Staying Alive Cautiously in the Celestial Realm and Becoming the Strongest

Chapter 255: 255

Dongwu Stockade was noisy throughout the night.

Many cultivators didn't sleep at all, as numerous families were hiding in their basements, shaking with fear.

Silently praying to Emperor Heaven and Empire Land.

In the Outer Domain, where survival is difficult and entry to a sect's blessed land is impossible, places like Dongwu Stockade serve as the best home these loose cultivators could hope for.

No one wants their home to fall into war and conflict.

At dawn, the ox carts that appeared punctually in the streets and alleys every day were nowhere to be seen.

Leaving the women who came out with their Night Fragrance Barrels feeling unwell all over.

As usual, Wang Chen left his house early in the morning.

To have breakfast.

Last night, he caused an uproar at Happy Gambling House, slaying over thirty members of the Three Rivers Association.

And another ten or so cultivators from Dongwu Defense Hall.

Accumulating a total of 368 Heavenly Merit points!

In this battle, not only did Wang Chen reap great rewards, but he also dealt a heavy blow to the Three Rivers Association.

That fellow who used to strut arrogantly in front of him had now turned into ashes!

With grievances redressed and vengeance exacted, Wang Chen's mind was clear.

After slipping back home last night post-battle, he had slept soundly, awakening this morning to feel completely at ease.

His spirit was even more full and transparent!

For the past six months, Wang Chen had been consistently taking Dragon Tiger Strong Soul Soup as part of his practice in the Heavenly Dragon Vajra Method.

While the effects of this soup recipe were good, long-term use had accumulated a trace of heat in his system that he couldn't refine and dispel, which had begun to influence his will.

Wang Chen was well aware that it wasn't just the effect of the soup recipe's potion.

The fourth tier of the Heavenly Dragon Vajra Method was strengthening his physique at all times, but it was also constantly affecting his Divine Soul.

If not for the Ancient Taoist Stele suppressing the True Form of Heavenly Dragon, the latter would inevitably grow uncontrollably strong.

Therefore, this hidden danger must be removed.

The simplest methods were twofold: dual cultivation or slaughter!

The Three Rivers Association member who had caused the trouble didn't know what he had provoked, and in the end, he met with obliteration.

Wang Chen had a vague feeling that the more Heavenly Merit he accumulated, the more he could purify his own Dao heart!

Walking with light steps, he arrived at the usual place.

The breakfast shop owner greeted him warmly, "Senior Wang, the usual?"

Wang Chen nodded, "Hmm."

He was somewhat surprised, "Why is there no one around?"

Wang Chen noticed that the tables on the roadside were all empty, a stark contrast to the usual scenery.

The breakfast shop owner replied with a bitter smile, "With all the ruckus last night, perhaps everyone is too scared to come out."

Dongwu Stockade was neither too small nor very large.

Wang Chen's purging of Happy Gambling House and the killing of dozens of cultivators was swift, yet its impact was immense.

It was only natural that business at the breakfast shop would be quiet today.

Everyone was afraid.

As the breakfast shop owner spoke, his face revealed an even deeper worry, "Moreover, the prices of Spirit Rice and Beast Meat have risen again, making future business even harder to maintain."

The prices of Spirit Rice and Beast Meat have risen again?

Wang Chen was somewhat surprised.

With the constant rise in grain prices within Dongwu Stockade, and winter approaching, how many people would struggle to fill their bellies?

The realm of Immortal Cultivation really wasn't the paradise many imagined it to be, in fact, it was full of dangers, and cultivators could only build stockades and cities to protect themselves.

But food cannot be directly dug out of the ground.

Any dramatic fluctuation in food prices always results in the lower-tier cultivators suffering the most!

Wang Chen had no solution to this and could only offer words of comfort, "Things will eventually get better."

He didn't even believe his own words!

The breakfast shop owner sighed, "Perhaps."

After breakfast, Wang Chen made his way to the market.

Today was the market day, and he had arrived early to rent a stall. In addition to selling the talismans he had crafted, he also put up notices to purchase Golden Silk Silver Ring Snakes and Red-Eyed Tigers, as well as several other auxiliary materials from previous years.

Wang Chen noticed that today, there were quite a few loose cultivators trading in the market, and the number of battle cultivators patrolling from the Guard Hall had at least doubled, giving a sense of unrest.

His gains for the day were not bad. Aside from selling most of his talismans, he had also bought a Golden Silk Silver Ring Snake.

The Golden Silk Silver Ring Snake was a high-tier first-level monster beast. Its flesh and essence were rich in spiritual energy and made excellent material for brewing spiritual wine.

The snake corpse Wang Chen acquired was still fresh, weighing almost ten pounds.

It cost him fifty Low Spirits!

This was much more expensive than ordinary high-tier first-level monster beast meat.

Wang Chen kept his stall open until the evening.

He settled for dinner at the tea house, ordering a pot of Spiritual Tea, taking out his homemade rice balls, and enjoying his meal with relish.

Of course, he couldn't miss out on hearing some gossip and rumors.

Today's top news in the tea house was undoubtedly the bloodshed that had occurred the previous night at the Happy Gambling House.

A group of tea patrons discussed it with great enthusiasm.

Some said that the Happy Gambling House had cheated someone to death, and now the victim's relatives had come seeking revenge.

Others suggested it was a conflict within the Three Rivers Association, involving the City Lord's brother-in-law, the Golden Snake Gentleman.

Everyone knew that the Three Rivers Association was affiliated with the Golden Snake Gentleman.

With such a big incident at the gambling house, whether it could continue operating was uncertain.

It was as if someone had slapped the Golden Snake Gentleman's face hard!

The reaction of the Purple Mansion Superior, Xin Han, was yet unknown.

Many heard the news but did not know the truth, so they wildly speculated, adding their own fabrications.

This made Wang Chen feel awkward just listening in.

As the conversation continued, everyone began talking about the current rising grain prices.

"If the prices keep increasing like this, I'm afraid even Tribute Rice will be unaffordable."

"Exactly, winter is approaching. How are we going to survive the coming days?"

"I really can't afford Spirit Rice anymore. While Tribute Rice is still within reach, it's better to buy more."

"I'm going to buy some right now!"

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As they spoke, many left, rushing off to buy rice.

Finding the conversation uninteresting, Wang Chen decided to head back to his residence.

To his surprise, as he passed an alley, he saw a crowd gathered at Uncle Zhu's house.

They were all neighbors from nearby.

Wang Chen saw the familiar Chen Qi among them and approached to ask, "What happened?"

Chen Qi looked exceedingly grave, "Uncle Zhu's entire family of three is dead!"

Wang Chen was shocked, "How did they die?"

They were fine yesterday, but today their entire household was gone?

"They severed their own heart meridians."

Chen Qi replied, "It was Madam Sun who found them, they were already cold. Doctor Zhang just came and said they passed away last night."

Passed away last night!

Wang Chen fell silent.

The previous night, he had disguised himself and, as the prodigal Yan Qing, eliminated the Happy Gambling House.

Beyond wanting to reach clarity in his own thoughts, he also intended to help Uncle Zhu and his family.

After all, Zhu Xiaohu was known for being honest and was likely set up and dragged into trouble. He still had a chance to be saved.

But now...

Wang Chen sighed inwardly.

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Here's the second update.