Immortal of the Nine Realms

"Looks like you've been abandoned, Shopkeeper Lin."

Fang Chen looked at Shopkeeper Lin with a faint smile.

Fang Chen had already deduced that the manager might possess an item similar to a soul lamp that was linked to the Demon Cloud Emperor. This way, as long as something happened to the Demon Cloud Emperor, the manager would immediately know.

Fang Chen was able to infer from this that the collaboration between the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion and the Demon Cloud Emperor was much closer than he had imagined. The relationship between them might not have been purely business-based, it could've leaned more toward friendship.

As for the manager's claim that the Hidden Cloud Ancestor was on his way, Fang Chen dismissed it as nonsense. How could a mere Golden Core Realm cultivator predict the movements of a Nascent Soul Realm cultivator?

Fang Chen saw the manager's attempt to confuse him at a glance. He had been trying to provoke him into leaving the Demon Cloud Empire early.

Shopkeeper Lin tried to remain calm, forcing a smile. "Daoist, I think there might be a misunderstanding here. Please let me explain…."

Fang Chen shook his head lightly. "No, you engage in a sketchy business. You've also been in cahoots with the Demon Cloud Emperor. There's nothing to explain."

Fear gripped Shopkeeper Lin's heart. "I-I…."

The fact that Fang Chen made his way over here right after killing the Demon Cloud Emperor meant that he was here to kill the manager.

Shopkeeper Lin understood that the manager had to have run away because he feared Fang Chen. So in what realm could a Foundation Building Realm cultivator like him resist such a powerful opponent?

Shopkeeper Lin's face was filled with despair.

"Where are you keeping the spirit stones you obtained from the auction?" asked Fang Chen calmly.

Shopkeeper Lin smiled bitterly and said, “The manager keeps these valuables on him.”

Fang Chen chuckled lightly. "I see."

He had already used his divine soul to search the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion. Apart from low-grade, yellow-rank treasures, spiritual materials, and the pills in the main hall, there was nothing especially valuable. The manager had to have already made plans to escape, so he took most of the valuable items with him.

Fang Chen couldn't help but admire the manager's decisiveness. If he had hesitated and decided to stay and avenge the Demon Cloud Emperor, he wouldn't have lived to see another day. Not only had he managed to escape death, but he also managed to preserve the Heavenly Treasure Pavillion's treasures.

Fang Chen sighed. "Anyone who managed to cultivate up to the Golden Core Realm is truly a cunning fox."

Fang Chen casually pocketed all the items in the main hall into his storage ring.

Shopkeeper Lin suddenly spoke up. "Daoist, please spare my life. I have a treasure to offer to you. It’s extremely valuable!"

Fang Chen smiled. "Tell me about it."

Shopkeeper Lin took in a deep breath before whispering, "Fifty miles from here, there is a spiritual fruit called the Vajra Bodhi. It's a low-grade, profound-rank spiritual fruit. It's much more valuable than a peak-grade, yellow-rank spiritual treasure!"

Fang Chen was surprised. "A low-grade, profound-rank spiritual fruit?"

This was the first time he heard anyone talk about a low-grade, profound-rank spiritual fruit. He never heard about something like this before, whether that was in the Flame Empire, Qinghu Empire, or Great Qian Empire. It almost seemed like these kinds of spiritual items had long disappeared from the world.

Fang Chen nodded lightly. “Go on.”

Fang Chen quietly asked Mirror of the Universe, “Little Mirror, what is the Vajra Bodhi fruit? What are its effects and how valuable is it?”

“This information doesn't require spirit stones. The Vajra Bodhi is a low-grade, profound-rank spiritual fruit. It can be used for alchemy and artifact refining. This fruit is extremely tough, so if you can integrate it into a treasure, it will enhance said treasure. You could also choose to consume it directly. If a mortal consumes it, he'll immediately be propelled to the fourth level of the Heaven Profound Stage. If a cultivator consumes it, then with the help of a body refining technique, their physical strength can be greatly increased."

Fang Chen's eyes lit up slightly. That fruit was really extraordinary.

The fourth level of the Heaven Profound Stage corresponded to the 12th stage of the Qi Refining Realm. Martial artists at that level could threaten cultivators. For mortals to gain such power right after consuming the Vajra Bodhi fruit showed how miraculous it was!

Shopkeeper Lin continued. “The reason the manager came down this time was because of this fruit.”

Fang Chen smiled faintly. So when the manager tried to scare him away, he was doing it to prevent him from learning about the Vajra Bodhi fruit.

If I were him, would I leave before the fruit ripened? Fang Chen thought with a hint of amusement in his eyes. There was no doubt that the manager was still in the empire.

“By the way, Brother, the benefits of the Vajra Bodhi are even greater for demon cultivators, as they naturally lean toward body refinement,” added Mirror of the Universe.

Fang Chen chuckled lightly. “Shopkeeper Lin, according to what you're saying, your boss treasures this fruit a lot. So, how come you're still alive despite knowing of its existence?"

Shopkeeper Lin whispered, “To be honest, I stumbled upon this Vajra Bodhi by chance. I presented it to the manager because, deep down, I knew that I wasn't capable enough to protect a treasure like this. I've been taking care of this fruit for the manager for a long time.”

Fang Chen understood. The reason the manager didn't silence Shopkeeper Lin was that he was still hopeful that the Hidden Cloud Ancestors’ reputation alone would deter Shopkeeper Lin from betraying him. This way, he wouldn't need to kill one of his trusted subordinates.

“Sir, is this information enough to buy me my life?”

Shopkeeper Lin quietly assessed Fang Chen's expression. Fang Chen's silence was heard to read into.

Fang Chen smiled. “You should've guessed by now that you're boss would be laying in wait near the Vajra Bodhi."

Shopkeeper Lin's expression changed into one of shock. He hadn't expected Fang Chen to piece it all together so quickly.

Indeed!

From the moment he realized he had been abandoned, he had guessed where the manager would be hiding. There was no way the manager would give up the Vajra Bodhi. This kind of fruit was extremely beneficial for demon cultivators!

He thought that with this piece of information, perhaps he could save his own life and at the same time, lead Fang Chen to chase after the manager. If the manager died, it would've been considered as him taking revenge. If they both suffered losses, the Vajra Bodhi would be his to keep.

Not to mention that the countless resources the manager had on his person would all fall into his hands! The worst-case scenario would be if the manager killed this person in front of him instead. If that happened, the only option he would have left would be to flee the empire.

Shopkeeper Lin forced a smile. "You misunderstand me... After your reminder, I've carefully considered it, and it's indeed possible that the manager is near the Vajra Bodhi. As long as you're willing to swear, I'll tell you where it is."

Fang Chen chuckled. "You have no choice. Either you speak or die. You can only gamble on my credibility."

Shopkeeper Lin's face turned a bit ugly. Fang Chen wasn't even willing to swear an oath! What should he do then? Not speak and face certain death? Or speak and have a slim chance of survival?

Shopkeeper Lin gritted his teeth and whispered the location to Fang Chen.

Fang Chen instructed Little Sword to keep an eye on Shopkeeper Lin and the others while he projected his divine soul toward the location he mentioned.

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