As the cultivators congregated, so did the Elders. They negotiated in the sky then pried the massive gate open with but a flick.

  The gates rumbled and the cultivators gathered with their teams, entering at their turn.

  Chen Ming went along with the fiends. From the first step, he knew this was no palace or an immortal’s cave., this was a small world with its very own sun and moon.

  Yan Shengxiao landed, followed by the rest of the fiend, “Let’s not engage in battles for now. As all of you earned the right to join this campaign, then you must be at the doorstep of the Transcending realm. Those that can enter it should breakthrough as soon as possible!”


  While in Chen Ming’s mind, They’re so crafty, advancing right after entry.

  Yan Shengxiao said, “Follow me, everyone, this place is too risky for breaking through!”


  The fiend geniuses followed without question. When she cast a glance behind, Chen Ming seemed to be still as a rock, thus barked, “You aren’t coming with?”


  Chen Ming waved dismissively, “Nope. Your cultivation is too high while mine is only in the second stage. I can’t advance so I only came to understand the world.”


  Yan Shengxiao’s disdaining smile broadened, “My, how wise you are! But that is of no matter. Your meager cultivation is of no use here anyway. Let’s go!”


  But when they were about to leave, a fatty shouted, “Maps! Selling maps of the inheritance’s place!”


  Chen Ming eyed him, How did this fatty, a Dao Initiation realm, sneaked in here?

  But what bothered him the most was his auras:

  ‘Freak of the Trading Dao Aura lvl 2

  Description: business as usual.

  Effect: a great increase in discovering business opportunities.

  Temptation Aura lvl2

  Description: witch’s whispers

  Effect: words have a chance of tempting the target.

  Heavenly Fortune Aura lvl5

  Description: great wealth, great fortune.

  Effect: smooth sailing in getting rich.’


  Wow! Heavenly Fortune Aura left Chen Ming drooling!

  What any crude thief needs!

  It’s even better than Yan Shengxiao’s Holy Enchantress Aura!(1)

  If I can snatch this fatty into my school, then my disciples will have so much money to spend it all!

  Moreover, with this kid in charge of Yan Mountain’s pills, our treasury will overflow!

  But how do I nab this fatty aboard my pirate ship?

  Let’s take it slow. With his cultivation, it should be easier than breathing.

  With many cultivators gathering around, the fatty said, “You can have the map at a mere price of one Spirit Vein. Nonnegotiable!”


  Someone complained, “Too expensive!”


  “A Spirit Vein for a map? Why not rob us?”


  The fatty humphed, “This is faster!”


  Everyone: ……

  It makes so much sense that I don’t know where to complain.

  The fatty said, “Think of how many troubles you can avoid with it. You will be investing this Spirit Vein and you might earn the Immortal King’s legacy. No matter how I look at it, I’m the one losing here!”


  Another said, “Where did you get it?”


  “Trade secrets aren’t sharable. If you want it, buy it. If not, then forget it!”


  Under his tempting words, quite a number bought it and left deeper into the world.

  In a moment, all cultivators left in search of their fortunes. With only Chen Ming and the fatty left, the later turned to the former, “You also want one?”


  Chen Ming shook his head, “No, no, no, you sell maps while I’ll be a tavern host.”


  Chen Ming waved and a ginormous prison fell on the entrance, sealing it tight.

  Chen Ming made introductions, “As you can see, this is a prison, pei, I mean a tavern, a high class one. Inside you shall be free of danger, safe from harm. While others vie over fortunes, there will most certainly come a time to rest one’s weary body. Look, how many Spirit Veins do you think I will earn with this?”


  The fatty bobbed his head, “Sire’s insight knows no bounds to find so many business opportunities. But why does it look more like a prison?”


  Chen Ming chuckled, “It’s the tavern’s main attraction. You know how these geniuses have all kinds of peculiar hobbies, no?”


  Light dawned on the fatty, “I see, I see!”


  Chen Ming worked his magic, “Right, I have another proposition for you but because I need to stay here and mind the tavern, I can’t leave. How about we team up?”


  The fatty’s eyes shined in a dark and wicked light and leaned over his shoulder to ask, “What business?”


  Chen Ming flipped Enlighten Aura on, doubling his magic’s power, “You see, these folks fight with their lives on the line and a pill in the right place, and time, can save a life. How much do you figure two men engaged in gory battle will be willing to offer for the chance at coming out on top?”


  The fatty nodded like a broken record, “I never thought about it when I entered, and I don’t have enough on me.”


  Chen Ming waved ten King ranked pill bottles before the fatty. He has yet to write the manual on their refining, but he managed to make quite a few in his trials.

  “These are King ranked pills, one bottle per Spirit Vein, regardless of amount bought. Agreed?”


  The fatty felt a headache coming, “This is a robbery!”


  Chen Ming nodded, “Yep, I’m robing. What, don’t want them?”


  The fatty took some time for some much-needed pondering. Ten bottles are expensive and I will sell them for even higher. “Deal!”


  He dropped ten Spirit Veins and took the bottles. Chen Ming waved goodbye, “Come by anytime!”


  “You damn old fogey. Who’d believe you!”


  With the fatty gone, Chen Ming popped a chair and took his time in lounging in it, basking in the sun’s warm glow, “Life in the cultivation world is so satisfying!”


  “Wait! This isn’t foolproof. I need to set up an array.”


  Chen Ming unsheathed his ten thousand swords over the gate, activating the Obscure Gates Swordplay Array. Now no one’s getting out. Chen Ming resumed cozying in his chair, waiting for business to come knocking.

  (1) Enchantress has the fiend character in its composition, which also means enchanting. It refers to both her beauty and her race.