Meddling

"Extreme Yin, the helper you invited has already been trapped by this monk with her Life-Bound Treasure. How much strength does she have left? Without her help, do you really think you can break through this Four Symbols Spirit-Locking Grand Formation by yourself? This monk advises you, a wise man knows when to yield. Don't risk your life for a moment of impulsiveness," Juezhao the Fat Monk.

"Ha!" Song Wen sneered, "You are nothing but a bunch of chickens and dogs. If I want to kill you, I don't need anyone else's help! Besides, I don't need to break through your Four Symbols Spirit-Locking Grand Formation. I just need to stay here and send a message to the Purple Star Immortal Sect. Then someone will come to wipe you out."

The smile that had just appeared on the Fat Monk's face vanished instantly, replaced by an extremely sinister look.

"Extreme Yin, this humble monk doesn't want to break ties with you, which is why I've been trying to persuade you kindly. Don't be ungrateful! Besides, are you sure the enforcement team sent by the Purple Star Immortal Sect will definitely help you instead of this humble monk? Don't forget, this humble monk knew you were coming long ago, and I have some connections within the Purple Star Immortal Sect."

"In that case, shall we wait here and see if the people from the Purple Star Immortal Sect will help you or me?" Song Wen said with a smile.

Within the Purple Star Immortal Sect, there must be someone colluding with Juezhao; but most of them are probably low-level individuals with limited strength. Otherwise, Juezhao wouldn't have been hiding outside Bamboo-Hidden Ravine all these years, merely basking in the Immortal Spiritual Qi.

How could someone so lowly possibly command the enforcement team of the Purple Star Immortal Sect?

Needless to say, with Bai Jinge still here, which disciple of the Purple Star Immortal Sect would dare to act recklessly?

"Elder Hu, is this formation very powerful?" Bai Jinge suddenly asked.

"It's not too strong. But I'm not familiar with formations, and my Life-Bound Treasure has already been taken away. If I forcefully break the formation, I'm afraid I don't have much of a chance," Hu Rui said.

Song Wen picked up the conversation and said...

"Why force a breakthrough? Although this formation is Juezhao the bald monk Jue Zhao, his subordinates are also indispensable. However, their cultivation is insufficient, and they cannot hold out for long. Once they exhaust their Law Power, the formation's power will inevitably diminish. At that point, breaking the formation will be much easier."

"That makes sense!" Hu Rui said, "Extreme Yin, you are indeed very observant."

"Fellow Daoist Hu is too kind," Song Wen said.

"But my Life-Bound Treasure is still in the formation. If they are desperate and take their anger out on my Life-Bound Treasure, I will suffer heavy losses," Hu Rui said.

The Bronze Hammer had already fallen to the ground, smashing a Small Earthen Slope within the formation to pieces and revealing a deep pit.

"Elder Hu, rest assured. If your Life-Bound Treasure is destroyed today, I will personally go to the Artifact Refining Hall and the Treasury to obtain all kinds of heavenly materials and earthly treasures to help you refine an even stronger Life-Bound Treasure after we return to the sect." Bai Jinge said with certainty.

Song Wen and the other two discussed in hushed tones.

The Fat Monk inside the formation, seeing that the three of them hadn't made a sound for a long time, as if they were really waiting for someone from the Purple Star Immortal Sect to come, began to get restless.

"Extreme Yin, what this humble monk just said is not entirely without room for negotiation."

The Fat Monk's tone softened, and the gloom on his face replaced with a sincere expression as he spoke again.

"I, this humble monk, will not contest the ownership of Bamboo-Hidden Ravine. The core area belongs entirely to you, benefactor; but as for the outer areas, I hope you will be lenient and allow us to cultivate here. From now on, let us coexist peacefully, each minding our own business."

Upon hearing this, Song Wen frowned, looking deep in thought.

"Master Juezhao, is what you say true?"

"Of course!" the Fat Monk said firmly, "This humble monk does not lie."

After a moment's hesitation, Song Wen nodded slightly.

