Immortality and Cultivation: I Have Too Many Talents

Chapter 325 Barbarian Mountain Stronghold (Seeking Subscriptions)

A month later.

Deep in the wilderness.

Here, the mountains are numerous and the valleys are deep, with towering ancient trees blocking out the sun.

The milky white forest mist obscured visibility, greatly reducing the range of divine sense detection.

The cold wind is biting.

Shen Xuan rode the Golden Clawed Divine Eagle carrying the corpse beast, lowering the altitude and slowing down the flight speed.

The deeper you go into the wilderness, the higher the rank of the monsters you encounter, and the more dangerous it becomes.

Shen Xuan occasionally examined the geographical jade slip given to him by Master Wuchen.

At this moment, he was very close to the Thunder Swamp where the Thunder Beast lived.

It's only three or four hundred miles away.

There are several prominent markers around the Thunder Swamp.

All of them are gregarious demonic birds and beasts of the second rank or above.

There is another type, which is the extremely troublesome demonic insect, the ghost needle demonic ant.

These Bidens pilosa ants are super predators.

They often hunt using swarm tactics, with an extremely large number of them, at least tens of millions, resembling an army with a clear division of labor, and are cruel and ferocious.

Inside were thousands of large-headed ant generals, all of them top-tier first-order ants, extremely ferocious.

Shen Xuan has many methods and is naturally not afraid of these demonic birds, beasts and insects.

However, deep in the wilderness, to ensure safety, cultivators must maintain their best condition and not easily start battles.

In such places, spiritual and demonic energy are mixed together, carrying many impurities, making it more suitable for the growth and cultivation of demonic beasts.

The strength of human cultivators has been greatly reduced.

Shen Xuan slowed down his flight to catch up.

Physically on high alert.

Use all three skills—Insight, Hearing from All Directions, and Keen Observation—to the fullest extent.

Suddenly, Shen Xuan noticed something was wrong and stopped.

His spiritual awareness was comparable to that of a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator.

Even in the forest fog, it can detect objects up to 500 feet away.

Not far ahead, a group of human cultivators were resting.

There were quite a few people, more than thirty in total.

There are seven Foundation Establishment cultivators alone.

Where did these people come from?

Shen Xuan pondered to himself.

Suddenly, a hawk's cry was heard.

A Foundation Establishment cultivator with a pointed face and monkey-like cheeks rode a magnificent flying eagle spirit bird, emerging from the forest mist.

Shen Xuan changed his appearance and lowered his aura to the early stage of Foundation Establishment.

There was no intention to "hide".

Clearly, there were experts in the cultivators ahead who could detect Shen Xuan's presence from a distance.

The Foundation Establishment cultivator with a pointed face and monkey-like cheeks arrived ten feet in front of Shen Xuan and clasped his hands in a salute.

"I am Hou Jing from the Tianfu Merchant Guild of the Song Kingdom. May I ask your honorable name and origin, fellow Daoist?"

Shen Xuan returned the greeting with a cupped hand and said, "My name is Shen Fei, a wandering cultivator from the mountains of Song State."

Hou Jing glanced meaningfully at the golden-clawed divine eagle corpse beast that Shen Xuan was riding.

"The depths of the desolate wilderness teem with monstrous beasts, fraught with peril. Why not join forces with my Tianfu Chamber of Commerce, Fellow Daoist Shen, and travel together?"

Shen Xuan declined, saying, "I appreciate Fellow Daoist Hou's kind offer, but I've always preferred to be alone, so I won't join in the fun."

He wasn't afraid.

Rather, it's unnecessary.

Tianfu Chamber of Commerce was only a small force in the Song Kingdom.

It was formed by an alliance of seven middle-class business and cultivation families.

The highest combat power in the Tianfu Chamber of Commerce is only at the Foundation Establishment stage.

With Shen Xuan's current combat strength and methods.

If the Foundation Establishment stage of the seven major sects were to be completed, it would put some pressure on him.

After all, Shen Xuan was inferior in terms of spiritual power and divine soul.

Even if a cultivator from a family is at the peak of Foundation Establishment, they generally pose no threat to him.

Even among cultivators from powerful clans and disciples from major sects, there is a significant difference in strength, even if they are at the same cultivation level.

The art of "seeking good fortune and avoiding misfortune" can enhance intuition and perception.

But we cannot rely on it completely.

Fortune is constantly changing.

Sometimes, a very small, accidental event can change a person's fortune.

Shen Xuan is not afraid of trouble.

There's no need to create trouble for yourself.

Seeing that Shen Xuan refused, Hou Jing glanced at the Golden Claw Divine Eagle Corpse Beast again and said with a smile, "Alright, Fellow Daoist Shen, we'll meet again sometime."

