Two Realms: I Will Become the Immortal Emperor

At a stall in the Ghost Market, various inconspicuous Tier One Spirit Grasses were on display. Besides them, there was a withered branch, which looked as if it had been cut from the tip of some large tree.

The branch was not large and seemed to have died long ago. It looked more like it had been soaked in water, giving it a swollen appearance.

"It's actually Divine Court Wood!"

Chen Che's eyes lit up, and he quickly stepped forward. "What's the price for this?"

He had entrusted Liu Yuanqing to search for it for years to no avail, never expecting to find a branch here.

This branch was not large, only about seventy percent of the size of the one he had obtained before.

However, for Chen Che, it was better than nothing. Made into incense, its effects would be several times better than the Nourishing Spirit Incense. Moreover, as his Divine Sense grew stronger, he could adjust the dosage accordingly.

At that moment, Wang Chen's gaze also focused upon seeing the wood, but he immediately lowered his head to hide his expression.

"You recognize this item, Friend?"

The stall owner was a wizened and frail old man, his temples graying. He wore a bamboo hat and, based on his appearance alone, seemed to be over sixty. Instead of answering, he asked a question back. Seeing Chen Che raise an eyebrow, he explained with a smile:

"This old man happened to pick this up but doesn't recognize it. If you can clear up my confusion, Friend, I'm willing to give it to you. The only condition is that you buy all the Spirit Grass on my stall."

His smile was amiable, as if he didn't care about the item at all, treating it merely as a bonus.

The main items for sale were still the other Spirit Grasses on the stall.

Wang Chen opened his mouth, hesitating to speak, but after a glance at the pensive Chen Che, he obediently shut it again.

"Even if I told you, would you dare to use it?"

Chen Che smiled.

"I don't understand what you're saying, Friend…"

"You must have obtained quite a bit of this."

Chen Che studied the man for a few moments, then pointed a finger at the Divine Court Wood and said with a smile, "You're not sure what it's used for and you're afraid of the news getting out, so you brought out a small piece to test the waters, hoping to indirectly find out its purpose. Am I wrong?"

The thin old man, who had been beaming just a moment ago, heard this, and his gaze suddenly turned cold.

'He's completely right.'

Recently, river channels were being dug all over the territories under Jinyun Valley's jurisdiction, and quite a few things had been unearthed. Most were just buried skeletons or dead wood—useless to take, and they took up space if left behind, so they were mostly just burned.

He had been passing by when he saw some Cultivators tossing an ancient tree into a bonfire.

It hadn't even started to burn, but just a wisp of its smoke made his Divine Soul stir.

For this reason, he spent a hefty price to buy the tree. After studying it for several days to no avail, he simply brought it to the Ghost Market, pretending to be a Spirit Plant Master to sell it. It had been a few days now, but no one had recognized it.

He never imagined that someone would see right through his scheme with a single sentence.

'This is bad! I've let my prize slip!'

The thin old man's lips curled into a smile that didn't reach his eyes.

"I misjudged. So you're a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, Friend?"

'The Valley Master isn't Foundation Establishment, he's Golden Core!'

Just as Wang Chen was thinking this, he heard Chen Che say with a laugh:

"This is called Divine Court Wood. It's used to enhance one's Divine Sense. However, with your current Cultivation, using it would be far too dangerous. Why don't you sell me everything you have? I'll give you a satisfactory price."

"Whether I can use it or not is no concern of yours, Friend. As we agreed, this piece of Divine Court Wood is yours."

The thin old man hadn't expected the other man to actually state the item's name and purpose. After a moment of deliberation, his tone turned cold again. He casually tossed the branch into Chen Che's hand, abandoned his stall, and turned to walk out of the Ghost Market.

"Valley Master, should we follow him?"

Wang Chen asked from behind.

"No need. He won't dare to leave Jinyun Valley."

Chen Che shook his head.

Within Jinyun Valley's borders, Tribulation Cultivators had been completely wiped out. Even if any remained, they wouldn't dare to operate in the Valley. Now that this man's scheme had been exposed, he would be even more afraid to leave the valley. As for figuring out his plan, it was quite simple:

The thin old man clearly had a Foundation Establishment Cultivation but was disguised as being in the Qi Refining realm. He was also wearing a mask to hide his face, and his stall was filled with nothing but Low Tier items.

So he was obviously up to something.

'I didn't expect him to admit it after such a simple bluff.'

"Besides that, I have something more important to do…"

Just as Wang Chen was feeling suspicious, he saw Chen Che's gaze turn to him, which made his heart jump. Then, he heard Chen Che say leisurely, "Follow me back to the valley. We'll deal with your situation first, then talk about other things."

"Yes, Valley Master."

Wang Chen opened his mouth, then finally nodded.

On the way, Wang Chen quietly looked up and saw the back of Chen Che walking with his hands clasped behind him.

'This man, the one who ushered in Jinyun Valley's golden age, probably already knows my secret.'

'Is it right or wrong for me to go back with him?'

He unconsciously touched the object on his chest, constantly wondering whether he should flee. But thinking of the importance Chen Che had shown him earlier, he dismissed the thought.

「In the blink of an eye.」

They entered the valley and stepped into the main hall.

Chen Che sat down, poured himself a cup of hot tea, and glanced at Wang Chen before saying faintly, "Friend, are you still not going to show yourself? Are you waiting for me to personally invite you out? There are six other Golden Cores in the Valley. How long do you think you can hide?"

