Chapter 373 - 202: Truth and Clues (Part 2)

As Jiang Che walked back, his mind raced with calculations.

’The True Essence Pill is rare, but that doesn’t mean there’s only one in existence!’

’Maybe Master and the others just don’t know about any others!’

’Or... even if there really is only one, aren’t there other Elixir Pills with similar effects?’

’Failing that, even if there are no pills, I should be able to find some clues about the Elixir Recipe for the True Essence Pill, or the primary ingredients that contain the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Mechanism, right?’

’But where would I even look for clues...’

Suddenly, a name came to mind.

Four Seas Tower!

That mysterious intelligence organization!

If even they couldn’t find any clues, then likely no one could!

With that thought, Jiang Che stopped hesitating.

He returned to his Chief Courtyard and went into his bedroom.

Then, he pulled a box from a hidden compartment under his bed.

Opening it revealed bundles of gold notes.

Besides the dividends from Yin’s Cloth Shop, there were also rewards from the Sect and gifts from various powers currying favor, all of which had increased as his status rose.

Jiang Che counted them carefully. In total, the gold notes were worth 800,000 in gold.

For the old Jiang Che, this was undoubtedly an unimaginable fortune.

But for him now, at the top of the Hidden Dragon List, it wasn’t much at all.

In fact, if he so much as hinted that he wanted money, countless wealthy gentry and tycoons would line up to give it to him.

However, he no longer lacked Cultivation Resources and didn’t want to get too entangled with others.

So, whether he had more or less money didn’t really matter.

He then took a thick stack of gold notes, about 100,000 in gold, and tucked it into his robe.

Next, he quietly descended the mountain, put on a Human Skin Mask to change into the unremarkable face of a Jianghu Traveler, and headed toward the familiar Yu Lin Lane in the south of the city.

...

Yu Lin Lane looked as inconspicuous as ever.

At the entrance to the lane, under the old locust tree, the sleepy old man was still leaning back in his recliner, as if he hadn’t moved in a thousand years.

Jiang Che walked up and expertly exchanged the countersign.

The old man didn’t even lift an eyelid, just waved him in impatiently.

Passing through a winding, labyrinthine courtyard, Jiang Che once again arrived in the dim, secret chamber.

"What information are you looking to buy?"

From the shadows came the same hoarse voice.

Jiang Che altered his voice, speaking in a deliberately low tone. "I want to buy all information regarding the ’True Essence Pill.’ Whether it’s the Elixir Recipe, the origins of the required medicinal ingredients, or any individuals or factions that might possess this pill—any related clues, I want them all!"

The person in the shadows fell silent for a moment.

"What, you can’t get it?" Jiang Che frowned.

"We can, it’s just..."

"Just what?"

"It’s just that... this item... is of too high a level. It involves ancient secrets and might even be connected to certain existences that even our Four Seas Tower cannot afford to provoke. Investigating it will not only be time-consuming and labor-intensive but also extremely risky..."

The implication was that the price would be steep.

Jiang Che didn’t hesitate. He pulled the thick stack of gold notes from his robe and placed it on the table.

"Here is 50,000 in gold as a deposit. If the information is useful, I’ll pay you another 50,000 upon completion!"

He keenly sensed that after he spoke, the other person’s heartbeat suddenly quickened.

’It seems... the amount of money stunned him.’

Jiang Che understood.

He knew the deal was likely settled.

Sure enough, after a brief silence, the hoarse voice spoke again.

Only this time, his tone was much more eager.

"Excellent! You are a generous customer!"

"Rest assured! With this show of sincerity, our Four Seas Tower will move heaven and earth to dig up this information for you!"

"I need the information as soon as possible," Jiang Che added coolly.

"Understood! Understood!" the man replied hurriedly. "Ten days! Ten days at most! We’ll give you a response whether we find anything or not!"

"I will await your news."

Jiang Che wasted no more words, turned, and departed quietly.

...

Only after the sound of Jiang Che’s footsteps had completely faded did the deep shadow in the secret chamber shift slightly.

He stroked the thick stack of gold notes, his mind filled with curiosity.

’This person... who could he be?’

’From his voice, he can’t be more than thirty, maybe even younger...’

’But the nerve to drop 100,000 in gold without batting an eye is something no ordinary young man possesses.’

’In all of Cangzhou Prefecture, a young person with such wealth who also needs a True Essence Pill...’

’Could it be one of those on the Hidden Dragon List?’

’Qin Wuya? Impossible. If he needed it, the Taiyuan Sect would spare no effort to get it for him.’

’Fang Muye? He suffered a crushing defeat at Jiang Che’s hands not long ago. His Dao Heart was shattered, so he’s probably lost the will to even attempt a breakthrough to the True Master Realm. It’s not him either.’

’Chen Jiayu? Su Linfeng?’

The Hidden Dragon List was the creation of the Four Seas Tower.

As a mid-level agent at Four Seas Tower, he naturally knew these prodigies like the back of his hand.

However, as he mentally reviewed all the prominent Noble Family Members on the Hidden Dragon List, he felt something was off.

These individuals were certainly top-tier geniuses.

But compared to the mysterious man from just now, they seemed to be lacking something.

Beneath that man’s calm and reserved demeanor was a sharp edge that only someone who had clawed their way up from the bottom would possess!

Like... a lone wolf!

That’s an aura those Noble Young Masters wouldn’t have.

Wait...

A flash of insight struck the agent’s mind!

A name he had subconsciously overlooked due to his background surfaced in his thoughts!

Could it be...

...the new number one on the Hidden Dragon List...

...Jiang Che?!

’Yes! It has to be him!’

The more the Four Seas Tower agent thought about it, the more plausible it seemed!

Although Jiang Che came from a humble background, given his rapid rise, it probably wouldn’t be difficult for him to produce such a sum of money.

And it was precisely because he didn’t have a Noble Family backing him that he needed to search for clues himself!

More critically, he had witnessed the duel between Jiang Che and Qin Wuya.

Although this mysterious person’s appearance was completely different from Jiang Che’s, that unique aura was identical!

’Wait...’

’He’s paying a fortune for a True Essence Pill...’

’Does that mean... he... he’s already at the final step?!’

*HISS—*

The moment he figured this out, the agent couldn’t help but suck in a sharp breath of cold air!

A storm of shock raged in his heart!

How long had it been?!

Only a few months had passed since the Young Alliance Leader selection tournament!

Back then, Jiang Che was only at the Mid-stage of the Refining Organ Realm, right?

And now...

...he’s already starting to break through the barrier to the True Master Realm?!

If this news got out, it would be enough to drive the entire Martial World of Cangzhou Prefecture into a frenzy once again!

"A monster... he’s truly a monster..."

he muttered to himself, horrified.

"No... I can’t take this money!"

His eyes grew brighter and brighter.

Not only can I not take it...

"I have to give him a huge gift!"

...