Chapter 987: Task

Li Qin grew up in the Taiyi Immortal Sect and had never witnessed anything like this before, so she felt a bit uncomfortable. However, before their departure, Zhang Zhanfeng had instructed her to obey Huang Fugui's orders, making it difficult for Li Qin to object. Moreover, Huang Fugui hadn't delayed their mission.

"Fellow Daoist Huang, are they truly so heartless? Buying elixirs for five hundred spirit stones and selling them to the Seven Great Immortal Sects for seven hundred and fifty?"

Li Qin frowned, expressing her extreme displeasure with Liu Zhen and the other two.

"I'm not sure about the acquisition price; it could even be lower, or perhaps it's their existing stock. It's not easy for them to gather supplies in the rear. You always have to give people some incentive. Would you accept it if the Taiyi Immortal Sect didn't pay you a salary? Everyone in the world bustles about for profit."

Huang Fugui countered.

"This..." Li Qin was speechless; the question was a stark reality.

"Ancestor, our acquisition price is cheaper than Wanhua Palace's. So, regarding the accounts..." Huang Youxin asked cautiously, implying that if they recorded the transactions at Wanhua Palace's price, they could embezzle a substantial sum.

Huang Fugui glared at Huang Youxin and chastised him without hesitation: "Naturally, we will report everything truthfully. Do you think I would forge accounts? With the demonic invasion and a formidable enemy at our doorstep, it's fine to make some profit; even Nascent Soul cultivators won't mind. But if we forge accounts, embezzle supplies, or pass off inferior goods as superior, forget Nascent Soul cultivators – my own conscience wouldn't allow it."

As he spoke, Huang Fugui's face took on a righteous and awe-inspiring expression.

Huang Youxin's mouth twitched. He had previously dismissed claims that his ancestor Huang Fugui was shameless, but today, he had witnessed it firsthand.

Li Qin's face showed admiration. "Fellow Daoist Huang is right," she said. "I misunderstood you before. Where do we go next?"

"Tianfeng Mountain. There are more elixir shops there, so we'll go to acquire low-grade elixirs. Oh, and cultivators on the front lines are fighting valiantly and will certainly need a large quantity of healing elixirs. Let's pool some spirit stones and buy an extra batch! One more elixir could save one more cultivator."

Huang Youxin was torn between laughter and tears. He had heard tales of his ancestor and knew that once they reached the front lines, Huang Fugui would undoubtedly spread this story, ensuring the higher-ups would provide compensation.

"No problem, that's only right." Li Qin agreed. After a brief chat, she returned to her room to rest.

"Ancestor, what if the higher-ups don't compensate you? Wouldn't you be at a loss?" Huang Youxin cautiously asked.

Huang Fugui grinned, saying smugly, "When have I ever made a losing deal? If they don't compensate me, I'll hunt low-level demonic beasts outside their homes. I'll get those spirit stones back one way or another. Don't underestimate the role of an impressment envoy; it's a lucrative position. One stronghold earns fifty thousand spirit stones. Heh heh, the longer this war lasts, the more I'll earn."

"Next time we pass through Green Butterfly Valley, will Fellow Daoist Liu and his group still give tens of thousands of spirit stones?" Huang Youxin was slightly stunned, his face full of confusion.

"Whether you can get spirit stones or not depends on you; your mouth is your own. Learn more from me. Face is the most worthless thing. Back then, to survive, I fought with Steward Liu's dog for food. Otherwise, I would have starved to death in that famine, and I wouldn't be here today." Huang Fugui sighed, a reminiscent look on his face.

It was the first time Huang Youxin had heard this story. If not for Huang Fugui, Huang Youxin probably would have starved to death too, though he never had the opportunity to fight a dog for food.

On a vast plain, a massive yellow city stood tall. Its walls were over a hundred zhang high and a hundred li long, covered with esoteric runes. Inside, buildings were densely packed, with countless figures moving in and out.

