Chapter 585: Shadow Assassin
A flying ship streaked across the sky, rushing all the way to the side of Yanxia Lake.
In the past, this place was cold and deserted.
For dozens of days, not a single demon beast or cultivator could be seen.
At this moment, a sprawling Purple Yun Immortal City, covering a hundred miles, suddenly appeared.
The biggest difference in this Immortal City is that there isn’t even a protective array; simply surrounded by four walls over ten feet high.
Three of its gates are all guarded by demon tribe members, and those coming and going are all demon tribes.
Only the eastern gate is guarded by human race cultivators from Starlight Island.
Inside Purple Yun Immortal City, the eastern city is inhabited by the human race, while the southern, western, and northern cities are all demon tribes.
The central city, on the other hand, is a large trade market, bustling with shops where demon and human tribes trade and interact.
Shen Xuan, along with Yun Chixin, arrived at the eastern gate and reported their names.
Zhuang Xueqin, along with several stewards, came to greet them.
The arrival of Shen Xuan greatly boosted the morale of the human cultivators in Purple Yun Immortal City.
That evening, Zhuang Xueqin held a banquet to welcome them.
Following Shen Xuan’s suggestion, the sect stewards in Purple Yun Immortal City, Starlight Island subordinates, and the Foundation Establishment shopkeepers of the United Commerce Association were invited to join.
Shen Xuan exchanged a few pleasantries with these people and offered words of encouragement.
He reiterated that rewards would be based on merit, ensuring that those who worked honestly wouldn’t suffer any losses.
Now, Shen Xuan’s status is extraordinary, and every word he says in public is treated as a decree and strictly implemented.
Zhuang Xueqin immediately pledged to take a portion from the year-end profits to reward the cultivators who stayed in Purple Yun Immortal City.
After the banquet ended.
Shen Xuan concealed his presence and took a stroll around Purple Yun Immortal City.
In the eastern city, order was well maintained, and the human cultivators lived and worked in peace.
In the southern, western, and northern cities, different demon races were in constant conflict, often resulting in fights.
The demon race’s law enforcement was simple and crude.
As soon as a fight was discovered, the involved parties were caught, bitten to death, and devoured.
The central city’s trade market, however, was jointly overseen by human cultivators and close aides of the demon king.
A united law enforcement team was established, strictly prohibiting any private fights.
Though not perfect, Purple Yun Immortal City was operating in an orderly and systematic manner.
For an Immortal City dominated by the demon race to achieve such a state was already commendable.
For the demon race, which follows the principle of the strong preying on the weak, and mutually hunts and devours each other, one cannot demand too much.
...
The next morning.
Shen Xuan, accompanied by Yun Chixin, headed to Sunset Island.
There, it was marked as a demon tribe restricted area, with demon tribe guards setting up checkpoints along the way.
Shen Xuan didn’t bother interacting with the demon tribe guards.
He took Yun Chixin and flew tens of thousands of feet high, overpassing the demon tribe’s checkpoints.
In the skies above Sunset Island, he pierced through the dense milky-white demon mist and descended from above.
After landing on Sunset Island, Shen Xuan utilized his Spiritual Power, spreading out the Primordial Ice Spiritual Power to dissipate the surrounding demon mist.
Once the demon mist dispersed, the scene before them became clear.
A gigantic Purple Yun Divine Tree, approximately two hundred feet tall with a canopy like clouds, stood between heaven and earth.
Yun Chixin looked ahead, seeing the crystalline purple divine light flowing along the branches and spirit leaves of the Purple Yun Divine Tree, and smelling the fresh and sweet Wood Spiritual Qi.
After taking several breaths, one might feel as if they were floating like an immortal.
"True Master Shen, long time no see, how have you been?"
An old man with an immortal demeanor and kind eyes stepped out from the Purple Yun Divine Tree.
Shen Xuan cupped his hands in salute, "Shen Xuan greets Senior Tree Emperor. Your grace and presence surpass the past, what a joy and congratulation."
"Haha, thanks to your fortune."
The voice of the Purple Yun Tree Emperor carried a hint of mirth.
"The construction of Purple Yun Immortal City is going well, and the trade momentum between the two races is excellent. I have collected some Emperor’s Liquid and Upper Grade Wood Spirit Stones, recovering quite a bit of vitality."
"True Master Shen, you are truly wise; it was an excellent move!"
Clearly, the Purple Yun Tree Emperor was quite pleased with the trade cooperation between the two races.
Shen Xuan signaled Yun Chixin to perform a salute.
"It is good that the Tree Emperor is satisfied. Today I have come to make a request. This is my junior sister, Yun Chixin, who failed to form the core and suffered a damage to her Dao Foundation."
