The summit of Qifeng Ridge.
As Jiang Yuechu and the Lu Clan entourage departed in a grand procession.
This mess of a place finally quieted down a little.
Soon, Lu Clan disciples stepped forward, indifferently telling the onlookers watching from afar: "Everyone, this area has been temporarily sealed. Please leave immediately; do not linger here."
As the words fell, most of the onlookers were sensible and did not dare stay long, scattering away as streaks of light.
However, there were a few who refused to give up their greedy intentions, gathering their courage to approach with smiles plastered on their faces.
"Fellow Daoist of the Lu Clan, most of us came to participate in your noble residence's Treasure Gathering Assembly. Now that such an accident has occurred, we are also trembling with fear... I wonder if you could allow us to stay here for a short while to calm our states of mind?"
As he spoke, the man's peripheral vision kept glancing toward the mangled Physical Body in the deep pit.
This was the Physical Body of a Great Demon in the late stage of Ascending the Tower.
Even if it was just a few remains, if one were lucky enough to pick up some scales or fangs, they would be treasures of immense value.
Hearing this, a sneer curled on the Lu Clan disciple's lips: "Trembling with fear?"
"When the Demon Emperor was running rampant earlier, you all watched from the sidelines, not daring to let out a single fart. Now that the Demon Emperor has been executed, you all crowd forward wanting a piece of the pie?"
"Why don't you take a look in a mirror to see what kind of pathetic character you are!"
Did these people... truly think the Lu Clan was easy to talk to?
When the Demon Emperor was here, none of them dared to approach, watching coldly. Now that they saw the Lu Clan treating that young girl with great courtesy, they thought the Lu Clan was all gentle and kind.
They didn't even stop to think why the Lu Clan was so polite to that girl.
A tiger bowing its head to a True Dragon... doesn't mean it has become a sick cat that anyone can ride.
The faces of the several Cultivators turned pale and blue from the scolding, but they didn't dare to erupt. Under the cold gazes of the Lu Clan disciples, they finally left dejectedly.
The crowd gradually dispersed.
Stall Owner Zhou, looking lost and soul-shaken, blended into the crowd and slowly returned to that white jade plaza.
Sitting down in front of his stall, he stared blankly ahead, remaining silent for a long time.
In his mind, that heart-stopping scene played over and over again.
A young girl, with bare hands, forcefully clashing with the Primordial Spirit of a late-stage Ascending the Tower Demon Emperor.
What kind of Divine Might was this?
What kind of overbearing dominance was this?
Stall Owner Zhou slowly raised his head and looked toward the depths of Qifeng Ridge.
Under the bamboo hat, a tiny spark finally reignited in his eyes.
He had thought there was no hope for revenge in this life, and that he could only harbor this ridiculous obsession while barely surviving in this world.
But today.
He seemed to see a sliver of hope.
This woman... was undoubtedly the person with the most hope of killing Wang Canglan that he could ever come into contact with.
Even if she couldn't do it right now.
But what about in due time?
She still looked so young... even if it were through the means of Youth-Retaining Techniques... her abundant Life Qi clearly showed she wasn't some decrepit old Cultivator waiting to die.
If she could help him slay Wang Canglan in the future... Stall Owner Zhou's heart trembled violently.
Then, the spark dimmed again.
He looked down at the gauntlets.
True.
High Grade Magic Treasure.
These four words, placed anywhere in the Eastern Region, were enough to make Cultivators' eyes turn red with envy, even driving them to fight to the death for it.
But compared to those three words, what did such a heavy treasure amount to?
Wang Canglan.
The most dazzling Prodigy of the Five Luminaries Imperial Throne of the Chunyang Lineage.
What price would one need to pay to kill such a person?
Stall Owner Zhou couldn't even calculate it himself.
Taking out these gauntlets and saying he wanted to trade them for Wang Canglan's life.
It was nothing more than self-deception... but what else could he offer?
Other than his skill in Alchemy and this Magic Treasure he had obtained by chance, he had long since possessed nothing.
He just wanted to give himself a reason to keep living like a dog.
A self-justifying excuse.
Every day, he repeated that ridiculous condition to people over and over again.
As if by doing so, he could slightly alleviate the guilt of surviving alone in this world, and be worthy of his fellow disciples, wives, and children who had become Pill Slaves in the Spirit Mountain, suffering day and night... The mountain wind grew cold.
In the vast plaza, it seemed only he remained, facing that Magic Treasure everyone coveted in silence... Inside the hall.
After a round of warm and friendly exchange.
Jiang Yuechu nodded slightly: "In that case, I thank you."
"The young lady helped my Lu Clan quell the demon disaster; the Lu Clan shall naturally provide full support."
Lu Gexian straightened his back, but a look of difficulty appeared on his face as he spoke carefully: "Only... I'm afraid this matter will have to be delayed for a few days."
Seeing that the young girl did not get angry, he finally breathed a sigh of relief and continued: "Firstly, the young lady likely knows that Changfeng brought back an item from the Immortal Cave of a Chess Playing Great Power this time. Although we have the young lady's intervention now to slay this Demon Emperor, who knows how many eyes are still watching in the shadows."
"We need to finish the Treasure Gathering Assembly and settle this matter completely so we can focus on working for the young lady."
Speaking to this point, the old man paused and added: "Secondly, this path of incense, while seemingly simple, actually has many intricacies within. How to establish temples, how to mold statues, and how to guide the people's wishes all have their specific methods. A slight mistake could lead one astray."
"Since my Lu Clan has promised, we will not just use an Incomplete Manual to brush you off."
"During these few days, it would be best for this old man to organize all of our clan's insights and experiences regarding the path of incense, along with all the necessary Materials, and hand them all over to the young lady at once."
These words were spoken flawlessly.
They both explained the reason and laid out the Lu Clan's sincerity on the table.
Jiang Yuechu had no objections to this.
She was not an unreasonable person to begin with.
As for the so-called treasure of the Chess Playing Great Power... she didn't ask further.
Her only goal for this trip was the Golden Body Technique.
If she were truly the type to be swayed by treasure, why would she have bothered talking to Lu Changfeng earlier? She could have just killed him with one punch.
Seizing the technique and leaving would have been much more straightforward.
Thinking of this.
Jiang Yuechu's expression was calm: "Fine, I will stay here for a few more days."
Seeing the young girl agree so readily, and even showing not a hint of interest in the supreme treasure that could attract all parties' greed.
Lu Gexian and Lu Changfeng exchanged a glance, their evaluation of this woman rising several notches higher.
"The young lady is truly noble!"
The smile on Lu Gexian's face grew even wider as he quickly stepped aside to lead the way: "This place is bloody and not fit for guests. Please follow me, young lady, and allow this old man to host you properly."
"Changfeng, go and arrange it personally. It must be of the highest standard; there must not be the slightest neglect again!"
Lu Changfeng bowed in response... Passing through corridors and winding around rockeries.
Lu Changfeng personally led the three of them to a very quiet and elegant detached courtyard.
"Young lady, please trouble yourselves to stay here for a few days. If you have any needs, just instruct the servants at any time."
Jiang Yuechu nodded slightly as an acknowledgment.
After Lu Changfeng took his leave.
Running Ox finally let out a long breath, plopping down on a stone stool and patting his chest with lingering fear.
"Good grief, things are finally peaceful."
Wang Ziyu, however, paced twice in the yard with his hands behind his back: "Peaceful? I'm afraid not necessarily."
He glanced at the calm Jiang Yuechu.
"This Lu Clan is using you as a protective talisman..."