Xiang'er's reputation at the Northern Frontier Branch soared.

She strictly adhered to the sect's rules in her investigations, arresting anyone who violated regulations, regardless of their status, even if they were descendants of Nascent Soul cultivators. This earned her the moniker "Iron-Faced Immortaless," and low-ranking cultivators of the Taiyi Immortal Sect greatly admired her.

Trailing behind Chen Xiang'er was a fair-faced middle-aged scholar. Upon seeing Wang Mingren, he beamed, “Fellow Daoist Wang, Madam Wang, long time no see.”

“Long time no see, Fellow Daoist Li,” Wang Mingren replied, a sincere smile on his face as he greeted him.

Chen Xiang'er glanced at Wang Mingren and Ximen Feng, said nothing, and departed as if they were strangers.

Li Yunbin was somewhat surprised. If he remembered correctly, Chen Xiang'er was Wang Mingren's ex-wife, yet they hadn't exchanged greetings. It seemed there was no longer any affection between them.

“Fellow Daoist Wang, Madam Wang, please come upstairs.” Li Yunbin made a gesture of invitation, leading Wang Mingren and Ximen Feng upstairs for their discussion.

As soon as they were seated, a maidservant immediately approached with spirit tea. After placing the tea down, she withdrew.

“Fellow Daoist Wang, Madam Wang, it's been over a decade since we last met, hasn't it? Time truly flies. Your timing is perfect; Fellow Daoist Sun and Fellow Daoist Li are also in Fiery Dragon Valley. Tonight, I'll host a gathering for us to catch up and drink until we can't anymore.”

Li Yunbin spoke courteously. The Fiery Dragon Pagoda was a branch of the Fiery Cloud Merchant Guild. Li Yunbin had previously managed an artifact refining shop in Fiery Raven Market, and Wang Mingren had frequently helped him by referring business.

“Fellow Daoist Li, we have an urgent matter, so we won't be able to join the gathering. To be frank, we intend to enter the Violet Flame Abyss to search for the Seven-Star Fiery Grass. Do you happen to know where the Seven-Star Fiery Grass might be found, or perhaps have a more detailed map?” Wang Mingren asked earnestly, looking at Li Yunbin with anticipation.

Li Yunbin paused, slightly taken aback. He quickly realized his slip of the tongue and continued, “I know of a place where a considerable amount of Seven-Star Fiery Grass grows, all of it quite old. However, it’s guarded by a fourth-tier demonic beast. This information was brought back by a rogue cultivator who risked his life for it, so it’s absolutely reliable.”

“Besides this location, are there any other places where Seven-Star Fiery Grass might be found, especially older specimens?” Ximen Feng pressed on.

Li Yunbin produced a red jade slip and a red porcelain bottle, handing them to Wang Mingren. He said, “This is a map of the Violet Flame Abyss, sold to me by a rogue cultivator who has made a living hunting demonic beasts for years; it’s absolutely reliable. The red markers indicate places where Seven-Star Fiery Grass can be found: one is guarded by a fourth-tier demonic beast, and another by a swarm of venomous insects. Here are two Spirit Transformation Pills; they can neutralize the venom of most third-tier poisonous insects. Please take them! I hope they can assist you.”

“Thank you, Fellow Daoist Li. How many spirit stones do we owe you?”

Li Yunbin waved his hand and smiled, “When I managed the artifact refining shop in Fiery Raven Market, if Fellow Daoist Wang hadn't helped me introduce customers and open up sales, helping me establish myself, I wouldn't be where I am today. There’s no need to talk about money; consider these gifts. The Violet Flame Abyss contains many powerful restrictions, so you must proceed with extreme caution. I will help you keep an eye out for older Seven-Star Fiery Grass.”

Wang Mingren and Ximen Feng bowed to Li Yunbin, expressing their gratitude. “Thank you very much, Fellow Daoist Li. If ever you need our assistance in the future, please do not hesitate to ask.”

This moment clearly demonstrated the strength of Wang Mingren’s networking abilities.

Upon exiting the Fiery Dragon Pagoda, Wang Mingren and Ximen Feng headed directly out of the market town.

At a teahouse near the market town's exit, Chen Xiang'er sat on the second floor by a street-facing window. Watching Wang Mingren and Ximen Feng hurriedly leave the market town, a thoughtful expression appeared on her face.