Shen Xuan bowed and cupped his hands, "I humbly ask Senior Tree Emperor, for my sake, to infuse her with Purple Yun’s Spiritual Qi to renew her Spirit Body."
The Purple Yun Tree Emperor used his Divine Sense to scan Yun Chixin.
"True Master Shen, you certainly know how to trouble me!"
Shen Xuan replied with a smile, "She is my own dear junior sister, what’s to be done but to ask for the Tree Emperor’s aid?"
"Oh well! Just this once, never again!"
The Purple Yun Tree Emperor extended a finger.
A gentle purple spirit branch emerged from the main trunk, encircling Yun Chixin’s body and drawing her into the depths of the canopy.
The pure Purple Yun Spiritual Qi gently infused into Yun Chixin’s body.
Yun Chixin’s slightly pale face immediately flushed with a hint of light purple, and she became entirely enveloped in Purple Yun Spiritual Qi.
Seeing this, Shen Xuan felt relieved.
Once the Purple Yun Tree Emperor takes action, success is assured.
Last time, when Qin Yuehan was infused with Spiritual Qi, it took about half a month.
This time, remolding Yun Chixin’s Spirit Body is more complex and will require even more time.
"Senior Tree Emperor, I leave my junior sister Yun in your care. I shall await your good news in Purple Yun Immortal City."
The Purple Yun Tree Emperor waved slightly.
After saluting, Shen Xuan glanced at Yun Chixin, whose aura was steady, and transformed into a green light, flying back to Purple Yun Immortal City.
...
In the best mansion in the eastern city.
"Senior Brother Profound Ice, here are the spiritual objects you requested."
True Master Xuan Yuan handed over a storage pouch.
Shen Xuan checked with his Divine Sense.
The storage pouch contained two Tier Two Scarlet Flame Tiger corpses, and three complete Tier Two Blazing Bird corpses.
All were Tier Two fire attribute demon beasts.
The Blazing Birds had a trace of the bloodline of the Divine Bird Bi Fang.
"Do you know the Scarlet Flame Tiger King?"
"I do. I bartered for them using Blood Tempering Pills."
"That’s good. We should avoid conflict with the demon race as much as possible."
True Master Xuan Yuan before him was merely an incarnation.
Upon learning of Shen Xuan’s arrival at Purple Yun Immortal City, he hastily came from Xuan Yuan Peak.
He is the actual person in charge of conducting trade between the Cyan Cloud Sect and the demon race.
In regular dealings with the demon kings, it’s always True Master Xuan Yuan who represents them.
Zhuang Xueqin, being a Fake Pill True Master, is only responsible for implementing orders.
Shen Xuan and True Master Xuan Yuan chatted privately for a while.
Over the past few years, the trade between Starlight Island and Purple Yun Immortal City had been increasing in volume.
Though there were fewer spirit medicines and spirit plants.
The trade volume of various primary ores soared all the way.
"All six Great Demon Kings are mobilizing their minor demons, establishing mines in their territories to excavate primary ores."
Mining is the most stable specialty product for the Demon Race, with immense profits.
"Are there any mine collapses?"
"Absolutely! Quite a few."
True Master Xuan Yuan replied, "The Demon Race’s mining is a complete mess. They dig wherever the ore is plentiful; it’s no wonder there are collapses!"
"Last month, a vein collapsed, killing more than a dozen Flying Cloud Leopards."
"What about the Howling Moon Fox? Isn’t she an Array Master, why didn’t she manage it?"
"She did! But she couldn’t handle everything. The Demon Race wouldn’t completely heed her. Without the Howling Moon Fox, there’d be even more collapses of demon race mines."
Shen Xuan pondered.
"Our Human Race Cultivators should not interfere."
"Especially Loose Cultivator Array Masters and Artifact Refiners must not get involved in Demon Race internal affairs."
"The minds of the Demon Race are simple. If Human Race Cultivators get involved, and the death toll rises, disputes will easily arise."
True Master Xuan Yuan agreed.
"True Master Xuan Bing is right. Tomorrow, I will issue a new decree emphasizing this matter."
After a while, True Master Xuan Yuan hesitantly asked, "True Master Xuan Bing, there is something I’m unsure whether to say or not?"
"Speak plainly."
"True Master Xuan Bing, you can refine Golden Transformation Pills now?"
"Yes."
"My teacher asked me to relay to you that when traveling abroad recently, be cautious, and try not to leave Song Country."
Shen Xuan was taken aback.
"What does Senior Brother Mysterious Trace mean?"
