News of the Essence-Raising Fruit spread, and the many Opening Realm Martial Artists went wild. Although the Blood Refining Ancestor had taken two, this did nothing to dampen people’s excitement.

After all, at its usual price, a single Essence-Raising Fruit would cost at least a hundred Low Grade Primordial Stones. Many Opening Realm Martial Artists simply didn’t have that many Primordial Stones.

But now, an Essence-Raising Fruit was right in front of them. Moreover, the Blood Refining Ancestor had even said he wouldn’t interfere with whoever obtained this Essence-Raising Fruit; it was all up to their own abilities.

Leaving the tavern, Lin Yun pondered the situation. In three days, on the date the Blood Refining Ancestor had set, there would surely be a fierce battle. No one would willingly give up on the Essence-Raising Fruit.

’I’ll take it one step at a time. If an opportunity arises, I’ll fight for it,’ he thought. After all, his Realm was still too low—only the Second Layer of Opening Realm. If he encountered someone at the Eighth or Ninth Layer of Opening, he wouldn’t be able to face them head-on.

His life came first. As for the Essence-Raising Fruit, Lin Yun decided he would go take a look first. If there was a chance, he’d make a move. If not, he would have no choice but to give up. He couldn’t possibly throw his life away for a single Essence-Raising Fruit, could he?

With this in mind, Lin Yun decided to stay in Mysterious City. He found an inn and paid a month’s rent upfront. For the time being, Lin Yun didn’t plan on leaving Mysterious City, as it was relatively safer here.

He followed the attendant to the inn’s rear courtyard. The attendant pushed open a door and said to Lin Yun, "Sir, here is your room."

At these words, Lin Yun didn’t look at the room. Instead, his gaze fell upon the courtyard not far away. A Monk and a Daoist were there, drinking wine, eating meat, and even had women in their arms.

Seeing Lin Yun looking at the pair, the attendant spoke up to explain, "Sir, you should try to avoid those two as much as possible. They’re a couple of oddballs in Mysterious City and have done their fair share of wicked deeds."

Lin Yun smiled slightly at the explanation. A Monk Jiu Rou and a Seductive Daoist were a rare sight indeed. From the attendant’s subsequent explanation, Lin Yun learned some of their history.

This Monk and Daoist were not from Yanhuang Country; no one knew where they came from. They had arrived in Mysterious City half a year ago. Although they were only at the Fifth Layer of Opening Realm, even those at the Eighth Layer of Opening were no match for them. Their Combat Power was truly formidable.

But soon after, the two began their scams and swindles. Things like collecting "Incense Money for the Buddha" or claiming the "Boundless Celestial Venerable is revealing his power"—they offended many people by cheating and robbing them.

Strangely, though, despite offending so many people in Mysterious City, no Qi Sea Realm Martial Artist had ever made a move against them. Therefore, some speculated that the two must have some kind of backing in Mysterious City.

Listening to the attendant’s explanation, Lin Yun couldn’t help but think that it truly takes all kinds. The stout, large-eared Monk and the nonchalant, graceful Daoist—they both had the air of immortals. Anyone who didn’t know better might really mistake them for Enlightened Monks.

Tipping the attendant some Gold Coins, Lin Yun didn’t pay the pair any more mind. He entered his room, calmed his heart, and began his daily cultivation.

The night passed uneventfully. Lin Yun woke early the next morning, had a casual breakfast at the inn, and then went for a stroll through Mysterious City. With two days still to go, he was in no hurry.

"Patron, I see a dark aura on your face. A great disaster must be approaching."

"Indeed, Patron. I am a Daoist who has roamed the world and can read faces. From the looks of it, you will absolutely suffer a bloody calamity within three days."

Having just stepped out of the inn, Lin Yun saw the Monk and the Daoist surrounding an Opening Realm Martial Artist who looked to be in his early twenties.

The two of them now looked nothing like they had while drinking wine and eating meat yesterday. They appeared for all the world like enlightened masters, looking solemn and dignified.

Surrounded by the pair, the Martial Artist was clearly aware of the Monk and Daoist’s scoundrel-like reputation. With a grim face, he bluntly refused, "You two charlatans, don’t try to fool me. Who in all of Mysterious City doesn’t know you’re the Monk Jiu Rou and the Seductive Daoist?"

Hearing the man’s rebuke, the Monk and Daoist’s expressions didn’t change in the slightest. The Monk placed his palms together and said solemnly, "Amitabha. A monk does not tell lies. If I do not enter Hell, who will? The world sees only the surface, not the essence. But since this Monk has formed a fateful connection with you today, I must naturally help you eliminate this disaster."

As the Monk’s voice fell, the Daoist flicked his Duster and, with the air of a great master, said, "Boundless Celestial Venerable. Since we have met, we Cultivators cannot simply stand by and watch someone die."

Watching from the side, Lin Yun was utterly impressed by their shamelessness. This wasn’t just swindling anymore; they were truly a pair of oddballs. He had no idea what temple these two could have possibly come from.

"Bah! You wretched monk, you damned Daoist, stay away from me, you two frauds!" The Martial Artist, clearly unable to stand their shamelessness, burst out cursing.

With that said, the man turned to leave. But he had only taken five steps when the Daoist moved like Lightning. In the blink of an eye, the Daoist was behind the man and struck out with his palm. The man was wounded by the Palm Seal, spitting out a mouthful of blood.

After striking with his palm, the Daoist’s figure quickly returned to his original spot, as if he hadn’t moved at all.

With the man wounded by the Daoist’s palm strike, the Monk stepped forward and said with a kind, benevolent expression, "Amitabha. Patron, I already told you that you would suffer a bloody calamity. It’s better to let me help you avert it."

Wounded in an instant without even seeing who did it, the man was horrified. But Lin Yun, who had been watching from the side, was the one who looked truly shocked.

’A Body Technique Martial Skill! The Daoist definitely just used a Body Technique Martial Skill, and a high-grade one at that!’

’This Monk and Daoist are probably no ordinary people,’ Lin Yun thought, watching the two of them.

But what the pair did next left Lin Yun speechless. ’How can there be such utterly shameless people in this world?’ he thought. ’They have absolutely no shame.’

The Monk took out a Buddha Bead, and the Daoist produced a Talisman Seal, placing them respectively into the Martial Artist’s hands.

"Patron, this Buddha Bead is an heirloom of Mahayana Buddhism. There are only ten in the entire Buddhist Family, and now I gift one to you. It will surely keep you safe for a lifetime."

"This Talisman Seal was forged by the patriarch of our Daoist School, the Boundless Celestial Venerable himself. It has been passed down for hundreds of thousands of years and is a priceless treasure. With this talisman on you, you are guaranteed a lifetime of peace, prosperity, and wealth."

Both wore kind and benevolent expressions, but in the next second, they both extended their palms toward the Martial Artist and said, "Patron, we who have left the secular world are indifferent to fame and fortune. However, the Buddha requires offerings of aromatic oil. We hope you can be generous." 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

Hearing this, the man was completely bewildered. Anyone could see that the Buddha Bead and the Talisman Seal were fakes. You could buy them in any random shop on the street for no more than one gold coin.

"Forget it. I’ll just count it as my bad luck." Cursing under his breath, the man took out ten Gold Coins and handed them to the Monk. But the Monk didn’t take them, saying instead,

"Patron, Gold Coins are the objects of mortals; the Buddha certainly wouldn’t accept them. I have practiced asceticism for thousands of miles and have a very detached view of worldly wealth and prosperity. It would be better if you gifted me some Primordial Stones."