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Chapter 849: Mysterious Shop Owner

“Whoosh!”

A jade pendant flew up from below, passing through the restriction and heading for Xiao Chen. He stretched out his hand and caught it; then he got through the restriction smoothly.

The girl saw the black-cloaked Xiao Chen and felt curious. She opened her large eyes and stared at him fixedly.

A lazy male voice came from inside the shop at the courtyard, saying, “Girl, don’t get distracted. Continued practicing your saber.”

The girl giggled and made a face. Clearly, she did not fear the person who spoke at all. However, she still obediently resumed her saber practice.

What the girl was holding was not a real saber but one sculpted of bamboo. When she swung her saber, it seemed to have the proper form. However, it was full of mistakes.

When Xiao Chen saw this, he smiled faintly. How unexpected to be able to see such a carefree scene in the depths of the starry heavens! He found this scene somehow calming.

He raised his leg over the threshold and walked into the store. There were a few, old sundries on the shelves. Evidently, they had sat untouched by anyone for a long time.

A middle-aged man with a huge beard stood behind the counter. The man had an eye-catching scar on the face and two thick eyebrows. However, one could see the sharpness of his yesteryears.

This person’s entire physical appearance clearly said “ferocious.” However, at the moment, he used his right hand to hold up a small teapot to his mouth, while his other hand had a book. Now, he actually looked very refined.

The vague image formed by Xiao Chen’s ninety-percent-comprehended saber intent suddenly trembled in his sea of consciousness—as if it had seen something horrific.

The master of the relay station raised his head and made a surprised sound. Then he curled his lips up into a smile. “Your presence brings light to my humble dwelling. Unexpectedly, a younger-generation demonic genius arrived at this broken-down place. Furthermore, you are a rather good bladesman.”

As this person spoke, he did not evince surprise at seeing a genius. Rather, the flavor of his words was more of joking and mockery, an indifference to the mundane world.

Xiao Chen felt some fear in his heart. This person was not simple. Not only did he have an unfathomable cultivation, but he was also a very, very strong bladesman.

“Senior, do you sell star charts?” Xiao Chen asked from under the hood.

When Xiao Chen mentioned business, the station’s master put down the book in his hand. Then, he forced himself to perk up. However, he still exuded a lazy atmosphere. “Star chart…how big a scale are you looking for and what grade? The prices of different grades vary.”

Xiao Chen thought for a while before saying, “Just an ordinary one will do.”

“That would be the primitive grade. One hundred thousand Astral Coins, no bargaining.”

The station’s master tossed over the jade strip. Xiao Chen stretched out his hand to catch it. Then he sent in his Spiritual Sense, and a vast 3D star chart appeared in his mind.

The star chart clearly indicated every major relay station. It even labeled the stars controlled by sects with words. It also highlighted the dangerous places with different colors and included simple descriptions.

The unexplored forbidden lands had simple question marks over them. This star chart was far more detailed than the star map that Xiao Chen had seen once before.

Soon, he found where the Supreme Sky Star was. He quickly drew a path connecting his current location to the Supreme Sky Star in his mind.

Xiao Chen withdrew his Spiritual Sense, and joy appeared on his face. He happily paid one hundred thousand Astral Coins, then prepared to leave.

However, the station’s master stopped him, saying, “Young man, you still have not returned something to me.”

This statement stunned Xiao Chen for a while. Then suddenly he recalled. At the start, the other party tossed over a jade pendant. After he thought about it, he did not rush to return it. He said, “I noticed that senior’s relay station does not appear on this star chart. If senior takes this jade pendant back, it would be hard for me to find this relay station again in the future.”

However, the station’s master smiled and said, “This has always been a small place. I only do business with friends. If I had not noticed that you are young and are also a bladesman, I would not have let you in.”

Xiao Chen wanted to befriend this person and keep this jade pendant, so he thought about what to say.

Xiao Chen, these people who run stations are mostly people who were previously famous in the Kunlun Realm. They got tired of all the killing in the cultivator’s world, so they escaped to the starry heavens and abandoned all the mundane things. Normally, they do not like to be disturbed by others, Ao Jiao said softly from inside the Immortal Spirit Ring.

When Xiao Chen heard this, he could not help but feel sad. He finally met with a true bladesman after much difficulty. It was a pity that he had to let such a great opportunity slip by.

“This junior has been rude. I’m sorry to have disturbed you.”

Xiao Chen was rather straightforward about this. When he heard Ao Jiao’s explanation, he did not say anything more. Then he directly surrendered the jade pendant.

The station’s master smiled faintly and received it. “Look on the bright side. I know what you are thinking. If you can somehow find me again next time, it means we two are truly fated to meet. At that time, we can have a good chat.”

Xiao Chen performed a cupped-fist salute and left this place.

The man who appeared middle-aged looked at Xiao Chen’s back. He sighed gently and said, “The younger generations are truly overtaking us. Unexpectedly, such an outstanding young talent appeared in the Kunlun Realm.”

The station’s master shook his head and picked up the teapot once again. He brought it to his mouth as he leaned back and continued reading his book.

With the star chart to point the way, Xiao Chen immediately felt much happier as he piloted the Dragon’s Gate’s warship headlong through the starry heavens.

------

Half a month later, Xiao Chen succeeded in reaching the Supreme Sky Star, the Supreme Sky Sect’s base in the starry heavens. When the various elders saw Xiao Chen, they immediately lit up in joy.

This reaction was especially so for Shui Lingling. Although she received Xiao Chen’s voice projection and knew that he was safe, she could only relax after seeing Xiao Chen for herself.

After the elders scattered, leaving only Shui Lingling and the First Elder, Han Qinghe, Xiao Chen explained his intent.

