Translator: CinderTL
Outside the Moon-Caressing Pavilion, Song Wen reluctantly bid farewell to Qi Luo before turning to merge into the bustling crowd.
Qi Luo clutched the Communication Jade Slip she had just exchanged with Song Wen, watching his retreating figure with a cold smile gradually spreading across her lips.
"A mere nascent soul cultivator dares to consider himself my equal? For now, you still have some use, so I'll spare you. But once you've outlived your usefulness, I'll definitely take what's mine..."
Qi Luo suddenly paused, her gaze lowering thoughtfully.
"No, he might still be useful. Among all those I've encountered, none seem stronger than him. Perhaps I should spare his life and keep him... as a pet."
Her mind drifted to unknown memories, and a peculiar smile crept across her face.
Meanwhile, after leaving the Moon-Caressing Pavilion, Song Wen navigated through the streets and alleys of Cloudveil City. Confirming he wasn't being followed, he exited the city and headed straight for the Withered Desolation Marsh.
He had initially planned to return directly to Wu Yuan Island, but after a moment's consideration, he detoured to Ye Bing's Ice Ling Island.
As he approached Ice Ling Island, the dense white mist shrouding the island blocked his path.
He retrieved Ye Bing's Communication Jade Slip, ready to send a message, when the white mist before him suddenly surged, revealing a three-meter-tall passage.
"Gou Jun, please enter," Ye Bing's voice echoed, her tone as cool and detached as ever.
Song Wen passed through the passage and arrived above the island's edge. There, he saw Ye Bing seated in a pavilion at the island's center, a faint trace of melancholy between her brows.
Instead of immediately flying to the pavilion, he turned his gaze toward the island's western side, where a separate Spirit Field had been designated.
The Spirit Herb cultivated in this field was none other than the Bodhi Spirit Core.
His primary reason for visiting Ice Ling Island was to check on the growth of the Bodhi Spirit Core.
This wasn't his first visit since the Bodhi Spirit Core had been planted.
He worried that Ye Bing's subordinates might not cultivate the Bodhi Spirit Core properly, so he often came to inspect it.
However, judging by its current progress, his concerns seemed somewhat unfounded; the Bodhi Spirit Core was thriving.
With a swift movement, Song Wen landed inside the pavilion.
"After two years apart, Immortal Maiden, you've grown even more radiant, like the bright moon in the heavens—pure, flawless, and unattainable."
Ye Bing remained unmoved by Song Wen's flattery.
"You've come today to check on your Demon Haze Grass again?"
Song Wen replied, "Your assessment is correct, Immortal Maiden. However, the opportunity to see you again is also something I've eagerly anticipated."
Ye Bing said, "Gou Jun, I must admit, you truly possess a silver tongue. Though I know your words are insincere, hearing them still brings a sense of ease."
Song Wen replied, "Immortal Maiden, your words are mistaken. You are inherently pure and ethereal, with a captivating grace. My words spring from the depths of my heart, spoken without reservation or pretense. I treat you with genuine sincerity, yet you harbor suspicion toward me, leaving me deeply disheartened."
Ye Bing shook her head helplessly, long accustomed to Song Wen's brazen lies.
Song Wen continued, "I sense a lingering sorrow on your brow. Has something troubled you recently?"
"For years, I've been searching far and wide for the spirit herbs needed to refine the Void Union Primordial Breakthrough Pill," Ye Bing explained, her voice tinged with melancholy. "I've explored countless ghost markets, secret realms, and perilous lands, yet I still lack three essential herbs: Purple Spirit Ginseng, Celestial Star Grass, and Earthfrost Vine. These three herbs are controlled by powerful cultivation sects and are nearly impossible to obtain through ordinary means."
"Immortal Maiden," Song Wen inquired, "do you know which sects possess these herbs?"
Ye Bing nodded. "I do, but what good does that knowledge serve? These sects seem bound by some agreement, forbidding the herbs from leaving their control."
"Immortal Maiden," Song Wen said, "those who achieve great things cannot be bound by trivial details. Sometimes, extraordinary measures are necessary."
