The Ordinary Man's Guide to Fast Travel

Chao Yao's bargaining made the boss frown and yell, "Oh my, Master Immortal, don't just look at the appearance! This thing is very valuable inside, forty low-grade spirit crystals, it really can't be any less!"

Chao Yao shook his head repeatedly and said, "Twenty low-grade spirit crystals. If it's okay, I'll pay you right away. If not, let's leave."

The boss' eyes widened and he exclaimed, "Twenty? Master Immortal, you are bargaining too hard. Thirty-five, no less!"

Chao Yao pulled Xiao Shitou and pretended to leave, saying, "Boss, let's go to another store and have a look. Maybe we can find something better."

Seeing that they were really leaving, the boss shouted at the top of his voice: "Twenty-five, twenty-five low-grade spirit crystals, it really can't be any lower!"

Chao Yao stopped, turned around and said, "Twenty-three, not one more, or we'll really leave."

The boss gritted his teeth, with a look of pain on his face, and said, "Okay, twenty-three is twenty-three. I'm just unlucky today to meet a master like you who is good at bargaining."

Chao Yao then paid the spirit crystal with satisfaction, took Xiao Shitou and left the stall with the Millennium Mysterious Ice Marrow.

It wasn't that Chao Yao felt bad about spending that little bit of low-grade spirit crystal, she was just afraid that her treasure would be exposed if she sold it too quickly.

Besides, this amount of spirit crystals is really not much.

In this world, the currency exchange rates are roughly as follows:

1 High-quality Spirit Crystal = 100 Medium-quality Spirit Crystal

1 medium-grade spirit crystal = 100 low-grade spirit crystals

Low-grade spirit crystals are the most common and basic currency in the world of cultivation.

Ordinary cultivators can obtain it by mining in spirit crystal mines, completing some small sect tasks, and selling low-level elixirs or magic weapons they have refined in the market.

Lower-grade spirit crystals are often used for small daily transactions, such as purchasing common healing herbs, low-level martial arts manuals, etc.

It is relatively difficult to obtain medium-quality spirit crystals.

Monks often need to go deep into dangerous monster mountain ranges to hunt down stronger monsters and obtain their precious materials in exchange for mid-grade spirit crystals.

Or you can participate in some medium-sized martial arts competitions, get a good ranking, and receive rewards from the sect.

In addition, if you successfully sell rare refining materials at the auction, you will also have the chance to obtain medium-grade spirit crystals.

Top-grade spiritual crystals are extremely precious.

Usually, only core disciples in large-scale cultivation sects who have made great contributions to the sect will be rewarded with high-quality spirit crystals.

Or in some mysterious ruins, solve ancient puzzles and obtain hidden treasures, which may include top-grade spiritual crystals.

Furthermore, if you rank among the top in the top competitions in the world of cultivation, you can also receive high-quality spirit crystals as generous rewards.

Top-grade spirit crystals are usually held by the leaders and elders of super-large sects, as well as top-notch independent cultivators.

Relying on their profound cultivation and powerful forces, they control a large amount of resources, and naturally the top-grade spirit crystals are also under their control.

Mid-grade spirit crystals are mostly owned by core figures of medium-sized sects, some renowned senior cultivators, and wealthy businessmen with considerable status in the market.

As for those precious spirit crystal mines, most of them are occupied by super large sects.

These large sects, relying on their powerful strength, firmly control the mining rights of the spirit crystal mines.

But there are also some small spirit crystal mines scattered in some remote areas, which are controlled by local small immortal cultivation families or forces.

However, these small forces often need to pay a certain amount of tribute to the large sects in order to continue mining.

The sect that Chao Yao belongs to, the Tianqi Sect, is the number one sect in the Shadowless Continent, so naturally it is also extremely wealthy.

As one of the peak masters, she would have no shortage of various cultivation resources.

I don’t care, but wealth cannot be shown off.

After staying in the inn for a while, Chao Yao checked out and ran to the next place with Xiao Shitou.

For some reason, she always felt that someone was going to catch up with her, so she had to run.

Sure enough, Su Junze arrived at the town just after Chao Yao and Xiao Shitou left.

Watching the magic weapon spinning wildly and then quickly returning to calm, Su Junze was so angry that his face almost turned purple.

He used his spiritual sense to search the entire town, but still found nothing.

"Damn it! Who is helping Chao Yao hide?"

After turning around in place, Su Junze suddenly realized that something was wrong.

"No, could it be that someone knows about Chaoyao's special physique and wants to take him away? No way! The Apocalypse Sect has been hiding it for so many years, and has kept it a secret since childhood. It is impossible for them to let others know! So... there is a traitor in the Apocalypse Sect!"

