Chapter 456 - 425: Self-Recommendation

Chapter 456: Chapter 425: Self-Recommendation

"That Valley Master Chen really left? We waited for him for months and even set up a scene like this to receive him, but he just up and left?" the Daoist Nun Fan Sulan asked with a hint of displeasure. She was half-reclining on a chaise lounge draped in Demon Beast fur, enjoying the services of several male consorts.

At her words, the others sneered. He wasn’t giving them any face at all.

"Can we even compare? We’re just Outer Loose Cultivators, while he’s the head of Jinyun Valley. That alone puts him leagues ahead of us," Guang Hui said with a smile, his eyes half-closed as a woman held onto each of his arms. "Not to mention he’s a Tier Three Alchemist and the Junior Brother of the Primordial Sect’s Sect Leader."

"He achieved Core Formation centuries before us. Who are we to even be compared to him?"

A few of the Golden Core cultivators let out cold laughs.

The female cultivators and male consorts were consummate professionals. They never got involved in their clients’ affairs, focusing only on serving the people before them.

However, they had seen this sort of situation many times before. Everyone belongs to a circle. If a circle extends an invitation and you refuse, you will naturally offend its members.

They could clearly see that some of the Golden Core cultivators in the private room genuinely wanted to win Chen Che over.

Just as the others had said, whether it was his identity, status, or Alchemy Skill... he was truly someone worth currying favor with for any Golden Core cultivator.

"I don’t know why Duobao insisted that Chen Che come, but with our combined strength, we could kill Xiao Chan three or four times over. This simple matter has dragged on for months, as if we can’t do it without him!"

A Golden Core cultivator said with a hint of dissatisfaction, tapping his fingers on the table.

The words had barely left his mouth when a one-armed Golden Core cultivator sneered, "Haven’t you figured it out yet? This Valley Master Chen is here to steal the credit. He’s got Huang Shiwo backing him, and it looks like Duobao is trying to prop him up."

As he spoke, he picked up his Spirit Tea and took a large gulp. "In the past few decades, whose fame has surpassed his? Could it be... Duobao and Huang Shiwo want to build up his prestige and help him usurp the Sect Leader?"

"That has nothing to do with us."

The topic having reached this point, everyone subconsciously shied away from it. As outsiders, it was best for them not to meddle in the internal affairs of a Major Sect.

After all, they were outsiders.

Just then, the one-armed Golden Core cultivator asked again:

"Fellow Daoist Yu Zhen, we were told there were two missions for our trip to Faqian City. The first is to deal with Xiao Chan. What’s the second?"

Everyone else looked over, their curiosity piqued.

They had indeed come here under Duobao’s orders.

However, the ones in charge of this operation were Yu Zhen and Guang Hui. They had previously mentioned that this trip involved two tasks.

Yu Zhen smiled but remained silent. Guang Hui, however, opened his eyes and said mysteriously, "There’s no hurry. We can discuss it after we’ve eliminated Xiao Chan. For all of you, it’ll be a trivial task."

"But when the time comes, I must ask that none of you hold back in the slightest."

"Oh!?"

Everyone looked surprised at his words.

Another Golden Core cultivator wanted to ask about the second mission, but Guang Hui and Yu Zhen refused to say more. Seeing this, the others could only swallow their questions.

...

...

’They actually suspect I’m here to steal the credit?’

As Chen Che walked down the street, he toyed with the Fierce Eyes in his hand and couldn’t help but chuckle and shake his head. ’These Golden Core cultivators don’t seem to be on the same side. Could the second mission they mentioned... be me?’

After leaving Celestial Paradise, Chen Che had used the Fierce Eyes to secretly leave a wisp of his Divine Sense behind in the private room, allowing him to eavesdrop on their subsequent conversation.

The result, however, was a conversation that left him unsure whether to laugh or cry.

’After some thought, he concluded that most of these Golden Core cultivators had likely been roped in by Duobao under the pretext of ’assassinating Xiao Chan.’ They probably don’t know the part about dealing with me. The second mission Guang Hui mentioned... that’s probably it. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been so secretive about it.’

’Eleven Golden Core cultivators. Three at the Late Stage, eight at the Middle Stage. This is no small matter!’

