"I am not trying to use this to demand more wealth from Daoist Friend, but in recent years my cultivation has encountered a bottleneck that is truly difficult to break through. I hope Daoist Friend can understand."
After explaining briefly, Qu Lingchuan transmitted his voice, "I would like 2 more Breakthrough Pills, in addition to at least 2 spirit items for Core Formation, as well as—"
He proceeded to list a long series of extremely valuable heavenly materials and earthly treasures.
Even Chen Sanshi felt a sting of pain hearing them.
Moreover, some of the items he simply did not possess at the moment.
"Daoist Friend Xiao?"
Seeing that he remained silent for a long time, Qu Lingchuan made a gesture as if preparing to leave. "Since that is the case, I should not force Daoist Friend into difficulty.
"However, rest assured. The matter of you seeking me out—I will not easily reveal it."
"Brother Qu, please wait."
Chen Sanshi stopped him and transmitted his voice. "Most of the items you mentioned—even if I do not currently have them—I can still find a way to purchase them for Brother Qu. Only the 2 Core Formation spirit items are a problem. At present I possess only a single Fire Lingzhi. Even if I were willing to spend spirit stones, the other one may not necessarily be obtainable."
That Fire Lingzhi had been war spoils he obtained after exterminating disciples of the Guiyuan Sect. It was enough for 2 people to use, but beyond that, he truly had no more.
Even a single Foundation Establishment Pill was enough to make low-level rogue cultivators fight to the death. Naturally, spirit items that increased the success rate of forming a Golden Core were priceless treasures—things that existed in demand but were rarely ever sold.
"So Brother Xiao truly does possess a Core Formation spirit item."
Qu Lingchuan could not help but marvel inwardly again. The other party's luck was simply too good.
He continued, "Personally, I feel my conditions are not excessive. After all, if I truly agree to do this for Daoist Friend, it would be equivalent to defying the entire world. From that moment onward, I would have no place to stand in the cultivation world."
"How about this."
After thinking for a moment, Chen Sanshi offered another proposal. "As long as Brother Qu agrees, the Fire Lingzhi can be given to you immediately. As for the other Core Formation spirit item, I can also promise that if I obtain one, Daoist Friend will receive priority.
"What do you think?"
"That is acceptable."
Qu Lingchuan agreed. "However, empty words alone are not reliable. How about Daoist Friend swears a Heavenly Dao Oath? That way I can act afterward without concerns. What do you think?"
A Heavenly Dao Oath!
A so-called Heavenly Dao Oath was essentially similar to a contract.
Once such a promise was made, if it could not be fulfilled in the future, it would affect the oath-maker's state of mind and could very likely cause deviation during a realm breakthrough.
Normally, such oaths were sworn by both parties in a transaction. If only one side swore—and it was not voluntary—then it was usually a demand imposed by someone of higher status upon someone of lower status.
The teleportation formation of Daze Market concerned the life and death of the entire Eastern Divine Continent.
Chen Sanshi had no other choice.
Moreover, he had always kept his promises and would have fulfilled them anyway. Since the other party insisted, he could only comply.
But just as he was about to swear the oath, Dongfang Jingxing—who had been standing guard outside the private room door—suddenly barged in.
"Daoist Friend surnamed Qu, aren't your demands a bit too excessive?"
Dongfang Jingxing said bluntly, "What my Senior Brother Xiao has already agreed to give you is something you might not obtain even if you risked your life. Senior Brother Xiao's word has always been as good as gold. Why must you press him like this?"
"Hiss…"
Qu Lingchuan looked the eunuch up and down. "Little brother, those words are incorrect. I only wish for a guarantee. Is there something wrong with that?"
"Junior Brother."
Chen Sanshi rebuked him, "This is not your place to speak."
"Oh? So you insist on making him swear?"
Ignoring the attempt to stop him, Dongfang Jingxing said, "Then I will swear this oath on Senior Brother's behalf!"
He knew that once the emperor spoke, his word would never be taken back—but that was not the same as swearing a Heavenly Dao Oath.
A simple promise only meant doing one's utmost. But once an oath was sworn, it would be like a stone pressing on the heart. If the objective could not be achieved, it would forever feel like an unpaid debt weighing on the mind.
"I, Dongfang Jingxing, swear by the sun, the moon, the mountains and rivers, and the Great Dao of heaven and earth—"
Before anyone could react, Dongfang Jingxing rapidly formed hand seals and loudly proclaimed a ruthless oath toward the sky outside the window.
"You—"
Seeing the young man's decisive action, Qu Lingchuan was clearly startled.
"Daoist Friend Qu."
Dongfang Jingxing narrowed his eyes. "Is that enough, or not?!"
"Heh…"
Qu Lingchuan calculated silently in his heart.
The boy was willing to swear a Heavenly Dao Oath in Xiao Feng's place, which showed that the relationship between them was very close. That was already enough.
If he kept pressing the matter, it might very well backfire.