After speaking, Hou Jing patted the flying eagle and spirit bird and returned to the front of the merchant guild's group.

He must have gone back to report.

There are also experts in the chamber of commerce.

Hou Jing alone could not detect his presence.

Shen Xuan thought for a moment.

Manipulating the Golden Claw Divine Eagle Corpse Beast, they changed direction and took a detour.

……

Two hours later.

Shen Xuan flew out of the lush forest and arrived at a towering mountain range.

"Is this the Rainbow Ridge marked on the geographical jade slip?"

Shen Xuan gazed at the mountainside of Caixia Ridge.

There is a place called Baijia Village there, which is located in a strategically important and easily defensible area, and is home to 100,000 barbarian people.

The barbarians are primitive inhabitants who maintain the customs of their original tribes. They are physically strong, practice body-refining techniques, and primarily obtain food by hunting monsters.

Among them, a small number of barbarians possessed spiritual roots and practiced magic.

Large-scale mountain strongholds like Baijiazhai were quite powerful.

The stronghold has more than a dozen Golden Body Realm cultivators whose physical combat strength is comparable to that of a second-tier demon beast.

It has stood firm in the wilderness for so many years, which shows its profound strength.

Fortunately, the leaders of Baijiazhai throughout the ages have been wise and have always treated visitors well.

Especially human cultivators who actively seek out trade.

After a few moments of contemplation, Shen Xuan manipulated the Golden Claw Divine Eagle Corpse Beast to fly towards Bai Family Village.

Soon, Shen Xuan appeared before the leader of Baijia Village.

"Shen Fei, a reclusive cultivator from the mountains, greets Fellow Daoist Bai."

The leader of Baijiazhai before me was burly, with broad shoulders and a thick waist. His exposed dark brown muscles bulged like small mountains, exuding a sense of power.

What's remarkable is that he also exudes a strong spiritual energy fluctuation, clearly indicating that he is a mid-Foundation Establishment cultivator.

"I am Bai Tiancheng from Baijia Village. May I ask what brings you here, Fellow Daoist Shen?"

Looking at Bai Tiancheng's wary expression, Shen Xuan smiled slightly.

To Bai Tiancheng's astonishment, he took out more than ten Thunder Spirit Orbs.

"This is the Thunder Spirit Pearl, a second-tier magic weapon that can be activated with brute force alone."

"It's very effective for hunting monsters."

"I am willing to trade the Thunder Spirit Orb for the local specialties of your village."

"Fellow Daoist Bai, are you willing?"

Upon hearing this, Bai Tiancheng's eyes lit up.

He had certainly heard of the Thunder Spirit Orb.

However, Baijia Village was a mountain village inhabited by barbarians.

They had neither spirit stones nor the means to purchase such a deadly weapon.

Besides hunting, the barbarians also gathered and cultivated medicinal herbs. These were also one of their main products in foreign trade.

"Of course! Fellow Daoist Shen, please come in!"

"Let's sit down and discuss the deal calmly!"

Bai Tiancheng tested a Thunder Spirit Orb.

Just as the legend says.

It does not require the infusion of spiritual energy.

Its power is about 20% of that of a Foundation Establishment early-stage Thunder Magic cultivator.

Ask about the price again.

Shen Xuan only asked for five hundred spirit stones.

This price is extremely fair.

Bai Tiancheng was overjoyed and immediately hosted a banquet for Shen Xuan, specially bringing out the spirit wine he had treasured for many years.

The barbarians brew their own spirit wine from the spiritual plants they gather in the wild wilderness. It is called thyme and has a unique flavor.

Made primarily from various wild spiritual plants and brewed with clear spiritual spring water, it has a pinkish-red color like the sunset, exudes a rich and refreshing fragrance, and has a slightly spicy and astringent taste.

It has a hot and spicy taste, and feels like a blazing fire in your throat, with a particularly strong aftertaste.

While drinking, Shen Xuan used his spiritual power to refine the effects of the alcohol.

Given the characteristics of his [Divine Treasure Ocean Skill], it would take at least a thousand or eight hundred catties of this thyme spirit wine to get him drunk.

After three rounds of drinks, the atmosphere became harmonious.

Shen Xuan and Bai Tiancheng began to address each other as brothers.

Upon learning that Shen Xuan was already 115 years old.

Bai Tiancheng considered himself the younger brother and addressed him as the elder brother.

Once the deal is discussed, things become much easier.

Shen Xuan used two hundred Thunder Spirit Pearls to trade for the spiritual herbs stored in Bai Family Village.

Most of them are the main ingredients for second-tier spiritual pills.