Su Junze gritted his teeth, his expression as gloomy as water. He no longer hesitated, turned around and galloped towards the direction of the Tianqi Sect.

Along the way, Su Junze was extremely anxious and confused. He couldn't figure out who had the ability to help Chao Yao hide his tracks right under his nose.

When he thought that Chao Yao's special physique might fall into the hands of others, he felt a chill rising up his spine.

After returning to Tianqi Sect, Su Junze ran straight to the hall where the sect master was.

When the sect master saw him in such a hurry, he couldn't help but feel nervous and asked, "Chang Ming Xian Jun, why are you so flustered?"

Su Junze bowed and saluted, then said anxiously: "Sect Master, I saw Chao Yao leaving the sect, and planned to follow her all the way so that she would not be out of my sight. But when we reached the Misty Illusion Abyss, we got separated. To be precise, Chao Yao ran away on purpose. But her escape may not be that simple. I suspect there is a traitor in the sect!"

When the clan leader heard this, his expression instantly became serious: "An insider? This is a serious matter. Do you have any evidence?"

Su Junze shook his head: "Not yet, but my magic weapon suddenly failed when I was tracking Chao Yao. This is definitely not accidental. And I didn't find any trace of her in the town where she stayed. Someone must have done it deliberately."

The leader pondered for a moment and said, "If there really is a traitor, we must find him out as soon as possible to prevent him from causing more harm. Lord Changming, do you have any ideas?"

Su Junze's eyes were firm: "Sect Master, I suggest that we start with the people who have close contact with Chao Yao, especially those who know about her special physique. In addition, we also need to pay attention to the abnormal behavior of the people in the sect recently."

The sect leader nodded slightly and said in a serious tone, "Chang Ming Xian Jun, this matter is of great importance and must not be taken lightly. First of all, you must gather all the elders to the secret hall and not let any news leak out."

Su Junze took the order, and soon the elders of the sect gathered in the secret hall.

The sect master swept his eyes over everyone with dignity, and said in a deep voice: "My fellow elders, Chao Yao is missing, and there is a suspicion of a traitor, and the only people who know about his special physique are you and me. Today, this sect master will thoroughly investigate this matter with all of you. If anyone is concealing anything, we will punish him according to the sect rules!"

The elders all looked solemn and responded in unison: "We will follow the orders of the Sect Master!"

The sect master looked at Su Junze and said, "Chang Ming Xian Jun, please check the records of the sect's mountain protection formation to see if there were any abnormal energy fluctuations or unauthorized entries and exits during the time when Chao Yao was missing."

Su Junze bowed in response and went to check it out immediately.

The clan leader then said to the elders: "Elders, each of you should recall your whereabouts during this period and who you have been in contact with. Do you notice anything suspicious?"

The elders fell into deep thought.

Soon, Su Junze returned to the secret hall and reported to the sect master: "Sect Master, there is no obvious abnormality in the records of the mountain protection formation, but on the day when Chao Yao disappeared, there was a momentary fluctuation of spiritual power, which was extremely subtle and difficult to determine the source."

The sect master frowned, thought for a moment and then said: "My fellow elders, from now on, you are not allowed to leave the secret hall. I will use the soul-searching technique to explore your recent memories one by one. If you resist, it will be regarded as guilty."

When Elder Li, the head of Fufeng Peak, heard what the Sect Master said, he immediately stood up, his face flushed, and said angrily: "Sect Master, the soul-searching technique is extremely overbearing. If you are not careful, you will damage your soul. We are the heads of the peaks and have loyally served the Sect for many years. This is really inappropriate!"

The other peak masters also echoed, "Yes, Sect Master, how can you cast such evil magic on us so easily!"

The sect master's face darkened, and he said sternly: "Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures! If the peak masters have no guilt in their hearts, why should they be afraid of soul searching?"

Another Sword Peak Master, Elder Zhao, stepped forward and loudly retorted: "Master, we each control a peak and have devoted ourselves to the sect for many years. How can we accept such an insult! Don't you even give us this little trust?"

Seeing this, Su Junze hurriedly advised: "Peak masters, the sect master also wants to find the traitor as soon as possible and rescue Junior Sister Chao Yao. I hope you can understand."

"Hmph! Understand? Lord Changming, please stop making sarcastic remarks here!" Elder Wang, the hot-tempered master of Zhenfeng, glared at Su Junze.

At this time, the atmosphere in the hall became increasingly tense and both sides were in a stalemate.

A trace of determination flashed in the sect leader's eyes, and he spoke again: "This sect leader has made up his mind. If anyone objects again, they will be treated as traitors!"

