Chu Xuan responded with a smile as Liu Zhenxiong warmly introduced, "Junior Brother, this is Zheng Changqing, a distinguished disciple of Senior Zhao Wuya. He is an expert in beast taming, with several Foundation Establishnt stage spirit beasts under his care."
Zheng Changqing chuckled modestly, "You flatter , I rely have an interest in nurturing demonic beasts." He turned to Chu Xuan, "So, you are Chu Xuan? A pleasure to et you. I've heard from Liu about your accomplishnts—advancing to Foundation Establishnt in your twenties, truly a prodigy!"
Chu Xuan responded with a humble smile, "Senior Brother overstates it; it's mostly good fortune."
Zheng Changqing smiled, "Our master knows each other well, we should assist each other more."
The trio entered Liu Zhenxiong's cave and settled down. The conversation was mostly between Liu Zhenxiong and Zheng Changqing, with Chu Xuan chipping in intermittently.
After a while, Zheng Changqing ntioned, "My junior brother will be joining us soon."
Liu Zhenxiong's face lit up with excitent, "You an Lu Yin? I've wanted to et him for a while but never had the chance. What brings him here this ti?"
Zheng Changqing sighed, "Junior Brother Lu... has a rather peculiar and obstinate personality. It took quite so persuasion to convince him to co. Please forgive any unintentional offenses he may commit in conversation."
Liu Zhenxiong and Chu Xuan both nodded understandingly. Eccentricities were common among cultivators, especially those deeply engrossed in their studies, often undergoing personality shifts after prolonged seclusions.
Soon, a voice called from outside, "I have arrived."
Liu Zhenxiong, accompanied by the other two, went out to greet the newcor. Chu Xuan observed him: thin, with deep-set eyes and a withered face.
With great enthusiasm, Liu Zhenxiong greeted, "Lu Yin, I am Liu Zhenxiong of Extre Yin Cave, delighted to et you."
Lu Yin surveyed him briefly and rely nodded, then turned to Zheng Changqing, "Senior Brother, I'm here, let's go inside."
Zheng Changqing gave an awkward smile, "Okay, let's go."
The four all sat down, Liu Zhenxiong quietly asked, "Fellow Daoist Lu, do you have any second-transformation Gu for sale?"
Lu Yin gave him a sideways glance, "Fellow Daoist Liu, second-transformation Gu require a flesh and blood organ to house. If you don't have such an organ, it's best not to purchase them."
Liu Zhenxiong chuckled, "Even if I don't have the organ yet, there's no harm in asking the price."
Lu Yin stated calmly, "The lowest price is twelve hundred small spiritual stones."
Liu Zhenxiong's smile froze; the price was exorbitant.
Chu Xuan observed Lu Yin more closely. Although his appearance was not familiar, the tone of his voice gave him away. He guessed the man's identity—it was indeed the Spirit Insect Taoist he had t that day in the teahouse at the naless market. Their deanor was too similar, both equally discomforting.
Zheng Changqing spoke in a grave tone, "Junior Brother Lu, Fellow Daoist Liu's master is the venerable Wan Wuying, a longstanding acquaintance of our own master. We will surely need to support one another in the future. Could you not lower the price sowhat?"
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Lu Yin, showing a trace of impatience, nevertheless nodded, "Then let it be one thousand spirit stones. I can go no lower."
The negotiations between Liu Zhenxiong and Lu Yin, however, never reached a consensus. Eventually, Lu Yin, tired of the conversation, took his leave prematurely.
Zheng Changqing offered his apologies to Liu Zhenxiong and followed suit. After their departure, Liu Zhenxiong furrowed his brows and sighed deeply.
"Senior Brother, is this Lu Yin truly formidable?" Chu Xuan inquired. Liu Zhenxiong replied somberly, "I've made inquiries. Within the hidden circles of the Heavenly Seal Sect who cultivate Gu, Foundation Establishnt stage cultivators are few, and Lu Yin is acknowledged as the most adept among them."
