Business

In Changjun, the reception room of the Demon Refining Hall.

The Hall Master, Yun Guantian, and the Deputy Hall Master, Zhang Xiu, were both present.

Before them, Zhou Yunyi, looking as serene as ever, waited patiently.

Soon, Yun Guantian's disciple, Yu Daoquan, returned with a few people, his expression distressed and tinged with suppressed anger. "Master, we examined Fang Cai's body, and the wounds on Soul Hunter are identical to his."

"Actually, if you don't believe me, you can go ask Yellow Heaven Dao. The two elders of Yellow Heaven Dao were also killed with the same sword technique," Zhou Yunyi said calmly, leisurely sipping his tea.

"Gu Jinlai!" Yun Guantian's eyes turned cold. "He has some nerve!"

"Actually, there are only a few dozen Core Condensation cultivators in our Changjun. Who else could it be, besides Gu Jinlai, who has fallen from the Spirit Refining realm, possessing strength that surpasses ordinary Core Condensation cultivators?" Zhou Yunyi stated.

"An ungrateful wretch. When he joined our Demon Refining Hall, I welcomed him with open arms, and this is how he repays our kindness?" Zhang Xiu slammed his hand heavily on the tea table.

"Gu Jinlai has been ungrateful more than once or twice. Has he even betrayed the Purgatory Sect, which painstakingly nurtured him to the Spirit Refining True Man realm?" Yun Guantian said.

The matter of betrayal was still in the reporting stage, and the final decision would depend on the Sect Master's will. After all, it concerned an elder, and Lin Xiao did not have the authority to directly condemn an elder. Therefore, Zhou Yunyi did not wish to get involved. His purpose for coming was simple.

"I have provided the killer's information. Regarding the bounty you mentioned, Hall Master Yun..."

"Here are thirty Qi Refining Pills." Yun Guantian was not stingy. He produced a treasure box containing the thirty pills. Qi Refining Pills were the most crucial hard currency in the cultivation world, capable of refining Qi, opening meridians, and aiding Core Condensation and Spirit Refining. The Alchemist Association's price was ten thousand taels per pill, but due to supply and demand, the price often fluctuated slightly upwards.

"Hall Master Yun is generous." Zhou Yunyi smiled and accepted the box. At the same time, he couldn't help but marvel at the wealth of the Demon Refining Hall, which possessed the Heaven and Earth Qiankun Diagram as a resource channel, making it far richer than ordinary people could imagine. As a fellow Spirit Refining cultivator, his wealth as a demonic sect elder was likely less than a tenth of Yun Guantian's.

Feeling pleased after receiving the Qi Refining Pills, he continued, "Gu Jinlai refusing the sect's order to take up his post in Huayin County can, if viewed seriously, be considered treason. If he can find connections, it's possible to resolve this matter with minimal consequences. If he cannot find connections... even if he meets an unfortunate end, the sect will not inquire further and will treat him as a traitor."

"I understand." Yun Guantian nodded slightly. This way, he no longer had to worry about Gu Jinlai's identity as an elder of the Purgatory Demonic Sect.

"Farewell." Zhou Yunyi cupped his fists and departed.

After Zhou Yunyi left, Yun Guantian held his tea, narrowed his eyes, and pondered something. Seeing this, Zhang Xiu could only ask, "Hall Master, that Gu Jinlai..."

Yun Guantian took a sip of tea. "The audacity to take my things, the fool." He glanced at Yu Daoquan and said indifferently, "What are you waiting for? Have Jin Yin lead his team. In three days, I want to see that old dog Gu Jinlai kneeling before me." Although his tone was light, Yu Daoquan understood that his master was truly angry. Given his master's esteemed status, once truly enraged, his wrath would be like a thunderous inferno, incinerating everything. Not to mention Gu Jinlai had fallen from the Spirit Refining realm; even if he were still in the Divine realm, he would only meet his death. Yu Daoquan felt a chill and quickly replied, "Yes."

Ten days passed quickly. It had to be said that the Jiang Family's channels were very secretive. Gu Jinlai had been in Starlight City for more than half a month, and he had enjoyed a rare period of peace. At this moment, Gu Jinlai, having slightly altered his appearance to look younger, was sitting in a high-end brothel. Gu Chaoyang and Su Nanxing, clad in treasure armor, guarded him on either side.

The establishment was named Water Cloud Stream and consisted of three floors and six courtyards. Due to the abundance of resources in this world, thanks to the existence of cultivators, the building was adorned with green jade stones and white jade walls, with pearls and precious gems visible everywhere. Furthermore, luxurious silks and light gauze fabrics fluttered about. Coupled with the presence of well-trained, attractive courtesans, the entrance fee alone was ten taels of silver, which was equivalent to three to four months' income for an ordinary person. Gu Jinlai had not come to Water Cloud Stream to experience ancient customs and traditions; he was waiting for someone. He had intended to sell the carbon steel treasure armor he was refining and naturally needed to find a suitable buyer.

Compared to Changjun City, Starlight City, while still having its fair share of complex factions, was generally more orderly.

These could be broadly categorized into four major families, the territory of Dragon Sparrow Villa, Black Tortoise Gate, and Heavenly Grass Pavilion.

Of course, there were also the Provincial Lord's Mansion and the Demon Refining Hall.

These seven powers could be further divided into two major camps.

The Provincial Lord's Mansion, Demon Refining Hall, and the four major families formed one side, while three major sects formed the other.

The Provincial Lord's Mansion had long harbored ambitions to annex Black Tortoise Gate and Heavenly Grass Pavilion, forcing them to bring Dragon Sparrow Villa, one of the Six Great Immortal Sects, into the conflict.

