Cultivation Starting from Choosing Augments

Chapter 341 - 182: Spirit Lake Wanderer · Huidong Commerce Association · Spirit-Locking Smoke

So he couldn’t tell if the Spirit Lake Wanderer was telling the truth.

But from the looks of it, this thing was clearly something special, far exceeding any ordinary Top Grade Defensive Spiritual Artifact.

But Xiao Chen soon discovered one of the Spirit-Locking Smoke’s characteristics—or rather, one of its weaknesses.

It appeared to be immobile.

So, he reached out and began to gather Li Huo Thunder. It was the only method worth trying against a "turtle shell" defense like this.

To achieve the best effect, he planned to manually condense the Li Huo Thunder and then use his Fire-Storage Treasure Gourd to launch a triple burst.

"Xiao, we have no quarrel. Why must we fight to the death?"

The Spirit Lake Wanderer proposed again, "I’m willing to overlook what happened before. Why don’t we just sit down and talk?"

"What’s the point of dragging this out?"

Xiao Chen asked while condensing his Li Huo Thunder, "Fine, we can talk. But first, tell me—who are you capturing these people for?"

"Isn’t it obvious? I’m capturing these sacrifices for the Divine Fire Sect."

"So you’re with the Divine Fire Sect?"

"Xiao, I’ve answered one of your questions. To be fair, isn’t it my turn to ask one?"

"All right, ask away."

"Xiao, why did you ambush me here today?"

"Never mind the fact that I’m the steward of the Li Huo Sect’s Demon Extermination Hall and a newly promoted Demon-slaying Guard of the Lingyuan Sect. I am an Orthodox Cultivator. Do I need a reason for Demon Extermination and Protection of the Dao?"

"Demon Extermination and Protection of the Dao? I didn’t realize you were such a paragon of virtue, Xiao."

"If you’d investigated me, you’d know I’m one of the good guys. So, which faction are you with?"

"What if I said the Huidong Commerce Association? Would you believe me, Xiao? My relationship with the Divine Fire Sect is purely business—things like helping them gather sacrifices today."

"Asking a tiger for its hide?"

"That’s not a very apt description, Xiao. I’d say we’re each just getting what we need."

"What do you gain from helping the Divine Fire Sect?"

"You seem to be in a hurry, Xiao. It’s my turn to ask a question now."

"Go on. Ask."

"What do I have to do for you to let me leave this place, Xiao?"

"I’m afraid that’s not an option. Ask something else."

"No room for negotiation?"

"No room for negotiation."

"You really are a cold man, Xiao. In that case, I want to know this: our people saw you go to the Yellow Springs Traveling Palace with their own eyes. How can you be here now?"

"No comment. Ask something else."

"You’re unwilling to answer that question, Xiao. But if the Golden Core True Men were to find out about this, wouldn’t that be rather inconvenient for you?"

"You don’t need to concern yourself with that."

"But if this stalemate drags on until dawn, we’re bound to be discovered. When we’re facing the Golden Core True Men then, I might not be able to help you keep your secret."

"That’s fine. Dead men tell no tales. Why is the Huidong Commerce Association doing business with the Divine Fire Sect?"

"Such strange questions, Xiao. We are a Commerce Association. Why would we turn away business that comes to us?"

"What are you talking about? The Divine Fire Sect is blockading trade routes. That should mean you have no business, right?"

"Hah. Your thinking is just like the old fossils in the Association, Xiao."

"Forget it. This is too inefficient. Let’s just try this instead."

As they spoke, Xiao Chen had already condensed thirty-six Li Huo Thunders.

BOOM! BOOM!...

A continuous series of explosions erupted as a total of one hundred and eight Li Huo Thunders detonated against the Spirit-Locking Smoke.

The dense white smoke thinned considerably in an instant, vaguely revealing a human figure within.

But as the explosions ended, it quickly thickened and returned to normal.

"It seems your attempt failed, Xiao."

"It’s a bit too early to be saying that."

Xiao Chen began to condense Li Huo Thunder once more.

He had been so close. Besides, he had one more Magic he could pair with the Li Huo Thunder: the Luotian Sacred Fire.

An hour later, amid another series of intense explosions, a brilliant orange-red light appeared, crushing the thinning white smoke nearly to the ground.

The newly cast Immortal Binding Rope instantly found its target, binding the Spirit Lake Wanderer tightly.

The next moment, deprived of its supply of Magical Power, the Spirit-Locking Smoke finally dissipated completely.

Xiao Chen gave a slight smile. "Now, let’s try a different approach."

"I’ll ask, you’ll answer."