Starting as dockworkers, they swept through Chongqing.

After leaving the room, he walked briskly downstairs.

Xilun stared thoughtfully at the door that had been closed again.

The probing intent was too obvious.

The other party has probably already categorized him as a retainer from a small, unaffiliated family in the Chaotic Sea.

This saved a lot of trouble.

He locked the door, checked the windows and under the bed again, then took off his coat and got into the wooden tub.

Warm water envelops the body.

The residual power of the medicine in the body is slowly activated by the heat, penetrating inward along the damaged meridians.

Xilun closed his eyes and used the Fuhai Gong technique to guide the medicinal power, repairing several small cracks that had not yet fully healed.

About half an hour later, he got out of the barrel.

I changed into a dry undershirt and sat cross-legged back on the bed.

As consciousness completely subsided, the surrounding sounds gradually became clearer.

There are people drinking downstairs.

Someone was wiping the weapons.

The sound of a knife cutting through meat and bone could be heard from the kitchen.

In the room on the left, two men dressed as businessmen were talking in hushed tones.

"Who has the map?"

"The one-armed old ghost has half a piece, and that bald man with the staff also has half a piece. The Blood Blade Master should know the location of the entrance, but he doesn't know how to activate the mechanism."

"Then let them fight each other."

"The cave dwellings left behind by ancient powerful beings, are they really that easy to open?"

"The information is correct. Before that person went into seclusion, he had already reached the third-tier extreme realm, and was only one step away from the fourth tier. It is said that he collected a lot of top-quality materials in order to break through."

Xilun's breathing remained unchanged, but his attention quietly focused.

Ancient powerful beings.

Third-order extreme realm.

The treasures left behind after a period of seclusion.

No wonder so many extraordinary individuals, wary of one another, gathered at the post station.

Then another voice came from a more distant corner.

"I heard that there is a medicinal garden next to that cave, where plants of the five elements are grown."

"Things related to the Five Elements?"

"I don't know its exact name, but I know it has a very earthy feel. A few years ago, someone found a withered leaf at the foot of a cliff. It was yellowish-white and translucent. They took it to Star Ring City and sold it for a full two hundred pounds."

"Then what are we waiting for?"

"The map is incomplete."

The conversation fell silent briefly.

Xilun slowly circulated his energy, a glint of light flashing in his eyes.

It has a very earthy feel.

The withered leaves are yellowish-white in color and translucent.

This description is remarkably similar to the earth element material required for cultivating the flawless golden body.

He had only intended to let the horses rest, but he never expected to hear about the materials he needed here.

If it were just ordinary treasure, he might not be willing to create unnecessary complications.

The materials used for the gold-plated statues can differ.

He now possesses the Crimson Sun Spirit Grass and the Purple Thunder Bone Tempering Grass, but what he lacks are several other attribute-specific main materials.

If one can obtain an item of earth element, one can take another step closer to achieving the first level of the flawless golden body.

Xilun did not act immediately.

The people downstairs are all waiting.

The map isn't complete yet, and the cave entrance isn't open. Leaving now would only attract everyone's attention.

Time passed slowly.

The night grew deeper.

The lights in the lobby gradually went out, leaving only a layer of dark red embers inside the fireplace.

Around dusk, a muffled scream suddenly came from the backyard of the post station.

Immediately following were the sounds of tables and chairs overturning and weapons clashing.

"Bald monk, hand over the map!"

"court death!"

The staff slammed down, causing the floor to shake violently.

Almost at the same time, footsteps could be heard in the second-floor corridor.

It wasn't just one person.

Two auras seemed to merge into the darkness, silently approaching Xilun's door along the corner of the wall.

The bolt swayed slightly.

A thin thread of strength probed through the gap and slowly pried open the wooden plug.

Xilun kept his eyes closed, his breathing long and deep, as if he had fallen into deep meditation.

The door opened quietly.

Two men in black walked in one after the other.

