Chapter 164: News from Beyond the Pass

“Is this enough?”

Chen Luo searched through his bag of holding and found several more worn-out scraps, all low to mid-tier first-rank magical artifacts. It was unclear which unfortunate soul had contributed them; they had been gathering dust in his bag for years.

“Deal.”

The Black Wind Cave Lord promptly retrieved a spiritual slip, pressed it against his forehead, and inscribed the information he knew onto it before tossing it over.

Chen Luo sensed its contents briefly, then casually picked up the magical artifacts from the ground and threw them back like discarding junk.

Without a word, the Black Wind Cave Lord turned and swiftly left the gathering.

In his mind, this transaction amounted to a substantial windfall, so leaving early was prudent to avoid any potential confrontations later.

“I also have some news and leads on Fiendish Grounds.”

Blood Bone Madame’s eyes flickered as she recorded her knowledge onto another spiritual slip and handed it to Chen Luo.

Chen Luo glanced at the content, confirming that it contained numerous secrets unknown to the Black Wind Cave Lord. In response, he took out a gourd filled with medicinal pills and tossed it along with three additional worthless magical artifacts.

“I also know some.”

The seventh-level Qi Refinement solo cultivator, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke up.

Chen Luo’s generous actions stirred many individuals’ interest. Being at the border, solo cultivators were inherently fearless when it came to risks; several among them had ventured beyond the frontier and possessed secrets unobtainable from the inner regions.

Chen Luo welcomed all offers and purchased the information they provided without hesitation.

Dealing with early and middle-stage Qi Refinement cultivators was straightforward, requiring only two medicinal pills each. Late Stage Qi Refinement cultivators proved slightly more challenging, needing broken artifacts to satisfy their demands.

After half an hour, the exchange concluded smoothly.

All the solo cultivators departed with smiles on their faces, considering Chen Luo an easy target, as even minor tidbits of information could yield numerous ‘precious’ rewards. From Chen Luo’s perspective, he effectively cleared unwanted junk while obtaining valuable intelligence—a clear win-win situation.

“These are the spirit materials I prepared. Could you please help refine them?”

Once everyone left, Zhu Jie revealed the spirit materials he had ready.

“Come find me tomorrow.”

Having collected the spirit materials, Chen Luo rose and departed.

Ning Ling immediately followed him, feeling extremely vulnerable; only being near Chen Luo provided her with a slight sense of reassurance.

Inside the carriage, Chen Luo closed his eyes to rest.

Opposite him, Ning Ling hesitated for a moment before dropping down on her knees and fervently knocking her head against the floor several times.

“Please, Senior Brother, save my mother.”

Chen Luo continued meditating silently, organizing the information he had just acquired through the trades, without acknowledging her plea.

The situation among the evil cultivators was more complex than he anticipated. Most of the intelligence gathered from these solo cultivators pertained to areas beyond the upcoming checkpoint, known as White Bone Ridge. It was said to be under the control of Madam White Bone, a powerful Foundation Establishment cultivator. All evil cultivators within White Bone Ridge were required to pay annual tributes to her, and those who defied this faced having their souls extracted and refined into skeletal demonic soldiers.

The Black Wind Cave Lord had spent some time at White Bone Ridge, where orthodox cultivators were targeted for hunting and slaughter. Regardless of their cultivation level, the evil cultivators would not spare them.

The mighty always faced stronger adversaries, and evil cultivators were like locusts, impossible to exterminate entirely.

According to the Black Wind Cave Lord’s information, White Bone Ridge was not isolated; there existed another mountain above it, which dominated this entire region of evil cultivators. This mountain was guarded by a Core Formation patriarch, making it the most powerful force in the area, with all the evil cultivators rallying under its mountain lord.

Blood Bone Madame provided slightly different insights. She had visited White Bone Ridge herself and even entangled with a lover there. Through him, she learned about a place of evil fiends located northwest of White Bone Ridge. It was rumored to be a naturally treacherous necrotic terrain, so perilous that even Madam White Bone avoided provoking those who dwelled within.

“Quite complex.”

Chen Luo opened his eyes, contemplating their route once they entered the territory of evil cultivators.

The first step would be concealing his identity and blending in as an evil cultivator. For other Foundation Establishment cultivators, this task would be incredibly challenging, but for Chen Luo, it was relatively straightforward. During his Perfect Foundation Establishment, he had already integrated evil cultivation techniques into his spiritual energy. With subtle guidance, he could easily deceive others.

