Chapter 789

Heavenly Spirit Realm, Zhong Tian City.

After the disciple-recruiting gathering, Yun Qing officially stepped onto the grand stage of the Zhong Tian Zhi Yu cultivation world.

As a cultivator possessing a Saint Fetus aptitude, the future is boundless, and consequently countless people have begun debating Yun Qing's prospects.

"Speaking of it, since he could be taken as a disciple jointly by three Great Vehicle Stage cultivators, I truly don't know how high his future achievements will be."

"Surely the Great Merchant Guild isn't trying to raise its own saintly sage, are they?"

"Hmm, this matter cannot be spoken of lightly; saintly sages are not for us to presumptively judge."

"Do you know what Yun Qing looks like? I certainly don't want my own junior to provoke that individual later."

"Here it comes!"

"Hm?"

"You wanted to know what Yun Qing looks like, and here she is!"

Shop stalls line the street, their awnings fluttering gently in the breeze, intermittently accompanied by the merchants' enthusiastic cries and customers' chatter. Amid this bustling clamor, a white‑haired woman in plain robes slowly walks forward.

Her steps are light and unhurried, each footfall seeming to strike a chord in people's hearts. The plain‑colored garment she wears lacks excessive ornamentation, its simple lines outlining a flowing silhouette that drifts gently in the breeze, like a pristine cloud gliding along the street. Her white hair cascades over her shoulders like a waterfall, shimmering with a soft radiance in the sunlight, even more dazzling than the finest silver threads.

Upon closer inspection, one sees a heroic spirit emanating from her brows. Her willow‑shaped eyebrows are slender and slightly arched, as if drawn with the finest brushstroke. The tips carry a hint of unruliness and ease, yet also a perceptive wisdom. Her eyes are like a clear spring, transparent to the bottom, seemingly able to see through a person's soul. Within her pupils flicker a lively light, at times as deep as stars in the night sky, at others as bright as the morning sun in spring.

She resembles a Yaochi fairy, exuding an otherworldly elegance. She seems to hail from a distant realm, untouched by mortal smoke and fire. She also resembles the Nine Heavens Mysterious Lady, bearing an aura of majesty and mystery. Her beauty is the kind that leaves one breathless in astonishment, a beauty beyond description. Moreover, she possesses a serene, ethereal temperament, as if she does not belong to this world. Every movement, every glance, is full of charm, making one feel as though a painted celestial maiden has stepped out of the picture.

Pedestrians on the street stop in their tracks, drawn by her beauty. Men stare with widened eyes, filled with amazement and admiration; women cast envious glances, silently marveling at her loveliness. Even the shopkeepers by the roadside temporarily forget their cries, staring blankly at her, as if time itself has halted at this moment.

She continues to walk slowly, as if everything around her is unrelated. Her gaze is calm and indifferent, as if searching for something amid the bustling street. Her figure stands out strikingly in the crowd, like a brilliant pearl radiating dazzling light in the darkness.

When Yun Qing passed by, the surrounding cultivators finally snapped back to reality and exclaimed, "To think there exists such a beautiful person!"

"Unfortunately, this one is destined to be the prized jewel of the Great Merchant Guild, with three Great Vehicle Stage masters, and we don't even know whether this Yun Qing fairy has someone she fancies."

"Don't even think about it; with her status, looks, not to mention her talent and future potential, no one could match her."

"Then… who could be worthy?"

"Probably only a top talent from a holy land could possibly match, and if they're a cultivator from the Three Sects, they'd certainly be worthy."

Cultivators chatter fervently; since Yun Qing ascended to the grand stage of the cultivation world, be it her looks, her talent, or the three Great Vehicle Stage masters behind her and the Great Merchant Guild's power, there are many who keep watch on her, and many who intend to act.

Among them, cultivators of the Holy Heart Alliance hide in the shadows, observing Yun Qing's movements; seeing her return to the Great Merchant Guild's manor, they make no move, merely waiting quietly for the right moment.

"How?"

"The situation is far from optimistic; the infiltrators into the Great Merchant Guild have all been dealt with."

"Then there's no problem."

"Hm?"

A man in black, hidden in the shadows, laughed: "Precisely because the Great Merchant Guild will, during this time, thoroughly screen anyone trying to get close to Yun Qing, the more aggressively they act, the tighter their defenses become. But once this period passes, they will inevitably slacken. Besides, our purpose is not to assassinate, only to convey information."

"Making Yun Qing learn of her father's death is not that easy."

"Therefore we must ensure that after he leaves the Great Merchant Guild's jurisdiction, when she goes out on a mission, we inform her of this matter, and at the same time have Yan Buji arrive; then how could we still fear Yun Qing won't be caught in the net?"

"I see, this method is indeed clever. But I think Yan Buji is no fool; if we force him to a death sentence, he certainly wouldn't comply."

"Then we protect his life! Make him believe we have the ability and means to save his life. Remember, our target is Yun Qing; Yan Buji is also a key figure. If coercion fails, we simply bribe him!"

"Yes."

The cultivation world is rife with turmoil, and those surrounding Yan Buji are no fewer.

Luohuang Zhou, Sect Mining Area.

Yan Buji subtly informed Yuan Zhen of the possible information that Yun Qing might be carrying about the Primeval Child. As he expected, Yuan Zhen came over several times intending to raise the matter, trying to extract more information about Yun Qing from Yan Buji.

Yan Buji also spoke up at the right moments, aiming to confirm Yuan Zhen's conjecture.

"Thus, Elder Yuan will inevitably intervene, and it's likely that Yuan Zhen will also report this matter to the sect, perhaps even to the founding ancestor…"

If the Blood Daoist personally intervenes, it would turn into a direct clash between the Great Sinful Sect and the Great Merchant Guild, possibly erupting into a fight, and a war is not out of the question.

If we don't, Yan Buji's power is too weak; with his position, to profit from this he would have to drive the affair into a scenario that no one can control!

This is a reckless move Yan Buji made, considering the backgrounds he and Yun Qing possess.

"Including the Holy Heart Alliance, many forces likely have members within it. Those involved in the assassination of Yun Qing may be few, but if we subtly spread this…" Yan Buji's eyes flicked, a cold smile appearing on his face.

But that's still not good enough.

Even when the Holy Heart Alliance prepares to act and send someone over, Yun Qing must not die.

Her survival actually aligns with Yan Buji's current needs.

But to see this through to the end, Yan Buji's scheme requires many preliminary preparations first.

"Now, we must make Yuan Zhen firmly believe that Yun Qing carries the Primeval Child," Yan Buji said.

It's merely a simple conjecture; Yuan Zhen will weigh his own relationship with the Great Merchant Guild and also fear the three Great Vehicle Stage cultivators behind her.

Therefore, for Yan Buji, to stir desire in people's hearts, he must let them see tangible benefits.

Even though Yuan Zhen is a Harmonizing Dao cultivator, Yan Buji believes he cannot help but be moved by the Primeval Child!