In Jiangbei, at Mount Gaizhu.

The wood-element spiritual vein here thrived with vitality, teeming with life as everything competed to flourish.

Lü Yang and True Person Yinshan rode their light-escape technique and soon landed outside the mountain.

“Previously, the Primordial Saint Sect issued an order for all cultivators in Jiangbei to gather here.”

True Person Yinshan did not disturb the mountain’s formation.

Instead, he took out a flying message, ignited it with his magical power, and lightly tossed it, letting it transform into spiritual light that flew into the mountain.

After a brief moment, a graceful figure walked out from the mountain.

The person had charming, water-like eyes, delicately painted brows, and a skirt that barely extended past her hips, revealing just enough to stir curiosity.

She carried a faint, intoxicating fragrance on her body.

“The lower sect disciple Han Xiang greets the High True Persons of the Saint Sect.”

As soon as the woman appeared, she bowed gracefully.

Her posture was dignified, yet there was an undeniable allure, creating an intense contrast.

However, Lü Yang dared not be careless.

This woman named 【Han Xiang】 was no simple figure.

She was the current leader of 【Xiangqu Sect】 in Jiangbei.

She was at the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment.

It was said that her sect also had a late-stage Foundation Establishment True Person sitting in command, making them a notable demonic faction in Jiangbei.

“The two High True Persons have come from afar, why not come inside and have a chat?”

Han Xiang giggled foolishly, then took the initiative to step aside.

On the surface, it sounded like a simple invitation, but the tone seemed to carry another implication.

However, who was Lü Yang?

He had always prided himself on having a heart of iron, immune to female charms.

How could he be affected by such fox-like seduction?

He immediately put on a serious expression.

“Are you alone?”

Lü Yang scanned with his divine sense.

To his surprise, the vast Mount Gaizhu seemed to have only Han Xiang present.

Where were the other Foundation Establishment True Persons summoned by the Saint Sect?

“Reporting to Lord, they have gone elsewhere.”

Han Xiang revealed a somewhat awkward expression.

“They heard that High True Persons from the Saint Sect were arriving and that a great battle was imminent, so they went to conduct some private trades.”

Lü Yang was stunned for a moment before realizing the situation.

Anyone who managed to make a name for themselves under the rule of the Saint Sect, becoming a Foundation Establishment True Person, surely had a few hidden trump cards.

Naturally, they would have some unused items as well.

With the great battle approaching, they needed to find ways to exchange those useless items for combat power.

However, Lü Yang was still puzzled.

“Shouldn’t such matters be conducted here at Mount Gaizhu?”

“Moreover, if our Saint Sect hosted it, wouldn’t the trading efficiency be much higher?”

“Uh…”

Upon hearing this, Han Xiang slightly parted her red lips but remained speechless.

True Person Yinshan beside them also seemed to realize something, showing a strange expression.

In the next moment, Lü Yang heard True Person Yinshan’s voice transmission:

“Junior Brother, you may not know this.”

“Due to the nature of our Saint Sect, we are not very trusted by others.”

“And such trades inevitably require revealing some real treasures.”

Lü Yang immediately understood.

Why wouldn’t they let the Saint Sect host the trades and instead conduct them privately?

It was because they feared that the True Persons of the Saint Sect might covet their goods and forcefully seize them!

Thinking even further, there might have been incidents where Saint Sect True Persons disguised their identities, ambushed the traders, and later blamed it on external enemies.

“Have we done such things before?”

“Absolutely not!”

True Person Yinshan declared with absolute confidence.

Lü Yang immediately caught the underlying meaning.

They definitely had!

And likely more than once!

At this realization, Lü Yang couldn’t help but feel helpless.

He had underestimated the shamelessness of the Saint Sect’s True Persons.

How could these beasts act like this?

“Where are they trading?”

“Take me there.”

Upon hearing this, Han Xiang immediately showed a troubled expression.

Seeing this, Lü Yang’s expression turned serious.

“Do not misunderstand.”

“I, Lü Yang, am different from the other True Persons of the Saint Sect.”

“I would never do such things as ambushing traders.”

You’ve already thought of it, and you’re telling me you won’t do it?

However, with the words already spoken this far, how could she dare refuse?

‘Living under the Saint Sect’s rule is like walking on thin ice…’

Han Xiang secretly cursed in her heart but dared not show any sign of it on her face.

She could only sigh and say:

“Allow me to lead the High True Person there now, I hope the High True Person will not take offense.”

Upon hearing this, Lü Yang slightly curled his lips into a gentle smile.

“Previously, I obtained a few magical tools overseas that are useless in my hands.”

“It would be better to trade them away.”

“Not only can this enhance the combat strength of Jiangbei’s cultivators, but it can also help me exchange for some more useful treasures.”

“Oh?”

Upon hearing this, Han Xiang’s beautiful eyes lit up.

