allendalepharm Chapter 91 Hmph, coward!
Chapter 91 Hmph, coward!
Chapter 91 Hmph~, you coward!
Chen Yi feigned a wry smile, and an expression that suggested he had "accidentally" revealed his true strength.
He knew, of course, that Qin Chengcheng's third-level divine sense was very powerful; with just a glance, she could discover the secrets of his magical power and physical body.
But if he doesn't let her see him, and doesn't reveal some of his strength, he might not be able to hide the secrets of his soul.
Qin Chengcheng has her eye on the secrets of their souls, and further analysis suggests that their soul attributes share a common origin.
Qin Chengcheng would definitely guess that she gave her first time to Chen Yi.
Given Qin Chengcheng's fierce temperament at that time, she wouldn't necessarily beat Chen Yi half to death, but she would at least force him to become her Daoist partner and announce it to the world.
In that case, it would be impossible for Chen Yi to keep a low profile any longer; he would only face endless troubles.
Moreover, Chen Yi's secret to body refinement was discovered by Qin Chengcheng when she first came to the market.
But unexpectedly, Qin Chengcheng only glanced at it for a fleeting moment and was able to discover Chen Yi's physical secret.
Fortunately, the other party only sensed his bronze bones and did not detect the lightning patterns within them.
It was barely enough to conceal the deepest part of his physical strength.
"Fairy, please let me explain. I didn't actually eat that much of your food. I do have some talent in physical cultivation."
My magical power is slightly higher than that of a Foundation Establishment cultivator of Earth Rank, which is also because I had other opportunities.
Fairy, you yourself have said that the Earth-grade Foundation Establishment cannot be achieved through mere eating.
I also practiced another cultivation method, the [Taiyi Longevity True Scroll], which suited me well, resulting in higher quality magical power.
I haven't told anyone this, for fear that revealing it would attract unwanted attention. Please keep it a secret from me.
"The Taiyi Longevity True Record? It seems that Xiaoyu had a fortuitous encounter with such a cultivation method."
Qin Chengcheng muttered about this set of techniques, and most of the doubt in his eyes disappeared.
But something still feels off.
Her gaze towards Chen Yi still held a scrutinizing quality; she felt that Chen Yi was a hidden treasure.
Last time I visited, she was just an ordinary cook. That time, she was more ethical and didn't bully the weak; she specifically used her divine sense to investigate Chen Yi.
This time, it was discovered that Chen Yi's magical power and physical body were terrifyingly strong, far exceeding that of an ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivator.
No, before he reached the Foundation Establishment stage, he probably already possessed strength no weaker than that of a mid-Foundation Establishment cultivator.
So, considering how close she got to Chen Yi last time, he might have had the ability to subdue her; she had been a bit too overconfident.
"Hmph, I have no interest in telling your secrets to others."
Alright, I'm here for no other reason. Your first-tier cave dwelling has such weak spiritual energy, yet you're so powerful. It's too shabby.
I won't stay here any longer, goodbye.
"Fairy, wait a minute."
Chen Yi called out to her.
"Hmm? Is there something else?"
Qin Chengcheng was slightly displeased, but then she remembered that Chen Yi wasn't the lowly cook she remembered, but a hidden body cultivation master and a near-Heavenly Rank Foundation Establishment cultivator, someone who was qualified to speak with her.
She stopped in her tracks, watching to see what Chen Yi was about to say.
"As Fairy also mentioned, my cave dwelling is rather simple. I was just thinking of finding a high-level array master to help me adjust it."
The two first-tier cave dwellings in the two courtyards were combined and modified to create a small second-tier cave dwelling room.
The formation in the courtyard also needs to be redesigned.
I remember the fairy was a near-third-tier array master. Now that she's here, why not lend me a hand?
Chen Yi seemed a little guilty at the end.
Given their past relationship, the other party would definitely have helped, but now, the two seem to be unfamiliar with each other.
Qin Chengcheng squinted at Chen Yi: "My array formation skills have only recently advanced to the quasi-third level. How did you know that?"
"Don't even mention that the Blood-Clad Pavilion found out; I guarantee nobody in the Blood-Clad Pavilion knows about it."
