Chapter 163: The Method of Breaking the Deadlock

After returning to Lingyu, Yan Buji reviewed the events of the past few days.

First, the martial artists within the First Line Assembly are probably just a cover for Emperor Baocheng's external affairs;

Second, since a few practitioners of the Heavenly Person realm have been recruited, it shows the other side cannot act openly now and must operate behind the scenes;

Finally, if Zhao Zhen's identity truly is the reincarnation of a great cultivator of Xuan Gen Dao, then it's no surprise that Emperor Baocheng has authority over Lingyu, and perhaps the encounter with Zhao Zhen was a test.

"And since I exposed my cultivator identity and they didn't probe further, it shows that to them my existence is unimportant, just a casual move, so I now have to consider whether to devote myself fully to their affairs."

When a piece falls into the game, to avoid being surrounded and suffocated, one must find a way not to become a disposable pawn.

Although it appears that Emperor Baocheng and Zhao Zhen have a father‑daughter relationship, it is far more likely that they are mainly collaborators.

"Being weak has its advantages; at least no one pays attention to you." Yan Buji chuckled.

But immediately, Yan Buji recalled the Lidao Daoist who was suppressing the aberration.

Hold on.

How about turning the tables on them?!

Yan Buji's eyes flickered, and a crazy idea suddenly occurred to him.

Going after the Lidao Daoist now may not be wise, but it is still a move that cuts the fire at its source!

"First observe for a few days; if no one watches me, then disguise myself and go look for the Lidao Daoist. This round‑trip… if I move quickly, it won't take long!"

Yan Buji squinted; although it might look like he's playing a double‑cross, to him it is the best method.

A few days later.

Yan Buji discovered that indeed a few cultivators had been watching him covertly, but his active information‑gathering abroad these days left no obvious flaw.

"That's not right; if I stay away too long, they'll inevitably suspect me." Yan Buji frowned.

He needed a plausible way to slip away without arousing their suspicion…

Yan Buji glanced at the Zhen Shi Zhai beside him and suddenly had an idea.

"This place isn't bad."

Entering Zhen Shi Zhai, Yan Buji began selecting items directly from the shelves.

The cultivator who had been tailing him froze, puzzled, and said, "What's this kid doing in Zhen Shi Zhai?"

"Could he be trying to gamble with the Spiritual Stone the emperor gave him?"

"Who knows, this kid has spent over a thousand Spiritual Stones these past days buying this and that, doesn't seem like someone handling serious business."

"Then what should we say?"

"Tell the truth; if we really have to act, it won't waste much time."

Feeling watched, Yan Buji picked a few aberrant source stones and went to have them opened.

Stone‑unravelling master Zhao Lao glanced at Yan Buji, as if he'd seen him somewhere before.

"I recall you were the one who originally opened the Knife‑Ant Toxin?"

"The old master still remembers me?" Yan Buji laughed.

"Hehe, seems you've earned quite a bit lately." Zhao Lao glanced at the few aberrant source stones in his hand and chuckled.

"Just pocket change."

Yan Buji smiled and set the source stone down.

Zhao Lao picked up the source stone and began unravelling it.

Yan Buji watched Zhao Lao's unravelling technique closely, noticing it resembled the method described in the stone‑unravelling manual he once obtained from the mad beggar, though it seemed less comprehensive than the book.

"Yo, it's actually a Spiritual Pearl." Zhao Lao handed the Spiritual Pearl to Yan Buji with a smile; this pearl is similar to a Spiritual Stone but more potent, a crystal formed from highly concentrated spiritual energy.

But Spiritual Pearls aren't found everywhere and are far less abundant than Spiritual Stones.

"Shall we open the rest now?"

"Go ahead, seems my luck is good today." Yan Buji said with a laugh.

That stone‑unravelling manual indeed contained useful knowledge; although Yan Buji had only dabbled in it and hadn't mastered the 'Peering into the Hidden Eye', he could roughly judge from the classification of aberrant source stones whether a treasure lay inside.

Of course, it isn't 100% certain.

