Trade and Testing

The wind had turned completely cold. Lu Yuan released his grip, and the gray metal plate slid into his sleeve pocket. "Let's talk inside."

Deep within the mine shaft, in a makeshift stone chamber, the walls were rough, containing only a stone table and wooden benches. Su Yan stood guard on the outer perimeter, while Li Wangye kept watch further away.

Lu Yuan placed the metal sheet on the table. "Speak up, everyone."

Shen Moxin adjusted her glasses. "The reputation of the Listening Wind Pavilion is hard to fathom. They have no allies, only bargaining chips. They'll likely squeeze every last drop of value out of you before deciding whether to cooperate or eliminate you."

Mo Chen stared at the metal plate. "This thing has a positioning function. Activating it will reveal its coordinates."

Lin Xiao leaned against the door, arms crossed. "That guy's movements are unpredictable. If it really comes down to a fight, I could hurt him." He licked his canine teeth.

Lu Yuan tapped his knee lightly with his index finger, once, then again.

Providing vulnerabilities and secure routes is a timely help. But what's the cost? Leaking technical details and exposing research directions. More importantly, once the information channel is established, it becomes a one-way transparent fishbowl.

Time is running out. Gray Harrier said the latest it could arrive was the evening of the day after tomorrow.

"We can't accept it all," Lu Yuan said, "Nor can we completely refuse it."

He looked up.

"We need intelligence, especially weaknesses in our detection equipment and escape routes. That's the most practical help we can get right now." He paused, "But the method of the deal must be changed."

Shen Moxin's gaze sharpened slightly. "How should I change it?"

"First, verification is the priority." Lu Yuan pointed to the metal plate. "Have them send over some data on weaknesses—the core rune structure and key interference frequencies. We'll verify their authenticity first. If it's fake, the deal is void."

Mo Chen's eyes lit up.

"Second, the information channel must be one-way," Lu Yuan continued. "We control the method, frequency, and content of communication. We only exchange non-core, public or semi-public research progress. Core models, specific parameters, and in-depth research on Martial Soul —not a single word can be mentioned."

Shen Moxin pondered. "Would they agree?"

"Therefore, there needs to be a third point." Lu Yuan looked at everyone, "Additional condition: Over the next three months, Listening Wind Pavilion must provide a summary of the movements of the Cloud Mist Sect, the Shadow Guards, and any other forces that might be hostile to ' Spark.' Details are not required, just trends and warnings."

Lin Xiao scoffed. "You're making them work for you?"

"Mutual benefit," Lu Yuan said calmly. "We provide fragments of knowledge, and they provide fragments of intelligence. Each gets what they need, but neither can see the other's whole picture."

Mo Chen scratched his head. "They'll agree?"

"Let's give it a try." Lu Yuan picked up the metal plate. "If they disagree, we'll part ways. The fact that they came to us means that the ' Key ' we have is more special than we thought."

He looked at Shen Moxin. "Teacher Shen, prepare three challenging problems about the construction of Soul Power. They should seem profound, involving some theory, but not touching the core. Solutions can be provided, but the thought process should be convoluted, and a few insignificant 'traps' should be left—to test whether they are truly researching."

Shen Moxin nodded, took out a leather notebook, and began to write.

Lu Yuan turned to Mo Chen. "Uncle Mo, you're in charge of verifying the data. Focus on whether the rune structure is self-consistent and whether the interference frequency holds true in the Soul Power model. Use the most basic principles of Soul Tool to deduce it."

"Clear."

Finally, he looked at Lin Xiao. "You keep an eye on the perimeter. If the Gray Harrier come again, don't stop them, but remain vigilant at all times. If you detect any abnormal Soul Power fluctuations—especially those of the large-scale detection type—issue an immediate warning."

Lin Xiao grinned, his pupils slightly contracting. "Don't worry."

Lu Yuan grasped the metal piece and infused it with a wisp of Soul Power. A faint gray light appeared on its surface, but it vanished in an instant.

wait.

After about half a cup of tea's time, the shadows outside the stone chamber began to shift. Gray Harrier silently appeared, still shrouded in a gray cloak.

"Mr. Lu, have you made up your mind?"

Lu Yuan stated the revised conditions in a calm tone.

The Gray Harrier listened quietly until the end.

A silence lasted for more than ten breaths.

"Verification first, okay." He finally spoke. "I can provide some data first. But the information channels must be two-way." He paused. "As a gesture of goodwill, we can provide some 'valuable' intelligence first, without requiring immediate returns."

Lu Yuan's eyes remained unchanged. "For example?"

"The Shadow Guards have reduced their activity in the Northwest of the Star Luo Empire by 30% in the past three months, shifting their focus to the border of Heaven Dou." Gray Harrier's voice was calm. "In addition to detection devices, the Cloud Mist Sect has also retrieved a replica of the ' Soul Suppression Bell ' from its treasury. Its effects are unknown, but it has a remarkable effect on suppressing abnormal fluctuations in Soul Power."

Shen Moxin paused, her pen poised.

"What about the intelligence summary?"

"Okay," Gray Harrier nodded, "But the frequency will be changed to once a month. The content will be limited to public or semi-public activities, and will not involve specific action plans."

"Deal." Lu Yuan said without hesitation.