"Ahem—, Fairy may have forgotten, but I knew a little about your renovation and design of the secret underground chamber in the Myriad Sounds Pavilion."
"Is that so?"
Qin Chengcheng tilted her head, trying to think, but couldn't come up with anything. Losing her memory was really annoying; she couldn't refute what others said.
"Even if I could, so what? What gives you the right to order me around? Do you even know how much this fairy charges for each job?"
Qin Chengcheng then looked at Chen Yi, waiting for him to say something.
"Fairy, you can't just let it go like this, can you, by using your divine sense to invade my body and probe my secrets?"
Chen Yi said quietly.
"Hmph, so what if you looked? What can you do about it? That alone isn't enough."
Qin Chengcheng didn't leave; instead, she sat down again, seemingly intending to continue bargaining with Chen Yi.
Upon seeing this, Chen Yi's spirits lifted: "Fairy, what do you wish to do?"
Qin Chengcheng's beautiful eyes flickered, and thinking of Chen Yi's powerful physique, she made up her mind:
"Xiao Chen, you know about that underwater secret realm, right? With your physical cultivation strength, you'll have a great advantage going in."
Chen Yi nodded, "I've only scratched the surface."
"Okay, that's good."
Qin Chengcheng nodded, then said to Chen Yi, "Are you sure you want me to help you modify the cave's array veins and set up the formation?"
"Um, what are the fairy's conditions?"
"There's nothing needed right now, but I've heard rumors that within the next two years, the most talented cultivators in the entire Qi Kingdom might gather here."
We'll enter the secret realm together then to compete for the inheritance of the ancient Thunder Soul Sect.
It is said that at that time, each prodigy would likely hire one or two strongmen to accompany them on their adventures.
"Xiao Chen, if I go in, you can be one of my candidates for hiring a strongman."
Qin Chengcheng replied earnestly.
Chen Yi understood; the other party wanted to recruit him as a henchman to go down into the secret realm.
"Fairy, entering the secret realm is too dangerous; I cannot agree to this at the moment."
"Don't worry, Emperor Qi will come in person to eliminate or deter the real crisis beforehand, so that they dare not make a move."
This time, Emperor Qi intended to train the most outstanding talents of Qi, including princes, princesses, and the true disciples of various sects. Everyone would go in together without any danger to their lives.
Besides, I won't let anything happen to my people. You'll just be doing manual labor that's unsuitable for our Dharma practice.
"If that's the case, I can consider it. But I can't agree to it right now; we'll talk about it later."
Chen Yi was somewhat tempted. That secret realm could hold many things that would greatly enhance his abilities. If someone were to protect him, he could potentially reap great benefits by staying with the group, and others would also be there to shoulder any dangers.
Of course, he hasn't agreed to die yet; we'll discuss that later.
"Fine, if you really don't want to, then you can pay me the spirit stone fee after I finish the work."
Qin Chengcheng continued.
"How many spirit stones do you want?"
"That depends on your needs, Fellow Daoist Chen, and how much I'm willing to pay. We'll have to set a price later."
"Oh well."
After thinking it over, Chen Yi agreed.
Mainly, he had high requirements for the security of his cave dwelling, especially for the secret chambers, underground passages, hidden training areas for his spirit pets, and the surrounding formations, particularly those used for concealment and defense.
With Qin Chengcheng, someone he knew well, taking action, he felt somewhat at ease.
He could trust Qin Chengcheng's character.
Moreover, Qin Chengcheng was the only near-third-tier array master that Chen Yi could find.
After a brief discussion, the two began construction.
"Fairy, the outer wall of this main cultivation room must be able to withstand the detection of a third-level divine sense."
Chen Yigang threw out three pieces of Xuan Yin Iron, and Qin Chengcheng's fingertips already traced arc-shaped array patterns. The iron pieces automatically melted into a liquid lead-silver barrier, which precisely embedded itself into the wall's interlayer.
Before Chen Yi could even finish explaining the requirements for setting up the Snow Silkworm Divine Net, Qin Chengcheng had already completed it effortlessly, as if she had rehearsed it beforehand.
Chen Yi's eyebrows twitched slightly. This girl was so skilled.
"A secret chamber is located fifty feet underground from the main cultivation room, within the passageway's inner wall."
