Chapter 82: Attaining True Cultivation

The screams grew fainter and fainter, until finally they vanished altogether. Yet Wang Changsheng continued to gaze at the little beast before him.

“He just called you a little fox? But you don’t quite look like one...”

“When did you start following us? How did you know which direction we were heading?”

“What breed are you, really? Could you actually be a fox? Somehow you don’t seem like one...”

Wang Changsheng muttered to himself as he regarded the small creature. Upon arriving at the southern Giant City, he had lost the little fox at the inn. The group’s departure was swift, and he hadn’t expected that after so much time, the little fox could still catch up.

“Steward Wang!”

Just as Wang Changsheng was whispering, Chen Shangyi returned.

“You didn’t get anything out of him?” Wang Changsheng asked, frowning.

Chen Shangyi nodded. “His mouth is impenetrable, can’t pry anything loose. He’s clearly had rigorous sect training.”

Wang Changsheng frowned again.

Nothing could be learned, but Wang Changsheng was certain these black-armored cultivators were secretly trained by some sect—and not an ordinary one. Otherwise, how could they dispatch so many Core Formation cultivators?

“We encountered them at Black Desire City. These people might be from the Black Desire Plains,” Wang Changsheng said gravely. “There are very few sects in the entire Black Desire Plains that possess such power—no more than a handful.”

“It’s possible they aren’t from the plains at all,” Chen Shangyi replied in a low voice.

Wang Changsheng nodded, clearly agreeing with Chen Shangyi’s speculation.

Anyone else encountering this would immediately suspect these men were from the Corpse Refining Sect, since in the Black Desire Plains, that sect was most likely to be suspected given its power.

“Let’s forget about it for now. We go to Blackstone City, then to the Wanderer’s Pavilion!” said Wang Changsheng.

Chen Shangyi hesitated, frowning. “And... what about it?” He pointed to the little fox.

“Bring it along,” Wang Changsheng replied. “From what just happened, we probably can’t shake it. If we don’t bring it, are we supposed to kill it?”

No sooner had he spoken than the little fox burrowed into Wang Changsheng’s arms, leaving only half its body exposed, trembling in fear.

Chen Shangyi shook his head. “This creature is exceptionally intelligent. I suspect it’s not a demon beast—most likely a spirit beast.”

If it truly was a spirit beast, its value would be beyond measure! That would also explain why the black-armored cultivators pursued the little fox; spirit beasts were exceedingly rare, their worth incalculable.

Most spirit beasts were deep within the wilds, even protected by the Temple of the Wilderness. To find one wandering outside was rarer than rare.

The journey onward was peaceful; occasionally, they passed a few cultivators hurrying along, but seeing Wang Changsheng’s sizable party, none dared provoke them.

The little fox nestled in Wang Changsheng’s arms, poking out its tiny head and shaking it endlessly; Wang Changsheng couldn’t drive it away.

“What a strange sight, carrying a fox in my arms...” Wang Changsheng sighed helplessly.

He had tried to drive the fox off several times, but it seemed determined to stick with him. Even when he managed to lose it, the little fox would soon catch up again.

“We’re here! Blackstone City is ahead,” Chen Shangyi announced.

The group landed and headed toward Blackstone City.

Compared to the main city of the Southern Region, Blackstone City was far less prosperous. Only a few cultivators guarded the gates, and their cultivation level was low—just at the Open Vein stage, even less than Wang Changsheng himself.

“One low-grade spirit stone,” the gatekeeper said listlessly.

After paying twelve low-grade spirit stones, Wang Changsheng led the Corpse Refining Sect group into Blackstone City.

“Wait!”

Just as Wang Changsheng was about to step forward, the gatekeeper stopped him.

“What is it?” Wang Changsheng frowned, puzzled.

The gatekeeper pointed at Wang Changsheng’s arms. “Pets count as well.”

The little fox, which had just poked its head out, instantly withdrew, its whole body trembling in Wang Changsheng’s arms.

“Can’t you be a little braver?” Wang Changsheng patted the fox.

He gestured to Chen Shangyi, who paid an extra spirit stone, and then they were allowed through without further trouble.

“Shangyi, go find out where the teleportation array is,” Wang Changsheng instructed.

Chen Shangyi nodded and quickly departed.

He soon returned, his expression grave as he looked at Wang Changsheng.

“What’s wrong?” Wang Changsheng asked immediately.

“Steward Wang, there’s trouble...” Chen Shangyi replied. “The teleportation array in Blackstone City has been seized by someone named Feng Liudao. No one is allowed to use it...”

