"This..."
Hearing this, Situ You was slightly taken aback.
He hadn't expected Wei Tu's solution to be to spend spirit stones to buy Su Bing'er's freedom.
However, after a moment's thought, Situ You felt that this approach had some feasibility.
From a broader perspective, it was unlikely that the Ancient Sword Mountain would give up control over the scattered immortal alliance and let it freely leave the battlefield.
The more scattered immortal cultivators died, the fewer Ancient Sword Mountain cultivators would be lost. This directly affected the safety and lives of Ancient Sword Mountain's cultivators.
But this was on the surface. Behind the scenes, it was a different matter.
Public matters and private dealings were very different.
Privately, as long as Wei Tu offered enough benefits to move the higher-ups of the Ancient Sword Mountain, it wouldn't be difficult.
After all, Su Bing'er had limited value on the battlefield. Her cultivation was only in the early stage of Golden Core.
"Brother Wei's plan is indeed feasible. However, my position in Ancient Sword Mountain is not very high..."
Situ You said with a bitter smile.
This wasn't him deliberately avoiding responsibility. It was the truth.
In terms of talent, cultivation, and skill, he was not inferior to Wei Hua and even had a slight advantage in secret. However, many years ago, he had missed the chance to marry the direct daughter of the third elder of Ancient Sword Mountain, Tian Qiuyun, which had caused him to fall behind in power within the sect.
Now, Wei Hua had become a popular candidate for the next Swordmaster, while he was still just an ordinary Golden Core elder within the sect.
In other words, when it came to connections, he could hardly provide much help to Wei Tu.
Otherwise, over twenty years ago, he wouldn't have had to go alone to the Ying Ding Sect and seek Wei Tu to refine pills for him.
"Since that's the case..."
"Then I hope Brother Situ can understand why I am asking Wei Hua for help this time."
Upon hearing Situ You's reply, Wei Tu didn't feel too disappointed. He pondered for a moment and then said sincerely.
Before coming to the Ancient Sword Mountain, Wei Tu had already anticipated that Situ You's capabilities were limited.
However, because of the past enmity between Situ You and Wei Hua, he had decided to meet with Situ You first to make things clear in advance.
After all, some people might not help others succeed, but they might still have the ability to cause trouble.
"Wei Hua?"
Situ You raised an eyebrow upon hearing the name.
Having been prepared, Situ You didn't show much rejection when Wei Tu mentioned Wei Hua.
After all, with their connection, Wei Tu's motivation to befriend Wei Hua was minimal.
The reason for seeking Wei Hua's help was for his own disciple's safety.
He couldn't let his personal grudge with Wei Hua cost Wei Tu's disciple her life.
"Brother Wei needn't worry. I'm not a narrow-minded person. I won't hold any grudge against you for this matter..."
Situ You shook his head and sighed lightly, assuring him.
From a friend's perspective, Wei Tu had done everything possible for him. It was his own lack of ability that prevented him from helping Wei Tu on this matter, which forced Wei Tu to ask Wei Hua for assistance.
...
After seeing off Situ You.
Wei Tu followed his plan and began visiting Ancient Sword Mountain to meet with the Fourth Elder of the Swordmaster's lineage—Wei Hua.
However, unexpectedly, Wei Hua didn't come out to meet him. Instead, she sent her partner, Tian Qiuyun, to meet him.
"My husband is ashamed and doesn't feel worthy to meet Brother Wei."
"After all... the death of our respected teacher is closely related to him. It was my husband who failed to take care of True Lord Che in time, leading to his unfortunate death in battle..."
At the God Sword Peak, in Wei Hua's cave residence.
Tian Qiuyun, dressed in a simple gown, appeared in the guest hall. She walked gracefully to Wei Tu and bowed politely, apologizing as she spoke.
Wei Tu didn't take these words too seriously, but he was puzzled. At this moment, Tian Qiuyun was standing too close to him.
When he raised his eyes slightly, he couldn't help but notice the pale skin with a faint rosy tint on her swan-like neck, and the full curve of her chest when she bent forward.
Seeing this, Wei Tu couldn't help but feel strange in his heart and thought, 'What game are Wei Hua and his wife playing here? A beauty trap?'
