A month later.

In the depths of the Wilderness.

Here, the mountains range endlessly, with towering ancient trees blocking out the sun.

The milky-white forest mist obscures vision, greatly reducing the distance Divine Sense can probe.

The cold wind is biting.

Shen Xuan, riding on the Golden Claw Divine Eagle Corpse Beast, lowers his altitude and slows down his flight speed.

The deeper into the Wilderness, the higher the grade of Demon Beasts encountered, and thus the greater the danger.

Shen Xuan frequently checks the Geography Jade Scroll gifted by Master Wuchen.

At this moment, he is very close to the Thunder Swamp where the Thunder Beasts live.

Only three or four hundred miles away.

Around the Thunder Swamp, there are several noticeable markings.

All are Tier Two or above flocks of demon birds and beasts.

Among them, there is an extremely troublesome demon insect, the Ghost Needle Demon Ant.

This Ghost Needle Demon Ant is a super predator.

Often hunting with an ant army tactic, numbering at least millions, like armies, with clear division of labor, ferocious and ruthless.

There are thousands of large-headed ant commanders, all Tier One Top Grade, extremely fierce.

Shen Xuan, with his various methods, naturally does not fear these demon birds, beasts, or insects.

But in the depths of the Wilderness, to ensure safety, Cultivators must remain in their best condition and not engage in battle lightly.

In such places, Spiritual Qi and Demonic Qi mix together, carrying many impure impurities, more suitable for the growth and cultivation of Demon Beasts.

The power of Human Race Cultivators is greatly reduced.

Shen Xuan slows his flight to travel.

Body on high alert.

[Insight Technique], [Ears Listening in All Directions], [Sharp-eyed] all deployed to the maximum extent.

Suddenly, Shen Xuan senses something unusual and stops.

His Divine Sense is comparable to the Late Stage of Foundation Establishment.

Even in the forest mist, he can probe five hundred feet away.

Not far ahead, there is a team of Human Race Cultivators resting.

The number is considerable, more than thirty people.

Among them, there are seven Foundation Establishment Cultivators.

"Where did these people come from?"

Shen Xuan pondered secretly.

Suddenly, he hears the cry of an eagle.

A Foundation Establishment Cultivator with a pointed face and monkey cheeks, riding a magnificent flying eagle Spiritual Bird, emerges from the forest mist.

Shen Xuan changes his appearance, lowering his aura to the Early Stage of Foundation Establishment.

Did not deliberately use [Invisibility].

Obviously, among the Cultivator team ahead, there are experts capable of detecting from a distance, aware of Shen Xuan's presence.

The pointed face and monkey-cheeked Foundation Establishment Cultivator approaches Shen Xuan ten feet away and salutes with clasped fists.

"I am Hou Jing from the Celestial Fortune Commerce Association of Song Country, may I know the honored name and origin of Fellow Daoist?"

Shen Xuan returned the salute and said: "I am Shen Fei, a Loose Cultivator from the wilderness of Song Country."

Hou Jing glanced meaningfully at the Golden Claw Divine Eagle Corpse Beast Shen Xuan was riding.

"In the depths of the Wilderness, Demon Beasts are numerous and dangers lurk everywhere. Fellow Daoist Shen, why not travel together with our Celestial Fortune Commerce Association?"

Shen Xuan declined, saying: "I appreciate the good intentions of Fellow Daoist Hou. I have always traveled alone and prefer not to join the crowd."

It's not that he's afraid.

But there's no need.

The Celestial Fortune Commerce Association is merely a small force in Song Country.

Formed by an alliance of seven medium-sized commercial Cultivation Clans.

The highest combat strength within the Celestial Fortune Commerce Association is only Foundation Establishment Perfection.

With Shen Xuan's current combat strength and methods.

If it were Foundation Establishment Perfection from the seven major Sects, it might pressure him a bit.

After all, in terms of Spiritual Power and Divine Soul, Shen Xuan falls short.

If they are clan Cultivators, even at Foundation Establishment Perfection, most would not pose a threat to him.

Clan Cultivators and major Sect disciples, even within the same Realm, have significant differences in strength.

The [Seeking Fortune and Avoiding Evil] technique enhances intuition and perception.

But cannot be fully relied upon.

Fortune is constantly changing.

Sometimes, a very trivial matter can change a person's fortune.

Shen Xuan is not afraid of trouble.

There is no need to seek trouble.

Hou Jing sees Shen Xuan's refusal and glances again at the Golden Claw Divine Eagle Corpse Beast, smiling: "Very well, Fellow Daoist Shen, we shall meet again if fate allows."