"I know. The inner wall needs to be engraved with sound-absorbing patterns, patterns to prevent divine sense probing, and patterns to absorb spiritual energy fluctuations. The entrance needs to be hidden, and the opening method needs to be simple but requires a high level of magical power and divine sense. At the same time, your unique divine sense imprint must be engraved on it."
Chen Yi: "."
You've said everything I wanted to say, what else is there for me to say?
Twelve array flags flew out from Qin Chengcheng's sleeve. The sound-absorbing cold iron was tempered into fine threads by magic power in mid-air, automatically weaving into a winding, snake-like pipe framework—
This was the framework for the secret passage leading from the cultivation room to the underground chamber that Chen Yi had envisioned refining.
Neither of them offered an explanation, yet they seemed to share a tacit understanding, as if they were using the same brain.
As Chen Yi struck the pillar with the Illusion Talisman, Qin Chengcheng simultaneously made a hand seal.
The lightning patterns emerging from the wood grain perfectly aligned with the Five Elements Array she had cast, causing the entire room to hum and glow with a turquoise-gold light—
This was clearly a triple concealment, detection, and defense formation left by Chen Yi, perfectly integrated with her Minor Five Elements Formation.
"Bury the array eye under the bathtub." Chen Yi had just spoken when Qin Chengcheng's palm was already pressed against the ground.
Thirty-six array patterns, as if alive, burrowed into the cracks of the blue bricks, their core perfectly enveloping the jade slip containing the array's core that he had secretly prepared.
Furthermore, the six reserved input slots for mid-grade spirit stones were exactly as Chen Yi had anticipated.
"Also, the hiding place for the spirit pets."
"The surface cultivation room of the second-tier cave, and the true secret cultivation room underground,"
"The emergency escape route to the underground chamber, and the location of the hidden chamber where the earth-遁符 (earth-遁符) are stored year-round."
All of this,
Chen Yi and Qin Chengcheng worked together seamlessly. Sometimes, they didn't need to exchange many words. With just a glance, a gesture, or even a corner of the array pattern carved by Chen Yi, Qin Chengcheng would know what he wanted.
Three days later
As the last array flag fell, all the arrays in the cave lit up simultaneously.
Qin Chengcheng stared blankly at the seven-layered nested mirror array she had set up. Every trap was in line with Chen Yi's "steady" style. She even instinctively completed the fake array eye buried next to the array eye to disguise it.
"Strange." She stroked the hot array plate, her pupils slightly contracting. "How could I be so skilled at arranging such a shabby cave dwelling?"
Chen Yi was also somewhat taken aback. When did Qin Chengcheng, such a stunning beauty, become like this?
As a result, Qin Chengcheng turned around, her beautiful eyes fixed on Chen Yi with suspicion.
"Why are our ideas about arranging the cave dwelling so similar?"
Chen Yi silently shrank back, not daring to utter a sound. He truly couldn't explain this matter.
Who knew that after spending several years with me, especially after our spiritual connection, you, Fairy Qin, would become so cunning and steady!
"Perhaps it's just a coincidence?"
Chen Yi looked up at the sky, avoiding her gaze.
Qin Chengcheng stared at Chen Yi for a long time, and seeing that Chen Yi remained silent, she gave a displeased snort:
"Hmph, you coward!"
"You're not going to talk, huh? Fine, then we'll just do business as usual! The job's done, now pay me!"
Qin Chengcheng stretched out her long, jade-like hand in front of Chen Yi, stared at him with her beautiful eyes, and said in a displeased, crisp voice.
"How much"
Chen Yi's voice wasn't loud; he felt somewhat guilty.
"Late Foundation Establishment stage cultivation, third-tier Divine Soul mastery, near-third-tier Array Master, I'll give you three days and three nights of work."
Qin Chengcheng counted them on her fingers one by one for him.
"The costs of materials, elixirs, magic power, and potentially future reputational damages..."
All in all, it's 20,000 spirit stones. I'll give you a discount and it'll be 19,800!
Is that too much to ask?
"Why don't you just rob it!"
Chen Yi's eyes widened, his face showing shock.
"This is the price. If you're not satisfied, you can go and argue with someone."
