Cultivating Immortality from the Book of Life and Death

Chapter 540 Trap. (Second update!)

Within the blood mist, the red-robed cultivator and the sickly cultivator each used their escape techniques to flee at high speed.

The Core Formation stage cultivator's speed was astonishing. As his robes fluttered, he stirred up the mist, causing it to surge and swirl like a raging storm. Wherever he went, some low-level ghosts hid and dared not be negligent.

After leaving the Crimson Marrow Crystal Mine, the two Core Formation cultivators released their divine senses and continuously patrolled the surrounding area to search for the whereabouts of the three cultivators.

Unfortunately, the Blood Pass is not what it used to be. Not only are the five senses restricted, but even the divine sense is affected, and the range of perception is greatly reduced.

As they explored along the way, they encountered quite a few ghosts in the Iron Tree Prison, but they still couldn't find the young man who had reached the Heavenly Foundation Establishment stage.

Just then, they saw a market under construction ahead.

The layout of this market town is quite conventional, with many buildings still under construction, only their general outlines visible, and it is not yet fully completed.

The red-robed cultivator and the sickly cultivator didn't need to greet each other; they immediately stopped not far from the market and secretly observed each other.

"Zheng's Market? Could it have been built by that top-tier Foundation Establishment kid?"

"No, it's Old Daoist Shiqi... It should be Old Daoist Shiqi clearing land for his disciple."

"Old Daoist Shi Qi? Heh! His disciple is considered somewhat capable among rogue cultivators, but that's only in comparison. Among the candidates taking the Immortal Examination, he would immediately blend into the crowd. Even if he tries his best to help this disciple in this Immortal Examination, his disciple still won't be able to get a high ranking."

"It's common for rogue cultivators. If it weren't for the ghost tide that broke out at Blood Pass this time, which gave these people the opportunity to stir up trouble, let alone rankings, his disciples, at their level, probably wouldn't even be able to survive for half a year in Blood Pass."

"Hmm, we haven't found any trace of that Foundation Establishment prodigy along the way. Since we've come across him, let's ask this old Daoist Shi Qi..."

After exchanging a few words, the two Core Formation cultivators, having made up their minds, did not enter the market directly. Instead, they first released their divine senses and began to explore the market inch by inch.

They bear a heavy responsibility and must not be seen by other candidates during the imperial examination.

Otherwise, if the court finds out later, not only will the two of them suffer, but Zhuo Tingchen's ranking will also be invalidated, and even the Zhuo family of Yanzhou will have to pay a considerable price.

The consequences are too serious; we must be constantly vigilant in keeping our whereabouts secret.

Soon, the two Core Formation cultivators determined that there were only three cultivators in the entire Zheng Clan Market; the rest were all corpse puppets and ghosts.

Of the three cultivators, one was the old Daoist Shi Qi they had just discussed; another was a male cultivator, who, according to the information they had bought, should be the disciple of the old Daoist Shi Qi who participated in this immortal examination. As for his name, such a mere Foundation Establishment cultivator was not particularly strong, and given their status, they would not bother to remember it; the last one was a young female cultivator whose aura was somewhat similar to that of Shi Qi and his disciples, and she should also be a disciple of the old Daoist Shi Qi.

Just as the two finished using their divine senses to survey Zheng's Market, the female cultivator suddenly emerged from the market and headed straight for the blood mist where they were hiding. She bowed respectfully upon approaching them and said softly, "Seniors, my master, Daoist Shiqi, invites you!"

Upon seeing this, both the red-robed cultivator and the sickly cultivator frowned, but quickly returned to normal.

The female cultivator in front of us is a disciple of Ancestor Shiqi. Although she is not a candidate in this immortal examination, since she has seen them, we will deal with her together later!

Thinking this through, the red-robed cultivator didn't waste any more words and simply said, "Lead the way!"

Fine beads of sweat appeared on Yin Hui'er's forehead. She was afraid, but her body turned around uncontrollably, adopting a dignified posture, and led the two into the market.

A moment later, the two Core Formation cultivators, led by Yin Hui'er, arrived at a newly built house.

The house was clearly not long completed; it still smelled of stone mixed with clay inside and out. Moreover, it was crudely built, with narrow windows and insufficient lighting. Not only that, the interior had not even been lit yet.

Ancestor Shiqi sat in the innermost position, his head slightly lowered, his whole being shrouded in a thick darkness.

The moment the red-robed cultivator and the sickly cultivator entered, their gazes locked onto Shi Qi. Ancestor Shi Qi immediately stood up and gestured, "Fellow Daoists, please sit!"

On the newly compacted ground, there were only a few cushions woven from locally sourced materials.

However, the red-robed cultivator and the sickly cultivator looked around but didn't notice anything amiss. They didn't care and immediately each chose a futon and sat down cross-legged.

Yin Hui'er quietly slipped out and closed the door behind her.

With the door closing, the entire room became dimly lit, making it difficult to distinguish one's own fingers.

However, all three people inside the room were Core Formation cultivators, so their vision was not affected at all.

The red-robed cultivator didn't bother with formalities with Ancestor Shiqi and said directly, "Old Daoist Shiqi, it's been a while since we last met. There's no need for any old farewells."

"You are a rogue cultivator from Qingrao Prefecture in Tuzhou. Have you seen that junior Foundation Establishment cultivator from your Qingrao Prefecture just now?"

"You and the Foundation Establishment cultivator of that rank are both from Qingrao Mansion, so please don't tell us that you know nothing!"

Upon hearing this, Patriarch Shiqi replied without the slightest hesitation, "I've met you, I've met you!"

As he spoke, he took out a purple fruit from his storage bag at his waist. The fruit looked like a plum and was surrounded by a halo of clouds. As soon as it appeared, it emitted a rich spiritual energy.

Ancestor Shiqi handed it to the sick and weak cultivator not far away, and said in a warm tone, "Fellow Daoists have come from afar. I have failed to entertain you properly. Please accept this [Purple Mist Vermilion Fruit] as tea. Please do not find it offensive."

"My unworthy disciple needs your guidance!"

Seeing the way the old ancestor Shiqi was trying to curry favor, the sickly cultivator remained calm. This [Purple Mist Vermilion Fruit] was considered precious among rogue cultivators.

But for the Zhuo clan of Yanzhou who worshipped him, it was an extremely common spiritual fruit.

However, they need the information about this Old Ancestor Shiqi right now, so there's no need to deliberately embarrass him in this situation.

Thinking this, the sickly cultivator did not refuse, allowing Ancestor Shiqi to place the [Purple Mist Vermilion Fruit] into his hand. At the same time, their fingers touched...

In an instant, the sickly cultivator who had just had a calm expression felt his hair stand on end. A strong sense of crisis surged over him, almost screaming. Without the slightest hesitation, he unleashed his immense magical power!

Bang!
A withered arm flew high into the air, splattering blood, before crashing to the ground a short distance away.

At the critical moment, the sickly cultivator severed his own arm, and the [Purple Mist Vermilion Fruit] he had just received rolled to the ground.

The red-robed cultivator was taken aback, clearly unaware of what had just happened.
"Don't let him touch you!"

"He is not the old Taoist priest Shiqi!"

The sickly cultivator quickly retreated, shouting loudly at the red-robed cultivator.

Just then, while maintaining his posture of speaking to the sick and weak cultivator, Ancestor Shiqi suddenly stretched out his other arm and grabbed the red-robed cultivator.

As he moved, ghosts connected by control threads slowly emerged from the ground, walls, and ceiling of the dark room, instantly surrounding the two Core Formation cultivators.

(End of this chapter)