After being forced to back down repeatedly, Jin Miaoshan wasn't one to take it lying down. She immediately countered:
"I've already conceded a great deal. If you won't agree, I'll use the Eastern Polaris intelligence to negotiate with the cultivators outside."
"Then go ahead. Why ask me?"
Wang Yu sneered. He had laid out the only viable resolution precisely because he knew Jin Miaoshan's side couldn't pull it off.
Just look at the sky—those murderous expressions were still being broadcast. Who would believe them now?
Some cultivators had already begun attacking Goldfull Pavilion's defensive formation. These were true madmen. Once offended, they wouldn't trust you again.
That was the difference between credibility and its absence. With it, you could do the impossible. Without it, even the simplest task became unmanageable.
Jin Miaoshan now hated Elder Liu to the bone. If not for him, everything would've been fine. She could've peacefully explored the Eastern Polaris ruins in search of fortune.
Wang Yu reminded her again:
"This is your last chance. Once the Core Formation cultivators in the crowd start moving, this plan won't work."
"I… I really don't have top-grade Core Formation treasures with yin or ice attributes. Can I offer other types?"
Her tone had softened into something close to pleading. It didn't sound like a lie.
Wang Yu frowned.
Thinking it through—Jin Miaoshan was a succession candidate, akin to a sect's true disciple. She could access certain resources, but she wasn't the one in charge.
According to Nascent Soul faction norms, she'd be granted a fixed resource quota—for personal cultivation or rewarding subordinates. It was limited.
Two top-grade Core Formation treasures, even if not ones he could use, were still valuable. He could likely trade them later for what he needed.
In fact, her status as a succession candidate might even surpass that of a true disciple—especially given Goldfull Pavilion's immense wealth.
His thoughts raced. Wang Yu quickly made his decision.
"Use a Nether River Contract. Don't forget to include the two third-tier ice-element materials—and that old bastard's corpse. All part of my compensation.
"One more condition: for the next hundred years, you're forbidden from using any means to trouble me. Make it quick."
Their conversation didn't take long—just a minute or two. The cultivators outside had been debating for longer.
But even before this exchange, time had already been lost.
There was no room for further delay.
Jin Miaoshan was a merchant. Her spatial ring always carried various contracts. Naturally, she had a Nether River Contract—the highest tier of binding agreements.
If only it were a Heavenly Dao Oath. That could be tricked, as long as you could deceive your own heart. But the Nether River Contract was different.
It was absolute—an external law beyond this world. Break it, and you die. No loopholes. No exceptions.
"Catch."
The top-grade third-tier artifact, [Void Projection Pearl], could transmit items. While the actual treasures would take time to prepare, the contract and Eastern Polaris intelligence arrived instantly.
Wang Yu inspected them carefully. No missing clauses, no hidden glyphs, no shrunken characters. He dripped his blood.
Contract sealed.
Buzz—
A familiar hum rang out across the city—Spiritridge's emergency broadcast system.
Wang Yu's cheerful voice echoed:
"Everyone, allow me to apologize. Everything earlier—including the sky projections—was fake. A temporary hire at the City Lord's Manor was responsible.
"He was insane. I've already destroyed his soul. His corpse is hanging at the manor gates for public viewing.
"All previous promises are void. If you've offended Goldfull Pavilion, you'll bear the consequences yourselves.
"Jiang and Guan Clans—get back here!"
Silence fell for a moment.
Then came a tidal wave of fury.
"Who the hell are you to order your grandpa around?"
"Exactly! We only take orders from City Lord Wang Yu. Who are you to act like you own the place?"
"I bet this announcement is the real fake!"
"Brothers, let's raid Goldfull Pavilion first—then storm the City Lord's Manor to rescue Wang Yu!"
"Right! First the Pavilion, then the Manor!"
"They bullied our beloved City Lord. Time to teach them a lesson!"
"Yeah! Well said!"
See? That's the nature of demonic cultivators.
The clever ones spouted eloquent rhetoric, pinning Wang Yu into a corner.
The greedy ones kept echoing the sentiment, aligning with the dominant momentum. In just a few sentences, tens of thousands of cultivators erupted in waves of condemnation.
The noise was dizzying. The situation was completely out of control.
"Everyone—
"As I said, a saboteur tried to provoke conflict between the Holy Sect and Goldfull Pavilion. If you truly destroy the Spiritridge branch, I guarantee both factions will hunt you to the ends of the earth.
"Now—
"As an apology, I offer something else: the complete intelligence gathered by past City Lords of Spiritridge on the Eastern Polaris ruins, along with corresponding data from Goldfull Pavilion and Inkveil Gate.
"Even Inkveil Gate, the weakest among them, once uncovered clues to a Nascent Soul inheritance. This intel is worth far more than a single merchant branch. How's that for sincerity?"
