Chu Xuan not only acquired treasures but also gathered information.

After a few days, he had become increasingly well-versed in the current situation on Desolate Island. From his sources, he learned that the three Deity Transformation cultivators—Moon True Master, Yellow Spring True Master, and White Bone True Master—were all absent from the island.

These three Deity Transformation cultivators were instead meeting with other Deity Transformation cultivators in the vicinity of Desolate Island, discussing Dao over tea. Their primary purpose was to prevent the entry of Deity Transformation cultivators from the Eastern and Western Third Rings into Desolate Island.

The strongest beings on the island were limited to a few Nascent Soul cultivators at the ninth level. Notable among them were Moon True Master's eldest disciple, Feng Zhutie, Yellow Spring True Master's underling, Xia Shi, and White Bone True Master's disciple, Qu Xiao.

Beyond these few, the greatest danger on the island came from the fire spirits living beneath the surface.

These fire spirits were similar to the Nether Fire Spirits found in the Holy Flame Star. Their sentience developed over the course of countless years due to the overwhelming concentration of Fire Spiritual Qi, gradually taking on beastly forms. With volcanic eruptions, these fire spirits had risen to the surface.

However, they could not stray too far from the volcano, for doing so would cause them to dissolve. Despite this limitation, their existence made obtaining treasures on the island an arduous task, forcing cultivators to bring numerous hidden cards with them.

The strength of these fire spirits varied. The weakest were comparable to Golden Core demonic beasts, while the strongest were equivalent to late-stage Nascent Soul cultivators. So far, no Deity Transformation Fire Spirit Kings had been discovered.

Upon learning this information, Chu Xuan felt a sense of security.

Desolate Island held no creatures capable of threatening him. This truly was the ideal dungeon environment for demonic cultivators—safe, reliable, and brimming with treasures!

Filled with confidence, Chu Xuan planned to choose an auspicious day to venture into the dungeon.

However, just as he was fully armed and about to leave the stone house, he suddenly felt an odd sensation, his gaze shifting toward a figure not far off.

The figure was cloaked in a hooded robe, just stepping out of a stone house that dealt in information.

The person didn't seem to notice Chu Xuan. But a strange feeling washed over Chu Xuan. This individual exuded a powerful sense of threat—far surpassing any Nascent Soul cultivator he had encountered on Desolate Island.

In that instant, Chu Xuan was certain: this person was undoubtedly a Deity Transformation cultivator who had concealed their cultivation!

Chu Xuan inwardly cursed.

What were Moon True Master, Yellow Spring True Master, and White Bone True Master doing?

A Deity Transformation cultivator had hidden their cultivation and infiltrated Desolate Island right under their noses.

And yet, they couldn't detect a thing.

What a disgrace to Deity Transformation cultivators!

Without a moment's hesitation, Chu Xuan turned and swiftly returned to his stone house, reopening his business.

The cultivator passing by stopped in his tracks, surprised. "Huh, Master Liu, weren't you closed earlier? Why have you reopened?"

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Chu Xuan glanced at him indifferently. "Do you have a problem?"

The cultivator immediately shuddered. "No, no, how could I dare?!"

He quickly walked away, not daring to approach this formidable talisman master.

Chu Xuan suppressed his aura with all his might, using the escape technique to conceal his presence. He sighed deeply.

"I finally had a change of heart, thinking of diving into a dungeon. Why is it so difficult?"

He shook his head and decided to return to his usual business. "I'll continue selling my small talismans. A few more days of Nascent Soul mid-grade demonic talismans, then I'll start selling Nascent Soul high-grade ones. Prices will go up again. Let's drain these cultivators' pockets a little more."

...

Meanwhile, Master Tiancang frowned as he pondered. "Strange, I felt a strange sensation just now. Since coming to the Starshatter Sea, I've often had this feeling. Could it be that Desolate Island is the place where a rare treasure will emerge? It doesn't seem like it."

He thought for a moment, then decided to observe the situation for a few more days and gather more information before making any plans.

...

