"Just what I need." Xu Zhuang smiled faintly. Without any hurry to refine it, he tucked it into his robes. He then rummaged through the messy pile of items and pulled out Chen Yuanji’s Qiankun Bag. This kind of Jiezimixu item was a necessity for many cultivators.

Chen Yuanji had placed a restriction on the Qiankun Bag, but Xu Zhuang didn’t need to cast any spells. A single surge of his Magical Power shattered it to pieces, and he dumped out its many contents.

Xu Zhuang picked up a yellow-skinned gourd, uncorked it, and glanced inside. He saw over a dozen Golden Cores, each the size of a fist, perfectly round and gleaming with a golden light. They were the very Sixth-Transformation Golden Cores he urgently needed. His eyes lit up as he put them all away.

As for why Chen Yuanji possessed a gourd full of Sixth-Transformation Golden Cores, or what trouble he would be in for losing them, Xu Zhuang couldn’t have cared less.

Having acquired a superior Pill Furnace and a gourd full of Sixth-Transformation Golden Cores, Xu Zhuang was in high spirits. He continued to sort through the items, taking a few useful Spirit Pills and a box of Five Elements True Sand that had only a thin layer remaining. After that, there were no other valuable items.

Some Scattered Spirit Stones and ordinary Magical Artifacts remained, but Xu Zhuang was too proud to scrape the bag clean. He took a string of White Jade Coins, couldn’t be bothered with the other items, stuffed them all back into the Qiankun Bag, and tossed it back onto Chen Yuanji.

Xu Zhuang weighed the string of White Jade Coins. There were five or six thousand of them. ’As expected of a disciple from a prominent family, and an elder of the Danxia Institute no less,’ he thought. ’He’s incredibly wealthy. I’ve never seen so many Magic Coins.’

It turned out these White Jade Coins were called Tai Su Magic Coins, a special currency refined by the Tai Su Sect. Their value was directly linked to merit points, and they were widely accepted throughout the Cultivation Realm of the Divine Continent. A single Magic Coin could be exchanged for one hundred fist-sized Spirit Stones.

A cultivator’s wealth consisted of little more than pills and Spirit Stones. However, with their countless varieties, pills held different values for different people, making them less useful as a medium of exchange than Spirit Stones. Yet, Spirit Stones were ultimately minerals. While exceptionally pure, they varied in size and shape. Not only did cutting them result in a loss of Spiritual Qi, but they were also difficult to carry without a very large Jiezimixu item.

Therefore, Magic Coins endorsed by the great orthodox sects were prevalent in the Cultivation Realm of the Divine Continent. The most widely circulated and favored among cultivators were naturally the Tai Su Magic Coins, Shangxuan Coins, and Spirit Treasure Coins, which were refined by the three major sects.

After all, Xu Zhuang was not from a prominent family or the disciple of a great master. He had never possessed much wealth during his cultivation, and forging his Golden Core and gathering the necessary spiritual ingredients had consumed nearly his entire fortune.

Previously, when he killed Yang Lian, the man had valuable pills and Magical Artifacts, but he didn’t seem to be carrying much money. This time, however, Xu Zhuang had greatly replenished his fortune. While he wasn’t a worldly man, he didn’t have a cold and detached personality either, so a faint smile touched his lips.

Having taken Chen Yuanji’s "valuables," Xu Zhuang couldn’t be bothered with him any further. He left him lying stiff and pathetic on the ground and sat down to meditate. He didn’t enter a deep trance, merely sitting quietly to regulate his breathing.

Sure enough, it wasn’t long before the sound of a chiming bell echoed from outside his cave-dwelling. Xu Zhuang was actually a little surprised. He glanced at Chen Yuanji’s stiff form on the ground and chuckled. "I thought I would have to wait until tomorrow. I didn’t expect them to be this fast. The Law Enforcement Hall seems to be taking this matter a bit more seriously than I imagined."

’But which part of this matter do they consider important?’

A sharp glint flashed in Xu Zhuang’s eyes. He had made it this far by overcoming every obstacle in his path; he was by no means a pushover. If the visitor was a welcome guest, he was well-prepared. If they were a hostile one, he was not afraid to cross swords with anyone.

He first sent a voice transmission ordering Li Changfeng to lead the visitor into the cave-dwelling. Only then did he rise unhurriedly, release his Innate Tai Su Qi Grand Capture, and restrain Chen Yuanji as before, tucking him into his sleeve before exiting the meditation chamber.

By the time Xu Zhuang arrived unhurriedly at the front hall, Li Changfeng had already shown the visitor to a seat. The moment he entered, Xu Zhuang saw a figure with his hair held in a star crown, dressed in a purple Daoist Robe. The face was all too familiar—it was Han Wang.

Xu Zhuang was inwardly startled. He strode into the hall and cupped his hands in a salute. "Senior Brother Han, what brings you here in person?"

