A Mortal's Start in the Spirit Beast Mountain

Chapter 187 The Trail of the Demonic Path

Luo Ming did not go directly to the shop, but instead turned into a quaintly decorated teahouse, ordered a pot of spiritual tea, and sat by the window.

This teahouse has been open for hundreds of years and is considered a time-honored establishment. Its Yunwu Green Tea is exceptional. Luo Ming remembered this teahouse ever since Jin Qing brought him here once.

However, his main purpose in coming here this time was not to drink tea, but to keep an eye on the two people in the opposite pavilion with his divine sense.

"After all this time, they're still watching my old cave. Was Jiyin Island sent by Wen Tianren?" Luo Ming's heart stirred.

He had come down from the cave dwelling and happened to pass by his original cave dwelling on the 39th floor. He casually scanned it with his divine sense, but unexpectedly discovered something unusual: a faint divine sense was constantly hovering around his cave dwelling.

Luo Ming carefully followed the divine sense and discovered the two people here.

Those were two early-stage Core Formation cultivators, their spiritual energy was obscure and sinister, with a faint, elusive chill emanating from them; they were clearly demonic cultivators.

The two had set up a thin soundproof barrier around themselves, thinking they were being discreet, and were talking in hushed tones.

However, such methods are no different from making a public commotion in front of Luo Ming's Nascent Soul level divine sense.

"That old fellow from the Liu family on Red Sand Island actually managed to advance to the Nascent Soul stage by sheer luck. It's said that they'll be holding a Nascent Soul Ceremony in six months," someone said enviously.

"Leaving aside the Liu family's affairs for now, we brothers have been guarding Wang Chan's cave near Tianxing City for sixty years. That kid is only at the early stage of Core Formation. He ran away back then and hasn't shown his face since. Who knows where he's hiding? Why is the higher-ups so concerned about him?" Another short, fat old man sighed, looking quite helpless.

"Who knows? We can't resist the arrangements made by those above. Perhaps Wang Chan is hiding some incredible secret."

,,,,,,

Upon hearing the name "Wang Chan," Luo Ming paused slightly, a cold glint flashing in the depths of his eyes.

The fact that two early-stage Core Formation cultivators could be stationed in this cave for nearly sixty years is something probably only Young Master Wen could accomplish.

After all, that Bloodthirsty Blade directly devoured two of the opponent's demonic shadows. The opponent would definitely not let go of such a treasure that could restrain the opponent's demonic arts, so it is normal that they were able to find his cave.

But he didn't expect that those demonic cultivators were still keeping a close watch on his old cave dwelling, guarding it for sixty years.

Luo Ming felt a chill run down his spine.

Fortunately, he acted cautiously back then, abandoning the identity of Wang Chan early on, changing his appearance and aura, and renting a new cave dwelling; otherwise, he would probably have been in great trouble long ago.

He remained calm and slowly drank a sip of spiritual tea, his mind racing.

The fact that the demonic cultivators are so persistent in their search for Wang Chan's whereabouts clearly shows that the matter from back then has not been resolved.

The cultivator with the deep voice continued, "Although guarding that brat Wang Chan is boring, Young Master Wen is quite generous and has given us a lot of benefits. It's much more stable than taking on other risky missions. I heard that the Liu family patriarch on Red Sand Island has broken through to the Nascent Soul stage and will soon hold a Nascent Soul Ceremony. I also heard that he will hold a magic weapon auction on the side. Good heavens, the Liu family is indeed a family of weapon refiners with a history of over a thousand years. They have such a grand scale even after just advancing to the Nascent Soul stage. Their foundation is truly unfathomable."

The other person spoke more gently, with a hint of covetousness: "That's right. Rumor has it that the Liu family will be bringing out several extremely difficult-to-forge magic weapons at this auction. It will definitely attract cultivators from all over Tianxing City and even the surrounding areas. The Liu family's reputation as the number one weapon-forging family in the Chaotic Star Sea will probably be confirmed. It's a pity that the two of us can't leave Tianxing City. Otherwise, if we could go to Red Sand Island and find a suitable magic weapon, we would have more confidence when we advance to the mid-stage of Core Formation."

"Hmph, with our meager wealth, we think we can rob a treasure? At best, we'll just join in the fun and hope we don't get slaughtered like lambs to the slaughter."