After all, magical tools from the Saint Sect, even if useless to Lü Yang, would still be treasures to them.

“However, Mount Gaizhu still needs a True Person to guard it.”

“I’ll stay here.”

True Person Yinshan volunteered.

“Yuan Tu, you go with her, leave this place to me.”

“…Then I’ll trouble Senior Brother.”

Lü Yang exchanged a glance with True Person Yinshan, as if they had reached some agreement, and then nodded.

A short while later, in a forest outside 【Kingdom of Qing】.

Lü Yang and Han Xiang both used their light-escape techniques, concealing their figures, and landed in the forest.

They finally stopped in front of a cave, releasing their auras.

Entering the cave.

They saw several figures already gathered inside.

A rough count showed more than ten people, all looking toward them.

However, everyone had concealed their auras and appearances.

Clearly, they did not intend to reveal their identities at this trading meeting.

After all, the major forces in Jiangbei could not possibly be united.

Among the summoned Foundation Establishment True Persons, there were even those with deep-seated grudges.

Naturally, they dared not act too openly.

Moreover, anonymity made it easier to offload stolen goods.

In this regard, Jiangbei’s cultivators had clearly been influenced by the Saint Sect.

They were all cunning and crafty.

However, this actually made it easier for Lü Yang to blend in. ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ NoveI-Fire.ɴet

“The time has come.”

With a low shout, a yellow earth-colored light shone in the center of the cave.

An old man with white hair and white robes emerged from the light.

Almost at the same time, Han Xiang transmitted her voice to Lü Yang, introducing:

“This person is called 【Fishing Dragon Elder】.”

“He is a rogue cultivator from Jiangbei.”

“He likely obtained the inheritance of a great sect or had some other fortuitous encounter.”

“Thus, he is also at the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment.”

“He was the first to propose this trading event.”

Upon hearing this, Lü Yang narrowed his eyes.

Among the Foundation Establishment True Persons present, only this Fishing Dragon Elder did not conceal his appearance or aura.

This showed that he had full confidence in his strength.

He was completely fearless.

Next, they saw Fishing Dragon Elder smile slightly in the center of the venue.

“Since this trading event was proposed by this old man, I shall begin first.”

After speaking, he waved his hand.

In the next second, the temperature in the cave suddenly rose.

Rolling blood energy spread like a blazing sun.

A mighty and ferocious Flood Dragon corpse appeared!

“Some time ago, a True Lord of the Saint Sect was fighting overseas, causing chaos there.”

“This old man had some luck and managed to fish up a Flood Dragon at the early stage of Foundation Establishment.”

“Its tendons and bones can be used to refine treasures.”

“Its blood can be used to enhance yang energy.”

“There’s even half a dragon horn…”

“This old man only seeks one bottle of lifespan-extending spiritual pill.”

Upon hearing this, everyone fell silent.

If it were just ordinary lifespan-extending pills, many here had them.

But what Foundation Establishment True Persons referred to as lifespan extension actually meant methods to counteract the “Bifeng.”

For example, the Wind-Avoiding Pill once gifted by the Head of Mending Heaven Peak to Arhat Fulong was such a treasure.

Unfortunately, that seemed to be the personal fortune of the Peak Head, unrelated to the peak itself.

Thus, after Lü Yang took over Mending Heaven Peak, he did not obtain the pill or its formula.

After a moment, a light suddenly flashed at the original spot.

When the light faded, the Flood Dragon corpse Fishing Dragon Elder had displayed vanished.

It was clear someone had completed the trade with him in secret.

Using light to conceal the trade obviously indicated they did not want others to know who had obtained the treasure.

“Next.”

Soon, more Foundation Establishment True Persons stood up to trade.

The items they presented were diverse, including spiritual treasures, pills, and cultivation methods.

Even Han Xiang participated once.

However, what left Lü Yang speechless was that Han Xiang disguised herself as a burly man during her trade, with an incredibly rough voice.

Was such caution really necessary?

At this moment, another light shone in the cave.

A youthful-looking, yet old-mannered Dao Child stepped out.

Another one who did not conceal their appearance.

“He’s the Sect Master of Treasure-Distributing Cliff, the mid-stage Foundation Establishment True Person known as Multi-Treasure Dao Child!”

“He actually came as well?”

“He’s a fat sheep… even Saint Sect True Persons have robbed him before!”

For a moment, many Foundation Establishment True Persons stared at him intently.

However, when the Dao Child looked back, most of them didn’t dare meet his gaze.

After all, most present were at the early stage of Foundation Establishment.

A mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator was already quite intimidating to them.

Only Lü Yang narrowed his eyes at the sight.

‘Interesting.’

He glanced at the Dao Child, who radiated treasure light from head to toe, as if the words “Big Target” were written on his forehead.

Suddenly, Lü Yang revealed a bright smile.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep