"Eighteen pieces of the Chi Man Shield?"
"Unexpected rewards for gathering all the fragments?"
"The person bidding against me yesterday was Murong Chenggao from the Murong family? And he has three Chi Man Shield fragments?"
The information from the first and second pieces of intelligence filled Qin Wang with anticipation.
The shield formed from four fragments was already incredibly powerful. If he could seize the three fragments from Murong Chenggao, wouldn't a seven-piece shield be even stronger?
And what about gathering all eighteen pieces?
Since Murong Chenggao was already intent on killing him, Qin Wang needed to gather more intelligence and deal with him preemptively.
"The couple next door are robbers?"
"They have ten accomplices?"
Reading the third and sixth pieces of intelligence filled Qin Wang with a surge of killing intent.
Humans do not have the heart of a tiger, but the tiger has the intention to harm humans!
These despicable people, who appeared so honest and unassuming, were actually so vicious!
"The young female cultivator from yesterday is Zhang Panpan, the sweetheart of Qing Yao Shangren?"
"I'll have to wait to deliver the letter to Zhang Panpan."
Qin Wang was quite surprised by the seventh and ninth pieces of intelligence.
He remembered that Qing Yao Shangren was like a guide who led him to the path of immortality. Out of respect, he felt compelled to deliver Qing Yao Shangren's message and fulfill his last wish.
As for Zhang Panpan's ancient sheepskin scroll, he would need to acquire it later.
"A filthy white bone? Uncommon origin?"
Seeing the tenth piece of intelligence, Qin Wang decided he would visit the loose cultivator market tomorrow.
This was a great opportunity to find some treasures.
"Tomorrow, Ye Qian and Lin Shengbing will invite me to Tianhu Mountain. They must have many accomplices waiting for me there."
"These bastards plan to plot against me, but I will deal with them first!"
A killing intent flashed in Qin Wang's eyes.
Lin Shengbing and Ye Qian were at the tenth and ninth levels of the Qi Refinement Stage respectively. Their accomplices would likely be at similar levels. Even though he had Mu Hun Two at the Foundation Establishment Stage, dealing with ten tenth-level Qi Refinement cultivators was still risky.
Qin Wang had Mu Hun Two, Zhao Hun One, and Shi Hun Three staying about a hundred feet away in other rented huts in the shantytown. He didn't go near them, instead controlling them with his divine sense.
Since Ye Qian and Lin Shengbing planned to trap him today, he decided to turn the tables, lure them to a secluded spot, and take them out. After all, he had spent 2100 spirit stones on the Chi Man Shield, so he needed to recoup his losses.
The next day.
The morning sunlight bathed Wanling Market in a golden glow!
"First, let's go to the loose cultivator market and get that white bone!"
Qin Wang prepared everything and stepped outside, immediately noticing Ye Qian in a green robe standing about ten feet away. She smiled at him. "Fellow Daoist Mei, you need to decide quickly. If you don't get the array trigger, I'll have to contact my friend and get one for you."
"Thank you, Fellow Daoist Ye, for your trouble."
"I'll go check with my friend now. If I can't get one, I'll come to you."
Qin Wang waved at Ye Qian and walked towards the loose cultivator market.
Ye Qian watched him leave, her eyes narrowing before she turned back to her house.
"Qian'er, we mustn't rush. Even if he gets the array trigger, we can think of other ways to lure him out!"
Inside the house, a sturdy, honest-looking middle-aged cultivator comforted Ye Qian slowly.
"You're right. I was too hasty."
Ye Qian nodded. "I'll make some spirit rabbit soup and bring him a bowl later."
Near the shantytown, adjacent to the loose cultivator market, was a square covering five or six acres.
Many loose cultivators from the southern region spread beast hides and set up stalls, selling their unused items to each other.
"Fellow Daoist, I have ice talismans, earth armor talismans, golden bell talismans, fire thunder talismans... very reasonably priced, take a look!"
"Fellow Daoist, this demonic beast egg has exotic bloodlines... only thirty spirit stones!"
"Fellow Daoist, this top-grade magical sword…"
As Qin Wang walked past various stalls, he heard many vendors shouting.
He saw an array of strange items for sale, including techniques, magical tools, talismans, pills, demon beast materials, crafting materials, spirit herbs, and demonic beast eggs.
"Fellow Daoist, take a look at my items... all these things are from an ancient tomb!"
At that moment, a scrawny, mustached, and suspicious-looking man squatting by his stall spoke to him mysteriously.
"An ancient tomb?"
Qin Wang's interest was piqued. He squatted down by the man's stall. "Fellow Daoist, are these really from an ancient tomb?"
In front of the man was a pile of junk, still covered in dirt, looking like it had just been unearthed.
"Yes, I have another bag, take a look!"
The suspicious man waved his hand and took out a pile of rusty, dirt-covered bowls, pots, small swords, golden hairpins, long knives, and other items from his storage bag.
"Hm?"
Qin Wang's eyes widened as he saw a palm-sized white bone among the items, covered in dirt.
He picked up various items, using his divine sense to explore them. Finding nothing special, he finally picked up the white bone.
As soon as he touched it, he felt its surprising weight, likely over a hundred pounds, and his eyes flashed with surprise.
"Fellow Daoist, this white bone-like item is quite heavy. Not sure what it is, but it could be used for crafting. If you want it, fifty spirit stones."
The suspicious man smiled, showing his yellow teeth.
He had noticed the bone's unusual weight and decided to bring it out of the tomb. If he could get dozens of spirit stones, it would be worthwhile.
"This thing costs fifty spirit stones?"
Qin Wang shook his head and put the bone down. "I was just curious. I'll give you ten spirit stones at most."
"Uh…"
Huang Sanqi scratched his head. "Fellow Daoist, make it thirty spirit stones. I risked my life robbing that tomb!"
"No, twenty spirit stones, and I'll take these two as well."
Qin Wang picked up two palm-sized iron pieces from the stall. After his experience with the Chi Man Shield and the mysterious fragments, he was now very interested in unknown fragments.
"Deal."
Huang Sanqi reluctantly agreed.
Qin Wang collected the white bone and the two iron pieces, paid twenty spirit stones, and continued browsing for a while. Not finding any more interesting items, he bought a few defensive talismans and returned to the shantytown.
"Fellow Daoist Mei, I made spirit rabbit soup today and brought you a bowl!"
Just as he sat down, he heard a knock. Opening the door, he saw Ye Qian with a large bowl.
"Oh, thank you, Fellow Daoist Ye. You're very kind."
Qin Wang didn't want to offend Ye Qian, so he accepted the bowl and placed it aside.
"Drink it while it's hot, Fellow Daoist Mei!"
Ye Qian reminded him before leaving.
"Okay, I will."
If Qin Wang hadn't discovered the couple's true nature, he might have appreciated Ye Qian's gesture. Now, he felt only disgust but did not show it.
"By the way, Fellow Daoist Mei, did you get the array trigger?"
Ye Qian turned back at the door and asked enthusiastically.
"Not yet. I'll need your and Fellow Daoist Lin's help tomorrow."
Qin Wang shook his head.
This treacherous couple wanted to harm him, but he intended to deal with them first!