In the mundane world, men and women maintaining a certain distance was common etiquette, and this also applied in the cultivation world.
Unless under special circumstances, female cultivators generally maintained a respectful distance from male cultivators.
Not to mention someone like Tian Qiuyun, who was a married woman.
"Maybe I'm overthinking this," Wei Tu suppressed his doubts and, after returning the bow, sat down in the secondary seat. He began discussing the main topic with Tian Qiuyun.
"I am willing to offer 50,000 spirit stones to buy Su Bing'er's freedom, allowing her to leave the battlefield..."
Wei Tu spoke seriously.
50,000 spirit stones were not enough to cultivate a Golden Core cultivator, or to purchase a spirit body True Lord with a profound wood spirit body.
However, these spirit stones were sufficient to bribe the higher-ups of Ancient Sword Mountain and buy a Golden Core cannon fodder from the battlefield.
Of course, Wei Tu wasn't a fool. He would later ask Su Bing'er to reimburse him for the spirit stones.
With a Golden Core cultivator's earning potential, repaying 50,000 spirit stones wouldn't be difficult.
"Brother Wei's generosity in spending such a large sum for a fellow disciple is truly moving. However, this matter isn't something my husband and I can decide on by ourselves."
Tian Qiuyun smiled slightly. She neither rejected nor agreed to Wei Tu's offer.
"Unless..."
Tian Qiuyun's tone suggested something.
Hearing this, Wei Tu understood. Tian Qiuyun was hinting at something—probably asking him and Yu Gongshou's group to participate in the two sects' battle between Ancient Sword Mountain and Earth Sword Mountain.
With the addition of their four Golden Core cultivators, it would be easy to let a mere Su Bing'er leave.
Anyone could see that this was a profitable deal.
And, this matter would later become a significant achievement for Wei Hua in his competition for the position of Swordmaster of Ancient Sword Mountain.
"Although Madam Wei's idea is good, it's a pity... Elder Yu Gongshou and the other two left Kang Kingdom long ago and returned to Chu Kingdom."
Wei Tu's expression grew slightly colder.
Not to mention that he had no authority to involve Yu Gongshou and the others in the two sects' battle, even if he did, he wouldn't be foolish enough to help Wei Hua and his wife in such a way.
Even though he wanted to avenge his master's death, he would not rashly get involved in the conflict between the two sects.
"Master Wei, is it really impossible?" Tian Qiuyun didn't get angry upon hearing this. She stood up from the main seat and gracefully walked to Wei Tu's side. She gave him a slight smile and spoke in a double entendre.
As they drew closer, the atmosphere between them became subtly ambiguous.
'Had Situ You and Tian Qiuyun been a couple?'
Seeing this, Wei Tu was taken aback.
When he first heard about the relationship between Situ You and Wei Hua, he had mistakenly thought that Tian Qiuyun was the virtuous lady who was forced into a relationship with Wei Hua and became his partner.
Now, it seemed the situation was far from what he had initially believed.
Tian Qiuyun seemed more like... a socialite.
In other words, the relationship between Tian Qiuyun and Wei Hua was probably more complicated than Wei Tu had imagined.
It's possible that she wanted to marry not Wei Hua, but the future Swordmaster of Ancient Sword Mountain!
Otherwise, given Situ You's personality, he should have accepted Tian Qiuyun, who had been forced into the relationship.
Of course—
It was also possible that Tian Qiuyun was naturally more open-minded than ordinary female cultivators.
"Madam Wei, in addition to the 50,000 spirit stones, I will privately gift you a blood crane pill."
Wei Tu narrowed his eyes and transmitted his voice.
Since Tian Qiuyun valued fame and fortune, he decided to target that weakness.
"Blood crane pill?" Upon hearing this, Tian Qiuyun's beautiful eyes lit up, and her heart wavered.
Earlier, the 50,000 spirit stones Wei Tu had taken out were for Wei Hua to smooth things over, and not many words were exchanged with her.
But the private gift of the blood crane pill was different...
No one else knew about it.
Not even her husband, Wei Hua.