The Gray Harrier seemed to smile—the shadow of his cloak shifted slightly. He took out two things: a roll of leather paper and a palm-sized grey stone slab.

The parchment was unfolded, revealing a detailed diagram of runes and frequency values noted beside it. The stone slab had a smooth surface, with faint traces of Soul Power flowing through it.

"The core structure of the detection device, three of the most effective jamming frequencies," Gray Harrier said. "Verification will take time, but you'll be able to tell the difference between the real and fake."

Mo Chen immediately leaned closer, his eyes almost touching the paper.

Gray Harrier took out another folded map. "A secret passage leading deep into the Black Stone Mountain Range. Relatively safe, but it can only last for half a month—after which the terrain may change due to the activity of Soul Beast."

Lu Yuan glanced at it but didn't touch it. "We can provide two of the three answers we requested now. The third will be delivered after we've verified the information and moved to a safe location."

The Gray Harrier nodded. "Reasonable."

Shen Moxin handed over the written questions. Gray Harrier took them, quickly glanced at them, and a very soft "Eh?" came from under its cloak.

"Mr. Lu's theory... is indeed unique." He put away the paper, "Looking forward to the answer."

The transaction is now in its initial stages.

The Gray Harrier took a step back, its figure beginning to blend into the shadows. But before it completely disappeared, it suddenly stopped.

"Mr. Lu," his voice held a hint of something unfathomable, "Your ' Key ' seems to be more special than we expected."

He paused.

"I hope you'll bring even more surprises next time we meet." He added casually, "Also, here's a free tip: the search for the Cloud Mist Sect will begin no later than the morning after tomorrow. Good luck."

The shadows closed in, and the passage fell silent.

The stone chamber was silent for a few seconds.

Mo Chen suddenly looked up, his expression strange. "The rune structure... is real. The interference frequency did indeed hit the weak point of the energy node. Unless someone goes to great lengths to fake it, it will be effective."

Shen Moxin stared at the map, her fingertips tracing the edge of the paper. "The map is meticulously drawn, and the terrain markings match the information I know. It seems... there's no problem."

Lin Xiao rushed in, shaking his head. "They're gone. They're really gone this time, without leaving a trace."

Lu Yuan didn't speak. He picked up the map and unfolded it.

The map is detailed, starting from Old Crow Ridge, passing through hidden ravines, bypassing the Soul Beast's lair, and pointing to the area marked "Quiet Lake" deep inside.

Mo Chen leaned closer to look, his finger suddenly stopping at an inconspicuous corner in the lower right corner of the map.

"Wait." He narrowed his eyes, gathered his Soul Power at his fingertips, and gently pointed at that area.

A faint, almost imperceptible ripple of Soul Power appeared on the surface of the map paper. It vanished in an instant.

Mo Chen's face darkened. He turned around and pulled out a palm-sized transparent crystal—a rudimentary Soul Power sensor—and stuck it to that corner.

Inside the crystal, a tiny, pinhead-sized gray spot of light appeared, eerily stable.

"Soul Power imprint," Mo Chen said in a low voice, "Very well-hidden and harmless. But... it's like a beacon. Within a certain range, the person who left the imprint can sense the general direction."

Shen Moxin took a breath. "Listening Wind Pavilion's 'sincerity' was indeed mixed with sand."

Lin Xiao's eyes turned cold. "Should we destroy it?"

Lu Yuan stared at the faint spot of light for a long time. The oil lamp flickered, casting shadows on his face.

"Don't destroy it yet," he said, his voice calm yet chilling. "Since they've given us a 'gift,' we should return the favor."

Mo Chen looked up. "What do you mean?"

Lu Yuan looked away from the map and turned to Mo Chen.

"Can we use this mark in reverse?" he asked. "Without alerting them, could we add something to it—transmit some incorrect location information that we want them to 'see,' or... a little 'surprise'?"

Mo Chen was stunned for a moment, then a slow smile spread across his face, and his eyes gleamed with the fervent light he had when researching Soul Tool.

"I'll give it a try." He rubbed his hands together. "These directional beacons have a feedback loop in principle. Once we find the loop frequency, we can 'pour something' into them."

He grabbed the map and the sensing crystal, turned, and walked out. "Give me two hours!"

Three people remained in the stone chamber.

Shen Moxin asked worriedly, "Won't this anger them?"

"Cooperation is cooperation, and caution is caution." Lu Yuan put away the parchment documents. "They never intended to trade sincerely from the beginning. We were just... exchanging pleasantries."

He stood up.

"Lin Xiao, notify everyone to prepare for an immediate evacuation. Travel light, taking only core supplies and research results. Su Yan and Li Wangye are in charge of packing."

Lin Xiao nodded and slipped out.

Lu Yuan looked at Shen Moxin. "Teacher Shen, please assist Uncle Mo in completing the verification as soon as possible. If the secret passage is real, we will set off at dawn tomorrow."

Shen Moxin adjusted her glasses and took a deep breath. "Okay."

The oil lamp crackled and popped, creating a single flame.

Lu Yuan stepped out of the stone chamber and gazed into the darkness deep within the mine tunnel. A faint tremor came from the Blue Silver Grass in his palm, and the silver leaf buds trembled gently.

He clenched his fist.

The future is uncertain, but at least... the Key is still in my own hands.