Chapter 211: Star Falling Cold Furnace, Conspiracy Involving the City Lord

Since he was going, he definitely had to bring this person along.

Furthermore, his spirit stones had not accumulated much in recent years due to a large expenditure at Tianbao Pavilion. He estimated he would have to sell some of his hidden treasures.

He had a discussion with Daoist Qingyang, who readily agreed.

However, Wang Yu hadn't expected something.

As he was preparing funds, Pavilion Master Ye Qing of Jinman Pavilion, whom he hadn't seen in a while, came to visit, bringing what was actually good news.

The alchemical furnace he had ordered years ago had arrived: the Tier 3 Mid-Grade Stardust Cold Furnace!

Reaching the mid-grade level was good news, but it also meant he had a large final payment due!

"City Lord Wang."

"Pavilion Master Ye."

The two exchanged no pleasantries. Under Han Jia's leadership, Tianbao Pavilion had routed Jinman Pavilion, and Ye Qing had poured all his family's wealth into it. His current state was very poor.

His complexion was sallow, and his cheeks were pale.

He looked as if he had applied cheap, uneven powder. His presence to deliver the Stardust Cold Furnace was somewhat unexpected, as his current predicament was entirely due to Wang Yu.

"This is the alchemical furnace the City Lord ordered. Our pavilion covered some spirit materials for you, and the artifact master also requires a fee. The final payment is 420,000 spirit stones."

"That much?" Wang Yu asked, suspicious.

He remembered already paying 100,000 spirit stones and providing a Tier 3 spirit material. An additional 420,000 was enough to buy half a Core Formation spiritual item.

Was he being taken for a fool?!

Ye Qing's expression darkened further. "City Lord Wang, according to the rules, if a magic treasure exceeds the low-grade level upon completion, a 'red packet' of appreciation must be given to the artifact master."

Hearing this, Wang Yu nodded, acknowledging the custom.

"How much was in it?"

"200,000."

Ye Qing gestured with his fingers, instantly making Wang Yu's brows furrow.

"Are you joking? I paid 100,000 just for him to work, and now an extra 200,000? I could buy a new low-grade magic treasure for that, not to mention I already provided a Tier 3 spirit material."

"City Lord Wang, that's what the artifact master demanded. There's nothing I can do."

"Heh," Wang Yu chuckled.

Wang Yu put the alchemical furnace into his Sea Heart Ring and tossed out a storage bag. "There are 220,000 spirit stones in here. Have Jin Miaoshan discuss the rest."

Ye Qing's face instantly darkened.

"City Lord, that's not how business is done."

Wang Yu was equally impolite.

"I don't care about your 'unspoken rules.' If it were 30,000, 50,000, or even 100,000 spirit stones, I would accept it. But 200,000... Are you trying to butcher me?"

Ye Qing didn't reply, simply cupped his hands dismissively, and left.

Wang Yu watched him leave, simultaneously casting his Invisibility spell and Breathless Charm, then quickly followed. He also pulled out Han Jia's communication jade slip to inquire about the artifact master.

While secretly following, he learned the truth from Han Jia: such an 'unspoken rule' did exist, but it was usually 50,000 spirit stones. The 200,000 price was only for refining a high-grade magic treasure.

This gave Wang Yu a clear understanding.

The artifact master hired to refine the alchemical furnace was part of Jin Miaoshan's network; Ye Qing didn't have the ability to enlist him. His actions were simply an act of revenge.

"He wants to make me offend Jinman Pavilion's artifact master? What's the point?"

As he pondered.

Wang Yu suddenly recalled what happened when he first met Jin Miaoshan years ago. Based on his understanding of Ye Qing, the man was not unintelligent.

This meant Ye Qing had someone backing him!

Jin Miaoshan had been in seclusion for over five years with no news. Her opponent, Young Master Jinlin, whom Qian Zhong had mentioned, might be the mastermind.

But... why target him?

Using his exquisite stealth technique, Wang Yu followed Ye Qing all the way into Gui Ling's Jinman Pavilion. After Ye Qing reached the top floor, he activated a sound-isolation formation.

Wang Yu's spiritual sense had already broken through to Tier 3, and he was intimately familiar with Jinman Pavilion's interior. By staying extremely close, he could detect Ye Qing's voice from within the formation.

"Young Master, the matter is settled. Wang Yu indeed refused to pay the full amount."

Then came an unfamiliar, condescending young male voice.

"He's not a fool. How could he willingly pay an extra 200,000 spirit stones? The fact that he made Jin Miaoshan suffer a loss once already proves Wang Yu's capability."

Ye Qing: "Then what should your subordinate do next?"

Mysterious Young Master: "Jin Miaoshan manages all the branch pavilions in Yunling Prefecture. Recently, our pavilion discovered a Tier 3 mineral deposit called Deep Sea Submerged Silver on the eastern shore of Chiyuan, near the Land of Chaotic Ancient Sea.

"This mineral deposit has a high probability of producing Tier 4 Submerged Silver Essence, but its location is in Youzhou, which is the territory of Yellow Springs Sect. And the Youzhou Pavilion Master is my third uncle."

Ye Qing was initially a bit confused, but at this point, he understood, speaking with a sudden realization.

"Master Tianshui is already a peak Tier 3 artifact master. If he wants to break through, he must personally refine a Tier 4 magic treasure, but the materials are hard to find. If he learns of this news, he will certainly make a trip himself."

"Exactly. I'll make sure he hears about it."

The arrogant male voice continued.

"Tianshui is a supporter of Jin Miaoshan, so he will definitely stay at the Gui Ling branch pavilion. Your task is to use this incident to provoke him, by disparaging Tianshui's craftsmanship.

