Since it was a place where powerful cultivators trained, they naturally didn’t want to be disturbed. So some people carved formations at their cultivation sites, set up traps, or even left behind puppets—meaning even top experts entering could be wounded or killed by things left from earlier generations.
After tens of thousands of years of accumulation, the inner Crystal Source region became a place rich in heaven-and-earth treasures—but also extremely dangerous. One wrong step and you might land in some freak’s private space, never see light again, or just die there.
“In the end, it wasn’t originally a dangerous place. But after tens of thousands of years and the selfishness of sects and clans, the inside has become a death zone.” Evan Yang, who understood the whole process, sighed helplessly.
“Exactly. But there’s nothing we can do—it's the best place for cultivation in the whole Eastern Continent.” Jade Rabbit commented in a very human-like tone.
“This time, we’ll just walk around the outskirts—we don’t need to go inside. Otherwise, we wouldn’t even know how we died.” After hearing all that, Evan Yang started to worry about the Death Crystal Field. Even if he reached it, he absolutely wouldn’t enter; nobody jokes around with their own life.
Jade Rabbit also realized how serious the problem was, and naturally nodded.
“We need to get a map of the outer area first.” Once Jade Rabbit agreed, Evan Yang planned to enter the outskirts—but not before getting a map to avoid getting lost.
After asking around a lot, Evan Yang learned that maps were restricted—only one shop in the city sold them. Everyone seemed to accept this situation, so Evan had no choice but to head there himself.
When Evan Yang arrived, he found the place packed—everyone was shouting to buy maps.
“There are so many people this time.” Evan Yang exclaimed in surprise when he saw the crowd.
"City Lord, it's the guy who made you lose a lot of Spirit Crystal Ore last time, and the one the higher-ups are looking for now," the trusted subordinate explained in detail.
Forden Wayne, who had been excited about counting Spirit Crystal Ore, suddenly jumped up and shouted, "What? Why didn't you tell me earlier!"
The subordinate looked aggrieved at Forden Wayne, trying to explain.
Finally realizing, Forden Wayne cursed, "Quick, follow him!"
"But he's already gone," the subordinate said, feeling frustrated.
"Whether he's gone or not, you'd better send someone to search the city. If you can't find him, don't come back—useless fool!" Forden Wayne said angrily.
Hearing this, the subordinate hurried off to gather helpers and search for Evan Yang's whereabouts.
After the subordinate left, Forden Wayne cursed, "Damn brat, don't think just because the higher-ups are looking for you I'll let you go."
Looking at the Spirit Crystal Ore beside him and thinking of all the ore Evan Yang had won from him, Forden Wayne couldn't sit still anymore. The excitement was gone, replaced by rage and a murderous aura.
After a long time without any news, Forden Wayne returned to the City Lord's residence, found the subordinate from earlier, and asked, "Still haven't found him?"
"City Lord, he probably took the map and went there," the subordinate replied, since they couldn't find him in the city.
"What? He's going there too?" Hearing that Evan Yang was heading there, Forden Wayne was first shocked, then a lot of thoughts flashed through his mind.
The others stood waiting for orders. Forden Wayne regained his composure, smiled, and said, "Alright, you’re not needed here. Go do your jobs, and sell more maps if you can."
"City Lord, what about that beggar?" the subordinate asked, confused.
"Didn’t you understand what I said? This matter ends here. If the higher-ups want him, they’ll find him themselves—it’s none of our business." Forden Wayne glared, scaring the others into quickly leaving.
Only Forden Wayne’s old butler remained. He stepped forward and asked, "City Lord, what are your plans?"
"I only trust you with this," Forden Wayne said after thinking for a moment. "You’ll have to run this errand for me."
"I am willing to serve the City Lord," the butler replied.
"Don’t let anyone know about this—I want him quietly wiped out, so neither the higher-ups nor his backers will come after me." Forden Wayne finally made up his mind to eliminate Evan Yang, the one who had humiliated him.
