Translator: 549690339

In the pavilion.

The middle-aged scholar’s face, which seemed unchanged for millennia, finally revealed a trace of anger.

Accompanying this anger, the surrounding air froze instantly!

And everybody around became quiet immediately.

The pudgy elder on one side also noticed the change in the aura, staring at the middle-aged scholar in shock.

A storm of surprise stirred within him:

“Late-stage Foundation Establishment?! How is this possible! Didn’t he just progress to the middle-stage seven or eight years ago?”

Unlike the Qi Refining stage, which is divided into ten stages, the Foundation Establishment stage is only divided into early, middle and late stages.

But each stage requires immense time for cultivation.

It usually takes tens of years.

Of course, for those with strong Spiritual Root qualifications, this process can be significantly reduced.

Afterward, there is the so-called Perfect Foundation Establishment, but it is just a special state when a cultivator of the late-stage Foundation Establishment refines himself to the extreme and reaches perfection.

No matter what, the rate of progress from the mid-stage Foundation Establishment into the late-stage Foundation Establishment in seven or eight years is far too astonishing.

With these thoughts, the pudgy elder’s initial condescension towards the middle-aged scholar immediately vanished and was replaced by a hint of solemnity.

He then took the initiative to speak, “If Lin needs anything, feel free to command.”

The world of cultivators has always been like this – the strong being respected and the weak being bullied is the norm.

Feeling the goodwill from the pudgy elder, the middle-aged scholar didn’t reject it. His rage was palpable, and his usually calm eyes flared with a trace of killing intent:

“Thank you, fellow cultivator Li.”

“This man first killed my few apprentices, and then forced Jianyi to the Linglong Ghost Market. Shortly after exiting the market, Jianyi was killed by him… Obviously, this man is mostly about that Ghost Market.”

“So, why don’t we inform all the major Ghost Markets first. If they see this man, they should immediately notify me. If they can capture him, I will heavily reward them!”

The nearby steward, Xi Meng, hurriedly nodded. “Master, Xi Meng will see to it immediately.”

The lord of Jinhe City also didn’t pass up the opportunity to showcase his influence and volunteered to make contact with the Ghost Markets in numerous cities.

Meanwhile, the pudgy elder also took the initiative to speak:

I have some connections with the management of several Ghost Markets. If we really encounter him, they may not necessarily stop him. However, they should be able to notify us in advance, which should be feasible.”

“Thankyou very much.”

The middle-aged scholar politely raised his hand in gratitude.

The pudgy elder hurriedly dodged to the side.

Soon, everyone dispersed to search for the murderer.

In the pavilion, only the middle-aged scholar remained.

The anger in his eyes had vanished, leaving only a hint of calmness and contemplation on his expressionless face.

“According to the plan, Jianyi should have gone to another small Ghost Market to scatter all the Child Insects. In that case, there should be ten to twenty Child Insects left in Jianyi’s Storage Bag.”

“He is dead and it doesn’t matter. But losing those Child Insects, that’s a problem.”

The Yin Devouring Insect mother can produce only ninety-nine children in her lifetime.

If a Child Insect dies, it can’t be replenished. Every death means one less.”

This was why the middle-aged scholar was furious.

The Child Insects of the Yin Devouring Insect were crucial to his cultivation. He wouldn’t allow anything to go awry.

“I must retrieve all these Child Insects!”

Wang Ba followed the Jinlan River northward.

He encountered several cities along the way.

As he progressed further north, the cities became more and more desolate.

Most of these cities didn’t have cultivators in them.

Even if there were, in Wang Ba’s view, they were not even comparable to Wu Hai in Li Sanwan’s town.

They were visibly weak.

But that was normal.

In this world, the truly gifted ones, those who can become immortals by their own efforts alone, are perhaps there but not many.

Most people can only hope on the path of immortality by cultivating with others, actively summarizing and learning, and making up for each other’s deficiencies.

This is the value of Sect.

The accumulation of knowledge by generations will make a Sect more powerful.

If a generation happens to encounter a remarkable leader, it can immediately step up a level.

And the following generation will benefit from it.

In contrast, rogue cultivators usually lack resources, experience, reliable guidance, and face suppression from Sects.

The probability of surpassing sect cultivators is very small.

Therefore, it’s normal that rogue cultivators in these cities are weak and exhausted.

Wang Ba didn’t waste time on these cities and flew straight towards Canglan City.

After flying for a while, he eventually saw another city.

He had phenomenal vision – even from far away, he could see the words ‘Canglan City’ written on the city.

Wang Ba immediately landed his flying Magic Tool outside the city, concealed it slightly, and then entered the city like a mortal.

He looked around.

Compared to Li Sanwan’s small town, Canglan City was undoubtedly much more expansive.

Finding a cultivator in such a vast place was quite challenging.

However, Wang Ba had his methods. He chatted with a local, and soon learned about the power structure of the city.

“The lord of the city…”

Wang Ba pondered and then went straight to the city’s most conspicuous building.

“Stop! This is the Lord’s Mansion!”

A mortal guard drew his sword and shouted.

Wang Ba was too lazy to use the Power of the Yin God, so he just jumped using his physical strength. He easily leapt over the wall and landed inside the mansion.