Righteously Confident

The black cloud fell to the ground as smoothly as a pile of silk, then vanished in an instant.

The two cultivators revealed within both wore entirely black Dharma robes. The robes were plain in style, without any patterns or radiance, nothing but black. Yet these two robes were exceptionally effective at concealing their auras. Even standing close by, one could not sense any obvious spiritual energy fluctuations from them.

Of the two cultivators, one was a female cultivator who appeared to be about the same age as Lü Shenliang. The other was a male cultivator with white hair and beard, yet a ruddy complexion and the features of a man barely over forty.

But in the Cultivation World, one could never judge a person's age by appearance.

Judging solely by the worldly poise in that male cultivator's every glance, and the faint weatheredness in his eyes, compared to the youthful air still lingering around the female cultivator beside him, who knew how many years lay between them.

The female cultivator had a standard oval face and beautiful features. Her mouth was somewhat large, and every shift in her expression was especially apparent, somehow giving her a blazing, brisk, fiery air.

As the curtain-like black cloud vanished and she appeared in Wang Li and the others' sight, she flashed a charming smile, revealing pearly white teeth. "You are Fellow Daoist Wang of the Profound Heaven Sect, right? Could you sell that Yin Thunder Umbrella and those Fire Clam Mirror fragments directly to me?"

"Isn't that rather too frivolous?" Wang Li smiled as well. "We have already agreed on a price with the Azure Treasure Glazed Workshop."

"Rest assured, I certainly will not let you suffer a loss."

The female cultivator smiled sweetly again, then nodded courteously to Meng Xiqiong. "Nor will I let the Azure Treasure Glazed Workshop suffer a loss."

She was still smiling when she spoke to Meng Xiqiong, yet an inexplicable, soul-stirring authority surfaced between her brows, as though she simply would not allow him to refuse.

The Azure Treasure Glazed Workshop was the largest trading workshop for magical treasures and spirit pills in Blackwater Market. As its Workshop Master, Meng Xiqiong naturally could not be frightened outright by a female cultivator like this. Yet no matter how he looked at them, these two black-robed cultivators who had abruptly inserted themselves into the matter seemed strange.

One old and one young—this was truly the standard pairing for important disciples of certain great sects traveling abroad.

"As far as my Azure Treasure Glazed Workshop is concerned, so long as the benefits are sufficient, we naturally will not offend any fellow daoist who comes to Blackwater Market." Thus, he merely smiled faintly and spoke honestly.

"For the Yin Thunder Umbrella, one Purity Returning Spirit Pill plus two million spirit sand. For the Fire Clam Mirror fragments, two million spirit sand." Wang Li smiled as well. "That was the price we just agreed upon with the Azure Treasure Glazed Workshop. As for what compensation you intend to give the Azure Treasure Glazed Workshop, that has nothing to do with us."

Meng Xiqiong's brows rose slightly. Two million spirit sand for the Fire Clam Mirror fragments had merely been the consignment price stated by Lü Shenliang and Wang Li, not a final sale price he had set. But with these two cultivators having appeared so suddenly and their origins uncertain, he did not wish to point out Wang Li's slip of the tongue.

"The price is fair enough."

In his view, the price for those Fire Clam Mirror fragments was naturally outrageous. But what he never expected was for the black-robed female cultivator to agree at once. She then glanced at the silent Lü Shenliang before saying to Wang Li, "You want this Purity Returning Spirit Pill to help her reshape her divine soul. I do not have a Purity Returning Spirit Pill, but I do have an Exotic Spirit Source. Its effects should be somewhat stronger than the Purity Returning Spirit Pill's, and the spiritual energy contained within it is enough to equal three million spirit sand. If you find that acceptable, I will directly exchange this Exotic Spirit Source for your Yin Thunder Umbrella and Fire Clam Mirror fragments."

Meng Xiqiong's expression changed only slightly, but his heart was already greatly shaken. The way he looked at the two black-robed cultivators was now entirely different from before.

Sects across the continents all had means of obtaining spirit sand, but above spirit sand, the purer the spirit stone, the rarer it became.

Spirit Sources, nearly free of impurities and formed purely from crystallized heaven-and-earth spiritual energy, were already obtained through exceedingly few channels by the sects of the various continents. As for Exotic Spirit Sources with unique effects, they were things born from within Spirit Sources themselves—something one could encounter but never seek.