“What? You say that you want to return to the Sky Dome Realm at this crucial moment? Did I hear wrong?” The normally calm Han Qinghe was astonished when he heard it, somewhat unable to accept it.

Shui Lingling’s face was filled with confusion. She said, “Junior Brother, why? Now is just the start of the age of geniuses. All sorts of miraculous lands will start to appear, providing endless fortuitous encounters. Any younger-generation genius would not let this chance slip by. Why do you want to go back to the Sky Dome Realm?”

Han Qinghe added, “Furthermore, the Sky Dome Realm’s Spiritual Energy is very thin. With your Luck and talent, you would be wasting your time there. If the other geniuses leave you behind, it would be very hard for you to catch up.”

Xiao Chen had made his decision long ago. He replied calmly, “I’m aware of everything you’ve said. However, I’ve reached a crucial point in my Cultivation Technique. I still have unresolved matters in the Sky Dome Realm and am unable to settle my heart. I would not be able to clear my Heart Tribulation.

“Furthermore, there are some people I really wish to see in the Sky Dome Realm. I definitely have to make this trip. Otherwise, the regrets in my heart will always be there.”

The First Elder, Han Qinghe, and Shui Lingling tried everything they could to dissuade Xiao Chen. However, Xiao Chen had made up his mind and would not change it.

Han Qinghe helplessly shook his head. He said, “Very well, since you are so resolute about it, I can’t say much about it. However, everything will have to go by the books if you want to use the Supreme Sky Sect’s transportation formation for moving through realms.

“Inner sect elders can use it for free once every ten years. Those on the level of the First Elder, Vice Sect Master, and so on can use it as they please. With your seniority, you are still not qualified to enjoy all this. Xiao Chen, you understand this, right?”

Xiao Chen nodded to indicate he understood. Travel between realms would take a considerable number of Astral Cores. Furthermore, they would need to be Superior Grade Astral Cores. Naturally, they could not simply waste sect resources like this.

“Alright, for a round trip, we need a total of five million Astral Coins. This is the best price I can give you,” Han Qinghe said in a deep voice.

Each trip would require at least fifty Superior Grade Astral Cores. Elder Han was already giving Xiao Chen a lot of face by imposing only this condition.

Shui Lingling still wanted to try and change Xiao Chen’s mind. She said, “Junior Brother, if you go back now, it would be hard for you to return within a year. One year is enough for many things to change.”

Xiao Chen performed a cupped-fist salute and said, “Many thanks, First Elder and Senior Sister, for your advice. However, my situation is rather special. If I don’t deal with the problems of the heart, I will not be able to clear my Heart Tribulation. To me, this is a form of cultivation. It does not matter where I do it.”

“Haha! What a great Heart Tribulation! Let me give you a ride this time!”

Suddenly, a carefree voice sounded from the void. When Elder Han and Shui Lingling heard it, their expressions changed. The Sect Master was actually here.

Space rippled like water. A spatial crack appeared, and the Supreme Sky Emperor’s figure walked out slowly. He immediately withdrew his spreading Emperor’s Might, not giving anyone any pressure.

The Supreme Sky Emperor smiled gently and landed on the ground. He said warmly, “Qinghe, Lingling, you really don’t have to worry about Xiao Chen. When he goes back this time, he will have his own fortuitous encounter.”

The Supreme Sky Emperor shifted his gaze to stare at Xiao Chen. In that instant, Xiao Chen felt as though his entire body, all his internal organs, were visible to him.

“Although I’m not clear what Cultivation Technique you cultivate, however, this bottleneck must have been bothering you for a long time already.”

When Xiao Chen arrived at the Kunlun Realm, he had already broken through to the sixth layer. Now, after two years, he was still stuck in the sixth layer. It had long since affected his cultivation speed.

The Supreme Sky Emperor’s eyes lit up like lanterns, seeing through Xiao Chen’s situation with one glance.

“Yes, it’s been more than two years. This bottleneck requires me to undergo two tribulations, the external Lightning Tribulation and the internal Heart Tribulation. Honestly speaking, I’m not confident of clearing them,” Xiao Chen replied honestly. He had nothing to hide from the Supreme Sky Emperor.

Han Qinghe and Shui Lingling exchanged glances, completely confused.

They had heard of Lightning Tribulations before. Before Greater Heavenly Martial Emperors advanced to Sovereign Martial Emperors, they had to undergo nine rounds of Lightning Tribulations. There were also some Cultivation Techniques that surpassed Heaven Ranked that would require one to face Lightning Tribulations towards the end of their cultivation.

However, what was a Heart Tribulation? They had never heard of it before.

Just what Cultivation Technique was Xiao Chen cultivating? Could it be even more horrifying than a Cultivation Technique that surpassed a Heaven Ranked Cultivation Technique?

Suddenly, the Supreme Sky Emperor asked, “Xiao Chen, when did someone plant a strand of fate on your body? You might have found it very difficult to return here.”

Xiao Chen thought about how to word his experience for a while before telling the rest about it.

“The people of the Heaven and Earth Sect? I’ll help you erase this strand of fate first. Later, I’ll look for these old men and help you settle accounts with them. Knowing that you are my Supreme Sky Sect’s people, they still dare to make a move on you? How dare they?!”

A trace of murderous intent flashed in the Supreme Sky Emperor’s eyes. A boundless layer of clouds billowed in the depths of his eyes. Light appeared and extinguished, materializing the might of the Supreme Sky.

When the Supreme Sky Emperor stretched his hand out to remove that strand of fate, Xiao Chen quickly stopped him, saying, “Sect Master, those three people did not know my identity. Also, I do not plan to remove this strand of fate.”