Yuan Ming thought of this and silently praised his luck, relying on his Soul Collision Divine Ability and the Stealing Heaven Tripod, he believed he could break any illusion, no matter what Sha Hao threw at him, which was somewhat careless.

If Sha Hao had cultivated his Dream Butterfly Illusion Technique to the Mirage Realm, even Soul Collision might not be effective.

The Dream Butterfly Illusion Technique was extremely powerful, and he had resolved to learn it, but it was a pity that Sha Hao was dead, otherwise he might have used Black Incense Possession to comprehend it and achieved twice the result with half the effort.

Yuan Ming began to put everything away and walked around Sha Hao's Cave Mansion, the more he saw, the more satisfied he became.

This Cave Mansion was well-hidden, and nature's spiritual energy was denser than in Little Lake City; it was also guarded by the formidable Five Elements Illusion Destruction Array, much stronger than his small dwelling in Little Lake City.

He had lived in Little Lake City for three years, and although he made a considerable sum through the Xuanhua Spirit Incense Shop, it also brought some troubles, in addition to the looming threat from Chang Chun Temple, it was time to move on, and this place was within the Five Thunder Sect's sphere of influence in Zhao Country.

Yuan Ming immediately began to arrange things inside the Cave Mansion. He cleared out the stone chamber where the Soul Destroying Sword was originally placed, removed all arrays from the ground, and placed the casting furnace acquired from Master Hei Mu's Cave Mansion in this spot.

After the recent great battle, Yuan Ming deeply realized the role magic artifacts played in combat, he learned the Artifact Refining Technique in Biluo Cave, and with his strong Divine Soul Power, he had a natural advantage in Drawing Talismans, Enriching, and other aspects. If he could concentrate on studying artifact refining, he would probably have achieved considerable success by now.

Regrettably, since leaving Biluo Cave, he had been busy and had no time or conditions to devote himself to the study of the Artifact Refining Technique.

Now, with the Snow Crystal Pill and nearly a hundred thousand Spirit Stones gained from Sha Hao, he need not worry about cultivation resources for the next two or three years and could afford to take it easy a bit.

In a secret room next to Sha Hao's, many spiritual materials were piled up. Yuan Ming also had a lot of unused spiritual materials in his own Storage Ring, as well as demon beast materials, he planned to improve his Artifact Refining skills in the coming days while continuing his cultivation.

Yuan Ming quickly arranged everything but did not immediately begin cultivating, as there were still some matters to take care of in Little Lake City.

He sealed the Cave Mansion and flew southwards.

...

Little Lake City, Xuanhua Spirit Incense Shop.

After the Tianxiang Auction ended, business at the shop had been booming day by day.

Qingxuan and Purple Dark Incense, as one of the main products of the shop, had become regular procurement items for All Major Sects.

As for the Seven-step Immovable that was auctioned off, rumors spread that a Loose Cultivator was attacked in the wild, surrounded by two same-level cultivators. It was said that they managed to escape successfully, and even counter-killed one of them, all thanks to Seven-step Immovable.

The story circulated with credence, but if someone were to truly inquire, there would be few who could clarify the exact identity and cultivation of this Loose Cultivator.

As for the truth, Hu Tu, who always happened to be present when the story was told, probably knew the best.

"The boss hasn't returned yet; give it a few more days, and we won't have any incense to sell," Hu Tu, having sent away the last customer in the shop, hung up the closed sign as usual and said to Mu Yang.

After speaking, he swiftly closed the shop door. As soon as he turned around, he saw Yuan Ming's figure.

"Boss, you're back! Are you here to check the accounts? I'll go and get the ledger for you right away," Hu Tu said excitedly.

Yuan Ming nodded and did not stop him. After quickly reviewing the ledger, a smile appeared on his face.

"Not bad, the recent business income has increased by fifty percent compared to before."

"It's all thanks to the good quality and effectiveness of our incense; we're just doing what we should," Hu Tu complimented timely.

Yuan Ming closed the ledger, "When I left, I asked you to take the time to inquire about the news in town. Is there anything noteworthy now?"

"In the past few days, only two major events are worth noting. One is the Fire Sparrow Sect gathering the Scatter Alliance of Guangli, Qi Yue, and Hong Shang to form a team and head to the Northern Desert. Second is that Chang Chun Temple, based on some intelligence, has generally located the position of the Soul Cultivator Pu Zhengqing and has organized a considerable force. Three Core Formation Elders from Chang Chun Temple, Shengye Sect, and Zhenling Sect have just set out yesterday to capture this miscreant in Zhao Country," Hu Tu reported.

"Very good, well done. However, in the next few days, both you and Mu Yang pack up and sort out the remaining incense in the shop. After that, I will take you to Wangyue City in Zhao Country, where I plan to open a new shop," Yuan Ming nodded and said.

"But boss, it took us a long time to build up a reputation in the city, wouldn't it be a pity to close now? How about this, let Mu Yang manage this shop, and I'll go with you to open a branch there?" Hu Tu was reluctant to let go of the thriving business.

"I have plans for this matter, and besides, our materials and output are limited and not enough to support two shops," Yuan Ming shook his head.

Hearing this, Hu Tu could only sigh regretfully, bowed, and went off with Mu Yang to get things in order.

