Cultivation: I Forge Immortality with My Spiritual Eyes

Chapter 92 Shadows

About an incense stick later.

Outside the Miaodan Pavilion, a beautiful maidservant greeted Jiang Yi with a beaming smile, her voice as sweet as honey: "Immortal Master, please take care. Welcome to visit again next time."

Jiang Yi didn't even turn his head. He waved his hand and walked away along the street.

His face remained calm, but his heart ached.

I just spent another seventy-five spirit stones to buy three "Spirit Gathering Pills".

This pill is ranked as a mid-grade first-level pill, and its function is to enhance cultivation and help condense magical power.

Over the past six months, there have been expenses for food, drink, alchemy, rent, parking fees, and the roast chicken that Xiaoli keeps asking to buy.

Expenses, big and small, flowed out like water.

After careful consideration, he now only has 265 spirit stones left.

This amount is still a considerable fortune for an ordinary independent cultivator.

However, compared to the more than two thousand spirit stones he had carried before, he seemed quite strapped for cash.

Jiang Yi sighed inwardly and strolled leisurely down the street.

Along the streets, cultivators hurried by, their ears constantly filled with idle chatter and gossip.

He has always enjoyed wandering aimlessly through the streets, listening to gossip and collecting bits and pieces of information here and there.

Although it's not comprehensive, as long as you listen enough, you can always find a few useful threads in a tangled mess.

We strolled around for about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.

Jiang Yi turned into the street vendor area, and soon leisurely crossed out again, continuing to walk along the street.

His gaze casually swept across the left and right, and before he knew it, he had arrived at a rather secluded street.

There were few pedestrians on both sides, and the shops were much quieter.

He glanced at the deserted Hundred Skills Hall on the side of the street.

Just as he was about to turn and leave, he suddenly stopped, revealing a hint of curiosity.

The old shopkeeper, who usually ignored customers and spent his days dozing off, was unusually busy today.

His face, full of wrinkles, smiled like a chrysanthemum, making tea and wiping the table with an incredibly fawning expression.

He was bowing and scraping to a cultivator, his lips moving rapidly as he uttered some obsequious words.

The cultivator was dressed plainly, had an ordinary face, and a slightly plump figure. He didn't seem to have anything special about him, and his cultivation level was only at the Qi Refining Realm.

But when Jiang Yi's gaze fell on him, her brows furrowed slightly, and she seemed to be deep in thought.

He recognized the man.

More than half a year ago, at the auction on Ling'ao Island, the other party spent lavishly to buy many treasures.

He remained calm and composed despite the stares from the audience.

Jiang Yi glanced at it twice, then looked away and turned to leave, though he was still pondering it in his heart.

This person is no ordinary individual.

Why did they suddenly appear on Green Snail Island? And what is their connection with the Hall of a Hundred Skills?

These are turbulent times, and his arrival at this particular time is either a coincidence or something else entirely.

Jiang Yi frowned slightly, finding it increasingly strange, and gradually lost his desire to stroll around.

They quickened their pace, leaving the market town and heading straight for Dongfu District.

"6

""

The day passed quickly, and before we knew it, it was late at night.

The sky was dark and the night wind was biting.

A light drizzle was falling from the sky, carrying a chill that seemed to seep into your bones.

In a side room of a courtyard in Dongfu District.

Jiang Yi, dressed in a plain robe with his black hair flowing freely, sat cross-legged on the water-bearing stone, immersed in meditation.

Little Pear lay in a corner of the water-bearing stone, her little paws tucked in, her face serious, her little belly rising and falling.

Under Jiang Yi's orders, it patiently absorbed spiritual energy and silently tempered its physique.

But the little guy clearly didn't have much patience for this kind of tedious training.

Not long after, it quietly opened one eye and secretly glanced at Jiang Yi.

Seeing that his breathing was deep and his mind was elsewhere, he was already immersed in meditation.

Relieved, it stealthily slipped off the bed and tiptoed back to its cat bed.

He pulled open a cloth bag, grabbed the dead insects, stuffed them into his mouth, and chewed them quietly, making crunching noises.

"6

""

At the same moment.

Qingluo Island, Jiazidongfu District.

This place is rich in inspiration, far surpassing ordinary locations.

Lu Qiuping summoned his fellow disciples to his side, stood with his hands behind his back in the courtyard, glanced at the deep night, and calmly said, "I've invited you all here today because I have something to tell you. I've recently had some thoughts on my mind and need to go into seclusion for a while to cultivate."

"I'll leave the affairs of the island to you all for now. If you have any questions, please discuss them with me. This seclusion is extremely important, so please do not disturb me."

Upon hearing this, the junior disciples reacted with varying expressions.

Someone tentatively asked, "Senior brother, are you preparing to break through to the Foundation Establishment stage?"

The others also showed expressions of anticipation.

Lu Qiuping waved his hand and said calmly, "It's too early to establish a foundation. I'm not very confident. I've just made some progress in cultivating a secret technique recently and need to go into seclusion to consolidate it."

"My fellow disciples need not worry. Master will emerge from seclusion in a few days, and those petty scoundrels will pay the price. You only need to focus on maintaining order on the island."

The group exchanged glances, then bowed in unison, saying, "Senior Brother, please rest assured and go into seclusion. Leave the affairs of the island to us."

Lu Qiuping nodded in satisfaction, said no more, and turned to step into the cave.

A flash of inspiration, and the array hummed as it activated, creating a barrier that isolated the inside from the outside, silencing any further sound.