Master Qingyang had already departed. Whether he received the intel didn't matter. At worst, Inkveil Gate would be angry—but they were easier to handle than the furious mob.
Second, Spiritridge was Wang Yu's turf. With the Guan and Jiang Clans, the North District's Foundation Establishment factions, and the three Core Formation sects, he could stabilize the situation.
That left only the outsiders—one-third fewer in number. With the backing of two Nascent Soul clans, he could suppress many of them.
Third—and most crucial—were the foreign Core Formation cultivators. Their numbers were unknown. Could he persuade them? Wang Yu wasn't sure.
He could only appeal to emotion, reason, and profit.
Ahem—
"I know some of you came for the Eastern Polaris ruins. Let me offer a word of advice.
"The Spiritridge branch is only second-tier. It holds little of value for Core Formation cultivators. At most, one or two third-tier treasures.
"But the intel I hold on Eastern Polaris is worth far more than that. Will you risk offending the Blood Reversal Sect and Goldfull Pavilion for a few Foundation Establishment trinkets…
"Or will you take the intel and seek the ruins—where the treasures are more abundant, higher-grade, and less risky? Your choice."
His words echoed through the city—this time, not from him.
A disguised voice rang out from all directions—clearly a Core Formation cultivator using a formation-based amplification technique.
"City Lord Wang, such eloquence. You played us like puppets—rallying us with righteous fury, then tossing us scraps of intel when we're no longer useful.
"What do you take us for? Beggars? And that projection technique you used earlier… heh."
The [Everliving Spirit Branch].
A legendary Core Formation treasure, rarely seen even in ancient records. Like Wang Yu's dream of the [Heavenfrost Essence], it could help even crippled cultivators break through.
Its power was absurd.
Even if you were dying—three seconds from death—this treasure guaranteed Core Formation success.
That's the miracle-grade effect of a supreme breakthrough treasure.
It could only be described as heaven-defying.
Its research value alone far exceeded ordinary Core Formation treasures—beyond the imagination of most cultivators.
That's why Jin Miaoshan refused to part with it. Its significance to major factions far outweighed its value to individuals.
If, through grafting and secret techniques, one could cultivate a true [Tree of Life], its fruit could extend a Soul Formation cultivator's lifespan by 500 years.
It could even serve as a Nascent Soul breakthrough treasure.
How it was obtained, how Jinlin gave it to Qian Zhong, why he tried to sabotage Jin Miaoshan—none of that mattered anymore.
Now, it was about whether the Core Formation cultivators present would back down.
To them, it was just a rare miracle-grade treasure—usable only by wood-element cultivators.
Most had already broken through. Its practical use was limited—but its resale value was immense.
If someone seized it and offered it to the Heaven-Forging Demon Sect, they might instantly be made a true disciple.
After all, that sect had long sought life-related treasures.
Three hundred years ago, the great war between righteous and demonic factions was fought over a sealed ancient demon named [Life], imprisoned by the Sword Sect.
As negotiations reached their climax, Wang Yu signaled Jin Miaoshan to speak.
"Reveal your identity. Show your power. Hurry—don't let them keep talking!"
Jin Miaoshan wasn't foolish. She knew Wang Yu's cleanup plan was nearly complete. Now they needed deterrence.
Demonic cultivators feared power—not virtue.
Whoosh—
"I am Jin Miaoshan, succession candidate of Goldfull Pavilion. Do you truly wish to oppose me?"
Her golden silhouette rose, right hand holding a jade talisman.
The terrifying aura of a Nascent Soul elder descended. In that instant, everyone's expression changed. The opportunistic Qi Refining cultivators turned and fled.
Wang Yu secretly signaled his allies to retreat. Their departure triggered a chain reaction. Qi Refining cultivators made up 90% of the crowd.
Once they left, half the Foundation Establishment cultivators followed.
The foreign Core Formation cultivators Core Formation cultivators had a harder time hiding. Even if they cloaked their presence, the moment they realized no one else was stepping forward, who would dare be the lone fool to challenge Jin Miaoshan?
What if they were the only one left standing? That jade talisman clearly contained a Nascent Soul-level strike.
In this strange prisoner's dilemma, everyone wanted to stay hidden, but no one could confirm if others would act. Each feared being the only one to make a move—and dying for it.
And yet, walking away empty-handed felt unbearable.
At that moment, Wang Yu made his final move.
He activated several intelligence jade slips with his spiritual sense, then used true essence to inscribe their contents onto a massive stone stele.
He placed it near the northern gate of Spiritridge City.
"The intelligence has been engraved on this stele. Anyone interested may read it freely. Just don't remove or damage it."
Done.
(End of Chapter)