The true complications lay in locating the necrotic breeding ground and finding the third-rank spiritual vein.

Additionally, obtaining the necessary spirit materials for tier-2 medicinal pills would require interacting with Foundation Establishment evil cultivators, making it significantly more challenging.

“Senior Brother, I know a secret about that mountain lord!” Seeing Chen Luo’s lack of response, Ning Ling gritted her teeth and revealed the information she had overheard.

Her family was exterminated by evil cultivators precisely because they discovered this secret.

“Oh?”

Chen Luo turned to look at her.

“The mountain lord is a stone formed near a third-rank spiritual vein, having transformed shape due to prolonged exposure to demon blood and incense offerings. In its humanoid form, the mountain lord represents the most natural material for artificing, capable of creating fourth-rank magical artifacts!”

Ning Ling, being astute, chose not to threaten but directly shared the knowledge she possessed.

Fourth-rank magical artifacts? Spirit materials suitable for Nascent Soul cultivation indeed justified a clan’s annihilation. Even Core Formation elders would be tempted upon hearing such news.

Chen Luo glanced at Ning Ling and asked, “Where is your mother?”

“At the Black Wind Cave Lord’s domain. The Black Wind Cave serves as a gathering point for both inner and outer pass evil cultivators. It houses two Late Stage Qi Refinement experts and five Middle Stage Qi Refinement practitioners, collectively known as the ‘Seven Fiends of Black Wind’.”

“I understand,” Chen Luo nodded.

As long as there were no Foundation Establishment cultivators, it should be manageable. Seven Qi Refinement cultivators would make for perfect brain extractions, and their memories could provide insights into the styles of cultivation beyond the pass.

“Go to my residence and rest; I’ll return shortly.”

Chen Luo tapped on the carriage door, prompting Liu Wenshan up front to immediately rein in the horses and cautiously inquire.

“What instructions do you have, Senior?”

“Take this woman to my residence and ensure no harm comes to her.” Chen Luo stepped down from the carriage, gave his directive to Liu Wenshan, then soared into the sky, transforming into a streak of light that vanished at the horizon.

With his powerful divine sense, tracking the Black Wind Cave Lord posed no difficulty whatsoever.

Having made the decision, he aimed for a swift and clean operation, leaving no time for his target to react.

The Black Wind Cave Lord flew swiftly, reaching his hidden Black Wind Cave within moments. However, given the valuable artifacts he had acquired today, other solo cultivators wouldn’t let him depart so easily. Just as he approached his cave, a blast of black fire descended from the sky, striking where he had been standing mere seconds ago.

“Who is it?!” The Black Wind Cave Lord quickly pulled his cloak around him, enveloping himself entirely in swirling dark winds.

This was his renowned magical artifact, a high-grade first-rank Blackwind Robe, capable of summoning dark winds to harm one’s divine soul.

As the black wind surged forth, it instantly swept out two hidden solo cultivators, one of them being the seventh-level Qi Refinement cultivator Chen Luo had encountered earlier at the fair. It was unclear how these individuals managed to position themselves ahead of the Black Wind Cave Lord.

“Ah!!”

Caught in the whirlwind, one cultivator clutched his head and desperately rolled on the ground.

“Foolhardy wretches, daring to ambush me with just a single Netherfire Talisman!” The Black Wind Cave Lord let out a menacing laugh, instinctively preparing to end their lives. However, before he could act, a bloodied skeletal hand reached out from the side, narrowly missing him by mere inches as it grazed past his cheek. Only due to his swift reflexes did the Black Wind Cave Lord escape certain death.

“Not bad, quick reaction.”

The Blood Bone Madame emerged from the shadows, accompanied by three floating jet-black infants who leered menacingly at the Black Wind Cave Lord. One of them licked its long tongue, staring fixedly at him.

“Blood Bone Madame! Are you declaring war against me?” The Black Wind Cave Lord stood firm, blood dripping continuously from three deep scratches on his face.

“No need to shout, I’m here specifically to eliminate you. Your brothers inside have already been devoured by my darlings.” Blood Bone Madame’s eyes gleamed with malevolent intent, and the infant ghosts beside her began wailing loudly, each cry unleashing a divine soul attack.

The Black Wind Cave Lord’s expression darkened as his black robes once again billowed outward.

