Chapter 551 - Kunling Relic Site

The cultivator said, “Tens of thousands of years ago, there was a great cultivator in the Tiannan Realm known as Perfected Person Kunling. His cultivation surpassed even Master Ling Ya and Alliance Master Yun Qi by far. Later, in order to seek an opportunity for further advancement, the Perfected Person abandoned everything he had and went out traveling.”

Gu Han nodded. “Then this relic site token represents his cave dwelling?”

The cultivator nodded. “Yes. According to legend, Kunling always enjoyed mentoring the younger generations. Throughout his life, he loved collecting rare treasures and exotic artifacts. Before he departed, he deliberately left his cave dwelling in the Tiannan Realm, declaring that the younger generations could enter it to obtain a share of fortune every so often.

“That relic site would manifest once more from as short as a few hundred years to as long as a thousand years. To that end, he specially refined one hundred and eight tokens. When the relic site manifested, one would receive its summons and enter the site with a token.”

Clearly, the ones in Gu Han’s hands were two of those one hundred and eight tokens. Yet he remained skeptical. “He’s that great?”

After all, he had experienced the Dao Bell’s ten rings, the Gold List’s ten passes. Now, whenever he saw any slightly significant opportunity, he’d suspect the other party of fishing. He’d become somewhat like a startled bird.

The cultivator didn’t quite know how to respond. “How could a great figure like the Perfected Person possibly scheme against the likes of us juniors?”

What he didn’t dare say out loud was, “Was the Perfected Person that bored?”

Gu Han wore the look of someone who’d been through it all and seriously lectured him, “You’ve never experienced the depths of this water, and no one’s told you. All I can say is... Forget it, what do you even know?”

Great figure? Was the Immortal Emperor’s will not grand enough? Wasn’t he still holding back ill intentions, dead set on fishing?

The cultivator was taken aback, completely baffled by his words. He said, somewhat unconvinced, “But over these tens of thousands of years, the Kunling Relic Site has opened many times, and nothing has ever gone wrong!”

Chongming glanced at Gu Han. “Not necessarily. Nothing went wrong because he never entered before.”

Gu Han thoughtfully glanced at the token. “You just said that there are one hundred and eight of these tokens?”

“Yes.”

“What about the others? Where are they?”

The cultivator shook his head. “I don’t know. I found this one by luck.”

“Found it?”

The cultivator quickly explained. “I really did find it! This is what makes the tokens special. It’s also part of Perfected Person Kunling’s arrangement...”

These tokens weren’t permanently held by certain people. They would be collected each time the Kunling Relic Site opened, then randomly scattered once it closed. When that happened, they would become indistinguishable from ordinary stones and dirt that even those great figures couldn’t tell them apart.

This situation lasted for varying lengths of time. Only in the year before the next opening would the tokens reveal their extraordinary nature again, allowing cultivators to detect them. Hence, who got a token was entirely a matter of luck. It was possible for even a mortal to obtain one.

That was also why some tokens were lost, never to be found again over these tens of thousands of years. Only eighty or ninety people had entered during the last opening. Understanding then dawned on Gu Han. He hadn’t expected the tokens to have such a secret.

He asked again, ”So you’re planning to go in too?”

The cultivator shook his head. “Me? What right does someone like me have to enter? Indeed, the Perfected Person decreed that everyone would have an equal chance of entering, regardless of their strength or backing. But forget about finding any treasures. The moment you enter, those major powers will set their sights on you and kill you outright.”

In the early days of the Kunling Relic Site, quite a few ordinary cultivators had entered. But later, those major powers specifically targeted these people. Over time, even if someone obtained a token, they wouldn’t dare enter anymore. They could only choose to hand the token over in exchange for some benefits. It eventually became the primary method by which they collected tokens, effectively allowing them to monopolize the relic site.

In fact, in recent years because of Ling Ya’s influence, the Tiannan Realm had become increasingly chaotic. Over ninety-nine percent of those who could enter were from second-rate forces or above.

Something clicked in Gu Han’s mind. No wonder...

The people he’d encountered earlier had wanted to silence him just because he overheard a name. Clearly, they didn’t want news of these tokens getting out.

He said thoughtfully, “It seems like there are a lot of good things inside that Kunling Relic Site?”

The cultivator nodded. “Of course! Heavenly treasures, divine abilities, secret techniques... almost everything you could want. The Kunling Relic Site has opened so many times, and still no one’s figured out just how many good things are stored inside!”

Gu Han’s heart stirred. “It has everything? Does it have Soul Crystals?”

“Of course.”

“How many?”

The cultivator was a bit at a loss. “Uhh... I’ve never been inside, but I imagine there should be quite a few.”

“How long until the relic site manifests?”

He didn’t seem certain. “I think about two or three months. I actually can’t say for sure.”

Gu Han fell into thought. I’m short on Soul Crystals right now. Maybe I should go take a look? Keep a low profile. Don’t cause trouble. Just get the Soul Crystals. It should be fine, right?

“Since you’re not going in yourself, are you planning to sell the token to them?”

The cultivator quickly shook his head. “No, no! If you’re unlucky, not only might you get no compensation, you could lose your life by selling it to them. Selling it to the Lingyun Merchant Association is a wise choice! They offer fair prices and never do anything that violates their reputation.”

Gu Han was taken aback. “Lingyun Merchant Association? What kind of place is that?”

The cultivator was also stunned. I can understand if he doesn’t know about the relic site, but he doesn’t even know about the Lingyun Merchant Association? Did he come from some lower continent?

The Lingyun Merchant Association was located twenty thousand li north of here. It was quite special, being not only a first-rate force but also the largest merchant association here. On top of being powerful, they’d also used their immense wealth to build Lingyun City. Their business covered every aspect. Within the city, as long as one had money, one could buy almost anything.

The cultivator was full of longing. “The Lingyun Merchant Association’s branches also extend across all seven realms of the alliance. Their influence is widespread and their foundation is deep so no one dares to provoke them lightly. Only in Lingyun City can us rogue cultivators have a measure of safety. It’s just that the fees are too expensive...”

Gu Han comprehended the information. Why does Lingyun Merchant Association’s model sound so familiar? Not just the model, even the name is familiar...

Then, two names flashed through his mind. Tian Yun Merchant Association! Ferryman of the Yellow Springs!