Chapter 154 Friend or Foe

Elder Mo, I know what I must do! With these words, Lin Xiaobao strode toward the venue of the Treasure Exchange Convention. At present, everything centered around enhancing his own strength and the strength of those around him.

As for the Longxiang Academy, it seemed a trip there was unavoidable. Fortunately, having previously obtained permission from Kuang Lizhen, Lin Xiaobao was spared the risk of the entrance examination. After all, his cultivation level was not particularly high at the moment; if he had to go through the standard screening process, he might not necessarily pass.

Unbeknownst to him, as Lin Xiaobao’s Dao heart grew increasingly steadfast, the primordial source power of the Dao emitted by the Chaos Mirror fragment suspended within his dantian grew several shades purer. However, Lin Xiaobao himself remained unaware of this subtle change.

It is best that you can snap out of it. I kept many things from you all this time simply fearing that the pressure would be too great for you to bear! Elder Mo let out a soft sigh. I still have to go and assist Elder Wu. Take care of yourself!

Meanwhile, inside an unnamed cave, Long Xiuping and Ao Wuchen sat cross-legged, each holding a bloody, spherical object in his hands. As these spheres continuously contracted and expanded, they exuded an exceptionally pure energy. This energy was rapidly channeled into their bodies by an invisible force, causing their cultivation levels to steadily climb upward.

Had any cultivator witnessed this scene, they would undoubtedly have been struck speechless. This was not because the two men had miraculously survived, but because the objects they held in their hands were none other than the painstakingly cultivated Dao hearts of fellow practitioners.

Accompanied by two sounds of ecstatic moaning, the two Dao hearts transformed into red rays of light that shot into their mouths. Their faces immediately flushed with a reddish glow, calming down only after a long while.

Standing up, they wiped the traces of blood from the corners of their mouths. Feeling the monumental changes within their bodies, a sense of disbelief surfaced in both of their eyes. To think that the path of cultivation could also be pursued in such a manner!

Suddenly, a dark figure flashed into view. The newcomer was none other than the demonic cultivator Wang Feiyu. Very good. By now, both of you have cultivated to the realm of the Dao heart!

Everything is thanks to the guidance of Senior! The two cupped their fists in a respectful salute, their eyes filled with gratitude.

Wang Feiyu nodded and said, Now that your relatives, sect members, and friends have all perished at the hands of Lin Xiaobao, do you desire revenge?

If we do not exact this revenge, we swear we shall no longer be human! Hatred filled their eyes, and before them, the bloody massacre seemed to play out once more. Fortunately, fortune favored them; when they awoke from unconsciousness, they had been rescued by this senior, who even imparted to them that mysterious cultivation technique. Although it defied the laws of heaven, to them—whose minds had been completely consumed by hatred—it mattered not at all.

Observing the raging fury in the eyes of Long Xiuping and Ao Wuchen, Wang Feiyu was extremely satisfied. Although you have now attained the initial stage of the Dao heart realm, the plundered power still needs to be consolidated. You must not be hasty in seeking out Lin Xiaobao for revenge. He harbors certain secrets, and you are no match for him yet.

Hearing Wang Feiyu put it this way, the two appeared somewhat discouraged as they asked, Then when will we be able to go and exact our revenge?

When the time is right, I will naturally notify you. I must leave for a period of time. What you need to do is gather all intelligence regarding Lin Xiaobao and transmit it to me via the jade talisman I gave you. Wang Feiyu looked at them with a hint of sternness in his gaze.

If you do not allow us to seek out Lin Xiaobao, we won't be able to gather much intelligence at all! Long Xiuping said thoughtfully.

You can rest easy on that score. I have already arranged for someone to be by Lin Xiaobao’s side. In due time, that person will naturally pass the intelligence to you, and then you shall transmit it to me. Wang Feiyu said with absolute confidence.

Why not have that person pass the intelligence directly to you? Ao Wuchen asked with a hint of incomprehension.

Yet no sooner had his voice fallen than a heavy blow struck his chest. His entire body was sent flying backward, crashing heavily against the stone wall of the cave before slowly sliding down. He stared at Wang Feiyu with eyes full of terror, unable to understand why this benefactor would suddenly turn against him.

When it comes to my commands, there is no need for so many whys. You simply need to obey! Wang Feiyu’s gaze swept over the two of them, causing their heads to involuntarily lower. Remember, you must not approach Lin Xiaobao. Otherwise, he will surely be able to perceive your cultivation method. Should you become public enemies of the entire Longxiang Continent, you already know what the consequences will be without me having to spell them out!

Under the crushing pressure of Wang Feiyu’s intimidation, the two answered in unison, Yes!

However, if you carry out my instructions as told, I will not treat you unfairly. I guarantee that one day you will ascend to the pinnacle of the Longxiang Continent, and Lin Xiaobao will be reduced to ashes in your hands! After wielding the stick, Wang Feiyu offered the carrot. Now, both of you proceed to Black Wind City. Upon your arrival, someone will naturally meet and receive you!

Yes! Hearing Wang Feiyu’s promise, a flicker of excitement surfaced in the eyes of the two. Although they had not witnessed Wang Feiyu’s specific methods firsthand, when they were attacked, they had witnessed the terrifying might of their enemies—power capable of altering the very heavens and earth. Since Wang Feiyu had been able to rescue them, he clearly possessed unfathomable strength.

After giving them a few more instructions, Wang Feiyu’s figure abruptly vanished into thin air.

Long Xiuping and Ao Wuchen exchanged glances, seemingly wishing to discuss something, but constrained by Wang Feiyu’s formidable presence, they both prudently kept their mouths shut.

Leaving that matter aside for the moment.

Back at the Treasure Exchange Convention, Lin Xiaobao had no idea what kind of machinations Wang Feiyu had been executing behind his back. The moment he returned to the venue, he was promptly pulled aside by Qin Feng. Seeing the undisguised excitement on the old fellow’s face, Lin Xiaobao knew he had already gathered all the medicinal herbs required to refine the Calamity-Evasion Pill.

Without further ado, Lin Xiaobao took Qin Feng along, requested an alchemy room from Chen Chong, and immediately set to work.

With the Treasure Exchange Convention about to begin, Chen Chong could not accompany Lin Xiaobao personally. After giving a few instructions to the disciples in charge of the alchemy chambers, he turned and left.

Although the success rate of refining the Calamity-Evasion Pill was not high, fortunately, it did not require an excessive amount of time. Aided by Qin Feng’s Nine Dragons Cauldron, Lin Xiaobao took a mere four days to successfully refine a batch.

This single batch yielded as many as ten pills. In accordance with their agreement, after giving three pills to Qin Feng, Lin Xiaobao kept the remaining seven for himself. When Lin Xiaobao emerged from the alchemy chamber, Qin Feng did not follow him out. In the old man’s own words, he intended to use his recent insights to try refining a batch himself.

One had to admit that Qin Feng was taking great pains. Considering the low success rate of the Calamity-Evasion Pill, he had prepared enough herbs for five separate attempts. However, he had not anticipated that Lin Xiaobao would succeed on the very first try, leaving him with surplus herbs that he could now use to practice his skills.

When Lin Xiaobao walked alone back into the grounds of the Treasure Exchange Convention, he was instantly struck dumbfounded by the sheer scale of the scene before him. Initially, at the opening of the convention, Lin Xiaobao had felt that the number of attendees was already quite substantial, yet he had not expected that after four days, the crowd would have expanded to triple its original size.

Fortunately, everyone present possessed formidable cultivation levels, and their conversations were carried out in low murmurs; otherwise, the place would have been far noisier than a bustling marketplace.