Seeing this, Yuan Ming also got up and left the Spiritual Fragrance Shop, turning his head toward the residence of the Loose Cultivation Association.

Perhaps because the Fire Sparrow Sect and Chang Chun Temple's tasks had drawn away a large number of people, there were pitifully few people within the Loose Cultivation Association. The attendants stood behind the counter, bored out of their minds, some so idle that they even sneakily pulled out a book to read on the side.

Yuan Ming glanced at it and saw that the book in the attendant's hand was actually the "Young Master Sheng's Southern Journey" that he had written himself. He couldn't help but chuckle to himself and walked toward that attendant.

Upon hearing someone approaching, the attendant immediately scrambled to hide the book, lifted his head, and seeing that it wasn't the steward, he visibly relaxed and adopted a respectful demeanor.

"Senior, are you here to receive a task?"

Yuan Ming shook his head, raised his hand, and threw out Sha Hao's corpse, saying only two words, "Claim reward."

Seeing a corpse suddenly appear before him, the attendant was so scared that his soul nearly flew out of his body. After finally regaining his senses, he looked closely at Sha Hao's face and exclaimed in surprise, "Pu Zhengqing?"

As these three words came out, the entire Loose Cultivation Association went suddenly quiet. Some Loose Cultivators looked over curiously, also startled to see a corpse lying in front of Yuan Ming.

Yuan Ming looked around, without any intention to conceal, and loudly declared, "Fellow Daoists, I am Hagon, a Soul Cultivator. I have found and thoroughly slain Pu Zhengqing, and here lies his body as proof. From now on, this villain will no longer be able to harm the world, and I ask you all to be my witnesses."

Upon hearing his words, the Cultivators in the Loose Cultivation Association were all dumbstruck and astonished, while the attendants were stunned, although a few quick-witted ones hurriedly turned around to summon the steward of the association.

Soon, a Foundation Establishment Stage steward hurriedly came out and gave Yuan Ming a cupped-fist salute, "As per our association's rules, I still need to verify the corpse's identity to confirm there's no disguise. Please, Fellow Daoist Hagon, be understanding."

Yuan Ming nodded and stepped aside.

The steward initially wanted to have the attendants take the corpse to a specialized verification room, but seeing that many Cultivators had gathered around with curious expressions, he simply had people bring the tools over and began the examination right there in the hall.

As he started, the surrounding Cultivators looking on also began to discuss amongst themselves, with some asserting and others questioning.

Under everyone's gaze, the steward took out a transparent gem-like Magic Artifact, within which floated plenty of fresh blood. As he activated a spell, the Magic Artifact slowly levitated, hovering above the corpse. Then an orange-yellow light beamed out from within, covering the entire body, sweeping around it before returning to the Magic Artifact, causing the floating blood within to change shape.

Quickly, a blood portrait of Sha Hao emerged within the center of the Magic Artifact.

Seeing this, the steward swallowed hard, lifted his head, and looked at Yuan Ming with undisguised admiration.

"This is indeed Pu Zhengqing's body, with nothing tampered," he confirmed.

At once, the Loose Cultivation Association erupted into an uproar, but Yuan Ming merely nodded and said, "Now that the identity has been verified, I should be able to receive his bounty, correct?"

"Of course, I will have someone fetch it immediately. However, since what Fellow Daoist brought back is his corpse, the reward is only fifty thousand Spirit Stones. Please understand," the steward said.

"It's no problem," Yuan Ming waved his hand dismissively.

Soon, Yuan Ming received a Storage Bag containing fifty thousand Spirit Stones from the steward, and without lingering any longer, turned and strode away.

Although he had left, the discussions about him within the Loose Cultivation Association didn't stop.

"Hehe, this Hagon, I wonder whose disciple he is, to be so formidable. A person whom Chang Chun Temple had to send a Core Formation Cultivator to deal with, and he, a mere Foundation Establishment Stage, managed to kill," someone exclaimed admiringly.

"Not only that, think about it, Chang Chun Temple took great effort to pinpoint Pu Zhengqing's location, and right after they set out, Hagon delivered the corpse. It shows that his cultivation is not ordinary and his other abilities must also be extraordinary. It seems many Sects will want to recruit him," another Cultivator in yellow robes said.

"Sigh, fame comes with trouble; fortune and misfortune are intertwined. What if Chang Chun Temple finds out about this? Do you think they'll reward Hagon, or will they feel slighted and make trouble for him?" a Cultivator in long robes suddenly asked.

"Chang Chun Temple is arrogant but not foolish. How could they possibly trouble a Cultivator with such boundless prospects over such a trifle? I think the possibility of them seeking to recruit him is higher," the man in yellow robes shook his head.

"The Elder from Chang Chun Temple who came this time is Zuo Qinghui. He tried to recruit Hagon at the Tianxiang Auction last time but was refused by Hagon. This time, he might try to recruit him again," a well-informed Cultivator analyzed.

"Hmph, Chang Chun Temple's domination over Da Jin is absolute! They always use both carrots and sticks to recruit any notable Loose Cultivators," someone complained bitterly.

However, this remark seemed to touch a taboo, immediately silencing all those around, who then dispersed and refrained from openly discussing such topics.

But the discussions about Hagon did not cease, and the news of Pu Zhengqing's death at his hands spread with wings, swiftly reaching every corner of Little Lake City.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.