Cultivation : I'm an Ancient Giant Bear-Chapter 401 - 380: Internal and External Troubles

"That Hidden Origin Bell is most likely an Immortal Artifact, otherwise it couldn’t hold the venue."

Wang Wu contemplated in his heart, now that he had eight hundred strands of the Five Qi of the Human World, which meant he could purchase protection of equal value from the Hidden Origin Bell, or he could buy various supplies from the Hidden Origin Association using the Jade Talisman.

For example, a small courtyard with permanent property rights in Dragon Head City, the selling price was as high as ten thousand strands of the Five Qi of the Human World, which was simply outrageous.

Wang Wu thought it was too exaggerated.

Because the value of real estate in Dragon Head City entirely depended on the presence of the Hidden Origin Association here, if one day the Hidden Origin Association was no longer here, the real estate would become worthless.

"I won’t buy, never will, but I can definitely rent. Yeah, I really can, thirty strands of the Five Qi of the Human World a month, renting a Night Watchman’s hut, who are they looking down on!"

"I want a more upscale residence!"

A moment later, Wang Wu decided to rent a woodshed room for ten strands a month, but it required serving as a Night Watchman, which was a great value.

This is the place.

Wang Wu followed the guidance of the Jade Talisman directly to his new home, actually, he just wanted a single room—

Moments later, his expression froze because standing before him was the same kind-hearted man from yesterday, the somewhat gloomy man.

"Why is it you again?"

"Haha, big brother, I’m just here to thank you, this Night Watchman job is pretty good, free meals and lodging, it’s really great!"

Wang Wu said with an awkward smile, the man was really just a mortal, so he couldn’t explain why he wanted to rent a single room?

"These days, it’s hard to do anything, take care of yourself." 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

The man with a gloomy face quickly walked away, he seemed to be working in the government office?

"Forget it, I’ll just stick to the Night Watchman’s hut."

Wang Wu now was reluctant to even spend ten strands of the Five Qi of the Human World each month.

As dusk approached...

"Hmm? Another task!"

Wang Wu’s heart stirred, the contents of the Jade Talisman were instantly clear, it wasn’t a task, but a sales promotion, what the hell? Thirty percent off, no, even fifty percent off promotion, damn, so tempting!

At this moment, his interest was really piqued, no need to worry about night duty, as the Hao Mao Monarch would patrol automatically, ensuring no issues.

But this kind of fifty percent off promotion was really—

"Friend, are you willing to sell the Five Qi of the Human World?"

Just as Wang Wu was planning to make a big purchase, he suddenly heard a somewhat deep, hoarse voice, which startled him because he was currently in Level 24 Passive Concealment status, even Gui Taizhen couldn’t detect him, who could spot him here?

However, no one was around, yet the voice rang again, and only then did Wang Wu realize.

Damn, the other party was contacting him through the Hidden Origin Association’s Jade Talisman.

"Hold on, sir, are you also a Steward of the Hidden Origin Association? Do you know that private transactions of the Five Qi of the Human World are prohibited!"

Wang Wu declared righteously.

"One million Fighting Spiritual Qi, or a small courtyard’s fifty-year lease, in exchange for all the Five Qi of the Human World you have, or whatever you need? Just name it as long as it’s not above this price."

What the hell!

Wang Wu was stunned, what kind of bigshot had he encountered, was it Soros or a stock market tycoon?

Yes, he keenly realized this was definitely no simple matter.

Because on one side, the Hidden Origin Association was publicly offering a fifty percent off promotion, while on the other side, someone was privately purchasing the Five Qi of the Human World.

Perhaps both parties were in cahoots, perhaps not.

But the goal was the same, to reclaim as much of the Five Qi of the Human World as possible in the market.

It seemed as if the Hidden Origin Association was about to back down?

If more than ninety percent of the Five Qi of the Human World was recovered, there wouldn’t be much left in Dragon Head City, then whether the Hidden Origin Association left or not, the cultivators wouldn’t be able to get protection because if you don’t have the Five Qi of the Human World, the Hidden Origin Association has no obligation to protect you.

In such a scenario, Gui Taizhen could enter the city to hunt him down.

Similarly, this guy looking to privately purchase the Five Qi of the Human World was probably hedging against the Hidden Origin Association’s operations.

Things are a bit complicated!

Thinking of this, Wang Wu wouldn’t even consider selling his Five Qi of the Human World, this stuff might be useless elsewhere, but in Dragon Head City, it could directly grant protection from the Hidden Origin Bell, which might be a rule even those high up in the Hidden Origin Association can’t change.

"Sorry, I don’t want to sell, no price will make me sell, and I’m not at all interested in the Hidden Origin Association’s fifty percent off promotion, if possible, I’d actually like to buy some Five Qi of the Human World, do you have any connections?"

The other side was silent for a moment, seemingly multitasking?

"You want to buy the Five Qi of the Human World, why not go take tasks, currently the Hidden Origin Association has more tasks than you can count, as long as you’re willing, earning thousands of strands of the Five Qi of the Human World daily is very easy."

"Huh? So many, why haven’t I seen any!"

Wang Wu was very surprised.

"Because you’re a Ninth-Grade Steward, the higher-ups of the Hidden Origin Association have set tasks for those ranked Fifth-Grade Steward or above, of course, these tasks are incredibly difficult, lacking strength could easily cost your life!"

So that’s how it is.

Wang Wu understood, the security tasks for Tieshan Town and the Profound Iron Mine he took before were all thanks to Brother Gongfu.

Also, he understood why Brother Gongfu hadn’t contacted him later on, clearly he thought Wang Wu didn’t listen, took the task, gained benefits, and ran away, who wouldn’t be frustrated losing face like that.

"So, is the Hidden Origin Association planning something?"

