， èr guò xiǎo yā tou diào róng mào dà biàn 。 xiū wèi què méi yǒu jiàng dī dīng bàn diǎn 。 luó zhào guī kān shén shí fàng chū ， yī sǎo zhī hòu liǎn shàng jiù lù chū le kuáng xǐ zhī sè ， mǎn liǎn xīn rán de kāi kǒu le ：“ bù cuò 。 bù cuò ， níng dān qī dǐng fēng ， zhèng hǎo hé yòng 。 yǒu le dào yǒu bāng zhù ， zhè cì qǔ bǎo bì mǎ dào chéng gōng ， dào yǒu fàng xīn ， zài xià gāng gāng zuò chū de chéng nuò ， shì hòu bì yī yī duì xiàn de 。”
，二过小丫头吊容貌大变。修为却没有降低丁半点。罗兆瑰刊神识放出，一扫之后脸上就露出了狂喜之色，满脸欣然的开口了：“不错。不错，凝丹期顶峰，正好合用。有了道友帮助，这次取宝必马到成功，道友放心，在下刚刚做出的承诺，事后必一一兑现的。”
, Second Pass's petite girl had undergone a significant transformation in appearance. However, her cultivation did not decrease at all. Luo Zhaogui released his divine consciousness and swept the area with it, revealing an excited expression on his face as he said happily, "Very good. Very good. At the peak of the Condensation Core stage, just right for our needs. With your assistance this time, we are sure to succeed in obtaining the treasures. Rest assured, I will honor my promise and fulfill all my commitments after this."
“ ń lín xuān tīng le ， diǎn le diǎn tóu 。 suí hòu xiù páo qīng fú ， yī dào fǎ jué fēi lüè ér chū 。 suǒ guò zhī chù ， yīn fēng guǐ wù rú bīng xuě xiāo róng ， yuè ér yě chóng xīn huí dào le yī xiù zhī zhōng 。
“嗯林轩听了，点了点头。随后袖袍轻拂，一道法诀飞掠而出。所过之处，阴风鬼雾如冰雪消融，月儿也重新回到了衣袖之中。
"Indeed," Lin Xuan nodded. He then lightly brushed his sleeves, sending a spell flying out. The area around it was like ice melting away as the moon returned to its place within his sleeve.
liǎng rén gè qǔ suǒ xū ， jǐn guǎn xīn zhōng lìng yǒu dǎ suàn ， dàn biǎo miàn shàng ， què bīn zhǔ jìn huān ， chóng xīn wēi xiào zhe zuò le xià lái 。
两人各取所需，尽管心中另有打算，但表面上，却宾主尽欢，重新微笑着坐了下来。
Both parties took what they needed, despite having other intentions, but on the surface, they were both pleased and resumed their smiles as they sat down again.
“ lín xiōng lái dào běn diàn ， bù zhī dào hái yǒu méi yǒu dōng xī shuǎ mǎi ， dào yǒu jì shì luó mǒu guì kè ， bù lùn dān yào fǎ bǎo ， zài xià dōu yí dìng jǐn liàng mǎn zú ， jià gé yě huì jǐ yǔ zuì dà yōu huì de luó tiān chéng shí fēn háo shuǎng de kāi kǒu le 。
“林兄来到本店，不知道还有没有东西耍买，道友既是罗某贵客，不论丹药法宝，在下都一定尽量满足，价格也会给予最大优惠的罗天成十分豪爽的开口了。
"Brother Lin, do you still have any items for sale at this establishment? As a valued guest of mine, I will certainly try my best to meet your needs. The prices will be heavily discounted," Luo Tiancheng said with great generosity.
yǐ lín xuān de chéng fǔ ， nǎ bù míng bái duì fāng gù yì tǎo hǎo de yòng tú ， bù guò pián yi sòng dào zuǐ biān 。 bù zhàn bái bù zhàn 。
以林轩的城府，哪不明白对方故意讨好的用途，不过便宜送到嘴边。不占白不占。
With his deep understanding, Lin Xuan knew the true purpose behind Luo's attempts to please him, but he was not going to turn down such an offer when it was presented.
