Translator: CinderTL
Xuan Chengzi had become somewhat obsessed with prolonging his life.
Now, having unexpectedly obtained a method to extend his lifespan, he was naturally overjoyed.
Without a moment's hesitation, he agreed to release Daoist Lan Yin.
"This jade slip contains my oral decree. Take it to Zi Yun or Yun Xu. The guards of the Abyssal Abyss Cave will release Lan Yin upon seeing my decree. However, Fellow Daoist, remember to tell Lan Yin that if she dares to obstruct my efforts to prolong my life again, don't blame me for disregarding our shared sect ties."
Xuan Chengzi tossed a jade slip toward Song Wen.
Song Wen caught it and replied, "Rest assured, Fellow Daoist. I will persuade Daoist Lan Yin to cooperate. I wish you a successful extension of your lifespan."
With that, Song Wen cupped his hands in a farewell gesture and slowly ascended into the sky.
As he rose higher, the entire city gradually came into view.
Gazing down at the endless stream of cultivators moving through the city, Song Wen shook his head slightly.
Most of these cultivators were rogue cultivators who had brought Mortals here to sell for Spirit Stones.
The Longevity Technique, being the most widely practiced Cultivation Technique, was no exception in the Chaotic Sea. Many of these rogue cultivators were practitioners of this technique.
Perhaps, before long, these rogue cultivators would meet the same fate as the Mortals they treated as mere commodities—becoming caged pigs awaiting slaughter.
Song Wen returned to Two Extremes Island and handed the jade slip Xuan Chengzi had given him to Zi Yun.
Zi Yun was overjoyed. After expressing her heartfelt gratitude, she hurried away with the jade slip.
Less than half an hour later, Zi Yun reappeared before Song Wen, accompanied by Daoist Lan Yin.
The three met in a cultivator tea house in Four Symbols City.
Daoist Lan Yin looked somewhat haggard, and her aura was slightly disordered, but fortunately, there were no signs of her cultivation level dropping.
"Ji Yin, thank you for saving me," Daoist Lan Yin said, bowing slightly with clasped hands.
Song Wen replied, "Fellow Daoist, there's no need for such formalities. It was a simple matter, not worth mentioning."
After some polite exchanges, the three sat down, sipping tea and chatting casually.
"Fellow Daoist Lan Yin, I came here today to ask you about something," Song Wen said.
"Please, Fellow Daoist," Lan Yin replied.
Song Wen continued, "Fellow Daoist Cui Xuanjing told me he once heard you mention a Mystic Treasure called the 'Frost Ice Nails.' Is this true?"
Lan Yin didn't answer directly, but instead asked, "Why are you asking about this?"
Song Wen's eyes lit up slightly.
From Daoist Lan Yin's reaction, it was clear she likely knew the Frost Ice Nails' whereabouts.
Song Wen said, "The Frost Ice Nails I mentioned are a complete set of Mystic Treasures consisting of one hundred and eight long nails. This treasure is useful to me. If it's in your hands, Fellow Daoist, I'm willing to purchase it at a high price."
"I have indeed seen the Mystic Treasure you described," Daoist Lan Yin replied. "However, it's not in my possession. It's in Xuan Chengzi's hands."
Daoist Lan Yin's resentment towards Xuan Chengzi was evident, as she addressed him by his given name.
Song Wen couldn't help but feel somewhat speechless. How had the conversation circled back to Xuan Chengzi again?
If he had known this earlier, he would have simply traded with Xuan Chengzi directly on Xingling Island.
"Ji Yin, you may be disappointed," Daoist Lan Yin continued. "Though the Frost Ice Nails are only High-Grade Magic Treasures, they consist of one hundred and eight nails. When unleashed, they can unleash intense cold and sharp metallic energy, making their power formidable. This treasure was accidentally obtained by a senior from the Liangyi Sect. After that senior's Ascension, it was passed down through the sect."
"Five hundred years ago, Xuan Chengzi acquired this treasure from the sect and once made it his most powerful trump card. However, during a major battle later, two of the long nails were damaged. Since then, Xuan Chengzi has never been seen using it again. I suspect that the loss of those two nails significantly diminished the power of the complete set."
Song Wen's expression darkened. "Damaged?"
After bidding farewell to Lan Yin and Zi Yun, Song Wen hurried back to Xingling Island.
Although two of the Frost Ice Nails had been damaged, having some was better than having none.
Xuan Chengzi's attitude toward Song Wen had improved significantly since his return.
"Demon Lord Ji Yin, has Lan Yin been released?"
Song Wen nodded slightly. At the same time, his gaze swept over Xuan Chengzi from head to toe, and a sense of bewilderment arose within him.
The reason was simple: in just half a day, the sinister aura surrounding Xuan Chengzi had dissipated considerably, restoring some of his former immortal demeanor.
Song Wen was genuinely curious about how Xuan Chengzi could have undergone such a drastic transformation in such a short time.
He didn't directly voice his question but instead pointed at the wooden cages below.
"Fellow Daoist, what are you doing?"
In the wooden cage area, cultivators were bustling in and out, releasing the Mortal youths imprisoned within. Giant Flying Ships were departing, fully loaded with Mortals.
Xuan Chengzi stroked his beard and said with a hint of shame, "I was blinded by the fear of my impending death, which gave rise to inner demons and the twisted idea of using millions of Mortal youths to prolong my life. Now, I've had a sudden realization and naturally must send them back."
Song Wen didn't believe a single word of Xuan Chengzi's explanation.
Xuan Chengzi was letting these Mortals go, not because of some sudden epiphany. More likely, in Xuan Chengzi's eyes, these Mortals were no longer of any value.
Of course, Xuan Chengzi's effort to send these Mortals back did show a sliver of "goodwill."
Song Wen grew increasingly curious about what had truly happened to Xuan Chengzi.
However, Xuan Chengzi clearly didn't want to dwell on the matter. He changed the subject, asking, "Demon Lord, why have you returned this time?"
Song Wen didn't beat around the bush, immediately stating his purpose.
"I'm searching for a Mystic Treasure called the Frost Ice Nails, which consists of one hundred and eight long nails. Daoist Lan Yin told me you possess a similar treasure. May I have the honor of examining it?"
Xuan Chengzi was equally straightforward. With a flick of his wrist, a wooden box materialized in his palm.
When Song Wen opened the wooden box, he saw 106 Frost Ice Nails neatly arranged inside.
Each nail was about a foot long, crystal clear, and shimmered with a deep blue, icy light.
At first glance, Song Wen knew these were exactly the Frost Ice Nails he had been searching for.
"This treasure is useful to me. I wonder if Fellow Daoist would be willing to part with it? Rest assured, I will offer a price that satisfies you," Song Wen said.
He had expected Xuan Chengzi to demand an exorbitant price, but to his surprise, the Daoist simply handed the wooden box to him.
"This treasure is incomplete and no longer of much use to me. Since the Demon Lord is interested, I shall grant your wish."
Song Wen accepted the box, asking with some surprise, "Fellow Daoist, are you giving this to me?"
"Indeed," Xuan Chengzi replied.
Song Wen didn't refuse and put the box away. "Then I shall accept it without hesitation."
"I have a matter I hope the Demon Lord can clarify for me," Xuan Chengzi said.
Song Wen had long anticipated this. There was no such thing as a free treasure. He asked, "Fellow Daoist, please proceed."
"Demon Lord, I am curious about the origins of the Devouring Soul Array. Where did it come from?"
(End of the Chapter)
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