touchnovel Chapter 413 - 239: Spying in Secret (Part 2)
Chapter 413 - 239: Spying in Secret (Part 2)
A living Spirit Body held an unparalleled, fatal attraction to Netherworld Creatures—a fact that was even recorded on Red Thunder Star.
But Su Chen obviously couldn’t provide one consistently, so he just shook his head. "That’s a bit troublesome. Ask for something else."
The Centipede Dragon scoffed and said no more, focusing single-mindedly on absorbing some kind of power from the Netherworld Stone vein.
’Controlling this creature wasn’t going to be that simple, as expected.’
Su Chen sighed inwardly. But on second thought, it made sense. If these intelligent creatures were so easy to cooperate with,
the Sect would have started working with them long ago. It wouldn’t be his turn to come and negotiate.
He wasn’t in a hurry anyway. At least these creatures wouldn’t get in the way of the mining.
Su Chen’s gaze shifted to the Black Ape in the distance, and he led it into the mine first.
Estimating that most of the Netherworld Creatures had arrived outside, he came back out and selected a few more to bring in.
"This Black Ape’s work ethic is impressive." After arranging the other creatures, Su Chen observed them carefully for a while and found the Black Ape to be extremely proactive.
’If I can’t find a general contractor, maybe I can cultivate a small construction crew.’ Su Chen mused. At this thought, an idea sparked. He quietly slipped out of the mine and waited from a distance.
Before long, a Netherworld Creature with a rat’s head that stood upright like a man peeked its head out of the mine. After confirming that the terrifying figure was gone, it scampered away excitedly.
Soon after, the remaining three creatures also ran out.
But Su Chen waited for a long time, and the Black Ape never came out.
"So it actually listens," Su Chen said, slightly surprised, as he walked into the mine.
Sure enough, the creature was still digging away, its four arms swinging like wheels and sending rock fragments flying.
"Interesting." Su Chen couldn’t help but nod.
After another short wait, he once again forced a few more Netherworld Creatures to come and help, only stopping just before the Flame Fire reignited.
Just like last time, he took the Mother Stones he could carry and fed all the ones he couldn’t to the Black Ape.
"Tha...nk... you..."
The mental fluctuation was clearer this time. Before leaving, Su Chen said to it, "From now on, I’ll call you Xiao Hei. If you’re really smart, come back here tomorrow."
The Black Ape seemed to understand, yet also seemed not to.
Su Chen didn’t think much of it. It was just a casual move on his part.
Back in the real world, Su Chen didn’t notify Ming Lin to come again. Unloading the goods wasn’t that easy, especially when it had to be done secretly.
Giving them to him yesterday only to have them all sold by today would be suspicious.
He had mined two more Mother Stones today. He estimated that one more day of mining would be enough to purchase sufficient Cunning Fox Divine Power to synthesize the essence and strengthen the Tolerant.
After that, he would stop for a while. If he amassed too many, Ming Lin wouldn’t be able to sell them off quickly.
’Next, the priority is to advance to Red Thunder Master. Once I do, I can try to cajole Black Tuo. In the meantime, I can investigate the location of that Spiritual Fire.’
Having determined his next steps, Su Chen returned to the training room and activated his Meditation Technique.
He hadn’t yet applied for the Tier Five Body Refining Technique and its related Potion supply, mainly because he would have to undergo certification and update his records to requisition them.
His promotion to Red Thunder Master was imminent, so a few more days wouldn’t make a difference.
......
On another Floating Island, Meng Shiyu stepped out of a Flying Device and looked up. The place looked austere; aside from a few necessary buildings, there were no signs of any places for leisure.
He went straight to the main building and up to the top floor, where Qin Tianlin was already waiting for him.
"Senior Brother..." Meng Shiyu called out respectfully. Only after Qin Tianlin nodded did he cautiously take a seat.
"How is the investigation going?" Qin Tianlin asked.
Meng Shiyu gave a wry smile and sighed. "Senior Brother, I don’t know if that Su Chen is on guard or if he’s just incredibly patient."
"Ever since he arrived at the Sect, he has barely left his Floating Island. His Potion consumption, however, is nonstop. The grade has even increased by thirty percent, and I estimate he’s going through four to five portions of Potions a day."
"That high?" Qin Tianlin was astonished. "With his Talent, does he really burn through them that fast?"
"Who knows?" Meng Shiyu said helplessly. "Several of our people have tried to approach him, both openly and covertly, but they can’t even get a meeting with him."