The man in front held a blackened dagger, was short in stature, and made no sound when he stepped down.

The man behind him held a short gun with a bluish gleam at the tip, clearly coated with poison.

Both of them are at the third rank.

"It's not easy for a rogue cultivator to reach the third level."

The man with the short sword looked at Xilun on the bed, a hint of pity flashing in his eyes.

"Too bad, who told you to live here?"

"You're unlucky to have met us."

The blade suddenly flashed.

The dagger pierced Xilun's throat like a venomous snake.

Just as the tip of the knife was less than half a foot from his skin, Xilun suddenly turned his head.

The dagger grazed his ear and missed.

The man with the knife's pupils contracted.

"not good!"

Xilun opened his eyes.

His face showed no trace of the panic one might expect from someone who has just woken up; his eyes were as calm as a deep, still sea.

The next moment, he kicked out with his right leg.

boom!

The man with the knife instantly caved in his abdomen, flew sideways, and slammed his back against the wall.

Large, spiderweb-like cracks appeared in the wooden wall, and dust fell in clumps.

The person behind reacted extremely quickly.

With a flick of his short spear, the dark blue tip instantly transformed into three streaks of cold light, piercing towards Xilun's brow, heart, and abdomen respectively.

Xilun reached out and grabbed the Thunder Spear beside the bed.

The scabbard swept across.

clang!

The first spear strike was shattered on the spot.

He stood up smoothly, turned his feet, and dodged the remaining two shots.

Before the Thunder Spear was even drawn, its tail swung back like a tidal wave, striking the opponent's shoulder with full force.

Crack!

The sound of a shoulder bone breaking was clearly heard.

The man with the short gun grunted and staggered backward, his face filled with horror.

"What a strong physique!"

The man with the knife rolled over to his feet from the broken wall and wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth.

"He didn't just enter the third tier!"

"Join forces!"

The two men, one on the left and one on the right, simultaneously unleashed their power.

A layer of gray light appeared on the short knife, its blade like a shadow, silently slicing towards Xilun's nape.

The man with the short gun ignored his shoulder injury, gripped the gun with both hands, and used his strength to rotate the gun, creating a sharp whistling sound.

Xilun's eyes remained calm.

He didn't even draw his gun.

He took a step forward, his Canglang Step causing his body to shift slightly, the short knife almost grazing his collar.

At the same time, the scabbard of the Cang Lei Spear suddenly swung upwards, striking the wrist of the man holding the knife with pinpoint accuracy.

The dagger flew out of his hand.

Xilun reached out with his left hand and grabbed the opponent's elbow, his Overturning Sea Technique suddenly surging.

Crack!

The entire arm was twisted behind his back.

Before the man could even scream, Xilun had already used him as a shield to meet the incoming short spear.

The man with the short gun's expression changed drastically, and he forcibly withdrew his attack.

The backlash from the force made his chest feel tight.

Xilun's spear tip had already passed the figure and slammed heavily into his chin.

Blood and broken teeth splattered everywhere.

The man with the pistol fell backward, smashing tables and chairs, and couldn't get up for a long time.

From the moment the two started fighting until their complete defeat, it only took a few breaths.

The man with the knife was pinned down in front of Xilun, cold sweat pouring down his forehead.

Only now did he realize that the other party had never truly used any strength.

With just his physique and marksmanship, he overwhelmed the two third-tier extraordinary individuals who were skilled in assassination.

This is hardly some nobody from a small, unknown family!

"Sir, wait a moment!"

The man holding the knife endured excruciating pain, as if his arm had been severed.

"We come from the Mad Dragon Cave!"

"This entire area belongs to the Mad Dragon Cave. Tonight's events were a misunderstanding. If you let us go, we'll remain friends forever!"

The man with the short gun lying on the ground also struggled to speak.

