Entering the Path of Immortality, Mastering a Hundred Arts: Chapter 24: A Persistent Ghost (Please Add to Favorites)

The Danju Workshop in Anhe City is the largest marketplace for pills outside of the Alchemist Association. This market is managed by Jinyanzi, a second-tier alchemist. With countless shops and vendors, it offers every type of pill imaginable and boasts the highest foot traffic of any market in Anhe City. When not busy, Jinyanzi typically remains at his residence within the market, devoted to the study of alchemy.

Li Etian, having been exploited twice by Li Feng, was filled with resentment and sought him out here. Guided by an attendant, Li Etian entered Jinyanzi’s manor and waited patiently in the reception hall. It was not until dusk that the white-haired old man finally appeared. Upon seeing Jinyanzi, Li Etian bowed in greeting.

Jinyanzi looked displeased. After sitting down, he asked, "You are an evil cultivator; do you have any idea how much trouble it would cause if your identity were exposed while visiting me?"

The two seemed to have a history. Li Etian offered a fawning apology and explained his purpose. "Master Jin, I have come to bring you an opportunity this time."

"You?" Master Jin’s tone was full of disdain as he let out a cold snort. If he hadn't saved Li Etian back then, would this fellow have ever achieved his current Foundation Establishment status?

Ignoring his attitude, Li Etian went straight to the point: "I have had some bad luck, but I have discovered the whereabouts of the closed-door disciple of the Blood Cloud Ancestor."

At these words, Master Jin perked up, though he remained skeptical. Seeing this, Li Etian swore an oath on his Dao heart, which finally dispelled Jinyanzi's doubts.

"Where is this person?" Jinyanzi asked, unable to hide his eagerness. The Heavenly Crane Sect had placed a highly enticing bounty on the Blood Cloud Ancestor's disciple, which included the research notes of a third-tier alchemist. He had been stuck at the upper second-tier for years and desperately needed such resources to break through.

Li Etian chuckled, his intent clear. A flicker of disgust crossed Master Jin’s eyes as he said impatiently, "How much do you want this time?"

"I was ambushed by the Blood Cloud Ancestor's disciple outside the city and have lost my means of protection. Please, Master Jin, provide me with twenty thousand spirit stones and a set of second-tier robes." Li Etian feigned misery, only to be mocked by the master.

"So, you finally met your match. You deserve it!"

Li Etian grew angry at this, threatening him: "Master Jin, do you really think my path as a bandit cultivator has nothing to do with you?"

Master Jin slammed the table and stood up in a fury. "You scoundrel! Your path has nothing to do with me. Do you blame the road for being difficult just because you are a cripple?"

Li Etian, already frustrated by his recent streak of bad luck, retorted sharply. "Of the cultivators I have robbed, at least half were targets you provided information on. When the Guiyuan Kingdom sent people to hunt me down, wasn't it you who tipped me off? We are tied together on the same rope now."

Jinyanzi was choked with anger, gritting his teeth. "I should never have saved you back then."

"Hmph, you weren't helping me; you were helping yourself. If I die before you, your own unsavory secrets will surely be made public." Li Etian knew Jinyanzi valued his reputation, a tactic that never failed.

Indeed, Jinyanzi conceded. He unhooked the storage bag from his waist and tossed it to Li Etian. "There are thirty thousand spirit stones in there. Tell me where the disciple is, and then get out of my sight immediately."

"This person is a talisman master and carries a large quantity of talismans, making them quite troublesome to deal with. You had best bring more help; I would hate to see my golden goose fall," Li Etian warned pointedly.

Jinyanzi didn't think much of it. How much stronger could a talisman master be than an alchemist?

"I have said my piece. Good luck." Li Etian dropped a map of the Ten Thousand Mountains and left the manor. The map was marked with the location where he had first encountered Li Feng.

Master Jin was not a reckless man. After careful consideration, he recruited ten Foundation Establishment cultivators. These men all owed him favors due to their need for pills. The reason an alchemist is held in such awe is precisely because of their powerful network. To hire ten such cultivators on a whim would have cost a fortune for anyone else.

...

In the Ten Thousand Mountains, after acquiring the talisman array inheritance from the ruins, the young woman emerged alongside Li Feng. After exchanging hypocritical farewells, they headed in opposite directions. Even then, Li Feng did not know her name; he only knew she was the closed-door disciple of the Blood Cloud Ancestor.

Li Feng had originally intended to spend these months peacefully in the ruins, but who could have foreseen such an accident? Now that the existence of the ruins was known to outsiders, he would certainly not stay; he had to find somewhere else.

Two days passed in a flash. Li Feng finally found a suitable cave to hide in. It was located behind a waterfall, permanently obscured by a curtain of water and very well-hidden. There were many such waterfalls in the Ten Thousand Mountains, so it did not seem out of place and would not attract attention.

Li Feng was satisfied and prepared to settle down to meditate and increase his cultivation. However, just as he was about to seal the cave entrance, a bloody green shadow came crashing through the water curtain and collapsed into the cave, unconscious.

Li Feng, protected by his golden light, stepped closer to investigate, and his heart sank. This persistent woman had followed him again. He kicked her twice, but the young woman did not stir. It seemed she was indeed unconscious from her wounds. Judging by the injuries, she must have been through a fierce battle.

Just as Li Feng was debating whether to take her storage bag and toss her out to feed the spirit beasts, the young woman regained consciousness, albeit weakly. She spat out blood, and upon seeing someone standing nearby, she became alert. A flying sword whistled out, striking toward Li Feng’s throat. Fortunately, his protective talisman held, and given her weakened state and depleted spiritual energy, she posed no real threat.

"Fellow Daoist, it is me." Li Feng identified himself.

The woman collected her wits and snapped, "Why are you here?"

"That is what I should be asking you! This is a cultivation spot I searched hard to find. I suggest you go die somewhere else."

"Absurd! Since when did this become your spot? I discovered this cave months ago. If anyone is leaving, it should be you."

"You are being quite unreasonable. Don't force me to chop you up and feed you to the beasts." Li Feng was annoyed by her arrogant demeanor. In her current state, dealing with her would be effortless.

The young woman seemed to realize she was in a dangerous position. She softened her tone and apologized. "Fellow Daoist, please forgive my thoughtless words."

"I will forgive you only if you leave." Li Feng urged, worried that the scent of her blood would attract beasts. Although the waterfall could block some scents, there were creatures with incredibly sharp senses.

"Look at my condition, Fellow Daoist. Do I look like I can walk?" she asked pitifully.