Chapter 1002 - 713: Secret Route

Chapter 1002: Chapter 713: Secret Route

Shen Xuan responded casually.

"If that’s the case, why not go in together? It’s about to start."

"Alright."

Shen Xuan stood up and walked alongside Xu Haozhi.

Upon reaching the cliff wall, Xu Haozhi took out a token and infused it with magical power.

The token emitted a beam of spiritual light that merged into the cliff wall.

The illusion array dissipated silently.

Before them, the view suddenly expanded.

The interior of the valley was a wide open space leveled by an array, with a white jade platform standing at the center.

Around the platform, more than a hundred cultivators were gathered.

People of all ages and genders were present, gathered in small groups, talking quietly, each with an expression of wariness to some degree.

The majority were Foundation Establishment cultivators, with a few young males and females at the Qi Refinement stage following closely behind elders, looking tense.

Shen Xuan swept his Divine Sense across the scene.

There were two Golden Core True Masters.

One was dressed in ornate finery, with a face like jade and a noble young gentleman’s attire, holding a white jade folding fan with a smile.

However, there was a faint sinister charm in his brows, with a subtle fluctuation of spiritual power surrounding him.

"A Demon Dao cultivator?" Shen Xuan’s heart sank slightly.

He appeared to be a Golden Core True Master, but was actually a Holy Pill Demon Lord.

The other was a female cultivator wearing a pure white Immortal Skirt with her face covered by a light veil.

Her figure was graceful, standing quietly at the edge of the platform.

Although her face was obscured, her timeless, aloof aura instinctively suggested that beneath the veil lay unrivaled beauty.

The rest included three True Pill cultivators and six Fake Pill cultivators.

Among the three True Pill cultivators, a couple was rather eye-catching.

The man was dressed as a disheveled scholar, carrying a sword box, with a sharp presence.

The woman’s appearance was gentle, nestled at his side, seemingly fragile.

Shen Xuan utilized his Talent [Smell and Taste], detecting a faint sweet and fishy poison aura.

This woman was unexpectedly a rare Poison Cultivator.

The other True Pill cultivator was a scruffy old Daoist holding a wine gourd, face flushed, with a noticeably bulbous nose.

As for those six Fake Pill cultivators, Shen Xuan glanced over them without paying much attention.

"Alliance Hierarch!"

Nearby the platform, a dozen cultivators dressed in Commerce Alliance attire hurriedly came forward to greet Xu Haozhi.

"Is everyone here?" Xu Haozhi asked.

"Reporting to the Alliance Hierarch, three are still missing."

"Hmm, no rush."

There was a soundproof restriction set here, making it difficult for outside observers to hear the conversations inside.

Xu Haozhi transmitted his voice outward.

"Esteemed fellow cultivators, please be patient. Since you possess the token to come here, you are guests of my Commerce Alliance. Our alliance stands on trust; throughout this journey, we will do our utmost to protect everyone and ensure safe passage to the Immortal City behind."

Upon hearing this, everyone returned the gesture of respect, the atmosphere easing slightly.

Xu Haozhi instructed the seven disciples from the Moonrise Sect to wait aside before turning to Shen Xuan.

"Fellow Daoist Shen, come, let me introduce you to a few peers, so you have someone to look after you on the way."

With his introduction, the two Golden Core True Masters, the three True Pill cultivators, and Shen Xuan, totalling six individuals, gathered together.

After some courteous banter and exchanging of names,

The aristocratic young man claimed to be Wu Jiajun, while the veiled female cultivator introduced herself as Tang Qingyan.

The True Pill couple were named Zhang Bufan and Lady Hu.

That old Daoist with the bulbous nose had quite an ethereal title, called Gu Xiaoyao.

When it came to Shen Xuan, he succinctly stated: "Shen Xingchen, Loose Cultivator. Somewhat versed in the Alchemy Dao."

Xu Haozhi added with a smile from the side: "Fellow Daoist Shen is a Tier Three Alchemist capable of refining the Golden Transformation Pill, so if anyone has need, you might consult him."

With these words, the gaze from the other five towards Shen Xuan became noticeably more meaningful.

Xu Haozhi said a few perfunctory words.

Urging the fellow cultivators, for the sake of the Commerce Alliance, to maintain order along the journey and assist each other.

Everyone readily agreed, the atmosphere warmth.

With Shen Xuan’s discerning eye, it was clear that the names reported by these five were all aliases.

However, both Wu Jiajun and Tang Qingyan had deep, profound auras and carried a natural arrogance from long-standing positions of power,

Their true identities and backgrounds were nobler than those of the seven Moonrise Sect disciples.

Once Xu Haozhi finished his instructions, he went to arrange other matters.

Leaving the six to chat idly, their words containing mutual probing.

Shen Xuan watched with cold eyes.

He noted that the group subtly centered around the veiled female cultivator Tang Qingyan.

Even Wu Jiajun, with the sinister aura, spoke to Tang Qingyan with a few hints of deference.

This Tang Qingyan rarely spoke; most of the time, she quietly listened.

However, her Divine Sense unabashedly swept repeatedly over Shen Xuan.

Up and down, left and right.

As if trying to see through him.

Initially, Shen Xuan tolerated for a while.

Eventually, feeling greatly annoyed,

He boldly followed suit, releasing his Divine Sense, imposing it heavily upon Tang Qingyan and examining her meticulously.

Water Attribute Golden Core Early Stage, spiritual power pure, possessing some peculiar Spirit Water.

A Magic Sword of shimmering clarity was nurtured in her Dantian, of remarkable grade.

Shen Xuan’s impolite retaliation caused Tang Qingyan’s form to stiffen slightly.

After a few breaths, Tang Qingyan discreetly withdrew her probing Divine Sense.

Seeing this, Shen Xuan slowly retracted his own Divine Sense.

The other four seemed oblivious, still engaged in idle chatter.

Suddenly, someone exclaimed.

"They’re here!"