A Peculiar Train of Thought

"That's not right."

Wang Li suddenly frowned and asked, "What did you just say?"

He Lingxiu looked at him, confused. "What did I just say?"

"I suddenly remembered, you said earlier that it really requires both parties to understand and trust each other. The sentence before that was, since we're going to the Seven Treasures Ancient Domain together, I didn't react in time… you're going to the Seven Treasures Ancient Domain too?" Wang Li asked her with some confusion, "Did I hear that wrong?"

He Lingxiu chuckled, "Why would you think you misheard?"

"Maybe I have too much earwax?" Wang Li said cautiously.

He Lingxiu immediately felt her breath catch.

This person's train of thought was too peculiar, and his answers were almost unbelievable.

She took a deep breath, exhaled slowly, controlled her emotions, and then said, "You didn't mishear. I will indeed be going to the Seven Treasures Ancient Domain with you."

Wang Li pondered, "I originally thought you were just an intermediary. As far as I know, many businessmen in the Scorched Wood Market wouldn't risk their own lives. With your identity as the illegitimate daughter of the Huayang Sect Master, you certainly don't lack spirit sand for cultivation, so you don't need to take such a big risk to earn some spirit sand."

He Lingxiu's expression remained unchanged, but the joints of her hands made cracking sounds.

How had she become the illegitimate daughter of the Huayang Sect Master?

And at this moment, Wang Li's expression was so serious.

"It's truly a miracle you're still alive."

She said this to Wang Li earnestly, then continued, "You don't need to use these methods to probe my background. Since I said I'm not from the Scripture-Abandoning Dao-Departing Alliance, I can't possibly be one of them. Moreover, since you've heard of the Scripture-Abandoning Dao-Departing Alliance, you must know very well that the cultivators of the Scripture-Abandoning Dao-Departing Alliance are the kind of immature brats who can't wait to announce what they're going to do before they've even done anything."

"If that's the case, why don't we just be straightforward and not beat around the bush?" Wang Li smiled faintly and said, "I don't know how a female disciple of the Huayang Sect got involved with the Scorched Wood Market, but judging by your demeanor, you've been in the Scorched Wood Market for more than three to five years. Ordinary Workshop Masters don't even get involved in businesses like entering the chaotic continent to rescue or kill people. So, as a freak like you, why would you risk your life for such a business? Do you not appreciate the ways of the Scripture-Abandoning Dao-Departing Alliance, but still think these people are endearingly foolish and want to help them as much as you can?"

"Is it my peculiar train of thought that's been beating around the bush?" He Lingxiu frowned slightly as she looked at Wang Li. She really wanted to say this, but decided against it.

Although this Profound Heaven Sect disciple seemed eccentric and his conversations jumped around, she felt that he was actually very smart, meticulous, and had deep intentions behind his roundabout way of speaking.

Dealing with someone like him, it seemed better to be direct.

Unconsciously, her evaluation of Wang Li increased.

Previously, she rarely paid attention to cultivators of her generation. She had almost never considered the cultivators of the Lesser Jade Continent of her generation as rivals. Just like the Five Elders of Huayang in her sect, they were like tender chicks in her eyes. But now, she felt a strong sense of apprehension towards Wang Li.

The more this was the case, the more she felt that her decision to make this trip was not wrong.

"Although I find these people too naive and disdain to associate with them, I do find them much more likable than my senior brothers from the Huayang Sect. If they can be saved, I'll save them," she said truthfully. "But that's just the most trivial reason. I want to go to the Seven Treasures Ancient Domain with you because I personally want to see those chaotic lands that ordinary cultivators cannot reach. And based on the records I currently have, your chances of returning alive as my guide are at least over eighty percent. As for the final reason, although those three Scripture-Abandoning Dao-Departing Alliance cultivators trapped in the chaotic continent are immature, their parents and elders can afford the price. This business itself can also bring me considerable profit."

Wang Li retracted his smile and pondered, "So, according to you, although these Scripture-Abandoning Dao-Departing Alliance people are ridiculously naive, some of them have extraordinary backgrounds. Perhaps they are the children of the Sect Masters of some powerful sects in our Lesser Jade Continent? These people entering the chaotic continent must also be related to their Dao-Departing from Scripture, but they have likely violated the Three Sages' Dao Precepts. If they are proven guilty, it could implicate their sects. Now, these sects, to distance themselves, dare not openly rescue them, so they do business with people from the Scorched Wood Market."

He Lingxiu's expression immediately became solemn.

This Wang Li seemed even more formidable than she had imagined.

He had already guessed most of it based solely on their conversation.

"I'm also guessing based on limited information, but it's roughly correct," she nodded slowly. "According to my guess, even if these immature cultivators formed the so-called Scripture-Abandoning Dao-Departing Alliance, those who oversee the various continents under the Three Sages would have seen it as mere child's play and not taken it seriously. But this time, the three Scripture-Abandoning Dao-Departing Alliance cultivators who ventured into the chaotic continent must have done something that exceeded those people's tolerance. If those three Scripture-Abandoning Dao-Departing Alliance cultivators are captured and their crimes are proven, their sects will inevitably be implicated."

A cold smile flickered across Wang Li's lips, but it wasn't directed at He Lingxiu.

"No wonder this trip is worth so much spirit sand."

His eyes narrowed slightly. "It's not just about being a simple guide, not just about rescuing three lost cultivators from the chaotic continent, but the people pursuing them should have also entered the chaotic continent. After entering, we might have to fight them to the death. So, which sect do these pursuers belong to? Are they cultivators from the Immortal Toad Palace of Dushan Continent, or people from the Immortal Capital Sect of Qixian Continent?"

"We don't know yet," He Lingxiu also smiled coldly, her cold smile not directed at Wang Li either. "Does it matter? They are all dogs crawling under the Three Sages' command, supposedly protecting the Dao!"

Wang Li turned to look at her. With just one glance, he guessed her thoughts again. "As expected of someone who has spent so much time in the Scorched Wood Market, you are quite ruthless. You think that whether they are from the Immortal Toad Palace or the Immortal Capital Sect, they naturally have many good things on them. In the chaotic continent, they have instead become fat sheep in your eyes."

"Whether they are fat sheep or not is secondary," He Lingxiu said grimly. "The main thing is I want to meet these people."

"Perhaps these people are meddling too much and are trying to extend their reach into the Scorched Wood Market. Killing such cultivators in the chaotic continent is one thing, as no one can really control it. But if they were to die in the Lesser Jade Continent, it would be easier to investigate," Wang Li said seriously. "But I'm different from you. We agreed from the start that I would only be the guide."

He Lingxiu asked, "So, you're afraid?"

Wang Li said with utmost seriousness, "I need more money."

"Then another four million spirit sand. According to your rules, pay fifty percent upfront." He Lingxiu directly produced four spirit sources radiating with potent spiritual energy. "If we encounter people from the Immortal Toad Palace or the Immortal Capital Sect… we'll split whatever they have fifty-fifty."

"Baoji Spirit Sources again?"

Wang Li caught the four spirit sources and was slightly stunned, then immediately reacted. "Heh, fellow Daoist, you actually withheld four million spirit sand initially. Now, with this additional four million spirit sand, this is the actual price for this business, right?"

He Lingxiu chuckled, shook her head, and said, "The actual price was ten million spirit sand. The business we've agreed on now actually has an extra million spirit sand, which I'm giving you additionally."

"You're giving an extra million spirit sand?" Wang Li looked into her eyes and suddenly felt a sense of foreboding. "Why are you giving more?"

He Lingxiu said leisurely, "You'll know soon enough."