“ hē hē ， dào yǒu zhēn shì kāng kǎi ， nà lín mǒu jiù què zhī bù gōng le ， zài xià què shí hái xiǎng gòu mǎi jǐ zhǒng cái liào de lín xuān yī biān shuō ， yī biān qǔ chū le yī méi yù tǒng 。
“呵呵，道友真是慷慨，那林某就却之不恭了，在下确实还想购买几种材料的林轩一边说，一边取出了一枚玉筒。
"Haha, you are indeed generous. I shall accept your kind offer. I do need a few more materials," Lin Xuan said as he took out a jade cylinder.
zhè cì tiān yún jiāo yì huì zhào kāi ， yì bǎo yún jí ， lín xíng dǎ suàn shōu gòu xǔ duō dōng xī ， wèi jiē xià lái de xiū liàn pù hǎo dào lù ， bì jìng jī huì nán dé 。
这次天云交易会召开，异宝云集，林行打算收购许多东西，为接下来的修炼铺好道路，毕竟机会难得。
This transaction coincided with the Heavenly Cloud Trade Fair, where rare treasures were gathered. Lin Xuan had planned to visit all the markets in the city and even participate in underground auctions, but now it seemed like an unexpected windfall.
ér yóu yú suǒ xū cái liào shí zài tài duō ， lín xuān hái zhuān mén zuò le yī fān fēn mén bié lèi de ， cǐ shí yù tǒng jiǎn zhōng suǒ liè míng mù ， jiù shì yǔ guǐ dào xiū liàn yǒu guān 。
而由于所需材料实在太多，林轩还专门做了一番分门别类的，此时玉筒简中所列名目，就是与鬼道修炼有关。
He would take what he needed, no matter how much there was. This visit to the Blood Vampire Market proved to be highly rewarding.
zhè xiē cái liào ， kě yǐ liàn zhì yī zhǒng míng jiào “ miào xīn dān ” de líng yào ， shì hé yuán yīng qī guǐ xiū fú shí ， yuè ér jié yīng chéng gōng yǐ hòu ， huì sù zào chū xīn de shēn tǐ ， ér yuán yīng xiū xíng bù yì ， zài dǎ zuò jiàn xì ， yě xū yào dà liàng dān yào zhī chí 。
这些材料，可以炼制一种名叫“妙心丹”的灵药，适合元婴期鬼修服食，月儿结婴成功以后，会塑造出新的身体，而元婴修行不易，在打坐间隙，也需要大量丹药支持。
After half an hour, Lin Xuan left the market area. His storage bag contained not only the formula for Yin Ming Liquid but also enough ingredients to brew five batches of High-Quality Heart-Birth Pills. With 500 pills and a further refinement in Blue Starlight Sea, these would sustain the petite girl's cultivation for several years.
wèi yǔ chóu móu ， lín xuān xiàn zài yǐ zǎo zǎo de zuò zhǔn bèi le 。
未雨绸缪，林轩现在已早早的做准备了。
Luo Tiancheng said that they did not need to rush with the treasure hunt; he needed more preparations and planned to contact Lin Xuan three months later.
“ lín xiōng bù yòng kè qì ， běn diàn huò wù qí quán ， yīng gāi bú huì ràng dào yǒu shī wàng dì 。” luó tiān chéng yī biān shuō ， yī biān jiāng yù tǒng zhuā zài shǒu lǐ 。 rán hòu jiāng shén shí chén rù jìn qù 。
“林兄不用客气，本店货物齐全，应该不会让道友失望地。”罗天成一边说，一边将玉筒抓在手里。然后将神识沉入进去。
Three months was neither too long nor too short. The Heavenly Cloud Trade Fair happened once every three hundred years, so it would take more than a few days to complete all transactions. At this point, only half of the fair had passed, making it the busiest time with the most people around.
piàn kè hòu ， tā tái qǐ tóu ， liǎn shàng wēi wēi biàn sè 。
片刻后，他抬起头，脸上微微变色。
"Master, don't you think there's something fishy about Luo Tiancheng?" The petite girl's voice echoed in his ears, indicating her growing intellect.