As soon as these words came out, Elder Wang, the head of the Formation Peak, directly sacrificed his natal formation plate and shouted, "Master, you are so unfair, don't blame us for resisting!"

Elder Wang’s eyes were wide open, he quickly formed seals with his hands, and muttered something.

As his spell sounded, a powerful spiritual power surged out of his body and instantly surrounded him.

He suddenly shouted loudly and waved his hands forward. A bright light shot out from his storage ring. It was his natal formation plate.

The array disk spun rapidly in the air, emitting dazzling light and powerful pressure.

The runes on the array plate flashed with mysterious light, as if countless forces were surging within them.

Elder Wang was concentrating on controlling the formation plate. Complex formation patterns appeared in the air and the surrounding space seemed to tremble slightly because of the powerful power of the formation.

He clenched his teeth and veins popped out on his forehead. It was obvious that he was exerting all his strength to maximize the power of his natal formation disk to express his strong dissatisfaction and resistance to the sect master's decision.

Other peak masters also displayed their magic weapons. For a moment, the spiritual power in the secret hall was surging and a conflict was about to break out.

"Stop it all!"

A loud shout like thunder exploded in the secret hall. In an instant, the entire secret hall seemed to be shaking slightly because of the roar.

Ancestor Pu Yue suddenly appeared like a ghost. He was wearing a black robe that fluttered in the wind, his gray beard was dancing in the wind, his piercing eyes were like burning torches, his gaze was as sharp as a torch, he was intimidating without even being angry, and his powerful aura instantly enveloped the entire venue.

His tall and upright figure, like a towering mountain, gives people an insurmountable sense of oppression.

Ancestor Pu Yue took steady and powerful steps. Each step seemed to carry a tremendous force. The heavy footsteps echoed in the silent secret hall, causing the heartbeats of everyone present to involuntarily quicken with the rhythm.

Under his furrowed brows, a pair of sharp eyes swept across everyone present. His gaze was filled with anger, disappointment and majesty, as if he could see through everyone's heart.

"As the peak masters of the sect, you do not think about unity at this critical moment, but instead argue and conflict for your own selfish reasons. How disgraceful!"

The voice of Patriarch Pu Yue was like a huge bell, resounding in the secret hall, and every word hit everyone's heart like a heavy hammer.

When the sect master and the peak masters saw the ancestor appear, they all lowered their heads and dared not speak.

Elder Pu Yue continued, "Chao Yao is missing, and the traitor is unknown. If we lose our composure now, it will only give the enemy an opportunity to take advantage. Although the sect master's soul-searching method is not appropriate, it is also for the purpose of finding out the truth as soon as possible. The concerns of the peak masters are not unreasonable, but is such a fierce resistance the solution to the problem?"

His expression was serious and his tone was firm, leaving no room for doubt.

Everyone remained silent and the atmosphere was solemn.

Patriarch Pu Yue glanced at everyone and said in a slow tone, "How about this, Sect Master gives up the soul-searching technique, and all the peak masters need to fully cooperate with the investigation and give a detailed account of their whereabouts and the people they have come into contact with during this period. Anyone who conceals anything will be severely punished!"

The clan leader took the lead in expressing his opinion: "I will follow the order of the ancestor."

The peak masters looked at each other and responded in unison: "We are willing to listen to the arrangements of the ancestor."

Patriarch Pu Yue nodded slightly: "Okay, then this matter will be settled. Su Junze, you continue to investigate from other aspects and don't slack off in the slightest."

Su Junze bowed and said, "Yes, Ancestor."

Afterwards, Patriarch Pu Yue disappeared in a flash, and the tense atmosphere in the secret hall gradually eased.

"Master, since Patriarch Pu Yue has spoken, we will definitely explain our whereabouts in detail. Fairy Moonlight is our sect's treasure, and everyone knows how important she is. There is no reason to give such a treasure away."

Elder Wang was forced to calm down and he began to analyze the matter.

Elder Zhao sneered, "Hasn't it been agreed that such a treasure should be given to Immortal Lord Changming? Why, you can't keep it yourself, but you want to hold us responsible?"

As soon as the sect leader saw that something was wrong, he quickly stopped it.

"Elder Zhao, it was a unanimous decision of our Tianqi Sect to select the Immortal Lord Changming. Wouldn't it be bad to bring up this now? Okay, let's explain our previous actions one by one. If there are no problems, we should be more cautious. If this matter is known by people other than our Tianqi Sect, it will be a bigger problem."

Su Junze knew that he was the beneficiary and did not dare to show up at this time.