Chapter 270: Fishing

He's not here now; he's about two streets away from you.

He'll take the Longevity Pill as soon as he gets it." Long Hun's words had just fallen when he suddenly said, "No, he's approaching you."

"Huh?" Jiang Yu immediately held her breath and steadied her qi; moments later, she saw a middle-aged Golden Core cultivator hurry past the alley where she was hiding.

"Nan Su!" Long Hun and Jiang Tu exclaimed in surprise.

Jiang Yu felt a slight stir in her heart and sent a mental transmission to both of them: "Just now, it wasn't only us tailing him; could he have shaken off pursuers with a disguise and returned to the auction?"

Long Hun, you pay attention: just follow him to the gate and see him go in, then stay back; be careful not to let him or anyone else notice you.

"Damn, he's really crafty, actually restraining himself from taking the Longevity Pill right away and sneaking into the auction house again." Long Hun felt his brain wasn't up to the task.

Jiang Yu, however, said, "No, he might be going to buy that half-demon."

While speaking, she waited for the two cultivators who had passed through the alley to turn the corner, then dispelled her concealment talisman.

She then strode confidently toward the back gate of the auction house diagonally opposite.

The Foundation Establishment cultivator guarding here blocked her and, speaking in the language of Dragon Emperor Island, said, "Please enter through the front gate."

"Fellow Daoist, I'd like to buy today's unsold items." As she spoke, Jiang Yu handed over three medium-grade spirit stones to the other party.

The Foundation Establishment cultivator gave her a once‑over, then shifted his foot to make way.

Jiang Yu immediately walked in and then asked him who she should see to handle the matter.

That cultivator merely raised his eyebrows, pretending not to hear; she sighed inwardly and slipped him another two medium‑grade spirit stones, whereupon she immediately got the information she wanted.

She then passed through two doors, went past two layers of guards, and found an attendant who said he had an appointment with Elder Xu to come pick up an item.

The attendant suspected nothing; after receiving a spirit stone he went to report, and shortly thereafter a female cultivator led her to a guest room.

Behind the desk sat a fair‑looking female Golden Core cultivator writing something; though she knew Jiang Yu had entered, she didn't utter a word, letting Jiang Yu wait a full half‑cup of tea before setting down her pen.

Lifting her gaze, a pair of beautiful eyes smiled as she said, "I don't recall having an appointment with anyone."

Jiang Yu cupped her hands in a salute and handed over her entry vermilion invitation: "Elder Xu, please excuse me; I was originally participating in the auction in the main hall, but I saw several female cultivators being auctioned off."

Feeling despondent, she noted that those women had gone unsold; as a fellow female cultivator, she wanted to do what little she could, hoping to buy the unsold items and set them free.

"You're not new to the cultivation world, so you ought to be used to this sort of thing."

"Speak frankly, or else leave." Elder Xu didn't believe her at all, still eyeing her with a half‑smile.

Jiang Yu realized her excuse was flimsy, so she took a deep breath and said, "To be frank, an elder's lifespan is nearly exhausted, but I can't afford the price of a Longevity Pill."

"Having heard that the Phoenix‑blooded half‑demon can prolong life, I thought I might cut corners and buy it."

"One‑tenth." Elder Xu named the price; this was also the lowest bid for the unsold item, essentially giving that half‑demon a chance to live. "With these spirit stones you could try to reach Golden Core."

Jiang Yu's eyes lit up; she immediately produced a million spirit stones, saying, "I'd rather give my elder time to break into the Nascent Soul realm—that's more advantageous than having several more Golden Cores."

"Suit yourself." Elder Xu scribbled a note and called over a Foundation Establishment female cultivator to escort her.

She was in a good mood and added another question: "Please sit; which island are you from?"

"Pursuing Origin Island." Jiang Yu wasn't familiar with other places.

Elder Xu nodded; Pursuing Origin Island has half‑demon descendants, so being close to the Yao Race is no surprise.

She flicked the red invitation into Jiang Yu's hand, was about to say more, when an attendant came from outside to report: "Elder Xu, a Golden Core True Person on the third floor of the auction hall wants to buy the unsold Phoenix‑blooded half‑demon."

