When Feng Lu returned, he handed a star map to Chen Ming, then bid him farewell once he ate the alms.

  With the map on hand, he spent seven days shifting between teleportation arrays until he finally reached the River Office.

  This so-called River Office was the most important star in a Star River, garrison to a great power. It was known as the Scarlet Dragon Star in the Scarlet Dragon Star River.

  When Chen Ming appeared, he saw twenty Sovereigns standing guard at the teleportation array, and there was even an immortal overseeing it in a pavilion nearby.

  With new people coming in, the guards began their inspection. Chen Ming handed over the document he got from Feng Lu. The guard could only frown at the contents, “You’re a monk?”


  Chen Ming’s thought, What? Don’t I look the part? He put his hands in prayer, followed by a golden light shining from his pupils. He was enveloped by monastic aura as 500+ Buddhist Dao Seeds worked their magic, O please, I can take the airs of a monk anytime I want.

  “Myself is a monk from the mundane world. As I have yet to sever my ties with the mortal world, the Abode of Immortals forbade me entry into the temple. I am left with training in the world, not yet Buddhist Sect disciple.”


  The guard nodded at the pure Buddhist aura around him, “I see, you can go. Since your kind of a half-Buddhist, then you’re unlikely to stir up trouble in the River Office.”


  “Many thanks, benefactor!”


  With the papers tucked in his chest, Chen Ming left the teleportation array behind. Four Sovereign shadows trailed not far behind but, with Chen Ming’s keen eye, he spotted them three stars ago. They must think I’m loaded.

  They had to be highwaymen. I am a Dao Comprehending realm cultivator riding teleportation arrays and spending spirit stones like no tomorrow. It would’ve been odd not to get marked. With all the patrols here, they won’t dare to act. They even have an immortal for a leader. They can only watch me from a distance.

  For now, I’ll just ignore them. Four Sovereigns are a trifling matter.

  I’ll just wait for them to make a move and find out who they are.

  His main objective was to find adequate scriptures for his disciples. Those legacy disciples of mine are bound for greatness. I can’t just hand them staple cultivation methods, that will only depreciate their Main Character auras.

  But Chen Ming couldn’t use their methods either, that of finding the right stuff at a corner stall, or grab an Immortal King, if not even a Martyr ranked cultivation method at an auction. One look at my I auras and anyone knows it’s impossible!

  With no Main Character aura to back me up, I can only use the grand boss way.

  First things first, he needed to get himself a Blade.

  It was a waste of time to always settle matters in a world filled with immortals.

  My bit of cultivation is pretty much at that level.

  Chen Ming entered a bustling tavern. Cultivators might be filled with mystical abilities, but even immortals had to eat. That was why taverns still existed.

  Taking a seat at a random table, his tail also settled to a rather close one. Chen Ming ordered wine and some appetizers. Finding their taste, wine suited somewhat the dishes, but they paled in comparison to Zhuo Qingyao’s noodles. He just took a few bites to ease his hunger and a cup of wine for thirst, then eavesdropped on others.

  The tavern was a magical place. When you wanted to know something, the tavern was the best place to go to. You just needed to listen to these drunkards and you knew it all.

  “Did you hear? Thief Bu Liuhen appeared on the first position on the Heavenly Court’s Wanted List! The first! The reward is even a Heaven Spirit Vein!”


  “What! Only a Celestial Immortal, a strong Celestial Immortal, can have such a treasure!”


  “Isn’t thief Bu Liuhen from the Heavenly Court? Why is it hunting him?”


  “From gossips, hearsay, and rumors, I heard thief Bu Liuhen is a refined and delicate woman. She caught the eye of a proud son from Heavenly Court, but Bu Liuhen refused. When he moved to capture her, he wasn’t careful and she harmed him, earning a spot on Heavenly Court’s Wanted List!”


  “Bu Liuhen is known as a thief, one that comes and goes without a trace, stealing anything she sets her eyes on. She is said to be at the peak of Earth Immortal, yet not even a Celestial Immortal can catch her. The Heavenly Court is having a hard time!”


  “Humph, this is the Heavenly Court we’re talking about. Have you ever heard of one able to escape from it?”


  “Ha-ha, has the Heavenly Court ever caught a live Faceless?”


  “Tone it down. Is that something people like you can speak of? There hasn’t been a Faceless in these parts for three hundred years! The times are different from before. If we get dragged between these factions, we’ll end up dead.”


  Chen Ming piked on the sudden silence, It seems the difficulty of gaining dominance over the three Star Rivers has exceeded my imagination. They’re afraid of even whispering about the Faceless.

  If one asks who is the most connected in the Galaxy, who is the strongest, even who are the bandits, well, his brain must have turned to mush. It’s not good to follow unverified information.

  Thank my lucky star these four guys dropped in my lap. I can’t have it go waste.

  Chen Ming paid his tab then left for a remote alley, with the four guests not far behind. As he walked along the alley, he was surprised to find the four weren’t buying his bait. No way! They won’t attack even in a deserted place like this?

  Chen Ming turned and the four looked at the moon, chatting among themselves. He walked before a Sovereign with a blade scar on his face, “Brother, may I ask, where is a remote place that I can conduct secret matters?”


  Scarface looked at him in a daze, This is no cash cow, but a cute little bunny!

  He even went as far as asking bandits where was a nice place to conduct secret business.

  For a bandit, this couldn’t be simpler. Scarface said, “Walk straight, then left, then a second left, walk 800 steps, take a right, walk another 932 steps, then take another left…… And there you will find an abandoned courtyard.”


  Chen Ming’s take on the matter, Too freakin’ long!

  Chen Ming bowed, “Brothers, I am but a newcomer, not at all accustomed to this area. I would be most grateful if brothers are kind enough to show me the way!”


  Scarface let a satisfied moan. This is the first time in my long years of banditry that I get such a request!

  This is just too naive, to the point I feel embarrassed to even kill him.

  Maybe it’ll work without killing this kid?

  This level of IQ got even me nervous!

  How can I, how can I let such a tasty morsel pass by? This doesn’t happen in ages!

  Scarface smiled. “We are all sons and daughters walking the path of cultivation, all friends here. Brother will take you to safety!”