“What?” Wang Changsheng’s brows knitted. “The array has been seized? How is that possible?!”

Not only Wang Changsheng, but even Chen Shangyi found the situation incredible. They had left the Corpse Refining Sect for some time, traversed many towns and cities, but never heard of a teleportation array being seized. After all, such arrays were usually controlled by powerful groups—the revenue was considerable.

“What about spirit stones?” Wang Changsheng asked.

Chen Shangyi shook his head with a wry smile.

“Spirit stones aren’t enough?!” Wang Changsheng was even more surprised.

Seizing the array was usually for collecting spirit stones—otherwise, what was the point?

“Let’s go and see!” Wang Changsheng said.

Faced with such oddities, Wang Changsheng would normally avoid trouble, but the nearest teleportation array to the Wanderer’s Pavilion was in Blackstone City. If they went elsewhere, it would take days to reach.

He resolved to check the situation first, and if it was impossible, they would try the next array.

When Wang Changsheng and his group arrived at the teleportation array, they saw several cultivators being driven out, covered in dust.

“Is that old man crazy? What’s the point of seizing the teleportation array and forbidding its use?”

“Even spirit stones won’t do, he must be out of his mind!”

“Even if he’s mad, his power is terrifying—likely a Core Formation master!”

The expelled cultivators passed by Wang Changsheng’s group, grumbling loudly.

A few watching from afar laughed heartily, clearly used to the spectacle.

“Let’s go have a look,” Wang Changsheng said, frowning.

“Please wait a moment!”

Just as Wang Changsheng was about to approach with the Corpse Refining Sect disciples, a voice sounded and a cultivator stepped forward.

The disciples immediately became vigilant, surrounding Wang Changsheng. The approaching man possessed Core Formation cultivation; if another ambush occurred, they might not have time to react.

“What is it?” Chen Shangyi asked at once.

“If you wish to use the teleportation array, you’d best go elsewhere,” said the Core Formation cultivator, somewhat embarrassed. “The array here has been seized, and I doubt it’ll be resolved soon. Please don’t be alarmed—I was previously in charge of the array...”

“What’s really happening?” Wang Changsheng pressed.

The Core Formation cultivator looked helpless. “I don’t know myself. That man calls himself Feng Liudao. He emerged from the array and took it over. His strength is unbelievably formidable...”

Wang Changsheng frowned.

Chen Shangyi secretly sent Wang Changsheng a message: this man was at the third layer of Core Formation!

He was on par with Chen Shangyi, yet no match for Feng Liudao, whose strength was described as monstrous. That meant Chen Shangyi likely wouldn’t fare better.

“This is troublesome...” Wang Changsheng murmured.

“We need to reach the Wanderer’s Pavilion. How long would it take to reach the nearest teleportation array on foot?” Wang Changsheng inquired.

The Core Formation cultivator hesitated. “To reach the nearest array that connects to the Wanderer’s Pavilion, with your cultivation, it would take five or six days...”

“So long...” Wang Changsheng mused.

“Let’s go see for ourselves!” Wang Changsheng gestured to Chen Shangyi, then spoke to the Core Formation cultivator, “Is it alright if we take a look?”

“Certainly!” the cultivator replied. “Those others didn’t believe me either and insisted on seeing for themselves... I’m only here to warn you. Be careful.”

Wang Changsheng nodded and led the group toward the teleportation array.

They crossed a vast plaza, and soon saw an old man sitting cross-legged atop the array, which was inactive.

Clearly, this was Feng Liudao. Wang Changsheng could sense no aura from him.

“Let’s go!” Chen Shangyi urged Wang Changsheng without hesitation. “Steward Wang, let’s hurry to the next array!”

Wang Changsheng frowned, puzzled.

Not only Wang Changsheng, but the other Corpse Refining Sect cultivators were equally confused by Chen Shangyi’s urgency.

“Let’s discuss outside,” Chen Shangyi said, his expression grave.

Seeing Chen Shangyi so serious, the group realized things were not simple and followed him away from the array.

Once they had passed through the crowd, Chen Shangyi finally let out a breath.

“What’s wrong?” Wang Changsheng asked.

Based on his understanding of Chen Shangyi, even in the face of strong opponents—late-stage Core Formation cultivators—Chen Shangyi would not be so tense. The disciples of the Corpse Refining Sect could all fight across realms; Chen Shangyi was among the best, and even against late-stage Core Formation, he could protect himself.

“That Feng Liudao...” Chen Shangyi said gravely. “If my senses are not mistaken, he is at the Golden Core Dao stage...”

“He is a true Daoist cultivator.”