Among the remaining source stones, three yielded nothing, but the other two produced a Spiritual Pearl each, and one revealed a rare high‑grade wood‑property Spiritual Stone!

"Wow, big profit!!!" Yan Buji's eyes lit up as he laughed heartily.

Zhao Lao inhaled deeply; high‑grade Spiritual Stones are already scarce in the market, and a wood‑property high‑grade one is a coveted resource even for cultivators at the Foundation Establishment, Core Formation, or Golden Core stages.

Moreover, its value goes beyond that. A wood‑property high‑grade Spiritual Stone is ideal for cultivating Spiritual Material and forging Spiritual Pills.

The surrounding cultivators froze for a moment, then stared at Yan Buji with eager eyes.

"Someone at Zhen Shi Zhai has uncovered a high‑grade wood‑property Spiritual Stone!"

"What?"

"A high‑grade wood‑property Spiritual Stone? That's worth two or three hundred medium‑grade Spiritual Stones, which converts to at least a hundred thousand low‑grade Spiritual Stones."

Although Spiritual Stone prices fluctuate little, wood‑property high‑grade stones are indeed extremely rare.

Hua Fei, the shopkeeper of Zhen Shi Zhai, heard the news and rushed down from the upper floor; the moment he saw Yan Buji, he felt a sense of familiarity.

"You are… Ji Bu?"

"Shopkeeper Hua, long time no see, and you're striking it lucky here again."

Yan Buji, holding the Spiritual Stone that emitted a brilliant green glow, smiled happily.

Hua Fei raised an eyebrow, smiled and clasped his hands, saying, "I wonder if you intend to keep it yourself, or exchange it as we did before?"

"Hmm… not that it's impossible, I'm actually quite interested in those large aberrant source stones at the back of the shop, I wonder if…"

Hua Fei laughed instantly, "If so, let's discuss the details in the back."

"There's no objection."

Yan Buji chuckled, though he hadn't expected to uncover a high‑grade wood‑property Spiritual Stone, meaning he'd now have to negotiate with Hua Fei.

After entering the rear hall, Hua Fei personally brought tea and sat to the side, smiling as he said:

"I am willing to buy this high-grade spirit stone for eighty thousand low-grade spirit stones; what do you think, fellow cultivator?"

"Eighty thousand? Too little." Yan Buji said lightly.

Hua Fei frowned: "Fellow cultivator, don't you know eighty thousand spirit stones is not a small sum? Although it is high-grade wood-attribute, it has already lost some of its spiritual energy, not as good as the original."

"Hehe, Shopkeeper Hua, could it be you haven't understood my meaning?" Yan Buji laughed.

"You really want to pick a grand source stone? You should know these grand source stones are all very expensive, and there's no guarantee they'll yield anything good." Hua Fei advised.

"Actually, lately I've gotten into some trouble and need Shopkeeper Hua's help to lay low.... If Shopkeeper Hua is willing, I'm willing to offer another ten thousand spirit stones, only asking Shopkeeper Hua to help me put on a show." Yan Buji laughed.

"Oh?"

Hua Fei's eyes shifted: "Looks like you've stirred up not a small matter, fellow cultivator."

"So I hope Shopkeeper Hua will be more forgiving." Yan Buji cupped his fists.

"What makes you think I'll help you with this?" Hua Fei asked.

Not to mention what enemies you've provoked—though I consider them nothing, even if a Profound Stillness Dao cultivator came, they'd have to give some face—but why should I help you?

"What are you even?"

Yan Buji narrowed his eyes, took out a book.

"This Stone-cutting Secret Technique, I offer it with both hands!"

Hua Fei's pupils contracted; he instantly appeared before Yan Buji, snatched the secret manual, and began flipping through it.

Yan Buji's eyes shifted; he secretly thought, indeed this manual has some connection with them.

Anyway, he had memorized the book's contents; as for what great secret the book might hide, or whether the other party would silence him by killing, Yan Buji was not without worry.

But who made his current situation not so great either?

The solution to break the impasse is right before his eyes.