Chapter 457: Heavenly Sword Sect's Ye Wenxuan

"Alright, no problem."

Liu Qianyun listened to the string of names of heavenly treasures and earthly marvels coming from the jade slip, secretly clicking her tongue.

These things clearly could not have grown within the declining General Nanyang treasure ground.

Altogether, they were nearly worth more than the entire fortune of some outer-gate elders.

Shen Zongzhu hadn't shown his face these past three months — so he went out plundering and wiping out clans again?

"What is it?"

Zheng Qian heard that familiar voice, but last time she had said that anything involving Shen Yi she would not take part in, so she could only pretend to be curious to cover her awkwardness.

"Look at that mouth-saying-no-while-heart-saying-yes look on your face." Liu Qianyun rolled her eyes at her, but this matter really couldn't do without Zheng Qian.

To exchange for the essence blood of a Return-to-Void twelfth-layer Red-Eyed Mysterious Phoenix, one had to be at least a deacon to even qualify to speak.

Recently, the matter of Elder Liu being quite attentive to the affairs of the General Nanyang Sect had already spread far and wide, and she, as his daughter, had inevitably been noted as well.

It would easily lead people to suspect this item was needed by the General Nanyang Sect, and that would only bring more trouble.

Better to let Zheng Qian step forward.

"Come on, follow me to fetch the goods."

Liu Qianyun summoned her treasure ship, and left the sect with the thoroughly embarrassed Zheng Qian, streaking toward the General Nanyang Sect.

At the same time.

Within the Heavenly Sword treasure ground, in the inner-gate deacon hall.

A young man in a sword robe leaned lazily against a chair, looking at the busy woman before him with a touch of mockery.

Only when the woman had finally finished handling all the disciples' matters clean.

Did she turn her head back, forcing out a strained smile: "Deacon Cui, am I doing alright?"

"Not bad, much better than when you first came."

Cui Hao nodded, then slowly rose, intending to leave the place.

"Um..." the woman hurriedly called out to him, somewhat embarrassed: "This Ye wishes to ask, how much longer must I wait before I receive the deacon's jade slip... this was what the elder promised me at the time."

"Hmm?" Cui Hao raised an eyebrow, and said flatly: "The elder promised you, so ask the elder, why ask me."

"You're joking, how could I possibly qualify to meet the elder." Ye Wenxuan's smile grew stiffer still, and she continued explaining: "This cultivator was born in the Abyssal Depths, my lifespan really is running short. Could Deacon Cui help me ask, and at least give me a monthly stipend first, even a disciple's would do."

"Fine."

Cui Hao shook his head: "Just wait."

He turned around, the mockery in his eyes deepening.

A Return-to-Void first-layer cultivator whose lifespan was about to run out, with no merits whatsoever — how dare she bring up the matter of becoming a deacon? She should take a piss and look at herself in the reflection.

The elder had agreed to this back then only to lure that group of General Nanyang natives.

Yet aside from the one before him, the others hadn't shown a peep.

If it weren't for the elder's golden-word jade-order that couldn't be changed lightly, this person would have been kicked out of the inner gate long ago.

She wants to be a deacon, yet refuses to have the sense to go to the General Nanyang treasure ground as a lobbyist — where in the world is there such a cheap deal.

"..."

Ye Wenxuan closed her eyes, slowly clenching her five fingers.

She was a cultivator who had lived for many years; when it came to worldly experience, she naturally couldn't compare to cultivators outside, but at least she could see this much clearly.

However, in the end, it was her longing for longevity that pressed down the anger in her heart.

Making her forcibly restrain the impulse to fling her sleeve and leave.

For so many years, all Ye Wenxuan had in her heart were the two words "to live."

"This cultivator understands, many thanks to Deacon Cui."

"You're welcome."

Cui Hao nodded with a smile that didn't reach his eyes, and was just about to step out the door, when he was pushed back by a figure that suddenly burst in.

"Trying to slack off again? Sit back down right now, I still have business to handle." Zheng Qian, looking every inch the rich and overbearing type, swaggered in.

"..." Cui Hao glared at her irritably, but this was a Meng Sect deacon — Ye Wenxuan couldn't handle her.

He could only pat his robes and say in a low voice: "Show some respect, this Cui has already broken through to Return-to-Void fifth layer."

"Oh, I'm so scared."

Zheng Qian rolled her eyes, slapped her storage bag down on the table with a *pa*: "The one with money is the boss, get it? You little pauper."

Ye Wenxuan watched the two of them bicker in silence.

A hint of self-mockery suddenly appeared in her expression.

This was what dealings between deacons looked like — by comparison, one could clearly see just how worthless she was in Cui Hao's eyes.

"Red-Eyed Mysterious Phoenix essence blood, three portions, hurry up, my pill furnace is about to explode." Zheng Qian waved her hand.

"Pfft, which heaven-chosen true disciple took a liking to you? Red-Eyed Mysterious Phoenix essence blood? Coming from your mouth it really doesn't quite fit, sounds like a joke."

Cui Hao talked as he talked, but still picked up the storage bag and began carefully inspecting it.

While checking, he casually added a jab: "Recently I heard your good bosom friend has been quite attentive to that group of General Nanyang natives — what a saint."

Upon hearing the words "General Nanyang natives."

Zheng Qian's eyelid twitched involuntarily, but she quickly adjusted her expression: "None of my damn business."

Ye Wenxuan also furrowed her brow tightly, seeming somewhat puzzled.

Fortunately, Cui Hao seemed focused on tallying the storage bag, and didn't notice the two women's reactions.

A moment later, he took the bag and walked toward the back: "Wait for my word... you, come in with me, and learn properly."

Hearing this, delight appeared on Ye Wenxuan's face.

Although Deacon Cui's words were far from polite, being able to bring her into the deacon hall's interior seemed to be some kind of signal.

She hurriedly lifted her steps and followed.

Yet she saw Cui Hao, having just entered the inner room with the soundproof formation, suddenly halt his steps.

Turning his gaze back, his eyes were filled with indifference: "Didn't you want to become an attendant? Now the opportunity is here. Speak."

"Speak... what?"

Ye Wenxuan looked up in shock, only to have her throat instantly choked.

Cui Hao frowned impatiently: "What are you pretending to be a fool for? Who actually wants this Crimson-Eyed Profound Phoenix essence blood, and what is it for? Dare to tell even half a lie, and you will simply get out."

How could the changes in the expressions of those two women escape his Shen Shi?

Besides, with Zheng Qian's pig-brained mind, what connection could she possibly have with alchemy?

"Heh."

Ye Wenxuan's breathing grew rapid.

Her change in expression earlier was merely because, after hearing the two's conversation, she suddenly linked the Profound Phoenix essence blood with the Spirit Body Art on Shen Yi.

At this moment, the oppressive pressure brought by the vast gap between their realms made her feel slightly suffocated.

"Speak freely. As long as it is useful, your attendant's jade slip will be delivered to your hand within at most three days." Cui Hao loosened his grip. If the Qingyue Sect had already begun to offer such generous things to support that group of General Nanyang natives...

Then this matter would become far more interesting.

The remaining six Liu Sects were still in discussion. Although Liu Shiqian was an elder, he was merely one among the hundred Lin Baiwei of the Bai Yu Jing.

Unilaterally taking a side was a great taboo.

"I..."

Hearing these words, Ye Wenxuan suddenly shivered all over.

Her lips trembled.

Silence lasted for a long time.

As if finally resigning herself to fate, she said softly: "I once saw a Crimson-Eyed Profound Phoenix. I never expected there to be another one outside, and one so valuable, so I felt some regret."

(End of this chapter)