A Mortal's Start in the Spirit Beast Mountain

Chapter 247 Seducing Wen Tianren

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Luo Ming scanned the area with his divine sense, quickly assessing the current situation. Wen Tianren's aura was as deep as an abyss; he was already at the peak of the Core Formation stage, and was probably only one step away from the Nascent Soul stage.

The four black-robed cultivators standing beside him were all at the mid-stage of the Core Formation realm, their auras subtly connected, their positions forming a battle formation. Clearly, they were well-trained assassins skilled in combined attacks. Add to that the numerous treasures and trump cards that Wen Tianren, as the successor of the Six Paths Supreme Saint, would undoubtedly possess… a direct confrontation would be far from wise.

"Going all out might give me the upper hand, but killing him would be extremely difficult. It would also expose many of my methods and potentially attract the attention of the powerful figure behind him. With the Void Heaven Palace about to open, it's not advisable to draw the attention of the Six Paths Supreme Saints now, nor is it wise to reveal my full strength prematurely." Luo Ming's mind raced, and he made a decision instantly. Seizing the Eight Gates Golden Mirror was key; a swift victory was crucial, and he would leave as soon as he got his hands on it.

At this moment, seeing that Luo Ming did not immediately answer his question, Wen Tianren's eyes turned cold, and an invisible pressure gradually spread from his body. The four black-robed cultivators' gazes were like knives, coldly locking onto Luo Ming, their auras subtly surrounding him, ready to launch a thunderous attack at their young master's command.

At this tense and delicate moment—

"boom!"

From the fiery fissure below, scorching magma suddenly burst open, and a golden-red fireball shot out like a meteor, carrying scorching heat and a joyful cry. It was the Zhiyang Bird, which had failed to catch the strange fire spirit and had immediately returned upon Luo Ming's urgent summons. It seemed to still be thinking about the fire spirit, and as it rushed out, it left a trail of blazing magma in its wake.

However, the instant it burst forth from the magma and revealed its form, an astonishing light suddenly flashed in Wen Tianren's eyes! With his keen eyesight and knowledge, how could he not see the extraordinary nature of this magnificent firebird? The color of its feathers, the purity of its flames, and the faint aura of its bloodline emanating from it were all far from ordinary spirit birds! This was at least a rare spirit beast possessing a top-tier fire-type true spirit bloodline and immense potential!

"What a fine spirit bird!" Wen Tianren thought to himself, a greedy thought arising within him. He had always been quite interested in collecting rare and exotic beasts from all over the world, and now that he saw such a rare fire-type spirit bird, how could he not be tempted? Especially since this spirit bird seemed to have a good grasp of the earth fire environment, which might be helpful for him to explore the mysteries of this place.

The Zhiyang bird was extremely fast. After rushing out, it didn't stop for a moment. With a flash of fire, it disappeared into the seemingly ordinary blue jade bracelet on Luo Ming's wrist right before everyone's eyes.

"A spirit beast bracelet? And of extremely high quality!" Wen Tianren's gaze sharpened, his eyes now filled with scrutiny and determination as he looked at Luo Ming. A Core Formation cultivator who possessed such a spirit beast and a top-tier spirit beast bracelet was no ordinary person. They either possessed a great opportunity or had something to rely on. But in any case, in the Chaotic Star Sea, there weren't many things Wen Tianren set his sights on that he couldn't obtain.

The moment the Zhiyang Bird returned, Luo Ming noticed the change in Wen Tianren's eyes. A thought struck him: since this man had taken a liking to the Zhiyang Bird, perhaps he could make something of it.

He remained expressionless, as if he had merely recalled an ordinary spirit beast. Taking advantage of the moment when the other party was slightly distracted by the appearance of the Zhiyang Bird, he casually cupped his hands towards Wen Tianren and said in a flat tone, "Young Master Wen, my business here is finished, and it is inconvenient for me to stay any longer. I will take my leave now."

Having said that, a faint blue light flashed on his body, and he prepared to ride away in his escape light.

"Trying to leave?" Before Wen Tianren could speak, a black-robed cultivator beside him shouted coldly. The four figures flickered and moved like ghosts in an instant, forming a square that completely blocked Luo Ming's path. Their icy aura locked onto Luo Ming, making it clear that they were ready to attack at the slightest provocation.

Luo Ming paused, his face instantly darkening. He turned to look at Wen Tianren, who remained seated calmly in the car, his voice filled with suppressed anger: "Young Master Wen, what is the meaning of this? Is this desolate island your private property, forbidding others from setting foot here? Or is it that the dignified heir of the Six Paths, the renowned Young Master Wen who shakes the Chaotic Star Sea, is only capable of such bullying and abusing his power?"

The tone was heavy, carrying a clear sarcasm. A cold glint flashed in the eyes of the four black-robed cultivators, their killing intent palpable.

Upon hearing this, Wen Tianren didn't get angry but laughed instead. He waved his hand gently, signaling his subordinates to calm down. He looked at Luo Ming's "suppressing anger" expression with interest and said leisurely, "Interesting. Knowing my identity, you still dare to speak in such a tone. I... am somewhat impressed."

He paused, his tone carrying a condescending arrogance, "Your cultivation is decent, and this spirit bird is quite extraordinary. I, the young master, am currently in need of capable people. Why don't you follow me and become one of my retainers? I never mistreat my own people; you'll certainly receive plenty of elixirs, miraculous medicines, and secret cultivation manuals."

He said this as if it were a great favor to have Luo Ming follow him.