At the very least, he could be certain that among all the great sects of the Lesser Jade Continent, not even their most highly valued true disciples could possibly carry one or two Exotic Spirit Sources on their person.

What was more, this female cultivator spoke of an Exotic Spirit Source as though it were commonplace. That was even more terrifying.

Exotic Spirit Sources were so scarce, and the heaven-and-earth spiritual energy within them so exceptionally pure, that their value was astonishing. An Exotic Spirit Source like the one this female cultivator described, containing spiritual energy worth three million spirit sand and possessing effects surpassing a spirit pill like the Purity Returning Spirit Pill, would absolutely have sects scrambling for it even at a valuation of seven million spirit sand.

Before Wang Li could respond, Lü Shenliang's voice rang out.

"Do you want to buy this Exotic Spirit Source from us, then?"

"Sell it to me?" Meng Xiqiong froze, then realized Lü Shenliang was speaking to him.

Lü Shenliang seemed displeased. She fixed him with an unfriendly gaze. "Do you want it or not?"

Meng Xiqiong smiled helplessly. "So long as the price is suitable, of course I do."

Lü Shenliang said, "One Purity Returning Spirit Pill plus five million spirit sand."

Only then did Meng Xiqiong completely understand her train of thought. "Fellow Daoist Lü, you mean that you will first exchange the Yin Thunder Umbrella and Fire Clam Mirror fragments for her Exotic Spirit Source, then sell that Exotic Spirit Source to me for one Purity Returning Spirit Pill and five million spirit sand?"

Lü Shenliang looked at him as though he were an idiot. "You only understand now?"

"Everyone takes what they need."

Before Meng Xiqiong could reply, the black-robed female cultivator laughed again. "Workshop Master Meng, perhaps you think she gains nothing from this, but perhaps in her eyes, this is the most suitable arrangement. What is suitable is best."

"You are right, Fellow Daoist." Hearing her words, Meng Xiqiong's face turned solemn. It truly was only his own view that Lü Shenliang gained nothing from this. For a market workshop, auctioning this Exotic Spirit Source at an auction house would naturally yield the greatest profit. But for these two Profound Heaven Sect disciples, perhaps it simply spared them trouble—like the saying in the market workshops, make quick money and put it safely in the bag.

Besides, Lü Shenliang's way of thinking had always been unlike that of ordinary people.

Seeing that Meng Xiqiong had no objection, the black-robed female cultivator flicked her hand. A crystal no larger than a goose egg flew directly toward him.

The instant Meng Xiqiong caught the crystal, an indescribable spiritual charm made goosebumps rise across his entire body.

"Once you have verified that this Exotic Spirit Source is genuine, directly take out the Purity Returning Spirit Pill and five million spirit sand they require and give them to them. It will save trouble." The black-robed female cultivator spoke casually. "As for the Azure Treasure Glazed Workshop... since they are directly selling it to you at such a price, I assume I need not provide your Azure Treasure Glazed Workshop with additional compensation?"

Meng Xiqiong drew a deep breath. "Indeed, that will not be necessary."

The crystal in his hand was goose-yellow throughout, its surface incomparably lustrous. The radiance within looked like a yellow nebula constantly surging.

The silver light deep in his pupils flashed several times. Then he nodded toward the black-robed female cultivator, who looked as though the matter had nothing to do with her.

If he had been negotiating with other cultivators, he might next have asked whether they wished to exchange some of the spirit sand for spirit stones, considering the truly immense amount of spirit sand involved. But the people before him were this pair of Profound Heaven Sect disciples, and he immediately felt it would be best not to make trouble where there was none.

He always felt that Lü Shenliang and Wang Li's decisions seemed remarkably shrewd at times, yet at other times, they would unhesitatingly reject conditions that were clearly more favorable.

Bag after bag of spirit sand was soon carried out from the glazed tower behind him.

Originally, after Wang Li and Lü Shenliang arrived in Blackwater Market, the people from the other workshops had all kept their distance, terrified that Lü Shenliang might suddenly take a notion and run into their shops to self-detonate her Golden Core. But as bag after bag of spirit sand was carried out, noticeably more figures gathered around the Azure Treasure Glazed Workshop.

