Chapter 355: Unwarranted Calamity?

He opened the door.

Xiao Wuxian stood respectfully outside the door; when he saw Yunhe emerge, an apologetic smile instantly appeared on his face, and he bowed to him.

"I, as a junior, should not be disturbing you at this moment, but there is something on my mind that I truly cannot suppress, so I have come here; I hope you will not blame me."

If he truly knew he shouldn't disturb Yunhe at this time, he shouldn't have appeared.

Obviously, the "matter" he refers to outweighs his reverence for a Yuan Ying Cultivator.

Or rather,

In fact, even if he appears outwardly extremely respectful and deliberate, he does not fear a Yuan Ying Cultivator as much as other Golden Core cultivators; he treats them with complete equality.

Perhaps this is because the other Yuan Ying Cultivators, when facing him, mostly do not put on airs, and over time this has become his habit.

Or perhaps he is well aware of his father Huang Quan Laozu's might, and only shows superficial respect to so-called early-stage Yuan Ying Cultivators.

Of course, his status also gives him this confidence.

Yunhe, upon seeing the impeccably clean and properly dressed Xiao Wuxian, suddenly understood why he had never held much goodwill toward this person from the start.

Because when he first met him, most Gui Dao Zong cultivators looked disheveled or injured, whereas this individual not only dressed properly but also exuded hardly any chaotic aura.

Although this is a trivial detail, sometimes such minutiae become the key to a first impression.

Nevertheless, this does not greatly affect Yunhe.

He smiled faintly, raised his hands in a bow and said:

"No problem. May I ask what brings you here, Daoist Xiao?"

Xiao Wuxian pressed his lips together, revealing a hesitant, indecisive expression.

Seeing this, Yunhe spoke again, "Daoist Xiao, you need not have any concerns; speak freely."

Hearing this, Xiao Wuxian sighed, and once more bowed deeply to Yunhe, as if preemptively atoning for a grave offense.

"I wonder, senior, whether your Yuan Ying corpse‑refining vessel is available for sale or exchange?"

"Hmm?"

Yunhe furrowed his brows.

Although he also noticed that when Xiao Wuxian first saw his Yuan Ying corpse‑refining vessel, he displayed an uncontainable fervor.

But who at that moment did not covet his Yuan Ying corpse‑refining vessel?

One must understand that.

The greatest difficulty in forging a Yuan Ying corpse‑refining vessel lies not in the cultivator's body, but in the Nascent Soul itself!

When faced with certain death, how could a Yuan Ying Cultivator not escape using the Nascent Soul?

This is the primary reason Yuan Ying Cultivators are hard to kill.

To be generous,

Even if one truly kills a Yuan Ying Cultivator, how can one guarantee that both the body and the Nascent Soul remain intact?

When a Yuan Ying Cultivator truly feels unable to avoid certain death, they will absolutely choose to self‑detonate the Nascent Soul to inflict damage on the enemy.

Conversely, a gu insect such as the "Tian Shi Gu" can, before a Yuan Ying Cultivator even has time to react, silently transform them into a Nascent Soul‑level "Tian Du Gu Shi".

However, such a forged vessel differs greatly from the traditional one that Yunhe possesses.

Envy aside, the fact that Xiao Wuxian would outright try to purchase it truly exceeds his expectations.

"Daoist Xiao, are you joking?" Yunhe's smile faded.

Seeing his reaction, Xiao Wuxian, as if having anticipated it, let out a light sigh and said:

"I, as a junior, know this move is extremely impolite, but senior, would you mind hearing my terms?"

Yunhe squinted, his tone even, and said:

"Go ahead and speak."

"Very well."

Xiao Wuxian first responded, and after choosing his words carefully, said slowly:

"First, you may gain the friendship of my father Huang Quan Zhenjun."

"Second, I am willing to present a Fourth Level Formation Scroll, which contains at least six sets of Fourth Level formations; I believe, as a master of formations, you will be very interested."

"Furthermore, I can provide you with two exceptional spirit furnace cauldrons, each guaranteed to possess at least mid‑stage Golden Core cultivation and a present Yuan Yin."

"Of course, I will also include a Fourth Level medium‑grade treasure; aside from spirit‑sense defensive treasures, you may choose whichever you prefer."

I must admit,

The items he offers would still hold considerable allure for other Yuan Ying Cultivators.

A Formation Scroll containing at least six Fourth Level formations, I doubt any Fourth Level formation master could refuse.

As for those two so‑called furnace cauldrons, if they indeed have at least mid‑stage Golden Core cultivation and a Yuan Yin, even a Yuan Ying Cultivator could draw substantial benefit, greatly aiding cultivation.

And a Fourth Level medium‑grade treasure is invaluable to any cultivator who has not yet formed a Nascent Soul for long.

But these...

Seeing Yunhe's expression change little, Xiao Wuxian was unsurprised and smiled faintly.

His smile seemed to carry absolute confidence.

"May I ask whether you are familiar with the 'Zhu Que Zhen Zun'?"

"Zhu Que Zhen Zun?" Yunhe was startled.

Then his gaze toward Xiao Wuxian turned slightly odd, and the smile that unconsciously resurfaced on his face gained a few more layers of meaning.

"It seems, senior, that you are aware of this rare Eastern Realm immortal, the Transformative Deity, and thus you should also know the 'Nan Ming Zhu Que Ling'."

"What? Could Daoist Xiao be trying to procure a 'Nan Ming Zhu Que Ling' for me?" Yunhe retorted with a half‑smile.

This time Xiao Wuxian was less certain, but he still said:

"This matter is of great consequence; I cannot decide now, but if I wait to contact my father and appeal to him with emotion and reason, perhaps we can try. Of course, my words are not entirely reliable. Thus I can guarantee that when my father emerges from that 'Zhu Que Mi Jing', you may choose one of the treasures he obtains!"

From his tone, it seems the Yellow Spring Old Ancestor's affection for him is overly indulgent.

Yellow Spring Old Ancestor

He can even make such decisions in place of his father?

No new terms.

Although cultivators with higher cultivation find it harder to have children.

Cultivation Base

But in fact, for most cultivators devoted to the Great Dao, having descendants isn't that important; only those who see no hope in the Great Dao turn their attention to raising a family and passing on their bloodline.

the Great Dao

Even so, is it too much for a late Yuan Ying cultivator to value a late Jie Dan stage son so highly?

Late Yuan Ying Cultivator, Late Jie Dan Stage

This also clearly explains why Feng Qingdan and the others, upon seeing Xiao Wuxian among those seeking help, decided to go to his rescue.

Feng Qingdan, Xiao Wuxian

If the Yellow Spring Old Ancestor truly dotes on Xiao Wuxian like that, it's no wonder he acts so arrogantly.

Yellow Spring Old Ancestor, Xiao Wuxian

But.

No terms.

Just as before.

No.

All the conditions proposed by Xiao Wuxian are absolutely tempting for other early Yuan Ying cultivators.

Xiao Wuxian, Early Yuan Ying Cultivator

Especially that last condition, the treasure within the Vermilion Bird Secret Realm.

Vermilion Bird Secret Realm

But the problem is.

No.

Even though Yunhe already knows of the Vermilion Bird True Lord, a Huashen cultivator, and the existence of the Vermilion Bird Secret Realm, and even holds a piece of the Southern Bright Vermilion Bird Token, he was already prepared to investigate on his own; why then rely on the Yellow Spring Old Ancestor and depend on others?

Vermilion Bird True Lord, Transformation Spirit Cultivator, Southern Bright Vermilion Bird Token, Yunhe, Yellow Spring Old Ancestor

As for the Fourth Level Formation Dao Scroll, he still hasn't fully grasped the formations he obtained from the Floating Cloud Venerable's cave abode, let alone that supremely profound Twelve Heavenly Stars Great Formation.

Fourth Level, Formation Dao Scroll, Floating Cloud Venerable, Twelve Heavenly Stars Great Formation

He simply doesn't have the energy to study other formations now.

No new.

Not to mention a fourth-level middle-grade magical treasure.

Fourth Level middle-grade magical treasure

He already possesses the Monster-Holding Armor and Ice Phoenix Wings, both top-grade fourth-level magical treasures, plus five Five Elements Heavenly Thunder Swords, his natal magical treasure with limitless potential, and the Beast Soul Banner, which only needs material upgrades to reach fourth level and quickly rise in grade—he can barely keep up with refining them himself; what more magical treasure could he need?

Monster-Holding Armor, Ice Phoenix Wings, Five Elements Heavenly Thunder Sword, natal magical treasure, Beast Soul Banner, Fourth Level top-grade, Fourth Level, grade

On the contrary, those two alchemical cauldrons are of the greatest use to him.

alchemical cauldron

But to exchange just two alchemical cauldrons for a Yuan Ying Refined Corpse, he doesn't think himself foolish.

Yuan Ying Refined Corpse

But Yunhe didn't immediately refuse; instead, he asked:

Yunhe

"This Yuan Ying Refined Corpse of mine is not bad, but it doesn't match a true early Yuan Ying cultivator. As Fellow Cultivator Xiao, you shouldn't lack a Dao protector, right? Why do you want this Refined Corpse?"

Yuan Ying Refined Corpse, Early Yuan Ying Cultivator, Dao Protector, Xiao Wuxian

Xiao Wuxian gave Yunhe a deep look, seemingly not expecting him to propose so many conditions, yet Yunhe remained unmoved.

Xiao Wuxian, Yunhe

Even though he is only a late Jie Dan stage cultivator, his vision is not low.

