Longevity through Upgrading Buildings Chapter 740 - 315: Exotic Insect vs. Exotic Insect

The cultivator's remains dangle like desiccated meat from a rope within this shadowy chamber.

In the faint glow of candlelight, the entire scene evokes a sense of the netherworld.

"These newcomers, all from the Foundation Establishment Stage, were taken from Blood Luo Mountain," the masked individual states with evident confidence.

After all, with Medicine King Valley now merged with Blood Luo Mountain, it stands as the foremost sect in Cangluo.

To pilfer from such a power requires considerable skill.

"Not bad. I'll take all of them. Calculate the Spirit Stone cost," Ji Yuan remarks, his Divine Sense appraising the corpses. Indeed, they are all intact, Foundation Establishment Stage bodies.

That's perfectly acceptable.

"This..." Though his face is concealed, the masked man's tone betrays a hint of discomfiture.

"What's wrong? Afraid I can't afford it?" Ji Yuan's voice deepens, the domineering and arrogant aura of the Demon Dao surfacing.

"No, no, no," the masked man quickly refutes.

"Then why the hesitation? Stuttering, not speaking at once!"

"It's... because many of the Immortal Materials here have already been claimed. There isn't much left to spare for you, fellow Daoist," the masked man hastily explains.

"How many can you sell me?"

"Three. Three bodies." The masked man inwardly regrets his earlier boast, knowing Ji Yuan's temper; he wouldn't have shown off like that if he'd known.

"Three bodies? Treating me like a beggar!" Ji Yuan glances around. There are eighteen Foundation Establishment Stage corpses in total. Acquiring them himself would be an agonizingly long process, not due to difficulty, but the challenge of finding opportune moments without causing a disturbance in Peony City.

The masked man, feeling apologetic, relents after much negotiation, finally agreeing to sell five bodies to Ji Yuan.

Just as Ji Yuan prepares to depart, intending to discreetly observe who might be interested in such a quantity of corpses, he overhears the masked man say, "By the way, fellow Daoist, we have news regarding the Demon Spirit Bee you inquired about previously."

"Oh? What news?" Ji Yuan's interest is instantly piqued.

The Demon Spirit Bee is a crucial component for the Level 3 upgrade of his Beehive. He had personally sought it for an extended period without success, prompting him to enlist the help of others. He never anticipated finding a lead in this establishment.

"Someone claims to possess a Demon Spirit Bee corpse but wishes for a personal trade. If agreeable, this individual will also be visiting our shop today. What do you think?"

"If it suits you, you could wait here a while," the masked man gestures invitingly towards a nearby seat.

"Trading in person?" This statement immediately brings to Ji Yuan's mind his experience at Cloud Rain Marsh.

Back then, an individual from the Yin Ghost Sect, dealing with a Corpse Flower, also insisted on a personal transaction.

Consequently, Ji Yuan now harbors a suspicion that anyone requesting an in-person trade is likely up to no good.

However, he also acknowledges that he himself is not exactly an innocent bystander.

The Demon Spirit Bee, a Rank Three Demon Beast, is exceedingly rare, and its corpse would undoubtedly fetch a high price.

Spending Spirit Stones would be an outflow, but receiving it as a gift would be ideal.

Ji Yuan ponders for a moment. Just as the masked man anticipates his agreement, he hears Ji Yuan say, "Forget it. I have other matters to attend to. I'll take my leave for now."

Without a backward glance, he exits the shop, leaving the masked man utterly bewildered.

Once outside, Ji Yuan doesn't stray far. He halts on a nearby street, extending his Divine Sense to monitor the shop.

He had previously surveyed the area; while Peony City had a few Core Formation cultivators, the highest cultivation level reached only mid-stage Core Formation.

In terms of Divine Sense strength, they were comparable to his own.

Unless it was a direct confrontation, they wouldn't detect his probing.

For the next half-day, Ji Yuan remains vigilant, keeping a silent watch.

Just as he begins to suspect the masked man might have been deceptive, around dusk, his Divine Sense detects a knock on the shop's door.

This individual is the only other cultivator Ji Yuan has sensed today besides himself.

...Considering this, could the buyer of the Immortal Materials and the seller of the Demon Spirit Bee be the same person?

That would certainly simplify matters.

Although, this person's cultivation... is quite formidable.

Ji Yuan refrains from probing too deeply, merely giving a cursory sweep with his Divine Sense.

It is undoubtedly a Core Formation cultivator.

No Fake Pill cultivator possesses such profound spiritual power.

Furthermore, judging by his aura, he is not one of Peony City's regular inhabitants.

This indicates he is an outsider.

...How intriguing. It explains their boldness in requesting a face-to-face trade.

Given that he is a Core Formation cultivator, Ji Yuan's interest wanes; extorting such an individual would be difficult, and attacking even more so.

Fleeing seems to be the most sensible action!

Seizing onto this idea, Ji Yuan set down his tea cup. He left a Mid-grade Spirit Stone on the table, made a hand seal, and activated the "Black Mist Dispersal Technique." In an instant, he vanished.

Barely moments after his departure, a figure clad in black robes, positioned beneath the small shop, showed a subtle change in his expression.

"I shall acquire all of them. Your payment, the Spirit Stones, are right here."

A Storage Bag was tossed towards the masked individual. Following this, with a sweeping motion of his hand, every corpse within the hidden chamber ceased to exist.

Before the masked man could utter a word, the other had already transformed into a streak of Escape Light and departed.

'He was merely a Core Formation Cultivator. Hmph, once I achieve Core Formation... I shall definitely put on a more impressive display than this!'

Such resentful thoughts filled the masked man's mind as he assessed the weight of the Storage Bag he now held.