"This is a poison I concocted myself. Without the antidote, you'll die within three days."
Chen Jinshu's lips curled into a cold smile as she spoke in a threatening tone toward Bu Zhenhai.
Calm and composed, she then summoned back Xiao Yin letting it perch on her shoulder and gently playing with it.
Bu Zhenhai's hands trembled uncontrollably, his face pale. He never imagined that despite all his years of honest diligence, he would end up being targeted—by a Foundation Establishment cultivator, no less, and without even knowing when he had offended one.
He slightly hunched over and pleaded in a low voice, "Senior, please spare me and tell me the truth of the matter."
"I've asked many times already. Who sold you the Blood Ape Beast? You must have a way to contact them."
Bu Zhenhai's chapped, pale lips moved soundlessly. On one hand was the code of conduct he had upheld for years, and on the other was his very life. The decision had already become clear in his heart.
All his hard work was for the sake of reaching Foundation Establishment—so he could live another hundred years and grow his Daoist temple.
"I don't know that person well. I only happened upon him by chance when I bought the Blood Ape Beast. He was haggling over the price because the offer from the previous buyer was too low. I swooped in and got lucky. I never imagined it would end up causing me harm."
Regret surged in Bu Zhenhai's heart. If only he had remained honest and stuck to his regular work, perhaps he could have avoided this misfortune.
"Enough. I only want to know how to contact him."
"I gave him a transmission talisman. If he has prey, he usually contacts me first. Over time, we ended up working together more often. He usually reaches out every five days. It's been three since the last message."
"Perfect. This poison lasts three days—just enough time to lure him out."
Chen Jinshu cast a cold glance at Bu Zhenhai. People like him always thought they were righteous, but in the face of death, they all bent the knee. Strength really was the only truth in this world.
"Thank you, Senior! I'll definitely bring him out!" Bu Zhenhai practically groveled, abandoning all dignity.
"Then I'll be going. Don't even think of playing tricks. This poison is deadly—miss the antidote by even a moment after three days, and it's farewell forever."
With that, Chen Jinshu sped off on her Gale Gourd, flying toward Guanghan Immortal City. Bu Zhenhai watched her depart, still feeling like he had just survived a brush with death. If he had hesitated any longer, he would've been killed for sure. He had tasted death—it was not a pleasant experience.
"…Still can't circulate spiritual energy. How am I supposed to leave this place?"
He tried activating his qi, but nothing worked. It was as if his dantian was sealed—yet there was no visible anomaly. His body also showed no signs of poisoning. Aside from the intense initial discomfort, he could now breathe normally… but had become just a mortal.
Two days later.
Bu Zhenhai indeed received another message from Chen Wenshan. He was anxious. He could only use a sliver of spiritual energy and had no way to contact Chen Jinshu—she hadn't left him with anything.
"Is my life really going to end here?" he muttered bitterly.
"What's wrong? Already resigned to death?"
Chen Jinshu's voice suddenly rang out behind him—pleasant to the ear, like a divine rescue.
"Senior, you're here! You didn't leave me a talisman—I couldn't reach you at all!" Bu Zhenhai gave a wry smile.
"You blaming me?"
"I wouldn't dare."
Chen Jinshu had, in fact, never left. She feared Bu Zhenhai might get mauled by nearby spirit beasts. After all, a cultivator without spiritual energy was just a well-built mortal.
So, she'd been quietly observing him. Seeing that he had accepted his fate and simply stayed put, she too settled nearby and entered her dimensional space to cultivate in peace.
She had gone to and returned from the Immortal City, but it was a hassle—so she'd set up a secluded spot nearby to train. Her upgraded space now had a slightly faster time flow, giving her more time to cultivate. Once her spiritual energy was replenished, she emerged, ready to confront Chen Wenshan.
Still, that man was likely just a Qi Refining cultivator. Foundation Establishment pills weren't so easily acquired. Bu Zhenhai had behaved—he stayed put the entire time.
"Tell him to meet you here for the trade. I'll hide. Best not try to call for help. You can't imagine the consequences."
With those cold words, Chen Jinshu vanished like a ghost. She had used an invisibility talisman and fully concealed her aura, appearing completely gone. Bu Zhenhai, holding Chen Wenshan's transmission talisman, seemed to have made up his mind.
"Daoyou! I'm currently hunting in the Shaoshan Forest. If you've got prey, bring it over. I've got plenty of spirit stones on hand!" His tone was full of bold enthusiasm, as if to say: I have money, and I'm outside the city—ripe for robbery.
Chen Wenshan, having just arrived outside Guanghan Immortal City, read the message and grew restless. That guy was in the Shaoshan Forest… and claimed to be loaded with spirit stones. Wasn't that basically an invitation to rob him?
The temptation was real. If he could take this guy down, he might have enough spirit stones for a Foundation Establishment Pill. But doing so would also mean cutting off a profitable channel.
He didn't know how to set up a stall inside the city. Selling spirit beast materials was still best left to professionals like this contact. Torn between options, Chen Wenshan flew toward Shaoshan Forest.
Two incense sticks later, Chen Wenshan arrived just outside the forest. In that instant, a chilling glint burst from Chen Jinshu's eyes—as if she would flay the man alive.
"Daoyou fancy meeting you again! You really made me work to find you!"
"What do you mean? I've always been around the Immortal City. Got anything good this time?" Bu Zhenhai said with a smile, eyes fixed on Chen Wenshan—his gaze complex. Was he angry at Wenshan for dragging him into this? Or was he pitying the man, soon to die?
"This time I caught a Cold Mountain Deer. This beast's not cheap. What kind of price are you thinking?" Chen Wenshan took out the corpse, hopeful.
He had decided not to kill his longtime buyer. It wasn't worth it yet. Better to keep the income flowing and strike later if needed.
"Depends on the quality." Bu Zhenhai smiled faintly, comforted by the thought of soon regaining his freedom. Though he felt a little guilty, his life came first—what was a bit of guilt compared to that?
Ding ding dong dong…
A ripple of melodic sound waves suddenly surged, distorting the space around them. Chen Wenshan's eyes widened. Just as he saw Bu Zhenhai smile, a wave of dread surged in his heart.
"You betrayed me!" he shouted, unwilling to accept the turn of events. He hadn't planned to strike—but his partner clearly had.
"Chen Wenshan, long time no see."