Chapter 98: Chapter 28: Scheming

The divination indicates a trend towards danger.

Everything is still normal for now, but if this continues, it may turn into a dire omen.

Seeing this, Zhou Xun felt a chill in his heart.

This inexplicable sense of crisis in his heart started only after meeting that black-robed man.

The results of the divination are undoubtedly related to this person.

Yet since Zhou Xun began his cultivation, he has always been kind to others, and has made very few enemies.

During the Red Leaf Square period, his biggest enemies were the Wei Brothers.

But Zhou Xun had already killed the Wei Family’s first and second brothers, leaving only the third, Wei Shangyi.

This person had fallen out of favor with the Lin Family due to his connection with the Wei Family’s first brother, who was affiliated with the Wu Family, and was expelled from Red Leaf Square, whereabouts unknown.

“Could it be this person?”

Wei Shangyi has a middle-grade spiritual root, and under normal circumstances, would be at most at the sixth layer of Qi Refining, posing no threat to Zhou Xun.

The possibility is very low.

“Could it be the Gao Family?”

Zhou Xun killed a Foundation Establishment cultivator from the Gao Family, and if they seek vengeance, it would indeed be dangerous.

However, if the Gao Family knew Zhou Xun was responsible, they should have confronted him earlier, so it likely has nothing to do with the black-robed man.

The gaze of the black-robed man on that day seemed to recognize Zhou Xun, but he wasn’t very certain.

Most likely, he had seen Zhou Xun’s portrait.

Zhou Xun meticulously recalled the appearance of the black-robed man, not missing a single detail.

Suddenly, Zhou Xun had a revelation; the inexplicable gaze of the man reminded him of something.

“Qingyue Square… Shi Jingfeng attacked… Tribulation Cultivator!”

“That’s it… it’s the Tribulation Cultivator!”

“They’re in cahoots, starting from Celestial Terrace Ridge, targeting me—those Tribulation Cultivators!” Zhou Xun’s eyes blazed.

“Turns out it’s you, I wonder what method you used to find me here!”

Zhou Xun immediately took out two round wheel spiritual artifacts and performed the tracking technique from the divination.

Sure enough!

This person is indeed in White Cloud Immortal City!

The critical component of the round wheel spiritual artifact is in his possession.

Yet why does this person pose a threat to me?

“Could it be that this person is a Foundation Establishment cultivator?” Zhou Xun speculated.

But he quickly dismissed this thought.

His divine sense surpassed the standard of middle-stage Foundation Establishment, making it difficult for anyone below that level to evade…

Could this person be on the verge of a breakthrough to Foundation Establishment?

To wield the core component of the round wheel spiritual artifact, this person’s tenacity must surpass that of the Tribulation Cultivators last time.

This person must be among the top combatants of peak Qi Refining cultivators!

“I must eliminate this person!”

Zhou Xun resolved fiercely in his heart.

He then donned the disguise of the elderly man with gray hair and followed the guidance of the tracking technique to find the black-robed man.

Leaving Golden Spring Lane, after several turns, Zhou Xun arrived at a building he knew very well.

“The Hundred Medicines Pavilion!”

What is this person doing here?

Generally, there are three types of people who visit the Spirit Medicine Pavilion.

One is Zhou Xun, an alchemy master; they are the biggest customers of the Spirit Medicine Shop.

Another type are those selling spirit medicines. As a city of loose cultivators, it is common for loose cultivators to have good fortune, discover some spirit medicine, and sell it at the Spirit Medicine Shop for spirit stones.

The last type are those seeking herbs to gather foundation establishment materials, like peak Qi Refining cultivators, who often find ways to gather a set of Foundation Establishment materials for the Foundation Establishment Pill.

Zhou Xun guessed that the black-robed man was gathering Foundation Establishment materials.

“Gather away, once enough, it’ll be just the right opportunity for me!” Zhou Xun squinted as he waited outside the Hundred Herbs Pavilion.

About as long as it takes to burn an incense stick later, the black-robed man appeared on the first floor.

Upon seeing this, Zhou Xun walked in as well.

His aura of Foundation Establishment magical power was completely unconcealed.

“Greetings, elder!” The black-robed man cupped his hands slightly.

Zhou Xun nodded slightly to acknowledge, then began conversing with the shopkeeper.

Meanwhile, Zhou Xun secretly placed a Divine Sense Mark at the end of the black-robed man’s hair.

After the black-robed man left, Zhou Xun ordered two more sets of materials for the Essence-Guiding Pill.

Utilizing this Divine Sense Mark, Zhou Xun could faintly sense the position of this person.

Once he leaves the city, Zhou Xun could immediately notice.

And so, a month rapidly passed, and the person hadn’t left the city again.

However, Zhou Xun was patient, believing this person certainly had their eye on him as well.

…

Another month went by, and the Divine Sense Mark on the black-robed man grew dim.

Zhou Xun was preparing to switch disguises and apply another Divine Sense Mark when…

Suddenly, an alerting scene occurred.

He sensed the faint mark approaching, seemingly only a dozen yards away.

Just as Zhou Xun was in shock, a Sound Transmission Talisman flew in.

It was from a middle-aged man named Liu Luoxiong, also Zhou Xun’s neighbor, at the eighth layer of Qi Refining, a Demon Hunting Cultivator, who frequently visited Zhou Xun for purchasing elixirs, thus they were quite familiar.

Donning the Profound Yellow Armor, Zhou Xun walked to the door and opened it.

As soon as the door opened, he saw Liu Luoxiong and the black-robed man standing outside.

“Alchemist Zhou, greetings!” Liu Luoxiong greeted.

The black-robed man followed suit with his courtesy.

“Ah, Brother Liu, who is this?” Zhou Xun asked, maintaining an unchanged expression as he looked at the black-robed man.

“Oh, this is Daoist Wang, who just moved to Golden Spring Lane; he’s an array master!” Liu Luoxiong introduced.

“I am Wang Xun. I’ve heard from Daoist Liu that our Golden Spring Lane has a young High-Grade Alchemist, and I’ve long admired you, thus I came to visit!” The black-robed man gave a courteous bow with his hands.

He simultaneously presented a jade box to Zhou Xun.

“A small gift, I hope Alchemist Zhou doesn’t mind!”

Zhou Xun remained alert but kept a poised exterior, receiving the jade box with a smile.

“Daoist Wang, you’re too kind! Hmm, have we met before?” Zhou Xun feigned doubt.

Given the powerful memory of cultivators, both had met once before, so Zhou Xun feigning complete unawareness would be odd.

“We did meet, just on the street a few days ago; I simply didn’t know your name as Alchemist Zhou back then, otherwise, I would have certainly arranged a proper meeting!” The black-robed man smiled softly.

“I see!” Zhou Xun realized.

“The two of you have met once before, and meeting again today seems like destiny bringing us together!” Liu Luoxiong chimed in.

“Hahaha, well said, how about coming inside for a chat? I have excellent spirit wine stored that can set our hearts dancing!” Zhou Xun said with a hearty laugh, inviting the two inside.

After a lively conversation, the two bought many elixirs from Zhou Xun and left by nightfall.

Once they departed, Zhou Xun immediately retrieved the jade box.

Inside was a jade pendant, rare enough to automatically trigger a middle-grade defense technique.

His powerful divine sense carefully probed within, sure enough, in a concealed spot, he found a mark.

The mark was hidden extremely deep; Zhou Xun figured ordinary early-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators would be unable to notice it.

With a cold smile, Zhou Xun did not remove it.

Instead, he put it on.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep