Chapter 439: Transaction

As Sect Leader Gu had stated, almost all the artifact-refining sects in the cultivation world had gathered here. While other things might be hard to come by, artifact-refining materials were no problem at all. Anything they lacked could be easily borrowed by sending an elder to fetch it.

After all the materials were gathered, Gu Yanduo hesitated again. An elder nearby noticed his concern and said, "We don't know the situation at the Stargazing Pavilion. If they truly are involved with the Demonic Cult, it would be disastrous if anything happened to you, Sect Leader. I should go instead."

The indecisive Sect Leader Gu, however, made up his mind because of these words. "He isn't worthy of you making a trip yourself. Lianshi, go inform him that Shudao Mountain is willing to make the exchange, and he should come here to collect it himself."

He still hoped to gain firsthand access to that secret.

"Understood." Gu Lianshi naturally accepted the order and left, with Yuan Yao following as an errand boy.

When the two arrived at the Mingshan Sect's lodging and explained the situation, Shi Chun didn't say another word, just a single one: "Go!"

He didn't bring many people, only Wu Jinliang, Young Master Nan, and Tong Mingshan.

Shudao Mountain's lodging was much larger than the Mingshan Sect's. After all, it was a sect with hundreds of participants, so they definitely needed a bigger venue.

Amidst the pavilions and towers, lights were scattered, creating dim areas and elegantly lit spaces.

Gu Lianshi led the way, bringing the group to the main reception hall. Both sides' members had met before and knew each other.

Of course, Shi Chun adopted a very humble posture, bowing and greeting everyone he saw. Acting arrogant after profiting from others would only complicate his future troubles. He had always been a sensible person.

Young Master Nan, observing from the side, wore a look of mockery, but in his heart, he admired this fellow. He recalled the Sky-Gazing Mirror images from the Skyfall Meteorite Gathering; it wasn't as if he hadn't seen them. Shi Chun had shown no mercy even when killing people in front of the Royal Guard. This showed that deep down, this guy had no reverence for authority. If anyone claimed he truly respected Shudao Mountain, Young Master Nan wouldn't believe it. Yet, he was currently acting so respectfully, proving he was indeed someone who knew when to yield and when to assert himself.

As for Young Master Nan's arrival, the Shudao Mountain group wasn't too surprised. His original purpose in infiltrating was to protect Shi Chun's group. However, given Young Master Nan's status, to provide such close personal protection still somewhat surprised them. In their view, after all, Shi Chun's group had been suppressed by the new rules and could no longer influence the gambling situation. Logically, Young Master Nan's usefulness to them should have diminished. They didn't believe there could be any genuine friendship between people of such vastly different statuses as Young Master Nan and Shi Chun. It was undoubtedly all about self-interest.

After some pleasantries, Gu Yanduo waved his hand, signaling, "Have them tally the items."

An elder then tossed a Cosmos Bag to Shi Chun. Shi Chun caught it, briefly checked its contents, then handed it to Tong Mingshan, who was standing nearby. "Sect Leader, please count these."

He didn't understand these artifact-refining materials. If he were given fakes, he wouldn't recognize them. Although the Mingshan Sect was an artifact-refining sect, only the Sect Leader was truly knowledgeable. So, it was naturally up to Tong Mingshan to count them.

The address "Sect Leader" drew strange looks from many. They all found the Mingshan Sect Leader quite interesting: he was sidelined in his own sect and the one who took orders. This further confirmed their view: the true person in charge of the Mingshan Sect was still Shi Chun.

While the counting was underway, Gu Yanduo didn't just wait idly. He asked, "After this transaction, how can I be sure you won't reveal this secret to others?" This was a crucial point that needed to be clarified face-to-face.

Shi Chun, however, looked surprised. He glanced back at Gu Lianshi, who was standing in the corner, then turned back and said, "Sect Leader Gu, is there some misunderstanding? Who said I'm only selling this secret to Shudao Mountain?"

This statement, like a clap of thunder, made Tong Mingshan forget to count and look up at him. Young Master Nan stared, dumbfounded, as if looking at a monster. He had worried earlier that selling one item to nine parties would lead to an irreparable situation if discovered. It turned out this fellow had never been afraid of that scenario at all, because he had never intended to hide it. There was simply no need to consider how to manage the aftermath. He hadn't mentioned it earlier, causing Young Master Nan to worry for nothing.

The Shudao Mountain group was first stunned, then their faces all clouded with anger. Gu Lianshi was the first to jump out, pointing at Shi Chun's nose and shouting, "Shi Chun, what do you mean by this? Are you playing games with us?"

Seeing that he had provoked public outrage, and that the entire Shudao Mountain group seemed ready to fight, Young Master Nan quickly stepped forward, cheerfully gesturing with his hands and saying, "Miss Gu, please calm down. It's just business, a matter of mutual consent. There's no need to get angry."

"Lianshi, stand down!" Gu Yanduo sharply ordered.

Gu Lianshi had no choice, and withdrew with a strained face, but her angry gaze remained fixed on Shi Chun. Wu Jinliang, however, chuckled inappropriately.

Gu Yanduo's gaze returned to Shi Chun. "What do you mean?"

Shi Chun: "I need to clarify this. I'm not playing games with anyone. I never told your esteemed daughter that this secret would only be sold to your sect. She simply misunderstood."

Gu Yanduo said expressionlessly, "If the secret cannot be exclusively owned, do you think we still need to buy it from you?"

Shi Chun glanced back at the bag in Tong Mingshan's hand, realizing the fellow was still dazed. He immediately reprimanded, "This doesn't concern you. Just keep counting."

Fine. Tong Mingshan could only resume counting diligently.

Only then did Shi Chun point to the Cosmos Bag and say, "Sect Leader Gu, how many people from various sects died in the Divine Fire Domain for this secret? My own life was also on the line. To think you could exclusively buy out this secret with just this amount of material is a bit too cheap, isn't it?"

Gu Yanduo raised an eyebrow slightly. "Then how much do you want?"

Shi Chun shook his head. "I don't want more; I just want the amount in that bag. The price will be the same for others."

So, there's no room for negotiation? Gu Yanduo's expression darkened. He slowly said, "If everyone knows it, is it still a secret?"

Shi Chun: "It won't be known to *everyone*. I'll only sell it to you, the Ten Great Sects."

Elder Tu suddenly spoke up, "You're just wasting effort!"

Shi Chun stared at him with cold eyes, and abruptly challenged, "Does this elder mean that after I sell it to your sect, Shudao Mountain can guarantee the other nine sects won't capture me and force me to reveal the secret method to find the Divine Fire?"

"..." Elder Tu was stumped and opened his mouth several times without saying anything.

At least this made the Shudao Mountain group understand why Shi Chun wanted to sell the secret to the Ten Great Sects. Thinking of this, Gu Lianshi, whose face had been full of anger moments ago, lowered her head, falling into deep thought.

Gu Yanduo then said, "I can take you as my disciple. After you join my Shudao Mountain, other sects naturally won't be able to act aggressively towards you."

It was hard to say what others might feel about this offer, but the Shudao Mountain group was quite moved. For the esteemed Sect Leader of Shudao Mountain to be willing to accept Shi Chun as a personal disciple—what a great fortune! Many within Shudao Mountain couldn't even dream of such a good thing; shouldn't Shi Chun express his gratitude immediately?

Shi Chun, however, smiled calmly. "Thank you, Sect Leader Gu, for your kind offer, but I, Shi Chun, am not blessed enough to accept such a great favor. I know I'm not cut out for artifact refining, and I don't wish to experience a life where I'm relegated to being a minor observer in an artifact-refining sect. Furthermore, I've killed important disciples from other sects. Those sects might not let me go. I don't believe Shudao Mountain can protect me indefinitely at all costs. There's a chance I could be abandoned at any time. It's more reassuring to keep my own life in my own hands. If the item is sold to all ten of your sects, I wouldn't dare to spread this secret further. I believe the Ten Great Sects wouldn't want more people to know this secret either. Sect Leader Gu, there's no need to beat around the bush anymore. This is a free transaction, a matter of mutual consent; no one is forcing anyone. The price is this price. The buyers are just these few. Shudao Mountain, are you buying or not? Give me a straight answer now. If not, I'll leave immediately and ask the next sect."

The words were frank, but they made Gu Yanduo instinctively bare his teeth, wanting to snarl, because the other party had no right to act so candidly in front of his Shudao Mountain. He truly wanted to seize Shi Chun on the spot and torture him for the information. However, the Xuanji Order Master was already stationed here, and had issued a demand for the person. His dignified Shudao Mountain was currently unable to do anything about this fellow.

Considering the Skyfall Meteorite Gathering incident and what happened in the Divine Fire Domain, he now deeply realized that this young man was indeed a difficult one to deal with. Given his usual demeanor of looking down on others, on one hand, he was seething with rage, but on the other, he was shrewdly evaluating the practical benefits. A mere ant-like figure could remain calm and at ease, even effortlessly handling situations in front of so many important figures. Such a talent would be of great use even in his Shudao Mountain. So the idea of taking him as a disciple became serious. However, the person didn't want to join. What could be done to make him join Shudao Mountain?