Thinking this, Qu Lingchuan said, "Enough, of course it's enough."
He turned his gaze to the side. "Daoist Friend Xiao Feng, from this moment on, I, Qu, will follow your orders. Whatever you need me to do, just say the word."
Chen Sanshi glanced at Little Zhuzi and, for the moment, had no time to bother with him. He merely answered the question: "For now, there is nothing you need to do. Daoist Friend Qu only needs to stay near the teleportation formation. When I need it, open it for me."
"Understood."
Qu Lingchuan nodded thoughtfully. "I will remember. In that case, I will take my leave first and wait for Brother Xiao's message."
"Hold on!"
Dongfang Jingxing stopped him. "Daoist Friend Qu, I just swore an oath. Shouldn't you swear one as well? Otherwise, who knows whether you might switch sides midway?"
Qu Lingchuan paused, then said with a smile that did not reach his eyes, "Naturally, that can be arranged."
As he spoke, he also swore a Heavenly Dao Oath, promising that in the future, he would definitely help open the teleportation formation. Only then was he allowed to leave.
"Brother Deng, Miss Zinan."
Chen Sanshi turned to the two of them. "I wonder whether the two of you would be willing to cooperate with me once more. I mean a long-term cooperation."
"Long-term?"
Deng Wuchang, who knew the other party's true identity, naturally understood what he meant.
"There's no rush on that."
Chen Sanshi said, "Give me your answer after 1 year."
Tianyong City still needed outside cultivators.
But if he wanted them to agree, Great Han would probably have to first survive the coming crisis.
"In that case, we'll take our leave as well."
Deng Wuchang and Zinan also departed one after another.
Inside the room, only Chen Sanshi and the eunuch remained.
Thud.
Dongfang Jingxing dropped heavily to his knees. "This servant deserves death!"
"Oh?"
Chen Sanshi looked at him and deliberately asked, "What crime have you committed?"
"This servant should not have acted on his own authority and sworn an oath in Your Majesty's place. It was only that I felt that cultivator surnamed Qu was slighting imperial dignity, and I truly could not bear to watch it."
Grinding his teeth, Dongfang Jingxing said, "If not for the fact that we still have use for that man, this servant would definitely refine him into the Ten Thousand Souls Banner!"
"So you do know that you acted on your own authority."
Though Chen Sanshi did not raise his voice, his words carried a natural majesty. "If he had been angered by you just now, would that not have ruined the great plan upon which the life and death of Divine Continent rests?"
"Please punish this servant, Your Majesty!"
Dongfang Jingxing kowtowed heavily.
"Let there not be a next time."
After a long silence, Chen Sanshi raised the matter high and set it down lightly with those 4 words. Then he stepped past the other man, feeling a trace of comfort in his heart.
This child had grown up at his side since youth. At least he knew how to think on his behalf.
It was just that some rules could not be broken on the surface. Otherwise, the court would fall into chaos.
"This servant kowtows in thanks for Your Majesty's mercy!"
Dongfang Jingxing knocked his head to the ground again.
"Oh, right."
After taking a few steps, Chen Sanshi added, "Go notify General Wang and the others. Have them act according to what I told you some time ago, then gather near Daze Market."
The stratagem of luring the tiger away from the mountain could already begin to be set in motion.
"This servant understands. General Wang and the others are already prepared."
Dongfang Jingxing paused. "Also, Your Majesty, Shangguan Siheng of the Zhuxian Sect requests an audience."
"Shangguan Siheng? I understand."
Chen Sanshi did not linger any longer and strode away.
When the Nine Nether Forbidden Land opened, the people of the Zhuxian Sect had been tracked by spellcraft and had no choice but to flee Northern Yang Dao. It took them more than 2 years to shake off the pursuit and return.
So when they met again, even Hall Master Shangguan Siheng looked much more haggard.
"Brother Shangguan, long time no see."
Inside a teahouse in the market, Chen Sanshi greeted him.
"Brother Xiao, I trust you've been well."
Shangguan Siheng got straight to the point. "As far as I know, the day when the seal on heaven and earth loosens is almost upon us. Have you and the people of Eastern Divine Continent come up with any good way to deal with it?"
"It may not necessarily count as a good method, but it is at least worth trying."
Chen Sanshi asked, "Has your sect managed to bring in any reinforcements?"
"To be frank, I successfully contacted quite a few seniors. But Northern Yang Dao is remote, and to the south of Heavenly Water Isle lies the Kunlun Mountains as a barrier. By the time they can free themselves and make it here, I fear it will already be after the ancient treasure at Daze Main Peak has been activated…"
Shangguan Siheng first sighed, then said firmly, "However, Daoist Friend need not worry. You can inform Chen Lei that the people of our Zhuxian Sect will live and die together with them. Even if we cannot stop the destruction of the seal, we will still make Shouzhongzi of Shengyun Sect lose a piece of his flesh."
Chen Sanshi said calmly, "Then I ought to thank the Zhuxian Sect on Brother Chen's behalf."
