Chapter 2017: The Temple Comes Again

Han Jianqiu had once introduced him to the specifics of the six great sects, detailing the Seven Star Tower—the Seven Stars Shaking the Universe, the First Tower of the Heavens! It was the largest trading venue on the entire continent, selling all kinds of treasures and immortal weapons!

Two hundred top-grade immortal origin pills were a huge sum anywhere; there was no hope in Wuhai City, but here it might be different.

The flying immortal beast soon descended.

Before them was a massive square, likely the busiest place in the entire Biyuan City.

"Sect Leader, that is the Seven Star Tower..."

This disciple was very familiar with Biyuan City, probably a frequent visitor. He smiled slightly and pointed ahead.

Zhang Xuan followed his gaze and saw a cluster of tall buildings before him, seven in total, arranged in the pattern of the Big Dipper, reflecting the sky and forming a massive formation.

"Not simple..."

Zhang Xuan inwardly tensed.

No wonder it could be one of the six great sects; it was indeed not to be underestimated.

Although this place lacked the grandeur of Lingyun Sword Pavilion and Ten Thousand Beasts Sect, its connection with the seven stars of the sky meant it resonated with heaven and earth, making it even harder for anyone to cause trouble.

"Does the Sect Leader want to go take a look?"

The disciple laughed.

"No need... Where is the Tong Shen Temple in Biyuan City? Take me there!"

Zhang Xuan shook his head.

He had no treasures to buy and little desire for the Seven Star Tower.

Besides, if he went and they insisted he become the sect leader, should he decline or not?

One sect leader was enough; more would be troublesome!

After all, an outstanding person shines like a firefly in the dark wherever they go, impossible to avoid.

"The Tong Shen Temple is right next to the Seven Star Tower..."

Zhang Xuan looked and indeed saw another tall building not far from the Seven Star Tower. Though it lacked the former's grandeur, the flow of people was no less.

He followed the crowd inside.

"How much for a True Immortal realm Tong Shen jade talisman?"

"Two thousand Seven Star coins or Tong Shen coins!" the attendant replied.

"Buy one..."

Zhang Xuan breathed a sigh of relief.

It seemed the Tong Shen coins here were similar to those in Wuhai City, with no major fluctuation; two thousand was not expensive.

After buying the Tong Shen jade talisman, he rented a quiet room, told the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect disciple to wait outside, set up several aura-isolating formations, and sat down cross-legged.

Familiar with the process, his consciousness once again entered the Tong Shen Temple.

"I want to purchase items!"

He handed over the token bestowed by Teacher Kong.

"Wait a moment..."

The Tong Shen Temple attendant, seeing the token, changed expression and hurried away. Before long, an elder came over, respectfully bowed, and knelt.

"Esteemed guest, you hold the temple master's token, equivalent to the temple master himself. What would you like to purchase?"

"Two hundred top-grade immortal origin pills!"

Zhang Xuan said.

"Two hundred?"

The elder was startled.

He had seen people buying immortal origin pills, but at most ten at a time. Buying a hundred at once—eating them like candy...

Moreover, top-grade immortal origin pills were extremely expensive, each worth twenty thousand Tong Shen coins. Two hundred at once would be over four million...

That much money could already buy a city.

"That's right. Just tell me if you can produce them..."

Zhang Xuan frowned.

"This..." After a pause, the elder nodded. "If we pool resources from all of Biyuan City, it should be possible, but we need to apply to the Tong Shen Temple headquarters. Please wait..."

"Alright!" Zhang Xuan nodded.

Before long, the elder finished his inquiry and smiled. "The headquarters has approved the two hundred immortal origin pills. Esteemed guest, just activate the teleportation array on the jade talisman when you return, and you can retrieve the pills!"

"Thank you..."

Zhang Xuan breathed a sigh of relief, moved his mind, and left the Tong Shen Temple.

Back in the quiet room, he lightly tapped the jade talisman.

Whoosh!

Twenty jade bottles appeared before him, each containing about ten pills.

"These are two hundred top-grade immortal origin pills. If you swallow them and still can't break the seal, I'll deal with you!"

He snorted coldly, letting the gourd fly out from his dantian.

"Don't worry, I am a divine beast that roams heaven and earth, only temporarily trapped in the gourd. With enough energy, I can definitely break out and display great power..."

The gourd twisted its body and snorted.

"Alright, hurry up..."

Too lazy to listen to its boasting, Zhang Xuan waved his hand.

Hearing the command, the gourd spun rapidly, and a huge suction force spread out, drawing the two hundred immortal origin pills over.

Creak! Creak!

Swallowed into its belly, the gourd felt no discomfort; instead, its power grew stronger, and its aura surged instantly.

Previously, it had only swallowed low-grade immortal origin pills; now, jumping directly to top-grade, the power difference was hundreds of times. In an instant, the gourd shook violently, as if about to explode.

Boom!

Then, an invincible aura spread out, and cracks appeared around the gourd, as if space itself could not bear it.

"So strong..."

Zhang Xuan's eyes lit up.

