Ulterior Motives

"I happen to have a Hidden Soul Jade. I wonder why you are inquiring about this?" Zhu Yin replied via telegram.

"I wonder if you would be willing to part with the Hidden Soul Jade and sell it to me?" Song Wen asked.

"The Hidden Soul Jade is the brow bone of a third-tier Nether Fox. The skull of a third-tier Spirit Fox can be used to refine Divine Sense defense magic Law Treasure. Once the brow bone is removed, the skull becomes useless. The value of the Hidden Soul Jade is self-evident."

Song Wen understood the unspoken meaning: ' The Hidden Soul Jade extremely valuable; to obtain it, one must pay a substantial price.'

"I wonder what you desire, fellow Daoist. As long as it's not too rare, I will do my best to fulfill your wish."

Zhu Yin transmitted a message, saying, "This matter cannot be discussed in detail in Message Jade Slip. Where are you, fellow Daoist? I'm coming to find you."

Song Wen looked up and glanced around, his gaze landing on a large river dozens of miles below.

"The Clear Creek River, a hundred miles west of Shadow City."

"Alright, fellow Daoist, please wait a moment, I'll be there shortly."

Song Wen put away the Message Jade Slip and turned to Shan Yue.

"You pilot the spaceship and wait for me at the beach on the west side of Limitless Island."

After saying that, Song Wen flew out of the spaceship and headed towards the river.

After staring at Song Wen's back for a moment, Shan Yue piloted the spaceship toward the sea.

Song Wen waited for a moment on the river, and then Zhu Yin hurriedly arrived.

"Extreme Yin, and being high up in the sky makes us too conspicuous. Let's go down to the dense forest to talk," Zhu Yin said.

Song Wen nodded and followed Zhu Yin into the dense forest by the river.

"I wonder what conditions Fellow Zhu Yin would require for you to trade the Hidden Soul Jade?" Song Wen asked.

After Zhu Yin raised her hand and created a soundproof barrier, she didn't answer Song Wen's question, but instead asked a question in return.

"What are your thoughts on this trip to the Rebirth Valley, fellow Daoist?"

Song Wen frowned slightly, not immediately understanding the meaning behind Zhu Yin's words.

Zhu Yin and Yuan Qing had a deep-seated conflict and a very poor relationship in the past; but this time, the two suddenly joined forces to explore the Rebirth Valley.

There must be something in the Rebirth Valley that both of them desperately need.

Song Wen guessed that it was most likely related to the Infant Spirit Pill.

Earth Dragon Ganoderma is very likely one of the spirit medicine used to refine the Infant Spirit Pill.

But these are things I definitely can't tell Zhu Yin.

Song Wen looked puzzled. "Fellow Daoist, I don't understand what you mean?"

Zhu Yin said, "Fellow Daoist is not from the inner sect, so you may not know this. Yuan Qing and Si Xi have been getting very close lately. They have probably already planned to explore the Rebirth Valley together."

Song Wen frowned and asked, "You mean, Yuan Qing and Si Xi were putting on an act in front of us when we were in your cave abode? Why would they do that?"

Zhu Yin said, "In my guess, Yuan Qing's trip is not just about the Earth Dragon Ganoderma; he has other ulterior motives."

Song Wen asked, "If what you say is true, why would they travel with you and me?"

Zhu Yin said, "They invited you, naturally, for the third-tier Demon-Luring Incense. As for inviting me, it involves another deal between me and Yuan Qing. I'm sorry, I cannot disclose that."

Song Wen asked, "What does this have to do with our transaction of the Hidden Soul Jade?"

Zhu Yin said, "Finding out Yuan Qing's true purpose is very important to me. However, I am not able to keep an eye on Yuan Qing and Si Xi at the same time. I hope you can help me monitor Si Xi, while I will keep an eye on Yuan Qing at all times."

Song Wen asked, "Why are you monitoring Si Xi?"

Zhu Yin said, "I'm worried that Yuan Qing, in order to guard against me, won't take action himself, but will try to get me out of the way and have Si Xi do it for him. That's why I need you to keep a close eye on Si Xi."

Song Wen's thoughts raced.

The secret surrounding Yuan Qing is likely related to the Infant Spirit Pill.

If that's the case, taking a little risk is worthwhile.

Although he was tempted, Song Wen still looked hesitant.

