Chapter 207: Under the Holy Sect's Rule, Like Walking on Thin Ice

Jiangbei, Gaizhu Mountain.

The spiritual vein here is abundant with wood Qi, a scene of vibrant life where all things compete to flourish; Lu Yang and the True Person of Yinshan rode their escape lights and soon landed outside the mountain.

"Previously, the Holy Sect issued an order for the cultivators of Jiangbei to gather here."

The True Person of Yinshan did not disturb the formation on the mountain; instead, he took out a flying letter, ignited it with magic power, flicked it lightly, and sent it soaring into the mountain as a spiritual light.

Moments later, a graceful figure walked out from within the mountain.

The newcomer had beautiful eyes holding waves, powdered eyebrows like moths, and a skirt hem that stopped just below the hips, revealing glimpses of skin, while a heady fragrance clung to her person.

"A cultivator from the subordinate sect, Hanxiang, greets the True Person of the Holy Sect."

The moment the woman appeared, she bowed gracefully with perfect decorum, yet an air of seduction gave her an intensely contrasting aura.

However, Lu Yang dared not be careless; this woman named Hanxiang was no simple matter. She was the current sect master of the Xiangqu Sect in Jiangbei, with a Foundation Establishment mid-stage cultivation. It was said that a great True Person of Foundation Establishment late-stage was also stationed within her sect, making it already a notorious demonic path faction in Jiangbei.

"Since the two True Persons have traveled far, why not come inside for a chat?"

Hanxiang smiled foolishly, then stepped aside to let them pass. On the surface, it sounded like a simple invitation, yet her tone seemed to imply something else entirely.

But what kind of person was Lu Yang?

He always claimed his Dao heart was as iron, that he was not one to be swayed by women, so how could he possibly be influenced by such fox-like seduction? He immediately put on a serious expression:

"Is it only you?"

Lu Yang swept his divine sense over the vast Gaizhu Mountain, only to find that at this moment, only Hanxiang was stationed there. Where were the other Foundation Establishment True Persons summoned by the Holy Sect?

"Replying to my lord, they have gone elsewhere."

Hearing this, Hanxiang showed a hint of embarrassment: "They heard that a True Person of the Holy Sect was arriving and that a great battle was about to begin, so they prepared to make some private deals."

Lu Yang was stunned, then understood. Those who could make a name for themselves under the rule of the Holy Sect and become Foundation Establishment True Persons must each have some trump cards and some items they no longer needed. With the great battle imminent, they naturally had to find a way to exchange their useless items for combat power.

However, Lu Yang still did not quite understand.

"Shouldn't this be done at Gaizhu Mountain? Moreover, if the Holy Sect were to host it, wouldn't the efficiency of transactions between the various families be higher?"

"Uh..."

Upon hearing this, Hanxiang's red lips parted slightly, leaving her speechless. The True Person of Yinshan beside her also seemed to think of something, wearing a strange expression.

The next second, Lu Yang heard the True Person of Yinshan's voice transmit directly into his ear:

"Junior brother, you do not know. Given the conduct of our Holy Sect, we are not very trusted, and such transactions inevitably require presenting some genuine materials."

Lu Yang immediately realized the truth.

Why were they unwilling to let the Holy Sect host the transaction, preferring to do it privately? They were worried that a True Person of the Holy Sect would covet their items and simply force a purchase!

Thinking even more maliciously, perhaps there were True Persons of the Holy Sect who had disguised their identities, ambushed and killed travelers halfway, and then blamed it on external enemies afterward.

"Have we done such things?"

"Absolutely not!"

The True Person of Yinshan spoke with absolute conviction, and Lu Yang immediately understood the subtext.

They definitely had! And probably quite a few times!

Thinking of this, Lu Yang wore a helpless expression. He never expected he had still underestimated the lower limits of the Holy Sect's True Persons. How could these beasts act so?

"Where are they trading? Take me there."

Upon hearing this, Hanxiang immediately showed a look of difficulty.

Seeing this, Lu Yang's expression grew stern: "Do not misunderstand. I, Lu Yang, am different from other True Persons of the Holy Sect; I would never do such things as ambushing and killing halfway."

You already thought of it, and now you tell me you won't do it?

However, since the words had been spoken to this extent, how could she dare to refuse?

'Under the rule of the Holy Sect, it is like walking on thin ice.'

Hanxiang cursed inwardly but dared not show the slightest trace on her face. She could only sigh: "This humble one will now lead the True Person there; I hope the True Person will not take offense."

Hearing this, Lu Yang slightly raised the corner of his mouth, revealing a kind smile: "I previously acquired several magical treasures overseas. They are useless in my hands, so it is better to trade them away. This will not only increase the combat power of the cultivators in Jiangbei but also allow me to obtain some more useful treasures in return."

"... Oh?"

