Cautiously Cultivating Immortality in a Strange World

Chapter 32: Plunder

Seeing the red thread again, it was still as majestic and shocking as before.

However, Chen Lin's mindset had already changed.

On one hand, he knew the origin of the red thread, and on the other hand, he had a way to leave, so he wasn't as frightened as before.

But even with Yu Yuehai's promise, it is still unknown whether the departure process will go smoothly. After all, he was relying on a Foundation Establishment cultivator, not himself.

Besides, he had to be careful not to be targeted by the mysterious forces again after cutting off the red thread, and the wilderness wasn't a peaceful place either, with various demonic beasts and unpredictable dangers lurking.

When the other party encountered danger, he couldn't risk his life to protect them.

So, he still needed to prepare some self-defense measures.

Time was pressing, and it was impossible to improve his cultivation, so he planned to refine more Thunderbolt Beads.

With the storage bag, the problem of carrying Thunderbolt Beads was solved. Although they were ineffective in small quantities, they were lethal to low-level demonic beasts and Qi Refining cultivators when used in large quantities.

Not knowing when he would leave, Chen Lin didn't delay any further and headed to the inner city market early the next morning.

Then, he learned of a shocking piece of news.

Last night, several shops in the market had been plundered, with countless treasures stolen!

The market was now in chaos, with the city guards of the five major families investigating the situation.

Chen Lin saw this scene and suddenly thought of what Yu Yuehai had said yesterday. Could it be that the other party's "not leaving empty-handed" meant doing this?

Roughly counting, there were six shops that had been plundered, including two high-end ones.

This was a quick way to get rich!

Chen Lin's heart was burning with excitement, and his eyes flashed with a captivating light.

But it was quickly extinguished.

The saying "kill, rob, and arson" was indeed true, but unfortunately, he didn't have the capability.

Yu Yuehai was also only daring to do so after reaching the Foundation Establishment Stage, and before that, he had obediently followed the rules. As a mid-stage Qi Refining cultivator, he couldn't even think of robbing others, lest he be robbed himself.

Moreover, Yu Yuehai seemed to have avoided targeting the shops of the five major families.

Forget it, he would just continue to lay low.

Although he understood this in his heart, he couldn't help but feel a surge of greed, which he forcibly suppressed.

"What, you're tempted too, and want to plunder before leaving?"

A voice sounded from beside him, making Chen Lin, who was struggling with his desires, suddenly wake up.

"Ah, it's Ye Jingyun. What are you doing here? Have you returned to the Water Moon Pavilion?"

Seeing Ye Jingyun, Chen Lin immediately cupped his hands in greeting.

Noticing that there was no one around, he reached into his clothes to search for the items he had prepared for Ye Jingyun.

However, Ye Jingyun gave him a glance and walked towards a secluded area.

"How was it? Did you succeed?"

Only after they had walked out of the market did Ye Jingyun stop and look at Chen Lin with a tense and expectant expression.

"I'm fortunate to have not failed."

Chen Lin took out the talisman and handed it over to Ye Jingyun.

Then, he took out the other few items and reluctantly handed them over.

Actually, he had thought of deceiving Ye Jingyun by saying he hadn't succeeded, but in the end, he didn't do so.

Firstly, he was afraid that Ye Jingyun might have some special method to interrogate him, and secondly, he felt that Ye Jingyun and Yu Yuehai didn't seem as close as they appeared.

If his guess was correct, Ye Jingyun might become a helpful force for him to escape from Yu Yuehai in the future.

Of course, this was all speculation, with no basis, but as long as there was a glimmer of possibility, it was worth taking a risk.

"Not bad, you really did refine it. Daoist Chen’s luck is indeed extraordinary!"

Ye Jingyun took the talisman and looked at it, her face was filled with surprise and delight.

However, she didn't examine it closely, but instead put all the items away in her storage bag and then fixed her gaze at Chen Lin, "Remember, this matter cannot be known to Yu Yuehai. Don't ask why, just know that it's beneficial to both of us."

After saying that, Ye Jingyun added, "The city might be in chaos in the next few days, so it's better for you to stay at home and not go out. Although Yu Yuehai told me to secretly follow you, I also have some things to attend to."

"Ah, okay, okay."

Chen Lin hastily agreed.

At the same time, he also cleared up his doubts. It turned out that it wasn't Yu Yuehai who was letting him off the hook, but rather, he had entrusted Ye Jingyun to keep an eye on him.

If he really went to seek refuge with the five major families, he would probably receive another lesson.

But as one doubt was cleared up, an even bigger one arose.

Why did Ye Jingyun want to tell him all this? What was her purpose?

This time, she didn't even call Yu Yuehai "brother," but instead addressed him directly by name. Was it an unintentional slip or a deliberate attempt to convey something to him?

Looking at Ye Jingyun's disappearing figure, Chen Lin's eyes became deep and profound.

…

Since he had been warned, Chen Lin didn't continue to linger and instead hurriedly bought some things before preparing to return.

Currently, resources were extremely scarce, and it was impossible to buy good items, and he didn't have the purchasing power either.

He still had some talismans, such as the Strength-Boosting Talisman and Fireball Talisman, but their value was too low, and they couldn't be sold for many spirit stones.

The Enlightenment Pill could be refined at any time, but unfortunately, if he took it out to sell, he would definitely be considered a swindler.

As for the Initial Yuan Pill, he only had three left, and he was keeping them for himself, not planning to sell them, lest he get into trouble.

"Daoist Chen, what a coincidence!"

Just as he was walking, a familiar figure suddenly blocked his path.

"Is it you?"

Chen Lin was taken aback, not expecting to run into the other party again.

The person was Xu Ruolan, who looked malnourished and frail.

He didn't believe this was a coincidence and expressionlessly said, "Daoist Xu, what do you want to find me for? Let me make it clear that the pills are non-returnable once sold."

Xu Ruolan's face darkened, but she quickly forced out a smile and said, "Daoist friend, you're being too cautious. I came to find you because I want to trade with you again."

Chen Lin looked at her and asked, "What trade?"

This woman's cultivation wasn't high, but she had many treasures on her, and the previous two trades had been in his favor, so he had some expectations.

"Of course, it's still about pills."

Xu Ruolan looked around and continued, "Yesterday, I used the two pills you gave me, but I still fell short of breaking through, so I want to trade for another one from you."

Both pills didn't lead to a breakthrough?

Chen Lin sneered; this person's talent was even worse than his!

After a moment of contemplation, he nodded, "I do have a pill left, but it's the last one. I was originally keeping it for myself, but since you need it urgently, I can sell it to you."

"But you also know that with what happened in the market today, it won't be easy to buy pills in the future, and the price won't be low either."

He said this to prevent Xu Ruolan from trying to negotiate the price.

Xu Ruolan was about to speak when her demeanor suddenly changed, she raised her chin arrogantly, squinted and sneered, "What kind of identity do I have? I can spare something from my fingers that would be enough for you to use for half your life. Would I still try to take advantage of you?"

Chen Lin's eyes flickered.

Last time, Xu Ruolan hadn't shown any "symptoms," and he had thought she might have some special method to block the red thread's control. Now, it seemed he had been overthinking.

"Very well, then let me see what treasure you'll use to trade with me. But I must make it clear that I don't need spirit stones; I only accept item-for-item trades."

Currently, resources were extremely scarce in the city, and even with spirit stones, it was impossible to buy good items. Compared to spirit stones, he was more interested in the treasures on Xu Ruolan's body.