Chapter 154: Ghostly Wailing Bamboo

Excellent.

It seemed True Disciple Jiang had investigated him again recently. She likely discovered the three Young Masters of the Rebel Spirits backing him, which explained her decisive agreement.

This also indirectly proved that meeting Yan Ling was not only extremely important but also a matter of great urgency.

After taking the secret letter, Wang Yu had no intention of conversing and promptly departed.

As for whether extorting these spiritual materials would offend True Disciple Jiang, Wang Yu wasn't worried. After forming an alliance with the three Young Masters of the Rebel Spirits, he now had the backing of three Nascent Soul families.

They were the undisputed top rulers of the Rebel Spirit Blood Sect!

Even a fraction of their influence was enough to protect him, even if he offended a True Disciple. Moreover, intelligent people always weighed their options and considered trade-offs.

Before making a move, True Disciple Jiang would undoubtedly weigh whether the effort would be worth the return. If it were merely to vent her anger, she would never take action.

So much had happened during this single outing.

Back at the Law Enforcement Hall of Evil God Workshop, Wang Yu, a slight headache setting in, stroked Xueyu.

He had naturally requested the third-tier spiritual materials to refine the Ghost-Weeping Flute. With a suitable accompanying artifact, the various legacies left by Venerable Yin Ya could unleash their full power.

Although the refining method was only at the Foundation Establishment level, it would lay a strong foundation for the artifact. Once refined into a top-grade second-tier artifact, it would still possess the potential to be upgraded to a third-tier magic treasure in the future.

Then, things would be entirely different. He also had a fingernail-sized piece of third-tier Earth Spirit Gold, which would be perfect to incorporate into the refining process.

After pondering the use of his newly acquired resources, Wang Yu quietly awaited. Three days passed swiftly, and the spiritual materials he desired were delivered to the Law Enforcement Hall of Evil God Workshop.

The item was sealed within a black sandalwood box, about one zhang long.

The box was imbued with a spirit-sealing enchantment, a method specifically designed to prevent the loss of the spiritual material's essence. Strictly speaking, this was Wang Yu's first time encountering a complete third-tier spiritual material.

He involuntarily rubbed his hands together and opened the box with anticipation.

Inside, a dark jade-colored bamboo, about 1.5 meters long, lay quietly. Its entire body emanated a mournful wail, like the howl of ghostly spirits, and a layer of black spiritual light suddenly unfurled.

It was like a ghostly domain, with shadowy entities formed from Yin spiritual energy moving within the light's range. They possessed a certain aggressiveness and could perturb a cultivator's soul.

Inside the box was also a jade tablet, bearing the name of the treasure.

"Ghost Domain Wailing Bamboo, a third-tier rare treasure!"

"What a treasure!"

After confirming its identity, he carefully put it away. This item was certainly suitable as material for a fated magic treasure, but if the Ghost-Weeping Flute were to be his fated artifact, it felt somewhat inadequate.

It was too early to consider a fated magic treasure for the Core Formation stage. It would be better to utilize this now and search for something superior later.

With the item secured, it was time for him to fulfill his obligation. He patted Xueyu on the rear and placed it into his spirit beast bag.

Before long, Dantai's medicine garden came into view.

In front of the familiar bronze knocker, shaped like an inverted bat's head, Wang Yu stepped forward and knocked.

"Knock, knock, knock—"

"Fellow Daoist Dantai, Wang Yu has come to visit."

The beast-head bronze knocker emitted a red light that scanned his entire body, and the main door automatically opened.

The interior remained much the same, but the spiritual herbs cultivated had all improved by a grade. The front courtyard no longer featured the lowest-grade Five Essence Grass on either side.

Instead, they had been replaced by "Spirit Dew," a relatively common second-tier spiritual herb known for its property of harmonizing medicinal effects, used in most elixir recipes.

Valued at dozens of times that of Five Essence Grass, it seemed Dantai Chan had been striving for higher cultivation in recent years. She was clearly much wealthier than when he first met her.

Along the wind-chime corridor, from afar, Wang Yu sensed her unconcealed cultivation aura—Foundation Establishment Stage Seven! She had indeed reached the late stage realm; her progress was remarkably fast.

He looked around but did not see Yu Tangtang.

"Stop looking, she's not here. What do you need me for?"

Wang Yu smiled and extended an envelope.

"This item is from True Disciple Jiang, the winner of this year's Corpse Combat Assembly at Heavenly Corpse Peak. She entrusted me to deliver it to your True Disciple Yan Ling."

Dantai Chan looked puzzled for a moment, then quickly understood.

"A secret letter?"

"Yes, no one else can be present when you hand it to her."

"I understand."

She took the item without asking further questions, her reaction much as Wang Yu had predicted. However, the veil covering her face only obscured the lower half.

Her two willow-leaf-shaped eyebrows, visible to Wang Yu, gradually furrowed. She sensed this task might be somewhat troublesome.

Wang Yu, meanwhile, continued to emphasize his point.

"The sooner this is done, the better. Delay could lead to complications."

"Wait."

Dantai Chan suddenly stood up. Her chest was clearly compressed by fabric, its circumference minimized, making it appear a normal, delicate size.

In reality, only by undoing the restraints would one truly realize the impressive size of what lay beneath.

A true nurturer, indeed. Yu Tangtang must have been exceptionally well-fed.

Dantai Chan, however, suddenly realized something. Last time, she had followed Wang Yu's instructions because of her master's orders. Why should she help him now? She had never held Wang Yu in high regard, especially since he knew her secret.

Furthermore, last time Wang Yu had been merely at the Qi Condensation stage, yet he had acted with extreme arrogance. His imperious attitude was truly loathsome. Now, external rumors claimed he had broken through to the Foundation Establishment stage using the Base-Seizing Grand Technique.