“ rú hé ， zhè xiē dōng xī kě yǒu me ？” lín xuān huǎn huǎn de kāi kǒu le 。“ cóng cái liào shàng kàn ， dào yǒu sì hū xiǎng yào liàn zhì miào xīn dān ， cǐ dān fāng nǎi shì shàng gǔ shí qī liú chuán xià lái ， suī shuō shén miào wú fáng ， duì yuán yīng xiū shì de bāng zhù ， yuǎn fēi pǔ tōng líng dān kě bǐ ， dàn liàn zhì guò chéng yě jí wéi bù yì ， jiù suàn shì zōng shī jí de liàn dān dà shī ， shí lú zhī zhōng yě zuì duō yǒu yī lú chéng gōng ér yǐ 。”
“如何，这些东西可有么？”林轩缓缓的开口了。“从材料上看，道友似乎想要炼制妙心丹，此丹方乃是上古时期流传下来，虽说神妙无妨，对元婴修士的帮助，远非普通灵丹可比，但炼制过程也极为不易，就算是宗师级的炼丹大师，十炉之中也最多有一炉成功而已。”
"Hmm, he is overeager and keeps assuring us that everything is safe. I believe he is using us as cannon fodder," Lin Xuan said with a hand to his forehead.
“ méi xiǎng dào luó xiōng duì dān dào zhī shù yě rú cǐ shú ， bù guò lín mǒu gòu mǎi zhè xiē yào cái 。 què bìng fēi wèi le liàn miào xīn dān ， ér shì bié yǒu yòng tú 。” lín xuān hē le yī kǒu chá ， shuō chū yī tīng jiù shì xiā chě de hú huà 。
“没想到罗兄对丹道之术也如此熟，不过林某购买这些药材。却并非为了炼妙心丹，而是别有用途。”林轩喝了一口茶，说出一听就是瞎扯的胡话。
"Oh, what should we do then?" The petite girl sounded alarmed.
“ ó ， shì ma ？”
“哦，是吗？”
"Don't be silly, what are you afraid of? He wants to use me; why shouldn't we use him too? In two hundred years, I've never lost in any cooperation," Lin Xuan said with a sly smile.
“ zěn me ， lái guì diàn gòu mǎi bǎo wù ， hái xū yào xiàng gé xià jiāo dài yòng tú ？” lín xuān méi tóu yī tiāo ， shēng yīn míng xiǎn lěng xià lái le 。
“怎么，来贵店购买宝物，还需要向阁下交代用途？”林轩眉头一挑，声音明显冷下来了。
"That's true. Those who humiliate others will eventually face humiliation themselves. This Luo must have bitten off more than he can chew trying to scheme against my master," the petite girl said, patting her chest. However, she soon looked worried again: "But Master, I still have one doubt. Did that guy really have the means to help me form a core? If he was planning to use us from the start, then"
“ dāng rán bú shì ， dào yǒu bié wù huì ， zài xià zhǐ shì hào qí
“当然不是，道友别误会，在下只是好奇
"Maybe, but I can't guarantee it," Lin Xuan said thoughtfully. "However, with his possession of Yin Ming Liquid, he might not be lying. Of course, we shouldn't rely solely on him and should look for other clues. If all else fails, we'll have to take a chance and cooperate with him."
luó tiān chéng jiàn lín xuān biǎo qíng bù yù ， lián máng shuō chū péi zuì de yán yǔ ， shāo hòu hái dà yǒu xū yào jiè zhòng duì fāng zhī chù ， tā zì rán bù gǎn qīng yì dé zuì de 。
罗天成见林轩表情不豫，连忙说出赔罪的言语，稍后还大有需要借重对方之处，他自然不敢轻易得罪的。
The master and servant continued their conversation as they walked away.
“ dào yǒu suǒ xū yào de zhè xiē yào cái ， běn diàn dào shì yǒu ， kě shù liàng bù duō ， rú guǒ lín xiōng xiǎng yào ， wǒ pài rén qǔ lái jiù shì le 。
“道友所需要的这些药材，本店到是有，可数量不多，如果林兄想要，我派人取来就是了。
Meanwhile, several miles away, in the depths of an unremarkable mountain, a hidden cave.
“ ó ？。
“哦？。
Luo Family's patriarch sat cross-legged; his plot had already begun. Several disciples had infiltrated the city, but he was still hiding to avoid alerting the Seven Factions.
lín xuān tīng le ， yě bù yóu yòu jīng yòu xǐ ， liàn zhì miào xīn dān de tiān cái dì bǎo bù jǐn zhēn xī ， ér qiě shí fēn lěng pì ， yuán běn tā gēn běn jiù méi yǒu xiǎng guò zài yī jiā diàn pù jiù néng sōu jí qí ， ér zhǔn bèi pǎo wán chéng zhōng de suǒ yǒu fāng shì ， shèn zhì cān jiā dì xià de pāi mài jiāo yì ， méi xiǎng dào què néng yǒu zhè yì wài zhī xǐ 。
林轩听了，也不由又惊又喜，炼制妙心丹的天材地宝不仅珍稀，而且十分冷僻，原本他根本就没有想过在一家店铺就能搜集齐，而准备跑完城中的所有坊市，甚至参加地下的拍卖交易，没想到却能有这意外之喜。
"Zicong, how are your plans progressing? Have they been successful?" Luo Family's patriarch asked with a clear voice.
