Chapter 245: Pan Sheng

Yangjialing, Wei State. Three hunters lay prone behind a thick bush, their bows drawn and arrows nocked, eyes fixed on a dozen black muntjacs in the distance.

“Release,” a tall, middle-aged man whispered, letting go with his right hand.

A flurry of arrows whistled through the air, and five muntjacs fell instantly. The remaining muntjacs scattered, quickly fleeing into the distance.

“Today’s haul is excellent! Five muntjacs will fetch a good price. Brother Hu, you’re amazing!” a hunter exclaimed, grinning.

“Alright, quickly process the game and let’s head back!” the middle-aged man instructed. “Uncle Gui and his group encountered a large beast recently, and two of them were killed. It’s better if we return quickly. It would be troublesome if we ran into one of those beasts.”

“It’s not that easy to run into a large beast, I think…”

Before the hunter could finish speaking, two massive tigers emerged from the nearby dense forest, their cold eyes fixed on the three men.

“Oh no, two tigers! Run!”

Without a word, they turned and fled.

“Roar!”

The two tigers roared, then lunged at the three men.

The three men hadn't run far when a young man in green robes, appearing to be in his twenties, approached them.

“Run! There are tigers!”

The young man in green robes paid no heed. He raised his right hand, and a two-foot-long azure flying sword shot out, effortlessly striking down the two tigers.

“A Sword Immortal! An immortal!”

The middle-aged man seemed to realize something and immediately knelt, kowtowing to the young man in green robes.

“I am Wang Qingshan, not a Sword Immortal. Tell me, are there any mountains with ‘pine’ in their name around here?”

After Wang Qingshan cultivated to the seventh level of Qi Refinement, he left Wang Family Stronghold to search for mountains with “pine” in their names.

“There are a few mountains with ‘pine’ in their names: Mount Qingsong, Mount Songbai, and Mount Yangsong. They’re not far from here,” the middle-aged man said. “I’d be honored to guide the Immortal.”

The middle-aged man offered eagerly.

Wang Qingshan’s eyes lit up. He praised, “Excellent! You will be handsomely rewarded once this is done. Please lead the way!”

“Yes. Dani, you two take the game back. Tell my mother not to worry; I’ll return as soon as I’ve guided the Immortal.”

Wang Qingshan conjured a leaf-shaped spirit tool and motioned for the middle-aged man to step onto it. He cast a spell upon it, and the leaf tool swiftly ascended into the air, flying off into the distance.

Wang Family Stronghold, Alchemy Institute.

Inside the building, Wang Qingqi was instructing five clan members.

He was already a high-grade first-tier alchemist. After completing his studies and returning home, he not only refined several first-tier elixirs but also made time to teach alchemy to clan members, helping the family cultivate more alchemists.

“Alchemy is essentially similar to artifact refining: dissolving materials and combining them. However, paying attention to the heat is crucial, and it’s hard to explain; you can only learn it through practice. You’ve all learned most of the theoretical knowledge. Tomorrow, there will be an assessment. Each of you will receive five sets of materials. Only those who perform exceptionally will continue learning alchemy. The family doesn’t have the resources to train six alchemists.”

Hearing this, the five clan members repeatedly assented and then departed one by one.

Wang Mingjiang entered, smiling slightly at Wang Qingqi and praising him: “Qingqi, you’ve done very well, but you mustn’t neglect your cultivation. Changfeng and I have discussed this: once you reach the ninth level of Qi Refinement, we will help you establish your foundation. We aim to cultivate you into a second-tier alchemist.”

“Thank you, Twenty-first Uncle-Grandmaster. I will cultivate diligently,” Wang Qingqi said gratefully.

Time flew by; two years passed in the blink of an eye.

In Feifeng Valley, the Hundred Weapons Hall was a newly established shop. Because it sold relatively inexpensive magic tools and also allowed pre-orders for puppet beasts, it attracted many cultivators to purchase artifacts.

The Hundred Weapons Hall was indeed the shop opened by Wang Changsheng and his wife. The couple took turns managing the shop.

