Chapter Twenty-Four: Striking It Rich

Zihuan listened to Chen Jiu’s words, her delicate face tensed, then she shook her head. “No, I can’t. If I split my attention to deal with him, I won’t be able to conceal your aura.”

“Besides, I can sense that man’s magical energy is restrained and his aura stable. He must be a ‘Lesser Pill Embryo.’ You’d best not act rashly.”

Chen Jiu was moved by her words.

Yet with so many treasures before him, the mountain in chaos, and the Ascension Tower unable to mind its own affairs, this was the perfect opportunity. Truth be told, Chen Jiu was furious at heart.

The Ascension Tower clearly knew about the ghost infant—perhaps they even raised it themselves.

And under the guise of the Ascension Conference, they lured countless cultivators and mortals to serve as nourishment for the ghost infants…

Had Zihuan not woken him in time, he might have lost his life already.

The grand arrangements made here by the Ascension Tower seemed little more than compensation for the wealthy scions.

But judging by this illusion, even if those people awoke, they would never know what horrors they’d truly endured. At most, they would feel their magical power drained, their spirits dulled.

“You still have your five little chubby beans!” Zihuan reminded him.

But Chen Jiu frowned slightly. “What can those five little ones do? They can’t even defeat me.”

Zihuan pondered. “I could use illusion magic to lure that man away. You then command the five little beans to seize as many treasures as possible!”

“But if you leave, won’t I be exposed?” Chen Jiu realized the crucial point.

Zihuan smiled mysteriously. “We of Tu Mountain have plenty of secret arts!”

With that, she plucked a strand of her azure hair and tied it into a knot.

“Go!”

Her jade lips parted, and she gently breathed out a stream of violet mist, enveloping the hair.

Moments later, the hair wrapped in violet mist wobbled down below.

The young man in the red robe suddenly locked his gaze on the violet mist, his voice harsh. “What demon dares such audacity!”

In a flash, the violet mist erupted and transformed into a beautiful woman identical to Zihuan.

“How dare you!” The red-robed youth roared in anger. This demon dared to take form before him—utterly insolent.

He opened his mouth, and a crimson flame surged forth.

“Zihuan” narrowly evaded the attack. Her expression was wooden, but she stretched out her hand and drew a treasure to herself.

Without a glance at the red-robed youth, “Zihuan” turned and fled.

The red-robed man was enraged. This demon was detestable!

He summoned a flying sword, leapt atop it, and with a chant, the sword let out a clear ring, transforming into a streak of light as it pursued “Zihuan.”

Chen Jiu’s eyes gleamed.

“A perfect opportunity!” Zihuan called out urgently.

Chen Jiu nodded, then took a handful of yellow beans from his robe and expended the last of his magical energy.

“Go!”

A crackling sound erupted, and five little chubby beans appeared suddenly.

“Go, fetch me the treasures on the table. Don’t forget the black lotus platform!” Chen Jiu instructed.

Though without consciousness, the little beans obeyed commands faithfully.

They scurried across obstacles to the platform below.

Chen Jiu’s heart raced with excitement.

But then, a howling wind sounded overhead.

“Not good! A powerful aura is approaching!” Zihuan’s face paled, clearly sensing something terrifying was near.

“Quick, let’s go!” Without hesitation, Chen Jiu was about to bolt.

But Zihuan’s brows knitted tightly. “No, there’s not enough time! We must fight for our lives!”

Chen Jiu was shocked.

Anyone who could make Zihuan so wary, and whose chances of victory were slim, could only be the Ascension Tower’s master himself.

Suddenly, a dazzling violet light erupted from Zihuan.

“I can use Tu Mountain’s secret arts to send you out of Tai Nan Mountain!” she said.

“What about you?” Chen Jiu blurted.

“No one can find us foxes when we wish to hide! Don’t worry, little pumpkin, you needn’t fret over me.” Even at this moment, Zihuan couldn’t resist teasing him.

The oppressive force in the sky rolled down.

“How dare you steal the treasures of my Ascension Tower?!”

The moment that force appeared, Chen Jiu felt his heart leap from his chest.

A “Jade Pill Realm” cultivator! The visitor was surely the Tower’s master!

“Hurry up!” Chen Jiu called, watching the five little beans dash toward him with a treasure each.

Zihuan’s jade hand shifted, forming a gesture. “Go!”

A streak of violet light shot from her hand, instantly enveloping Chen Jiu, and at incredible speed wrapped up the five little beans, then sped away into the distance.

Zihuan watched the violet light depart, her gaze flickered, and her form slowly faded from sight.

As Chen Jiu was wrapped in violet light, a voice sounded: “Little pumpkin, the method to activate the lotus platform is within the violet light. When you’re somewhere safe, you’ll know it… Don’t worry, I’ll be fine. I’ll come find you again. I hope when we next meet, you’ll be just a little bit stronger…”

Chen Jiu heard this and his brows relaxed.

The violet light carried him and the five little beans at incredible speed out of Tai Nan Mountain, breaking through the barriers, and sped southward.

Meanwhile, on Tai Nan Mountain, the scent of blood was thick.

“Master! I’ve already ordered a headcount. We’ll soon find out who escaped!” Beside the green-robed man, a white-bearded elder bowed.

The Ascension Tower’s master sighed. “Who’d have thought—the Tu Mountain foxes have appeared again. Hah, a bunch of persistent, stinking foxes.”

“As for the little fish that got away, once you confirm their identity, assign two ‘Suspended Eyes’ to hunt them day and night. They won’t get far!”

The elder murmured assent.

The green-robed man sneered. “I never expected I’d be bested by a little fox…”

That day, news from Tai Nan Mountain shocked all of Xinyang County.

The Ascension Tower announced an accident had occurred on Tai Nan Mountain, causing many cultivators to perish. The Tower claimed primary responsibility and promised compensation.

Once the news broke, the city was abuzz.

Rumors and speculation spread—tales of the Tower’s failings, stories of ghosts and monsters causing trouble…

Chen Jiu, meanwhile, was oblivious to the chaos he had stirred.

He was now sitting cross-legged in a hidden natural cave.

Beside him, a campfire flickered, and Chen Jiu was moved.

He’d studied Zihuan’s method for activating the lotus platform. It wasn’t difficult, but was extremely time-consuming.

If he worked alone, it would take about half a month.

Fortunately, the five little beans each brought back a treasure.

Aside from the lotus platform, he had four others.

His eyes gleamed as he surveyed the four items laid out.

“Three reusable Breath Concealment Talismans, a close-fitting soft armor, a small flying sword, and a curious round disc…” Chen Jiu’s face lit with joy.

Though he didn’t know what the disc was for, it surely had value.

He hurriedly stripped off his robe and donned the soft armor beneath.

“So refreshing!” The armor seemed made of some beast skin, and the moment he put it on, Chen Jiu felt cool all over.

He quickly dressed, tucked the talismans and sword into his robe.

Though he hadn’t stepped onto the First Floor of Immortals yet, activating talismans and wielding a small sword was easy enough.

Chen Jiu’s gaze was sharp—he now had many cards up his sleeve.

Besides the four divine abilities granted by the “Heavenly Eye,” he had five beans, three Breath Concealment Talismans, and a small sword of unknown power.

Of course, his strongest techniques remained “Spirit Light” and “Mind Control.”

With “Mind Control,” the mountain demon could manifest at any time—as long as his spiritual power could bear the strain, its strength would not be lacking.

Chen Jiu grinned foolishly.

“I’ve struck it rich…”