Leading Zhao Hongying Astray

Yang Daqiang and Zhao Hongying walked into the courtyard.

Yang Daqiang quickly introduced the two to each other.

"Wang Mengde, this is Zhao Hongying, the Fairy Zhao, from the Evergreen Sect. She is a top disciple of Qingxuan Talisman Master, a first-tier advanced talisman master, and a combat prodigy with exceptional strength. She is one of the most outstanding talents among the outer disciples of the Evergreen Sect."

He then looked at Zhao Hongying: "Fairy Zhao, this is Wang Mengde, whom I told you about. His Spirit Eye Technique has reached its Peak Mastery."

Wang Mengde cupped his hands slightly, a perfectly measured smile on his face, "Fellow Daoist Zhao, I've long admired your name."

Zhao Hongying returned the greeting with a cupped hand, her voice clear and crisp. "Fellow Daoist Wang."

Wang Mengde stepped aside and led the two into the reception room on the first floor of the attic.

Wang Mengde invited the two to sit down, took out a tea set from his Storage Bag, and skillfully boiled water, warmed the cups, added tea leaves, and poured water.

A moment later, two steaming cups of spiritual tea were placed in front of Yang Daqiang and Zhao Hongying.

"This is Cloud Dew Green given to me by a friend. Although it's not the finest, it has its own unique flavor. Please try it."

Zhao Hongying didn't drink the tea. She looked at Wang Mengde and got straight to the point:

"Fellow Daoist Wang, Captain Yang should have already mentioned it to you. All six of us are at the Eighth Layer of Qi Refinement and are equipped with mid-grade magic Law Artifact."

"As long as you help us find those two Blood-Spirit Flying Shuttle, we'll take care of it without any risk."

Wang Mengde nodded but did not reply.

Zhao Hongying continued, "I heard you killed the Blood-Spirit Flying Shuttle's offspring before. That thing is extremely vengeful."

If you don't get rid of them, they'll keep watching you, and you can forget about going out to sea again.

But if you kill them, you can go out to sea to fish without worry.

Wang Mengde remained completely unmoved.

He wasn't worried about that at all.

If Zhao Hongying and the others cannot deal with the Blood-Spirit Flying Shuttle, the Evergreen Sect will send even stronger experts.

How could the mighty Evergreen Sect allow Demon Fish at the Eighth-Level Lesser Demon of the Lesser Demon Realm to pose a long-term threat to its islands?

The other party said all this for one purpose only.

Bargaining.

Wang Mengde's smile remained unchanged. He picked up his teacup and spoke gently:

"This tea tastes pretty good."

Zhao Hongying paused slightly.

She glanced at Yang Daqiang gave her a wink and whispered, "I told you, this guy is greedy and shrewd, not easy to deal with."

Zhao Hongying stopped beating around the bush and directly stated the purpose of her trip:

"Fellow Daoist Yang has told us your conditions, but your demands are too high. Mid-grade defensive magic Law Artifact and mid-grade speed-enhancing Law Artifact both cost over ten thousand Spirit Stone, which we cannot afford. At most..."

She paused for a moment, then said, "At most, I'll give you a low-grade defensive Law Artifact."

Upon hearing this, Wang Mengde maintained his gentle smile and spoke slowly and deliberately:

"You'll receive contribution points as a reward for successfully completing sect missions."

Those two Blood-Spirit Flying Shuttle together could fetch about 20,000 Spirit Stone.

A mid-grade magic Law Artifact is worth about the same as a Blood-Spirit Flying Shuttle.

He looked at Zhao Hongying and said calmly, "I risked my life to find the fish. One Blood-Spirit Flying Shuttle isn't much, is it?"

Zhao Hongying frowned slightly.

Yang Daqiang was right; Wang Mengde was indeed greedy.

She said, "You're only responsible for finding the fish; the hard work is done by the six of us, cultivators at the Eighth Layer of Qi Refinement Refining."

Wang Mengde's smile remained unchanged, "If you could find those two Demon Fish, you wouldn't be looking for a mere Fifth-Level Qi Refinement cultivator like me."

Zhao Hongying paused.

Wang Mengde continued, "I'll help you find the Blood-Spirit Flying Shuttle sooner, and you can complete your mission and go back to collect your contribution points sooner. It's a win-win situation."

Zhao Hongying said, "Among the outer disciples of the Evergreen Sect, there are also disciples who cultivate the Spirit Eye Technique. Although they are only at the Mastery level, their cultivation is higher and not much worse than yours. If you don't agree, we will go find them."

Wang Mengde said gently, "Then let's go find them. I happen to have something to do."

Zhao Hongying said sincerely, "We sincerely want you to do this for us. If you really catch the Blood-Spirit Flying Shuttle, we'll give you five thousand Spirit Stone. That's a very generous price."

Wang Mengde thought for a moment and said, "Give me ten Seven-Pattern Spirit-Nurturing Pills."

Zhao Hongying said, "Seven-Pattern Spirit-Nurturing Pill are extremely rare. We don't have a single one on us, and we can't gather any more. We can only give you five thousand Spirit Stone."

Wang Mengde picked up his teacup, took a sip, and remained silent.

Five thousand Spirit Stone is not a small amount.

In fact, there's a lot to say.

His mind raced.