Hearing this, Hanxiang's beautiful eyes immediately brightened. After all, magical treasures produced by the Holy Sect, even if useless to Lu Yang, were still masterpieces to them.

"However, Gaizhu Mountain still needs a True Person to station here."

"I will do it," the True Person of Yinshan volunteered. "Duanmu Yuan Tu, you go with her; I will leave this place to me."

"... Then I thank you, senior brother."

Lu Yang and the True Person of Yinshan exchanged a glance, as if reaching some consensus, then nodded.

Moments later, in a forest outside the Kingdom of Qing.

Lu Yang and Hanxiang each rode their escape lights, concealing their forms, descended into the forest, and finally stopped before a cave, releasing their own auras.

Walking into the cave.

They saw that several figures had already gathered inside, and a rough count showed even more than ten, all looking toward the two of them.

However, everyone concealed their auras and forms, clearly not intending to reveal their identities at the trading session. After all, the major powers of Jiangbei could not possibly be as close as one family; among the Foundation Establishment True Persons summoned by the Holy Sect's order, there were even those who were generations of enemies, so naturally, they dared not be too blatant.

Moreover, anonymity was more suitable for fencing stolen goods.

From this perspective, the cultivators of Jiangbei had indeed been influenced by the Holy Sect, each one cunning and shrewd, but this also made it convenient for Lu Yang to blend in.

"The time has arrived."

With a soft shout, a yellowish light illuminated the center of the cave, and then an old man with white hair and white robes walked out from within.

Almost simultaneously, Hanxiang transmitted via divine sense to introduce him to Lu Yang: "This man is named Old Man Fishing Dragons. He is a rogue cultivator in Jiangbei, likely having received a great sect's inheritance or some other opportunity, so he is also at the Foundation Establishment mid-stage. He was the first to propose holding this trading session."

Hearing this, Lu Yang immediately narrowed his eyes.

Among the Foundation Establishment True Persons present, only Old Man Fishing Dragons did not conceal his appearance or aura, showing that this True Person had full confidence in his strength.

He was simply acting with impunity.

Immediately, Old Man Fishing Dragons in the center of the arena smiled slightly: "This trading session was proposed by this old man, so let me start it off first."

With that, he waved his hand.

The next moment, the temperature inside the cave surged sharply; rolling blood qi spread like a blazing sun, revealing the corpse of a mighty, fearsome dragon!

"A few days ago, a True Person of the Sacred Sect fought a battle overseas, causing great chaos. I was lucky enough to catch a Foundation Establishment–stage dragon. Its sinews and bones can be used to forge treasures, its blood to strengthen yang, and I still have half a dragon horn. All I ask is one pill of longevity-extending elixir."

At these words, all fell silent.

If it were merely a simple longevity pill, many here could provide it—but the Foundation Establishment True Person's notion of "longevity" actually refers to a method capable of dispelling Bei Wind.

For example, the Pill of Wind Avoidance once given by the Master of Baitian Peak to the Arhat Fu Long Arhat was precisely such a treasure.

Unfortunately, this seemed to be the Master of Baitian Peak's own personal fortune, unrelated to Baitian Peak itself; thus, after Lu Yang took control of Baitian Peak, he received neither the pill nor its formula.

After a moment, a brilliant light suddenly flared in place.

When the light faded, the Foundation Establishment dragon corpse the Dragon Fisher had just produced vanished from its spot—clearly, someone had secretly completed a transaction with him.

Concealing it with radiant light was clearly meant to hide who had acquired the treasure.

"Next."

Soon, more Foundation Establishment True Persons stepped forward to trade, their offerings equally varied: spiritual treasures, pills, Dao techniques—almost everything imaginable.

Even Han Xiang went up to trade once.

But what left Lu Yang speechless was that Han Xiang had disguised her form as that of a burly man, and her voice had become deeply coarse.

Do you really need to be this cautious?

At that moment, another radiant light flared inside the cave, and out stepped a Daoist boy with a youthful face but an air of ancient, weary solemnity.

Another one who didn't conceal his appearance.

"It's the Zhang Sect of Duobao Tongzi's Fenbao Cliff—a Foundation Establishment mid-stage True Person!"

"He actually came too?"

"He's a fat sheep indeed—even Sacred Sect True Persons have fought over him!"

Instantly, many Foundation Establishment True Persons stared fixedly at him—but when the Daoist boy looked their way, most dared not meet his gaze.

After all, most present were Foundation Establishment early-stage; Foundation Establishment mid-stage already carried considerable intimidation.

Only Lu Yang narrowed his eyes at the sight.

'Interesting.'

He glanced at Duobao Tongzi, whose entire body shimmered with spiritual radiance, as if he'd pasted the words "Fishing" on his forehead, then suddenly smiled.

(End of Chapter)