Wang Wu asked directly.

The other side immediately answered, "You’re smart, indeed, the Hidden Origin Association doesn’t want to offend Gui Taizhen, they’re compromising, but this will ruin Dragon Head City and all the cultivators sheltering under the Hidden Origin Association, once they collect the majority of the market’s Five Qi of the Human World, the Hidden Origin Bell will no longer protect this place."

"Do you understand what I mean?"

"I understand, but why don’t you take the mission? You also said that you can collect thousands of strands in one day."

"Thousands of strands are simply not enough. Currently, the Five Qi of the Human World on the market is about a million strands. To maintain the basic operation of the Hidden Origin Bell, the market must ensure five hundred thousand strands of the Five Qi of the Human World. I have collected from various sources, and I have less than one hundred thousand strands in hand. I didn’t want to be so urgent, but the appearance of Gui Taizhen and the cowardice and inaction of the upper echelons of the Hidden Origin Association left me with no choice."

"Wow, you’re amazing, can we be friends?"

Wang Wu felt like he had found someone to lean on.

"Let’s not talk about friendship, but we can cooperate a little."

"How to cooperate?"

"Simple, give me your most precious magical treasure, and I’ll lend you ten thousand strands of the Five Qi of Heaven and Earth. This can immediately promote you to a Fifth-Grade Steward of the Hidden Origin Association. After that, you only need to earn back ten thousand strands to redeem your magical treasure. How about it?"

Upon hearing this, Wang Wu smiled, "It seems you are indeed in a hurry."

"I have no other choice. If the high-levels of the Hidden Origin Association take back most of the Five Qi of the Human World from the market, Dragon Head City will be destroyed, and this could even affect the entire structure of the Vermilion Bird Immortal Alliance!"

"Really? That serious?"

Wang Wu laughed heartily, feeling it was a bit exaggerated.

Affecting the Vermilion Bird Immortal Alliance, such a large Immortal Alliance, the Immortals behind it are vegetarians?

"Alright! I agree. How do we transact?"

"Go here, the Jade Talisman will guide you."

The other party seemed really anxious.

But Wang Wu was actually more anxious because he truly knew that the actions of the Hidden Origin Association were almost equivalent to selling him to Gui Taizhen.

He could just leave, but all the mortals in Dragon Head City would be doomed.

If Gui Taizhen entered the city, did you really think it would resort to torture?

No, it wouldn’t. It would directly start a massacre, and the only one left alive would be Xiong Wu.

He also had no choice.

Following the guidance on the Jade Talisman, Wang Wu quickly arrived at a common courtyard in the north city of Dragon Head City. Here, Wang Wu threw out a strand of fur that transformed into himself, transferring eight hundred strands of the Five Qi of the Human World, and directly offered his Ape King Skull as the magical treasure.

What he didn’t expect was that although he was cautious, the other party was even more cautious, not appearing at all, only sending a paper crane that carried a Jade Talisman. It flew over and instructed Wang Wu to make contact with the Jade Talisman, resulting in the successful transfer of ten thousand strands of the Five Qi of the Human World.

Then, the other party efficiently took the Ape King Skull, and the transaction was completed.

Wang Wu also had no time to make small talk with the other party. After reclaiming the fur, he opened the Jade Talisman again and indeed, information appeared on it.

The first entry was about submitting ten thousand strands of the Five Qi of the Human World to receive the Hidden Origin Association’s Fifth-Grade Steward Jade Talisman. This Jade Talisman can be used effectively at any branch of the Hidden Origin Association within the Twelve Immortal Alliances.

Very high value!

But, Twelve Immortal Alliances?

Branch?

Additionally, as a Fifth-Grade Steward, one can enjoy the most basic survival guarantee when being attacked by Earth Immortal targets within ten thousand miles of the Hidden Origin Bell.

This is great.

Wang Wu pondered for a moment, then decisively submitted ten thousand strands of the Five Qi of the Human World. His Jade Talisman instantly transformed into Spiritual Light and flew up into the Spirit Net. Amid the roar of the Hidden Origin Bell, a new Jade Talisman dropped down.

The whole process was very quick.

The efficiency was very high.

Immediately, lines of information appeared on the Jade Talisman.

"You have become the 196th Fifth-Grade Steward of the Vermilion Bird Immortal Alliance branch of the Hidden Origin Association."

"You have gained higher privileges, and you can take on more tasks now."

"Friendly reminder, you currently have sixty-eight tasks available to you."

...

Wow, so many?

Fellow colleagues at the Hidden Origin Association aren’t very reliable.

Wang Wu chuckled and carelessly clicked on a task, then his expression turned serious.

Because at the very top of the task was a blood-red light.

"A piece of cargo was robbed by unknown enemies six thousand eight hundred miles north and has not been recovered yet. This cargo is extremely important, and anyone who retrieves it will receive 8,000 strands of the Five Qi of Heaven and Earth!"

"Warning, three Fourth-Grade Stewards and nine Fifth-Grade Stewards have died executing this task, please be cautious!"

"Warning, the tracking mark inside the cargo will become invalid twelve hours from now!"

"Friendly reminder, as you are a Fifth-Grade Steward of the Hidden Origin Association, as long as you don’t leave the ten-thousand-mile range of the Hidden Origin Bell, the Bell will provide basic life protection if being attacked by Earth Immortal or higher targets."

——

"Damn!"

Conspiracy, definitely damn conspiracy!

Wang Wu felt a chill rise in his heart. After a brief consideration, he decisively took on this task.

Because with a tracking mark, there’s no need to waste effort searching; it’s just a trap after all.

As long as Gui Taizhen doesn’t make a move, and with the basic guarantee from the Hidden Origin Bell.

This task was practically made for him!