With his potential supposedly lost, even if Yu Tangtang valued their past connection, he couldn't possibly wield significant power. In a brief moment, a multitude of thoughts flashed through Dantai Chan's mind.

She seemed to have engaged in detailed deliberation.

Bang!

She struck the table and said, "You almost tricked me! Why should I help you?"

Wang Yu wasn't surprised by her reaction. Earlier, he had worked twice in Dantai Chan's medicine garden, and she had exerted immense pressure, even fear, on him.

The occasion when he dealt with Yu Tangtang had been a kind of internal release for him. At most, he had briefly directed Dantai Chan, breaking through the mental barriers of his weaker state, but it was hardly an offense.

He said unhurriedly, "Think about it, is this really *my* business? I'm just a messenger. Now, think about how True Disciple Yan Ling treats you."

"Are you truly going to disrespect True Disciple Yan Ling just for a trace of prejudice against me?"

At this, Dantai Chan finally understood his implication.

"My Young Master? I only have one Young Master, and that is..."

"Yu Tangtang, right? I know." Wang Yu waved his hand, cutting short her performance of loyalty. "Let's not discuss such hollow sentiments, Fellow Daoist Dantai. How do you believe True Disciple Yan Ling treats you?"

Before coming, Wang Yu had made inquiries.

Thanks to his previous arrangements, Yan Ling had secured the backing of a second-tier alchemist, quickly gathering a large number of Foundation Establishment cultivators from Cold Blood Peak, along with support in spiritual herbs and alchemy.

In just five years, she had cultivated Dantai Chan's alchemy to the top-grade level, expending considerable effort. This was to better utilize top-grade cultivation elixirs and win people's hearts.

Furthermore, Dantai Chan's rapid cultivation progress was also due to her access to resources from both sides.

Upon reaching the Foundation Establishment stage, a cultivator's body and meridians can withstand longer and stronger spiritual energy infusions.

Therefore, methods to accelerate cultivation progress were no longer limited to elixirs, but also included treasure grounds like Spirit Spring Cold Pools.

Half a month's effort there could equal a hundred days of arduous cultivation elsewhere.

Dantai Chan might not have provided crucial aid in a time of extreme need, but she was far from a mere embellishment. Instead, she saved Yan Ling a significant amount of time otherwise spent on disputes and negotiations, allowing her to swiftly rise to the top as Cold Blood Peak's premier True Disciple!

For a genius like Yan Ling, possessing a Heavenly Water Spiritual Root, time was often the most precious commodity.

Therefore, her treatment under Yan Ling was certainly not poor.

Wang Yu's action was simply to stir Dantai Chan's deepest, truest desire: freedom! Freedom from Yu Tangtang's control!

The term 'human slave' was like a colossal mountain, and in truth, was it not just another form of 'spirit slave'? She must have seen the possibility of breaking free from her bondage through Yan Ling.

Precisely for this reason, Wang Yu used the tone of referring to "your True Disciple," subtly hinting at her new allegiance.

It now seemed Dantai Chan had fully understood.

The atmosphere fell silent for a moment.

She sighed, "So, when you wanted to join the slave-catching team back then, you had already guessed my intentions. Aren't you afraid Tangtang will find out?"

She might not have held malice toward Yu Tangtang, who was, after all, an infant she had raised herself. But she absolutely loathed being controlled by Yu Tangtang's father, the 'Blood-Eyed Demonic Flood Dragon'!

Hearing this, Wang Yu couldn't help but sneer inwardly.

How could he have foreseen today's situation? Back then, he simply utilized every available condition to achieve his own ends, and it was no different now.

"Of course, why wouldn't I do something that killed two birds with one stone? I just didn't expect to need you this soon."

Wang Yu unceremoniously admitted his 'scheme.'

"Aside from this matter, I need you to help me refine a top-grade Foundation Establishment Elixir. Here are thirty thousand spirit stones; we'll conduct this as a normal transaction."

Dantai Chan's expression faltered. She found Wang Yu's approach puzzling. If he had been straightforward earlier, she would have certainly refused, yet after their conversation, she actually felt a touch of gratitude.

What a truly wicked demon!

Noticing her silence, Wang Yu suddenly leaned closer, his voice low and subtle.

"When True Disciple Yan Ling breaks through to the Nascent Soul stage, she can negotiate with the sect-protecting Demon Lord. You will have a great chance to achieve your goals. I help you, you help me; we are not enemies."

Hearing this, Dantai Chan finally nodded, accepting the task.

"Come to me for the elixir in a month."

"Thank you."

Having achieved his objective, Wang Yu lost interest in further conversation. Dantai Chan's strength was considerable, her alchemy quite profound, and her network of connections even more intricate.

Her personal connections were also a part of what Wang Yu could potentially leverage.

This was a rare opportunity. Having shed their previous fixed impressions of each other, they would now share a close cooperative relationship, which was far better than the superficial harmony and underlying discord he had with someone like Zhao Shang.

Befriending Dantai Chan would undoubtedly bring more benefits than drawbacks.

"Then I shall take my leave. If Sister Tang encounters any trouble, please inform me. I will certainly help you if I am able."

"I understand."

She watched Wang Yu's departing figure with a complex expression, then uneasily rubbed her chest. Seeing her clothes become damp once more, her wavering resolve suddenly firmed.

She utterly detested these things, especially after they underwent secret modification years ago, which had caused certain side effects. This was a lingering aftereffect, a persistent nightmare and scar that she could not shake off.

"This is my only chance to change my destiny. I hope I haven't bet wrong."

If she failed, death would be her only outcome.