yǒu duō shǎo yào duō shǎo ， zhè huí lái xuè guǐ fāng zhēn shì shōu huò fēi
有多少要多少，这回来血鬼坊真是收获非
"They have proceeded as instructed, without any errors, and the Seven Factions show no signs of unusual activity," said a man in white robes, about forty years old, an advanced Core Formation cultivator, slightly weaker than the patriarch.
bàn gè shí chén yǐ hòu ， lín xuān lí kāi le fāng shì 。
半个时辰以后，林轩离开了坊市。
"What do you mean by that?" Luo Tiande opened his eyes. He had prepared this plan for a century, risking all of Luo Family's elite forces; failure would be catastrophic.
tā de chǔ wù dài lǐ ， chú le xuán yīn míng yè de pèi fāng ， hái huò dé le zú kě liàn zhì wǔ lú miào xīn dān de yào cái 。
他的储物袋里，除了玄阴明液的配方，还获得了足可炼制五炉妙心丹的药材。
"The execution of the plan has been flawless," the man said, "but as instructed, nine female ghosts are needed for the ritual, and they must have reached the peak of the Condensation Core stage."
wǔ bǎi lì ， zài yòng lán sè xīng hǎi tí chún yī fān ， gāo pǐn miào xīn dān ， kě yǐ zhī chēng xiǎo yā tou shù nián de xiū liàn 。
五百粒，再用蓝色星海提纯一番，高品妙心丹，可以支撑小丫头数年的修炼。
"Why, after so much time, haven't you gathered them yet?" Luo Tiande's face showed a hint of cruelty. A terrifying spiritual pressure rose up. The white-robed man, also an advanced Core Formation cultivator, appeared very weak before the Separation and Union expert. He took several steps back in fear as he knelt down: "Grandfather, it is not due to my incompetence. The number of spirits in Yunzhou is limited, and the requirements are too stringent. Only those at the peak of the Condensation Core stage will do. It's impossible to find any lower or higher. I have instructed subordinates to search thoroughly, but we only found eight."
zhì yú qǔ bǎo ， luó tiān chéng què shuō bù jí 。 hái xū yào zuò yī xiē zhǔn bèi ， sān yuè yǐ hòu zài yǔ lín xuān lián xì 。
至于取宝，罗天成却说不急。还需要做一些准备，三月以后再与林轩联系。
"Rubbish! I don't want your excuses. The success of this plan is crucial for our family's future. Fortunately, one more is missing. Regardless of the methods you use, three months from now, you must bring it together," Luo Tiande said without further explanation.
sān yuè shí jiān ， shuō zhǎng bù zhǎng ， shuō duǎn què yě bù duǎn ， tiān yún jiāo yì huì nǎi sān bǎi nián yī cì de shèng jǔ ， zì rán bù kě néng yī liǎng tiān jiù jié shù jiāo yì 。 nà shí hòu huì chéng gāng gāng guò bàn ， zhèng shì rén zuì duō de shí jiān 。
三月时间，说长不长，说短却也不短，天云交易会乃三百年一次的盛举，自然不可能一两天就结束交易。那时候会程刚刚过半，正是人最多的时间。
The white-robed man shivered in fear at his stern tone. Before he could agree, a fiery light shot into the cave.
“ shào yé ， nǐ jué bù jué dé ， zhè luó tiān chéng xiàng shì yǒu yīn móu shì de ？” yuè ér chén yín de shēng yīn chuán rù ěr duǒ xiǎo yā tou xiàn zài yě xǐ huān yòng nǎo le 。
“少爷，你觉不觉得，这罗天成像是有阴谋似的？”月儿沉吟的声音传入耳朵小丫头现在也喜欢用脑了。
It was a transmission talisman!
