Threats and Compromise
"It's you?"
Upon seeing Song Wen enter, Purple Cloud's voice was filled with doubt.
She clearly recognized Song Wen.
Back in the Rebirth Valley, she trapped Si Xi, intending to snatch the Cold Marrow Wood from her. It was Song Wen sent out a rescue signal, notifying Yuan Qing and Zhu Yin to come, which caused her to suffer a considerable loss at Yuan Qing's hands.
Song Wen's cultivation level was only at the Golden Core Early Stage. Purple Cloud glanced at Song Wen and then chose to ignore him.
She had initially thought that Zhu Yin and the others were some extraordinary figures, but she never expected them to be just people who had just entered the Golden Core Realm.
Her gaze returned to Zhu Yin.
"Zhu Yin, what on earth are you up to?"
Zhu Yin did not answer Purple Cloud, but looked at Song Wen with a questioning look in her eyes.
Song Wen said, "Zhu Yin, rest assured, I have been secretly observing the journey. Fellow Daoist Purple Cloud came alone."
After hearing this, Zhu Yin smiled slightly, seemingly relieved of some of her worries.
She said, "Purple Cloud, let Extreme Yin explain this to you."
Purple Cloud turned to stare at Song Wen, her brows furrowed.
She realized that she might have underestimated the person in front of her.
"You've been spying on me all along? Why was I completely unaware?"
Song Wen said, "It's just a little trick to cover things up; it's nothing serious."
Purple Cloud's gaze darted back and forth between Song Wen and Zhu Yin.
Suddenly, she smiled and gracefully walked to the chair and sat down.
"I'm becoming increasingly curious. What is the purpose of your summons? If you cannot satisfy me today, neither of you will leave this Four Symbols City."
Song Wen also walked to a chair and sat down.
"It was my idea to invite Fellow Daoist Purple Cloud here today. Before we discuss serious matters, I hope you can promise that you will not reveal a single word of what we are discussing in this private room."
Purple Cloud's lips curled slightly, and she sneered.
What if I don't promise?
"If you do not make Soul Oath, there is no need for us to continue this discussion," Song Wen said.
"It seems you didn't understand what I said earlier. If you can't give me a satisfactory result today, neither of you will be able to leave Four Symbols City alive."
Purple Cloud's voice was low and deep, her words carrying a strong sense of threat.
Faced with Purple Cloud's threat, Song Wen simply smiled faintly, seemingly not taking it to heart at all.
"I don't know if Fellow Zhu Yin and I can leave the Four Symbols City, but you certainly won't be able to leave this private room."
Song Wen's voice was as cold as frost.
A strong sense of killing intent filled the air, instantly making the atmosphere in the private room tense.
Staring into Song Wen's eyes, Purple Cloud felt a strange sense of unease rise in her heart, as if she were being watched by a ferocious beast with overwhelming Sha Qi.
She clearly sensed that the other party completely disregarded her Peak Golden Core Stage cultivation level.
"Fellow Daoist, are you planning to fight to the death?" Purple Cloud frowned slightly and asked in a deep voice.
"That depends on your choice, fellow Daoist. As long as you swear Soul Oath not to reveal a single word about what happened today, what we are about to discuss will surely satisfy you. This matter is related to Nascent Soul formation," Song Wen said.
Upon hearing the words "Nascent Soul Formation," Purple Cloud's heart stirred slightly.
When she received Zhu Yin's invitation, she guessed that the 'Infant Spirit Pill' mentioned in the invitation was related to the formation of an infant. Otherwise, she wouldn't have come alone.
"Alright! Then I'll Soul Oath. I want to see what this Infant Spirit Pill is all about, that it can actually assist in the formation of an Infant."
After Purple Cloud Soul Oath, Song Wen directly handed over a Jade Slip.
Purple Cloud took the Jade Slip and began to examine its contents.
The jade slip contained an incomplete formula for the Infant Spirit Pill.
A sharp glint suddenly flashed in her eyes.
"Do you have the complete Pill Formula for the pill?"
"Of course," Song Wen replied.
"What price must I pay to obtain the complete Pill Formula?" Purple Cloud asked.
"Purple Salvia Root!"
A smile appeared on Purple Cloud's lips.
"So that's why the Jade Slip lists Purple Salvia Root separately. It turns out you lack this spirit medicine. Purple Salvia Root is an extremely rare fourth-tier spirit medicine. As far as I know, only the Illusory Spirit Valley of my Two Forms Sect produces it."
Purple Cloud's tone carried a hint of smugness.
She had a vague feeling that if Song Wen and Zhu Yin wanted to obtain the Purple Salvia Root and gather the necessary spirit medicine for the Infant Spirit Pill, they would find it difficult to bypass her.
In this way, she would have enough bargaining power.
"I'll trade you a Purple Salvia Root Pill Formula for the pill formula you have," Purple Cloud said.
Song Wen said, "One plant isn't enough. Five plants."
Purple Cloud looked at Song Wen with a hint of anger in her eyes.
"You're delusional. The Illusory Spirit Valley only opens once every sixty years, and each time it opens, the entire Two Forms Sect rarely manages to obtain even five Purple Salvia Roots."
Song Wen said, "Although what you say is true, one or two Purple Salvia Root are of little use to us."
Seeing Song Wen's unyielding expression, Purple Cloud turned her gaze to Zhu Yin.
However, Zhu Yin seemed to follow Song Wen's lead blindly.
Seeing this, Purple Cloud could only try to persuade Song Wen.
"You've underestimated the Illusory Spirit Valley. The Purple Salvia Root grows in the heart of the Illusory Spirit Valley, where a fourth-tier golden corpse dwells. And the Illusory Spirit Valley only allows Golden Core cultivators to enter. Obtaining the Purple Salvia Root is no easy feat."
"The reason why we can obtain a few Purple Salvia Root roots each time the Illusory Spirit Valley Secret Realm opens is because many of my fellow disciples risked great danger to find them on the outskirts of the core area. No one can be absolutely certain that they can obtain Purple Salvia Root roots in the Illusory Spirit Valley."
"If you want to obtain more Purple Salvia Root, you will have to personally enter the secret realm and venture into its core area."
Purple Cloud spoke up, explaining to Song Wen and Zhu Yin.
Song Wen and Zhu Yin exchanged a glance; this was the first time they had learned about the inner workings of the Illusory Spirit Valley.
"Fellow Zhu Yin and I would like to take the risk and give it a try. I wonder if Fellow Daoist Purple Cloud could lend us a hand and allow us to enter the secret realm?"
Upon hearing this, Purple Cloud looked slightly surprised.
"You want to enter the Illusory Spirit Valley?"
"That's exactly what I was thinking," Song Wen said.
"The previous two openings of the Illusory Spirit Valley were presided over by my master Lan Yin. If you wish to enter the secret realm, you must obtain her permission," Purple Cloud said.
Zhu Yin suddenly interjected.
"To be honest, three days ago, Extreme Yin and I visited Sect Master Lü of your sect, hoping to request an audience with Senior Lan Yin. However, Sect Master Lü told us that your master is not currently in the sect."
Purple Cloud said, "My master is indeed not in the sect, but he should be returning soon. However, getting him to agree to let you enter the Illusory Spirit Valley won't be so easy."
Zhu Yin said, "This requires your help, fellow Daoist. Not only do Purple Salvia Root Extreme Yin and I need the Purple Ginseng, but you will also need it after you obtain the Pill Formula for the Infant Spirit Pill. If the three of us join hands to explore the Illusory Spirit Valley Secret Realm, our chances of success will be greatly increased."