Two Realms: I Will Become the Immortal Emperor

The terms of the contract were not complex.

The gist of it was simply an agreement between Night Rain Hall and Wang Chen, but Chen Che had privately added two clauses:

One: They were not permitted to do anything that would harm Jinyun Valley.

Two: If Wang Chen were to die unexpectedly, Night Rain Hall would also have his soul obliterated.

After all, the other party was a Golden Core cultivator; it was inevitable that he was hiding something. If Chen Che simply killed him without cause, it would surely make the disciples lose faith in the Valley. It might even push Wang Chen down the same path as Xiao Chan.

Of course.

If Night Rain Hall refused to sign this contract, it would prove he still had ulterior motives, and Wang Chen would understand that as well.

Besides, Chen Che kept Night Rain Hall alive partly with the intention of bringing him into the fold. After all, since the spirit was bent on revenge, he would surely do everything in his power to help Wang Chen reach the Golden Core realm. That would make him a prospective Golden Core cultivator for the Valley.

"The Valley Master truly goes to great lengths for the disciples of the Valley."

Night Rain Hall understood with a single glance. He smiled and cupped his hands. "Since the Valley Master is willing to act as the mediator, I will sign this contract!"

Immediately.

The two sealed the contract.

"The rest is up to you."

Chen Che nodded, then turned to Wang Chen. "Once you reach Foundation Establishment, you will become the Vice Chief of the Law Enforcement Hall. After you reach the Foundation Establishment Sixth Layer, I will promote you to Chief."

"Thank you, Valley Master! I will certainly not fail to live up to your high expectations." Wang Chen trembled with excitement and immediately knelt to accept the appointment.

"I originally planned to observe you for a period after you reached Foundation Establishment. But with Fellow Daoist Ye's assistance, we can move this up. There are some things I won't have to worry about too much. However, you must remember to build a solid foundation during your cultivation. Do not chase after realms recklessly, or no matter how high you climb, it will be nothing but a castle in the air."

Chen Che advised.

"Yes, Valley Master!"

Wang Chen replied respectfully, moved to tears of gratitude.

He had thought his death was inescapable, yet the Valley Master had not only helped him forge a contract but had also entrusted him with great responsibility.

"As for you, Fellow Daoist Ye, you can take a position in the Sacrificial Hall. What do you think? You won't have to keep hiding within the Valley. In the future, you can find an opportunity to leave the painting and embark on the path of a Ghost Cultivator. However, you can no longer use the name 'Night Rain Hall'."

Chen Che then looked at Night Rain Hall.

"Thank you for thinking so highly of me, Valley Master. I am willing to take a position in the Sacrificial Hall."

Night Rain Hall was overjoyed. This was tantamount to an official identity within Jinyun Valley. At the very least, he would no longer have to worry about being captured and refined into a Puppet.

"This matter is settled."

Chen Che waved his hand dismissively, then tossed the half-broken Divine Court Wood Branch to Night Rain Hall.

"You want this to nourish your Divine Soul, don't you? It's also the reason your aura was exposed. Now, I'm giving it to you... as a gift to welcome you to your post. Be careful, don't let Wang Chen come into contact with it. His Divine Sense isn't strong enough; it could cost him his life."

"Thank you, Valley Master."

Although Night Rain Hall knew Chen Che was buying his loyalty, he couldn't muster even a hint of displeasure.

Instead, he felt a sense of profound gratitude, as if both punishment and reward were expressions of the sovereign's grace.

"Valley Master, what about you?"

Wang Chen couldn't help but ask. It was clear he knew that Chen Che also needed the item.

'Not bad. He still knows enough to worry about his Valley Master.'

"That person in the Ghost Market has more on hand... If he isn't smart and tries to use the Divine Court Wood forcefully, I'm afraid he won't live for long."

Chen Che nodded, satisfied, and waved him away.

Wang Chen bowed and withdrew.

Before leaving, he didn't forget to give three deep bows.

Indeed.

Just as he'd said, cultivating in Jinyun Valley was the greatest fortune he could have hoped for in three lifetimes.

...

"So this is called Divine Court Wood. To think it can actually enhance one's Divine Sense."

In an elegant inn courtyard tucked away in a corner of the Market, a burly male Cultivator stared at the tree branch before him, a look of delighted surprise on his face.

This man was none other than the withered, skinny old man from the Ghost Market.

The reason for this dramatic transformation was a Tier Two High Grade technique he cultivated called the 'Face Changing Technique'. Not only could this art reshape one's facial features, but it could even alter one's body. However, he had dispelled it after returning to the inn.

He had flaunted his wealth in the Ghost Market with that face; if he kept using it, he would surely be tracked down.

'Who on earth was that young man in the Ghost Market? How could he have guessed my intentions? He's so young... could he be some old monster in disguise? Or does he have some kind of probing Magical Treasure that allowed him to see through my facade?'

Thinking back on the encounter, the male Cultivator couldn't help but fall into deep thought.

'This technique should be able to fool the senses of any Cultivator below the Foundation Establishment Seventh Layer.'

'Whatever. I'll just leave Jinyun Valley once the heat dies down.'

The male Cultivator shook his head, pushing the previous incident from his mind.

