Chapter 209: Fall of the Curtain and Aftermath~

For some reason, Wang Yu understood that the help he referred to wasn't about the Gui Ling battlefield, but about tracking Luo Chen, who had gone after Feng Zi.

Wang Yu fell silent for a moment.

After a tough, indecisive battle with the puppet, he finally managed to kick it away and found a moment to respond.

"You dare to lay a hand on him? He's the personal disciple of a Nascent Soul Patriarch."

"Why wouldn't I? As long as he doesn't recognize me."

He Gu chuckled, awaiting Wang Yu's reply.

"What's the price?!"

He quickly shot back a reply. Accompanying the roar of the Yinming Demonic Dragon, a rapidly spinning ice wheel materialized in his hand, seizing the close-combat puppet.

Wang Yu forcibly sawed into the puppet with the ice wheel.

The Ghost Cry Flute appeared in his other hand, from which he unleashed three consecutive Lamenting Heart-Shattering Blades. He then swallowed a second-grade top-tier Spirit Recovery Pill, executing the entire sequence flawlessly.

After being struck by the twin soul and sound spells, the close-combat puppet's movements became significantly sluggish, resembling an old, rusty machine. This immediately revealed its weakness to him.

He flicked his fingers repeatedly, unleashing Soul-Shattering Fingers like a machine gun, directly causing the puppet to malfunction.

In the distance,

the Earth Puppet Demon suddenly roared.

"No!"

"My spiritual imprint, my puppet!"

Seizing this prime opportunity while the demon was mentally agitated,

Wang Yu swiftly commanded the Grand Yin Corpse to withstand the third-grade Iron Puppet's attacks, simultaneously casting the Yin Corpse Malevolent Curse from a distance onto the Earth Puppet Demon.

As a malevolent corpse is a zombie, it remained unharmed even if its head were torn off. Enduring a few blows from a third-grade Iron Puppet was nothing more than a tickle.

Qing Yang, who had already developed a tacit understanding with Wang Yu, even unleashed the Ancestral Master's magical treasure—the Mountain and River Brocade Map!

Charging it up wasn't ideal this time, so only ink-wash mountains spanning a thousand-meter radius appeared. One soared above, the other plunged below, inverted and conjoined, forcefully crushing the Earth Puppet Demon in mid-air!

The third-grade Iron Puppet twitched a few times. As the spiritual imprint within its core dispersed, it became masterless, and even the close-combat puppet in front of Wang Yu ceased its movements.

Upon seeing this,

True Master He Gu sighed.

"City Lord Wang's strength is extraordinary; it seems my assistance is no longer required."

Unexpectedly, Wang Yu disagreed.

"No, fellow Daoist, name your price. This matter remains strictly between us."

He Gu was slightly surprised to hear this: "I didn't expect City Lord Wang to be so compassionate towards women."

"Not entirely so... It's a matter of reputation. How could a temporary gain or loss outweigh the prestige of the Scented Gathering? Fellow Daoist He Gu is a discerning individual; otherwise, you wouldn't have inquired if I needed assistance."

"I understand. As for the compensation..."

He Gu pondered for a moment before speaking.

"Let's discuss it upon my return. If I tarry any longer, I won't be confident in stopping that young Talisman Lord."

"Very well."

As everything subsided, Wang Yu frowned in thought. Qing Yang flew over, carrying the puppet, and asked curiously,

"City Lord, what were you two discussing? Why did he leave the moment I arrived?"

"Nothing."

Wang Yu glanced at the chaotic street, a sense of frustration settling in.

"The Iron Puppet you're carrying is yours. This close-combat puppet with stealth capabilities is mine.

"As for the Earth Puppet Demon's spatial ring, we'll divide its contents after the treasure exchange concludes. Let's return for now."

"Alright."

Qing Yang had no objections to this distribution. He had certainly contributed significantly, and a third-grade initial-stage Iron Puppet was definitely something he was entitled to.

After deactivating the city's protective array, Wang Yu, carrying a mass of pulped flesh wrapped in his true essence, re-entered the Heavenly Fragrance Palace.