Don't you even look at the array formations within array formations in your cave, the underground secret chambers, the modifications to the spiritual veins—how much effort and how much real material you put into them?
You can invite any third-tier formation master over here and have them assess whether transforming the cave dwelling like this is feasible for 20,000 spirit stones!
Chen Yi immediately fell silent; Qin Chengcheng was telling the truth.
The materials alone cost no less than ten thousand spirit stones to set up this cave dwelling. Add to that the technical fees and fees for the near-third-tier array master and the third-tier divine soul master, as well as the mana and spirit stone consumption in between, and the total cost is indeed more than ten thousand spirit stones. Moreover, the other party still wants to make a profit.
But Chen Yi really didn't expect that the other party would put so much effort into setting up a cave dwelling!
Twenty thousand spirit stones? That's enough to kill him.
"Fairy,"
Can you mention again that in a while, geniuses will gather and enter the secret realm?
Which batch will you be going down in? How many strongmen will you have to help you? What kind of work will I be doing?
If I encounter danger at a critical moment, can I choose to run away?
I believe there are dangerous places, so can I refuse your request to go?
'
Chen Yi asked a whole series of questions, clearly indicating that he had chosen sexual favors as payment for the wages.
Upon hearing this, Qin Chengcheng pursed her lips and narrowed her beautiful eyes.
"Hmph, don't worry. We won't go in the first few batches. We'll go after the greatest danger in the secret realm has been completely eliminated and most of the geniuses have gone in."
When the time comes, it will just be the two of us. Let's keep a low profile and each pretend to be an ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivator.
We'll then secretly follow behind those geniuses, picking up the scraps without charging into battle!
Acquire resources quietly and discreetly, without risking getting burned!
Speaking of these things, Qin Chengcheng's eyes inexplicably revealed a gleam of excitement.
Upon hearing this, Chen Yi's eyes lit up. If that were the case...
It's not that you can't do manual labor in this secret realm.
In the secret realm, Qin Chengcheng was purely seeking opportunities, but Chen Yi was different. He had a treasure-hunting rat and could devour and absorb various resources, such as the Thunder Pool and the Medicine Valley.
With Qin Chengcheng, who possesses a third-tier divine soul and is a quasi-third-tier array master, present, Chen Yi can ensure his safety.
It wouldn't hurt to go in and explore.
"Alright, fairy, then we'll owe you the wages for now. We'll settle it when we need to enter the secret realm."
"Come find me, and I'll repay you with my body."
Chen Yi agreed.
"Hmph, you're smart to know what's good for you!"
Qin Chengcheng glanced at Chen Yi with her beautiful eyes, then her magical power surged, transforming her back into an ordinary-looking middle-aged woman.
Then he left quietly.
She couldn't tell whether this trip was a loss or a gain. She glanced at Chen Yi with her divine sense.
They discovered that the former cook wasn't a pig at all, but a hidden tiger.
This changed her attitude towards Chen Yi.
"Is it possible that person could be him?"
"Actually, if it really is him, it's not unacceptable."
"His magical power is close to that of a Heavenly Spiritual Root, even slightly stronger than mine. His physical body... oh my god..."
A person with such a physical body and magical aura could not possibly be the old and ugly figure he appears to be.
But then Qin Chengcheng remembered the man's cunning approach when setting up his cave dwelling; it meant that the image he projected must also be fake.
Just like myself...
Thinking about it this way, everything seems normal again.
"Alas, what a pity."
His soul quality is too low; he couldn't possibly be the same person who danced with me in the Nine Heavens.
What I'm looking for is the source of the special five elements' spiritual consciousness related to wood and ice within the quality of my soul.
Unless he has even concealed his soul,
but,
"Under my third-tier soul scan, someone can still hide their soul? How is that possible? He's just a beginner Foundation Establishment cultivator!"
Qin Chengcheng sighed and left.
It was as if a corner of the fog had been lifted, but at a crucial point, an even larger fog was discovered.
I don't know where the truth lies.
"Never mind, let's go to the secret realm and look for opportunities first."
The Ancient Thunder Soul Sect should possess secret techniques or treasures related to the soul. If I repair my soul, there should be hope.