"Si Xi's cultivation level is higher than mine. If he discovers that I'm monitoring him, my life will be in danger."

Zhu Yin said, "Fellow Daoist, rest assured, I will lend you a Law Treasure. This treasure can help you conceal your aura and cover your tracks. Moreover, you only need to monitor Si Xi. If he exhibits any abnormal behavior or enters a special place, just notify me as soon as possible. You don't need to take action against Si Xi yourself."

Song Wen frowned and remained silent, seemingly weighing the risks and rewards.

After some thought, Song Wen finally made up his mind, "Alright, I promise you, fellow Daoist. When will you give me the Hidden Soul Jade?"

Zhu Yin said, "The Hidden Soul Jade is priceless, but what you promised to do for me is not worth a single Hidden Soul Jade."

Song Wen looked somewhat displeased. "Zhu Yin, are you making fun of me?"

Zhu Yin said, "Fellow Daoist, you misunderstand. I need you to agree to another condition."

Song Wen asked, "What are the conditions?"

Zhu Yin said, "Help me refine a 'Spirit-Sense Advancement Pill'."

The Spirit-Sense Advancement Pill is a third-tier pill that can help Golden Core cultivators break through the bottleneck of Divine Sense.

This pill has a high resistance rate. Taking the first pill is extremely effective in breaking through the bottleneck of Divine Sense, but the effect will be greatly reduced when taking the second pill. Very few people can break through the bottleneck of Divine Sense again when taking this pill a second time.

Song Wen said, "I do not possess the spirit medicine for refining the Spirit-Sense Advancement Pill. Moreover, I have never refined this pill before."

Zhu Yin said, "I have prepared spirit medicine, and there are three portions. With your alchemy skills, you should be able to successfully refine at least one Spirit-Sense Advancement Pill."

Song Wen said, "I can agree to your condition, but I have a question in my mind that I hope you can answer for me."

"Speaking."

"Among the inner disciples, there are many whose alchemy skills surpass mine. Why did you specifically request that I be the one to Alchemy?"

Zhu Yin said, "I don't want a third party to know about this, but if I ask an inner Alchemist to help, I'm afraid it will be difficult to keep this a secret."

Song Wen nodded. "Alright! I promise you, fellow Daoist, this matter will never be known to a third party. When shall we begin Alchemy?"

Zhu Yin said, "The sooner the better. I hope you can refine the pill within a month."

Upon hearing this, Song Wen suddenly realized that Zhu Yin's urgent need for the Spirit Ascension Pill was probably related to their exploration of the Rebirth Valley a year from now.

Her request to keep this matter confidential was most likely to protect her from Yuan Qing.

"Could it be that she also cultivated a secret technique for attacking with Divine Sense?" Song Wen wondered to himself.

"I'll do my best," Song Wen said.

Zhu Yin handed over a Storage Bag, saying, "The spirit medicine needed for Alchemy are all in this Storage Bag. I'll leave this matter to you, fellow Daoist."

Song Wengang took the storage bag, and Zhu Yin added, "By the way, do you have the formula for the Spirit Enhancement Pill?"

Song Wen nodded in agreement, "Yes!"

Alchemy Pill Formula for the Spirit-Sense Advancement Pill was derived from the alchemy insights of Shi Bo and Shi Zhong.

Both brothers had refined the Spirit-Sense Advancement Pill.

It was precisely because of the two people's experience in Alchemy that Song Wen was confident enough to successfully refine the Spirit-Sense Advancement Pill.

Zhu Yin's lips curled slightly, and she said something with a meaningful tone.

"It seems that you are not as simple as you appear."

The Pill Formula for the Spirit-Sense Advancement Pill is held by various powerful forces, and it is not sold in the Pill Formula.

Song Wen smiled faintly, "It's just a Pill Formula. I wonder when you will be able to give me the Hidden Soul Jade?"

Zhu Yin said, "After the elixir is completed."

Song Wen said, "Then it's a deal. Farewell."

After saying that, Song Wen took to the air and flew towards the direction of Extreme Yin Island.

Zhu Yin paused for a moment, then turned and headed towards Corpse King Valley.

After flying for over a hundred miles, Song Wen estimated that he had escaped Zhu Yin's sight, changed direction, and headed towards the seaside where Shan Yue was.

After receiving the Shan Yue, Song Wen took her and flew to the Extreme Yin Island.