Shen Xuan took out a few Beast Bags, inside were the corpses of Black Bone Elder, the Demon Treasure Black Bone Saber, the Myriad Souls Banner, and the corpses of He Qing and the other three.

"That is indeed the case."

After scanning with his Divine Sense, Patriarch Gu nodded and said, "Fellow Daoist Shen, speak frankly."

"Your Gu family's group was hunting in the East Sea and encountered pirate cultivators led by He Qing and others."

"They colluded with demon cultivators, not only to rob but also intended to blood sacrifice you all. You fought bloodily, killed the pirate cultivators and the demon spies, and seized the warship."

"I report this to the Sect specially, with demon cultivator corpses and pirate cultivator corpses as evidence."

"Brother Gu, this is how it happened, right!"

Hearing this, a strange expression appeared on Patriarch Gu's face.

"Why doesn't Fellow Daoist Shen report it himself and claim these sect contributions?"

"Shen is afraid of trouble. Besides, with Shen's low cultivation, reporting to the Sect, no one will believe it!"

Shen Xuan showed a helpless expression.

Patriarch Gu fell into silence immediately.

Only then did he truly realize how deeply Shen Xuan was hiding his strength.

One person alone killed four Foundation Establishment cultivators, including one middle stage and one demon cultivator.

He claimed to have low cultivation, afraid of trouble.

Even hiding it from the Sect.

Patriarch Gu was well aware of Shen Xuan's strength and methods.

If it were someone else, they might really be deceived by his refined and elegant appearance!

Fortunately, back then, when someone asked him to harm Shen Xuan, he kept a cautious mind.

Patriarch Gu nodded.

"What Fellow Daoist Shen said is correct. However, about the price..."

"No problem, Brother Gu, feel free to say it!"

These sect contributions weren't of much use to Shen Xuan.

But for the Gu Family, such a cultivation clan, they were very useful.

They were the best channel to exchange for Sect Foundation Establishment Pills.

Patriarch Gu examined for a while.

After calculating in his mind for a long time.

"Fellow Daoist Shen, according to my estimate, the sect contributions in exchange are about thirty thousand contribution points."

"Oh."

The contribution point exchange rate for the Cyan Cloud Sect internally is one to three.

Externally, it's priced a bit higher.

Patriarch Gu's offer was equivalent to one hundred thousand Spirit Stones.

"Alright!"

"Just that..."

Patriarch Gu smiled bitterly.

"We can't gather that many Spirit Stones. Can we use that Giant-toothed Demon Shark as a substitute?"

Shen Xuan was also speechless.

He didn't expect that the Gu Family, such a cultivation clan, with four Foundation Establishment cultivators and over forty clan members, couldn't gather a mere hundred thousand Spirit Stones.

"To be honest, Fellow Daoist Shen, we really don't have any Spirit Stones. We've just gathered a hundred thousand!"

"Oh!"

Shen Xuan stroked his forehead.

He then remembered he had just received one hundred ten thousand Spirit Stones.

Besides what was confiscated from the pirate cultivators' Storage Pouches, the Gu Family offered a hundred thousand.

"As for the Giant-toothed Demon Shark..."

"Since Brother Gu says so, let's trade this way."

Shen Xuan thought for a moment but still agreed.

He wasn't much keen on the Giant-toothed Demon Shark.

However, it was a Tier Two Middle Grade Water Demon after all.

There were ways to liquidate it.

It was more practical than a mere promissory note.

After the transaction was completed.

Shen Xuan clasped his hands in salute and said, "Brother Gu, Shen has other important matters to attend to, so I shall take my leave."

"Today's events won't be spread, right!"

Patriarch Gu solemnly stated, "Absolutely not! Rest assured, Fellow Daoist Shen, Gu has at least this bit of capability."

Shen Xuan looked at Patriarch Gu and suddenly smiled: "With the death of He Qing and others, their old nest only has some old, weak, sick, and disabled left. Shen won't delay your Gu Family from suppressing the bandits."

"Gu is much obliged to Fellow Daoist Shen."

The two exchanged smiles, understanding each other without needing words.

Shen Xuan pointed this out to tell Patriarch Gu he hadn't let the Gu Family suffer a loss.

The transaction between both parties fulfilled their needs.

...

The next day.

Deep under the sea.

In a certain cave.

Shen Xuan organized the Storage Pouches of He Qing and the others.

Five Water Attribute Magical Treasures.

After a careful inspection, all were intact.

During the battle, he deliberately avoided their magical treasures.

He had already decided to profit from looting their corpses.

Among them, He Qing's Water Cloud Banner and Bloodthirsty Saber were of good quality, being Tier Two Middle Grade Magical Treasures.

Especially the Water Cloud Banner, a defensive magical treasure, could sell for a good price.

He Qing didn't even have a chance to activate it before being instantly killed by Shen Xuan.

