Half a day later, Chen Chen arrived at a certain store in Jade Tripod City.

Previously, he had bought more than ten shops in Jade Tripod City out of boredom so they had now become his small supply points.

"Senior Brother, everyone is here, there are a total of 32 Nascent Soul realm cultivators!"

Upon sight of Chen Chen, Yuan Qingtian walked over and said respectfully.

Chen Chen nodded and glanced at the 32 Nascent Soul realm cultivators.

The male and female Nascent Soul cultivators were of various ages, and they all had different expressions.

Some were confused, and some were determined. Others also had gratitude in their eyes, but none of them were afraid.

Chen Chen smiled when he saw that.

"Don't worry, I won't ask you guys to do something heinous that will be harmful to the world, nor will I put you in a dangerous spot. In addition to that, I, Chen Chen, dare to guarantee here that as long as you work seriously and make merit, I can help you reach the Essence Soul realm."

"Lord, you're being too polite."

"Lord, I will never forget your kindness, I dare not ask for more."

A few of them said seriously.

Chen Chen shook his head, his expression becoming more and more solemn. He said seriously, "However, I dare not guarantee that you won't die. To be honest with you, there's a very high chance that there will be an intense battle in the Boundless Sea this time. Once I return from the Boundless Sea, I'll go to other battlefields."

"So, from now on, all of you might spend your lives fighting in the future, and death would be inevitable. Anyone who's not willing to go can choose to leave now. I'll take it that I gave those things to you out of goodwill."

The crowd was silent for a while.

"Lord, is it true?"

A few moments later, a good-looking young man among the crowd who was almost half as handsome as Chen Chen, raised his head and asked.

Chen Chen smiled quietly and said, "They are just some treasures, they're not worth breaking my promise for."

"In that case, I'll take my leave now. Goodbye, I will repay your kindness in the future!"

After saying these words, the youth left.

Chen Chen did not stop him.

Although the young man was in the middle stage of the Nascent Soul realm and had excellent potential and aptitude, he wasn't worthy of Chen Chen's efforts. Even though he was the youngest and had the best potential, Chen Chen wouldn't bother making him stay.

He was very clear that there was no point in forcing something that wasn't meant to be.

As soon as he left, many people began to rebuke and criticize him angrily.

"What an ingrate. Good riddance."

"I don't want to be teammates with people who are afraid of death."

Hearing the crowd's discussion, Chen Chen gestured for everyone to keep quiet.

"It's not too late to leave now if you want to, but it won't be so easy for you to leave later."

"Lord, don't go on any further. We are willing to follow you even if we die!"

"Me too!"

"Me too!"

...

Many people declared their sincerity. Seeing this, Chen Chen said with a smile of satisfaction, "I hope that you won't regret your decision today in the future."

After saying that, Chen Chen took out a spirit boat from his storage ring.

He had spent a ton of money on the spirit boat that could fit 50 people. It traveled at an extremely fast speed that was even faster than ordinary peak Nascent Soul realm cultivators. Its value is definitely much higher than Yu Huo's spirit boat.

The cultivators were already aware of the destination of this trip. After seeing the spirit boat, they all flew upwards without hesitating. Chen Chen was the last to step on the spirit boat.

When the spirit boat flew into the sky, it started flying at an extreme speed before the spiritual power shield was opened. However, the young man who had left actually returned and boarded the spirit boat.

When Chen Chen saw him, he frowned and said coldly, "What do you mean by this? Do you think you can just come and go as you please?"

Hearing his words, the young man got on one knee with a loud thud, his eyes full of shame and guilt.

"Previously, I've been projecting my shortcomings onto others. However, in this life, I detest those who are hypocritical and cowardly. However, after I heard your words, I thought that you..."

Chen Chen sneered when he heard that. "Do you think I'd secretly send people to plot against you? How dare you flee after having such thoughts? Aren't you scared of dying?"

The young man didn't say anything after hearing that, but his face was already completely flushed.

The other cultivators who secretly had suspicions about Chen Chen, too, could not help but hang their heads low.

After a long time, the young man sobbed and said, "If you are sincere in fighting against the demons, I'll be willing to follow you for the rest of my life and die for you!"

Two drops of his tears landed on the deck of the spirit boat.

Seeing this scene, Chen Chen frowned slightly.

Apart from being too generous, Chen Chen's other minor flaw was being too softhearted.

The young man suddenly cried. Chen Chen reckoned that there was more to him.

