Lüo Family's Arrival, Xu Wei's Karmic Fortune

"Pleasure doing business with you!"

"Let's get rich together!"

"Clink—"

Two teacups met with a crisp sound.

Chen Dengming downed the fragrant tea in his cup and looked at Xu Ning, who was smiling across from him. His heart finally settled, knowing that he had reached a preliminary cooperation with Xu Ning this time.

The content of their cooperation was naturally to sell Gu poisons and even Gu worms within the Gathering Place.

These items, being rare, were precious and extremely practical in combat, posing a threat even to low-level cultivators.

He figured many Innate Mortals would be interested.

As the saying goes, even a sinking ship has three pounds of nails. Though Innates were poor, their sheer numbers made them a large customer base.

Of course, selling Gu poisons and Gu worms to Mortals might indirectly threaten cultivators.

But clearly, Chen Dengming, the seller, wasn't afraid, and Xu Ning, a cultivator at the sixth level of Qi Cultivation, was even less so.

Next, as long as the Lüo Family successfully leveraged their influence, and someone came to find Chen Dengming after receiving Xu Wei's message, then his cooperative relationship with Xu Ning would be completely solidified, and his plan would be a complete success.

With this cooperative relationship, he could establish himself in the Gathering Place for a period, stand tall, and earn money without worrying about any trouble.

He could also move to better accommodations and calmly cultivate, rapidly improving his strength.

As for Hutong Street.

Qian Yuan was also affiliated with a certain Lüo Family cultivator, and like Xu Ning, he was a pawn supported by the Lüo Family within the Gathering Place.

Once Miss Luo wanted to ask him to refine a Golden Silkworm Gu, that person would inevitably hear the news and know what to do.

Conversely, if no one from the Lüo Family came looking for him and something went wrong, he would have to quickly leave the Gathering Place while Xu Ning still didn't dare to act rashly.

However, at this moment, he hadn't forgotten about Xu Wei.

In the cruel and inhumane Cultivation World, this woman was the first to show him genuine sincerity.

Xu Wei had also played a role in this message transmission.

Chen Dengming immediately brought up Xu Wei's situation.

He had initially thought that with his current status as Xu Ning's partner, even if Xu Wei had caused some trouble, Xu Ning would give him face and resolve it.

Unexpectedly, Xu Ning's expression suddenly turned grim, and he said coldly.

"Little brother Chen, by rights, as this is our first successful cooperation, I should give you face, brother. But unfortunately, this Mortal named Xu Wei, you can't take her."

Saying that, he suddenly smiled, "How about this, you pick another girl from Zanhua Tower, whoever you want!"

Chen Dengming frowned slightly, then smiled again, saying, "It seems Xu Wei has gotten into a lot of trouble?"

"No!"

Xu Ning shook his head. "She didn't get into any trouble. You don't need to test me. What big trouble could a Mortal get into? If she had, she would have died long ago. She's just been chosen by someone, someone you and I can't afford to offend."

"Oh? Such a big figure would be interested in a Mortal?" Chen Dengming said with a smile, but his heart sank.

Xu Ning chuckled, "What do you think my Zanhua Tower is for? Don't underestimate Mortals. Mortal women like Xu Wei have great value, which is why she's always been a pure courtesan."

"Oh?"

Chen Dengming's body trembled slightly, feeling a bit taken aback.

Xu Ning snorted, "She possesses a low-grade Spirit Vein. After we select Mortals like her from the mortal world, we cultivate them into cultivators, then send them to serve important figures or sell them at a high price. It's just that this time is different; she hasn't even become a cultivator yet."

He suddenly stopped talking, glanced at Chen Dengming, and shook his head with a laugh. "Little brother Chen, whether you had some affection for Xu Wei when you were still a Mortal or not, I, as your brother, advise you to give up the idea as soon as possible. You can't save Xu Wei."

Chen Dengming clenched the fist resting on his leg, then slowly relaxed it, a hint of a relaxed smile appearing on his face. "I know."

"Smart!"

Xu Ning gave him a thumbs-up, smiling outwardly but inwardly scoffing.

In reality, it wasn't that he couldn't give Xu Wei to Chen Dengming. For him, it was a small matter. Finding another woman with a low-grade Spiritual Root to replace Xu Wei would be troublesome, but not a major issue.

However, he was still unhappy that Chen Dengming, by borrowing the Lüo Family's influence, could sit with him as an equal to negotiate business and cooperation.

Of course, in the face of profit and the Lüo Family's relationship, he had to concede and was willing to talk.

But he could also use this small matter of Xu Wei to put Chen Dengming in his place, making Chen Dengming uncomfortable. After all, Chen Dengming wouldn't understand the intricacies of the situation.

Xu Ning gracefully stood up and walked to the window. Just as he was about to stretch, he suddenly froze and immediately turned to rush downstairs.

Chen Dengming, who was deep in thought, also sensed something and then heard Xu Ning's voice.

"Someone from the Lüo Family is here. Have that Mortal send the message; she's fast!"

The person from the Lüo Family descended in a beam of spiritual light riding a flying Magic Item. Xu Wei also descended with them.