As these thoughts ran through his mind, Chen Che flicked his wide sleeves and began to stroll casually through Faqian City.

He could feel several gazes on him, clearly from the group at Celestial Paradise. But since their subsequent conversation held little of value, he had withdrawn his Divine Sense to avoid alerting them.

Faqian City was as bustling as ever.

Although night had fallen, the city was brightly lit with lanterns. Aside from a few local residents, most of the populace consisted of cultivators who had fled here seeking refuge or hiding from enemies, making for a motley crowd.

One shouldn’t be fooled by an old man leaning on a cane, his steps faltering as if he had one foot in the grave. The wicked-looking Bone Chain on his wrist could mean he was a notoriously fearsome figure in the outside world.

Nor should one be intimidated by a burly man strutting about with an imposing air. In reality, he might have been hunted to the brink of desperation before finding refuge here.

This being his second visit to Faqian City, Chen Che made several new discoveries. For instance, Duobao’s shops had, at some point, been transferred to two unfamiliar Golden Core cultivators. After some light probing, he learned that Duobao had sold them in a hurry, trading several storefronts and all their stock for an extremely rare piece of Ore and some scarce Spirit Herbs.

However, he couldn’t find out any more details than that.

He only heard it had been a private transaction.

’Good heavens. What could possibly have made him sell these geese that lay golden eggs? It was most likely to forge the Sword Pill... But the Sword Pill is finished now, and he still hasn’t appeared. Is he secretly refining it?’ Chen Che thought to himself.

Fortunately, the high bounty on Duobao’s head in Faqian City prevented him from acting rashly; otherwise, he likely would have led this team himself.

’I wonder what methods Duobao used to convince so many Golden Core cultivators to join him,’ Chen Che mused.

However, given Duobao’s usual methods, it wasn’t hard to guess: a combination of threats and promises.

After that, Chen Che continued to wander through the city.

It had to be said that due to the diverse makeup of Faqian City’s population, it had become a hub for goods from all corners of the world. Its prosperity and openness far surpassed even the Jinyun Valley Market and Primordial City, making it a veritable mega-Ghost Market.

Unfortunately, for a cultivator of Chen Che’s Realm, there were very few things left that could truly catch his eye.

As for finding some overlooked treasure, that was even less likely.

There were conservatively more than two hundred Golden Core True Masters in Faqian City. If any rare treasure were to appear, it would likely be snatched up instantly. And that wasn’t even counting the vast number of Foundation Establishment Cultivators who also resided here.

’And if there was an item that so many cultivators had overlooked,’ Chen Che figured, ’I probably wouldn’t be able to spot its hidden qualities either, even if I stumbled upon it.’

After making a round, his Yellow Gourd held a few new Talisman Brushes, a warhammer, and several Pill Furnaces.

All of these were Tier Three items. While he had no use for them himself, he could take them back to the valley to stock the Treasure House or award them to his subordinates. The city did indeed have many fine goods, but unfortunately, his pockets weren’t deep enough.

「Two hours later.」

Having completed his tour, Chen Che returned to the Celestial Garden Inn. He found Jin Wu arrogantly ordering Li’er to arrange lodging for two guests. But the moment Jin Wu saw Chen Che enter, his demeanor changed instantly, and he scurried over, bowing obsequiously.

"Greetings, Valley Master Chen. You’ve returned so soon?"

The two Foundation Establishment Cultivators had been slightly annoyed by Jin Wu’s attitude, but after witnessing this scene, they could only accept their lot. They were in no position to expect the same treatment as a Golden Core True Master.

"Mm."

Chen Che gave a slight nod.

"Allow me to escort you back to your private courtyard."

Jin Wu paid no mind to Chen Che’s aloofness. He quickly poled the small boat forward, respectfully escorting Chen Che to the islet where his private courtyard was located. Just as Chen Che stepped ashore, Jin Wu suddenly called out:

"Valley Master Chen, please wait."

?

Chen Che turned his head slightly. "Is there something you need?"

"Valley Master Chen, I was wondering... are you in need of someone to run errands for you in Faqian City?"

Jin Wu cupped his hands and bowed his head. "I wonder if you might give this junior an opportunity to serve you..."

"You?"

Chen Che looked at him, his interest piqued.