"Once Wang Yu and Tianshui clash, given Wang Yu's past conduct and methods, he certainly won't let it go easily."

At this point.

The young master paused for a moment, then said in a chilling tone, "It would be best if Tianshui died in Gui Ling. I will send a team of elite assassins there to follow your orders.

"Once this is accomplished, I guarantee your breakthrough to Core Formation and your transfer back to the main pavilion in Jinchan City. From now on, you will serve under me."

Ye Qing replied with a tone of sincere reverence. "Ye Qing will serve Young Master Jinlin to the death and complete this plan."

"Good,"

"Then I await your good news. Hahaha~"

Gui Ling City Lord's Mansion.

After listening, Wang Yu did not act, but returned to his humble abode.

To be honest, after hearing the plans, Wang Yu felt that Young Master Jinlin was not very intelligent. Going through such a convoluted scheme just to kill one of Jin Miaoshan's staunch supporters seemed excessive.

Oh, wait!

They wanted to pin the blame on him, Wang.

They wanted to provoke him into attacking Jin Miaoshan. The problem was that even if Jinlin's plan unfolded, the premise for him to clash with Tianshui was too flimsy.

200,000 versus 50,000—a simple word would clear up the misunderstanding, wouldn't it? Moreover, Jin Miaoshan, who commissioned Master Tianshui to refine artifacts for him, must have discussed Wang Yu.

Knowing the unique collaborative relationship between them, it was impossible for them to fight to the death over a single disagreement.

And even if that happened,

If Tianshui died in Gui Ling, then what?

Even if he was Jin Miaoshan's senior, given her current state of deathly seclusion, she wouldn't even know. How could it affect anything?

Thinking about this.

Wang Yu finally understood.

Did Jinlin not know what Jin Miaoshan was doing? Was he testing if he could cut off her right-hand man? That possibility was quite high.

But then again...

Why bother luring him to that Deep Sea Submerged Silver mine and having cultivators from the Chaotic Ancient Sea kill him directly? Why stage this whole charade in Gui Ling?

Was he implying that Wang was naive and stubborn?!

When he first arrived and clashed with Jinman Pavilion, he directly ordered the slaughter of the pavilion, which indeed showed a certain recklessness and madness.

"Wait..."

"If Jinlin believes I'm arrogant and reckless, and would order another massacre over such a minor issue, then his complicated plan actually makes a lot more sense."

The previous incident had indeed damaged Jinman Pavilion's reputation. Although efforts were made to recover afterward, the harm was already done.

Consequently, Jin Miaoshan was punished.

Wang Yu remained unharmed because Zhuo Shouqing asked his uncle for help. That favor alone was more valuable than a spot in the Profound Heaven Secret Realm.

Thus, when Zhuo Shouqing came to Gui Ling, Wang Yu didn't ask him to exchange it for another resource.

From another perspective.

The spot in the Profound Heaven Secret Realm became useless to him, but he gained two high-grade Core Formation spiritual items. Their values were comparable, so it was essentially an exchange.

Some things can only happen once.

Zhuo Shouqing had explicitly warned him, so Wang Yu certainly wouldn't issue such an order. If Jinlin truly thought that, he would be incredibly foolish.

This did not align with his status as an heir apparent.

As Wang Yu racked his brain, he profoundly understood how difficult heirs from major powers could be. He even put aside the matter of attending the Yama Ghost Market auction.

The last person to give him such an impression was Fairy Chang Xi, the Moonlight Immortal of the Celestial Void Sword Sect. He hadn't expected to encounter another one today. Honestly, he wished he hadn't overheard this secret conversation.

He had been implicated ever since Qian Zhong first received orders to use the Everlasting Spirit Branch to harm Jin Miaoshan. This was the second time Jinlin had made a move against him!

How could he tolerate this? Could he avoid it?

As Wang Yu pondered this possibility, Daoist Qingyang flew over from a distance, bringing good news.

"City Lord, Daoist Hegu sent word. He succeeded and is expected to return in three months to report."

Wang Yu was initially delighted, but then something felt off.

He frowned.

"What were his exact words?"

Qingyang took out a jade slip and handed it to Wang Yu. After reading it, a sudden flash of insight struck Wang Yu.

"I understand now! So that's the scheme they're plotting."

"What is it?"

Facing Qingyang's question, Wang Yu narrowed his eyes.

He had already categorized Daoist Hegu as an enemy, and the president of the Purple Gold Chamber of Commerce was also highly suspect.

The Yama Ghost Market auction was three months away. Hegu returning at this precise time, coupled with Master Tianshui coming to the Gui Ling branch pavilion, was too coincidental.

Furthermore, Hegu's shapeshifting technique was so profound that even someone like Little Talisman Lord Luo Chen, who excelled at concealing his presence, couldn't see through it. This was far too strange.

Could such a person be a rogue cultivator? And to specifically come to Gui Ling to serve him? The possibility was too low.

Thinking of the worst.

If he remained completely unaware, then in three months, he and Qingyang would likely be at the Yama Ghost Market, and Ye Qing would bring Master Tianshui to cause trouble at his doorstep.

If Hegu impersonated him, a major confrontation between the two would become inevitable. At that time, in conjunction with the elite assassins, Hegu would kill Tianshui, and then order the City Lord's Mansion to massacre the Gui Ling branch pavilion.

Wang Yu—he would become the one shouldering the biggest blame!

While thinking earlier, Wang Yu had considered this possibility, but he had fallen into a misconception.

The City Lord's Token!

This form of identification, linked to the formations, was almost impossible to fake. However, if this plan was followed, there would be no need to activate the City Lord's Mansion's formations at all.

"Damn you, Jinlin!"