He actually found the young man trustworthy.

Otherwise, he would have thrown him off the spirit boat, because he didn't have time to listen to his nonsense at all.

"Okay, get up and stop crying like a child. I'll forgive you this time but remember not to make this mistake again."

The young man smiled and stood up. When he raised his head again, his expression had become resolute.

"What's your name?" Chen Chen asked.

"Xiao Yun."

...

A few moments later...

Chen Chen roughly understood the details of Xiao Yun's background.

He was the son of a certain general of the imperial dynasty who was at the Essence Soul realm but unfortunately died in the battle between the two races half a year ago.

More than three months ago, both of his late-stage Nascent Soul realm cultivators had died in battle too.

Xiao Yun's younger sister, who was now at a tender age, was his only kin left.

However, his father and brothers had left behind a lot of cultivation resources for him.

However, he had a vicious and ruthless uncle.

What follows is a tragic story of Xiao Yun's life.

Xiao Yun escaped and brought his sister to the Eastern Border. During the journey, his younger sister was badly injured, and as a last resort, Xiao Yun went to the Jade Tripod Alchemy Clan to get some recovery elixirs.

After hearing that, Chen Chen sighed.

That was reality.

Regardless of what situation humans have reached, they would have to kill each other when necessary.

...

Several hours passed.

The spirit boat stopped at a certain city in the Eastern Border near the Boundless Sea.

For most of the cultivators in the spirit boat, it was their first time seeing the Boundless Sea, so after disembarking, they couldn't help but look into the distance with curiosity.

"Lord, you're here. I've already been waiting here for a long time!"

As soon as Chen Chen stepped off the spirit boat, Nan Pinghai appeared in front of Chen Chen immediately with a humble attitude, as usual.

Although he was a mid-stage Essence Soul realm cultivator, he did not put on any airs in front of Chen Chen who was much younger than him.

The reason being, he knew how powerful Chen Chen was.

Chen Chen had merely given him some tokens, but the giant ship really hadn't encountered any demons at sea when they traveled with the token.

That mysterious force's ability to summon the sea demons was simply worlds apart from it.

"You did a good job the other time."

Chen Chen casually praised.

Nan Pinghai hurriedly and politely said, "Lord, with your guidance and support, anyone would be able to do that. I dare not take credit for it."

After saying that, he glanced at the thirty-odd Nascent Soul realm powerhouses and said softly, "Lord, why did you bring so many people..."

Nan Pinghai was honestly a little worried.

He was worried that the people Chen Chen had brought would take over his place.

Although he was being modest by saying those things just now, it wasn't far from the truth.

With Chen Chen's ability, he could basically run the merchant alliance well as long as the members weren't fools.

Besides, if Chen Chen really wanted to replace him with an acquaintance, he would have no choice but to resign himself to his fate and even properly assist the newcomer.

Chen Chen could tell what he was thinking at a glance. He smiled and said, "I won't engage anyone I don't trust. Don't dwell on it, I came here mostly for the sake of taking revenge and letting those who harmed the Jade Tripod Alchemy Clan know that they can't mess with just anyone."

Hearing this, Nan Pinghai said a few more pleasantries but he thought otherwise.

The few Nascent Soul realm cultivators seemed to be capable, but their combat abilities were limited.

In fact, they were much worse than the merchant alliance, because seven ship owners in the merchant alliance were all Essence Soul realm cultivators, just like him.

Before he could continue thinking, Chen Chen already began to ask about the matter regarding elixirs.

"Did a large number of Jade Tripod Alchemy Clan elixirs get introduced to the market today?"

"No, but based on my observation and experience, there might be a little more than usual. Of course, I'm not very sure about it," Nan Pinghai answered truthfully.

Chen Chen nodded after coming to a realization.

The cultivator who had robbed the Jade Tripod Alchemy Clan cultivator was not a fool either, and he couldn't have put all 1,000 elixirs on the market immediately.

In that case, Chen Chen would have to search along with the clues, but he believed that he would find the culprit soon.

If he were them, he would very likely keep the majority of the elixirs for his own use. He would then slowly sell the rest of the pills so that others wouldn't be able to find out.

At the thought of this, Chen Chen ordered immediately, "Nan Pinghai, purchase all the elixirs that have been circulating in the market recently, and note down the source."

"Yes!"

Nan Pinghai did not hesitate or mention about the Spirit Stones. Instead, he turned around to leave after assenting.