Chapter 800: Pang Mingde's

Zhao Ping's decision let Li Feng breathe a sigh of relief; he knew the Holy Heart Alliance's actions had to be cautious, especially now that news of Yuan Chuzi had spread. Any rash move could cause the whole plan to fail.

He said that before also hoping Zhao Ping could calm down.

"Lord Zhao Ping, how should we respond to the investigation by those foreign‑realm cultivators?" Li Feng asked cautiously.

Zhao Ping hummed for a moment, then said slowly: "Those foreign‑realm cultivators may arrive in force, but they do not know Yuan Chuzi's exact whereabouts. We only need to covertly monitor their movements and ensure they do not discover Yun Qing's anomaly."

Li Feng nodded: "Understood, subordinate. However, if they truly uncover Yun Qing's anomaly, how should we respond?"

Zhao Ping's eyes flashed with a cold hint, and he said gravely: "If they truly discover Yun Qing's anomaly, we will have to resort to extreme measures. In any case, Yuan Chuzi must never fall into anyone else's hands."

Li Feng felt a chill, knowing what Zhao Ping meant by "extreme measures." He solemnly nodded: "Understood, I will act with utmost caution."

Zhao Ping nodded and continued: "Additionally, keep monitoring Yun Qing's movements to ensure our people can approach her smoothly. As soon as she leaves the Grand Merchant Association's protection zone, we will have a chance to act."

Li Feng nodded: "Understood, I will closely watch Yun Qing's movements."

Zhao Ping waved his hand, signaling Li Feng to withdraw. Li Feng bowed respectfully, turned, and left the courtyard.

Meanwhile, Yuan Zhen was also covertly observing the movements of Zhongtian City. He knew news of Yuan Chuzi had spread, and all major forces would inevitably act. He himself had to act cautiously to remain unbeaten in the coming crisis.

"It seems I must act quickly, or the consequences will be unimaginable," Yuan Zhen resolved inwardly.

He decided to go to the Grand Merchant Association's manor to personally investigate Yun Qing's movements. Yun Qing is the key to Yuan Chuzi; if he can control her, he will have a chance to obtain Yuan Chuzi.

Yuan Zhen slipped silently into the manor, using his superb concealment technique; his body was like a stone emitting no aura, evading the manor's guards.

"It should be here," Yuan Zhen squinted. These past days he hadn't only been observing covertly; he had already learned the manor's layout through some contacts in the Grand Merchant Association.

Yuan Zhen carefully approached Yun Qing's residence, preparing to investigate.

However, just as he was about to reach Yun Qing's residence, he suddenly sensed a hidden aura coming from afar.

Yuan Zhen's heart tightened; he quickly concealed his form and watched from the shadows.

He saw a woman dressed in Grand Merchant Association attire silently appear outside Yun Qing's residence, seemingly observing something covertly. Yuan Zhen's eyes flashed coldly; he knew she must be from the Holy Heart Alliance.

"It seems the Holy Heart Alliance members can't sit still either," Yuan Zhen thought, alert.

Now he must act cautiously, or he may fall into the Holy Heart Alliance's trap.

Especially since there are many experts here at the Grand Merchant Association, Yuan Zhen hesitated and chose to leave.

Since he can't approach for now, he'll first return to Luohuang Zhou.

After some time.

Yan Buji had already returned to the Sect Mining Area and was covertly making arrangements.

"I have successfully spread news of Yuan Chuzi throughout the Five Domains; the Heavenly Spirit Realm's Zhongtian City has also attracted many foreign‑realm cultivators. It seems the plan is proceeding smoothly," Yan Buji chuckled darkly.

Matters concerning Yuan Chuzi must never, ever be told to anyone. Yan Buji intends to scheme around Yuan Chuzi; aside from those he wishes to inform, even if others know of Yuan Chuzi's existence, they must not know that Yuan Chuzi is within Yun Qing.

The timing isn't right yet.

Yan Buji squinted, and Wu Yuan suddenly came over, saying, "Hall Master Yan, Elder Yuan has returned."

"Oh, Elder Yuan has returned," Yan Buji sprang up, delighted.

"Hmm, regarding the Demon Tribe Merchant Association matter, Elder Yuan said we should discuss it together."

"Agreed."

Yan Buji stood and quickly arrived at the council hall.

Seeing the various Elders and Hall Masters present, Yan Buji first bowed to Yuan Zhen, then took a seat on the side.

