Chapter Seventy-Nine: The World Is Vast

The fact that the Know-it-all recognized Wang Changsheng and his companions was no surprise to Wang Changsheng. After all, the aura of disciples from the Corpse Refining Sect, even if concealed, could only fool ordinary cultivators; for those with deeper cultivation or broader experience, it was of no use at all. And Know-it-all, as it happened, was precisely such a person.

However, Know-it-all had been speculating about the Corpse Refining Sect’s intentions and could never have guessed that Wang Changsheng was acting purely for personal reasons. From the very beginning, Know-it-all’s assumptions were entirely mistaken.

It was the news about the Shangyang Li Clan that truly shocked Wang Changsheng. This time, leading disciples of the Corpse Refining Sect out for training, he had a crucial mission: to form an alliance with the Shangyang Li Clan. This task, among several, was by far the most important, representing the fundamental interests of the Corpse Refining Sect.

“Shangyang Li Clan?” Wang Changsheng frowned. He had no idea where the Shangyang Li Clan resided and had planned to curry favor with Cloud Palace Peak, hoping to inquire there. Unexpectedly, Know-it-all mentioned the Shangyang Li Clan.

“Yes, the uncrowned king of the Southern Domain is the Shangyang Li Clan,” Know-it-all replied. “Of course, to most cultivators in the Divine Heaven Realm, the Shangyang Li Clan is shrouded in secrecy. But you of the Corpse Refining Sect have always known of them.”

Wang Changsheng nodded, then placed a mid-grade spirit stone on the table. “Tell me about the Shangyang Li Clan.”

To Wang Changsheng’s surprise, Know-it-all did not take the stone. He shook his head and pushed it back.

“Too little?” Wang Changsheng frowned.

He waved his hand lightly, and ten mid-grade spirit stones appeared on the table.

“Steward Wang, I know your sect is wealthy…” Know-it-all said with a bitter smile, “but I truly dare not accept these stones.”

Saying this, he pushed the stones back again.

“Still too little?” Wang Changsheng’s brows furrowed even deeper.

He waved his hand once more, and this time, over a hundred spirit stones appeared.

When Know-it-all arrived at the tavern, many cultivators had already turned their attention. In Black Desire City, Know-it-all was somewhat famous; ordinary cultivators could not afford his information services. Today, it seemed some wealthy fellow had managed to hire him.

Upon seeing Wang Changsheng produce mid-grade spirit stones, the onlookers immediately surmised that Wang Changsheng was no ordinary person and tried to overhear or deduce his background. But Know-it-all had already shielded their conversation with true energy.

Now, seeing Wang Changsheng lay out over a hundred mid-grade spirit stones, many cultivators gasped in astonishment.

“Which wastrel family is this from, hiring Know-it-all for information?”

“All those are mid-grade spirit stones—at least a hundred!”

“My entire fortune doesn’t include a single mid-grade spirit stone. Know-it-all is about to strike it rich!”

…

Wang Changsheng paid no mind to the commotion, knowing Know-it-all had made arrangements. He didn’t care; he didn’t want others to know his identity or overhear his conversation. Should his background be exposed, who could say there weren’t enemies of the Corpse Refining Sect among them?

“Steward Wang, it’s not that I dislike spirit stones,” Know-it-all said bitterly. “I simply cannot sell you information on the Shangyang Li Clan.”

“I don’t want to die in the street tomorrow!” Know-it-all continued. “No, not even tomorrow. If I sold you news of the Shangyang Li Clan, you could collect my corpse at the city gate before the day is out.”

“In Divine Heaven Realm, the Shangyang Li Clan, the Barbaric Wilderness Temple, and the Corpse Refining Sect are all taboos for us in this business,” Know-it-all said gravely. “Anyone who sells information on these three is left dead in the street.”

“I do know a bit about the Shangyang Li Clan, but I dare not sell you anything.”

“Then what about Cloud Palace Peak?” Wang Changsheng asked.

“Some news about Cloud Palace Peak can be sold, some cannot,” Know-it-all replied. “In our trade, anyone who meddles with these powers is as good as dead.”

“As good as? So you’re saying someone has sold information about these three and survived?” Wang Changsheng pressed. “Tell me who—I’ll go find him.”

“There is one,” Know-it-all replied. “He’s a predecessor in our field. Not only did he sell information about these powers, he’s thrived ever since—a model for us all.”

“Who?” Wang Changsheng asked.

“Li Fusheng,” Know-it-all said.

“That fellow Li Fusheng?!” Wang Changsheng’s face showed surprise.

“Steward Wang, you know Li Fusheng?” Know-it-all was equally taken aback, looking at Wang Changsheng in astonishment.

From Wang Changsheng's tone, it was clear he did know Li Fusheng, which made Know-it-all find it unbelievable.

Wang Changsheng nodded.

“That makes things easier. You can seek out Li Fusheng—he’ll certainly dare to sell you news about the Shangyang Li Clan,” Know-it-all mused, then hesitated before adding, “Moreover, rumor has it Li Fusheng is connected to the Shangyang Li Clan.”

