Chapter 286: 262. Linlang, Part 2

“If one hundred points signify a qualitative change, bringing me new talents, then when will the next set of talents appear? One hundred fifty, or two hundred?”

Zhang Rongfang suddenly felt an unprecedentedly intense need for attribute points.

Though it was just a minor enhancement to his vision in dim light, there was no doubt— in this ordinary world where even Grandmasters were merely slightly stronger, slightly faster—

In this world ruled by Spiritualized beings, who were suspected to be the crystallization of future technology.

This small bit of the extraordinary is just the beginning of everything!

Just as he felt excited and full of anticipation for the future.

Knock, knock, knock.

A light knock sounded on the door.

“Daoist, there’s urgent news to report!” The voice of a Daoist came from outside.

“What is it?” Zhang Rongfang collected his emotions and asked gravely.

“Captain Isebas sent a message saying there’s a lead on the main medicine you sought.” The Daoist quickly replied.

“What!?” Zhang Rongfang’s hand shook violently; he had just discovered the hidden effects of life. Now there’s a lead on the main ingredient needed to pursue the Golden Toad Skill!?

Could today be his lucky day?

“Prepare, I’m going to visit the Isebas residence.”

Immediately, Zhang Rongfang spoke.

“Yes!”

A moment later.

Inside Isebas’s residence.

In the lavish dining room where the floor was covered with expensive carpets.

Isebas and Zhang Rongfang sat across from each other at a dining table over three meters long.

On it, assorted fine wines and delicacies were placed.

Nearby, beautiful young girls dressed in white strapless tops and miniskirts were responsible for pouring drinks and serving dishes.

“So? A different style this time?” Zhang Rongfang picked up the glass of wine in front of him and took a gentle sip.

He remembered that during previous visits, the surrounding girls were only dressed in a layer of semi-transparent pink muslin; quite enticing.

“Isn’t it good to change tastes once in a while? West Yi is at war now, and I’ve had good luck acquiring a batch of lovely servers.” Isebas smiled broadly, evidently enjoying life to the fullest lately.

Zhang Rongfang also noted that this time, the serving girls mostly had red or brown hair, flaxen long hair, and their eyes were shades of purple, brown, or mixed.

“Congratulations on your prosperous business. Now, tell me about the main medicine I need.” He smiled, somewhat impatiently.

Now that the second phase of the Golden Toad Skill—Chasing the Sun—lacked just one main ingredient to commence potion brewing.

Once the Golden Toad Skill advances again, his accumulation of attribute points will continue to accelerate.

By that time… unlocking more talents will be no trouble!

“The lead is genuine.” Isebas nodded.

He clapped his hands, signaling a nearby female guard to move forward and bring over a piece of parchment.

Taking the parchment, he flipped through it briefly and handed it to Zhang Rongfang.

“This is an ancient manuscript passed down from long ago. It records the discovery location for Xuan Yang Flesh Ganoderma. You can take a look.”

Zhang Rongfang quickly took the manuscript, but the text on it was full of strange, twisted symbols.

He couldn’t understand it….

“This text…” He looked up at Isebas.

“Ancient Elyan Language.” Isebas nodded, “It’s written about a plant called Blood of the Sun, growing in a cave named Celestial Extreme. The description of Blood of the Sun matches precisely with what you need, Xuan Yang Flesh Ganoderma.”

“Celestial Extreme Cave? How can I find this place?” Zhang Rongfang asked gravely.

“Hehe.” Isebas chuckled, “You see, when I found this manuscript, I too thought it would be difficult to locate.

After all, according to scholarly authentication, this manuscript’s history is over a hundred years old.

You know, in a century, the passage of time sees significant changes in geography. But through continuous searching and comparison by my men, finally….”

He suddenly paused, clapping his hands.

“Someone bring up my newly acquired Inca Hallucinogenic Grass, I wish to share it with my good friend!”

“Yes.” A nearby maid whispered and quickly withdrew.

Soon, she returned with a silver platter.

On the platter, lay sticks of pale yellow stalks that had been roasted. Even from several meters away, a gentle and elegant fragrance wafted out.

“You know I don’t partake in this, Brother Yi Xi, don’t play coy, just say it—how much?” Zhang Rongfang, having known him for quite a while, understood his intentions.

“Lord Guardian is straightforward.” Isebas laughed, “I’ve already sent people to survey the location, and it matches well. So there’s no need to worry about authenticity.”

He lifted a wine jug, drinking directly from it.

“I’m not in need of money. It’s just that recently a few friends wish to visit Citong for a vacation, though their identities are quite sensitive…. They are religious figures.”

“Missionaries?” Zhang Rongfang squinted, “What sect?”

“Saint Yimu Teaching.” Isebas replied.

“As long as it’s not the White Ten Sect, any other sect the Great Spirit can accommodate. Remember to register at the Guardian Headquarters.” Zhang Rongfang laughed.

Previously, the White Ten Sect dared to incite people to seize Cituo Port— their destruction was only natural.

“Then thank you, Zhang, Lord Guardian.” Isebas’s smile widened even more.

“Now can you tell me?” Zhang Rongfang pressed.

“Of course. The location is….” Isebas waved his hand, and all servers and attendants withdrew.

Leaving only the two of them.

Then he quietly divulged the specific location.

Having memorized the location, Zhang Rongfang returned with the ancient manuscript, sought verification personally overnight, confirming its authenticity, and compared it with the Golden Toad Skill’s secret records.

Further convinced, the Blood of the Sun in the manuscript was indeed Xuan Yang Flesh Ganoderma.

Immediately, he set off along with Zhang Yunqi. Early the next morning, they departed for Celestial Extreme Cave.

