The Fish Takes the Bait, the Killing Trap Springs

On the street.

Dongfang Yueming stopped in his tracks, his face calm, but a cold current surged deep in his eyes.

"It seems... someone doesn't want me to buy anything."

Qingxue, standing behind him, also wore an expression of anger and helplessness.

"Master... is the Third Prince."

She spoke softly, her voice trembling slightly, "Zi Feng... his influence in the capital is too great. He's using the power of the royal family to impose a... commercial blockade on us."

"Within the Purple Forbidden Enclosure, no one dares to offend a prince just to do a business deal."

"I see."

A cold smile curled at the corner of Dongfang Yueming's lips.

"Is this what they call imperial power?"

"Since it's not available through official channels..."

He looked at the bustling street.

Let's go.

Dongfang Yueming remained calm as he turned and left with Qingxue.

Just as the two of them left the commercial area and turned into a slightly quieter alley,

"Fellow Daoist, wait a moment!"

A deliberately lowered voice came from the shadows in the corner.

A sleazy-looking man dressed in a gray robe, with a pointed mouth and monkey-like face, and only at the Early Immortal Soldier, crept up furtively. He looked around warily while winking at Dongfang Yueming.

"Fellow Daoist, I see you've been turned away at various shops... Are you trying to buy Law Crystal but unable to?"

Dongfang Yueming paused, looking at him with great interest.

"You have?"

"Hehe, fellow Daoist, you've come to the right person!"

The lewd man chuckled and pulled out a small cloth bag tightly wrapped in animal hide that was designed to block divine sense from entering his pocket.

He carefully lifted a corner.

"Buzz--!"

A streak of crimson light One Flash by, and although it lasted only a moment, the pure fluctuation of the laws could not escape Dongfang Yueming's perception.

[Low-Level Law Crystal - Fire!]

"It really is Law Crystal!"

Qingxue gasped softly, but then her Spirit Transformation wary.

The sleazy-looking man quickly closed the cloth bag and lowered his voice, saying, "Fellow Daoist, to be honest, this batch of goods is 'black market' stuff that my brothers risked their lives to bring out from some ruins. It can't be sold in the open, so we dare not sell it to big shops."

"I see you're a straightforward person, fellow Daoist. As long as you're sincere, the price is negotiable! Not only fire-type, but also metal-type and earth-type—my brother has them all!"

"Oh?"

Dongfang Yueming's lips curled slightly. "Since it's a transaction, why not go to the black market?"

"The black market's cuts are outrageous!" the sleazy man said with a pained expression. "Besides, there are too many informants there, it's easy to get caught... Anyway, if you really want it, come with me to the ' Chaotic Stone Forest ' outside the city, my brothers are waiting there."

"Outside the city?"

Qingxue's expression changed drastically. She grabbed Dongfang Yueming's sleeve and urgently transmitted her voice:

"Master! We can't go! This is clearly a trap!"

"Private fights are forbidden within the capital, so they dare not make a move. But once they leave the city... that's a lawless zone!"

"This person's timing was too perfect, and he just so happens to have all the crystals you need... This is definitely a trap set by the Third Prince!"

Although Qingxue had been reduced to a maid, she was once a saintess; how could such tricks of the martial world possibly fool her?

This is a blatant, overt conspiracy!

Use what you need most to lure you out of the city!

However.

Dongfang Yueming simply patted the back of her hand gently, giving her a reassuring look.

Then, he turned his head and looked at the lewd man with shifty eyes, a seemingly "greedy" smile appearing on his face.

"Good! Fortune favors the bold!"

"As long as the goods are genuine, you can choose the location!"

"That was satisfying!" A barely perceptible sneer and the ecstatic joy of triumph flashed in the lewd man's eyes. "Fellow Daoist, you are indeed a man destined for great things! Please follow me!"

After saying that, he turned and left, as if afraid that Dongfang Yueming would change his mind.

"Master..." Qingxue wanted to persuade her again.

"Qingxue."

As Dongfang Yueming followed, he transmitted his voice in a low voice.

Do you know what the most important thing is in fishing?

"Is it... patience?"

"No."

Dongfang Yueming stared at the retreating figure leading the way, a chilling glint flashing in his eyes.

"It's fish bait."

"Since they're willing to use such a heavy bait, wouldn't it be a waste of their efforts if I, the 'fish,' didn't take it?"

As for the fishhook...

"Just break it."

at the same time.

Inside a luxurious side hall of the Purple Tenuity Imperial Palace.

The Third Prince, Zi Feng, was reclining on a soft couch, enjoying the service of several beautiful palace maids.

"Your Highness! The fish has taken the bait!"

A black-clad guard appeared silently, kneeling on one knee. "That Dongfang Yueming has already left the city with ' Rat,' heading straight for the Chaotic Stone Forest!"

"Hahaha! Great!"

Zi Feng suddenly sat up, smashed the wine glass in his hand to the ground, and revealed a ferocious and gleeful smile on his face.

"I knew it! This country bumpkin from the Lower Realm would see Law Crystal and be like seeing his own father—he absolutely couldn't resist!"

"He chooses the path to hell when heaven is there!"

His eyes flashed with murderous intent as he coldly gave the order:

"Notify the ' Three Blood-Handed Devils '!"

"Let them do it in the Chaotic Stone Forest! Make it clean!"

"I want that kid's head! And..."

He licked his lips, Qingxue's aloof and exquisitely beautiful face appeared in his mind.

Bring that bitch back to me unharmed!

"Yes!"

The guard obeyed and left.

Zi Feng lay back on the soft couch, picked up a new cup of celestial wine, and gently swirled it.

"You want to fight me?"

"In this Purple Tenuity Imperial Capital, I am the supreme ruler!"

He could almost see Dongfang Yueming kneeling and begging for mercy, and Qingxue writhing and submitting to his pleasure beneath him.

It's not the wine that intoxicates, but the person themselves.