Luo Ming was secretly pleased, but his face showed a thoughtful expression, as if he was really considering it. After a moment, he raised his head, looked directly at Wen Tianren, and his tone returned to calm, but with a hint of provocation: "I appreciate Young Master Wen's kindness. I have indeed heard a great deal about Young Master Wen. It is said that you are the number one person below the Nascent Soul stage in the Chaotic Star Sea, with great supernatural powers and invincible among those of the same level."

He changed the subject, his eyes sharpening: "However, rumors are just rumors. As a rogue cultivator, I've reached this level because I don't believe in empty reputations, only in the supernatural abilities I possess. If Young Master Wen wants me to follow him, he should at least let me see for myself just how much weight this title of 'Number One Below Nascent Soul' really carries, right?"

The room fell silent immediately upon hearing this.

Wen Tianren's smile froze slightly, seemingly taken aback by Luo Ming's words. He tilted his head slightly, as if he'd heard something utterly absurd, and asked doubtfully, "Does this fellow Daoist mean... he wants to fight me?" He looked Luo Ming up and down, as if confirming his sanity. "Where do you get such confidence?"

The four black-robed cultivators, along with the girl in green beside them, were initially taken aback, but then their faces revealed undisguised mockery and sneers. They looked at Luo Ming as if he were a madman who didn't know his own death. A mere mid-stage Core Formation cultivator dared to challenge Young Master Wen, who possessed the inheritance of the Six Paths and countless treasures? He simply had a death wish!

However, facing these mocking or cold gazes, Luo Ming remained calm. He even took a step forward, no longer deliberately concealing his aura. A steady, mountain-like, yet subtly sharp, aura rose within him. He repeated clearly and slowly, "I, Luo Ming, am not very talented, but I was just about to ask Young Master Wen for a few pointers. What, perhaps Young Master Wen... dares not?"

He deliberately softened his tone when he said "I dare not," making the words sound particularly clear and jarring on the silent, deserted island.

The last trace of amusement vanished from Wen Tianren's face, his eyes suddenly turning icy and sharp, like a hawk eyeing its prey. A terrifying spiritual pressure, chilling to the bone, slowly emanated from him, the surrounding purple demonic energy surging silently. He slowly rose from the carriage, his brocade robes fluttering without wind, his voice revealing neither joy nor anger:

"Good, very good. It's been a long time since anyone has dared to speak to me like this."

Seeing that Wen Tianren actually intended to personally intervene, the blue-clad maidservant with two swords who had been silently standing by his side immediately showed a look of alarm. She couldn't help but step forward and whisper, "Young Master! Why do you need to personally deal with such a madman? Leave it to us!"

She knew full well that the young master was of noble status, and if anything were to happen to him, they would be held responsible to the death. Moreover, the other party dared to take the initiative to challenge her, so he must have something to rely on and was definitely not an ordinary person.

However, Wen Tianren simply waved his hand casually, his gaze fixed on Luo Ming, a cold yet excited smile curving his lips: "Step back. It's been a long time since I've truly fought anyone. It seems that some people in this Chaotic Star Sea have forgotten my abilities and no longer take me seriously."

His tone was calm, yet it carried an air of arrogant self-importance and murderous intent. Before he finished speaking, he had already launched his attack!

He casually raised his right hand and lightly pointed his slender finger in Luo Ming's direction—

"Hiss hiss hiss hiss—!"

Countless fine, yet dazzling golden threads, like a rain of pear blossoms, burst forth from his wide sleeves! The golden threads pierced the air silently, yet their speed surpassed the limits of the naked eye, leaving behind countless fleeting golden afterimages that completely enveloped the space within dozens of feet around Luo Ming!

Wherever the golden light passed, even the air seemed to be cut apart, emitting a faint hiss, and a sharp aura, incomparably fierce and capable of breaking through protective spiritual light and magical artifact defenses, spread out.

"The Heavenly Sun Gilded Needle!" Luo Ming's heart skipped a beat as he instantly recognized the treasure. This needle was quite famous in the Chaotic Star Sea. It was made by collecting the essence of meteorite iron from outer space, fusing it with several rare and sharp metal treasures, and adding a trace of Geng essence. It was specially designed to break through various shields and restrictions. It was fast, had extremely strong penetrating power, and could break down into smaller pieces, making it difficult to defend against. It was a powerful weapon for sneak attacks and strong offensives.

Faced with this sudden and sharp attack, Luo Ming appeared shocked, but his movements were not slow at all. A glint flashed in his eyes, and his left hand, which had been hanging by his side, suddenly rose. A dark light, as deep as night and exuding a sinister and ghostly aura, flashed from his palm, instantly expanding and transforming into a black shield ten feet in size with a ferocious shape, blocking in front of him.

On the shield, a lifelike relief of a twisted and tormented ghost face appears, with green flames seemingly flickering in its empty eye sockets. The entire shield exudes a chilling and piercing aura of profound yin energy, along with the unique sense of weight and solidity of ten-thousand-year-old black iron.

It was the spoils of war that Luo Ming obtained when he killed the Nether Tiger True Man—the Ghost Face Shield, a top-tier defensive magic weapon made primarily of ten-thousand-year-old Xuan Yin Iron and infused with a large amount of Yin Soul Ghost Qi!

"Ding ding ding ding ding—!"

The rapid, crisp impacts, like a torrential downpour hitting banana leaves, resounded throughout the cave! Countless golden rays of light, powerful enough to pierce through ordinary magical artifacts, slammed into the surface of the Ghost Mask Shield, bursting into clusters of tiny golden and black light spots.