The remaining few, each with their own thoughts, exchanged a few polite bows in silence before turning and leaving along the mountain path.

One of them walked a short distance, and the respectful look on his face gradually faded, his eyes becoming hesitant and uncertain, as if he had something on his mind.

"6

""

About half an incense stick later.

On Qingluo Island, in a remote and secluded mountain valley, two figures quietly met.

Dark as ink.

The two men wore cloaks and concealed their presence, clearly not wanting anyone to recognize their faces.

A man in black robes lowered his voice, his tone urgent: "Why are we meeting so late? Has something happened?"

Another gray-robed man snorted coldly, suppressing his anger: "That old man and the man surnamed Lu have both gone into seclusion one after another. Today he even said that his injuries have stabilized and he will come out of seclusion in a few days after he has recovered!"

What kind of work are you doing? His injuries aren't nearly as serious as you're making them out to be! Are you trying to kill me?

""

The man in black robes frowned, pondered for a moment, and then slowly spoke: "The information should be correct. That old fellow is indeed seriously injured and poisoned with a strange toxin. Are you sure he said he was going to come out of seclusion?"

"I heard it with my own ears, how could it be false?"

The gray-robed man spoke urgently and rapidly: "Although his voice is weak when he speaks, he is by no means about to die. You'd better stop immediately and stop causing trouble."

If that old fellow really comes out of seclusion, I will never have any dealings with you again, and I will never admit to colluding with you!

""

The man in black robes sneered inwardly, a hint of mockery flashing in his eyes.

This idiot, he's already on a pirate ship and he still wants to get off? He's ridiculously naive.

He remained expressionless, only frowning and pondering, "This matter is of great importance. I will report back as soon as possible, but that old devil Feng is always cunning and a master of bluffing. Don't be fooled by him."

He paused, his eyes flashing, and then asked, "Why did Lu Qiuping suddenly go into seclusion? Is he preparing to break through to the Foundation Establishment stage? Tell me about this in detail."

"I don't know either."

The gray-robed man shook his head and said, "The man surnamed Lu went into seclusion very suddenly. When I met with Old Ghost Feng today, he kept Lu behind alone, and the two of them talked about something. In the evening, he announced that he was going into seclusion and handed over all the affairs of the island to us."

Judging from his expression, he seemed to have unwavering faith in Old Feng's return from seclusion, regarding the current turmoil as a minor ailment that would be resolved once the old man emerged.

The man in black robes had a glint in his eyes, his mind racing.

After a moment of silence, he softened his tone, speaking with a reassuring air: "Your news is very timely, and I will credit you for it. Without further ado, I will send the message back now. You should continue to keep an eye on things on the island, and report back immediately if there is any movement."

He lowered his voice further, his tone becoming more seductive: "Don't worry, after it's done, you'll definitely have a place on Qingluo Island. And everything I promised you, you'll receive."

For so many years, you have not been valued under Master Feng. All the good things are reserved for your senior brother. You only get scraps occasionally and have to be mindful of his attitude.

These days will soon come to an end, and then the opportunity to establish your foundation will naturally be presented to you!

These words were spoken.

The gray-robed man unconsciously clenched his fists, his eyes shifted uncertainly, and his breathing became heavier.

After a moment, he took a deep breath and said coldly, "I hope you keep your word. Otherwise, I'm not entirely without backup plans. If you dare to play me, you'd better consider the consequences."

After saying this, he turned and left, leaping into the deep night.

The man in black robes stared coldly in the direction he had disappeared, a disdainful sneer curling at the corner of his mouth.

He then withdrew his gaze, flicked his sleeve, and silently disappeared into the darkness.

"

,

Several hours later.

It was just before dawn, and the sky was still dark.

The sea was shrouded in mist, and all was quiet.

Yizidongfu District.

Several figures were walking briskly along the path, heading straight towards the dock.

Jiang Yi was no stranger to this group of people.

The leader was a burly man with a fierce face; he was none other than Shi Dazhuang.

Behind him followed Blackie, Scarface, and a group of his henchmen, all looking hurried and walking quickly.

Blackie followed for a while, then, unable to contain himself any longer, he lowered his voice and asked, "Boss, it's not even dawn yet, what are we doing out here so early? Those peasants are still holed up in their houses, who's there to rob?"

Shi Dazhuang kept walking and lowered his voice to shout, "Shut up! Don't ask questions you shouldn't. We're going to do something big this time. If we succeed, it'll be worth more than robbing ten or eight peasants. Be alert and keep your eyes open."

The people behind him looked at each other in bewilderment.

Scarface's eyes flashed, and he tentatively asked, "Boss, is it... that they've sent us another job?"

Shi Dazhuang's lips curled into a smirk as he said in a deep voice, "That's right. News came from over there overnight, telling us to go to Dogtooth Beach to meet up with another group and then follow their instructions."

"Dogtooth Beach?"

Scarface's expression shifted slightly, and he whispered, "Boss, most of the merchant ships heading to Hundred Flowers Island take this route. Are we going to directly attack the merchant ships this time?"

""

Shi Dazhuang gave him a cold look, then swept his gaze over the crowd behind him: "Shut up, all of you. If you keep asking questions, don't blame me for being ruthless. When we get the benefits, you'll all get your share."

The people behind him shrank back, quickly agreed, and dared not speak again, keeping their heads down and following along.

Before long, the group arrived at the dock.

They each jumped onto their fishing boats, weighed anchor, raised sails, and quietly sailed out of the harbor.

The misty fog quickly swallowed them up, and they were nowhere to be found.

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