Late Jie Dan Stage Cultivator

He can guarantee that the conditions he previously proposed are absolutely highly tempting for Yuan Ying cultivators, and their value is certainly not less than that of a Yuan Ying Refined Corpse.

Yuan Ying Cultivator, Yuan Ying Refined Corpse

After all, in Xiao Wuxian's view.

Xiao Wuxian

Yunhe is not a Corpse Sect cultivator; his main strength lies in himself, and a Yuan Ying Refined Corpse would not be of great help to him.

Corpse Sect Cultivator, Yuan Ying Refined Corpse

However, hearing Yunhe's question, Xiao Wuxian still explained:

Yunhe, Xiao Wuxian

"Senior Yun, you may not know that although I, as a junior, do have a Dao Protector, this time things happened suddenly; I and my Dao Protector got separated by accident. If it weren't for Sect Master Han's all-out protection, I might have perished this time. Therefore, I want to find a more secure means to ensure my safety."

Senior Yun, Dao Protector, Han Sect Master

His words were earnestly pleading, his attitude sincere.

No.

I don't know why, but Yunhe feels that Xiao Wuxian's actions this time are certainly not just that.

Yunhe, Xiao Wuxian

But he doesn't say it; no matter how Yunhe guesses, he could never guess the true reason.

Yunhe

Yunhe feigned regret and let out a light sigh.

Yunhe

"Fellow Cultivator Xiao's words are quite right; to protect oneself well, one must ultimately rely on oneself."

Fellow Cultivator Xiao

When Xiao Wuxian thought Yunhe agreed, he heard him speak again: "Then, this Refined Corpse is also of great use to me; I'm afraid it will disappoint you, Fellow Cultivator."

Xiao Wuxian, Yunhe, Refined Corpse

Upon hearing that, Xiao Wuxian was stunned.

Xiao Wuxian

Seeing Yunhe's attitude seemed extremely firm, he opened his mouth, let out a long sigh, then bowed again: "Indeed, I was rude as a junior. I will not disturb your rest, Senior."

Yunhe, Senior, Junior

After saying that, he sighed again and slowly left.

No.

Watching his retreating back, a flash of cold light flickered deep in Yunhe's eyes.

Yunhe

This person's scheming is truly deep enough to make even him feel a bit afraid.

No specific term.

'Does this count as gratuitously offending a late Yuan Ying cultivator?'

Late Yuan Ying Cultivator

Returning to his room and closing the formation, Yunhe couldn't help but sigh again.

Yunhe, formation

"An undeserved calamity."

No.

But we can't just hand over our Yuan Ying Refined Corpse with both hands just because the other party is the son of a late Yuan Ying cultivator, can we?

Late Yuan Ying Cultivator, Yuan Ying Refined Corpse

'Alright, a late Yuan Ying cultivator is just a late Yuan Ying cultivator; from now on, just try to avoid him.'

Late Yuan Ying Cultivator

Can't afford to provoke him, nor can we avoid him?

No.

Even if Xiao Wuxian carries considerable weight in the Yellow Spring Old Ancestor's heart, it's hardly likely he'd command his father to ambush another Yuan Ying cultivator, right?

Xiao Wuxian, Yellow Spring Old Ancestor, Yuan Ying Cultivator

Naturally, Xiao Wuxian after leaving could not remain as calm as he appeared when facing Yunhe.

Xiao Wuxian, Yunhe

After leaving Yunhe's residence, his gaze turned so cold it could drip water.

Yunhe

Indeed, just as Yunhe guessed, he truly wasn't just saying that on the surface for the Yuan Ying Refined Corpse; he was actually adding some self-protection measures for himself.

Yunhe, Yuan Ying Refined Corpse

This pertains to an extremely important secret technique of his sect.

No specific term.

This secret technique is of utmost importance to him, and even to his father, Yellow Spring Old Ancestor.

Term: Yellow Spring Old Ancestor.

He could not possibly reveal this secret to Yunhe, but the terms he offered were certainly not shabby; yet he never imagined that Yunhe would refuse outright without any hesitation.

Term: Yunhe.

After returning to his residence, he took several deep breaths before gradually calming down.

No.

It is also impossible for him to just give up like that.

No.

After sitting on the cushion and thinking for a moment, he took out an extremely unique spirit talisman from his storage bag, infused it with his divine sense, and with a wave, it flew straight through the house and even the formation restrictions, heading far away.

Note: The terms storage bag, spirit talisman, divine sense, and formation restriction are considered generic and will be excluded.

He indeed cannot command Yellow Spring Old Ancestor, but that does not mean he cannot summon others.

Term: Yellow Spring Old Ancestor.

A low murmur whispered.

No.

I have already offered courtesy.

No.

The only thing Xiao Wuxian did not know was

Term: Xiao Wuxian.

When his talisman flew out, a pair of silent eyes watched this scene.

(This chapter ends)