Chapter 376: Friendship Born in Humble Beginnings

Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation

The shopkeeper looked at Chen Fei in amazement. It wasn’t uncommon for cultivators at the Aperture tempering realm to come to Black City District to sell spiritual weapons. Although they weren’t very common, they were encountered from time to time.

However, it was quite rare for someone to come and sell a medium-grade spiritual weapon. This shop had been operating in Black City District for over ten years, and they had handled fewer than a couple of medium-grade spiritual weapons during that time.

Most of those who possessed medium-grade spiritual weapons were experts at the mid Aperture tempering realm. Among the independent cultivators, those who could cultivate to the Aperture tempering realm were mostly at the early Aperture tempering realm.

Even in sects, the number of cultivators at the mid Aperture tempering realm was not very high. Only dominant forces had a substantial number of mid Aperture tempering realm cultivators.

People who were willing to come to Black City District to sell things often had some problems or complications. In other words, possessing a medium-grade spiritual weapon might indicate the presence of a mid Aperture tempering realm expert.

“This sword has a pure texture, a strong spiritual essence, and minimal wear and tear. 1 would price it at two hundred and eighty-seven elemental stones. Is that acceptable?” The shopkeeper’s smile grew wider, not only because the deal was profitable, but also because of Chen Fei’s strength. Whether it was Chen Fei himself or the forces behind him, being able to kill a mid Aperture tempering realm expert was worthy of respect.

“That’s acceptable.”

Chen Fei’s smile also grew, satisfied with the elemental stones he received.

Fifteen minutes later, Chen Fei left the shop. He had sold two low-grade spiritual weapons and one medium-grade spiritual sword in total, earning three hundred and sixty-seven elemental stones. In the shop, Chen Fei used a portion of the elemental stones to purchase some spiritual elixirs.

Compared to the bulkiness of elemental stones, pills were undoubtedly much smaller in size, which made it easier for Chen Fei to store them in his spatial grid-

As for Chen Fei’s purchase of pills, the shopkeeper naturally didn’t refuse and brought out the best spirit pills available in the shop. Engaging in deceitful practices was not something the shopkeeper dared to do when dealing with someone like Chen Fei.

In usual dealings with other customers, the shopkeeper had certainly engaged in various deceptive practices, and much of the shop’s profits came from such activities. However, when it came to deception, the target mattered.

For someone like Chen Fei, who was clearly not to be trifled with, the shopkeeper wouldn’t dare to deceive him, and the quality of all the pills provided was top-notch. While they might not compare to the ones Chen Fei personally refined, they were considered normal spirit pills. These were also the highest-quality spirit pills that most shops could offer.

Chen Fei inquired about the sale of spirit plants but found that, just like in Immortal Cloud City, the prices of spirit plants were not low. The profit margin was very thin when purchasing them for refining.

All the shops had the same attitude when it came to selling spirit plants. Those who had access to spirit plants kept them for their own alchemists to refine.

Standing in the alley, Chen Fei glanced around and entered another alley. After walking just a few steps, he spotted another shop and sensed that there were no other people inside. Chen Fei casually walked in.

Meanwhile, in a mansion in the southeast of Black City District, Dai Fangxuan’s gaze was fixed firmly on the formation in front of him.

Black City District had been in operation for so many years, and while it couldn’t be said to be impregnable, various precautionary measures that could be thought of and implemented were applied in the district.

For instance, the formation before him could directly collect the auras of various Aperture tempering realm cultivators within the entire Black City District.

There were too many body refining realm cultivators, so this formation directly ignored them. For Black City District, no matter how many body refining realm cultivators there were, they couldn’t stir up any waves.

Only Aperture tempering realm cultivators had the potential to cause an impact on Black City District, especially those in the late Aperture tempering realm, who could pose a direct threat to the district.

If it were peak Aperture tempering realm experts, the masters of Black City District might even consider whether to evacuate. After all, peak Aperture tempering realm cultivators were significantly stronger than those in the late Aperture tempering realm.

Therefore, this formation that could collect auras could, to some extent, anticipate potential dangers. Moreover, because the function of this formation was only to collect the auras emitted by Aperture tempering realm cultivators, it did not provide direct surveillance.

Hence, Aperture tempering realm cultivators who were active within Black City District were not sensitive to the presence of this array formation. If an Aperture tempering realm cultivator entered a shop with its own individual array formation, Black City District’s formation could only track them within that particular shop.

Its functionality wasn’t incredibly powerful, but it provided enough information. Therefore, there had to be an Aperture tempering realm cultivator stationed here every day to check the situation on the array formation.

For the past few months, Dai Fangxuan had held this position. And today, after Dai Fangxuan sensed the aura on the array formation, his entire being became exhilarated.

It was because Dai Fangxuan had a deep impression of this aura, an impression so deep that even now, he couldn’t forget it.

Anyone whose left arm had been severed by a sword strike, who had to burn their blood essence to escape, and who, during their escape, had been pierced through the chest by a sword strike – all these injuries, individually, were severe. When combined, they amounted to a near-death outcome.

Dai Fangxuan had come perilously close to death. How could he forget Chen Fei and the injuries he had inflicted?

“It’s been almost three years!”

Dai Fangxuan squinted at the aura on the array formation that belonged to Chen Fei. His right hand instinctively touched his empty left shoulder, and his eyes were filled with malice.

In his mind, Dai Fangxuan couldn’t help but recall the events from three years ago when Rain Pavilion had issued a routine mission to eliminate the direct descendant of the Ruan family. At the time, he had thought it was just a routine mission, even with the addition of Chen Fei, Dai Fangxuan hadn’t taken it seriously.