After speaking, Hou Jing lightly pats the flying eagle Spiritual Bird, returning to the Commerce Association team ahead.

He should be going back to report.

There are other experts within the Commerce Association team.

Relying on Hou Jing alone wouldn't reveal his presence.

Shen Xuan pondered for a moment.

Steered the Golden Claw Divine Eagle Corpse Beast, changing direction to take a detour.

...

Two hours later.

Shen Xuan flew out of the lush forest, arriving at the foot of a towering mountain ridge.

"Is this the colorful cloud ridge marked on the Geography Jade Scroll?"

Shen Xuan gazed distantly at the mountainside of the colorful cloud ridge.

There lies the Bai Family Stronghold, in a position easy to defend and hard to attack, inhabited by a hundred thousand barbarians.

The barbarians are inhabitants of the Wilderness maintaining primitive tribal customs, physically strong, practicing Body Refining techniques, primarily hunting Demon Beasts for food.

Among them, a few barbarians possess Spirit Roots and also practice Spells.

A large barbarian village like Bai Family Stronghold is significantly powerful.

Within the stronghold, there are a dozen Golden Body Realm Body Refiners, their physical combat ability comparable to Tier Two Demon Beasts.

To have stood in the Wilderness for so many years without falling, they have considerable foundations.

Fortunately, successive leaders of the Bai Family Stronghold are insightful and have always treated visitors kindly.

Especially Human Race Cultivators who actively come seeking trade.

Shen Xuan pondered for a few moments, then directed the Golden Claw Divine Eagle Corpse Beast to fly towards Bai Family Stronghold.

Soon, Shen Xuan appeared in front of the leader of Bai Family Stronghold.

"Shen Fei, a Loose Cultivator from the wilderness, greets Fellow Daoist Bai."

The leader of Bai Family Stronghold before him, burly and broad, with bare muscles like a small mountain, giving a powerful presence.

What is rare is that he also emits strong Spiritual Power fluctuations, remarkably a Middle Stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator.

"I am Bai Tiancheng of Bai Family Stronghold. I wonder what brings Fellow Daoist Shen here?"

Seeing the guarded expression of Bai Tiancheng, Shen Xuan smiled slightly.

In Bai Tiancheng's shocked gaze, he took out more than a dozen Thunder Spirit Pearls.

"These are Thunder Spirit Pearls, one-time Tier Two Magical Treasures, can be activated with brute force alone."

"They are very effective for hunting Demon Beasts."

"I'm willing to trade the Thunder Spirit Pearls for your stronghold's local specialties."

"Fellow Daoist Bai, would you be interested?"

Upon hearing this, Bai Tiancheng's eyes lit up.

He had certainly heard of the Thunder Spirit Pearls.

However, Bai Family Stronghold is a barbarian village.

Neither possessing Spirit Stones nor channels to purchase such lethal weapons.

Besides hunting, the barbarians also gather and cultivate some spirit medicines.

This is also one of their main products for external trade.

"Of course, welcome! Fellow Daoist Shen, please come in quickly!"

"Let's sit down and discuss the trade at our leisure!"

Bai Tiancheng tested a Thunder Spirit Pearl.

It was consistent with the legends.

No spiritual power infusion was needed.

The power was about twenty percent of an Early Stage of Foundation Establishment Thunder Cultivator's spell.

He then inquired about the price.

Shen Xuan only asked for five hundred spirit stones each.

This price was extremely fair.

Bai Tiancheng was overjoyed and immediately hosted a banquet to entertain Shen Xuan, specially taking out spirit wine he'd treasured for years.

Made by the barbarians from spirit plants picked from the wilderness, it's called Thyme, with its own unique flavor.

Using various wild spirit plants as the main ingredients, and brewing with the clear and cold spiritual spring, it's pink like the clouds at sunset, exuding a rich fragrant aroma, with a slight spicy bitterness.

The taste is hot and spicy, going down like a ball of fire burning the throat, with a particularly strong aftereffect.

As Shen Xuan drank, he used spiritual power to refine the alcohol.

Given the characteristics of his Divine Hidden Sea Technique, without a thousand or so catties of Thyme spirit wine, there's no hope of getting him drunk.

After three rounds of drinking, the atmosphere was harmonious.

Shen Xuan and Bai Tiancheng started calling each other brothers.

It was revealed that Shen Xuan was already one hundred and fifteen years old.

Bai Tiancheng considered himself the junior, addressing him as Brother.

Discussing trade then became much easier.

Shen Xuan used two hundred Thunder Spirit Pearls to trade for the Bai Family Stronghold's stock of spirit medicines.

Most were main ingredients for Tier Two Spirit Pills.