He looked at Zhao Hongying, then suddenly switched to telepathy:

"Captain Yang just said that you are a talisman master. You need to get me a set of Talisman drawing methods from the first-tier beginner level to the second-tier advanced level, one Talisman drawing method for each level, and also give me the corresponding drawing tips and insights for each Talisman drawing method."

While beachcombing can be profitable, it is ultimately dangerous.

They must learn alchemy, talismans, formations, and artifacts—one or two of the many arts of cultivating immortality.

Although it's a low-level skill, it doesn't earn him as much money as fishing.

However, the higher the level, the faster you can make money.

High-level talisman masters, Alchemist, and spirit array masters can earn money at an incredibly fast pace.

The key is that learning these skills can also temper the soul, slightly improve the soul, slightly enhance comprehension, and slightly accelerate the cultivation speed of Law Technique.

Wang Mengde had long wanted to learn the art of Talisman, but due to a lack of Spirit Stone and his low cultivation level, he could only draw a few Talisman each day, so he had put it off until now.

Now that my cultivation level has increased, it's time to learn the art of Talisman drawing.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Hongying's expression changed slightly.

She looked at Wang Mengde and replied telepathically, "No, the Evergreen Sect's method of drawing Talisman is not to be passed on to outsiders."

Wang Mengde smiled slightly and transmitted his voice:

"Many Rogue Cultivator possess Talisman- drawing techniques that the Evergreen Sect does not have."

You can use your connections to help me purchase one.

It's not like I asked you to steal from the Evergreen Sect.

Zhao Hongying was silent for a moment, then transmitted her voice:

"The method of drawing Talisman is not cheap; even the first-tier ones are very expensive, and the second-tier ones are even more valuable."

This whole set would cost at least ten thousand Spirit Stone.

She paused for a moment, then explained, "For a talisman master, the more people who can draw the same Talisman, the more competitors they have."

Therefore, unless an extremely high price is offered, no one is willing to sell.

Wang Mengde nodded and transmitted his voice, "Just buy me the cheapest set, anything will do."

He wouldn't waste time on low-level Talisman; they were merely tools he used to improve his Talisman.

He wouldn't waste too much time even on second-tier Talisman.

At the third tier, purchase rare and popular Talisman drawing methods from the market.

Zhao Hongying looked at Wang Mengde: "Are you sure any Talisman will do?"

Wang Mengde nodded. "Anything is fine, the cheapest one will do, let's say 12,000 Spirit Stone."

After you capture the Blood-Spirit Flying Shuttle, give me 12,000 Spirit Stone first. Later, you purchase the Talisman drawing method for me, and I will secretly give you the Spirit Stone.

You earn two or three thousand Spirit Stone, I get the items, it's a win-win situation for both of us.

Zhao Hongying was stunned.

Looking at Wang Mengde's gentle smiling face, she was momentarily at a loss for words.

Isn't this deceiving my senior classmates?

That's not a good idea.

But then I thought, I could earn two or three thousand Spirit Stone...

She was somewhat tempted.

Oh right, it's not just two or three thousand.

By fortuitous opportunity, she had obtained a second-tier advanced Talisman drawing method, which was her own and she could give Wang Mengde a copy of it.

If we include this door in the calculation, based on market price, it could be worth more than three thousand Spirit Stone to Wang Mengde.

In other words, she could earn five or six thousand Spirit Stone this way.

Zhao Hongying's heart skipped a beat.

But she quickly frowned again.

That doesn't seem quite right.

Seeing the other party hesitate, Wang Mengde picked up his teacup and slowly sipped it, without urging him.

After a moment, he put down his teacup and transmitted his voice:

"Although you have great talent, you still need resources, you need Spirit Stone."

"Raise your cultivation to the Peak Qi Refinement as soon as possible; the earlier you attempt to break through to Foundation Establishment, the greater your chances of success."

Zhao Hongying's eyes flickered slightly.

Wang Mengde patiently guided him. "With your talent, if you reach the Peak Qi Refinement early on, the probability of Foundation Establishment is extremely high."

Once one successfully Foundation Establishment, they become a great cultivator capable of living for over two hundred years, holding a powerful position within the Evergreen Sect and earning respect wherever they go.

He paused, then continued, "After Foundation Establishment, lifespan will greatly increase, and there will be plenty of time to slowly repay this favor."

But if you delay your cultivation and miss the best time to Foundation Establishment because of a little guilt, it will be too late to regret it in the future.

Zhao Hongying fell silent.

Foundation Establishment.

This word has always been her most fervent dream.

From the very first day she entered the world of cultivation, she wanted to Foundation Establishment.

I want to become a superior person, Foundation Establishment True Person respected by all.

Therefore, she practiced diligently, drew talismans frantically, and completed tasks tirelessly.

But resources are never enough, Spirit Stone are never enough.

If I can earn five or six thousand Spirit Stone this time...

The guilt Zhao Hongying felt gradually subsided.

She looked at Wang Mengde again, sizing him up.

This person is truly extremely shrewd.

He showed none of the cowardly behavior Shen Qingxue had described.

She took a deep breath and transmitted her voice:

"We'll do as you say. I'll persuade the other senior brothers and sisters to capture the Blood-Spirit Flying Shuttle, and I'll give you twelve thousand Spirit Stone."

She paused, then asked, "When are we going out to capture the Blood-Spirit Flying Shuttle?"

Upon hearing this, Wang Mengde's smile remained gentle.

He transmitted his voice, saying, "Let me make this clear from the start: you must first Soul Oath, making sure you will keep your promise."