Qin Chengcheng stared blankly ahead. Since leaving the sect and being alone, her journey had become increasingly difficult.
Chen Yi's cave dwelling was renovated quite well, combining two courtyards into one. The front courtyard served as a reception area, not much different from other shops.
In the backyard was his own cultivation room, a fairly ordinary small second-tier spiritual vein.
But this courtyard is very elaborate; trees, wells, and even every brick and tile are among the source materials for setting up the formation.
The entire courtyard contained seven sets of second-tier formations of varying sizes, making it difficult even for a fake Core Formation cultivator to break through them in a short time.
Chen Yi's true secret lies underground.
There was a secret chamber he had carved out underground. This chamber was very small, only two zhang in diameter, but it had a supply of spiritual energy close to that of a mid-grade second-tier spiritual vein.
The array formations in the secret chamber were even more advanced; several interconnected arrays had been set up, reaching near-third-tier level.
Ordinary fake cultivators wouldn't be able to find this place at all, and even if a true cultivator wanted to force their way in, it would take them some effort, at least one or two hours.
Of course, this situation is impossible. At present, Chen Yi would not provoke an enemy at the True Core level.
The secret realm also has several passages, some leading to ordinary land, where one can use a teleportation talisman to escape the market and reach the wilderness.
There is also a passage that leads directly to the lakeside bottom of the lake.
There are two small training rooms for spirit pets next to it, where the treasure-hunting rats and crimson flame birds can live and train.
Of course, the Crimson Flame Finch usually prefers to perch on the large jujube tree in the yard.
However, it can only appear as a large sparrow.
Chen Yi's daily task for it was to conduct aerial reconnaissance, and if necessary, to venture into the demon beast forest over a hundred miles away to forage for food on its own.
Chen Yi offered the treasure-hunting rat leftover monster meat and spirit food.
After all, treasure-hunting rats aren't good at fighting, and they might get killed in the wild.
This little thing is worth several thousand spirit stones. It was cultivated by that spendthrift from Qiyun Mountain at a cost of 20,000 spirit stones, so it's quite valuable.
The Crimson Flame Sparrow dared not complain. It worked diligently and conscientiously, completing its daily tasks before venturing into the Monster Forest to fend for itself. Occasionally, it would even bring back one or two second-tier monsters for Chen Yi.
After several years of cultivating with Chen Yi and occasionally eating monster meat, its strength has approached the mid-stage of the second tier.
Furthermore, influenced (coerced) by Chen Yi, it could only display the strength of a peak first-tier beast and the appearance of a large sparrow, often becoming prey for other second-tier demonic beasts.
Then they always manage to unleash their full potential at crucial moments and turn the tide.
In this way, life was not bad, but the demonic power was a bit mixed, not as pure as the demonic power of the Treasure-Seeking Rat's bloodline and the demonic power that it improved by eating spiritual food.
In addition, Chen Yi's private kitchen has reopened.
He is now officially offering mid-grade second-tier spiritual food banquets to the public. Occasionally, for special clients, he only accepts orders for high-grade second-tier ingredients.
With his magical power approaching that of a Foundation Establishment cultivator of Earth Rank,
The demon beast spirit food feasts produced are becoming increasingly effective, with very few impurities, making them unique in the entire market.
Even in Qingfeng Immortal City, there are only one or two high-level spiritual chefs who can compare to Chen Yi.
The fees for those spirit chefs are extremely high, and they are not open to the public.
Chen Yi's fees are also not low, similar to those two spirit chefs. He now charges customers half the cost of their own ingredients.
However, Chen Yi was mild-mannered and offered to discuss customizing the food.
Moreover, when dealing with demonic energy and malevolent power, he was subtly a level above the chefs of Qingfeng City.
As a result, his business gradually improved.
Life continued uneventfully, and Chen Yi accumulated strength, waiting for the right opportunity.
Six months later, the sky suddenly darkened.
A faint buzzing sound came from the distant sky, initially like the trembling of a cicada's wing, but instantly turning into a thunderous roar.
An overwhelming spiritual pressure swept across the sky, causing the clouds to ripple like waves and the mountains and forests to rustle and bow low in its wake.
The entire Lake and Sea Market seemed to be shrouded in a terrifying cloud.
(End of this chapter)