The butler, initially startled, steadied himself and asked, "What do you want me to do, City Lord?"
"Go find them, pay a high price for his life. Once he’s caught, hand over the money." Forden Wayne, practiced in these dark dealings, gave his instructions. The butler, understanding, quietly left.
After everyone had left, Forden Wayne snorted coldly, "Damn beggar, just wait. If you dare enter that place, I’ll make sure someone takes care of you!"
The butler left the City Lord’s residence and headed to a mountain not far outside the city. He followed a winding path up to a cliff, imitated an eagle’s call, and soon a man flew up from below. Recognizing the butler, he took him down the cliff and into a cave.
The two moved in silence, following the mysterious man through a tunnel deeper into the mountain. Only after passing several guards did the butler relax. In a secret chamber, a middle-aged man with one eye sat on a tiger-skin seat, watching the butler.
The others left the chamber, leaving the butler facing the one-eyed man. The butler smiled and said, "Daoist Li, how have you been lately?"
"How am I? Same as always—cultivating, fighting, just getting by. But you? What business do you have this time?" The one-eyed man stood up and laughed.
"This time, my master wants a certain person," the butler said with a sly smile.
"Oh? Who is it? And how much is the price?" The one-eyed man, used to such deals, asked with a grin.
"A beggar at mid Foundation-Building realm. He offended my master, and now my master is furious, so I want you to help us out." The butler revealed Evan Yang's identity, but deliberately withheld his alchemy skills, worried the man might refuse the job.
"Mid Foundation-Building? Which sect is he from, or is he from a family?" The one-eyed man stared at the butler and asked.
"Ten thousand mid-grade Spirit Crystal Ore. How about it?" The butler didn't answer, just offered the price directly.
"Ten thousand? That's not a small sum. Anyone worth that much must be something special, right?" The one-eyed man pressed further.
"Fifteen thousand?" The butler, avoiding details about Evan Yang, simply raised the offer.
"Twenty thousand. No matter who he is, I'll catch him for you. Deal?" The one-eyed man confidently replied.
"That's a hefty price, but I like it. Twenty thousand. He'll show up near the Death Crystal Field—you can look for him there. Deliver him within ten days." The butler handed over a portrait of Evan Yang, then turned and left.
The one-eyed man took the portrait, studied it for a moment, then knocked on a rock behind the chamber. The wall automatically swung open.
After passing through the secret chamber, the wall closed behind him. The one-eyed man walked confidently down the tunnel and entered another simple chamber.
Arriving at the chamber, the one-eyed man muttered, "Aaron Long requests an audience with Miss."
The quiet chamber suddenly revealed a woman's figure. Her face was covered by a white veil, so her appearance was unknown, but her graceful figure and silent steps made her seem like a fairy before him.
The one-eyed man was used to this scene. He said, "Miss, Eightfold City wants to capture someone."
"Eightfold City? A third-tier city’s matters—why ask me?" the woman said quietly.
"But the person they want to capture looks a lot like the one you’ve been searching for." As he spoke, the one-eyed man presented the portrait the butler had given him.
The silent woman was startled, quickly took the portrait, and after seeing Evan Yang’s beggar disguise, took a deep breath. "Eightfold City? Who wants to catch him?"
"According to our investigation, the client is Forden Wayne, City Lord of Eightfold City." The one-eyed man, who had dealt with Forden Wayne before, reported all the details.
"Eightfold City? Forden Wayne? What price did he offer? Any intel?" The woman returned the portrait and asked.
"Twenty thousand mid-grade Spirit Crystal Ore, deliver him within ten days. He’s said to be at mid Foundation-Building realm and will appear near the Death Crystal Field." The one-eyed man relayed the butler’s message without holding anything back.
"Twenty thousand mid-grade? A mid Foundation-Building cultivator? Ten days? Death Crystal Field?" The woman repeated the key points, clearly taking a keen interest.