Chapter Forty: Everything Is Ready

Three days passed in the blink of an eye. During this time, Wan Yi not only prepared the explosives he would need later but also stabilized his "Five Elements Qi Sea Technique."

Previously, on the arena stage, he had slain the Five Sons of Xianzhi and absorbed the five elemental powers within their bodies, which had vaguely allowed him to open up a Five Elements Qi Sea.

However, the cultivation of the Five Sons of Xianzhi was relatively low, and the elemental power within them was weak. The five newly opened qi seas were barely visible, flickering around his main qi sea as if they might dissipate at any moment. To stabilize these five, Wan Yi had spent every single spirit stone he possessed, finally managing to solidify them.

Now, surrounding his main qi sea were five tiny qi seas in bright gold, emerald green, azure blue, crimson red, and dark black. These colors represented the powers of metal, wood, water, fire, and earth, respectively. Compared to his main qi sea, these five were like stars beside the moon—the difference in size was vast. To fill them until they matched the scale of his main qi sea would require a terrifying amount of spiritual energy.

Withdrawing his consciousness from his body, he looked at his empty storage ring and couldn't help but smile bitterly, muttering, "This spendthrift cultivation technique is truly not something an ordinary person can afford to practice."

He had previously acquired nearly fifty thousand high-grade spirit stones. Yet, after being absorbed by the Five Elements Qi Sea, the energy was like a stone dropped into the ocean, barely enough to form the seas. If he wanted to expand them further in the future, he would likely have to rely on hunting down Imperial-realm powerhouses to gather energy; otherwise, relying solely on spirit stones would be like trying to put out a burning cart of wood with a single cup of water.

Just as he was lost in these thoughts, the Underworld Catcher token in his robe began to pulse with magical energy. Taking it out, he saw it was a message from Yan Wuji.

"My virtuous brother, everything you requested is ready."

At these words, Wan Yi’s heart stirred, and he vanished from the thatched hut. He reappeared instantly before the gates of the Soul Snatching Division.

...

Inside Yan Wuji’s study at the Soul Snatching Division, the group gathered around a table. Niu San handed a packet of powder to Wan Yi. "My Lord, as you instructed, your subordinate has gathered all the ingredients for the prescription."

Wan Yi’s expression brightened. He thought to himself, "Little girl, your face can be saved." In his joy, he took the powder, failing to notice a flash of hesitation on Niu San’s face.

Meanwhile, Ma Si placed several items on the table. "My Lord, as you previously requested, all these items are prepared. Here are the monk’s robes and cassocks, identical in style to those worn by the Cannibal Monks. Furthermore, I took the liberty of having someone replicate a few of their bone weapons. I know you prefer using a spear, so this leg-bone lance was custom-made for you."

Seeing Ma Si’s fawning expression, Wan Yi praised him, "You two have been thoughtful. This is for you." He tossed a storage bag in front of them. When the two opened it and found two thousand Soul-Nurturing Pills, they beamed and began showering him with excessive flattery.

Watching their undignified display, Yan Wuji’s face darkened. He grunted, "Have you no shame? There is nothing else for you here. Get out and stop embarrassing me!"

After dismissing them, Yan Wuji took out a storage bracelet. "Brother, this is the large-capacity storage artifact you wanted. It holds three hundred times more than a standard storage ring. It is quite expensive, and I cannot simply give it away. Consider it a loan; you must return it along with the twenty puppets later."

Wan Yi was overjoyed. He took the bracelet and slipped it onto his wrist, thanking him profusely, "Many thanks, Big Brother. Don't worry, I shall return it in perfect condition tomorrow."

Inwardly, he sneered, "Damn it, who are you looking down on? Once I hit the Treasure Pavilion of the Cauldron Sect tonight, I’ll be able to buy as many of these bracelets as I want!"

Originally, he had only intended to take out the two Imperial-realm experts of the Cauldron Sect, but the more he thought about it, the more he felt it was a wasted opportunity. Since he was already going to act, he decided to go all out and loot their treasure vault as well, which was why he had asked Yan Wuji for a large-capacity storage device.

At this moment, Yan Wuji handed another vial to Wan Yi. "This is the Spirit Concealment Pill, a secret medicine unique to the Underworld. After consuming it, you can hide not only your cultivation level and aura but also your physical form. When Ghost Messengers go to snatch souls, this is exactly how they avoid being detected by cultivators!"

Wan Yi took the pill in astonishment. "Is it really that miraculous?"

Yan Wuji nodded with a smile. "Of course! Whenever our messengers go to the mortal realm to snatch souls from the great sects, they rely entirely on this to avoid detection. The effect of a single pill lasts for one day."

Wan Yi pulled out the stopper and sniffed the fragrance of the pill, wondering aloud, "Can a living person like me take it?"

Yan Wuji nodded. "Yes. Once consumed, your form will be hidden. Unless someone possesses the Eyes of Law, no one will be able to see you. And if you wish to reappear, you need only a single thought."

Wan Yi was truly stunned. He thought, "Damn, this kind of pill is heaven-defying. Once I eat this, it’s practically invisibility!"

Thinking of this, he quickly checked the quantity in the vial, only to find that Yan Wuji had given him just one. Wan Yi curled his lip. "Brother, you are too stingy. Couldn't you have given me a few more?"

Seeing Wan Yi’s reaction, Yan Wuji gave a wry, helpless smile. "Brother, do you have any idea how strictly controlled these pills are in the Underworld? Every time a messenger performs a soul-snatching mission, they must file a report in advance just to receive one. Even the formula is top secret, controlled directly by the authorities in Fengdu. I don't even know how they are refined. There is a strict quota for every region in the Underworld. If these pills were to spread unchecked, the mortal realm would be in total chaos!"

Wan Yi didn't care much about the chaos of the mortal realm, but he caught one name from Yan Wuji’s words: Fengdu. He silently repeated the name several times, thinking, "It seems the person behind Yan Wuji must come from this Fengdu. And Fengdu must be the power center of the Underworld. If I have the chance in the future, I must go there to see it for myself."

Fearing that Wan Yi would continue pestering him for more pills, Yan Wuji hurriedly spread out a map to change the subject. "Brother, over these last few days, I have had my men map out the terrain of the Cauldron Sect. Take a look!"

Looking at the aerial view, Wan Yi committed every detail to memory. Especially the mark of the Treasure Pavilion on Cauldron Peak—a sight that made a sharp, cold light glint in his eyes.

To be continued...