Their whispers gradually turned to speculation about the auction. Luo Ming slowly withdrew his teacup, a hint of emotion flashing in his eyes. He smiled at Tianjing Sanren and said, "The Liu family truly has a profound foundation. To be able to hold such a grand auction of magical treasures alongside a mere Nascent Soul Ceremony is truly worthy of a family specializing in weapon crafting. Ordinary forces simply cannot afford such a feat. I wonder how their weapon crafting skills compare to yours, senior?"

The voice of Tianjing Sanren echoed from the Xuan Yuan Pearl within his body, tinged with doubt: "The Liu family? Which Liu family?"

Luo Ming's mind stirred, and he replied telepathically to the Xuan Yuan Pearl: "Senior, it's the Liu family of Red Sand Island."

The words had barely left his lips when a chilling snort suddenly emanated from within the Xuan Yuan Pearl. The tone was filled with resentment and disdain, the previous gentleness completely gone, leaving only a bone-chilling cold: "The Liu family of Red Sand Island? So it's the family established by that traitorous wretch!"

Luo Ming was taken aback, not expecting Tianjing Sanren to react this way upon hearing about the Liu family of Red Sand Island. He immediately asked via telepathy, "Senior Tianjing, do you have some grudge against the Liu family?"

After a moment of silence within the Xuan Yuan Pearl, the voice of Tianjing Sanren slowly emerged, tinged with a sense of vicissitude and resentment, each word dripping with anger: "It's more than just knowing him; that Liu family ancestor was once my most prized disciple!"

"Oh? Is that so?" Luo Ming's eyes flickered, his curiosity growing.

As the other party recounted the story, Luo Ming learned that the Liu family's ancestor had once been a disciple of Tianjing Sanren. Tianjing Sanren saw that the other party had a good talent for weapon crafting and could not bear to see his weapon crafting tradition lost, so he made the other party follow him.

Later, Tianjing Sanren had a conflict with Xinggong and was besieged by Xinggong. The Liu family ancestor, due to his low aptitude, coveted the Heaven-Mending Pill promised by Xinggong and betrayed Tianjing Sanren, which led to his whereabouts being exposed. He was trapped in a hidden cave by many Nascent Soul cultivators of Xinggong and ultimately only managed to escape with his primordial spirit.

Luo Ming finally understood why Tianjing Sanren harbored such hostility towards the Liu family—it turned out that he had been betrayed by his most prized disciple, which led to his current predicament.

He couldn't help but think of Xuan Gu from Ji Yin Island. Xuan Gu had been betrayed by his own disciple, as had Tianjing Sanren. He couldn't help but wonder, "Is there really a tradition of disciples betraying their masters in the Chaotic Star Sea? How can there be so many ungrateful people?"

With a sigh, Luo Ming gently comforted Xuan Yuan Pearl: "Senior, don't be angry. The Liu family ancestor betrayed you and will eventually be punished. Although his descendants are about to advance to the Nascent Soul stage, it may not last long."

He knew that in just over twenty years, a great war would break out in the Chaotic Star Sea. Although the Liu family, as a weapon-refining family, was nominally affiliated with the Star Palace, both the Star Palace and the Reverse Star Alliance would keep a close eye on this place once the war started.

After all, both sides are well aware of the importance of a weapon-refining family. In addition to refining magical treasures, a large number of weapon refiners are also needed for some siege and formation-breaking tools.

Once the Liu family sides with one side, the other side will never let them off the hook.

Tianjing Sanren took a deep breath, suppressing his anger. His tone gradually calmed down, but still carried a certain certainty: "Isn't the Liu family going to hold a Nascent Soul Ceremony in half a year? You must go then."

Upon hearing this, Luo Ming immediately hesitated, his brows furrowing slightly. He transmitted his voice, saying, "Senior Tianjing, isn't this inappropriate? The Liu family's Nascent Soul Ceremony will undoubtedly attract cultivators from all sides, including many Nascent Soul level experts—a real mixed bag. If I rashly go to Red Sand Island, with so many people around, what if I'm recognized by those demonic cultivators? Wouldn't that be like walking into a trap?"

With a tap of the fingertip, one is instantly transported to the wonderful world of Chapter 187, "Traces of the Demonic Path".