The atmosphere was now somewhat subdued. The treasure exchange had stalled, and no matter how the Ren and Jiang families tried to resume it, their efforts were futile.

There was simply no way.

With a fight having just erupted at the entrance, how could anyone dare to display their precious items again?

Following this battle, the shortcomings of the treasure exchange were starkly evident.

Yet, for a treasure exchange to function, everyone needed to know what precious items were being offered, which inherently made them coveted by powerful individuals.

If it merely devolved into private transactions, the very purpose of the treasure exchange would be lost.

Even if bids were communicated via spiritual messages and exchanges happened afterward, malicious individuals would still target participants. By simply observing who came to the stage, who remained, and who entered a private chamber for a transaction, everything would be clear at a glance.

To resolve this, only absolute power could maintain order.

Pondering this, Wang Yu let out a cold snort. He tossed the Earth Puppet Demon's pulverized remains into the center of the hall and declared in a sharp voice,

"This old fiend dared to assault Wang's esteemed guest in broad daylight, right here in Gui Ling City. He has now been summarily executed by the City Lord's Manor's chief enshrinement."

Hearing this, everyone immediately directed astonished gazes towards Qing Yang.

Reverend Huang Sha, in particular, had a history of grievances with the Earth Puppet Demon, yet they often collaborated to explore ruins. Puppets proved extremely useful in such perilous locations.

Thus, he was well aware of the old demon's strength.

He found it even harder to believe that Qing Yang, merely a newly advanced Core Formation cultivator, could possess such power.

Yet, the pool of blood and flesh on the ground was undeniable evidence.

Noticing the increasingly tense atmosphere, Wang Yu suddenly smiled.

"Everyone, please rest assured. Fellow Daoist Yu and Fellow Daoist Feng have already departed the city safely. They are likely seeking a place for secluded cultivation. The treasure exchange will resume."

Despite Wang Yu's assurance, very few individuals were willing to present their items. As time elapsed and dawn began to break,

this second Gui Ling Scented Gathering concluded anticlimactically.

...Two days later.

In the back hall of the City Lord's Manor,

Wang Yu secretly met True Master He Gu.

"What's the situation?"

He Gu shook his head, a look of shame on his face.

"I underestimated the young Talisman Lord's strength. No... I should say I underestimated his financial resources. When I attempted to intercept him, I was simply overwhelmed by a sea of talismans."

Wang Yu immediately fell silent. He Gu was certainly sharp, but his power was undeniably inferior to Luo Chen's. This outcome seemed predictable.

"It's not your fault. Luo Chen's strength is comparable to the top twenty disciples of the Sword Sect. How is Feng Zi doing?"

"Not good. Her methods for concealing her tracks are quite poor."

"Sigh..."

Wang Yu let out a deep sigh. The Scented Gathering was on the verge of collapse; how could he not be furious? If Feng Zi could return as a Core Formation cultivator, there might still be a chance to salvage the situation.

Damn it, it's truly difficult to organize a higher-level treasure exchange in Chi Yuan! The people here simply aren't worthy! This talk of resource exchange is utter nonsense; they might as well just snatch everything.

He recalled suggesting to Luo Chen that he provide a perfect opening for the treasure exchange, and Luo Chen had actually believed him.

Every time he recalled this, he was filled with the rage of being duped.

"He ruined years of my hard work, then shamelessly asked for advice."

"The Demonic Embryo Profound Origin Secret Curse..."

Naturally, Wang Yu thought of this reliance, a method for him to defy fate. And Luo Chen happened to possess the Heavenly Yin Spiritual Root!

"City Lord? Do not burden yourself with such thoughts. Since the task wasn't accomplished, He Gu will take his leave for now. I will return for the next Scented Gathering."

"Wait—"

Wang Yu considered for a moment, then tossed over a storage bag containing 100,000 spirit stones. This was not a large sum for him,

but for a rogue cultivator at the Core Formation stage like He Gu, it was already a substantial reward.