"It's not impossible. However, I can't give you all of this outer area. I plan to develop a spirit field, and you'll need to send someone to look after it for me."

The Fat Monk's expression brightened, and he shouted loudly.

"Then it's a deal."

"Of course," Song Wen said with a smile. "Master Juezhao, if you had said earlier that you only wanted to secure a place on the outskirts, how could I have refused? We wouldn't have had to resort to violence today."

The Fat Monk said, "Indeed, this humble monk was driven by greed; I hope you will forgive me."

"It's alright, it's good that we talked it out."

Song Wen appeared magnanimous.

Bai Jinge, however, refused to comply.

"Extreme Yin, how could you agree to this bald monk's request? It's obvious he's a wolf in sheep's clothing. Today he's occupying the outer perimeter of Bamboo-Hidden Ravine, tomorrow he'll probably try to take over the core area."

"Miss Bai is absolutely right! As the saying goes, one cannot allow others to snore beside one's bed!" Hu Rui echoed.

Song Wen said, "Miss Bai, Fellow Daoist Hu, I am deeply grateful for your presence. However, Bamboo-Hidden Ravine is rented by my Immortal Spirit Stones, and I have my own plans for its disposal. Please refrain from further discussion. It is better to resolve conflicts than to create them. By cooperating with Master Juezhao, Bamboo-Hidden Ravine will have greater protection in the future. If anyone covets this place, they will have to consider whether they are an enemy that Master Juezhao and I can jointly oppose."

This statement elicited varying reactions from different parties.

Hu Rui was somewhat taken aback, and also somewhat furious—she had been ordered by Bai Jinge to assist in the battle, and had even sacrificed her Life-Bound Treasure. Extreme Yin's casual remark, "I have my own ideas," made her seem like she was meddling in other people's business.

Bai Jinge was also greatly surprised, but she was not furious. Instead, she looked at Song Wen with a somewhat aggrieved expression.

"Good!" the Fat Monk. "Benefactor Extreme Yin is indeed wise. Rest assured, if anyone ever attacks in the future, this humble monk will not stand idly by. I will do everything in my power to help you repel the enemy."

"Master Juezhao, now that the cooperation has been agreed upon, why don't we remove the formation first, and then sit down and discuss it in detail?" Song Wen said.

A look of weighing options flashed in the Fat Monk's eyes.

If he removes the formation, he will lose his trump card to restrain Song Wen; but if he doesn't remove it, it will seem like he has no sincerity.

The Fat Monk gritted his teeth and said.

"The formation can be dismantled, but this Benefactor Hu's Life-Bound Treasure cannot be returned for the time being."

"Okay," Song Wen said.

The Fat Monk suddenly flung out his Kasaya, Kasaya tore through the air, caught the Bronze Hammer in the deep pit, and then wrapped around it layer by layer.

"Withdraw!" the Fat Monk shouted.

However, his subordinates looked hesitant.

The old man spoke up, "Master, Extreme Yin words cannot be entirely trusted! What if he goes back on his word? Wouldn't we be in grave danger?"

"I told you to withdraw your troops, and you should do as I said. I don't need you juniors to tell me what to do," the Fat Monk said.

The old man and the others dared not say anything more and could only slowly withdraw their Law Power.

In an instant, the array patterns on the Xiao Shan beneath their feet gradually lost their lead-gray spiritual light. The four pillars of light also slowly dissipated. The Lead-Gray Barrier dimmed and soon disappeared without a trace.

"Extreme Yin, I have fulfilled my promise to you, and I ask that you keep your word. I am aware that the Purple Star Immortal Sect has set up the 'Grand Void Sealing Heaven Restriction Formation' within Bamboo-Hidden Ravine. I hope that after you take over, you will not expand this array. Furthermore, I and my companions will construct another defensive array outside of the 'Grand Void Sealing Heaven Restriction Formation.' From now on, the two of us will watch over and assist each other, jointly managing Bamboo-Hidden Ravine."