These spirit medicines, outside the wilderness, would see a seventy percent price increase.

But, in the Bai Family Stronghold, it was only half the original price.

Truly a bargain.

As long as they were taken out of the wilderness, it would be more than double the profit.

After the trade was completed.

Both were satisfied.

Shen Xuan personally gifted Bai Tiancheng twenty Thunder Spirit Pearls.

In appreciation for the banquet and his frequent addressing of him as "Brother Shen".

Though the Bai Family Stronghold had some demon beast materials.

There was no demon beast essence blood.

The highest grade was only Tier Two Lower Grade.

Shen Xuan wasn't interested.

He inquired about the Thunder Beast from Bai Tiancheng.

According to the Geography Jade Scroll gifted by Master Wuchen.

The Thunder Beast resides in the Thunder Swamp.

It's only a hundred miles away from here.

"Thunder Beast? This is a Tier Two Top Grade Thunder Attribute demon beast, Brother Shen must be extremely careful!"

Bai Tiancheng was an honest person.

He immediately informed Shen Xuan that the Thunder Beast is not only fierce but also lives in packs.

A nest of Thunder Beasts has at least four or five heads.

Attacking simultaneously, their power is enormous.

Even one with Foundation Establishment Perfection, facing simultaneous continuous attacks from multiple bolts of thunder and lightning, would find it difficult to withstand, and could only flee in panic.

As such a prime trade partner like Shen Xuan.

Bai Tiancheng wouldn't want him to perish in the Thunder Swamp.

"Thank you, Brother Bai, for your concern. Rest assured, I will proceed with caution," Shen replied.

At this moment, a barbarian rushed in to report.

The people from Celestial Fortune Commerce Association have arrived at Bai Family Stronghold.

Bai Tiancheng was overjoyed upon hearing this, and pulled Shen Xuan to go out of the village to welcome them.

...

"Is it you?"

Hou Jing looked at Shen Xuan, full of shock.

He never expected Shen Xuan to come alone to this Bai Family Stronghold.

A vague sense of foreboding emerged in his heart.

As expected.

When Celestial Fortune Commerce Association was trading with Bai Tiancheng.

They found that Bai Family Stronghold's supply of spirit medicine was much less than in previous years.

This was originally a considerable profit.

Planned within Celestial Fortune Commerce Association.

But Shen Xuan had intercepted it in advance.

The Foundation Establishment cultivators from Celestial Fortune Commerce Association looked at Shen Xuan with eyes full of resentment and discontent.

However, being merchants by nature, they were proficient at enduring.

No matter how displeased they were in their hearts.

In Bai Family Stronghold, they dared not act out.

Instead, they had to suppress their anger.

"Fellow Daoist Shen has made quite a move, might you be a Thunder Cultivator?"

A young and handsome Foundation Establishment Cultivator, with a fragrant body and white clothes like snow, walked straight to Shen Xuan and asked.

This person was a core member of Celestial Fortune Commerce Association, respected by accompanying cultivators as "Young Master Shangguan".

Between their brows, they exuded a heroic and valiant aura, with bright eyes, looking rather firm and decisive.

In fact, it was a woman disguised as a man.

"Young Master Shangguan has keen insight. I have some understanding of thunder techniques," Shen replied.

At this moment, Shen Xuan altered his appearance, restraining his aura, appearing only as an Early Stage Foundation Establishment cultivator.

The reason for not revealing his true form and original realm was the concern of leaking his identity, which would make certain tasks inconvenient to perform.

Such as revealing his wealth, luring some with intentions, ambushing to rob him.

Shen Xuan preferred to counter-kill them, and profit from scavenging.

Upon hearing Shen Xuan admit to being a Thunder Cultivator.

The cultivators from Celestial Fortune Commerce Association all suppressed their annoyance.

As everyone knows.

Thunder Cultivators have powerful attacks.

They can engage in magical combat across small realms.

The difficulty of Foundation Establishment is very high.

A Foundation Establishment Realm Thunder Cultivator, even in a prestigious sect, is a key cultivator.

Shen Xuan, being a Thunder Foundation Establishment, dared to walk alone in the wilderness, clearly had formidable strength.

His background must not be as simple as an ordinary Loose Cultivator.

"I am Shangguan Yan'Er, it's a pleasure to meet Fellow Daoist Shen,"

Shangguan Yan'Er smiled sweetly, her gaze steady, breath fragrant like orchids.

Her cheeks flushed with two spots of red.

Acting entirely like a young maiden, extremely charming.

This also made the cultivators from Celestial Fortune Commerce Association secretly amazed.

It was rare for them to see Shangguan Yan'Er being so proactive and enthusiastic towards someone.

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