"I am merely a rogue cultivator at the Divine Transformation Stage," Ye Bing replied. "In the face of these powerful forces, I am insignificant. What measures could I possibly employ?"
"Immortal Maiden," Song Wen countered, "cultivation level is important, but it is not absolute. Every person and organization in this world has its weaknesses and vulnerabilities. By exploiting them skillfully, one can sometimes achieve unimaginable results."
Ye Bing frowned slightly. "Such actions risk backfiring and inviting disaster."
"There is no foolproof plan in this world," Song Wen said. "Every endeavor carries some risk. Moreover, we don't necessarily need to target these major powers directly."
Ye Bing asked, puzzled, "If not these powers, where else could we find these three Spirit Herbs?"
"Immortal Maiden, have you forgotten Jin Xun, the steward of the Jin Family in Phoenix Feather City?" Song Wen reminded her. "When we traveled on the Jin Family's Giant Flying Ship, he was desperately searching for Earthfrost Vine. This Spirit Herb is rarely used in Pill Formulas. Given Jin Xun's peak Divine Transformation Stage cultivation, his search was likely for refining the Void Union Primordial Breakthrough Pill. Why not find a way to obtain it from him?"
"Do you want me to assassinate Jin Xun?" Ye Bing's heart stirred slightly, but her face remained hesitant. "Jin Xun's cultivation realm is the same as mine, and he has the Jin Family backing him. I'm afraid I wouldn't be a match for him. Besides, I can't even track his movements."
Song Wen sighed softly and spoke slowly.
"Immortal Maiden, it seems you still haven't grasped what I meant earlier. With a little manipulation, you could easily uncover Jin Xun's whereabouts."
"How so?" Ye Bing asked.
"Have you forgotten Jin Xiuqi?" Song Wen replied. "His devotion to you is unwavering. By targeting him, you could not only learn Jin Xun's movements but also devise a scheme to trap him without much difficulty."
Ye Bing glanced at Song Wen with mild surprise, then fell silent, as if weighing the feasibility of his suggestion.
Seeing her silence, Song Wen shifted the topic. "Immortal Maiden, have you been crafting fifth-tier earth evasion talismans recently?"
In the past twenty years, Ye Bing had only given Song Wen one Earth Evasion Talisman, bringing the total to two, including the one she'd given him twenty years prior. This still left three short of the five she had promised.
Lost in thought, Ye Bing was startled by Song Wen's voice. She glanced up and shot him a cold glare.
"No," she snapped, her tone sharp.
Song Wen looked slightly displeased. "Immortal Maiden, it's been twenty years. Surely you've crafted more than just one Earth Evasion Talisman?"
Ye Bing's temper flared. "For the past two decades, I've been scouring the realm for the Spirit Herbs needed to refine the Void Union Primordial Breakthrough Pill. I've faced countless dangers. I need at least a couple of Earth Evasion Talismans to protect myself!"
Song Wen's voice turned stern. "Immortal Maiden, are you trying to weasel out of your debt?"
Ye Bing retorted, "You know I've been busy searching for Spirit Herbs and am currently short on resources. How could I possibly have the time or materials to refine talismans? Rest assured, once I refine the Void Union Primordial Breakthrough Pill, I'll give you the remaining three Earth Evasion Talismans. Besides, you spend your days either hiding away in secluded cultivation or fawning over Shi Man in Cloudveil City. You face no danger. What do you need so many Earth Evasion Talismans for?"
Song Wen gazed intently at Ye Bing's exquisite face, paused thoughtfully, and then spoke.
"Immortal Maiden, I am deeply concerned about your perilous situation. However, you swore a heavenly dao oath. Breaking that oath would invite divine retribution, leading to your death and the dissolution of your cultivation. I urge you to fulfill your oath swiftly, out of genuine concern for your safety. Your misunderstanding of my intentions wounds me deeply."
"Here!"
A yellowish-brown talisman suddenly floated from Ye Bing's sleeve and drifted toward Song Wen.
Song Wen caught the talisman, his face lighting up with a radiant smile. "Thank you, Immortal Maiden."
Ye Bing, her expression stormy, turned away, refusing to acknowledge him further.
(End of the Chapter)
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