Chapter 400: Chapter 197: Character Plate, Chang Family’s Crisis, Departure Preparations

"And not because someone with ulterior motives interfered, causing the result to be swayed by certain factors."

As she spoke of "certain factors," she was looking at Xiao Chen.

?

This was all rather ridiculous.

Ever since the selection process when he first arrived at the Lingyuan Sect, Xiao Chen had felt like she had a problem with him.

’The hostility is baffling,’ he thought. ’We have no history, no reason for any grudges, right?’

"To prevent an innocent person from being wronged, I’ll ask a question first."

Xiao Chen glanced around. "How many Foundation Establishment Cultivators with the surname Xu does the Huidong Commerce Association have?"

At his question, everyone around exchanged confused glances.

’What does he mean by that?’

Xu Xixuan was stunned as well. He thought for a moment before replying solemnly, "Only my older brother and I. We’re responsible for the Commerce Association’s teahouse in the Lingyuan Market."

’Then that’s it.’

’The other day, when I went to the Huidong Commerce Association, I happened to overhear the Xu Family Brothers being reassigned to assist with trading sacrifices.’

’The Chang Family aren’t the ones in league with demon cultivators; it’s the Xu Family Brothers.’

’Right now, they’re clearly colluding with the Pan Family to commit perjury. In that case, the Pan Family is probably involved too.’

Xiao Chen pressed on, "In that case, how many sacrifices have you helped sell?"

The moment the word "sacrifices" was uttered, Xu Xixuan’s face instantly turned white, his spirit nearly fleeing his body in terror.

This matter was a top-level secret, even within the Commerce Association.

He didn’t know how Xiao Chen had found out.

But what was even more astonishing was that Pan Qiaochun’s face also turned ashen on the spot.

"The Huidong Commerce Association has many members in league with Demon Cultivators, including the Xu Family Brothers."

Xiao Chen delivered his verdict directly. "Therefore, the Chang Family was framed. It is the Pan Family, in fact, who has been in contact with the Demon Sect."

"Interrogate the entire Pan Family."

"Anyone who has colluded with Demon Cultivators, as well as anyone who knew and failed to report it, will be considered guilty of the same crime and executed."

The situation had turned so suddenly that the surrounding Cultivators hadn’t yet processed it.

Even Yao Dehai was stunned for a moment before he nodded in acknowledgment. "As you command, Daoist."

"By the way, what does she do?"

Xiao Chen asked, pointing at Gu Qiu Ling.

Yao Dehai immediately responded, "Reporting to you, Daoist, Junior Sister Gu is a steward in the Demon-slaying Hall, responsible for investigating Demon Cultivators."

Xiao Chen shook his head. "Someone with her level of intelligence shouldn’t be handling such an important task. She’s liable to endanger truly good people."

"Investigate her, too. See if she’s the one with ulterior motives."

At these words, a nearby Gu Family Cultivator breathed a sigh of relief. ’Thankfully, the Wind Thunder True Man is reasonable and didn’t implicate the entire Gu Family.’

Gu Qiu Ling looked at her good sister in disbelief.

However, Pan Qiaochun was already ashen-faced. The moment she heard the word "sacrifices," she knew it was all over.

Sure enough, Yao Dehai soon led his men to the Pan Family residence, where they found more evidence and several Demon Cultivators in hiding.

.

The Chang Family’s crisis was resolved.

Amidst Chang Shunping’s profuse thanks, Xiao Chen departed for the Li Huo Sect.

Now that the Demonic Calamity was over, and considering time was short for the Hundred Herbs Secret Realm, he decided it was time to prepare for an early departure.

However, before departing, there were still some small matters to attend to.

First and foremost was the Refinement of the White Wave Fruit.

It had been almost a month since his breakthrough to the Golden Core Realm.

Xiao Chen hadn’t even had a chance for a couple of good days of cultivation.

Instead, he had been rushing back and forth between Hezhou and Li State.

Now he finally had some free time to improve his strength.

After all, this was a truly long journey, spanning several million li.

There was no telling what he might encounter along the way.

But one thing was certain: the greater his strength, the more composed he would be when facing the unexpected.

Therefore, he planned to first use up the Spiritual Objects on hand before setting off for the Hundred Herbs Secret Realm.

「One day later.」

After completely absorbing the White Wave Fruit, Xiao Chen’s total True Essence increased from one hundred and nine strands to one hundred and eleven.

He then cultivated on his own for another two days.

But without a Spirit Fruit, he only managed to increase his total True Essence by one strand in two days.

If word of this speed got out, it would be enough to make all other Golden Core True Men green with envy.

But Xiao Chen was still a little dissatisfied.

’After all, one day of my cultivation is equivalent to a hundred ordinary days.’

’In other words, without the Augment, I would need two hundred days to refine a single strand of True Essence.’

’This is just ridiculous. No wonder all the other Golden Core True Men cultivate so slowly.’

Xiao Chen thought back. He had indeed rarely heard news of a Golden Core True Man achieving a breakthrough in their cultivation.

’So it’s not entirely due to my poor aptitude. It also has to do with how difficult Golden Core cultivation is to begin with.’

Actually, this wasn’t a secret.

It was common knowledge that the higher a Cultivator’s Realm, the slower their cultivation speed.

And the slower the cultivation speed, the slower the Realm advancement.

The slower the Realm advancement, the lower the Realm.

In summary: the higher the Realm, the lower the Realm.

’Wait, something about that doesn’t seem right.’

However, Xiao Chen didn’t dwell on it. As his temporary cultivation session ended, the Clouded Leopard Bone soup he had been stewing for three days and three nights was finally ready.

For this pot of bone soup, he had used an entire, complete spine.

Plus, with his improved cultivation, the Spiritual Fire he could summon was far more intense, which greatly enhanced the final effect.

The moment he lifted the lid of the large pot, a rich fragrance wafted out.

He looked down and saw that the Spiritual Spring water in the pot had transformed into a milky-white bone broth.

The once-solid bones had softened considerably after simmering for so long.

Xiao Chen had also learned a thing or two from last time.

He had prepared another large pot ahead of time and steamed a full twenty jin of Rolling Ball Spirit Rice.

It was just now perfectly cooked, each grain of rice emitting a faint Spiritual Light.

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