The price of these medicinal herbs has skyrocketed by 70% outside the wilderness.

However, in Baijiazhai, it's only half the original price.

It's really cheap.

Once it's taken out of the wilderness, the profit will be more than double.

After the transaction is completed.

Both of them were satisfied.

Shen Xuan privately gifted Bai Tiancheng twenty Thunder Spirit Pearls.

His hospitality was well worth it, as he repeatedly addressed Shen as "Brother Shen."

Although Baijiazhai has some monster materials.

There is no essence or blood of demonic beasts.

The highest grade is only second-tier low-grade.

Shen Xuan didn't think much of it.

He inquired about the Thunder Beast from Bai Tiancheng.

According to the geographical jade slip given to him by the immortal Wuchen.

The Thunder Beast dwells in the Thunder Swamp.

It's only a hundred miles away.

"Thunder Beast? This is a second-tier high-grade thunder-attribute demon beast, Brother Shen, please be extremely careful!"

Bai Tiancheng is an honest person.

He immediately told Shen Xuan that the Thunder Beasts were not only ferocious, but also lived in groups.

A nest of Thunder Beasts, at least four or five in number.

When they attack simultaneously, their power is immense.

Even with the Foundation Establishment stage at its peak, he was unable to withstand the continuous barrage of lightning bolts striking simultaneously, and could only flee in disarray.

High-quality trading partners like Shen Xuan.

Bai Tiancheng didn't want to perish in the lightning swamp.

"Thank you for your kindness, Brother Bai. I will handle this carefully."

At that moment, a barbarian rushed in to deliver the news.

The Tianfu Chamber of Commerce delegation arrived at Baijiazhai.

Upon hearing this, Bai Tiancheng was overjoyed and pulled Shen Xuan out of the village to greet him.

……

"It's you?"

Hou Jing was shocked when he saw Shen Xuan.

He never expected that Shen Xuan would come to Baijia Village all by himself.

A vague sense of unease crept into my heart.

really.

Tianfu Chamber of Commerce was conducting transactions with Bai Tiancheng.

They discovered that the amount of medicinal herbs provided by Baijiazhai was much less than in previous years.

This could have been a substantial profit.

It was originally part of the Tianfu Chamber of Commerce's plan.

But Shen Xuan intercepted it beforehand.

The Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Tianfu Chamber of Commerce all looked at Shen Xuan with resentment and indignation.

However, by nature, businessmen are good at enduring hardship.

They were still unhappy.

No one in Baijia Village dared to retaliate.

He could only suppress his anger.

"Fellow Daoist Shen, your skills are extraordinary. Are you a cultivator of lightning magic?"

A handsome young Foundation Establishment cultivator, exuding a delicate fragrance and dressed in snow-white robes, walked straight up to Shen Xuan and asked.

This person is a key figure in the Tianfu Chamber of Commerce and is respectfully addressed as "Young Master Shangguan" by the accompanying cultivators.

Between his brows, he exuded a heroic and spirited air, with bright eyes that gave him a resolute and courageous appearance.

Actually, it was a woman dressed as a man.

"Young Master Shangguan has keen insight. I, Shen, have some knowledge of thunder magic."

At this moment, Shen Xuan changed his appearance and concealed his aura, revealing himself to be merely a Foundation Establishment stage cultivator.

The reason for not revealing their true form and original realm is to prevent their identity from being exposed, as there are some things that are inconvenient to do.

For example, revealing one's wealth to lure unsuspecting people into a trap, where they can then ambush and kill him.

Shen Xuan wanted to kill his opponent and loot the corpse for a fortune.

Upon hearing Shen Xuan admit that he was a cultivator of thunder magic.

The cultivators of the Tianfu Chamber of Commerce quickly suppressed their anger.

Well known.

Thunder magic cultivators possess formidable attack power.

They can fight across minor realms.

Foundation building is very difficult.

Even in prestigious sects, Foundation Establishment cultivators using lightning magic are considered key figures for training.

Shen Xuan is a Foundation Establishment cultivator specializing in lightning magic. He dares to travel alone in the desolate wilderness, so his strength should not be underestimated.

His background is definitely not as simple as that of an ordinary rogue cultivator.

"This humble girl, Shangguan Yan'er, greets Fellow Daoist Shen."

Shangguan Yan'er smiled sweetly, her eyes sparkling, her breath as fragrant as orchids.

Two blushes rose on her cheeks.

She had the demeanor of a young girl, extremely gentle and charming.

This also secretly amazed the cultivators of the Tianfu Chamber of Commerce.

They rarely saw Shangguan Yan'er being so proactive and enthusiastic towards people.

(End of this chapter)