Chapter 1560: Lord Xue Haigu's Coercion
Half a month later, Song Wen sat cross-legged on a low couch in a tavern, stroking an image stone in his hand.
A beam of light erupted from the stone, coalescing into a holographic image before him.
In the projection, a gaunt-faced man floated in mid-air, fifteen spirit fruits resembling Sky-Blue Glazed Fruits hovering before him, along with a flame as pale as bleached bone.
The man was Lord Xue Haigu.
“Gou Jun, you see? Everything you desire is here. Name the time and place for the exchange, but make it swift. This Monarch has no patience for delays,” Lord Xue Haigu’s lips moved in the image, his voice cold and hard.
Ten days prior, Song Wen had acquired this image stone from a branch of the Hall of Myriad Affairs and had reviewed its contents countless times.
Just as Lord Xue Haigu couldn’t verify the authenticity of the Life-Replenishing Fruit through the image stone, Song Wen had used the recording to assess the legitimacy of the Sky-Blue Glazed Fruits and the Taiyin Netherfire.
Song Wen casually stored the image stone in his storage ring, his brow furrowing.
Whether Lord Xue Haigu genuinely intended to trade was a concern for another time. What puzzled him was why, after half a month, he had received only one trade request—from Lord Xue Haigu himself.
Were none of the other Great Ascension Stage cultivators from the Divine Blood Gate interested in the Life-Replenishing Fruit?
Just then, Song Wen noticed a Communication Jade Slip in his storage ring vibrating slightly.
He retrieved it and saw a message from Lord Xue Haigu.
Gou Jun, did you receive the recording stone carving? What’s your decision? When and where do you propose we conduct the transaction?
For the past few days, Lord Xue Haigu had been sending the same question multiple times daily, but Song Wen had never replied.
The reason he had left five Communication Jade Slips with the Hall of Myriad Affairs was to attract multiple parties interested in the Life-Replenishing Fruit. He planned to select the weakest among them for the ‘transaction.’
After all, the Life-Replenishing Fruit in Song Wen’s possession was fake, and the exchange would inevitably lead to a fierce battle.
Against a mid-stage great ascension cultivator like Lord Xue Haigu, even a slight misstep could cost Song Wen his life.
Gou Jun, This Monarch knows you’re waiting for others to contact you, hoping to raise your price. But let me be blunt: don’t delude yourself. The Hall of Myriad Affairs not only accepted five hundred thousand high-grade spirit stones from me, but under my combined influence and threats, they’ve already sworn to divulge not a single word about you or the Life-Replenishing Fruit to anyone else.
If you refuse to trade with This Monarch, you can forget about ever obtaining the Sky-Blue Glazed Fruit or the Taiyin Netherfire.
As Song Wen read the two newly arrived messages, a surge of anger toward the Hall of Myriad Affairs welled up within him.
Lord Xue Haigu, could you tell me which fellow daoist from the Hall of Myriad Affairs agreed to seal the information about me and the Life-Replenishing Fruit? Song Wen replied.
Gou Jun, you finally responded! This Monarch thought you had perished, Lord Xue Haigu replied. Are you inquiring about this matter to seek revenge against the Hall of Myriad Affairs?
That is none of your concern, Song Wen said.
This Monarch can tell you. However, you must agree to a trade with me, Lord Xue Haigu said.
Very well. I agree, Song Wen said.
Where? When? Lord Xue Haigu’s voice carried a hint of excitement and urgency.
I cannot reveal that yet, Song Wen said.
Are you toying with This Monarch? Lord Xue Haigu’s tone instantly turned icy.
You misunderstand. Three days from now, at noon, in Yanyin City. I will inform you of the exact time and location via Communication Jade Slip, Song Wen said.
This Monarch will trust you once. I hope you do not break your word. Otherwise, even if it costs me everything, I will ensure you never obtain the Sky-Blue Glazed Fruit or the Taiyin Netherfire in this lifetime. The one who agreed to seal the information about you and the Life-Replenishing Fruit is Daoist Hongyi of the Hall of Myriad Affairs, Lord Xue Haigu said.
Song Wen put away the jade slip and left the tavern.
He knew virtually nothing about Daoist Hongyi of the Hall of Myriad Affairs.
Song Wen had no immediate plans to seek trouble with his adversary.
Such minor grievances could be settled later if the opportunity arose; otherwise, they would simply fade like fleeting clouds.
Moreover, Lord Xue Haigu’s betrayal of Daoist Hongyi, though seemingly coerced by Song Wen, might well have been part of a calculated scheme.
Lord Xue Haigu had likely already set his sights on Daoist Hongyi. If Song Wen were to confront Daoist Hongyi now, he would only expose his own identity and whereabouts.
The Yanyin City mentioned in Song Wen’s message was another major city in Azure Wutong Province, located ten million miles from Blood Brilliance City.
A confrontation with Lord Xue Haigu during the exchange was almost inevitable. This city’s distance from the Divine Blood Gate’s stronghold meant they wouldn’t have to worry about reinforcements suddenly arriving mid-battle.
As for whether Lord Xue Haigu might secretly enlist other great ascension stage cultivators for assistance, Song Wen wasn’t particularly concerned.
The Life-Replenishing Fruit was a priceless treasure that could extend one’s lifespan. Lord Xue Haigu would never reveal its existence to others unless absolutely necessary, especially to cultivators of comparable strength, as that would only invite covetous eyes.
Besides, Lord Xue Haigu had already surmised that “Gou Jun” was merely a peak body integration stage cultivator. For a mid-stage great ascension cultivator like himself, dealing with such a minor opponent would be as easy as crushing an ant—no assistance required.
Song Wen soared into the sky and left Blood Brilliance City.
However, he didn’t head directly to Yanyin City. Instead, he flew in the opposite direction.
After putting considerable distance between himself and Blood Brilliance City, he circled back and finally arrived at Yanyin City.
First, Song Wen purchased a detailed map of the region surrounding Yanyin City.
Then, he left the city and found a secluded spot. Activating the map jade slip, a vast topographical map materialized before him.
Song Wen’s gaze swept across the map, scrutinizing every mountain range and river.
The transaction location needed to meet several criteria.
First, it had to be sufficiently secluded to prevent interruptions.
Second, the terrain should be complex enough to allow for a tactical retreat if necessary.
Third, it couldn’t be too far from Yanyin City. Otherwise, after informing Lord Xue Haigu of the location, the Lord’s superior speed might allow him to arrive first and set up an ambush.
At the same time, it couldn’t be too close to Yanyin City either. Otherwise, any conflict would attract unwanted attention.
Song Wen’s gaze finally settled on a place called “Mist-Hidden Lake.”
This vast lake, spanning tens of thousands of miles, was perpetually shrouded in thick mist.
To the west of Mist-Hidden Lake flowed the Gorge River, a major waterway stretching north to south.
At this point, the river’s channel suddenly narrowed, causing the water to swirl and pool, forming the massive lake.
Mist-Hidden Lake was devoid of Spiritual Qi, lacking both cultivation caves and any spirit grass or demon beasts. It was a place rarely visited by humans.
(End of the Chapter)