"We walk the same path. No need for courtesy."
Shangguan Siheng changed the subject. "Aside from that matter, over these past 2 years, we've made some new discoveries regarding the demonic cult forces lurking in Northern Yang Dao.
"For this operation, their preaching and deployment in Northern Yang Dao serves, on one hand, to answer the righteous-demonic war at the border and carry out a great sacrifice. But their main objective is still to obtain the Bai family of Dusk Valley's clan-protecting treasure.
"In other words, just to conceal news of that treasure, they were willing to go through enormous trouble and stage a blood sacrifice to draw attention away!
"It's just that I still haven't managed to figure out exactly what the Bai family's clan-protecting treasure is."
Chen Sanshi speculated, "Most likely, it has something to do with cultivating spiritual plants, with an effect similar to Divine Wood Spirit Liquid. Recently, the Bai family themselves have also been troubled over this matter."
After hearing the inside story, Shangguan Siheng said, "If that's the case, the Bai family might as well hand the item directly over to the Zhuxian Sect. We can offer them protection!"
Chen Sanshi pierced straight through that claim. "Brother Shangguan is on the run all day long himself. Are you sure you can still protect a large clan with so many people?"
"Fair point."
Shangguan Siheng returned to the earlier topic. "This time in Northern Yang Dao, the demonic cult hall master in charge of directing the secret operation is named Cao Dongjun, a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator.
"That realm is neither especially high nor especially low, which makes me feel there's something strange about it.
"If the Bai family's clan-protecting treasure really is something that cultivators all under heaven would scramble after, then with only one Cao Dongjun, what gives him such complete confidence?
"And before the Seven Kill Sect came to Northern Yang Dao a few years ago, they made a special trip to the Myriad Demon Kingdom and spent considerable manpower slaughtering a pair of Mother-Child Blood Fiend Flood Dragons. I don't know whether that has any connection to the clan-protecting treasure."
"Mother-Child Blood Fiend Flood Dragons?"
Chen Sanshi had read a brief record about them.
Mother-Child Blood Fiend Flood Dragons were, in fact, a kind of flood dragon in which mother and child accompanied each other for life. They were few in number and savage by nature.
The habits of this kind of flood dragon were extremely peculiar. No matter how the two cultivated, most of the realm gains would be added onto the child flood dragon.
Because of that, even though they lived together, the gap in realm between the two would only grow larger and larger.
Yet even stranger, the mother dragon could still use bloodline power to keep the child flood dragon under absolute control. At critical moments, she could even force the child flood dragon to sacrifice itself so that she could survive.
As for what use the various parts of these strange flood dragons might have after death, the book had not said, so he did not know.
"They have many uses."
Shangguan Siheng explained, "Because the blood fiend qi in their bodies is extremely heavy, demonic cultivators love to devour their flesh and blood, then use their tendons, bones, and scales to refine magic artifacts.
"My guess is that, before coming to Northern Yang Dao, they deliberately slaughtered a pair of mother-child flood dragons because they were definitely going to put them to use here!"
"What Brother Shangguan says makes sense. I'll have to trouble you to investigate this matter further. If we can figure out the demonic cult's plan, perhaps it will give us an opening."
Chen Sanshi said, "Also, there are some matters recently that will require your sect to send some people to help."
He informed him of part of the plan to lure the tiger away from the mountain, then exchanged some other intelligence as well. Without realizing it, they talked for a full half day.
By the time he stepped out of the teahouse, it was already dusk.
Aside from the establishments of wind and moon, the various shops in Daze Market had also begun to close one after another.
The loose cultivators likewise returned to their cave dwellings to rest.
Chen Sanshi did not leave directly. Instead, he came to the residential area for middle-grade cave dwellings and lightly knocked on the gate of one courtyard.
Not long afterward, the gate opened.
A young man who looked no older than 18 or 19 stepped out.
"Grandfather?!"
At the sight of that familiar face, surprise first flashed through his eyes, but it was immediately replaced by deep wariness. He even formed a seal in his hand as he demanded, "Who are you?!"
"An old friend of Daoist Friend Mo Zhu."
Chen Sanshi replied calmly.
It seemed that Mo Lin understood something. His expression darkened as he said, "My grandfather... has passed away?"
"That's right."
Chen Sanshi confirmed it.
As early as 2 years ago, he had already handed over most of the property Mo Zhu left behind to this young man.
It was just that the market's identity checks were extremely strict, and he often needed to use Mo Zhu's identity, so he had never made the news of his death public.
As for the True Talisman Codex, because its contents were complicated, even making a copied imprint of it was extremely slow. It was only recently that it had finally been completed.
Thus, Chen Sanshi had come today to hand over a copied version of the codex according to his promise, and also to pass on some of his insights.
If the other party was willing, he would even teach him cultivation methods and cultivation essentials, as a way of repaying the favor of the gift Mo Zhu had left him before his death.