Chapter 1437: You Take Me for What Kind of Person!

The Cohesive Spirit Formation Plate is currently incredibly popular. However, any plates that have appeared at auctions have been swiftly acquired by various major powers for research and attempts at deciphering.

Ghost had no way of acquiring one herself. After much deliberation, she concluded that her only option was to approach Fa Wuzun. However, she wasn't certain she could persuade this powerful figure, as she didn't know what payment would be sufficient. After unexpectedly meeting Chu Shen, she decided to try with a "nothing to lose" attitude, and to her surprise, Fa Wuzun actually showed her respect. She immediately understood that success was almost guaranteed; her only question was what conditions Fa Wuzun would propose.

Lu Ye's eyes narrowed slightly as he heard her mention borrowing the power of the formation plate. Her words implied a significant amount of information. It's important to remember that all three individuals present were listed on the Contribution Ranking. Individually, their strength was top-tier among Constellation-level cultivators. If they were to combine forces using the formation plate, they might even be able to contend with an ordinary Moonfall cultivator! What kind of situation could Ghost possibly be in that would require three of them to combine their efforts?

Lu Ye immediately thought of a possibility: "Do you have a private scenario?"

Puck, who had been quietly drinking beside them, heard this and glanced at Lu Ye in surprise. He seemed amazed by Lu Ye's quick thinking, as Ghost had only mentioned the Cohesive Spirit Formation Plate, yet Fa Wuzun had already deduced the situation. Such a rapid mental reaction speed was truly remarkable. Ghost also looked astonished, but since Lu Ye had already pointed it out, she didn't hide it. "That's right!" she confirmed.

Lu Ye understood. He realized why this woman would want to borrow the power of the formation plate; if it was for a private scenario, it made perfect sense. A "private scenario" is actually a form of scenario within the Constellation Hall's contention. However, unlike other forms, cultivators entering such a scenario generally don't need to compete with other Constellation cultivators, because, under normal circumstances, other cultivators cannot enter a specific cultivator's private scenario. This is also where the term "private" originates.

In such scenarios, sometimes no combat is required, only finding ways to solve various puzzles. Of course, there are also times when combat is necessary. Ghost had undoubtedly encountered a situation requiring combat, and the enemy must be very powerful, beyond what she could handle alone, which is why she sought assistance. This is also a unique aspect of private scenarios. In other scenarios, once cultivators enter and then exit, the contention is considered over. However, private scenarios are different; even if one exits, they can re-enter later. Naturally, there are certainly limits to the number of entries and exits, and perhaps private scenarios also have time limits.

Having participated in the Constellation Hall's contention for so long, Lu Ye had long heard of private scenarios. However, the probability of encountering such a scenario is extremely low, often one in ten thousand. He had never encountered one, so he never imagined Ghost would actually find herself in one. This woman's luck was truly remarkable. As Lu Ye knew, valuable treasures are often easy to find within private scenarios. Often, a single private scenario amounts to a treasure hunt.

"What is the enemy's strength?" Lu Ye asked. If Ghost were to utter the words "Moonfall cultivator," he would turn around and leave immediately. Although the three of them, combining forces with the Cohesive Spirit Formation Plate, might indeed be able to contend with an ordinary Moonfall cultivator, the nature of a Moonfall cultivator's power is entirely different from that of a Constellation cultivator. Even the weakest Moonfall cultivator is still a Moonfall cultivator. While Ghost did possess some things that piqued his interest, that was all there was to it. He wouldn't risk his life for such minor gains.

"Late Constellation stage!" Ghost replied, adding, "They are very, very strong. Of course, they mainly have a slight counter to my abilities; otherwise, I should be able to handle it myself."

"Tell me more in detail."

Ghost's expression brightened. She then recounted various details of her private scenario. Puck likely already knew the details, so she was only explaining it to Lu Ye now. Lu Ye listened silently, feeling that Ghost wouldn't deceive him about this matter, because if there was any deception, he could immediately withdraw once he sensed something was wrong inside. If she wanted Lu Ye's help, she had to tell the truth.

For Ghost, the more questions Fa Wuzun asked and the more detailed his inquiries, the higher the likelihood of success. She had initially been concerned that Fa Wuzun wouldn't be willing to cooperate with her, but now that he was clearly showing interest, she felt a bit anxious. She had taken many of Fa Wuzun's kills during the Chaotic Battle, so she couldn't help but suspect he might be trying to get revenge. If that were the case, she would be in a disadvantageous position.

The more she thought about it, the more uneasy she felt. After finishing her explanation, she added, "If you are unwilling, fellow Daoist, I could also buy a Cohesive Spirit Formation Plate from you instead." Then she could find others to cooperate with, and it wouldn't have to be Fa Wuzun.

"One hundred thousand!" Lu Ye said, looking at her indifferently.

"What?" Ghost blinked her large eyes, looking as if she hadn't heard clearly.

"The formation plate, one hundred thousand spirit jades, no bargaining!"

"Why don't you just rob me?!" Ghost flew into a rage. She was good at everything, except when money was involved; she became very sensitive about it. She huffed, saying, "I've been to auctions. On average, a formation plate only goes for a little over ten thousand spirit jades. You want one hundred thousand? Have you no conscience?!"

"Are wholesale prices and retail prices the same?" Lu Ye asked.

Ghost opened her mouth, and suddenly felt that there was some truth to what Fa Wuzun said... Still feeling exasperated, she retorted, "But that still doesn't justify one hundred thousand!"