A fierce gust erupted anew.

The two powerful forces collided violently, stirring up whirlwinds that swept away nearby vegetation.

Amidst the chaos, the Black Wind Cave Lord produced a hook-shaped magical artifact, transforming himself into swirling darkness, and swiftly charged towards the Blood Bone Madame. His figure constantly shifted, blending with the black wind, concealing his assault. With a sudden ‘puncture’ sound, the iron hook pierced through one of the infant ghosts’ heads. In response, Blood Bone Madame waved her hand, summoning a wave of blood-red sea-like energy from within her body, aiming to entangle the Black Wind Cave Lord.

This blood wave was akin to a highly toxic substance; wherever it surged, the area turned a deep crimson due to corrosion. Plants ignited upon contact, and even stone surfaces bore deep scars, emitting continuous plumes of smoke.

Caught off guard, the Black Wind Cave Lord’s clothing was swept by the wave. His treasured Blackwind Robe instantly corroded with a large hole, and the touched skin turned dark purple as poison rapidly spread within his body.

“You’re forcing my hand!” exclaimed the Black Wind Cave Lord, frantic.

In desperation, he swiftly produced three magical artifacts and hurled them towards Blood Bone Madame.

Initially delighted, her expression abruptly changed to horror.

Boom! Boom! Boom!!

Three deafening explosions followed, shattering the remaining two infant ghosts of Blood Bone Madame into pieces and dispersing the blood tide. The self-destruction of these magical artifacts was a last-resort tactic often employed by solo cultivators.

“Are you seeking death?” Blood Bone Madame roared furiously, her aura surging once more.

Realizing it was now or never, the Black Wind Cave Lord also abandoned concealment, unleashing his Reverse Circulation Technique. His aura skyrocketed, reaching its peak.

Just as they prepared for a desperate, life-threatening battle, a figure appeared in the sky. It was Chen Luo, arriving swiftly on his flying sword. With a sweep of divine sense, he immediately detected the two combatants locked in a deadly struggle below.

“Hm? An unexpected bonus?”

Wasting no time, he took out Elder An’s square seal artifact and infused it with Foundation Establishment-level magical power.

“Enlarge!”

The initially palm-sized magical artifact rapidly expanded upon his command. Within moments, it grew to the size of a millstone. With magical power swirling around the square seal, its influence extended over twenty meters wide, casting a shadow that darkened the sky above.

“A Foundation Establishment cultivator?!?”

Below, both individuals reacted swiftly, their faces displaying shock as they recognized Chen Luo in the sky. They never anticipated encountering a Foundation Establishment cultivator in such a remote area.

Most crucially, this powerful Foundation Stage cultivator showed no shame, daring to attack them despite their depleted spiritual energy as mere Qi Refinement cultivators.

Boom!

The massive square seal descended, infused with the magical power of a Foundation Establishment cultivator, crushing the pair instantly into a bloody pulp.

After dispatching them with one strike, Chen Luo paused momentarily, contemplating the ease of victory.

“How so fragile?” A hint of disdain flashed across his face as he looked at the bloodied mess on the ground. Fortunately, within the mountain cave were some intact corpses left by Blood Bone Madame, and among them, Chen Luo successfully retrieved the brain of a late-stage Qi Refining evil cultivator.

Deeper within the Black Wind Cave, Chen Luo discovered over a dozen imprisoned women.

Unable to determine which one was Ning Ling’s mother, he decided to rescue them all. With a sweep of his sleeve, he effortlessly flew back to Shanyin Pass with the freed captives.

Upon returning to his residence, Chen Luo descended gracefully.

This display of divine prowess greatly astonished Liu Wenshan, the Pass Lord of Shanyin, instantly recognizing Chen Luo’s status as a Foundation Establishment cultivator!

Such a high-ranking figure was akin to the leader of the Loose Cultivators Union. Never did Liu Wenshan imagine that in his lifetime, he would have connections with someone of this caliber.

“Make arrangements for them and don’t bother me unless necessary.”

After leaving the rescued women in Liu Wenshan’s care, Chen Luo returned to his room to prepare for pill concoction. He needed to carefully focus on Zhu Jie’s Foundation Establishment Pill without further delay.

“Thank you, Senior Brother!”

Filled with gratitude, Ning Ling bowed twice outside the door before departing with Liu Wenshan, presumably to see her mother.