"The Mad Dragon Cave has eight true disciples, the two strongest of whom are already at the third-level extreme realm, not to mention that the main and deputy cave masters are both fourth-level extraordinary beings."

"Although you are strong, if we were to become mortal enemies, you might not necessarily come out on top."

"Want to be friends?"

Xilun glanced at him.

"Yes, yes!"

The man with the knife, thinking he was about to be persuaded, quickly said:

"We're just doing this for money. The innkeeper said you were a nobody cultivator, so we were confused for a moment. If you let go, we'll leave immediately and never bother you again."

Xilun slowly drew his Thunder Spear.

A flash of blue-white lightning disappeared at the tip of the spear.

"Why should I need your favors?"

Both of their expressions froze simultaneously.

Xilun's tone was flat.

"I am a disciple of the Holy Light Monastery's Disciplinary School."

"The Correctional Institution specializes in hunting down demons and evil people. What I despise most are people like you who harm the innocent and commit murder and robbery."

"Holy Light Monastery?"

Terror instantly flashed in the man's eyes.

They can disregard ordinary nobles and even dare to attack and kill third-tier rogue cultivators without any background.

But the Holy Light Monastery is different.

That was a true behemoth surrounding Star Ring City.

The disciples of the Disciplinary Hall are known for their ruthlessness; once you offend them, even the entire Mad Dragon Cave may not be able to withstand the consequences.

"It's a misunderstanding! It really is a misunderstanding!"

The man holding the knife felt his legs go weak.

"Please spare us, sir! We didn't know who you were!"

"It was the innkeeper who lied to us!"

Xilun thrust his spear forward.

puff!

The spearhead pierced through the man's back, and blood splattered onto the ground.

The man's body stiffened, and the fear in his eyes froze instantly.

Xilun withdrew his spear, and the corpse slumped to the ground.

The man with the short gun was deathly pale.

He had no intention of seeking revenge, and disregarding his own weapon, he got up, smashed through the window, and jumped directly from the second floor.

After landing, he staggered for a moment, then burst out with all his strength and rushed into the wilderness without looking back.

Xilun did not pursue.

He walked to the window and watched the figure disappear into the night.

Mad Dragon Cave.

Eight true masters.

Since these people are used to killing and robbing, they must have accumulated a lot of money and materials in the cave.

Xilun withdrew his gaze and looked downstairs again.

The sounds of fighting in the inn's main hall had ceased.

A strong smell of blood wafted up the stairs.

A figure pushed open the back door and quickly left the post station.

The man was wearing a dark red cloak, and a long, narrow, blood-red knife hung at his waist.

Xilun's brow twitched slightly.

In addition to the strong aura of blood, the other party also carried the aura of the one-armed swordsman and the bald strong man from before.

It seems the map already has an owner.

He wiped the blood from the tip of the gun and turned to walk towards the Lan sisters' room.

It seems we'll have to part ways for now.

What exactly is hidden where that map points to will soon be revealed.

When the knocking sounded, Lanzer was already standing behind the door with his sword drawn.

"Who?"

"I."

She only opened the door after hearing Xilun's voice.

The room was dark.

Lan Po sat on the edge of the bed wearing his outer clothes, clearly awakened by the fighting downstairs.

She noticed the bloodstains on the tip of Xilun's spear and immediately tensed up.

"What happened?"

"This is a rip-off."

Xilun spoke calmly, as if he were talking about a trivial matter.

"Someone tried to kill me. I've dealt with one, but the other escaped."

Lanzer glanced down the corridor.

In the distance, the door was half open, a human-shaped crack appeared on the wooden wall, and a black-clad corpse lay on the ground.

She looked away.

"Should we leave now?"

"The four Wind-Maned Horses have not yet recovered."

Xilun looked at Lanzel.

"The people at the post station have other plans and shouldn't bother you for a while. I'm going out for a bit; you can continue your journey to Star Ring City after dawn."

Lan Po immediately stood up.

"Aren't you coming with us?"