Jinyun Valley's rules were clear. He refused to believe anyone would dare to offend the Valley Master by brazenly robbing and killing a Cultivator in the Market.

'But he said this thing is too dangerous for me... Should I sell it or hold onto it? For safety's sake, selling it to Jinyun Valley would be the best deal. But I don't know its price. What if I sell it for too little?'

The male Cultivator paced back and forth, deep in thought.

The tree was over seventy feet tall, and its trunk was so thick it would take five people to encircle it. He'd had to cut the tree into several sections just to fit them into his Storage Pouch. If he sold it, it would certainly fetch a good price.

But...

Divine Soul Category Spiritual Objects were exceptionally rare. It was easy to sell one, but trying to buy one again was nearly impossible, regardless of how much money you had.

In fact, ever since he'd learned of the wood's purpose, the mere thought of the branch he'd tossed to that young man made his heart ache as if it were bleeding.

'Fine! I'll sell it to Jinyun Valley and seek their protection in the process!'

Gritting his teeth, the male Cultivator made a swift decision.

Having decided, he immediately packed up the Divine Court Wood and headed for the auction house. After he explained his intentions to Ding Fei, the man immediately served him a cup of Spirit Tea and asked him to wait a moment. Just as he was wracked with anxiety, the door suddenly swung open.

"It seems you're a smart man after all, my young friend. You thought to sell this item to Jinyun Valley."

Chen Che said with a beaming smile as he walked in, his hands clasped behind his back.

He had just sent Wang Chen and Night Rain Hall on their way when Ding Fei came rushing with a message: someone was selling Divine Court Wood. Chen Che extended his Divine Sense and realized it was the man from the Ghost Market, so he had come over personally.

"It's you?"

The male Cultivator was startled. He recognized Chen Che, but seeing Ding Fei standing respectfully behind him, he instantly put two and two together. He scrambled to his knees, trembling. "Valley Master! This junior was blind and failed to recognize you. I have caused great offense. Please, forgive me, Valley Master!"

He had every reason to be terrified.

In the Ghost Market, he had repeatedly addressed him as 'Fellow Daoist'. And this man was a Golden Core True Master!

To address such a person as a 'Fellow Daoist' was tantamount to courting death.

Obviously.

The man had seen through his disguise from the very beginning.

"Get up. If I, the Valley Master, wanted to cause you trouble, I would have done so back in the Ghost Market. Why would I let you live until now?" Chen Che made a gesture as if to help him up. He was actually quite pleased. After weighing his options, the man had chosen to sell the Divine Court Wood to the auction house, which proved he ultimately trusted Jinyun Valley.

"Since you require this Divine Court Wood, Valley Master, I will present it to you as a gift."

Tan Chen said, his tone clearly fawning.

If he could use this opportunity to enter Jinyun Valley and become a Tributor, it would guarantee him a stable path for his cultivation.

Chen Che didn't call out his intentions. The man's realm was ordinary; he had only just reached Foundation Establishment. He had no particular talents, with the only noteworthy thing being his 'Face Changing Technique'. The Sacrificial Hall would naturally not recruit him.

So he waved his hand and said dismissively:

"None of that. I told you I would give you a fair price. How much Divine Court Wood do you have? Take it all out."

Tan Chen didn't dare waste any more time with pleasantries and immediately took out all the Divine Court Wood he had.

Chen Che's eyes swept over the pile, and he couldn't help but feel a surge of joy. It was practically a complete Divine Court Tree, even more than he had imagined. It would be enough to sustain him for at least the next year.

"Where did you find it?"

Chen Che asked.

"In a river channel under Jinyun Valley's jurisdiction."

Tan Chen immediately recounted the story of how he had found the tree, holding nothing back.

After hearing the story, Chen Che inwardly thought, 'That was a close call.'

Thankfully, the tree had only just been thrown into a fire pile. He had discovered it just as a few of its roots began to burn. Otherwise, it would have caused mass casualties.

After all.

The fragrance produced when this wood burns has the power to draw out one's Divine Soul.

If the entire tree were burned, it's likely that even the Divine Soul of a cultivator at Golden Core Great Perfection would be drawn out, to say nothing of ordinary Cultivators.

Beside them, Ding Fei also nodded to himself, mentally noting the location. Once this was over, he would have the Liu Family search the surrounding area.

"I'll value this Divine Court Tree at one hundred twenty thousand Spirit Stones. If you'd prefer Pills or Magical Artifacts of equivalent value, that's also an option. Furthermore, if you're not satisfied with the price, we can discuss it further."

Chen Che said, having quickly estimated the price.

"That's more than enough, more than enough."

Tan Chen was left speechless, but he nodded his head quickly.

He had estimated it was worth around forty or fifty thousand Spirit Stones at most; he never imagined the price would be triple that. This amount of Spirit Stones far exceeded his expectations. If he was frugal, it would be enough to last him until he reached Foundation Establishment Great Perfection.

Besides, the other party was a Golden Core True Master; he wouldn't dare try to haggle for a higher price.

"Alright. One hundred twenty thousand Spirit Stones. It's settled. Come to the auction house tomorrow to collect them."

Chen Che declared, finalizing the deal.