“ ń ， duì fāng rè qíng guò dù ， hái yī zài shēn míng méi yǒu wēi xiǎn ， wǒ kàn qià qià xiāng fǎn ， duì fāng gēn běn bú shì qǐng wǒ men bāng máng ， ér shì xiǎng yào jiāng mí wǒ dàng zuò pào huī lì yòng yī fān 。” lín xuān yǐ shǒu fǔ é ， huǎn huǎn de shuō 。
“嗯，对方热情过度，还一再申明没有危险，我看恰恰相反，对方根本不是请我们帮忙，而是想要将弥我当作炮灰利用一番。”林轩以手抚额，缓缓的说。
And it had been encrypted.
“ a ， nà wǒ men zěn me bàn ？” yuè ér bù yóu de jīng huāng le qǐ lái 。
“啊，那我们怎么办？”月儿不由得惊慌了起来。
Encryption meant that there were special restrictions on the transmission talisman; if it fell into the wrong hands, it would automatically turn to ashes.
“ shǎ yā tou ， pà shén me ， tā xiǎng lì yòng wǒ 。 wǒ men hé cháng bú shì xiǎng yào lì yòng tā le ， zhè liǎng bǎi nián yǔ rén hé zuò ， mí shén me shí hòu jiàn shào yé wǒ chī kuī guò ？” lín xuān jiān xiào zhe shuō 。
“傻丫头，怕什么，他想利用我。我们何尝不是想要利用他了，这两百年与人合作，弥什么时候见少爷我吃亏过？”林轩奸笑着说。
Such encryption required unique techniques and materials, making them far more expensive than ordinary transmission talismans.
“ zhè dǎo shì ， rǔ rén zhě ， rén héng rǔ zhī 。 xiǎng suàn jì wǒ jiā shào yé ， zhè xìng luó de ， yí dìng bān qǐ shí tou zá zì jǐ de jiǎo 。” yuè ér pāi le pāi xiōng kǒu de dào 。 bù guò hěn kuài ， biǎo qíng yòu yǒu xiē dān xīn qǐ lái ：“ kě shì shào yé ， xiǎo bì xīn zhōng hái yǒu yí gè yí diǎn ， nà jiā huo ， shì fǒu zhēn yǒu ràng wǒ jié yīng de bǎo wù ， rú guǒ yī kāi shǐ ， tā jiù xiǎng yào lì yòng wǒ liǎ ， nà shì
“这倒是，辱人者，人恒辱之。想算计我家少爷，这姓罗的，一定搬起石头砸自己的脚。”月儿拍了拍胸口的道。不过很快，表情又有些担心起来：“可是少爷，小婢心中还有一个疑点，那家伙，是否真有让我结婴的宝物，如果一开始，他就想要利用我俩，那事
Luo Family's patriarch's eyes glinted as he picked up the talisman. After a divine scan, Luo Tiande was delighted and laughed loudly: "After searching for so long, it turns out that we found what we needed without much effort. It seems fate is aiding us. Zicong, you don't need to find the last female ghost spirit; I have leads from Tiancheng."
“ zhè ge ” wǒ yě bù gǎn zuò bǎi fēn zhī bǎi de bǎo zhèng 。 bù guò duì fāng yōng yǒu xuán yīn míng yè zhè yàng de bǎo wù ， dào yě bù yí dìng zài sā huǎng ， dāng rán ， wǒ men bù néng jiāng xī wàng quán dōu yā zài de shēn shàng ， hái kě yǐ lìng zhǎo xiàn suǒ ， rú guǒ shí zài méi yǒu bàn fǎ 。 jiù zhǐ yǒu dǔ yī dǔ ， yǔ cǐ rén hé zuò lín xuān lüè yī sī suǒ ， yǒu xiē wú nài de shuō 。
“这个”我也不敢做百分之百的保证。不过对方拥有玄阴明液这样的宝物，到也不一定在撒谎，当然，我们不能将希望全都压在的身上，还可以另找线索，如果实在没有办法。就只有赌一赌，与此人合作林轩略一思索，有些无奈的说。
"Grandfather, really?" The white-robed man was stunned and overjoyed.