"My teacher received a message that someone intends harm to True Master Xuan Bing."
"Who?"
True Master Xuan Yuan shook his head.
"I don’t know. Someone issued a warning; the source is reliable."
Shen Xuan was silent.
Following the principle that the greatest beneficiary is the prime suspect, the first person he thought of was True Master Changsheng.
Spirit Sword True Master told him that the matter with Xiao Jinsong was unrelated to him.
Therefore, the only person in Cyan Cloud Sect who could bribe Xiao Jinsong to deal with him is certainly True Master Changsheng.
Mysterious Trace True Master and other Sect Golden Core Masters have been trying to smooth things over.
Shen Xuan knew well that True Master Changsheng, a Tier Three Pill Master, holds great value to Cyan Cloud Sect.
The Sect is unwilling to investigate further.
At this time, Shen Xuan issued the commission task for refining Golden Transformation Pills.
Breaking True Master Changsheng’s last reliance completely.
Once Shen Xuan teaches Li Ruyi.
True Master Changsheng’s status in the Sect will plummet, becoming dispensable.
By that time, Shen Xuan will find opportunities to deal with True Master Changsheng.
Unexpectedly, True Master Changsheng has a strong sense of foreboding.
Taking preemptive action.
Shen Xuan pondered in his mind.
Song Country’s six sects wouldn’t have someone strike.
His combat strength has been tested in the sect war between Yan and Song Countries.
Only a Sect True Master in the late True Pill or middle Golden Core stage could threaten him.
Such individuals are already renowned in Song Country, few in number.
Besides, there’s Danxia Sect, occupying Medicine God Valley’s former territory.
"In your opinion, Junior Brother Xuan Yuan, will Danxia Sect directly target me?"
True Master Xuan Yuan shook his head, "They won’t. Without absolute certainty, Danxia Sect striking True Master Xuan Bing will provoke another sect war."
At this moment, sects from Yan and Song Countries have just signed a ceasefire Spirit Contract.
Yan Country’s territory is preoccupied due to the Demon Realm passage matter.
If Danxia Sect is caught, they face the joint siege of Song Country’s six sects.
"Then there is no issue. I won’t leave Song Country."
Shen Xuan laughed.
"Do not be complacent, True Master Xuan Bing."
True Master Xuan Yuan earnestly said, "Nearby countries have the largest assassination organization, named Shadow Kill Gate."
Assassination?
Shen Xuan slightly frowned.
This is one of the two oldest professions.
Bounty killers to eliminate adversaries indeed is a viable method.
"After the last Yan-Song sect war, didn’t Profound Celestial Sect and Profound Sun Sect heavily besiege, driving Shadow Kill Gate out of Song Country?"
Shen Xuan recalled the Cultivation Scriptures and curiously asked.
"Most Shadow Kill Gate assassins were expelled from Song Country. However, some are deeply hidden, still lurking within Song Country, rarely active normally."
"Forty years ago, Golden Sun Sect’s Golden Core True Master Tangyang was assassinated, seeming to be their work."
Upon hearing this, Shen Xuan’s expression froze.
Golden Sun Sect is second only to Profound Celestial Sect in Song Country.
True Master Tangyang was an old-established Golden Core True Master of Golden Sun Sect.
Forty years ago, he was already in the middle Golden Core stage.
Shadow Kill Gate eliminated him, weakening Golden Sun Sect’s strength.
Providing convenience for Yan Country sects invading Song Country.
"Am I on Shadow Kill Gate’s assassination list?"
Shen Xuan looked grim.
"Very likely. True Master Xuan Bing, although Junior Brother knows your extraordinary divine powers and exceptional protective measures, hidden attacks are hard to prevent; True Master Xuan Bing should remain cautious."
"Rest assured, Junior Brother Xuan Yuan, I have always been prudent."
Shen Xuan returned to his guest cave mansion.
He performed incantations and laid several barrier restrictions.
Then, he retrieved the magic eye from the restricted Jade Box.
"Fellow Daoist Thousand Eyes, didn’t you express a desire to collaborate with me?"
The magic eye nodded, displaying a flattering demeanor.
"True Master Shen, feel free to instruct. Although I am not talented, I can still be of some assistance to True Master Shen."
Shen Xuan took out an Upper Grade Blood Demon Pill."Do you know what this is?"
The magic eye took one glance, smiling broadly, "This is a Blood Demon Pill. It’s an Upper Grade Blood Demon Pill refined from Tier Three Demon Serpent meat."
"Good to know."
Shen Xuan tossed the Blood Demon Pill to the magic eye.
"I’m using this Blood Demon Pill to exchange for information."