"Li Huo Ben Yuan?"
Upon hearing these words, Lin Chen and Zhang Ying exchanged glances, surprise flashing in their eyes. Lin Chen was no longer the naive novice who had just entered the cultivation world and knew nothing. He understood the meaning of "Li Huo Ben Yuan." Simply put, mastering this "Li Huo Ben Yuan" meant one could continuously use the Li Huo, and it would never extinguish! If used for alchemy, the quality of the pills would be several times better than before.
"Indeed. The Lie Huo Sect possesses three supreme treasures openly."
"The Lu Yun Boots were obtained by Wu Quan Gui from an ancient secret realm. The Flame Armor and Li Huo Bracelet, however, were personally forged by Wu Quan Gui using this Li Huo Ben Yuan!" Old Huang explained earnestly to Lin Chen and Zhang Ying.
"Understood!" After Old Huang's explanation, Lin Chen finally grasped the situation. Li Huo, hailed as the third-ranked flame in the cultivation world, could be used not only for combat but also for alchemy and artifact forging. Ultimately, Wu Quan Gui wasn't an exceptionally skilled artifact refiner. The reason he could forge treasures like the Li Huo Bracelet and Flame Armor was entirely due to the Li Huo!
"Here, junior brother, this item will be very beneficial for your alchemy. Take it." Without hesitation, Zhang Ying tossed the golden token to Lin Chen after hearing Old Huang's explanation.
"Mhm." Lin Chen nodded, not refusing. He truly needed such an exotic fire for his current alchemy and artifact forging endeavors. While he could produce many pills, their quality had always been unsatisfactory. With the assistance of Li Huo, coupled with the spirit-grade cauldron he had negotiated with the Long family, the quality of his future pills could rise dozens of times. At that point, it was entirely possible for him to refine the legendary flawless-grade pills!
Old Huang watched silently as Lin Chen and Zhang Ying divided the spoils, his brows furrowed. From their brief exchange, he had already guessed the truth. Lin Chen had indeed killed Wu Quan Gui, but it was Zhang Ying who was now distributing the loot. This could only mean their relationship had reached a point where there was no distinction between "yours" and "mine." It seemed unlikely for his young lady to climb onto this powerful figure's back. He couldn't help but wonder about his young lady's current situation. However, her soul jade slip remained intact, indicating she was safe for now. Furthermore, as an ordinary person, no cultivator would ever suspect a mere mortal would dare venture into this secret realm. Without being able to discern her cultivation, no one would dare to make a move against her!
"By the way, Old Huang, what is your true identity? You can't possibly be just an ordinary steward of the Chu family, can you?" After dividing the spoils, Lin Chen turned to Old Huang and asked directly. Although Old Huang only possessed Qi Condensation cultivation, his knowledge and understanding of the cultivation world far surpassed that of Lin Chen and Zhang Ying. Moreover, his uncanny ability to predict danger suggested he was no ordinary Qi Condensation cultivator.
"This... Mr. Lin, I dare not conceal it. I am actually from the former Huang family of Beichuan."
"After the Huang family was annihilated, I was fortunate enough to escape. On the verge of death, I was saved by Master and then served as a steward in the Chu family." Old Huang did not hide anything and revealed his entire identity. He had previously been unwilling to reveal his true identity for fear of being hunted by his enemies. Now, with Lin Chen by his side, he no longer had such reservations. With Lin Chen having killed a half-step Nascent Soul realm expert like Wu Quan Gui, who else in the entire southwest could possibly be his match?
"Beichuan Huang family?" Hearing the name of this family, Lin Chen became somewhat puzzled.
"What? The Beichuan Huang family? The legendary Huang family that can predict fortune and avoid disaster?" However, upon hearing the words "Beichuan Huang family," Zhang Ying, who had appeared calm until then, suddenly stood up from the ground, her face filled with astonishment.
"What? Senior sister, you know this Huang family?" Seeing his senior sister's strong reaction, Lin Chen became curious. For so many years, hadn't she been imprisoned in the dungeon of the Ghost God Sect? That she now knew of the Huang family's existence could only mean this family was extremely special!
"Yes. To put it this way, the Eight Gates Confinement Armor Formation I used previously was a hereditary formation of the Huang family." Zhang Ying nodded, her expression grave. She had always loved formations since childhood and had a very good relationship with the eldest young lady of the Huang family, from whom she had learned the Eight Gates Confinement Armor Formation. It could be said that without this formation, she would have lost her purity in the Ghost God Sect long ago.
"Which generation of disciples are you from the Huang family?"
"And where is your eldest young lady, Huang Yue?" Zhang Ying then looked at Old Huang and asked.
"Alas, I do not know. I was merely a core disciple of the Huang family back then. I escaped unscathed because I was out on business."
"For so many years, everyone has been saying that young lady did not die. I have also set up informants throughout Beichuan to search for her, but there has been no trace." Old Huang sighed deeply, his expression filled with helplessness. The reason he stayed with the Chu family was partly out of gratitude. On the other hand, the Chu family was the largest gang in Beichuan at the time, controlling the underworld. Using such a family's influence to build an intelligence network was undoubtedly the most suitable option. Yet, after nearly twenty years, he still had no news of Huang Yue!
"Alright." Hearing Old Huang's words, Zhang Ying sighed with a hint of regret.
"Right, you mentioned the Chu family was in trouble earlier. What exactly happened to the Chu family?" With nothing else to do, Lin Chen finally asked the question that had been bothering him the most.
"Yes, it's like this. To search for my young lady's whereabouts, I utilized the Chu family to establish a vast underground intelligence network in Beichuan."
"The alchemist Zhou Qian Yuan took a fancy to the Chu family's intelligence network. Despite his advanced age, he wanted to marry our young lady. I had no choice but to bring the young lady into this secret realm to seek opportunities." Old Huang sighed deeply, his expression filled with helplessness. Zhou Qian Yuan! He was a Core Formation realm expert, and a friggin' alchemist at that! Given Zhou Qian Yuan's reputation in the southwest, if he were to truly make a move against the Chu family, he would undoubtedly enlist many experts to assist him.
"Understood. That old scoundrel is truly despicable!" After hearing Old Huang's narration, Lin Chen's face was filled with contempt.