Early one morning, just as the Hundred Weapons Hall opened for business, a thin-faced Daoist in a green robe walked in and asked Wang Changsheng, “Fellow Daoist Wang, have the magic tools I ordered been forged?”

“Fellow Daoist Pan, they are ready.”

Wang Changsheng took out a blue brocade box and handed it to the green-robed Daoist.

The green-robed Daoist, named Pan Sheng, made his living by hunting demonic beasts. He frequently sold demonic beast materials to Wang Changsheng and also purchased magic tools and puppet beasts. Through their frequent dealings, the two became well acquainted.

Wang Changsheng had met Pan Sheng shortly after arriving in Feifeng Valley.

Pan Sheng opened the brocade box to reveal four shimmering azure short swords nestled inside.

He picked up one of the azure short swords and gave it a gentle swing. The flying sword swiftly cut through the air, emitting a crisp hum.

“Excellent sword,” Pan Sheng praised, holding it with evident admiration.

“Fellow Daoist Wang, here is the remaining balance.” He took out an azure spirit stone and tossed it to Wang Changsheng.

Wang Changsheng scanned it with his divine sense and nodded in satisfaction. He smiled and said, “Fellow Daoist Pan, have you found any leads on the matter I entrusted to you?”

Pan Sheng, who made his living hunting demonic beasts, knew people from all walks of life and had a relatively broad network. Wang Changsheng had asked Pan Sheng to help him search for Heaven and Earth Spiritual Water.

Pan Sheng glanced left and right, then transmitted a message mysteriously: “Fellow Daoist Wang, the large auction won’t be held for another three months. However, a friend of mine is hosting an underground trading session tonight. There are many good items, but their origins are questionable. It’s tonight, during the You hour (5-7 PM), within the market city. If you’re interested, let’s meet at the entrance of Feifeng Tower at You hour and three quarters (around 6:45 PM).”

“Excellent, I’ll be there on time.”

Wang Changsheng thanked him, then happily saw Pan Sheng off.

He had long known about the existence of underground trading sessions, but they had strict restrictions on participants. One could not attend unless introduced by an acquaintance.

“Husband, what happened? You look so happy?” Wang Ruyan emerged from a side room, asking with a smile.

After two years in Feifeng Valley, she had finally advanced to the fourth layer of Foundation Establishment. It was noteworthy that she had been stuck at the third layer of Foundation Establishment for over twenty years.

Wang Changsheng didn’t conceal anything and recounted the entire event.

“An underground trading session! Husband, let me go with you! I want to buy some things too.”

“Even if you hadn’t said anything, I would have asked you to come with me. We are husband and wife, after all.”

Wang Changsheng smiled faintly, wrapped his arm around Wang Ruyan’s slender waist, and gazed at her with tenderness.

Wang Ruyan’s cheeks flushed slightly. She shyly said, “Husband, it’s broad daylight. It wouldn’t look good if someone saw us.”

“What’s there to be afraid of? We’re husband and wife.” Though Wang Changsheng said this, he still released her. “Wife, it’s still early. Go back to the backyard and cultivate. I’ll call you when it’s time to leave.”

Wang Ruyan acknowledged him and turned to walk toward the backyard.

People continuously entered the shop, either purchasing magic tools and puppet beasts or placing orders for them. Wang Changsheng, familiar with such dealings, handled them with ease.

At You hour and three quarters, Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan, having changed their attire, appeared promptly at the entrance of Feifeng Tower.

Not long after, Pan Sheng arrived. He greeted Wang Changsheng and his wife, then led them into a general store.

The general store had a backyard, and within it stood a simple wooden hut. A burly, broad-shouldered middle-aged man guarded the entrance. From his aura, he was clearly a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

“Put these on. They must be returned after the trading session.” The burly middle-aged man took out three grotesque ghost-face masks and handed them to Wang Changsheng and the other two.

Pan Sheng, without hesitation, put on a ghost-face mask. Wang Changsheng extended his divine sense, but it was blocked upon touching the ghost-face mask. He then also put on a ghost-face mask.

After the three put on their masks, the burly middle-aged man allowed them to enter.

The interior was simply furnished. A long bluestone passage led underground, and Pan Sheng walked ahead.