"You've offended Luo Chen. Even if there's no merit, your effort is noted. He might possess some secret method to identify you, so consider these spirit stones as compensation.

"By the way, I heard you hail from Scorpion City. If things aren't going well there, you're welcome to join me in Gui Ling. The Enshrinement Manor is too quiet with only Qing Yang."

During that night's street brawl,

He Gu had actively appeared to curry favor. Although unsuccessful, his intention to pledge allegiance was clear. Ever since the third-grade Heavenly Treasure Pavilion opened its auction in Gui Ling,

its appeal to Core Formation cultivators in the surrounding regions had significantly increased. The City Lord's Manor's power also needed constant enhancement. In gaming terms, the map had leveled up.

Of course, "restoration" would be a more fitting description.

This was an opportunity.

Hearing this, He Gu readily agreed.

"I do indeed wish to serve City Lord Wang, but I have some enemies in Scorpion City."

"No matter. I presume you heard the rumors of this City Lord's actions against Golden Full House, which is why you've come to pledge allegiance, correct?"

"The City Lord's insight is truly keen."

"Wang still holds some sway in the Spirit Reversal Blood Sect. You can tell me the full story later, and I guarantee your safety.

"For now, you have a new mission."

"Please tell me."

Wang Yu pointed a finger at his own brow, circulated the Demonic Embryo Profound Origin Secret Curse, gathered the demonic evil thoughts, and with the secret curse, condensed them into a demonic seed, which he then handed to True Master He Gu.

"Go to San Mao City. There are two prominent Foundation Establishment Talisman Master families there. Randomly kill a few individuals, then remain in San Mao City and await Luo Chen's arrival."

"But—"

True Master He Gu didn't quite grasp Wang Yu's command. While he prided himself on his exceptional stealth techniques, he wasn't confident about causing trouble in a major city garrisoned by a Nascent Soul disciple.

"Don't worry, Luo Chen will attempt to recruit you. When that happens, secretly implant this demonic seed into his body, and your mission will be complete.

"If he discovers it, flee. If he doesn't, then lay low."

This mission was exceedingly difficult.

But Wang Yu was determined to exact revenge. The demonic seed was merely the beginning, intended for a future harvest. Otherwise, risking Luo Chen's death would only yield spirit stones.

That was absolutely unacceptable to him. If he could seize the Heavenly Yin Spiritual Root, any price, however great, would be worth it. The demonic seed could induce a change in Luo Chen's personality.

Only when he completely succumbed to the demonic influence would it be time for the harvest.

Assigning this task to True Master He Gu might not guarantee success, but it also served as a test for him.

It was akin to a pledge of allegiance.

If he succeeded, he would naturally earn Wang Yu's trust.

"I understand."

After True Master He Gu departed, Wang Yu sent for Chao Yunniang from Yun Meng Pavilion. The fact that she could keep Zhuo Shouqing captivated indicated her considerable skills.

"Yunniang, I have a task for you."

Under the beautiful woman's puzzled gaze, Wang Yu retrieved another demonic seed. One should never put all eggs in one basket, so it was only natural to make multiple preparations. After Chao Yunniang left,

he summoned the Blood Saber Gang from the Northern District.

Their leader was also a Foundation Establishment cultivator. Wang Yu produced a third demonic seed and instructed them to plunder the areas surrounding San Mao City. These individuals had originally ascended from rogue cultivators through bloodshed.

They had engaged in their fair share of banditry, and now they were essentially returning to their old ways.

Their mission was to accept Luo Chen's recruitment and become San Mao City's covert enforcers. They were to lie low for as long as possible, transmit intelligence for him, and also seek opportunities to plant the demonic seed.

Thus, with three separate approaches, even if only one succeeded, it would not be a loss.

With these matters handled,

Wang Yu composed himself and returned to his cultivation chamber to inventory the Earth Puppet Demon's possessions. Half of the items had been given to Qing Yang, though the knowledge inheritance was shared between them.

"Earth Demon Valley..."