Several days later, Chu Xuan's shop was visited by a familiar customer.

Zhao Kongming walked into the stone house with a hearty laugh and cupped his hands toward Chu Xuan. "Master Liu, I'm here again. Same as last time, two Nascent Soul mid-grade demonic talismans."

As he was about to take out the spirit stones to pay, he noticed that the demonic talismans displayed on the counter had been divided into three categories. Just one glance told him that the quality of these talismans was far superior to those he had purchased before.

The sign beside them indicated that each talisman now cost seventeen great spirit stones.

Zhao Kongming was taken aback. "Master Liu, these talismans... could they be..."

Chu Xuan smiled and nodded. "Indeed, they are Nascent Soul high-grade demonic talismans."

Zhao Kongming burst into laughter. "Good, good, good! I never expected that Master Liu could even craft Nascent Soul high-grade talismans!"

He generously took out thirty-four great spirit stones and purchased two of the Nascent Soul high-grade talismans.

His straightforward payment without any haggling made Chu Xuan feel rather pleased.

Suddenly, Chu Xuan asked, "Master Zhao, since you frequently visit Desolate Island, are there any recent major events?"

Zhao Kongming nodded. "Actually, yes! You must have heard of Qu Xiao from White Bone Island. He's a Nascent Soul ninth level cultivator, incredibly strong."

Chu Xuan nodded.

Zhao Kongming lowered his voice. "I heard that Qu Xiao, along with two Nascent Soul early-stage cultivators from White Bone Island, went out on a treasure hunt and were suddenly ambushed by a large number of fire spirits. The two Nascent Soul early-stage cultivators were killed on the spot. Qu Xiao was heavily injured but managed to escape with luck. That day, I happened to be nearby and heard the deafening roars. The threat was undeniable… I suspect that a Deity Transformation fire spirit king might have appeared."

Zhao Kongming's face darkened. "Luckily, my golden-maned lion was quick-witted. It immediately carried me away, and we barely escaped that area."

Chu Xuan immediately raised an eyebrow.

A Deity Transformation fire spirit king?

He hadn't expected that to be the case. However, upon further thought, it made sense that a Deity Transformation demonic beast might exist. After all, Desolate Island had been around for an unknown length of time, and the underground lava had been boiling and roaring for countless years. It was only natural that a Deity Transformation demonic beast could be nurtured there.

Zhao Kongming added, "That day, many cultivators heard that roar. If you ask a few more people, Master Liu, you'll know I'm not lying."

Chu Xuan smiled and nodded. "I trust what Master Zhao says."

After Zhao Kongming left, a few more cultivators came to purchase demonic talismans. After questioning them, they all confirmed similar details to what Zhao Kongming had said. This further confirmed the existence of the Deity Transformation fire spirit.

Chu Xuan stroked his chin thoughtfully. It was fortunate he hadn't entered the dungeon yet, or he might have encountered that fire spirit king.

"Now there's a shameless Deity Transformation cultivator on the island. Perhaps I could use that fire spirit king... drive the tiger out to swallow the wolf..."

An idea suddenly arose in Chu Xuan's mind. If he let the others know that a Deity Transformation cultivator had infiltrated Desolate Island, they would certainly appear and help drive this shameless intruder away. In this way, there would be no one left on the island who could threaten him.

The only problem now was how to lure the Deity Transformation cultivator into a confrontation with the fire spirit king, thus revealing his Deity Transformation cultivation.

Chu Xuan thought quickly and soon came up with an idea.

Beast-luring incense.

Beast-luring powders and incense were quite common, but to target a specific type of demonic beast, one needed to concoct a unique beast-luring incense.

This required not only profound knowledge of alchemy but also a deep understanding of the habits of the demonic beasts. The bar was set high.

Luckily, Chu Xuan had been collecting vast amounts of information recently and was well aware of what the fire spirits most desired.

Fire Cloud Mushrooms!

By using Fire Cloud Mushrooms as the main ingredient, he could craft a specialized beast-luring incense to attract fire spirits.