Chapter 38: Book Friend 20230815155328488
The vast starry sky stretched endlessly, with countless stars flickering like gems scattered across a black velvet cloth.
At this moment, within a certain region of the starry sky, space suddenly twisted and distorted. A massive rift tore open, and a figure stumbled out from within, his robes tattered and stained with blood.
This person was none other than Trương Nhược Trần.
After escaping from the pursuit of the Hắc Ám Chi Uyên Diêm Thị, he had used Không Gian Đại Na Di to flee, but the backlash from his injuries had caused him to lose his way in the void. Now, he had finally managed to tear through space and emerge.
"Finally out..."
Trương Nhược Trần let out a long breath, his face pale. The injuries he had sustained in the battle with Diêm Vô Thần were severe, and he had consumed a great deal of his strength during the escape. If not for his powerful physique, he would have collapsed long ago.
He surveyed his surroundings. This was an unfamiliar starry sky region, with no signs of life nearby. It seemed he had drifted to a remote area.
"Where is this place?"
Trương Nhược Trần frowned slightly. He attempted to sense the direction of the Thiên Đình Vũ Trụ, but the surrounding starry sky was too unfamiliar, and he could not determine his exact location for a moment.
"Forget it, let me first find a place to heal my wounds."
With that thought, Trương Nhược Trần's figure flashed and disappeared from the spot.
...
In the following days, Trương Nhược Trần wandered through this starry sky region, searching for a place suitable for healing. Along the way, he encountered some star beasts and wandering cultivators, but he avoided them all, not wanting to cause unnecessary trouble.
Finally, he found a desolate planet with a thin spiritual energy but a relatively safe environment. He set up a simple formation on the planet and began to heal his injuries.
Time passed quietly. In the blink of an eye, half a month had gone by.
During this half month, Trương Nhược Trần's injuries had mostly healed, and his strength had recovered to about seventy to eighty percent of its peak. However, the injuries left by Diêm Vô Thần were not so easily eliminated. A trace of dark power still lingered within his body, requiring time to slowly refine and expel.
"It seems I need to find a way to completely remove this dark power."
Trương Nhược Trần frowned. This dark power was like a stubborn poison, constantly eroding his body. If left unresolved, it would inevitably affect his future cultivation.
Just as he was pondering, a voice suddenly came from afar.
"Fellow Daoist, please stay!"
Trương Nhược Trần's expression changed slightly. He looked up and saw a middle-aged man in a gray robe flying toward him from a distance. The man had a square face and thick eyebrows, with a hint of sharpness in his eyes.
This person's cultivation was not weak, having reached the Thánh Vương Cảnh.
"Who are you?" Trương Nhược Trần asked cautiously.
The middle-aged man smiled and cupped his hands in greeting. "I am Lý Trường Thanh, a cultivator from the nearby Tinh Hoàn Thiên. I happened to pass by and sensed a formation here, so I came to take a look. I didn't expect to meet a fellow Daoist. May I ask your name?"
"Trương Nhược Trần."
Trương Nhược Trần replied calmly, not revealing his true identity.
"Trương Nhược Trần?"
Lý Trường Thanh's eyes flickered slightly, as if he were recalling something. Then he smiled and said, "So it's Fellow Daoist Trương. I wonder why you are here alone?"
"I was fleeing from an enemy and accidentally got lost," Trương Nhược Trần said truthfully.
"I see."
Lý Trường Thanh nodded, then said, "Since Fellow Daoist Trương has nowhere to go, why not come with me to Tinh Hoàn Thiên? That place is bustling and lively, and it's a good place to heal and recover."
Trương Nhược Trần hesitated for a moment. He was unfamiliar with this place, and if he could find a place to gather information, it would indeed be helpful. Moreover, this Lý Trường Thanh seemed to have no ill intentions.
"Then I'll trouble Fellow Daoist Lý," Trương Nhược Trần said, cupping his hands.
"Please, follow me."
Lý Trường Thanh smiled and led the way forward.
...
Tinh Hoàn Thiên was a medium-sized cultivation world, not too large, but with a fair number of cultivators. The main city, Tinh Hoàn Thành, was the most prosperous place here.
Following Lý Trường Thanh into Tinh Hoàn Thành, Trương Nhược Trần looked around. The city was indeed lively, with cultivators coming and going, and various shops and stalls lining the streets.
"Fellow Daoist Trương, this is my residence. If you don't mind, you can stay here for the time being," Lý Trường Thanh said, pointing to a courtyard.
"Thank you, Fellow Daoist Lý."
Trương Nhược Trần cupped his hands in gratitude.
After settling in, Trương Nhược Trần began to inquire about the situation in this starry sky region. From Lý Trường Thanh, he learned that this place was located at the edge of the Thiên Đình Vũ Trụ, not far from the Tinh Hoàn Thiên. It was a relatively remote area, rarely visited by powerful beings.
This made Trương Nhược Trần slightly relieved. At least for now, he wouldn't have to worry about being discovered by the Hắc Ám Chi Uyên Diêm Thị.
However, he also learned some news that troubled him. It was said that the Hắc Ám Chi Uyên Diêm Thị had recently been searching for a person named Trương Nhược Trần, offering a high reward for information about him.
"Looks like I can't stay here for long."
Trương Nhược Trần frowned. Although this place was remote, if the Diêm Thị's influence spread here, it would be dangerous.
Just as he was thinking, a voice suddenly came from outside the courtyard.
"Is Fellow Daoist Trương here?"
Trương Nhược Trần's expression changed slightly. He recognized this voice—it was Lý Trường Thanh's.
He walked out and saw Lý Trường Thanh standing in the courtyard, with a young man in white robes beside him. The young man had a handsome face and an extraordinary bearing, clearly not an ordinary person.
"Fellow Daoist Lý, who is this?" Trương Nhược Trần asked.
"This is the young master of the Tinh Hoàn Thành's Thương gia, Thương Tử Hằng. He heard that a fellow Daoist had arrived and wanted to meet you," Lý Trường Thanh said with a smile.
Thương Tử Hằng?
Trương Nhược Trần's eyes flickered slightly. He had heard of the Thương gia of Tinh Hoàn Thiên. They were a powerful family in this starry sky region, with considerable influence.
"I am Thương Tử Hằng. Greetings, Fellow Daoist Trương," the young man in white said, cupping his hands with a smile.
"Greetings, Young Master Thương," Trương Nhược Trần returned the gesture.
"Fellow Daoist Trương, I wonder if you have any interest in joining our Thương gia as a guest elder?" Thương Tử Hằng said directly.
Trương Nhược Trần was slightly startled. He hadn't expected Thương Tử Hằng to be so straightforward.
"I am currently fleeing from enemies. I'm afraid I would bring trouble to the Thương gia," Trương Nhược Trần said with a hint of hesitation.
"Haha, Fellow Daoist Trương, you flatter us. Our Thương gia, though not the strongest in Tinh Hoàn Thiên, is not afraid of trouble," Thương Tử Hằng said with a confident smile. "Moreover, with Fellow Daoist Trương's strength, joining our Thương gia would be a great help to us."
Trương Nhược Trần fell into thought. If he could rely on the Thương gia's power, it would indeed be much more convenient for him to move around in this starry sky region. Moreover, the Thương gia might have ways to help him remove the dark power within his body.
"Since Young Master Thương thinks so highly of me, I will gladly accept," Trương Nhược Trần said, cupping his hands.
"Excellent!"
Thương Tử Hằng smiled joyfully. "From today onward, Fellow Daoist Trương will be a guest elder of our Thương gia. If you need anything, just say the word."
...
Thus, Trương Nhược Trần temporarily settled down in the Thương gia of Tinh Hoàn Thiên.
During this time, he used the Thương gia's resources to heal his injuries and also searched for ways to remove the dark power within his body. However, this dark power was extremely stubborn, and ordinary methods were ineffective against it.
Just as he was feeling troubled, a piece of news caught his attention.
It was said that in the Tinh Hoàn Thành, a grand auction was about to be held, featuring a rare treasure called the Tịnh Diệt Thần Hỏa. This divine fire was said to have the power to purify all things, and it might be able to remove the dark power within his body.
"Tịnh Diệt Thần Hỏa..."
Trương Nhược Trần's eyes lit up. If he could obtain this divine fire, perhaps he could completely resolve the hidden danger in his body.
However, this Tịnh Diệt Thần Hỏa was bound to be extremely precious, and the auction would definitely attract many powerful beings. To obtain it, he would need to be well-prepared.
"Looks like I'll have to make some preparations."
Trương Nhược Trần muttered to himself, a hint of determination flashing in his eyes.