seattlejaycees Chapter 200 - 160: The 12 Zodiac Beasts (3)
Chapter 200 - 160: The 12 Zodiac Beasts (3)
Such a sprawling estate was inhabited by only Fang Qingyuan and Jinbao. Wu Mi had just asked if he wanted to hire a few mortal servants, but Fang Qingyuan had waved the suggestion away.
The first thing Fang Qingyuan did upon arriving at his new home was to set up an array. He always laid down a triple-layered Protective Array wherever he went, and this place was no exception.
After the array was set up, Fang Qingyuan spent seven or eight days in his new residence. Then, one night, he once again donned a cloak, took Jinbao, and made his way to the Black Market located beneath Black Sand City.
....
The underground Black Market was as desolate as ever. It didn’t look like there were many people, but the amount of Spirit Stones flowing through it in the shadows was a colossal sum.
Although the wares being hawked on the surface were expensive, the Black Market’s most profitable trade was selling intelligence.
As a case in point, Fang Qingyuan was being thoroughly fleeced—and that was *after* they had given him a discount.
Steward Wen’s eyes narrowed to smiling slits. He spoke to Fang Qingyuan in a slow, deliberate manner:
"As for the Primordial Beast Masked Cultivators you asked about, we do have information on them. They are a group of Tribulation Cultivators active on the trade routes around Cliff City. Their leader is the Dragon-faced cultivator—his real name is unknown—and his cultivation is at the Mid-stage Foundation Establishment. Of the remaining members, two are at Early-stage Foundation Establishment, and the others are all at Late-stage Qi Cultivation.
"Seven or eight years ago, the Chicken-faced and Snake-faced members of the group were killed by an unknown party. Six months ago, the Dog-faced cultivator also died. Now, the group has put out word that they’re recruiting a new Dog-face, and it’s attracted quite a bit of interest."
Hearing this, Fang Qingyuan grew worried. ’Three Foundation Establishment Cultivators... I don’t think I can handle them. Don’t be fooled by how I was slaughtering Qi Cultivation Cultivators like chickens the other day. When it comes to facing Foundation Establishment Cultivators, I just don’t have any confidence.’
’Perhaps I could fight an Early-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator to a draw, but there’s no guarantee I wouldn’t suffer an unexpected, humiliating defeat. You have to understand that Foundation Establishment Cultivators are on a completely different level from Qi Cultivation Cultivators—it’s an evolution in their very being. In terms of sheer Magical Power, a Foundation Establishment Cultivator has over ten times that of a Qi Cultivation Cultivator.’
’Even with Jinbao’s help, I’m not confident I can win against this group of Tribulation Cultivators. I might be able to pick them off one by one, but they’re not fools. What’s more, they’re all hardened veterans who live and die by the sword. If a real fight breaks out, I’m nowhere near as experienced in combat as they are.’
’But this is connected to my Foundation Establishment Opportunity, so giving up is out of the question. In that case, I have no choice but to use my ultimate move.’
So, Fang Qingyuan asked,
"What would be a suitable bounty, in Spirit Stones, for the heads of these Tribulation Cultivators?"
Steward Wen took a long look at the cloaked Fang Qingyuan before replying:
"Three Top-grade Spirit Stones for the ones at Late-stage Qi Cultivation, twenty for Early-stage Foundation Establishment, and one hundred for the leader!"
Fang Qingyuan felt conflicted upon hearing this. ’That all adds up to a good one hundred fifty or sixty Top-grade Spirit Stones. With that kind of money, I could hire Situ Jingyu five times, and she’s someone capable of fighting a Golden Core Demon Beast.’
At this thought, Fang Qingyuan’s eyes lit up. ’How could I have forgotten about my formidable senior sister? It’s been almost two years, so she must have recovered from her injuries by now. I can just spend some Spirit Stones and hire her to help me this once.’
With a plan now in mind, Fang Qingyuan continued to converse with Steward Wen for a moment longer, then paid five thousand Spirit Stones to receive a jade slip from him containing information on the Twelve Primordial Beast Masked Cultivators. Afterwards, Fang Qingyuan wrote a letter and entrusted it to a special messenger to deliver to Situ Jingyu.
In the letter, Fang Qingyuan first asked how Situ Jingyu had been for the past two years. After some pleasantries, he changed tack, proposing that if she had the time, he would like to hire her to help him with a matter. The payment would be fifty Top-grade Spirit Stones.