"I agree to this matter!" Lu Ye suddenly spoke.

"Hey, are you even listening to me?!" Ghost roared, her composure completely shattered. Fa Wuzun seemed somewhat abnormal.

"However, I have one condition!"

Ghost felt so tired. She was certain now: Fa Wuzun was here for revenge! But... she had planned to enlist Fa Wuzun's help from the start. Now that he had agreed, why wasn't she happy? She asked grumpily, "What is your condition?" She actually felt a little relieved. If Fa Wuzun had agreed without any conditions, that would have been far too abnormal. Now that he had a condition, it felt normal.

Lu Ye stared directly into her eyes, his voice calm and unhurried: "I wish to observe the ghost tattoos on your body, specifically the part related to stealth!"

In Lu Ye's plan, he intended to re-deduce all his existing spirit runes. He had been too busy with the Constellation Hall's contention recently to do this, but he could do it when he cultivated later. The next one he wanted to deduce was stealth. If his strength wasn't enough currently, then stealth could compensate. If he encountered a powerful enemy he couldn't defeat, he could still hide.

In this regard, Ghost was undoubtedly top-tier. During the Chaotic Battle, Lu Ye had searched for her traces multiple times without success. This person truly appeared and disappeared like a ghost. If he could observe the stealth-related ghost tattoos on her body, it would greatly aid his own deductions.

As soon as these words were spoken, Puck, who was still quietly drinking, tilted his head and spat out a mouthful of wine. He then turned his head, staring at Lu Ye in disbelief, as if seeing him as a divine being. Ghost's eyes also curved, appearing to smile, but in reality, her eyes were filled with a chilling glint, containing infinite killing intent! Lu Ye met her gaze, his expression calm.

The killing intent in Ghost's eyes grew stronger and stronger, as if she intended to kill Lu Ye right then and there. If this weren't the Constellation Hall, she might have truly attacked. But this was the Constellation Hall after all. Even if she wanted to, she couldn't make a move. As their gazes met, the atmosphere became silent and heavy. Puck subtly shifted his body to the side.

After a long while, Ghost finally exhaled. She slowly said, "Fellow Daoist, do you know what condition you just proposed means?"

"I know!" Lu Ye nodded. He wasn't entirely ignorant of the Ghost race and knew perfectly well that his condition was indeed rather demanding. However, if Ghost wanted to borrow his and the formation plate's power, she would naturally have to pay a price.

"You know it… then that's good, heh heh heh…" Ghost chuckled. Her gaze moved up and down, scrutinizing Lu Ye from head to toe, as if she were trying to get to know him anew. She then nodded slightly and looked at Puck: "Let's go!"

If Fa Wuzun had proposed any other condition, it would have been acceptable. But observing the ghost tattoos on her body? How could she possibly agree to that? This was simply a provocation, an insult! She secretly vowed that once they left the Constellation Hall, she would make Fa Wuzun pay dearly and teach him what a miserable end awaited someone who offended a top-tier Ghost cultivator!

"Thirty thousand!" Lu Ye said indifferently, lowering his head and rubbing the storage ring on his hand.

Ghost, who had turned halfway, suddenly paused. Both her ears twitched slightly. She coldly scrutinized Lu Ye: "What?"

"I will pay you thirty thousand spirit jades," Lu Ye said, looking up at her.

Ghost immediately became furious. "Who do you take me for?" she snapped. "Though I, Ghost, may be poor, I have backbone. Do you think a mere thirty thousand spirit jades can sway me?!"

"Fifty thousand!" Lu Ye increased the price without changing his expression.

"Hmph…" Ghost scoffed, but the surging killing intent around her greatly subsided.

"Eighty thousand!"

Ghost's killing intent was like a bucket of cold water poured onto a bonfire, fading to be almost imperceptible. Her brows furrowed.

"One hundred thousand!" Lu Ye continued to rub the storage ring on his finger.

Ghost's expression became complicated. The look in her eyes changed rapidly, as if an internal struggle raged within her. She knew she absolutely could not agree to Fa Wuzun's rude and unrestrained condition. Because if she truly agreed, she would never be able to hold her head high in front of Fa Wuzun again. Therefore, no matter what, she absolutely! Could not! Agree! But… he was offering so much! She suddenly remembered that Fa Wuzun now had a fortune of over a hundred million spirit jades. A mere hundred thousand was just a drop in the ocean for him!

Her expression began to turn stubborn: "So what if you're rich? If you're so capable, offer two hundred thousand, and I'll call you 'father'!"

Lu Ye looked at her indifferently, and nonchalantly uttered a few words: "Three hundred thousand!"

"Father!" Ghost blurted out. How humiliating, how shameful! But she never expected that she would one day be bombarded with spirit jades. This feeling was truly complicated.

Gulp gulp gulp… Puck, who was beside them, tilted his head back and guzzled his wine, half a gourd of it disappearing down his throat. He then let out a long burp.

Ghost's killing intent had long since vanished. She gazed at Lu Ye with a beaming smile: "With your immense wealth, I'm eager to be your close associate. From now on, fellow Daoist, just call upon me for anything you need; I, Ghost, will not hesitate!"

Lu Ye nodded, and promptly gave her one hundred thousand spirit jades on the spot: "This is the deposit; I'll give you the remaining balance after the matter is concluded!"

"No problem!" Ghost readily agreed, as if she had found a treasure, and put away the hundred thousand spirit jades. She felt wonderful.