It seemed the gourd, that fool, hadn't deceived him.

This aura alone was solidly beyond the Immortal Lord level, even stronger than the black-robed man from the temple before!

The guy hadn't lied, and the two hundred top-grade immortal origin pills weren't wasted.

Fortunately, he had set up aura-isolating formations beforehand; otherwise, this commotion would surely have attracted many people.

The power grew stronger, and a fine crack ran from top to bottom on the gourd's wall, as if it might split at any moment.

"It's about to break open..."

Eyes wide, Zhang Xuan stared intently.

He was full of curiosity about this gourd, wanting to know what would come out of it.

According to its tone, it was a divine beast roaming heaven and earth.

Immortal beasts were already so powerful; he had never seen a divine beast and wondered how majestic it would be.

Crack! Crack!

The crack grew wider, then suddenly stopped beneath the first protrusion, unable to move further.

"What's wrong?"

Seeing the surging aura also halt, Zhang Xuan frowned in confusion.

"Well..."

The gourd laughed awkwardly. "It seems I miscalculated; the energy is still insufficient... How about you get me another two hundred top-grade immortal origin pills to eat? This time I guarantee I'll break the gourd, no lies..."

"Another two hundred?"

Zhang Xuan staggered, nearly fainting.

Do you really think top-grade immortal origin pills are candy...

Two hundred at once, and it's still not enough... How ruthless can you be?

Besides... although the jade talisman given by Teacher Kong was unlimited, allowing purchase of countless treasures for cultivation improvement, Biyuan City had already reached its limit with these two hundred immortal origin pills. Asking for another two hundred...

Teacher Kong would probably come after him with a knife!

"You'd better stay in the gourd..."

Speechless, he waved his hand.

He had thought that this time, the gourd could break the seal and he would gain a divine beast roaming heaven and earth as a pet... Now it seemed he had been overthinking!

This thing was as unreliable as ever!

"If there are no pills, weapons will do. That Tongchang Sword is not bad..." the gourd hastily spoke.

The Tongchang Sword in the storage ring shrank back.

Too lazy to bother with this unreliable fellow, he put it back into the storage ring and walked out of the quiet room.

His main purpose in coming to Biyuan City was to let the gourd break the seal, but the guy still hadn't succeeded. Thinking about it was somewhat frustrating.

"Sect Leader!"

Seeing him come out, the disciple hurried over.

"Let's continue the journey!"

Not wanting to say more, Zhang Xuan shook his head helplessly.

Since he couldn't break the seal, he would continue on his way and wait until he reached the Star-Chasing Sea.

After all, he had disguised his identity, and the temple couldn't detect him, so it wasn't as dangerous as before.

"Alright!"

Following behind, they left the Tong Shen Temple. The Ten Thousand Beasts Sect disciple clapped his hands, took out a flying sacred beast from his beast pouch, and jumped on.

Zhang Xuan was about to follow when suddenly his pupils contracted and a chill surged in his heart.

"Damn, run..."

Before he could shout, he saw the beast not far away instantly swell.

Boom!

It exploded on the spot!

The explosion of an early Immortal Lord realm immortal beast sent a tidal wave of power in all directions. The disciple on the beast's back, unable to escape in time, was blasted away, landing in the distance, life unknown.

Bang!

Zhang Xuan circulated his true qi, forming a light shield on his body to block the impact. He had just taken a few steps back when he felt a chill behind him again.

Swish! Swish! Swish!

Six powerful forces attacked simultaneously from front, back, left, right, above, and below, as if trying to crush him into a meat patty.

"Damn it..."

Clenching his fists, Zhang Xuan felt his head about to explode.

With a flick of his wrist, the Tongchang Sword appeared in his palm.

In the blink of an eye, he executed a defensive sword technique, shielding himself like a ball.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The six forces struck the sword body, each impact like a train collision. Every time, Zhang Xuan felt his tiger's mouth about to tear, his chest tight, and he nearly fainted.

Pfft!

After blocking the sixth force, he could no longer bear it and spat out a mouthful of blood.

"Not bad, being able to block my attack under such passive circumstances..."

A voice sounded.

His inner qi of heaven's way circulated, quickly healing his injuries. Zhang Xuan looked up.

Three figures appeared before him, all looking like young men. Like the black-robed man from the temple before, they were at the peak of the Immortal Lord realm, but seemed even stronger, giving the impression they could tear space at any moment.

His whole body stiff, Zhang Xuan looked around.

As before, he had been pulled into a folded space without his knowledge; the aura from the sacred beast's explosion had not leaked at all.

"Why are you ambushing me?"

His eyes narrowed, Zhang Xuan's gaze full of anger.

"Why? If I'm not mistaken... you should be the new sect leader of Lingyun Sword Pavilion... Zhang Xuan, right?"

The foremost young man said calmly.

"You are people from the temple?"

His pupils contracted, Zhang Xuan felt ice-cold.

He had disguised himself so well, ensuring nothing leaked, yet the other party called out his name directly. With such strength, if he couldn't guess who they were, he would truly be stupid!

But... how had they detected him and found him?