Back then, Chen Fei had been gaining notoriety around Immortal Cloud City, but no matter how much fame he had, he was still just in the Visceral Tempering realm.

Dai Fangxuan had taken on that assignment initially because someone within Rain Pavilion had specifically hung a mission to kill Chen Fei.

Two birds with one stone—a single action could complete two missions. Even though he had suspected that Chen Fei might break through to the aperture tempering realm, he would at most be a martial artist who had just entered the aperture tempering realm. How could he be compared to him?

Back then, Dai Fangxuan had appeared before Chen Fei with such thoughts and had ended up severely wounded and fleeing for his life.

Even though he had ultimately escaped, Dai Fangxuan had been seriously injured, and he had come close to death. Thankfully, he had managed to survive, but his path of martial cultivation had been severed.

His natural talent had been mediocre to begin with, and burning his blood essence had essentially extinguished his future prospects. Joining Rain Pavilion had been a choice to enhance his cultivation, but it had ended in disaster. How could Dai Fangxuan be content with this outcome?

However, no matter how discontented he was, there was nothing he could do. Chen Fei’s strength was clearly far superior to his own, and Dai Fangxuan had no possibility of seeking revenge. As for directly issuing a mission within Rain Pavilion to have someone else kill Chen Fei, the cost for such a task was prohibitively high.

According to Rain Pavilion’s assessment, the likelihood of an ordinary Aperture tempering realm early-stage independent cultivator successfully killing Chen Fei was extremely slim. It was estimated that it would take two or three individuals ganging up to have any chance.

Although Dai Fangxuan had some wealth, entrusting such a task would have emptied his pockets. Besides, Chen Fei had been in a state of intensive cultivation since returning to the Primordial Sword Sect.

He rarely left the vicinity of Immortal Cloud City, providing no suitable opportunity to intercept Chen Fei.

Filled with hatred, Dai Fangxuan had to bury this grudge deep in his heart. However, from time to time, he intentionally or unintentionally gathered information about Chen Fei’s recent activities from Rain Pavilion’s reports.

Defeating Shen Tucang, the rising star of the Immortal Cloud Sword Sect, had showcased his extraordinary talent.

During the joint expedition of the four sects into the mystic realm, other sects had suffered heavy losses, while Chen Fei had returned safely. Despite being injured, he hadn’t perished within the mystic realm.

Whenever he came across news about Chen Fei, Dai Fangxuan’s heart felt as if it were being gnawed by insects. He wanted Chen Fei to die, and the more gruesome the death, the better. Unfortunately, Dai Fangxuan was powerless, forced to watch as Chen Fei continued to grow stronger.

With the shadow of Rain Pavilion looming over Black City District, Dai Fangxuan, who had no chance of advancing any further, had chosen to engage in the leisurely work of monitoring the array formations.

Today, when Chen Fei appeared in Black City District, he was immediately spotted by Dai Fangxuan. There was no other reason than the fact that Dai Fangxuan’s memory of Chen Fei’s aura was etched too deeply.

Over the past three years, he had gritted his teeth countless times while facing this aura. How could he not be familiar with it?

“Since you’re here, don’t think about leaving!” Dai Fangxuan looked at Chen Fei’s aura on the array formation, his low voice echoing in the room.

He slapped the table, and immediately, a subordinate entered the room with respect. Dai Fangxuan ordered him to temporarily oversee the array formation, while he himself disappeared within the room.

After a moment, Dai Fangxuan arrived at another building in the courtyard.

“I would like to request an audience with Elder Miao,” Dai Fangxuan said respectfully.

“Elder Dai, considering our relationship, there’s no need for such formality,” Elder Miao said as he opened the door and invited Dai Fangxuan inside.

“Dai has a favor to ask, and 1 hope Brother Miao can assist me,” Dai Fangxuan said with a solemn tone.

“What is it?” Elder Miao asked, surprised by Dai Fangxuan’s expression.

“Help me kill someone!” Dai Fangxuan gritted his teeth, and his eyes couldn’t hide the deep-seated hatred.

“Who?” Elder Miao inquired.

“The Primordial Sword Sect, Chen Fei!” Dai Fangxuan said each word slowly, his tone filled with resentment as he mentioned Chen Fei’s name.

Elder Miao’s brows furrowed, and his gaze involuntarily shifted to Dai Fangxuan’s left arm. Three years ago, Dai Fangxuan had been severely injured and nearly killed by Chen Fei.

Elder Miao was aware of this incident and had even provided some healing medicine to help Dai Fangxuan gradually recover.

Most people would find it difficult to let go of such an experience, but what puzzled Elder Miao was that Dai Fangxuan hadn’t mentioned it for three years. Why was he suddenly bringing it up today?

Suddenly, a realization dawned on Elder Miao.

“Has he come to Black City District?” Elder Miao asked.

“Yes, he’s here, just a moment ago,” Dai Fangxuan said, and a slight smile appeared on his face when he saw that Elder Miao didn’t outright refuse.

If anyone here could help him, it would be Elder Miao. The two of them had formed a bond when they were relatively insignificant. At that time, Elder Miao’s cultivation level was much higher than Dai Fangxuan’s.

Later, Elder Miao advanced rapidly and had now reached the mid-stage of the Aperture tempering realm. Among independent cultivators, he was definitely considered a master. In most sects, he could be a pivotal figure.

“But are there any other cultivators at the Aperture tempering realm with him?” Elder Miao asked.

Elder Miao looked at Dai Fangxuan and understood that if this grudge wasn’t settled now, Dai Fangxuan would carry it for a lifetime. This opportunity, with Chen Fei’s presence in Black City District, was indeed a golden one..