"Tell him it's already sold." As soon as Elder Xu finished speaking, the half‑demon was brought in, and she told Jiang Yu, "You take it with you."

In the half‑demon's bewilderment, Elder Xu flung a talisman that instantly landed on the lock at its wrist and sprang it open.

"Please, Fellow Daoist, my surname is Lin; I come from Pursuing Origin Island."

"I've already booked a guest cottage at the Immortal Guest Inn next door; rest a day or two, then we'll return to Pursuing Origin Island." Jiang Yu approached the half‑demon, her face full of smiles.

The half‑demon lowered its gaze, cupped its hands in a meek manner, and said, "Yes."

Jiang Yu thanked Elder Xu and took her leave under the attendant's guidance; the attendant who had earlier come to ask for instructions also headed to the auction hall only after they had departed.

Elder Xu watched Jiang Yu's retreating back, thoughtful, then summoned his own disciple and gave him a series of instructions.

Not long after, her disciple reported, "Master, the one who wants to buy the half‑demon is a male Golden Core cultivator."

The disciple asked, he inquired of the informant who the buyer was, and has already learned the buyer's whereabouts.

"Master, I have a feeling that the first person buying people is setting a trap."

Elder Xu nodded; it was obvious, but someone is willing to take the bait: "Probably. Go check the Immortal Guest Inn, and don't let them fight inside the city."

"Yes." Elder Xu's disciple set off; when she arrived at the inn, True Person Nan Su also showed up at the same time and asked the proprietor which room Jiang Yu was staying in.

In the little courtyard Jiang Yu had rented, she was asking the half‑demon, "Why do you think the old shopkeeper placed a restriction on me?"

"Wouldn't it be easier to go get the city lord to save you?"

The half‑demon pointed a finger: "Your defensive scallop was forged by the Dragon King, and it bears his mark."

"If you're not someone he acknowledges, he won't sell the magic treasure he himself refined."

"And my family isn't on Pursuing Origin Island, so the city lord won't offend others for my sake."

Jiang Yu confirmed her suspicion: "I'll send you to live on Pursuing Origin Island, but you'll have to repay me one million spirit stones, or their equivalent in spiritual materials."

While speaking, she then produced paper and brush on the spot and had the half‑demon write a promissory note for the spirit stones.

The half‑demon swiftly wrote it out; just as she handed it to Jiang Yu, the courtyard gate was knocked on.

She warily looked outside and saw a male Golden Core cultivator; his lifespan was nearly exhausted, and he said, "Fellow Daoist Lin, are you using me as bait to fish?"

"Aren't you afraid things will go wrong and you'll be hunted by a crowd?"

"Since I've done it, I'm naturally not afraid. I'm just curious whether dual cultivation with you really has that effect?" Jiang Yu glanced at the door; outside was Nan Su True Person after his disguise.

She had no intention of opening the door, but the person outside seemed to sense something and sent a mental message: "Little friend, I'm willing to offer three times the amount."

Jiang Yu gave no reply; the other party, receiving no answer, told his attendant, "I've rented the neighboring courtyard."

Watching the attendant happily go off to arrange lodging for the tenant, the half‑demon bit her lower lip and said, "Aren't you worried that after the auction ends, even more people will come looking for us?"

"I am worried." Jiang Yu waited, waiting for the attendant to take the key and open the neighboring door to move in.

After hearing True Person Nan Su subsequently enter the neighboring room and close the door, she rose and said, "Let's go."

"Where are you going?" the half-demon thought of escaping halfway.

But Jiang Yu would never tell her; she gave her a new set of clothes to change into, also put a hood on her together, led her to quickly leave the inn, and, amidst the divine sense of True Person Nan Su pursuing, walked out the city gate.

"Hehe, deliberately setting a trap? This True Person wants to see who you are!" True Person Nan Su immediately chased out of the city, only to see Jiang Yu flying away on her sword.

Jiang Tu saw Nan Su leisurely tailing, finally breathed a sigh of relief, "With such an obvious ploy, it's surprising he's willing to take the bait and chase."