Chapter 1566: The Meticulous Mo You
“Oh?” Song Wen’s voice held a hint of curiosity as he continued, “How did you determine that my cultivation is superior to yours? And what abilities do you possess that could help me find the Taiyin Netherfire?”
The male cultivator replied, “Senior, as a rogue cultivator daring to scheme for the Taiyin Netherfire, your cultivation must be at least at the Body Integration Stage. Void Refinement cultivators wouldn’t even dare to covet such a spiritual fire. Furthermore, to my knowledge, the Taiyin Netherfire aids in breaking through to the Great Ascension Realm. I presume your cultivation is at least late Body Integration, if not peak Body Integration. As I am merely at the late Void Refinement Stage, it is only natural that I address you as ‘senior’.”
“You know quite a lot,” Song Wen remarked.
He had only learned of the Taiyin Netherfire and its ability to assist in reaching the Great Ascension Realm from Gu Que. The fact that this Void Refinement cultivator was aware of such a secret indicated his extraordinary insight and a significant background.
The male cultivator’s next words confirmed Song Wen’s suspicions. “I am an inner sect disciple of the Divine Blood Gate, assigned to Yinghuo Hall, which oversees all matters related to spiritual fire within the sect.”
The eyes beneath Song Wen’s black cloak flickered with interest. This is truly a case of finding what you seek without effort after searching everywhere in vain.
This individual might just be the key to obtaining the Taiyin Netherfire.
At the same time, Song Wen marveled at the man’s profound depth of character.
Before Song Wen approached to strike up a conversation, the man had remained taciturn. Even when asked about the Taiyin Netherfire, he showed no reaction. Only when Song Wen prepared to leave did he speak up to stop him.
“You’ve revealed your identity and are seeking to collude with me, an outsider. Aren’t you afraid I’ll report this to the Divine Blood Gate and accuse you of betrayal?” Song Wen retorted, his tone playful rather than immediately accepting the invitation.
“This junior believes in his judgment,” the male cultivator replied. “Senior would never betray this secret to the Divine Blood Gate.”
“Are you so certain?” Song Wen asked.
“Senior entered the exchange conference at the Zi hour, right as it began,” the man explained. “Yet you remained for two full hours without making a single move, exchanging any spiritual objects, or interacting with anyone. You only revealed your purpose to our group of five as the conference drew to a close. This clearly shows that your sole objective here was the Taiyin Netherfire. Since I happen to be able to assist you, I trust you won’t refuse.”
“Intriguing,” Song Wen mused.
Though the man’s cultivation was somewhat lacking, his courage, meticulousness, intelligence, and composure were all exceptional. He was a man of substance.
Working together might truly yield results.
“What do you want from me?” Song Wen asked.
“A Heavenly Astral Body Integration Pill, plus five hundred thousand high-grade spirit stones,” the male cultivator replied.
“Five hundred thousand high-grade spirit stones are no problem, but I don’t have a Heavenly Astral Body Integration Pill,” Song Wen said.
“I know someone who does, but I’m too weak to face them. If a senior like you were to act, it would be child’s play,” the male cultivator said.
Song Wen instantly understood.
The person the cultivator was referring to was likely a disciple of the Divine Blood Gate, and one of high status. The cultivator himself dared not act against them, nor could he enlist the help of others within the Gate, which was why he was approaching an outsider like Song Wen, whose origins were unknown.
“Very well, I accept this deal. All you need to do is tell me that person’s identity and whereabouts,” Song Wen said.
“The man’s name is Huo Ming, son of Huo Wuqi, the Hall Master of Yinghuo Hall. Within seven days, Huo Ming will leave the Divine Blood Gate and head to Yanyin City. I’ll send you word when he’s on his way, and I beg you to intercept him mid-journey,” the male cultivator said.
“Since Huo Ming is the Hall Master’s son, he’ll surely have guards with him at all times, won’t he? Do you know the cultivation level of these guards?” Song Wen asked.
“Just some old mid body integration stage fellow. A senior like you could probably deal with him with a flick of your finger,” the male cultivator said.
“Huo Ming, I can help you eliminate him, but are you certain he carries the Heavenly Astral Body Integration Pill with him?” Song Wen asked.
Possessing something and carrying it on one’s person were two different things.
“Huo Ming has always been arrogant; he carries the Heavenly Astral Body Integration Pill with him,” the male cultivator replied.
Song Wen nodded slightly, asking no further questions about Huo Ming. Instead, he turned to the next matter.
“I can help you obtain the Heavenly Astral Body Integration Pill, but what about the Taiyin Netherfire? Given your status, wouldn’t stealing it be difficult?”
The male cultivator’s voice carried a clear, ethereal tone.
“Huo Ming is Huo Wuqi’s only son and his last remaining blood relative in the world. He is deeply cherished by Huo Wuqi. When Huo Ming dies, Huo Wuqi will undoubtedly be enraged and personally investigate the cause of his death.”
“During this investigation, Yinghuo Hall will be temporarily managed by Lady Yugu, an elder of the inner sect. Lady Yugu has long coveted the Taiyin Netherfire, but she has been unable to act due to the sect’s restrictions and Huo Wuqi’s presence. Once Huo Wuqi is distracted by his son’s death and leaves to seek revenge, Lady Yugu will seize this opportunity. She will undoubtedly find a way to steal a flame from the Taiyin Netherfire in Yinghuo Hall. After that, we only need to ambush and kill Lady Yugu, and the Taiyin Netherfire will be ours.”
Hearing this, Song Wen frowned slightly.
This plan had a major uncertainty: Lady Yugu stealing the Taiyin Netherfire.
After all, if the matter were leaked, she would face severe punishment from the Divine Blood Gate.
“Since Huo Ming is so favored by Huo Wuqi, why should we go to such lengths? Why not… capture Huo Ming directly and use him as leverage to force Huo Wuqi to hand over the Taiyin Netherfire?”
“Absolutely not,” the male cultivator immediately rejected Song Wen’s proposal. “Huo Wuqi is at the early great ascension stage and enjoys social connections, maintaining close ties with other great ascension cultivators in the sect. If he were to enlist two or three more great ascension cultivators to assist him, even with your vast capabilities, senior, negotiating with him would be like trying to steal from a tiger—a suicidal endeavor. Lady Yugu, on the other hand, is only at the peak body integration stage, making her much easier to deal with.”
Song Wen fell into silence.
After a long pause, he finally spoke again.
“Very well! We’ll proceed according to your plan. However, I must make one thing clear: I will not give you the Heavenly Astral Body Integration Pill until the Taiyin Netherfire is secured. If Lady Yugu doesn’t steal the Taiyin Netherfire as you predicted, you’ll need to find another way to steal the spiritual fire.”
“Rest assured, Senior, I will naturally do so,” the male cultivator said. “May I inquire as to your esteemed title?”
“Xing Chang,” Song Wen replied casually. “And what should I call you?”
“This junior is Mo You.”
(End of the Chapter)