"Sigh!"

A sigh echoed from the void, and a Scroll flew out from Wang Chen's robes. The Scroll slowly unfurled, and amidst a glow of light, a transparent figure was projected from it.

It was an old man with a pale face, a long beard, and gaunt, distinguished features. He wore a long robe, and his body was semi-transparent, like a ghostly shadow.

As soon as he appeared, he slightly cupped his hands in a salute toward Chen Che.

"Greetings, Valley Master."

"Speak."

"?"

"Why did you attach yourself to a Scroll and approach a disciple of my sect? You must have a motive."

The old man sighed deeply and shook his head.

"You are very perceptive, Valley Master. When we saw the Divine Court Wood, I only let a tiny sliver of my consciousness slip out, yet you caught it. This has nothing to do with Wang Chen. I was the one who coerced and enticed him. If the Valley Master must punish someone, punish me. Do not involve him."

His throat choked with emotion, Wang Chen cried out:

"Elder Ye!"

Chen Che remained silent, gesturing for the old man to continue.

"This old man is from the Mist Rain Tower. My name is Night Rain Hall, and I am a Puppet Master. I was a Golden Core from the same era as True Master Chixia."

"On one occasion, I was ambushed by my enemies. On the brink of death, a wisp of my Soul escaped with the help of a Puppet, only to be swallowed by this Scroll. I didn't awaken until seventy or eighty years ago, but I've been trapped inside, unable to leave."

"I see."

Chen Che nodded slightly and glanced at the Scroll.

This item was indeed an object of faith. Normally, after his body perished, a remnant soul wisp like his would have dissipated sooner or later. But it had been nourished by the Power of Faith within, allowing it to survive.

However, it was also bound by the Scroll, becoming something akin to a Painting Spirit.

"Since then, I have been attached to this Scroll, passing through many hands. I've been suppressed as an Evil Ghost and worshiped as a Painting God…"

"Later, by a stroke of luck, it was obtained by your valley's disciple, Wang Chen, about two and a half years ago. I didn't dare to reveal myself at first. Only after seeing his good nature did I dare to make contact."

"Later still, we made a pact: I would help him with his Cultivation, and he would help me get my revenge."

Night Rain Hall rambled on for the time it takes an incense stick to burn, explaining the entire matter clearly.

Night Rain Hall explained that Wang Chen had once considered turning the Scroll over to Jinyun Valley, but he had vehemently stopped him. The treasures contained within a Golden Core Remnant Soul were simply too great; both his original legacy and the remnant soul itself were of immense value.

If he were handed over, his life would undoubtedly be in danger.

Chen Che now understood the gist of the situation.

And he wasn't surprised.

He had long suspected that Wang Chen must have had a fortuitous encounter. Otherwise, with only a Middle Spirit Root and without the support of Dharma, Companions, Wealth, and Land, how could he possibly rank among the top three disciples in the Valley? Now that he had a "Personal Grandpa" to guide him, everything made sense.

"Come here."

Chen Che beckoned to Wang Chen. The latter stepped forward, and before he could react, Chen Che had already placed a hand on him. In an instant, his Divine Sense and True Essence circulated carefully through Wang Chen's body.

'No problems. No signs of tampering.'

"Strictly speaking, this is Wang Chen's private affair, and I shouldn't meddle. But he is a disciple of the Valley, and I am his elder, so I must inquire. I have to prevent a disciple of my sect from being tricked and deceived."

Withdrawing his hand, Chen Che nodded and looked at Night Rain Hall.

"After all, even a Golden Core Remnant Soul is still a Golden Core True Master."

"Indeed."

Night Rain Hall cupped his hands.

He naturally understood that if a Golden Core taught someone without holding anything back, they could certainly produce another Golden Core. And if one had malicious intent to sabotage things, no one could stop them.

Jinyun Valley was the other man's personal territory; he would never allow a Golden Core of unknown intentions to infiltrate it. He would do the same if their roles were reversed.

Sighing, Night Rain Hall said bitterly, "I understand the rules. I only hope the Valley Master will allow me a dignified end…"

With that, he turned and started walking toward the entrance of the hall.

'It doesn't matter if my grand plan for revenge is unfinished. The important thing is, I've grown quite fond of this boy, Wang Chen. I just hope Jinyun Valley doesn't make things difficult for him after I'm gone.'

"Elder Ye!"

Wang Chen cried out in anguish, tears streaming down his face.

"Who told you to go die? I said this is Wang Chen's private affair, and I won't meddle too much. Besides, your existence is a fortuitous opportunity for Wang Chen."

Chen Che set down his teacup with an amused expression. He glanced at the two, whose faces had gone from staging a tragic parting to being utterly stunned, and said:

"What I mean is, I can act as an intermediary and draw up a contract for the two of you. After all, words alone are not proof. With a contract, neither of you can break the agreement. Of course, this contract will be slightly biased toward my Valley's disciple."

This sudden turn of events left them both stunned.

However, Night Rain Hall was worldly and knowledgeable, and he immediately understood Chen Che's intentions. The man was guarding against the possibility that he might try to possess someone's body or use a Valley disciple for nefarious deeds, so he wanted to draw up a contract to restrict him.

"Thank you for your mercy, Valley Master."

"Mm."

Chen Che nodded slightly. With a single thought,

his Divine Sense poured out, coalescing in mid-air to form a contract that appeared before the two of them.