In a three-story blue pavilion, Wang Qingshan sat cross-legged on a futon, his eyes gently closed. Nine blue flying swords floated around him. With his every breath, the swords emitted clear ringing sounds, encircling Wang Qingshan and gleaming with a formidable cold light.

The nine blue flying swords suddenly spun rapidly, revealing countless faint blue sword shadows.

Wang Qingshan suddenly opened his eyes, a sharp glint flashing within them. The nine blue flying swords instantly flared with light, and a vast expanse of blue sword energy shot forth, converging to form a towering, misty blue greatsword that fiercely struck the stone chamber's ceiling.

Rumble! The stone chamber shook violently, its restrictive spell glowing with countless runes and shimmering with iridescent light.

Wang Qingshan exhaled softly. With a single-handed gesture, the nine blue flying swords disappeared into his sleeve.

Wang Qingshan stood up and walked out.

During this period, they had effectively gathered scattered soldiers, built a city, and resisted the demonic invasion.

After the city was established, many more scattered soldiers arrived to assist in its construction.

A low horn sounded. Wang Qingshan took out a communication conch and imbued it with a spell. The voice of Sword Venerable Xiaoyao suddenly rang out: "Qingshan, are you well? You weren't injured fighting the demons, were you?"

"No, Master. Thank you for your concern."

"Come to the deliberation hall. I have something to tell you."

Wang Qingshan nodded. "Yes, Master, your disciple will go now."

Inside the deliberation hall, Sword Venerable Xiaoyao sat in the main seat. To his left and right sat four men and one woman. Next to one of the black-robed youths was an ominous, eerie coffin. The black-robed youth himself exuded a thick aura of yin energy, and he was none other than Fang Mu. Fang Mu was the only person in the Eastern Barren Cultivation World who carried a coffin everywhere he went. He had already advanced to the Nascent Soul stage and maintained a cold expression.

Beside him sat a middle-aged man in a purple Daoist robe, Daoist Ziyang of the Qianji Sect, who had also reached the Core Formation stage.

Both of them were key cultivation talents of their respective sects and had successively advanced to the Nascent Soul stage.

"Train soldiers for a thousand days to use them for an hour." With the demonic invasion, they naturally had to contribute to their sects.

Over a dozen Core Formation cultivators stood respectfully to the side, including Liu Meier and Wu Yun'er.

Not long after, Wang Qingshan entered.

"This disciple greets Master and all seniors." Wang Qingshan bowed respectfully to the Nascent Soul cultivators present.

A beautiful middle-aged woman in a silver palace dress scrutinized Wang Qingshan, then said coldly, "So you're Fellow Daoist Ye's registered disciple. Meier said you're quite capable. I hope you don't mess things up."

Liu Meier smiled sweetly. "Senior Brother Wang is very capable, Master. He certainly won't mess things up, and I'll help him."

She gazed at Wang Qingshan with tender affection, shy and demure, appearing pure and lovely.

Wu Yun'er pouted, thinking to herself, "She's putting on an act again. The 'Ever-Changing Fairy' lives up to her name."

Sword Venerable Xiaoyao's brow furrowed slightly. He glanced at the middle-aged beautiful woman, paused as if to speak, then said, "Madam Lin, rest assured. My disciple will not mess things up. With Fellow Daoist Song and the others leading the team, success is guaranteed."

"Qingshan, you will follow Fellow Daoist Song to raid a demonic supply depot. Remember, obey Fellow Daoist Song's orders in all matters. Let me introduce you: This is Fellow Daoist Song from Chongyang Academy, Fellow Daoist Fang from Yin Corpse Sect, and Fellow Daoist Lu from Qianji Sect."

Wang Qingshan dared not be negligent and bowed to each in turn.

A fair-faced middle-aged Confucian scholar nodded and said, "Alright, since everyone is here, let's depart! Those who disobey orders will be severely punished without mercy."

"Yes, Senior Song."

The middle-aged Confucian scholar, Fang Mu, and Daoist Ziyang—three Nascent Soul cultivators—led over twenty Core Formation cultivators out of the great city and headed straight for the demonic rear.