"We'll catch up later."

Xilun handed a small stack of gold notes to Lanzel.

"The carriage has been rented. Travel along the main road. Do not stop, and do not take any more mountain shortcuts."

Lanzer accepted the gold note but did not immediately agree.

"Will the person who just escaped bring more people back?"

"meeting."

"That's what Xilun said."

"Therefore you should leave as soon as possible."

Lan Po sensed the danger within.

"Are you going to chase after them?"

"no."

Xilun didn't explain much.

Now that the people of Mad Dragon Cave know of his existence, even if they don't search for him tonight, trouble is inevitable in the future.

However, the most important things right now are the map and the materials for the flawless golden statue.

As for the Mad Dragon Cave, we can deal with it later.

Give me the spare horse next to the carriage.

"That's what Xilun said."

"I will follow the tracks you left behind."

Lanzer was silent for a moment, then nodded.

"it is good."

After her experience at the White Sands mine, she no longer questioned Xiren's decision.

Lan Po quickly walked up to him.

"Your injuries haven't fully healed yet."

"Just going to pick up some things."

"But those people outside..."

She bit her lip, but ultimately didn't voice her objections. She only whispered:

"We'll wait for you at the red soil slope ahead. If you haven't arrived by dark, we'll keep going."

Xilun glanced at her.

"Can."

He turned and went downstairs.

The lobby was in a mess.

The tables and chairs were broken, and three corpses lay beside the fireplace.

The one-armed swordsman's longsword was broken in two, and his chest had been cut open by some kind of sharp weapon, his gray short jacket already soaked with blood.

The bald, burly man collapsed near the counter.

The black iron staff was bent into an eerie arc, the head was drooping, the skin was withered, and the blood and energy in the body seemed to have been drained, leaving only a skeleton covered with skin.

The other men, who resembled merchants, died in similar manner.

There weren't many wounds, but the body had completely lost its color.

The innkeeper huddled behind the counter, his face deathly pale.

He forced a smile when he saw Xilun come down.

"Guest, guest, it was all a misunderstanding..."

Xilun stopped in front of the counter.

"One of the people you invited is already dead."

The boss's smile froze instantly.

"The other one went back to the Mad Dragon Cave."

"Illum continued," Siren said.

"He will tell the people of Mad Dragon Cave that I am a disciple of the Holy Light Monastery's Disciplinary Academy."

The boss's legs went weak, and he almost knelt down.

"I have no idea!"

"I had no idea you came from a monastery!"

"It was all those two guys who acted on their own initiative. I just... I just..."

"They just thought I was a rogue cultivator they could kill at will because I didn't have an identity badge."

Xilun calmly finished speaking for him.

The boss broke out in a cold sweat.

He couldn't figure out what Xilun was thinking at that moment, and this calmness only made him more afraid.

"My lord, please spare my life."

"You can take any money from the counter. There are also two antlered deer in the backyard, which are excellent exotic mounts."

"I only beg you, sir, to spare my life."

Xilun didn't touch the counter.

"Who did it downstairs?"

"The Blood Swordsman, Enoch."

The boss quickly replied.

"He practices the Blood Pool Blade Technique, which allows him to absorb the life force of the dead. He first killed the one-armed man, then took advantage of the bald man's injury to launch a sneak attack and steal two maps. He just left through the back door."

"Where does the map point?"

"I have no idea."

The boss hurriedly shook his head.

"I only heard that it was near the northern cliffs. The cave was very well hidden, and the map only came out in the last few months."

Xilun looked at him for a moment, then turned and walked towards the backyard.

Only after the footsteps disappeared did the boss seem to lose all his strength and slump to the ground.

He dared not run away.

They dared not send anyone to tip them off.

His only hope right now is that the Mad Dragon Cave can resolve this problem as soon as possible.

Otherwise, no matter which side pursues the matter, he, the innkeeper, will not have a good ending.