The Situ Clan was one of the Foundation Establishnt clans under the banner of the Heaven Burning Sect. A Foundation Establishnt clan, as the na suggests, always had Foundation Establishnt cultivators presiding over it.
Should a day co when there were no Foundation Establishnt cultivators, they would be demoted to a Qi Refining clan. Conversely, successfully condensing a Golden Core would elevate them to a Golden Core clan.
Chu Xuan found it sowhat surprising that the Situ Clan had once been a Golden Core clan!
However, over ti, their talent had dwindled, and three hundred years ago, they had already degraded into a Foundation Establishnt clan.
Even though the Situ Clan was no longer a Golden Core clan, they still possessed the arrogance and haughtiness to justify their position as the rulers of this land. Most of the cultivators in the Golden Lake Market were from the Yu Kingdom.
With the Heavenly Seal Sect gone, those roaming cultivators and minor sect cultivators had no choice but to rely on the Heaven Burning Sect. As a foundational clan under the Heaven Burning Sect, the Situ Clan naturally stood above them!
"The forr Golden Core clan must have had profound foundations. Perhaps they possess the condensation core technique and body refining arts that I seek. However, they are unlikely to willingly hand over their treasures to ; I will have to take matters into my own hands."
Chu Xuan sighed lightly. If the Situ Clan were willing to offer up their treasures voluntarily, why increase the cycle of killing unnecessarily?
"But before taking action, I must first investigate the strength and foundations of the Situ Clan; I cannot afford to waste ti and Spiritual Qi on a fruitless endeavor. My ti is precious."
Chu Xuan continued to stroll through the Golden Lake Market. The stalls set up by Qi Refining cultivators naturally did not catch his eye. However, he still bought so spirit plant seeds as supplents.
Afterward, Chu Xuan left the Golden Lake Market. There was too little intelligence to be gained from this market.
He needed to go to larger markets where Foundation Establishnt cultivators frequented. However, not long after Chu Xuan left the Golden Lake Market, he sensed soone tracking him.
"Interesting, I've actually been targeted by a bandit cultivator."
Chu Xuan couldn't help but smile. A bandit cultivator, one who lived by robbery, was also a demonic cultivator.
"And yet, this great demonic cultivator of mine has been seen as a fat target by a little demonic cultivator."
Chu Xuan continued on his way, unhurried, until he arrived at a secluded grove of trees, where he finally stopped.
A cold chuckle ca from behind him.
"So this is the burial ground you've chosen for yourself; it's quite secluded."
Chu Xuan turned towards the sound and saw a middle-aged cultivator with a lean figure. The man's face showed a ferocious gleam, clearly regarding Chu Xuan as a lamb to be slaughtered.
Chu Xuan smiled faintly, "You intend to rob ?"
The bandit cultivator chuckled, "I've been searching for targets for several days, and among them, you caught my eye the most. You bought spirit plant seeds; it seems you're a farr! I've killed plenty of farrs. Heh heh, these cultivators are timid and weak, with low strength. Even if the loot is ager, it's still at on the bone. Mosquito at is at after all. Heh heh heh, don't struggle in vain. I'm at the fifth level of Qi Refining; you can't possibly be my match."
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Chu Xuan clicked his tongue in amusent. It seed that in the future, he mustn't appear too ordinary, lest he attract the attention of bandit cultivators.
He raised his hand, and with a swift motion, pinched a plump little insect between his fingers. The insect's sharp mouthparts writhed as if capable of devouring everything.
With a soft pop, Chu Xuan exerted a slight pressure and burst the little bug. Spiritual Qi enveloped his palm, preventing any of the insect's fluids from touching him.
He chuckled lightly, "Is this your tactic? A Gu, a Brain-Eating Bug?"
The bandit cultivator's face paled, and he imdiately turned to flee. His secretly released Brain-Eating Bug had been effortlessly caught by the other's bare hand!
He had robbed many cultivators before and could easily tell who was strong and who was weak. This man was definitely not as weak as he appeared, a re early stage of Qi Refining—likely a much higher stage!
However, no sooner had the bandit taken his first step than he collapsed to the ground with a thud, his mouth filled with dirt and weeds. He tried to stand, only to find himself utterly weak and limp, like a strong man who had wandered into a den of female demons and had been thoroughly drained.
He instantly realized what had happened—he was poisoned!
Footsteps approached. The fat sheep he had eyed was now standing beside him.
Chu Xuan's eyes flickered with a purple hue as he activated his Soul-Capturing Gaze and began to interrogate.
"Na."
"Yan Peng."
"Level."
"Qi Refining, Sixth Level."
Chu Xuan smiled. This fellow had just boasted of being at the Fifth Level of Qi Refining—a lie, evidently ant to keep an edge up his sleeve, guarding against his 'fat sheep' also being more than he appeared.
Little did this bandit realize, the supposed fat sheep was not in the early stage of Qi Refining, nor the late stage, but... the latter stage of Foundation Establishnt.
Chu Xuan continued his interrogation, asking about everything except embarrassingly juvenile indiscretions. He eyed the man with keen interest, "Impressive, you even have a small group."
This person was previously a demonic cultivator from the territories of Imperial Spirit Mountain. During the war between the Heavenly Seal Sect and the native sects of Wu Province, he had migrated to Wu Province, hoping to profit from the chaos of the conflict.
A few demonic cultivators banded together for warmth, founding a small group known as the "Golden Lake Gang" near the shores of the lake. They engaged in activities like selling information, ambushing cultivators, acting as enforcers, and performing blood sacrifices of mortals.
Recently, so unexplained blood pearls in various markets across Wu Province were traced back to small demonic groups like theirs. They moved like the wind and could easily disperse and reassemble, making it difficult for the Heavenly Seal Sect to capture them.
Yan Peng, being the highest in cultivation level, had always been the leader of this small group. This made Chu Xuan consider Yan Peng's potential utility. Gathering intelligence in disguise himself carried risks—what if he encountered a Golden Core, especially one who recognized him?
Yan Peng, with his intelligence, strength, and control over a small group, was an ideal source of information.
Without much ado, Chu Xuan took out two Gu worm eggs and activated them with Spiritual Qi before smacking them into Yan Peng's mouth. By then, the latter was gradually recovering from the effects of the Soul-Capturing Gaze.
Monts later, in a panic, Yan Peng looked at Chu Xuan, continuously kowtowing and pleading, "Senior! Senior! Please spare ! It was re greed that led to offend you! Consider as nothing, just let go!"
Chu Xuan smiled, "I need soone to serve , and you seem suitable."
Yan Peng paused, then quickly groveled, "It's my honor to serve you, Senior! Whatever your command, just instruct! I, Song Fei, will move heaven and earth to fulfill your tasks, even if it ans climbing mountains of blades or descending into seas of fire!"
Chu Xuan smirked, "You're called Yan Peng."
Yan Peng awkwardly laughed, "Yes, yes, my na is Yan Peng—oh, look at my poor mory!"
His eyes darted about as he thought, as long as he could secure a way out, he would agree to anything—after all, he could always run; legs were attached to his body!
Chu Xuan chuckled, "I've fed you a Five Organs Gu."
Yan Peng's color drained from his face. As a seasoned demonic cultivator, he was well-acquainted with various Gu worms. The Five Organs Gu was particularly suited for controlling subordinates.
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