Song Wen reached out and took the jade bottle.
"I am not one to seize treasures through trickery or force. Since I have taken your treasure, I ought to give you something in return. How about this? I have a record of my insights on breaking through to the Tribulation Transcendence stage. It should be of some use to you, so I shall give it to you."
As he spoke, Song Wen not only confirmed that the bottle did indeed contain immortal spirit marrow, but also took out a jade slip and tossed it to Zhuang Qiu.
Song Wen had brought the jade slip up from the lower realm. It recorded his insights from his own breakthrough to the Tribulation Transcendence stage.
Its value naturally could not compare with the immortal spirit marrow in the jade bottle, but to a rogue cultivator like Zhuang Qiu, it was still worth a considerable sum.
After all, cultivators had always treasured even their own worn-out brooms.
Whether they belonged to cultivation factions or were rogue cultivators, they placed immense importance on their cultivation insights and would not readily show them to others.
"Thank you for bestowing this treasure upon me, Senior."
Zhuang Qiu held the jade slip in both hands, her face brimming with excitement.
It was hard to say whether she was excited over these insights or ecstatic at having saved her own life.
"Go," Song Wen said. "Remember, you must not mention what happened here to anyone."
"Rest assured, Senior. I will keep my lips sealed."
Zhuang Qiu bowed to Song Wen again, then used the earthen-yellow spiritual light surrounding her to push aside the mud and rock and escape into the distance.
Song Wen watched her leave without making a move.
The life or death of a mere Mahayana cultivator