Unsure what he had just thought of, his gaze, which had briefly shown appreciation, suddenly darted, looking at his daughter, Gu Lianshi. A thought flashed through his mind, but he ultimately gave up on it. There was no way; after that person was taken away by Mu Lan Jin, it was uncertain if they would even return alive. What if they were truly involved with the Demonic Dao? Problems that could be solved with money were always more comfortable to resolve that way. So, he took a deep breath and decided, "Let's proceed with the transaction as you've stated."

Shi Chun: "I must state in advance: I do not know the origin of the secret. I can only tell you the precise source of the secret. Whether you can ultimately unravel this secret is none of my concern. Decide clearly whether you want to buy it or not before proceeding, so you don't accuse me of deceiving you later."

"What the hell?" Elder Tu immediately flared up upon hearing this, pointing at the bag in Tong Mingshan's hand. "Just for a piece of information, you want to sell it for such a large sum?"

Wu Jinliang chuckled. His chuckle was ubiquitous, oblivious to occasion. Young Master Nan also looked surprised and doubtful. This fellow didn't even know what the secret was about?

Shi Chun said, "Elder, I believe the most valuable thing in this world is information that is needed." Rarely, no one present refuted this statement. All were lost in thought.

Shi Chun waited a moment, then added, "If I were you, I'd consider this a good thing. It means that even if other sects learn the secret's origin, they might not be able to unravel it. Whoever deciphers it will have the potential to monopolize the secret!"

Young Master Nan's mouth twitched. He couldn't help but raise a hand to stroke his beard, realizing that this fellow, Chun, was even better at business negotiations than himself.

Seeing the Shudao Mountain group all looking calculating and slow to react, Shi Chun cheerfully said, "It's fine if you don't like it. As I said, there's no pressure. You don't have to buy it. If this is your esteemed sect's decision, then I, your junior, won't bother you further. Farewell!"

He cupped his hands in salute, then turned to Tong Mingshan and said, "Sect Leader, please return the items to them." In front of outsiders, he still maintained respectful address for the Mingshan Sect Leader. After speaking, he turned and began to leave. Young Master Nan and the chuckling Wu Jinliang also saluted briefly before turning to follow.

Tong Mingshan then stepped forward and offered the Cosmos Bag back to Gu Yanduo with both hands. Unexpectedly, Gu Yanduo, whose cheeks were taut, softly commanded with authority, "Wait!"

Shi Chun and his two companions, who were nearing the main entrance, stopped and turned to look. Gu Yanduo's gaze fell upon Tong Mingshan's face, and he said lightly, "Sect Leader Tong, have the items been counted and confirmed, nothing missing?"

Tong Mingshan, holding the items, turned his head to look at Shi Chun. Shi Chun scolded, "Sect Leader Gu is speaking to you." Tong Mingshan felt caught between a rock and a hard place. He nodded to both sides and explained, "Yes, I've counted them. They match the list."

Gu Yanduo said indifferently, "Shi Chun, my Shudao Mountain has provided the items according to the list. You should now fulfill your promise." After speaking, he swept a stern gaze across the scene. His voice grew a little louder: "Those not involved, step back!" So, some of the younger disciples, including Gu Lianshi, dutifully withdrew. Only a few high-ranking members remained.

Shi Chun was also decisive. He immediately walked back, took the Cosmos Bag from Tong Mingshan's hand, and then handed it to Young Master Nan. "Brother Nan, for the money I owe you, please take this batch of items as partial payment for now. I'll repay the rest gradually."

"Then I won't stand on ceremony." Young Master Nan chuckled as he took the items. This chuckle surprisingly captured the essence of Wu Jinliang's laugh, hitting just the right note, showing uncanny synchronicity with Wu Jinliang. They sounded almost like a harmony.

Shi Chun then started clearing out the items on his person. He left nothing important behind, handing everything to Wu Jinliang. In the end, he only had one Cosmos Bag in his hand. He instructed his companions to leave: "For some secrets, it's better if you avoid them."

For Wu Jinliang, he already knew the so-called secret. Chun was doing this to find an excuse for them to take the items and leave first, to prevent the items from being confiscated back. With the strength of these people, once they got the information, they might just snatch the items back, and then they wouldn't even have a place to complain. Little did they know, their careful thoughts were a bit *too* careful. Regardless of whether Shudao Mountain would stoop to such shamelessness, as long as Shi Chun still held the secret, and Shudao Mountain didn't want the secret to spread uncontrollably, they wouldn't dare to take back the given items without killing them.

In any case, the three of them thus left with the items.

Shi Chun then handed that Cosmos Bag to the Shudao Mountain side. It truly was a magnanimous gesture, not taking even the slightest extra profit. Indeed, things were different now. In the past, such valuable items would never have been returned to the other party.

Gu Yanduo stared at him and said, "Speak."