Lü Shenliang did not care in the slightest and collected all the spirit sand in a flowing sweep.

At this point, the jade box containing the Purity Returning Spirit Pill had also been delivered into Meng Xiqiong's hands.

Meng Xiqiong felt somewhat conflicted. He dearly wanted to suggest that Lü Shenliang directly swallow the Purity Returning Spirit Pill now, but he forcibly suppressed the impulse.

The fewer troubles, the better.

His well-intentioned suggestion would very likely instead prompt Lü Shenliang to take a sudden notion.

As it turned out, he was not worrying too much.

After collecting all the spirit sand, Lü Shenliang directly tossed the damaged Yin Thunder Umbrella and the Fire Clam Mirror fragments toward the two Azure Treasure Glazed Workshop cultivators behind him. She then snatched the jade box from his hand, turned around, raised her sword light, and left with Wang Li.

Watching that dark-golden sword light whistle away, not only Meng Xiqiong, but everyone from the other workshops in Blackwater Market breathed a sigh of relief.

"Then the Yin Thunder Umbrella and Fire Clam Mirror fragments are yours, Fellow Daoists."

Meng Xiqiong hurriedly had the two attendants behind him deliver the hot potatoes to the two black-robed cultivators.

He could not even begin to imagine the identities of these two black-robed cultivators. For him, the best course was to send them away as quickly as possible.

The black-robed female cultivator seemed to see straight through his thoughts. She did not conceal it, instead laughing heartily and boldly. Yet she wasted no words. She directly put away the Yin Thunder Umbrella and Fire Clam Mirror fragments. Then black clouds surged up. Her laughter still lingered, but she and the white-haired black-robed cultivator, who had not uttered a single word from start to finish, had already vanished without a trace.

Though the various workshops of Blackwater Market followed the rules and would not proactively seek trouble, their news naturally traveled swiftly. Before long, word arrived that Old Ancestor Tong Hui had undergone his tribulation, and Blackwater Market erupted in uproar.

Who would have imagined that Old Ancestor Tong Hui of the Huayang Sect had successfully passed his tribulation? Who would have imagined that after succeeding in his tribulation, Old Ancestor Tong Hui would directly give the Yin Thunder Umbrella to these two Profound Heaven Sect disciples?

"Senior Sister, those two people could casually produce even an Exotic Spirit Source. Do you think they might catch up to us and rob us in the dark?"

Wang Li looked as though he might float away atop the sword light.

He was clearly only a cultivator at the Qi Refining stage. Logically, at the speed of Lü Shenliang's Profound Heaven Sword Qi, a Qi Refining stage cultivator should not have been able to remain standing without a high-level cultivator casting a spell to assist him. Yet Lü Shenliang casually shifted the direction of the sword qi's advance, its sword light still flying close to the ground, weaving through dense forests from time to time. She had not used any technique to help him, yet he somehow stood steadily atop the sword qi, with leisure enough to chat.

"They have not caught up to us now," Lü Shenliang said. "But they may come looking for trouble later."

Wang Li thought about it and immediately developed a headache.

Then Lü Shenliang added, "But things that happen later can be discussed later."

The escape speed of the Profound Heaven Sword Qi she was controlling had already surpassed that of the vast majority of cultivators present during Old Ancestor Tong Hui's tribulation today. Logically, no matter what method was used, even a late Golden Core cultivator flying close to the ground at such speed would likely have to remain on tenterhooks every moment. Yet she still seemed to have strength to spare.

As she said this to Wang Li, she even turned back to glance at him and used her hand to smooth her hair.

Wang Li had only had a slight headache before. After hearing her addition, he felt his head grow twice as large.

He pulled a long face. "Senior Sister, I thought you had long since figured out what we should do next, but the truth is, you have not thought even a little further ahead?"

"My knowledge is shallow. Why should I think that far ahead?" Lü Shenliang frowned and said with perfect confidence, "The books all say that long hair means shallow knowledge. My hair is so long, so naturally my knowledge is shallow."

"Pfft!"

Wang Li nearly fell straight off the sword qi this time. "Senior Sister, what an incredibly convincing argument."