Fang Chen smiled at Nanming Shaoze, then turned his gaze back to Jiang Chen. The external cultivators beside Jiang Chen looked embarrassed, not daring to meet Fang Chen's eyes.

After a few moments of silence, Jiang Chen forced a stiff smile and clasped his hands in salute. "So it's Core Disciple Fang..."

He had no idea whether Fang Chen had heard how he referred to him.

"Core disciple?!"

"He's actually a core disciple!"

"No wonder Jiang Chen's attitude changed so drastically!"

"How did a core disciple end up at Enlightenment Market? Even the Hall of Merits doesn't have what he needs?"

The surrounding cultivators were shocked. Most of them now looked at Fang Chen with clear reverence. The stall owner who had earlier dismissed Fang Chen's inquiry about top-grade spirit stones saw the commotion from afar. When he realized Fang Chen was a core disciple, regret flooded his face. He nearly slapped himself.

A core disciple would naturally not lack immortal crystals. Collecting dozens of top-grade spirit stones was entirely reasonable, yet he had thought Fang Chen was just bragging.

Fang Chen looked at Jiang Chen and sighed. "I preferred the unruly look you had earlier."

Jiang Chen's expression was a storm of shifting emotions. He was furious, but reason held him back. He absolutely could not offend Fang Chen.

After the battle at Great Thunder Sound, who in the Enlightenment God Palace did not know of Fang Chen's reputation. He had advanced to become a core disciple at unprecedented speed. Then, in the midst of battle, he comprehended two Formation Immortal Arts, instantly becoming a top-tier core disciple. Even Jiang Chen's ancestor had warned him not to provoke Core Disciple Fang again. The gap between them was no longer merely that of a core disciple against an external member.

Even if I become a core disciple, it will take a long time before I can possibly comprehend a Formation Immortal Art. And without Formation Immortal Arts, even identical Immortal Boat Formations differ greatly in power...

With that thought, Jiang Chen forced a smile and cupped his hands. "Core Disciple Fang, I have made a fool of myself. I had a small misunderstanding with Nanming Shaoze earlier. Fortunately, it wasn't anything serious."

Then he turned to Nanming Shaoze and cupped his hands again. "Daoist Shaoze, my apologies."

Nanming Shaoze nodded coolly, a trace of mockery in his eyes.

The surrounding cultivators couldn't help but sigh. Even someone backed by an elder had to bow when facing a core disciple.

Their impression of a core disciple's status deepened even further.

"Core Disciple Fang... may I leave now?" Jiang Chen asked with an awkward smile.

Fang Chen nodded. "Take care. Until next time."

Jiang Chen departed swiftly with his entourage, not daring to linger.

The stall owner looked grateful, though due to the disparity in status, he didn't dare approach too abruptly to express thanks.

"Core Disciple Fang, what brings you here?" Nanming Shaoze asked curiously.

"I came to buy some top-grade spirit stones. Though it seems this place doesn't have what I'm looking for." Fang Chen smiled. "What about you?"

The nearby external cultivators' eyes flickered.

Top-grade spirit stones?

Nanming Shaoze was surprised as well. He had vaguely heard that Fang Chen liked collecting such things.

So even core disciples had their own peculiar hobbies.

"I came to meet a few old friends and catch up. I was just about to leave when I saw this little transaction going on," Nanming Shaoze replied.

Fang Chen shook his head with a faint smile. "Strange. Elder Jiang has quite a decent temperament. How did Jiang Chen turn out like this?"

Jiang Chen's every action showed how narrow-minded he was.

"I heard Jiang Chen wandered outside for many years before returning to acknowledge his lineage. He probably picked up some bad habits along the way," Nanming Shaoze shared quietly.

While the two chatted casually, a figure approached cautiously.

"C-Core Disciple Fang."

It was the stall owner from earlier. He had an ingratiating smile plastered on his face as he cupped his hands.

"Yes?" Fang Chen said.

"I was unaware of your esteemed identity earlier. If I offended you in any way, please forgive me," said the stall owner, giving a bitter smile. "After all, collecting dozens of top-grade spirit stones would cost at least over a hundred immortal crystals. Ordinary cultivators simply don't have that kind of means."

A hundred immortal crystals, in some remote regions, could buy a first-transformation immortal herb.

"Cut to the chase," Fang Chen said calmly.

The stall owner hurried on. "Core Disciple Fang, I know another external cultivator who's also a collector. If you're looking for top-grade spirit stones, he's your best bet."

Fang Chen's interest was piqued. "A collector? How many does he have?"

"At least 30!" The stall owner revealed confidently. "Possibly more."

"Where does he live? Take me there."

"With pleasure, Core Disciple Fang. This way, please."

***

The collector the stall owner mentioned lived not far from Enlightenment Market. The area was rich in spiritual energy and scenic. Cave dwellings dotted the mountainsides.

The stall owner knocked on the cave entrance. "Old Bai! Old Bai! A distinguished guest is here! Open up!"

Ripples spread outward, indicating the defensive formation was active.

"Strange. Not home? But the formation is active..." the stall owner muttered.

Worried Fang Chen might think he was playing tricks, he quickly knocked again.

Ten minutes passed, yet the collector still didn't come to the door. The collector could only shake his head awkwardly. "Core Disciple Fang, perhaps Old Bai is in seclusion."

"No. Even in seclusion, with this much noise, he should have noticed us." Fang Chen frowned slightly. "Step back."

The stall owner jumped and hurried aside.

A streak of sword light swept across. The defensive formation was instantly sliced open with a crack. The cave door shattered like tofu. Even so, there was no response from within.

Fang Chen walked straight inside.

The stall owner stood there stunned.

If an ordinary cultivator had done it, it would've led to a life-or-death battle. But considering Fang Chen's status, he felt somewhat reassured. Old Bai didn't have the gall to offend a core disciple.

They entered deeper into the cave. A figure sat within, bathed in blue light, eyes closed, appearing to be in secluded cultivation.

Immediately, Fang Chen noticed something afoot.

"He's a fourth-transformation immortal... but at this moment..." His expression grew increasingly grave. "It seems he's undergoing a demonic calamity."

"Old Bai! What kind of seclusion is this? No response at all? Good thing it was Core Disciple Fang and me. If someone else had barged in, what would you have done?"

The stall owner muttered as he walked toward Old Bai, seemingly intending to wake him.

"Don't go any further. Stay where you are," Fang Chen said calmly, while sending a streak of sword qi outward.

The stall owner froze. "Core Disciple Fang... what's wrong?"

"There's a problem. I've called someone to take a look. Don't worry, this has nothing to do with you."

Fang Chen kept his eyes fixed on the cultivator trapped in demonic calamity.

The demon race... has already begun acting on Enlightenment Star?

Aside from Old Bai, how many external cultivators were also experiencing demonic calamity? And those who had not awakened their memories, had they already been silenced? Otherwise, there would have been rumors by now.