Qin Tianlin’s brow furrowed. Before leaving, his grandfather had told him to lay low, so naturally, he couldn’t make any major moves.
But gathering intelligence and monitoring his movements was perfectly normal.
However, at this point, Meng Shiyu’s tone shifted. "But recently, that underling of his named Ming Lin has been making some moves."
"Oh?" A glint appeared in Qin Tianlin’s eyes.
Meng Shiyu didn’t keep him in suspense. "He seems to be in contact with black market merchants."
"Reselling Potions?" Qin Tianlin wondered instinctively, but then shook his head. "Unlikely. The man’s not an idiot. Besides, you can’t make much money reselling Potions."
"Not Potions. He seems to be asking about the price of Deceitful God’s Power," Meng Shiyu said with some hesitation. "The black market merchants active around the Sect are very tight-lipped. And that guy acts secretively, using several different identities, so I’m not entirely sure."
"Deceitful God’s Power!" Qin Tianlin’s eyes flashed, but then he seemed to recall something and sighed. "Grandfather did mention to me that he came from Red Thunder Star and carries a large amount of Deceitful God’s Power."
"He specifically warned me not to use this to make trouble, or I might end up digging a hole for myself."
"I see." Meng Shiyu was a little disappointed that the information he’d worked so hard to obtain seemed useless. But then he added, "I’ll keep an eye on him for now. He’s acting so secretively, I have a feeling it’s not that simple."
Qin Tianlin nodded. Just as he was about to speak, his expression changed, and a look of delight appeared on his face. "Master Fan is here."
Before Meng Shiyu could react, the door was thrown open with a BANG. A figure strode in, a man with a massive frame who stood like a mountain, his face covered in a bushy beard.
"Master Fan." Qin Tianlin stood up to greet him.
"Master..." Meng Shiyu also hurriedly called out, a wave of joy washing over him. ’My master must have finally attained the last profession needed for his Melting Holy Profession.’
"HAHAHA!" Fan Zhao laughed heartily, clapping Qin Tianlin on the shoulder. "Not bad! I just came out of seclusion and already I hear you’ve triggered three anomalous resonances."
Qin Tianlin gave a wry smile. "Sigh, with that new Star Seed around, my achievements hardly count for anything."
Fan Zhao’s face fell slightly, but he said, "What kind of talk is that? An achievement is worth celebrating. What does it have to do with anyone else?"
He sat down and said lightly, "I’ve already heard all about that new Star Seed. He’s certainly no simple character, but..."
He shook his head with a smile, his gaze falling on Meng Shiyu. "Shiyu."
Meng Shiyu nodded quickly. "Master, I’m listening."
"Bring him to me. I want to meet him," Fan Zhao said, as if it were a matter of course.
"Well..." Hearing Fan Zhao’s matter-of-fact tone, Meng Shiyu exchanged a glance with Qin Tianlin and said hesitantly, "Master, I’m afraid that might be..."
Before he could finish, Fan Zhao cut him off, his expression turning cold. "What’s the problem?"
Meng Shiyu didn’t dare to speak rashly and just said with a wry smile, "I’m not sure if I can get him to come."
Fan Zhao snorted. "Your job is just to extend the invitation. Whether he accepts or not is not your concern."
"Very well." Meng Shiyu sighed and had no choice but to turn and leave.
After Meng Shiyu left, Qin Tianlin said in a low voice, "Martial Uncle, before Grandfather left, he specifically warned me not to provoke him while he’s away."
"It’s just an invitation to a meal. You call that a provocation?" Fan Zhao shook his head.
Qin Tianlin fell silent and didn’t try to persuade him further. If Qin Yun hadn’t given him specific instructions, he probably would have used some tactics of his own.
Changing the subject, he asked, "Martial Uncle, have you finished all the preparations for the Melting Holy Profession?"
"My side is more or less ready," Fan Zhao nodded, but with a hint of impatience. "But the Nether Hall is dragging its feet."
Qin Tianlin was a little confused. "Didn’t they find a Spiritual Fire some time ago?"
Fan Zhao’s expression turned icy. "They found it, yes, but the nearby Netherworld Creatures haven’t been cleared out yet. Qin Yuezheng is using all sorts of excuses to delay, saying it’s too far from the range of the Flame Fire, that they’re short on manpower, and things like that."
"I think it’s because Master has left and Chu Lingyuan is in charge now. That Qin Yuezheng is deliberately messing with me. I’m getting ready to head to the Nether Realm and pay him a visit!"