“ ń yuè ér diǎn le diǎn tóu ， shào yé shuō dé méi cuò ， hé kuàng duì yú lín xuān de jué dìng ， tā xiàng lái bú huì yǒu yì yì de 。
“嗯月儿点了点头，少爷说得没错，何况对于林轩的决定，她向来不会有异议的。
"Yes, but you must speed up with your other plans. No more mistakes," Luo Tiande's eyes shone with determination.
zhǔ pú èr rén yī biān liáo zhe ， yī biān màn màn zǒu yuǎn le 。
主仆二人一边聊着，一边慢慢走远了。
"I understand, Grandfather. This matters to our family's fate; I will not slack off," the white-robed man said as he bowed deeply.
yǔ cǐ tóng shí ， jù lí cǐ dì shù wàn lǐ 。
与此同时，距离此地数万里。
"Good. Work hard and do well. Once things are completed, we won't have to hide like a rat in the street anymore. At that time, those who contribute will be rewarded. My lifespan is limited, but Zicong, you will become the new patriarch of our family."
yī zuò bù qǐ yǎn de dà shān shēn chù ， mǒu yǐn mì dòng fǔ 。
一座不起眼的大山深处，某隐秘洞府。
"What are you saying, Grandfather? With your Separation and Union stage cultivation, another four or five hundred years should not be an issue," the white-robed man said, his face changing dramatically.
luó jiā lǎo zǔ pán xī ér zuò ， tā de yīn móu yǐ kāi shǐ le ， shù chē dì zǐ qián rù chéng lǐ ， bù guò hái méi dào dòng de yī kè ， wèi le pà yǐn qǐ qī pài jǐng jué ， tā yǔ jiā zú zhōng de jīng ruì gāo shǒu yī jiù cáng shēn àn chù 。 jìng jìng qián fú 。
罗家老祖盘膝而坐，他的阴谋已开始了，数车弟子潜入城里，不过还没到动的一刻，为了怕引起七派警觉，他与家族中的精锐高手依旧藏身暗处。静静潜伏。
"Haha, with a 2000-year lifespan at the Separation and Union stage, that wasn't wrong. Without this plot, I could have lived even longer, but for our family's future"
jiù rú tóng shòu liè de dú shé ！
就如同狩猎的毒蛇！
"What are you talking about, Grandfather?" The other elders also looked uneasy. Although Luo Family had recovered some strength after a period of rest, it still lagged behind the Seven Factions. Even if one faction acted alone, their power would surpass that of Luo Family. In such circumstances, the patriarch was their pillar; they were shocked to hear him speak like this.
, Second Pass's petite girl had undergone a significant transformation in appearance. However, her cultivation did not decrease at all. Luo Zhaogui released his divine consciousness and swept the area with it, revealing an excited expression on his face as he said happily, "Very good. Very good. At the peak of the Condensation Core stage, just right for our needs. With your assistance this time, we are sure to succeed in obtaining the treasures. Rest assured, I will honor my promise and fulfill all my commitments after this."
"Indeed," Lin Xuan nodded. He then lightly brushed his sleeves, sending a spell flying out. The area around it was like ice melting away as the moon returned to its place within his sleeve.
Both parties took what they needed, despite having other intentions, but on the surface, they were both pleased and resumed their smiles as they sat down again.
"Brother Lin, do you still have any items for sale at this establishment? As a valued guest of mine, I will certainly try my best to meet your needs. The prices will be heavily discounted," Luo Tiancheng said with great generosity.
With his deep understanding, Lin Xuan knew the true purpose behind Luo's attempts to please him, but he was not going to turn down such an offer when it was presented.
"Haha, you are indeed generous. I shall accept your kind offer. I do need a few more materials," Lin Xuan said as he took out a jade cylinder.
This transaction coincided with the Heavenly Cloud Trade Fair, where rare treasures were gathered. Lin Xuan had planned to visit all the markets in the city and even participate in underground auctions, but now it seemed like an unexpected windfall.
He would take what he needed, no matter how much there was. This visit to the Blood Vampire Market proved to be highly rewarding.
After half an hour, Lin Xuan left the market area. His storage bag contained not only the formula for Yin Ming Liquid but also enough ingredients to brew five batches of High-Quality Heart-Birth Pills. With 500 pills and a further refinement in Blue Starlight Sea, these would sustain the petite girl's cultivation for several years.
Luo Tiancheng said that they did not need to rush with the treasure hunt; he needed more preparations and planned to contact Lin Xuan three months later.
Three months was neither too long nor too short. The Heavenly Cloud Trade Fair happened once every three hundred years, so it would take more than a few days to complete all transactions. At this point, only half of the fair had passed, making it the busiest time with the most people around.
"Master, don't you think there's something fishy about Luo Tiancheng?" The petite girl's voice echoed in his ears, indicating her growing intellect.