Besides this.

In the Storage Pouches of the three, there were some Spirit Stones, Spirit Pills, Talismans, and materials, etc.

He Qing was the wealthiest.

He alone had more than twenty thousand Spirit Stones.

The two deputies each had one magical treasure, totaling only over ten thousand Spirit Stones together.

After tallying up the loot.

Shen Xuan estimated.

This counter-kill of the pirate cultivators was remarkably profitable.

Much more than any previous time.

One hundred forty thousand Spirit Stones, a Tier Two Middle Grade Water Demon, five Magical Treasures.

Not counting those miscellaneous cultivation spiritual objects.

Just those mentioned are worth three hundred thousand Spirit Stones.

Truly a fortune!

If relying on talisman making.

Shen Xuan would have to toil for ten years to earn such a number of Spirit Stones.

And all this, in just a few dozen breaths, from counterattacking a pirate cultivator ship!

"Killing and arson bring golden belts," the ancients truly didn't deceive me!

Now, Shen Xuan truly realizes why the Daoist Sects, Demon Sects, and Great Cultivation Clans want to provoke the sect conflicts.

Though war is cruel, it brings a wave of fortune!

Core Formation Realm cultivators, high in ranks, have their ways of seizing cultivation resources.

But those Foundation Establishment cultivators, wanting to rise further, find it hard to gather enough resources through just sect missions or personal production.

War is the best way to ease internal conflicts and reduce the number of cultivators.

The unparalleled way.

After resting a little while.

Shen Xuan collected his spoils of war.

His gains didn't end there.

The remaining three Tier Two Middle Grade Water Demons were the main prize!

This hunting trip was thrilling yet safe.

It greatly boosted Shen Xuan's wealth.

Enough for his years of future cultivation needs.

More importantly, Shen Xuan found the bloodline talent he needed.

The sect conflict has already begun.

The Cyan Yang Prefecture is in chaos.

Within the sects, even Lei Yaoyang, such Golden Core inheritors, are eyeing opportunities.

Shen Xuan, for some unknown reason, felt a sense of urgency.

He has no family background to rely on.

He depends solely on himself.

He must find ways to fully enhance his own strength.

...

More than ten days later.

Shen Xuan returned to Yunyuan Immortal City.

Immortal Bai Lian was already anxiously waiting.

"Shen Lang, are you okay?"

"I'm fine."

"Did you gain anything?"

"It's alright."

Immortal Bai Lian is a smart person.

Seeing Shen Xuan return safely, and not wanting to say much more, she didn't pursue further questions.

"What about the news you were supposed to gather?"

"No news about the Thunder Beast."

Immortal Bai Lian looked a bit disappointed.

"However, Bai Lian acquired some Silver Hook Sea Serpent Essence Blood."

"In ten days, there's going to be a large-scale auction in Yunyuan Immortal City, personally attended by the City Lord."

"You've worked hard!"

That night, Shen Xuan took a comforting hot bath at the sect inn.

Having been busy outside for two months, his nerves were highly tense.

A rare moment to relax.

Immortal Bai Lian considerately didn't tease him.

She nestled in Shen Xuan's embrace, sleeping in each other's arms.

After returning.

Shen Xuan prepared some Thunder Talismans as gifts, paying a visit to Ruan Siting, Tang Renhao, and Zhu Jintang.

For Tang Renhao and Zhu Jintang, it was a reward for their help.

He asked them to continue gathering intelligence on Tier Two Water Demons.

At Ruan Siting's place, he saw the auction event's item list.

I must say, for this large-scale auction, the Bishui Sect indeed brought out some good items.

Even he drooled over them.

"Fellow Daoist Shen, these are just the regular auction items. At the subsequent VIP auction, some rare items will appear."

"I happen to have an invitation for the VIP auction here."

Ruan Siting considerately handed over the invitation.

"Thank you, Ruan Daoist!"

"Between us, such a small matter is hardly worth mentioning!"

Ruan Siting said with a smile.

Feeling a sigh in his heart.

He remembered, over twenty years ago, the first time he met Shen Xuan.

Seeing Shen Xuan's talent in the Condensed Water Blade Technique, he wanted to recruit him into the Bishui Sect.

But gave up because of age limitations.

Unexpectedly.

Twenty years later, Shen Xuan transformed, joining the Cyan Cloud Sect and even becoming a True Master's disciple.

His path is boundless.

His combat power is astonishing.

"Fortunately, I've been good friends with Shen Xuan for many years."

Ruan Siting thought inwardly.

He guessed that the sudden downfall of Master Qing Yuan in past years might not be unrelated to Shen Xuan.

However, this matter, he would keep to himself.

Sects are unyielding, cultivators are transient.

Now, in the Bishui Sect, no one remembers Master Qing Yuan.

He certainly wouldn't bring trouble upon himself.

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.