Chapter 1559: Song Wen Struggles to Discern Truth from Falsehood
After leaving the Hall of Myriad Affairs, Song Wen immediately exited Mindong Market and soared into the sky at full speed.
To be cautious, he repeatedly changed direction mid-flight, diving into dense forests and turbulent rivers to shake off any potential pursuers. Only after confirming he was alone did he finally head toward Blood Brilliance City.
Upon entering the city, he didn’t return to the courtyard at 57 Fuliu Lane. Instead, he settled into an inexpensive inn nearby.
He had repeatedly questioned Wang Qi about the Sky-Blue Glazed Fruit and Taiyin Netherfire. If others learned of this, they might easily deduce that “Gou Jun” was actually “Ye Hua.”
The “Ye Hua” identity was no longer safe.
Therefore, the courtyard Ye Hua had rented was no longer a viable residence.
The bait had been cast; now he simply needed to wait for the Hall of Myriad Affairs to quietly spread news of the “Life-Replenishing Fruit” throughout Blood Brilliance City.
As for whether the Hall of Myriad Affairs would pocket the spirit stones without delivering on their promise, Song Wen had no concerns.
Information about the Life-Replenishing Fruit was itself invaluable. Even an unverified rumor could bring the Hall of Myriad Affairs substantial profits. They would never ignore such a treasure trove.
The feedback arrived even sooner than Song Wen had anticipated.
The next day, as Song Wen was meditating on a low couch, a Communication Jade Slip in his storage ring began to vibrate.
Are you Gou Jun? the message read.
Yes, Song Wen replied.
Do you possess a Life-Replenishing Fruit? the other party continued.
Yes, Song Wen responded succinctly.
I happen to have the ten Sky-Blue Glazed Fruits and the Taiyin Netherfire Split Flame you seek. Where do you propose we conduct the exchange? the other party cut straight to the chase.
Before we proceed with the transaction, shouldn’t you identify yourself? Song Wen countered.
You… don’t trust me? the other party asked.
Of course not. How could I possibly trust someone whose name I don’t even know? If you intend to kill and steal, rushing into a transaction would be suicide, Song Wen replied.
Divine Blood Gate, Lord Xue Haigu, the other party declared.
Song Wen’s mind swiftly searched for information about the Lord Xue Haigu.
The Lord Xue Haigu was an inner sect elder of the Divine Blood Gate who had advanced to the Mid-Stage Great Ascension realm over five thousand years ago. His current cultivation level should be approaching or have already reached the Perfection of Mid-Stage Great Ascension.
As far as I know, you’re not even twenty thousand years old yet, with several millennia remaining before your lifespan limit. Why are you so fixated on longevity extension? Song Wen asked.
Who wouldn’t desire a rare treasure like the Life-Replenishing Fruit? You urgently need the Sky-Blue Glazed Fruit and Taiyin Netherfire, but these items hold little value for me. Moreover, it took me over seven thousand years to advance from the Early Great Ascension Stage to the Middle Stage. Without a stroke of extraordinary fortune, I fear I’ll never even reach the threshold of the Peak Great Ascension Stage in this lifetime, let alone the Tribulation Crossing Stage. I’ll inevitably exhaust my lifespan and perish, so I must prepare accordingly. Lord Xue Haigu said.
I’ll take your word for it, for now. But how can you prove your identity? And how can you convince me that you truly possess the Sky-Blue Glazed Fruit and Taiyin Netherfire? Song Wen asked.
You dare claim ownership of the Life-Replenishing Fruit based solely on an image stone whose authenticity is questionable. Before I reveal my proof, shouldn’t you first demonstrate some sincerity or provide some tangible evidence? Lord Xue Haigu countered.
Do you expect to inspect the goods before the transaction? Don’t delude yourself. As an inner sect elder of the Divine Blood Gate, I wouldn’t dare meet you in person. You must verify the authenticity of the image stone’s contents yourself. If you can’t trust me, then the deal is off. Song Wen replied.
“You…” The Lord Xue Haigu seemed to have lost his composure, his tone tinged with exasperation.
Song Wen ignored him, casually tossing the Communication Jade Slip onto the low couch.
The jade slip fell silent, but after only fifteen minutes, it began to pulse again.
Song Wen didn’t bother checking it, pretending not to notice.
The Lord Xue Haigu, however, clearly wasn’t giving up. Over the next hour, the jade slip pulsed seven or eight more times before finally falling silent again.
Three hours later, Song Wen picked up the jade slip and began to read.
Gou Jun, this Monarch is willing to swear an oath to the Heavenly Dao to prove my identity and sincerity.
If you still don’t trust me, you may choose the transaction location. I will come alone.
Gou Jun, what do you truly want? Could it be that you don’t actually possess the Life-Replenishing Fruit and are merely toying with this Monarch?
…Very well. This Monarch will offer a Sky-Blue Glazed Fruit as a token of sincerity. In half an hour, I will place the Sky-Blue Glazed Fruit at Azure Water Lake, fifty thousand miles west of Blood Brilliance City. Send someone to retrieve it, or come yourself.
Gou Jun, don’t be ungrateful! This Monarch, a dignified Great Ascension cultivator, has lowered himself to negotiate with you, yet you ignore me. Do you still want the Sky-Blue Glazed Fruit and Taiyin Netherfire?
Gou Jun! Do you truly believe this Monarch has no choice but to trade with you? I still have several thousand years of lifespan left. I can do without the Life-Replenishing Fruit.
Gou Jun! Don’t test this Monarch’s patience!
If you don’t respond now, I will scour every corner of Blood Brilliance City until I find you!
After this message, the next one arrived nearly an hour later.
Five more! If you agree to trade, this Monarch will add five more Sky-Blue Glazed Fruits.
Having seen this Monarch’s message, I urge you to reply immediately.
As Song Wen observed the Lord Xue Haigu’s increasingly desperate tone, his eyes remained as calm as ever.
The more urgent the Lord seemed, the less trustworthy he became.
After all, the Lord Xue Haigu was an ancient monster who had lived for nearly twenty thousand years. He wouldn’t easily lose his composure.
Unless… he truly needed the Life-Replenishing Fruit, to the point where his very survival depended on it.
“Fifteen Sky-Blue Glazed Fruits and a Taiyin Netherfire Split Flame—I agree to these terms. However, you must first prove your claims. Use an image stone to simultaneously record yourself, the Sky-Blue Glazed Fruits, and the Taiyin Netherfire. Then, deliver the image stone to the Hall of Myriad Affairs, instructing them to make copies and distribute them to their branches throughout Azure Wutong Province. I will personally retrieve the image stone from a branch of my choosing,” Song Wen replied.
“Very well, This Monarch agrees,” the Lord Xue Haigu quickly responded. “However, your extreme caution suggests you are a Body Integration Stage cultivator, perhaps even at the peak of that stage. Your desire for the Taiyin Netherfire likely stems from a need to refine your spiritual power. This confirms you are a corpse cultivator; no other type of cultivator could utilize the Taiyin Netherfire for such purposes.”
Song Wen was immediately alarmed by the Lord Xue Haigu’s probing.
From a mere spiritual fire, the Lord Xue Haigu had deduced so much information with perfect accuracy.
However, the Lord seemed unaware of the Sky-Blue Glazed Fruit’s true purpose.
As for whether the Lord Xue Haigu truly possessed fifteen Sky-Blue Glazed Fruits and a Taiyin Netherfire Split Flame, Song Wen couldn’t verify the truth without examining the image stone first.
(End of the Chapter)