"Two pills!" Tian Qiuyun's lips curved into a smile, and she immediately responded to Wei Tu.
She knew that using Su Bing'er to threaten Wei Tu and make him join the battle between the two sects wouldn't be an easy task.
Their sect relationship was not strong enough to make Wei Tu risk his life to save Su Bing'er.
The fact that he had offered 50,000 spirit stones to buy her freedom was already an act of great generosity from a fellow disciple.
Beyond that, what she and Wei Hua desired were the three late-stage Golden Core cultivators from Yu Gongshou's group, not Wei Tu's "mid-Golden Core" strength... Now that Yu Gongshou's group had returned to Chu Kingdom, continuing to pursue this matter was unnecessary.
Securing tangible benefits was the real goal!
"At most, one pill," Wei Tu shook his head and refused to lower the price.
The blood crane pill was a rare breakthrough pill for progressing from mid-Golden Core to late-Golden Core, and it was highly valuable.
Offering one pill was already a significant concession.
"One pill, then."
Seeing that Wei Tu wasn't willing to lower the price, Tian Qiuyun didn't press further, fearing that the deal might fall through. She nodded and agreed.
"Master Wei, don't you consider me?"
After accepting the 50,000 spirit stones, Tian Qiuyun gave Wei Tu a longing look. She intentionally lowered the neckline of her simple gown, revealing her full and smooth skin.
She suspected that the blood crane pill Wei Tu promised her was likely one he had personally refined.
If that was the case...
If she developed a relationship with Wei Tu, she wouldn't have to worry about spirit pills in the future.
"This matter is unnecessary."
Wei Tu's lips twitched as he waved his hand in rejection.
He hadn't expected that Situ You's admired "partner" would act in such a manner.
...
After Wei Tu left.
Wei Hua walked out from a corner of the cave.
His expression was calm, as if he didn't care about the interaction between Tian Qiuyun and Wei Tu.
"Qiuyun, what do you think of Wei Tu?" Wei Hua asked.
"After only interacting briefly, what can I say? However, Master Wei is somewhat different from other cultivators..."
Tian Qiuyun smiled and replied.
"What differences?" Wei Hua asked curiously.
"He has far more money than ordinary Golden Core cultivators."
Tian Qiuyun smiled faintly.
Upon hearing this, Wei Hua was speechless. After all, a master who was skilled in both pill and talisman crafting would certainly be wealthy.
What Tian Qiuyun said was almost redundant.
"Since this person doesn't wish to get involved in the two sects' battle and help our side in Ancient Sword Mountain... If he wants to earn achievements, there's another way..."
Wei Hua's eyes flashed with a cold glint.
He put his arm around Tian Qiuyun's waist and whispered something in her ear for a moment.
"My husband is brilliant."
Hearing this, Tian Qiuyun's eyes brightened, and she spoke in praise.
A moment later, the sound of soft music filled the cave.
...
After leaving Wei Hua's cave, Wei Tu was temporarily arranged to stay in the welcoming hall of Ancient Sword Mountain by the sect's disciples.
Three days later.
Wei Tu received a clear reply from Tian Qiuyun.
She said that she had convinced the higher-ups of Ancient Sword Mountain and they had agreed to allow Wei Tu to buy Su Bing'er's freedom.
"Although Su Bing'er is only at the early Golden Core stage and has little impact on the overall situation, she is still a Golden Core True Lord... and very noticeable on the battlefield..."
"One shouldn't fear a few, but rather inequality. Once Su Bing'er leaves, the scattered immortal cultivators at Jin Long Valley will undoubtedly feel dissatisfied..."
"Therefore, the condition for our sect agreeing to let Master Wei take Su Bing'er is that Su Bing'er must fake her death."
Tian Qiuyun proposed the terms.
"Fake death?" Wei Tu raised an eyebrow.
With his concealment techniques, he still couldn't deceive other Golden Core True Lords with a fake death, let alone Su Bing'er.
The Golden Core True Lords of the scattered immortal sect weren't fools.
"If this condition isn't acceptable to Master Wei, our sect has another way..."
Tian Qiuyun continued.
"Please speak plainly, Madam Wei." Wei Tu didn't rush and patiently awaited her words.