This scene had already attracted the attention of many cultivators in the Gathering Place. They were astonished and drew closer, looking with awe at the Lüo Family cultivator controlling the flying Magic Item, discussing through secret transmissions.

"Immortal Master Chen!"

The moment Xu Wei landed, before she could even steady herself, she immediately clutched her skirt and ran towards Chen Dengming, who had walked out of the pavilion. She said nervously and joyfully, "Immortal Master, I haven't failed your trust. The Immortal Master from the Lüo Family has arrived."

Chen Dengming looked at Xu Wei's smooth forehead, where sweat had matted her hair. The woman's embroidered shoes were already covered in mud, yet her expression was filled with eagerness.

His brow twitched slightly, but he didn't frown. He smiled and nodded in affirmation.

"Are you the one who claims you can help our young lady refine the Golden Silkworm Gu?"

At that moment, a cold voice suddenly came from the side.

The surrounding people gasped in shock.

"Qi Cultivation fifth level."

Xu Ning's heart skipped a beat, and he immediately looked at Chen Dengming.

Chen Dengming's gaze shifted to the woman speaking, who was dressed in Lüo Family attire.

She was a girl of about fifteen or sixteen, with delicate features and a face still bearing childish innocence, yet she was trying hard to appear mature.

"It is I. My name is Chen Dengming. Greetings, esteemed lady!"

Chen Dengming clasped his fists with a smile, speaking courteously. He didn't dare to underestimate her; this woman's Spiritual Might was very strong. She looked about fifteen or sixteen, but she might have cultivated some special Cultivation Method and could be hundreds of years old.

"Chen Dengming."

The woman's expression was suspicious. She frowned and sized up Chen Dengming. "My young lady said you were a Mortal. I didn't expect you to have become a cultivator now?"

Chen Dengming bowed with a smile. "It's all thanks to the young lady's guidance back then, and her allowing me to obtain a Cultivation Method. That's how I was fortunate enough to break through. The young lady showed me great kindness, and I, Chen, should repay her."

"Kindness? This brat earned the favor of Miss Luo?"

Xu Ning frowned, somewhat astonished.

Some Rogue Cultivators nearby, overhearing this, were also quite surprised and murmured amongst themselves.

The Lüo Family woman said coldly, "Enough. The young lady is kind-hearted and has helped many people. You are just one of them. Since you say you want to repay her, why did you never appear after my Lüo Family issued the bounty?"

Chen Dengming clasped his fists. "It's not that I was unwilling to appear, but rather, before the bounty was issued, I had already offended some people and had no choice but to leave the Gathering Place."

"Damn it, you brat."

In the distance, amidst the crowd, Qian Yuan, who had rushed over upon hearing the news and was nervously observing the situation, felt his heart leap. His face turned grim, and the expressions of his subordinates beside him also changed.

For the Rogue Cultivators in the Gathering Place, the Lüo Family was one of the two local overlords. They all depended on the Lüo Family for their livelihood, and none dared to offend anyone from the Lüo Family.

"Alright! I understand."

Just then, the Lüo Family woman ended the conversation. She looked coldly at Chen Dengming and said, "I hope you can truly help my young lady refine the Golden Silkworm Gu. Otherwise..."

She didn't finish her sentence. Instead, she waved her hand, and a flying Magic Item shaped like a lotus leaf flashed with spiritual light and flew out.

"That's a relief!"

Qian Yuan breathed a sigh of relief, but then his brow furrowed again, and he stared coldly at Chen Dengming.

Chen Dengming glanced at Qian Yuan in the crowd from afar, his expression calm. He knew this Lüo Family woman wasn't foolish and didn't intend to help him solve any trouble.

Everything depended on his subsequent performance. Even if he performed well, it would still be just a transaction, nothing more.

He wanted to borrow the Lüo Family's influence, but he couldn't show it too obviously. He had struck the right balance for now. He then pointed at Xu Wei and said, "Esteemed lady, I'd like to bring a helper with me. Refining the Golden Silkworm Gu is no easy task; someone needs to guard me at all times. I trust this woman, and she can assist me."

Xu Ning's face fell. The old madam on the other side couldn't help but step forward to stop them, but He Sun immediately held her back.

The Lüo Family woman glanced faintly at Xu Wei and nodded slightly. "Very well. This Mortal, just now, risked her life to guarantee the truth of your message, which is why I came personally. It's understandable that you trust her. However, I'll say this upfront: if you fail to refine the Golden Silkworm Gu, you, as well as she, will inevitably be severely punished by my Lüo Family."

"Thank you for your trust, esteemed lady!" Chen Dengming clasped his fists.

Xu Wei, standing beside them, was already stunned. She never imagined Chen Dengming would bring her along to the Lüo Family. And the old madam and He Sun, whom she feared the most, didn't dare to stop him.

She had always wanted to escape the control of Zanhua Tower, even just for a day. The last time she tried to escape, she was caught and beaten before she even left the Gathering Place. This time, with just a word from Chen Dengming, she could leave. Even if she were severely punished by the Lüo Family later, she wouldn't be afraid. At this moment, she felt both shocked and overjoyed.

(To be continued. There will be an update in the morning!)