The recorded location in the manuscript, surprisingly, was within Great Spirit territory, about five hundred miles away.

Such a precious treasure— Zhang Rongfang had spent half a year before he encountered even a hint of a lead, naturally valuing it greatly and planned to go personally to ensure no mistakes were made.

Before leaving, he entrusted Chen Han with guarding the Agarwood Palace. Then he let that imposter continue the duties, waiting for his return.

The five hundred-mile distance he rushed at full speed, equivalent to riding a swift horse, only took one day to reach.

The key is to find the exact location, the cave’s position, which may take considerable time.

*

*

*

Late night.

Cituo Port.

On a sixteen-sail ship affiliated with the Linlang Association.

The enormous hull gently swayed with the sea surface.

On the deck, two richly-dressed tall men were leaning against the railing, whispering to each other.

“Brother Dilan, tonight I appreciate your hospitality, our meeting seems destined, why be so stingy, why not show me that secret scroll?” One man’s tone was displeased.

“It’s not that I don’t want to, but the fact is that the secret scroll was found after my family spent exorbitant resources, and to easily reveal it, I’m afraid…” The other had a high nose bridge, golden hair, blue eyes, and handsome features.

If there were other people on the ship, they would recognize that this man was none other than Dilan Leonardo, son of the current leader of the Linlang Association, known as Zhou Dongjun in the Great Spirit.

“My master is currently searching everywhere for marvelous skills and arts, precious treasures and herbs. As long as you satisfy my master, the benefits won’t be lacking for you, so why be so petty?”

The other man spoke again.

At this moment, his face lifted, revealing a face that Zhang Rongfang would absolutely recognize.

It was Chen Han’s face!

Zhou Dongjun paused slightly.

In truth, the Linlang Association was not an official organization of the Great Spirit, its members mostly consisting of outlaws from various places, along with overseas eccentrics joining in. Its headquarters was located on an island at sea.

Named an association, it was actually considered a faction of pirate forces.

Its main activities included smuggling, pillaging, and human trafficking.

Recently, he had just acquired a special secret scroll that recorded a powerful martial art. By chance, Chen Han learned about it, and he came forward to negotiate a deal with him.

The identity he gave was that of a principal official of the sect’s yamen, and could be verified at any time.

Zhou Dongjun indeed inquired about it and found everything to be true, which reassured him quite a bit.

“With the government backing you, are you afraid I won’t keep my word? Besides, other than wealth, my master also has influence in the port’s yamen. At that time, a simple gesture could let the coastal patrol fleet overlook Linlang Association’s ships….” Chen Han smiled and continued to persuade.

This indeed moved Zhou Dongjun.

He had a profound background, his father’s power and influence seemed glorious, but in reality, these belonged to his father.

Whenever people mentioned him, they always referred to him as Zhou Xue Ming’s son.

This made the proud Zhou Dongjun increasingly impatient, he desperately wanted to establish his own network of connections, his own power, to create his own legend.

And the friendship of the Great Dao Teaching Daoist…. was indeed a gift that moved him immensely.

“Then, let’s….” Zhou Dongjun clapped his hands, “Ah Lin, bring me that secret scroll, please.”

“Yes.” Suddenly, a shadow flashed by his side, appearing from nowhere, and rapidly headed towards the entrance of the cabin.

Upon closer inspection, the shadow was a masked woman fully wrapped in a tight blue-black leather outfit.

The woman’s body technique was incredibly fast, evidently her martial arts mastery far surpassed that of ordinary experts.

“Just a moment. I’ll have my personal guard fetch the secret scroll.” Zhou Dongjun smiled at Chen Han.

“No problem, I’m not in a hurry.” Chen Han nodded. He returned the smile.

Zhou Dongjun was about to speak, but then a peculiar fragrance wafted over.

He frowned slightly, intending to step back.

Suddenly, his head grew dizzy.

Immediately, his heart was filled with shock.

Even with his drug resistance, he experienced dizziness, showing this fragrance…..

Wham!

All of a sudden, Chen Han fiercely struck the center of his chest with a palm, followed by a caress at the back of his neck.

“You!?”

Zhou Dongjun’s eyes widened in astonishment, his eyes rolling back as he passed out.

Chen Han smiled slightly, lifted the person up and jumped, using the railing as leverage, gently dropping down.

A small boat below was already floating nearby.

“Go!”

Chen Han, dragging the person, uttered in a low voice.

The small boat sped off into the distance.

Just then, the Linlang Association’s large ship erupted with alarm bells as figures of experts rushed to the railing.

“Quickly save the young master!!”

“There are assassins!!”

Amidst the cries, numerous experts skilled in swimming jumped into the water, swiftly pursuing the small boat.

Unfortunately, the small boat was incredibly fast, with Chen Han on board holding Zhou Dongjun by the hair, standing and watching the Linlang Association experts chasing from behind.

“Tsk tsk, truly spectacular….like stirring up a hornet’s nest.”

“Your adaptability is impressive, instantly settling one side.” The rowing boatman chuckled under his straw hat.

“We’re not impressive, just a bit more prepared than ordinary people.” Chen Han replied with a smile.

A month ago, he had infiltrated this ship, observing and investigating Zhou Dongjun’s daily life, every move.

Thirty days later, he identified the defense loopholes of this ship, then used disguises to create new vulnerabilities.

During the brief moment when the guards were distracted, he decisively acted and succeeded.

This whole sequence, though it seemed simple, was actually not coincidental.

“What do we do next?” the boatman asked.

“Next, we’ll have Chen Han personally kill this young master.” Chen Han smiled as he replied.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep