Chapter 2482: Seven Star Gate Lin Yiyi

Desolate City, the market closest to the Desolate Lands, was named for its proximity. However, Desolate City is far from desolate; it is, in fact, quite prosperous.

The city is permanently guarded by Integration Stage cultivators, primarily to prevent foreign tribes from invading from the Desolate Lands. Although this possibility is low, the human race still assigns Integration Stage cultivators to oversee the situation in the Desolate Lands.

Due to its unique geographical location, Desolate City often sees the appearance of rare treasures and even materials for Dharma Idols, attracting a large number of human cultivators. This has fueled the city's prosperity and also led to the thriving of a particular profession: information brokers.

Most valuable cultivation resources are acquired through exchange. High-level cultivators who wish to sell items often need a suitable buyer, especially if the items are illicit. Additionally, information about where to find rare spirit herbs or powerful demonic beasts in the Desolate Lands is often sought from information brokers. Chen Guang is one such broker, selling various types of intelligence.

Chen Guang, a cultivator in the Soul Transformation stage, is actually a spy for Zhenhai Palace. His superior, after obtaining crucial information about the Blood Kylin Mushroom, was reassigned to a comfortable position in the rear for their great service.

In a secluded courtyard with blue-tiled roofs, Li Long sat in a stone pavilion, while Chen Guang reported something to him.

After shaking off the Human-faced Scorpions, Li Long and his two companions immediately left the Desolate Lands. They encountered some trouble along the way but fortunately escaped without serious harm. Qin Rong and Liu Sen had already escorted the Blood Kylin Mushroom back to Floating Cloud Island, while Li Long remained in Desolate City to inquire about Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan.

He had been in Desolate City for two years, yet there had been no news of Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan.

"Senior Martial Uncle Li, there's news of Senior Martial Uncle Wang and Senior Martial Aunt Wang," Chen Guang excitedly reported.

"Where are they? Tell me quickly!" Li Long pressed, as the Desolate Lands were vast, and finding two people was no easy task.

"Multiple high-level cultivators have confirmed that Senior Martial Uncle Wang and Senior Martial Aunt Wang encountered the Yaksha tribe. They were pursued by Bayin, a master of the Yaksha tribe, but successfully escaped. Their exact whereabouts are unknown. This information originated from the Ximen Family," Chen Guang reported truthfully.

"Bayin? It was him!" Li Long exclaimed with surprise. He had heard of Bayin, a formidable master of the Yaksha tribe whose power was unfathomable, having slain many cultivators in the Void Refinement stage. It was truly impressive that Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan managed to escape from such a figure.

"Indeed! This matter has spread throughout the intelligence community. Now, when the 'Azure Lotus Immortals' are mentioned, everyone in the city knows who they are," Chen Guang said proudly.

Li Long nodded. He suddenly took out a shimmering blue spell disk, cast a spell, and a familiar male voice abruptly resounded: "Senior Brother Li, where are Senior Sister Qin and Senior Brother Liu?"

"They have returned to the main sect for their report. Junior Brother Wang, is Junior Sister Wang with you? Are you alright? I heard you were pursued by Bayin of the Yaksha tribe! Where are you currently?" Li Long asked with concern.

"We are currently at Seven Stars Pavilion, having tea with Fairy Lin. Would you like to come over?"

"Alright, I'll be right over." Li Long agreed, put away his communication disk, and left his residence.

A nine-story blue pavilion stood with "Seven Stars Pavilion" written in large golden characters on its plaque. Many cultivators were seen entering and exiting.

This was a shop opened by the Seven Stars Sect, one of the ten major human forces on the Profound Spirit Continent. Renowned for its formations, the sect had a heritage of over 200,000 years, possessing profound foundations and numerous masters.

On the ninth floor, Wang Changsheng, Wang Ruyan, and a graceful young woman in a silver dress were drinking tea and chatting.

The silver-dressed maiden had picturesque features, fair skin, and her long dark hair was tied with a blue ribbon.

Lin Yiyi, a late-stage Void Refinement cultivator, was a formation master. She had entered the Desolate Lands with her fellow disciples to search for Dharma Idol materials when they encountered millions of Blood Transformation Butterflies. They were forced to scatter and flee for their lives. During her escape, she was attacked by multiple sixth-tier demonic beasts. Fortunately, Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan intervened in time and saved Lin Yiyi.

"Words cannot express my gratitude, Fellow Daoist Wang and Madam Wang. If there is anything you ever need from me, please do not hesitate to ask," Lin Yiyi said gratefully.

"Fairy Lin, if you have time another day, you are welcome to visit our Azure Lotus Island," Wang Changsheng said warmly. Lin Yiyi's fellow disciples' fates were unknown; otherwise, Wang Changsheng would have truly wished to invite her to Azure Lotus Island to help set up a sixth-tier defensive formation.

"Alright, if I have time another day, I will certainly pay my respects in person," Lin Yiyi replied.

A soft patter of footsteps sounded as Li Long walked up.

"Junior Brother Wang, Junior Sister Wang, this is wonderful! I'm relieved that you're both safe," Li Long said with a smile, his gaze falling upon Lin Yiyi.

"I am Lin Yiyi. It is a pleasure to meet Fellow Daoist Li," Lin Yiyi greeted with a bow.

Li Long quickly introduced himself, and the four chatted for several hours before returning to their respective residences.

"Junior Brother Wang, I heard you were pursued by the Yaksha tribe?" Li Long asked curiously.

Wang Changsheng nodded. "Yes, we killed a Yaksha and were then pursued by Bayin, but fortunately, we are mostly unharmed."

"Junior Brother Wang, if there's nothing else, let's return to Floating Cloud Island," Li Long suggested. He could tell that Wang Changsheng was unwilling to elaborate further and, being discreet, did not press for more details.

Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan agreed, and the three left Desolate City.

Floating Cloud Island, the main headquarters of Zhenhai Palace.

The door to a secret chamber suddenly opened, and Zhao Yunxiao emerged, his face ruddy.

He had been severely injured while attempting to reach the Integration Stage and needed Blood Kylin Pills to heal. However, Chen Yueying and others had been injured earlier, depleting Zhenhai Palace's stock of Blood Kylin Pills. A new batch needed to be refined, but they lacked the main ingredient, the Blood Kylin Mushroom. He had sent people into the Desolate Lands to find it, and they had successfully located the mushroom, then requested Yang Qinglong to refine the Blood Kylin Pills.

After consuming the Blood Kylin Pills, Zhao Yunxiao's injuries were largely healed; he just needed a period of rest to fully recover.

He suddenly took out a shimmering blue spell disk, cast a spell, and a respectful male voice abruptly resounded: "Senior Martial Uncle Zhao, we have returned."

"Oh, you've finally returned. Come to my residence; I have something to ask you," Zhao Yunxiao instructed.

"Yes, Senior Martial Uncle Zhao."

Zhao Yunxiao put away his communication disk, walked out, and sat in a blue stone pavilion.

After a while, Zhao Yunxiao called out, "Junior Nephew Wang, Junior Niece Wang, come in! No need for voice transmission talismans."

Soon, Li Long, Wang Changsheng, and Wang Ruyan walked in.

As they were about to bow, Zhao Yunxiao stopped them. "Dispense with the formalities. Junior Nephew Wang, what trouble did you encounter? Why did it take you so long to return?"

Wang Changsheng briefly recounted the events, omitting many details such as the true spirit origin, Creation Divine Water, and so on.

"Senior Martial Uncle Zhao, your disciple obtained some ten-thousand-year-old spirit herbs, but my luck is shallow, and I cannot utilize them. I offer them to you, Senior Martial Uncle, as congratulations on your advancement to the Integration Stage," Wang Changsheng said. He took out five exquisite jade boxes and handed them to Zhao Yunxiao. He had obtained over ten ten-thousand-year-old spirit herbs and presented five of them to Zhao Yunxiao.

Zhao Yunxiao was somewhat surprised and said meaningfully, "You are very considerate. Tell me what you wish for."

"I would like another Zhenhai Bead; I can exchange it for sixth-tier materials," Wang Changsheng replied, his face filled with anticipation. Zhao Yunxiao had only assigned him to the mission, and thus would only provide one Zhenhai Bead; Wang Ruyan would not receive one. Otherwise, Li Long and others would have brought their friends and family along.

"A Zhenhai Bead! Only Senior Sister Lin and her lineage can refine such an item. It was already difficult enough for me to offer four Zhenhai Beads as a reward," Zhao Yunxiao said, a look of difficulty on his face. Zhenhai Palace had over a hundred Void Refinement cultivators, and Zhenhai Beads offered some assistance to them in overcoming their great heavenly tribulations. These beads were all refined by the native faction, making it difficult to manipulate their distribution. If Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan had not left Zhenhai Palace, it would naturally not be an issue. However, they had already departed, and Void Refinement cultivators of the Ascended Faction also needed Zhenhai Beads.

"We are willing to exchange other items for it," Wang Changsheng said, producing a collection of sixth-tier materials, including ores, demonic beast materials, and spiritual wood.

"It's not that I don't want to help, but I truly cannot. Please request something else!" Zhao Yunxiao said, his expression still troubled.

"The hide of a sixth-tier Thunder Ray! Your disciple wishes to use it to refine a defensive inner armor," Wang Changsheng said, his face showing anticipation. This was his primary goal. Giving a man a fish feeds him for a day; teaching a man to fish feeds him for a lifetime. With the hide of a sixth-tier Thunder Ray, Wang Ruyan could refine several more Heavenly Thunder Spirit Transformation Talismans. He had previously asked Li Long and understood the rarity of the Zhenhai Bead, which is why he initially requested it. By making an excessive request first, and having Zhao Yunxiao refuse, he could then state his true objective.

"Junior Nephew Li, take them to the Duty Hall. Greet Junior Nephew Fang and tell him this is my instruction," Zhao Yunxiao commanded. This request was something he could fulfill, as refining a defensive inner armor would not require a large amount of hide. Wang Changsheng was effective in his tasks and understood how to conduct himself. Having offered five ten-thousand-year-old spirit herbs to Zhao Yunxiao, and with Zhao Yunxiao already having refused him once, it was awkward to refuse again.

Li Long acknowledged, and then led Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan away.