Chapter 711: The Snipe and the Clam Contend?

Li Wan Hua seemed not to believe it, but Yan Buji said, "Why don't you believe me, Hall Master Li? Between us there's no deep hatred; after all, I myself resigned from the Wai Mao Tang, so do you think I'd bear a grudge against you because of that?"

This....

Besides, I'm only at Golden Core stage now; if I don't cultivate, I won't have many years left to live—I don't want to die." Yan Buji laughed.

Li Wan Hua nodded. Indeed, the longer a cultivator lives, the more they fear death.

Ah, I'm not hiding it from you, Hall Master Yan; I don't distrust you, I just think since you can handle things well, there's no need to drag me in.

Could it be that you, Hall Master Li, don't want to go to Luohuang Zhou?" Yan Buji asked curiously.

Speaking of which, Yan Buji still didn't know why he had to go to Luohuang Zhou.

Li Wan Hua fell silent: "I have to go; my lifespan is coming to an end."

My lifespan is coming to an end?!

Yan Buji frowned: "Then Hall Master Li should be in seclusion within the sect seeking a breakthrough; why...."

I have no chance." Li Wan Hua sighed: "Back when I was hiding everywhere, I ran into enemies, fought a battle and won by luck, but my source was damaged and hard to repair. I heard the monster clan has a celestial material that can repair a cultivator's source; after inquiring I learned it's exclusively supplied by the monster king court and never appears on the market, so I have no choice but to go."

I see." Yan Buji nodded: "Then on this trip, if we cooperate sincerely, we might be able to find out."

That's right, so I also hope Hall Master Yan will lend a hand; I'd be deeply grateful.

Hall Master Li, you're too kind.

After chatting a while, Yan Buji left with a satisfied smile.

Returning to the Lian Dan Tang, Yan Buji's face instantly darkened.

This Li Wan Hua has some problems." Yan Buji's eyes shifted.

His biggest problem isn't that he pretended to be seriously injured; on the contrary, Yan Buji believes it's true.

But what if... someone could provide him with a spiritual medicine to heal his source injury?

This Li Wan Hua has who knows how much contact with the Great Merchant Association behind the scenes; if they lure him with this, he might stab me in the back after going to Luohuang Zhou!

Yan Buji wasn't sure if the Great Merchant Association intended that, but one cannot be too careful.

Everyone has weaknesses; even if Li Wan Hua now sincerely cooperates with me, it doesn't mean they're truly allies on the same front.

But we could also turn the tables!

Yan Buji narrowed his eyes and began scheming.

Although Yan Buji is inferior in strength to Li Wan Hua, if he shows signs of making a move, Yan Buji must prepare in advance to avoid their schemes.

It's even possible that Li Wan Hua isn't the main killing move, just meant to confuse me. If the expert who gave Yun Hua advice knows this, they'll surely have a backup plan.

Yan Buji thought it over; anyway, he knows going to Luohuang Zhou is extremely dangerous, but this might also be a good opportunity to settle scores with enemies!

Luohuang Zhou is a place of towering mountains and distant waters; it's a perilous land for me, Yan Buji, but it could also be their burial ground!

Thinking of this, Yan Buji began calculating what means they might employ.

Yun Hua lacks wisdom, a brute; but if he really comes looking for trouble, it won't be easy to resolve;

Next is the person who strategizes with Yun Hua; although it might be Zhang Wang, seeing how valued Yun Hua is in the Great Merchant Association, there's likely a higher‑level figure involved.

In short, Yan Buji's conflict isn't just a personal grudge with Yun Hua; it has escalated to the point where the entire Great Merchant Association might send people to deal with him, to help Yun Hua avenge.

Staying in the Great Sinful Sect, they naturally wouldn't dare act; but if he leaves, what he'll encounter needs no further thought.

Meanwhile.

After chatting with Yan Buji for a long time, Li Wan Hua knew Yan Buji truly had no ill intent, and thus felt a bit hesitant.

Hall Master Li?

Is it you?!

A black‑robed figure suddenly appeared; the moment he lowered his hood, Li Wan Hua saw a familiar face.

It was Zhang Wang of the Great Merchant Association!

It seems Hall Master Li has already gained Yan Buji's trust?

Such a shrewd fellow as Yan Buji might not believe my words.

True or false doesn't matter; besides, Hall Master Li's injury is real. Even if Yan Buji doesn't believe me, a little inquiry will surely reveal it." Zhang Wang laughed.

Are you really going to strike at him? What has he done to you?

That's not Hall Master Li's concern; since we've started cooperating, please help us with what comes next." Zhang Wang smiled and handed over a storage bag.

Li Wan Hua reached out and took it, hiding it on his person: "I'll naturally help you, but only by revealing his whereabouts. Don't attack him midway—I don't want to get involved in your affairs."

Naturally, once we reach Luohuang Zhou, we'll naturally contact you.

After speaking, Zhang Wang vanished; Li Wan Hua fell silent for a long time, then sighed: "Yan Buji, if you were truly magnanimous and let me take over the Wai Mao Tang, I wouldn't need to help them strike against you!"

Do you really think I'm a fool? Can't you see what Huang Ji and his gang are up to?

On the surface I can't openly break with you or attack you inside the sect, but once you leave the sect, your enemies seeking trouble won't drag me into it.

Li Wan Hua laughed; originally he'd been worried that if Yan Buji advised the Sect Master to hand over the Wai Mao Tang, he'd gain nothing.

Who let him be so greedy? A mere Martial Dao Nascent Soul dares to go to such a complicated place as Luohuang Zhou; if anything goes wrong, it certainly won't be blamed on him!

Moreover, someone is secretly targeting him—if he doesn't die, who will?

Zhang Wang, having left the Great Sinful Sect, arrived in the outside world and looked around.

How is it?

Li Wan Hua agreed, and he couldn't refuse the terms we proposed.

But I heard it was Yan Buji who brought him over, asking Li Wan Hua to assist him—do you think that's right?

Exactly." Zhang Wang laughed: "Yan Buji knows Li Wan Hua has ties with us; after all, the trade of the Great Sinful Sect and the Great Merchant Association is handled by the Wai Mao Tang. He saw this and knew we'd surely use Li Wan Hua to strike at him, so he brought him onto his own ship!"

Oh?" The black‑clad person beside him wondered: "Then why would he dare....

Such a person is like a poisonous snake, yet possesses the keen foresight of a hawk. He knows some things can't be avoided, so he simply plans to settle them once and for all!" Zhang Wang gave a cold laugh.

If that's the case, how can we judge whether the information Li Wan Hua conveys is Yan Buji deliberately trying to confuse us?

"No matter how deluded, he's nothing but a Martial Dao Nascent Soul! Using three Void Refining cultivators, could they still not kill him? As long as he enters Luohuang Zhou and dares to leave the area of the Great Sinful Sect's mining zone, there are plenty of opportunities! Of course, it's best to finish him off in one go!" Zhang Wang's words revealed a resolute determination to kill.

"Ha ha." The black-clothed man beside them laughed loudly: "You smart people are also not easy to deal with; I'm afraid Li Wan Hua is still kept in the dark, thinking he's reaping the benefits as the fisherman."

Zhang Wang smiled but said nothing.

In this world, good people don't necessarily die, nor do bad people necessarily die.

But foolish people will surely die early!