However, Heavenly Grass Pavilion and Black Tortoise Gate also feared that inviting Dragon Sparrow Villa would be easier than dismissing them, and their alliance with Dragon Sparrow Villa was not monolithic.

Furthermore, the Provincial Lord's Mansion was ambitious, and the four major families were unwilling to be subservient. Fearing annexation by the Provincial Lord's Mansion, they exchanged knowing glances with Heavenly Grass Pavilion and Black Tortoise Gate.

Disciples from all four families had joined the two sects.

In the shadows, the Cold Moon Demonic Sect, Yellow Springs Demonic Sect, Purgatory Demonic Sect, and the neighboring Yellow Heaven Dao Sect were constantly active. Even with the combined efforts to suppress them, their deep foundations made them persistent.

At this moment, a commotion arose from below.

A middle-aged man, surrounded by several people, entered Water Cloud Stream, drawing the attention of numerous women who flocked around him.

"Master, that's Bai Yang, the Deputy Pavilion Master of Heavenly Grass Pavilion."

Gu Jinlai's side, Gu Chaoyang whispered, "He spends half the month here in Water Cloud Stream."

"Half the month? Considering Water Cloud Stream's expenses, that must be over ten thousand taels of silver per month."

Gu Jinlai looked at Zhu Chi, who was immersed in a sea of women, and declared righteously, "These nouveau riche who cultivate herbs and refine pills are truly wealthy. I'll definitely have to sell it at a higher price later."

That's right.

Heavenly Grass Pavilion was the buyer Gu Jinlai had chosen for the treasure armor.

"Master is right. That way, Master can stay in Water Cloud Stream every day like him," Su Nanxing nodded.

"You look like a decent young man with your bushy eyebrows and big eyes, but why are you always thinking about these things?" Gu Jinlai glared at Su Nanxing.

"Then shall we… go to Ruyu Brothel, the one you mentioned last time?" Su Nanxing tentatively asked.

Instantly, Gu Chaoyang's gaze fell upon Gu Jinlai.

"What Ruyu Brothel, not Ruyu Brothel, I'm not interested in Ruyu Brothel," Gu Jinlai waved his hands repeatedly and quickly added, "Alright, next, let's go meet this Deputy Pavilion Master of Heavenly Grass Pavilion."

The three of them walked towards Bai Yang's room.

At the entrance, seeing the trio arrive, a disciple was about to stop them, but Gu Jinlai spoke first, "Jiang Donglai has something to request from Pavilion Master Bai."

"Jiang?" The disciple glanced at Gu Jinlai.

Then, looking at Su Nanxing, who was clad in exquisite treasure armor and resembled a guard, a thought crossed his mind: "The Jiang Family?"

Gu Jinlai smiled faintly.

"Please wait a moment." The disciple said, pushed open the door, and went inside.

A moment later, he returned and gestured with an open hand, "The Pavilion Master invites you all in."

Immediately, the group entered the room.

This room, used for leisure, spanned over a hundred square meters. Currently, three graceful women in sheer gauze were dancing. On a throne carved with dragons and phoenixes, Bai Yang was embracing a woman and conversing with two other men who appeared to be under thirty. The atmosphere was cordial.

These two were elders of Heavenly Grass Pavilion. Bai Yang often recruited them, not necessarily to use them for his own purposes, but at least to have people who could help him resolve matters when they arose.

"Please, sit," Bai Yang, unaware of Gu Jinlai's group's background, was quite polite. "Jiang Family disciples? I don't recall any of you among the outstanding disciples of the Jiang Family."

"I am merely an outsider from the Jiang Family, but that's not the main point. The main point is my purpose here," Gu Jinlai stated. "Does Pavilion Master Bai have any interest in metal-based armor with defensive capabilities comparable to high-grade treasure armor?"

"Comparable to high-grade treasure armor!?" Bai Yang was startled, his expression becoming slightly more serious. "How much do you have?"

"About three to four sets a month."

"Are you a Celestial Master?" Bai Yang quickly reacted. Only a Celestial Master could supply continuously.

Gu Jinlai nodded slightly.

"So it's a Celestial Master in person, my apologies."

Bai Yang sat up straighter.

While a Celestial Master's standing wasn't as high as Spirit Refining, it was still a notch above Core Condensation.

Even though he held the position of Vice Pavilion Master of Heavenly Grass Pavilion, compared to a Celestial Master, it only afforded him the ability to be on equal footing with the other party.

The two Core Condensation elders beside him were no longer as casual as before.

"Is he from the Jiang family, or a Celestial Master?"

While Bai Yang speculated on Gu Jinlai's identity, he discussed the treasure armor with him.

During their conversation, Gu Jinlai specifically had Su Nanxing, who was wearing the treasure armor, demonstrate its performance to the group.

Weighing eighty jin, with defense comparable to high-grade treasure armor, this quality greatly satisfied Bai Yang.

Powers like Heavenly Grass Pavilion, Guiyuan Sect, Orthodox Dao Sect, and even forces like the Purgatory Sect, feared being besieged by large armies the most.

Therefore, training an elite force specifically for breaking formations had always been a pursuit of various sects.

With the Provincial Lord's mansion eyeing Heavenly Grass Pavilion with the intent to annex it, Gu Jinlai's armor came at the perfect time.

After some bargaining, both parties quickly reached a preliminary agreement on a price of sixty-eight thousand taels per set.

With a foundation for cooperation established, Bai Yang, as an old employer, then took Gu Jinlai to tour Water Cloud Stream properly. They didn't part ways until midnight.

The next day, Bai Yang, upon returning to Heavenly Grass Pavilion, discussed the matter with the sect's higher-ups. He then went to the address Gu Jinlai had left and placed an order for ten sets of treasure armor, with delivery expected in three months.

From then on, Gu Jinlai, the artifact-refining Celestial Master, was on the right track.