At this moment, Yuan Zhen, seated at the main seat, said: "During my absence, many things have happened in Luohuang Zhou. How is our cooperation with that Demon Tribe Merchant Association now?"

"Reporting, Elder, before you returned we had already discussed this matter; aside from tax issues, everything else remains unchanged from before."

"Taxes?" Yuan Zhen frowned, looking at Yan Buji: "Hall Master Yan, is this issue significant?"

"Fortunately the Demon Tribe Merchant Association hasn't made any lion‑sized demands; aside from some Demon Tribe Spiritual Materials and Celestial Materials being declared prohibited for sale, the overall impact is minor, just that profits aren't as high as before," Yan Buji said helplessly.

Yuan Zhen knew this matter was also an order from the Demon Tribe Royal Court, and he couldn't say much. Moreover, his thoughts were now focused on the Heavenly Spirit Realm, fearing the Holy Heart Alliance might seize the opportunity to strike first.

"Since there are no major changes, let's leave it at that. Trade with the Demon Tribe is a new market our sect opened; although the Demon Tribe Merchant Association has reduced our profits, it also means our sect has gained the Demon Tribe Royal Court's recognition, so future dealings won't be overly troublesome," Yuan Zhen said with a smile.

"Indeed, Elder Yuan, insightful!"

"Since that's the case, if there's nothing else, others may withdraw, Hall Master Yan stay a while."

After the others left, Yan Buji pretended to look puzzled, bowed and said, "Elder Yuan, may I ask what the matter is?"

Yuan Zhen thought for a moment, then asked, "Hall Master Yan, no one has attacked you these days, right?"

"No, thank you, Elder Yuan, for your concern," Yan Buji laughed. "When I go out, I also rely on the Elders for support."

"Hmm. Whether it's the Fox Tribe, the Fox clan, or the former Grand Merchant Association, the grudges with us are moderate. But Hall Master Yan, your side's feud with the Grand Merchant Association is hard to describe; you must be careful."

Yan Buji lowered his head, his gaze cold, and respectfully said, "Yes, I will keep that in mind!"

Yuan Zhen said lightly, "Now Yun Qing of the Grand Merchant Association has been taken as a disciple by three Great Vehicle Stage cultivators; even if Holy Heart Alliance members secretly try to strike her, you are in great danger."

"Um… Elder Yuan, when exactly do they plan to act? I'm also terrified that if one day Yun Qing summons her master, then I…" Yan Buji raised his head, his face pale with fear.

Yuan Zhen saw Yan Buji like that, let out a light chuckle, and a scornful glint flashed in his eyes.

However, thinking about it, if three Great Vehicle Stage cultivators truly came to cause trouble, he would have to kneel and beg for mercy.

"That's hard to say. By the way, Hall Master Yan, what exact grudge do you have with Yun Qing's father Yun Hua? Perhaps I could ask the sect to intervene and turn swords into silk," Yuan Zhen said.

"You've run out of tricks, haven't you?"

Yan Buji let out a cold laugh in his heart, his face stiff; after a pause, he repeated the words he had previously used against Pang Mingde.

Upon hearing Yan Buji's explanation, Yuan Zhen nodded and asked, "Who else knows about this?"

"This… I mentioned it before when I spoke with my friend Ye Lin from the Paolong Sacred Land, and also Elder Pang Mingde."

"Hmm?"

Yuan Zhen squinted: "Did you also tell Pang Mingde?"

"Yes, Elder Pang came to pay my respects…" Yan Buji said haltingly, provoking Yuan Zhen's displeasure.

"Speak in detail! Exactly how did you tell Pang Mingde, word for word!"

"Yes, yes, yes, Elder Yuan, cease your anger, at that time I…."

Yan Buji narrated the scene of that moment, saying it without omitting a single word, even emphasizing the sealed bottle that contained the Yunhua Nascent Soul which he handed to Pang Mingde.

Yuan Zhen immediately caught on, and thought to himself: "You're saying you gave the sealed bottle containing the Yunhua Nascent Soul to Pang Mingde, and he also discovered a magic fragment?"

"Yes… what's wrong, Elder Yuan?"

Yuan Zhen let out a cold laugh.

It seems the rumors about the Source-Primordial Children of the Four Domains have been spreading like wildfire; it's Pang Mingde's doing!