Han Wang smiled slightly. "Junior Brother Xu, my apologies for the intrusion. This isn’t a personal visit. I am now serving as the Vice Dean of the Law Enforcement Hall. I’ve come about Chen Yuanji’s abuse of power for personal gain and his embezzlement of pills."

’Well now.’ With a single statement, Han Wang had already convicted Chen Yuanji of abusing his power and embezzling pills, defining the nature of the incident. This meant the attitude of the Law Enforcement Hall—or rather, the attitude of this esteemed Vice Dean—was perhaps not what he had imagined.

Though his mind was racing, Xu Zhuang’s expression remained neutral. "How could Senior Brother Han’s visit be an intrusion?" He hesitated for a moment, suddenly realizing how devoid of life his residence was. "My humble home is rather plain," he added apologetically. "I have no Spirit Tea and Immortal Fruits to offer. I hope Senior Brother will forgive me."

"It’s no matter." Han Wang waved his hand, then after a moment’s thought, he flicked his sleeve. A tea set and two bowls appeared on the table with a CLATTER. He chuckled. "We are true disciples of the same generation. As brothers, there’s no need for formalities like host and guest. I’ll just help myself to some of my own ’coarse tea’ to wet my throat." As he spoke, he was already brewing it. "Please."

Xu Zhuang was taken aback for a moment before smiling. He found this senior brother of his to be a truly free-spirited gentleman. He didn’t refuse. "Please." He accepted the teacup and took a sip. The tea had a light, delicate fragrance and a sweet aftertaste—it could hardly be called ’coarse tea’.

After they had drunk their tea, Han Wang spoke again. "Junior Brother, your residence really does lack a bit of life. The path of immortality is long and arduous enough; one still needs some leisure and pleasure. I have some Immortal Maidens and talented beauties at home who are skilled in song, dance, and the four arts. If you would not be opposed, Junior Brother, I could gift some to you."

He wasn’t finished, adding a small joke. "And I’ll pick out two clever Little Daoist Children to serve you, so that the next time I visit, it’ll be one thing to bring my own tea, but I won’t have to pour it myself."

Xu Zhuang laughed at his words and quickly replied, "I’m used to peace and quiet, so I’ll pass on the Immortal Maidens! As for Daoist Children, however, I really should find a couple."

"In that case, I’ll take care of it for you in the future." Han Wang laughed heartily. He didn’t press Xu Zhuang to accept the Immortal Maidens or Xiuyu, but he did take it upon himself to find the Daoist Children. He then began to chat about some of the interesting happenings within the sect.

Han Wang didn’t bring up official business, and Xu Zhuang was in no hurry, so the two of them simply continued their casual conversation.

—

At almost the exact same time, Chen Shifeng, riding a streak of light, arrived at a remote corner of the Junyang Six Islands.

This region of the Earth Realm was utterly desolate. Though the mountain forests were lush and green, they were strangely devoid of life, with no trace of human presence.

It was Chen Shifeng’s first time here as well. After a quick assessment, she followed a small path into the woods. After no more than a few dozen steps, the path suddenly opened into a clearing.

Beneath an ancient tree with gnarled, coiling roots stood a bluestone slab. A chessboard was carved into it, set with an unfinished game. A young man with disheveled hair, wearing a white robe unfastened to bare his chest, was fingering a game piece, deep in thought.

Without looking up, the young man continued to finger the piece and asked coolly, "Whose family’s disciple are you? What brings you to this remote place of mine?"

Chen Shifeng gazed up at the towering ancient tree. "I am Chen Shifeng," she said. "I have come on the Patriarch’s orders."

Their cold tones were surprisingly similar.

The young man was none other than Chen Zongyu. Hearing Chen Shifeng’s words, he finally looked up, revealing a pale face. With a smirk that wasn’t quite a smile, he said, "Well... so it’s the pride of the clan. Arrogant indeed."

He tossed the game piece aside and stretched lazily. "So, tell me, what does that older brother of mine want you to come here for?"

Chen Shifeng said, "The Patriarch orders that it would be best if you did not involve yourself in Auntie... Chen Lian’s affairs."

"HAHAHAHAHA!" Chen Zongyu threw his head back and roared with laughter. "’Best if I don’t’? Does that mean he wants me to, or he doesn’t?"

"This older brother of mine is getting less and less decisive in his actions. He probably doesn’t even know his own mind anymore." Chen Zongyu picked up a game piece again, his voice laced with mockery. "But it doesn’t matter. Because I’m already involved."

The color drained slightly from Chen Shifeng’s face. "What have you done!" she asked.

Chen Zongyu laughed carelessly. "I’m just a cripple. What could I possibly do? I merely said hello to this new junior brother of mine."

Chen Shifeng said coldly, "I will report your actions to the Patriarch in full."

"Tch." Chen Zongyu let out a disdainful snort and went back to his game, the very picture of someone who couldn’t be bothered to engage any further.