Chapter 686

Chapter 686: Lingering Spirits

“It’s you again!”

When Wang Chen saw the visitor, despite his improved energy cultivation, his heart raced like a stampede.

The mysterious guest was a beautiful woman, a stunning beauty indeed.

But all Wang Chen felt was a headache.

He asked irritably, “Yu fellow traveler, have I offended you?”

The person was none other than Yu Fei from the Hehuan Sect, one of Wang Chen’s few "acquaintances," though he felt cautious about this enchanting female cultivator and kept his distance.

Throughout history, enchantresses have led many astray, and even True Lords have stumbled!

Wang Chen’s small Purple Palace was simply not worth attracting such trouble.

“Brother Wang…”

In response to Wang Chen’s complaints, Yu Fei appeared delicate and tearful, even reddening her eyes: “I have been so worried about you, I never thought you could be so heartless, sniffle—”

“Stop, stop, stop!”

Wang Chen felt goosebumps all over: “Let’s get straight to the point; what do you want? I remember clearly saying last time that I don’t want to attract trouble; please let me be!”

He was truly exasperated with this enchantress, who seemed to haunt him like a lingering spirit. He had just returned, and she was already fixated on him again.

“Brother misunderstands me too deeply,”

Yu Fei wiped her tears and said softly, “I heard you have escaped the sea of suffering, and I came to find you just to catch up, nothing more.”

“Thanks!”

Wang Chen replied earnestly, clasping his fists, “I would have been happier if you hadn’t come to look for me.”

Yu Fei looked at him in disbelief, as if staring at a heartless scoundrel.

Wang Chen met her gaze calmly, his expression unchanged.

After a long pause, Yu Fei sighed, “I was being too forward; I will take my leave. Take care, brother.”

With that, she rose to leave.

However, the sadness and dejection that flashed across the beauty’s face as she turned almost broke through Wang Chen’s steely resolve.

This enchantress was powerful!

That night, Wang Chen struggled to rest properly, spending a lot of effort to push Yu Fei’s image out of his mind.

It was clear she practiced some method that could influence one’s soul, and he had no clue what her intentions were in trying to charm him.

Fortunately, Wang Chen’s will was strong enough that he had withstood her allure time and again.

It was no easy feat!

In the days that followed, Wang Chen roamed the streets and alleys of Yongle Immortal City.

The journey of cultivation is long; diligent practice is indeed the right path, but one cannot spend all their time on it.

Sometimes, it is necessary to relax one’s mindset to prepare for greater challenges.

Without a doubt, this period was the most comfortable and pleasant time Wang Chen had experienced since arriving in Yongle Immortal City.

He thoroughly immersed himself in the grandeur and liveliness of the magnificent immortal city, indulging in a variety of exquisite celestial foods. He frequented brothels to enjoy music and explored the markets for hidden gems.

Although his material gains were modest, he rediscovered a long-lost sense of joy.

Moreover, Wang Chen felt a growing sense of belonging to this city.

On the final day of his vacation, he made his way to the Wanbao Pavilion in Yongle Immortal City.

The prestige of Wanbao Pavilion was beyond question; it was said to have branches in most of the immortal cities across the Haotian Realm. If cultivators couldn’t find the elixirs, talismans, and heavenly materials they desired here, they might as well give up searching elsewhere.

Naturally, the items at Wanbao Pavilion were notoriously pricey, making it a place seldom visited by the average cultivator.

Wang Chen, carrying millions of spirit stones, stepped into Wanbao Pavilion with a determined stride.

The shopkeeper, sensing his presence, personally came forward to greet him: “Esteemed guest, how may I assist you today?”

Without any preamble, Wang Chen handed over a list.

The shopkeeper glanced at it and immediately understood: “Please, this way.”

Wang Chen was ushered into a private room.

Once seated, the shopkeeper spoke in a deep voice, “May I inquire about your esteemed surname?”

“No need for formalities, just call me Chen.”

Ever since his last encounter with Yu Fei, Wang Chen had completely altered his appearance; not only had he moved to a different inn, but he also employed the Thousand Transformations technique to disguise himself.

Today, he had adopted a new face for his shopping at Wanbao Pavilion.

The items listed on Wang Chen’s list amounted to a considerable sum!

Despite Wanbao Pavilion’s sterling reputation, caution was always wise.

“Ah, so it’s Master Chen.”

The shopkeeper nodded, not entirely clear about Wang Chen’s identity but using it as a conversational opener: “You’re preparing to condense elixirs, aren’t you?”

Wang Chen replied confidently, “Indeed.”

There was no need for secrecy, as all the heavenly materials and treasures he intended to purchase were related to condensing elixirs.

The shopkeeper mused and then said, “We currently have three of the eight treasures for condensing elixirs available. If needed, we can reserve two more, but the thousand-year spirit pearl, seven-leaf mysterious ginseng, and ten-thousand-year star sand are currently out of stock.”

Although Wanbao Pavilion boasted of having everything, it didn’t mean every item was always in stock.

Wang Chen’s list included eight types of heavenly materials and treasures, all rare and valuable, with some being exceptionally hard to find.

Even if Wanbao Pavilion acquired them, they would be quickly sold.

Moreover, even if the main pavilion’s secret vault held some, Wang Chen’s status didn’t grant him the privilege to access them.

In fact, securing five treasures for condensing elixirs from Wanbao Pavilion was already a significant achievement for Wang Chen.

He had read Ye Shunping’s notes and knew the immense effort and hardship this Golden Core true master endured to gather these heavenly materials and treasures.

It was no exaggeration to say that every word in his notes was steeped in blood and tears.

Ultimately, Ye Shunping had no choice but to settle for mostly inferior quality treasures, resulting in an eighth-grade pill that left him with lifelong regrets.

With such a precedent, Wang Chen was determined not to follow in Ye Shunping’s footsteps.

He would spare no expense to gather high-quality treasures, aiming for a top-grade Golden Core!

As Wang Chen exited Wanbao Pavilion, his Xumi Ring was nearly half empty.

He was left with only about one hundred thousand spirit stones, which converted to a little over ten thousand spirit fragments.

For the average cultivator, one hundred thousand spirit stones was a substantial amount, but Wang Chen had previously possessed several million.

Through his expenditures, he had only managed to purchase three of the eight treasures for condensing elixirs and paid deposits for two more, leaving his Xumi Ring nearly depleted.

Remember, what he paid was merely a deposit; upon their arrival, he would need to produce a large sum of spirit stones to complete the purchase.

If he couldn’t provide the funds at that time, the deposit would be forfeited!

As for the thousand-year spirit pearl, seven-leaf mysterious ginseng, and ten-thousand-year star sand—the three most valuable treasures—Wang Chen could only forget about them for now. Even if they were available at Wanbao Pavilion, he wouldn’t have the spirit stones to purchase them.

Now, Wang Chen found himself entertaining thoughts of making a fortune.

There were quite a few Golden Core true masters in Yongle Immortal City…

Honestly, he was startled by his own thoughts—he felt he was getting far too ambitious!

Fortunately, the next day, the talisman from the Forbidden Prison Office arrived as expected, calming his restless mind.

Wang Chen had to return to work!