Chapter 1407: Chapter 1408: Forgiveness Hat
The two led the numerous bandits away, conducting a detailed interrogation to verify identities. The main purpose of this census was to uncover the forces behind these bandits, and then turn around and sell information about them to those forces, reaping their first pot of gold.
There’s no other way—in this unfamiliar and desolate place, where not even birds would defecate, earning some money the usual way seemed out of the question.
Robbery has forever been the quickest method to make money!
Li Xiaobai knew this well; after all, this was the way he had always operated. Given his slightly lower cultivation level, resources were absolutely essential if he intended to secure his footing.
“My cultivation level is actually insufficient for establishing a foothold in the Immortal Gods Realm. It seems that not only me, but these disciples will also need to rely on a sect for protection.”
“After finishing this job, I’ll disguise myself and find a sect for refuge.”
Li Xiaobai muttered to himself while patrolling the bandit’s stronghold. The cultivators here were generally weak, and after thoroughly searching the place, he managed to find only one hundred blocks of Rare Earth. This currency functioned exactly like Immortal Stones; when held in the palm, its energy could be absorbed and used for cultivation, making it universally valuable.
Only one hundred blocks of Rare Earth; distributing one block to each person wouldn’t do much good. Li Xiaobai kept all of them for himself and upgraded the System Mall, unlocking new categories of items. Among these were a few Magic Treasures that could be purchased for a hundred blocks of Rare Earth.
[Forgiveness Hat: Place the hat on someone’s head, and they will grant infinite forgiveness. Applicable to cultivators below the Transcendent Third Layer. (Price: 100 blocks of Rare Earth)]
[Note: Since that’s the case, consider yourself forgiven!]
This was a newly launched item in the System Mall, a novelty aside from the usual elixirs and talismans.
Priced at 100 blocks of Rare Earth.
With a thought, Li Xiaobai instantly exchanged for it. The tool seemed like it could prove quite practical.
A cloth hat appeared in his hand, soft yet made of surprisingly durable material. The entire hat was emerald green in color and stood out brilliantly under the sunlight.
He sneaked up behind Ma Niubi, pulled the Money Tree from his back, and threw it onto the ground.
“Which bastard dares lay a hand on your Father Niubi!”
Ma Niubi erupted in fury, his aura surging around him. Just as he was about to turn and strike, a green hat descended from the sky, landing squarely on his head.
In an instant, his anger dissipated, and all became calm as a trace of bewilderment appeared on his youthful face. He stood there, dazed, staring at the person behind him.
“Sorry, it’s my fault,” Li Xiaobai said with a gentle smile.
“Since that’s so, I’ll forgive you then!”
Ma Niubi broke into an odd smile, chuckling cheerfully as if they were close brothers, completely forgetting his rage.
Once the hat was removed, it was as though the previous events had never happened. Ma Niubi looked perplexed and asked, “Master, do you have any orders?”
“I have an idea. Let’s aim for something big—earn ourselves a stack of wealth, and then you all can join different sects to cultivate and elevate your cultivation levels.”
…
Three days later, several rumors began to spread from the stronghold.
[“A new force emerges within the Pure Land of Great Evil, openly challenging authority. They’ve abducted Pure Land cultivators from Wild Grass Village and extorted Cangtian City!”]
[“Whispers of Wild Grass Village! Rumor has it that an astonishing hidden treasure has drawn mysterious figures into conflict with Pure Land forces!”]
[“Sudden bursts of mysterious black flames outside Cangtian City with terrifying devouring power have left countless cultivators dead!”]
[“Treasures emerge, guarded by mysterious flames—ancient inheritance suspected within Cangtian Realm!”]
[…]
Under Li Xiaobai’s leadership, within only three days, Cangtian Realm was swept up in quite a commotion.
The method of dissemination was simple: forge a few letters and then, using carrier pigeons, intentionally let cultivators inside Cangtian City catch wind of the anomalies in Wild Grass Village. This way, there was no need to even step into the city; they could sit back and wait for the cultivators to come to them.
Kidnapping bandits to demand ransom wasn’t the kind of lucrative business he aimed for. Trapping and killing Immortal Gods Realm cultivators was his true specialty.
Using Hellfire to scorch Wild Grass Village, fabricating rumors of a Blessed Land emerging, and drawing nearby cultivators to the site—this was his strategy for ambushing and taking out a batch, all while collecting their wealth.
At the base of Villain’s Guild.
Inside Wild Grass Village.
Li Xiaobai and his disciples stood vigil, hidden within the pitch-black flames. The Hellfire was like an extension of his limbs, easily manipulated. He carved out a safe zone in the center and quietly awaited the arrival of some lucky souls.
Soon enough, cultivators should be arriving to investigate. Based on their cultivation level, they would only target those in the Transcendental and Transcendent realms. Using the intelligence gathered from the bandits, their targets belonged to the weaker category, demanding careful and strategic action.
“Master, are we truly this weak?”
A confused disciple asked, puzzled that they, once formidable figures in the Central Origin Realm, lauded as “Hundred Saints,” had now become the weakest chickens upon ascending.
“Hey, don’t the people say? You’re only at the Transcendental Realm, you ignoramus. Do you even know what ‘transcendental’ means? It’s merely the stage of newly stepping away from mortal existence—basically just an entry-level realm. Trying to act beyond that is pointless! Have you not noticed how even our flying speed has slowed down in this new world?”
“The power systems are distinct layers. This Immortal Gods Realm is far more refined, with a denser and more vigorous aura, incomparable to the Central Origin Realm. Hence, the cultivation level of those ancient Immortal Gods we heard about probably carries nuances we’ve yet to fully grasp. It’s unlikely to be as simplistic as we assumed.”
Li Xiaobai cast a glance at the disciple and said nonchalantly. In truth, he too harbored doubts. Immortal Gods were undoubtedly terrifying entities, yet the Spider Woman was ultimately slain by them. Her real strength remained enigmatic—was she truly a force of immense terror, or merely a paper tiger?
“Keep an open mind and pick the softest persimmons to squeeze.”
Li Xiaobai added. Even the smallest ants are meat. While weak cultivators might not possess substantial resources, quantity could make up for quality. As long as he seized enough, Rare Earth would flow like water. Making money should be as effortless as breathing.
“Master, someone is here.”
Ma Niubi alerted cautiously.
Everyone fell silent; faint rustling noises emerged from the outside. The group stared wide-eyed as golden talismans simultaneously materialized in their hands. If things went awry, they would flee immediately—a tactic learned thoroughly from Li Xiaobai.
Outside.
Several young men and women arrived, their auras restrained and their clothes opulent; they seemed to be scions of some family.
“Senior Brother, is there truly treasure here?”
“I heard rumors recently that a mysterious individual slew the Pure Land cultivators stationed here. I suspect the anomalies originate from them!”
A female cultivator dressed in silver scanned her surroundings warily.
“No problem. In such barren land where not even birds would deign to poop, those stationed here can’t be notable experts. Killing them proves little. This outing was ordered by Master; our task is merely to scout ahead and report back. If there truly is treasure to contest, it will fall to him, not us.”
A white-clad man leisurely fanned himself, exuding an air of assured confidence.
“Furthermore, Master gifted me a magical artifact this time, more than enough to handle the dangers here!”