"In the south, the Kingdom of Yue has expanded its territory under the Heaven Burning Sect, capturing much of the oasis within the boundless desert, establishing mortal cities..."

"To the north, the Kingdom of Yan's Hundred Refinements Sect has crossed into southern territories, engaging in several significant battles with the Heaven Burning Sect. Both sides suffered casualties among their foundational cultivators, including some elders. Tensions are rising along the border..."

"Hmm... conflicts among the various sects of the Yu Kingdom seem never-ending. What a harmonious and friendly assembly of righteous sects."

Chu Xuan chuckled.

Once the threat of the Infinite Sect was removed, the Five Righteous Sects would inevitably vie for their own interests, likely following the paths of dominance set by the Hundred Refinements Sect and the Heaven Burning Sect, with one sect rising above all others to bring an end to the conflicts.

Chu Xuan took out a map.

This was a map he had purchased for a thousand small spiritual stones. It encompassed the Kingdoms of Yu, Yan, and Yue in their entirety.

These three kingdoms bordered each other in pairs. Between Yu and Yue lay the boundless desert. Between Yu and Yan flowed a vast and mighty river.

Furthermore, there existed long-standing enmity between Yan and Yue. Only cultivators from Yu could live relatively peacefully.

"Hmm? An underground ruin has surfaced in the Misty Mountains, where some cultivators have inadvertently stumbled upon a wealth of magic tools buried underground for many years, even some magic treasures?"

Chu Xuan's eyebrows raised at this intelligence.

The emergence of underground ruins meant that numerous cultivators would flock there. This would inevitably lead to bloodshed, chaos, and death. For demonic cultivators, this was an unprecedented opportunity.

Chu Xuan had no intention of personally wading into this quagmire.

The underground ruins were too dangerous. Since treasures were emerging, Golden Core experts would be the main force exploring these ruins. As a mere Foundation Establishment cultivator, how could he dare to compete with Golden Core cultivators?

Perhaps, in the eyes of some Golden Core cultivators, he himself was also a tempting target.

However, this did not deter Chu Xuan from conducting business near the underground ruins.

Since many cultivators were rushing there, a trading market would naturally form around the ruins.

Items like demonic talismans, evil elixirs, blood beads, and other such goods that could rapidly enhance one's strength would immediately become scarce commodities.

During this time, Chu Xuan could search for other Condensing Core methods. Perhaps there was one more suitable for him.

Leaving aside other matters, a mid-grade method like the "Thunder Falcon Condensing Core Method" could be replaced with a high-grade or even top-grade foundational method, which would be excellent.

Chu Xuan carefully reviewed all the intelligence Chen Ge had provided. He did not fully trust the information provided by Chen Ge. In his view, anyone could betray him, even turn against him.

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

Even if Chen Ge saw potential in him and was willing to work for him, there was a possibility that one day he might be controlled by someone stronger and used for their purposes.

Relying too much on Chen Ge's intelligence network was not a wise decision. At the very least, he needed to cross-reference information from two sources.

However, Chu Xuan currently lacked the capability to establish two intelligence networks. He could only rely on the intelligence provided by Han Liuyun and Chen Ge to cross-check each other.

...

A few days later, the Misty Market.

Although the war between the Heavenly Seal Sect and the indigenous sects of Wu Province had ended, the nameless market in this region persisted.

Perhaps due to the surrounding mist, cultivators had come to call it the Misty Market. Over time, someone with intention erected a plaque at the entrance of the market, bearing the two words "Misty Market."

Chu Xuan sat calmly in a window seat of the teahouse, waiting patiently. Before long, a hidden weapon whistled through the window from outside. Three smaller projectiles suddenly split off from it when they were three meters away from Chu Xuan, each emitting a dangerous green glow, clearly poisoned.

Chu Xuan made no move. Three demon claws accurately caught the three hidden weapons.

Han Liuyun's laughter echoed from downstairs, gradually approaching, "How about this move? It's my newly developed Mother-Child Dart."

Chu Xuan replied calmly, "Not bad."

Han Liuyun clicked his tongue in amazement, "To receive your approval, I am honored indeed."

With a wave of his hand, he released a puff of smoke to neutralize the faint poison in the air, "Your progress in poisoning is impressive. I'm starting to feel some pressure."

Chu Xuan remained composed. During this period, he had been studying the Venom Scripture and gained some insights.

Whenever they met, they would test each other. So he decided to use Han Liuyun to test his newly researched poison.

If Han Liuyun didn't die from the poison, it meant his poison skills were still inadequate, and he needed to continue his studies. If Han Liuyun did die one day, it would mean his poison skills had reached perfection.

Han Liuyun continued, "To the point, I invited you here this time because I wanted..."

Chu Xuan interrupted calmly, "The underground ruins of the Misty Mountains."

Han Liuyun looked slightly surprised, "You already know? It seems your intelligence isn't lacking compared to mine."

Chu Xuan lightly tapped the table, "Are you planning to enter?"

Han Liuyun nodded, "I've noticed a slight change in your demeanor; you must have obtained Duan Feipeng's spiritual root. Unlike me, with only a superior-grade spiritual root. Typically, those with superior-grade spiritual roots have only a twenty percent chance of embarking on the Golden Core path. It's too low.

In those underground ruins, treasures have already surfaced. There must be spiritual objects beneficial for Core Formation. I have no choice but to go."

Chu Xuan nodded.

Such was the fate of a cultivator. One's entire life was filled with risks. Spirit stones, magic tools, spiritual objects, elixirs, formations... everything drove cultivators tirelessly forward.

Han Liuyun, seeing Chu Xuan's calm demeanor, asked in astonishment, "You're not going? Perhaps there's a path to the Golden Core waiting for you there."

Chu Xuan shook his head, "As I've said, I don't enjoy killing. I prefer to cultivate good karma."

Han Liuyun replied with a hint of disbelief, "If I hadn't seen you kill before, I might have believed you."

"Oh, Wang Jianyu wanted to meet with you through me, saying he wanted to spar with you. I declined on your behalf," Han Liuyun added.

Chu Xuan nodded, "Good choice to decline."

He had no interest in sparring with others. It was not only a waste of energy but also risked exposing his true abilities.

Afterward, they exchanged some items and departed in different directions.

Han Liuyun never took the same path Chu Xuan had walked. And Chu Xuan did the same.

...

Blue Star.

Chu Xuan arrived at the rooftop of the Haotai Hotel.

A substantial amount of intelligence gathered by Black Blade was laid out before him.

Although Blue Star was just a small planet with extremely poor Spiritual Qi, the resurgence of Psionics here had subtly begun to alter all living beings on this planet.

Perhaps one day, something unexpected might appear. That's why he needed to remain vigilant at all times. Even in what he considered his backyard, he couldn't afford to make mistakes.

"According to survivors who fled, the man-eating vines in the west are expanding. Several Level Five Superhumans died surrounded by these vines..."

"In the south, venomous insects are becoming stronger, dominated by swarms of locusts that are migrating towards the coast, devouring all vegetation along the way..."