"Hmm, he is overeager and keeps assuring us that everything is safe. I believe he is using us as cannon fodder," Lin Xuan said with a hand to his forehead.
"Oh, what should we do then?" The petite girl sounded alarmed.
"Don't be silly, what are you afraid of? He wants to use me; why shouldn't we use him too? In two hundred years, I've never lost in any cooperation," Lin Xuan said with a sly smile.
"That's true. Those who humiliate others will eventually face humiliation themselves. This Luo must have bitten off more than he can chew trying to scheme against my master," the petite girl said, patting her chest. However, she soon looked worried again: "But Master, I still have one doubt. Did that guy really have the means to help me form a core? If he was planning to use us from the start, then"
"Maybe, but I can't guarantee it," Lin Xuan said thoughtfully. "However, with his possession of Yin Ming Liquid, he might not be lying. Of course, we shouldn't rely solely on him and should look for other clues. If all else fails, we'll have to take a chance and cooperate with him."
The master and servant continued their conversation as they walked away.
Meanwhile, several miles away, in the depths of an unremarkable mountain, a hidden cave.
Luo Family's patriarch sat cross-legged; his plot had already begun. Several disciples had infiltrated the city, but he was still hiding to avoid alerting the Seven Factions.
"Zicong, how are your plans progressing? Have they been successful?" Luo Family's patriarch asked with a clear voice.
"They have proceeded as instructed, without any errors, and the Seven Factions show no signs of unusual activity," said a man in white robes, about forty years old, an advanced Core Formation cultivator, slightly weaker than the patriarch.
"What do you mean by that?" Luo Tiande opened his eyes. He had prepared this plan for a century, risking all of Luo Family's elite forces; failure would be catastrophic.
"The execution of the plan has been flawless," the man said, "but as instructed, nine female ghosts are needed for the ritual, and they must have reached the peak of the Condensation Core stage."
"Why, after so much time, haven't you gathered them yet?" Luo Tiande's face showed a hint of cruelty. A terrifying spiritual pressure rose up. The white-robed man, also an advanced Core Formation cultivator, appeared very weak before the Separation and Union expert. He took several steps back in fear as he knelt down: "Grandfather, it is not due to my incompetence. The number of spirits in Yunzhou is limited, and the requirements are too stringent. Only those at the peak of the Condensation Core stage will do. It's impossible to find any lower or higher. I have instructed subordinates to search thoroughly, but we only found eight."
"Rubbish! I don't want your excuses. The success of this plan is crucial for our family's future. Fortunately, one more is missing. Regardless of the methods you use, three months from now, you must bring it together," Luo Tiande said without further explanation.
The white-robed man shivered in fear at his stern tone. Before he could agree, a fiery light shot into the cave.
It was a transmission talisman!
And it had been encrypted.
Encryption meant that there were special restrictions on the transmission talisman; if it fell into the wrong hands, it would automatically turn to ashes.
Such encryption required unique techniques and materials, making them far more expensive than ordinary transmission talismans.
Luo Family's patriarch's eyes glinted as he picked up the talisman. After a divine scan, Luo Tiande was delighted and laughed loudly: "After searching for so long, it turns out that we found what we needed without much effort. It seems fate is aiding us. Zicong, you don't need to find the last female ghost spirit; I have leads from Tiancheng."
"Grandfather, really?" The white-robed man was stunned and overjoyed.
"Yes, but you must speed up with your other plans. No more mistakes," Luo Tiande's eyes shone with determination.
"I understand, Grandfather. This matters to our family's fate; I will not slack off," the white-robed man said as he bowed deeply.
"Good. Work hard and do well. Once things are completed, we won't have to hide like a rat in the street anymore. At that time, those who contribute will be rewarded. My lifespan is limited, but Zicong, you will become the new patriarch of our family."
"What are you saying, Grandfather? With your Separation and Union stage cultivation, another four or five hundred years should not be an issue," the white-robed man said, his face changing dramatically.
"Haha, with a 2000-year lifespan at the Separation and Union stage, that wasn't wrong. Without this plot, I could have lived even longer, but for our family's future"
"What are you talking about, Grandfather?" The other elders also looked uneasy. Although Luo Family had recovered some strength after a period of rest, it still lagged behind the Seven Factions. Even if one faction acted alone, their power would surpass that of Luo Family. In such circumstances, the patriarch was their pillar; they were shocked to hear him speak like this.