"His cultivated Gu are both powerful and tractable," Liu continued. "Pity we could not reach an agreent."
Liu Zhenxiong sighed lightly, "Our lineage of Extre Yin Cave has lost much of its heritage in Gu cultivation, with only the 'Blood Worms To' remaining. To strengthen ourselves, we are forced to rely on others."
"The art of Gu cultivation is best approached through soone like Lu Yin, but who knew he would be of such a disposition and offer us no discounts," he added.
Chu Xuan listened thoughtfully. Enhancing strength? Could it be that Extre Yin Cave was also to be drawn into the fray? This was hardly good news.
The ongoing war between the Heavenly Seal Sect and the native Wu Province sects was at a critical juncture. The cultivators committing to the war at this stage, unless they were experts in the later stages of Foundation Establishnt, had no assured chance of survival. It was akin to a at grinder, obliterating every living being caught within it.
As expected, Liu Zhenxiong revealed more details upon further questioning.
"Senior Zhao Wuya, in concert with our master and Senior Huang Yuanwu of the Heavenly Seal Sect, penetrated the secret realm of Purple Miasma Mountain in Wu Province and seized a precious treasure there. The native sects' recent offensive has beco fiercely intense, connected to the loss of this treasure. Hence, the main hall of the Heavenly Seal Sect has decreed that our lineage of Extre Yin Cave must also enter the war."
Liu Zhenxiong gave a bitter smile.
A chill ran through Chu Xuan's heart. Currently at only the fourth level of Foundation Establishnt, though he possessed more aces and could outmatch those at the fifth level, facing an expert at the late stages of Foundation Establishnt could still lead to a disastrous defeat or even death. Once Extre Yin Cave committed to the war, his likelihood of dying would significantly increase.
"If it cos to it, I will retreat to the Blue Star," Chu Xuan resolved inwardly. "Once I advance the Blood Evil Demon Refining Scripture to the seventh layer and reach the later stages of Foundation Establishnt, returning here will not be too late."
His greatest trump card was his ability to traverse between worlds using the Blood Mirror. If survival here beca untenable, the Blue Star would be his refuge.
"Junior Brother, that is the state of affairs," Liu Zhenxiong explained earnestly. "That's why I am exerting every effort to augnt my strength. Senior Brother Li and Senior Brother Wu are also tirelessly working on their own enhancents."
Liu Zhenxiong then turned to Chu Xuan, "You too should devote more attention to strengthening yourself."
Chu Xuan nodded in agreent.
Suddenly, Liu Zhenxiong seed to recall sothing important and quickly added, "You might try your luck at the naless market. Recently, a mysterious figure has appeared, selling a considerable quantity of large blood pearls."
Chu Xuan felt an inward amusent. The mysterious person? Was that not himself? However, he maintained his composure and nodded seriously.
"By the way, the master has recently accepted a new disciple from a cultivator family in the northern part of Wu Province, previously under the domain of Imperial Spirit Mountain," Liu Zhenxiong continued. "His family, the Chen family, was implicated in a scandal and eradicated by Imperial Spirit Mountain. He managed to escape and made his way here, taking refuge in our Extre Yin Cave."
"His na is Chen Zhaofeng, and his talents are comndable, on par with Senior Brother Li." Liu Zhenxiong added, "His dwelling is situated to the southeast of my cave, nestled within a valley. When you have ti, you should et him. We will soon be joining the war, and having an additional ally can only be advantageous."
Chu Xuan nodded, "Thank you for the reminder, Senior Brother." Indeed, it would be prudent to et other Foundation Establishnt stage cultivators of Extre Yin Cave.
However, since he planned to avoid this at grinder of war, there seed little need to engage deeply with Chen Zhaofeng.
After leaving Liu Zhenxiong's abode, Chu Xuan headed towards Chen Zhaofeng's dwelling. Finding no one at ho, Chu Xuan left a ssage indicating his visit and intention to et, without elaborating further.
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