Wang Changsheng nodded, thoughtful. Indeed, listening to Know-it-all, he sensed that Li Fusheng probably had some connection with the Shangyang Li Clan.

Back in the Heavenly Realm, Li Fusheng had faced people from Cloud Palace Peak without a hint of fear and even dared to covet their Sky Void Stones. Most crucially, he managed to steal them.

In Divine Heaven Realm, how many powers dared challenge Cloud Palace Peak?

Even the Corpse Refining Sect, emerging now, sought to make peace with Cloud Palace Peak.

And, they both bore the surname Li.

Yet, after their hurried parting in the Corpse Refining Sect, where could Wang Changsheng now find Li Fusheng?

“It seems, for now, these worries can be set aside,” Wang Changsheng mused inwardly.

“Tell me more about the Free Wanderers’ Pavilion,” Wang Changsheng said.

“There’s not much to say. If your Corpse Refining Sect really has designs on the Free Wanderers’ Pavilion, you could crush them with invincible force,” Know-it-all replied with a dismissive wave. “As long as there’s a perfected cultivator on the Golden Core Path, that sect is a top power in Divine Heaven Realm.”

“On the entire Black Desire Plain, the only sect with a perfected Golden Core Path cultivator is yours,” Know-it-all said. “You can imagine how formidable the Corpse Refining Sect is.”

Wang Changsheng nodded. “How does one get to the Free Wanderers’ Pavilion?”

“Take the teleportation array in Black Desire City to South Giant City in the Southern Domain, then from there use another teleportation array to reach the Pavilion,” Know-it-all replied.

“Alright.”

Wang Changsheng nodded. He knew the Pavilion had teleportation arrays; when he traveled there with his second uncle, they had arrived by such means.

Now that he knew how to reach the Pavilion, his goal was achieved. Moreover, from Know-it-all’s words, Wang Changsheng gained deeper insight into Divine Heaven Realm.

“Still, it’s best to see for oneself, to temper oneself through experience,” Wang Changsheng murmured to himself.

Having never experienced it personally, one can never know the truth. Just as the Pavilion master’s cultivation was only Know-it-all’s speculation—only by seeing for oneself can one know the reality.

“Let me ask after one more piece of information,” Wang Changsheng said softly.

“Go ahead,” Know-it-all replied.

“The Barbaric Wilderness Temple,” Wang Changsheng said gravely. “I need every bit of information you know about the Temple.”

“Spirit stones are not an issue.”

Wang Changsheng genuinely wanted to know everything about the Temple. After all, the mission to intimidate the Temple was fraught with difficulty, and the slightest misstep could mean death. Wang Changsheng had no desire to die.

“No matter how many spirit stones, I cannot tell you,” Know-it-all said helplessly. “Steward Wang, please don’t make things hard for me. I want to live a few more years.”

Wang Changsheng nodded.

“Fine, let me ask about another piece of information,” he said.

“No, Steward Wang—if you’re asking about the Temple or the Shangyang Li Clan, best not to even start,” Know-it-all said with a bitter smile. “Besides, with these great powers, the information is so limited that intelligence simply can't penetrate.”

“It’s not that,” Wang Changsheng said gravely. “I want you to inquire about a person.”

“Who?” Know-it-all asked.

Wang Changsheng placed a mid-grade spirit stone on the table. “Wang Tenglong.”

Know-it-all fell into thought at the name, but finally shook his head. “Steward Wang, I’ve never heard of this name. Is this person famous?”

Wang Changsheng shook his head. “I don’t know. Aside from his name, I know nothing about him.”

Know-it-all could only shake his head. “Steward Wang, I’m sorry—I have no information about this person.”

Wang Changsheng nodded, disappointment on his face.

After their conversation, Wang Changsheng inquired about other matters concerning Divine Heaven Realm. From Know-it-all’s account, the information was quite reliable, and Wang Changsheng gained a deeper understanding of the realm.

“The world is vast,” Wang Changsheng murmured as he watched Know-it-all’s departing figure. “Without strength, one is forever confined to a corner. Only with greater power can one’s horizons broaden.”

Wang Changsheng exhaled heavily, tossed a dozen or so low-grade spirit stones onto the table, and headed upstairs.

He had asked what needed asking, learned what needed learning. Now, his task was to go straight to the Free Wanderers’ Pavilion, find his second uncle, and inquire about some issues regarding the cultivation of the Longevity Technique.

“Perhaps, only Second Uncle can provide answers now,” Wang Changsheng sighed softly.

The next day, Wang Changsheng knocked on the doors of the Corpse Refining Sect disciples’ rooms. One by one, they followed him downstairs.

“Gentlemen, do visit our humble inn again!” The attendant called out promptly. “We are always at your service!”

Wang Changsheng nodded and led the Corpse Refining Sect crowd toward the teleportation array in Black Desire City.