Chapter 269: Icefield Frozen Blood, Thunder Lotus Daotai

Wang Yu and his group of seven were rapidly moving through the shadows, utilizing Wei Ying's Shadow Escape ability. This miraculous skill allowed them to traverse shadows, making it perfect for a quick getaway.

He genuinely hadn't expected to have to lift a finger. Wei Hao's men alone had managed to secure a full five Earth Spirit Fruits. How was he supposed to feel about that?

The group was quickly making their escape.

Wei Hao received the Earth Spirit Fruits from Wei Ying and then handed three to Wang Yu, who couldn't help but hesitate.

“This… seems a bit too much.”

Wei Hao chuckled.

“Just take them, junior brother. Without your help, Wei Ying and the others wouldn't have been able to withdraw from the vicinity of Huangbai City. I honestly hadn't planned on getting involved in this opportunity.”

Huangbai City…

Wang Yu's expression flickered. The other party had clearly deduced his actions in Huangbai City, which was why they were willing to split the gains.

Wang Yu, however, turned to the three Wei Yuyu brothers, who were at the seventh level of Core Formation. He selected one of the three Earth Spirit Fruits and offered it to them.

“Both Uncle and Senior Wei Ying are at the peak of Core Formation, so they have no use for Earth Spirit Fruits. Our agreement only specified one fruit for me as a priority. Therefore, any additional ones should, by rights, be distributed based on contribution.

“Since Senior Brother Wei brought up Huangbai City, I'll brazenly take two. This last one should be divided equally among the three of them.”

“This…”

The three looked at Wei Hao, their eyes betraying a deep yearning. Noticing this, Wei Hao nodded and said,

“Junior Brother Wang is willing to share it with you, so take it. Why aren't you thanking him?”

The three turned their heads in unison.

“Many thanks, Fellow Daoist Wang Yu.”

At this moment, Wei Ying suddenly said,

“The people from Luofu Mountain chose to pursue us, Master, should we…”

He then made a throat-slitting gesture.

Wei Hao shook his head.

“We have the items. With your abilities, they won't catch us. Once we cross into Zhuyue Province, they'll know when to give up.”

“Understood!”

The exchange between them made Wang Yu glance at Wei Ying a few more times. Could Wei Ying possibly be confident of victory if they fought? The twelve sword cultivators of the He clan from Luofu Mountain were indeed formidable when they worked together. Had it not been for the presence of the Netherworld Abbey, they might not have acquired the Earth Spirit Fruits so smoothly.

“Don't overthink it.”

Wei Hao patted Wang Yu's shoulder, causing him to stiffen. Wei Hao seemed surprised by this reaction and awkwardly rubbed his nose.

“My apologies, just a habit.”

“No worries.”

Wang Yu relaxed his shoulders.

“In the future, when you're in Wanglong City, Senior Brother Wei, you should really connect with Guiling.”

“Naturally.”

With two Earth Spirit Fruits in hand, Wang Yu felt that accumulating over three thousand drops of true essence wouldn't be too difficult. He could now return to Guiling to prepare.

By the time Wei Ying successfully led the group back to Wanglong City, the He clan from Luofu Mountain had still failed to catch up. One wondered if they would regret it. After a month of standoff and numerous battles, it concluded so anticlimactically, with them ultimately failing to secure even a single fruit. Who would have thought?

The next day, Wang Yu, who had certainly gained something from this opportunity, officially bade farewell to Wei Hao. He was ready to return to Guiling, with six years still remaining until his twenty-year agreement.

However, his preparations were nearly complete, so there was no need for him to remain outside. His initial departure from Guiling had been a cautious move, aimed at avoiding the many powerful cultivators, or 'crossing-river dragons,' passing through. After nearly fourteen years of wandering, he had fought rogue cultivators, clashed with the Netherworld Abbey, battled Sacred Sect elders, and even befriended the noble lady of Taihu Lake. So many things had happened in such a short time.

Furthermore, his spiritual transformation had been steadily progressing. The sense of profound insight was something Long Yiran had imparted, and during the massacre in Huangbai City, his Asura's murderous intent was on the verge of being truly forged! Once this intent was complete, external forces would no longer be able to shake his will and Dao heart. It also signified that the Minor Asura Killing Fist had truly advanced to the Grand Accomplishment stage. Once he formed his core, it would undoubtedly become a powerful new trump card!

Regarding his Natal Divine Ability and Natal Magic Treasure, he could only make decisions after returning to the sect and receiving new inheritances. Too many tasks awaited completion through secluded cultivation. He estimated that this time, he would need to enter seclusion for at least eight to ten years.

“You're leaving?!”

“Yes.”

Inside Wanglong City, Wei Hao considered trying to persuade him to stay, but ultimately decided against it.

“Since you've made your decision, Junior Brother, I won't try to convince you otherwise. If you're returning to Guiling, you should avoid these specific routes.”

“Why?”

“We have people monitoring the Netherworld Abbey, and they naturally have people monitoring us. Taking a detour will prevent trouble, though it might waste a bit of time.”

“Understood.”

Operating on his own territory, Wang Yu had long since put away his Earth Net Ghost Mask. Besides, the Netherworld Abbey might not even realize he was responsible. It was Huangbai City's own weakness that allowed it. A city full of Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment cultivators—wasn't that just an invitation to trouble?

After bidding farewell to Wei Hao, Wang Yu summoned his Flying Cloud Boat and soared into the sky. He deliberately took a circuitous route and encountered no trouble along the way.

Several days later, under a scorching sun, a colossal city, appearing to stretch from heaven to earth, came into view. Its walls resembled a tortoise shell, dark yellow in hue. The thriving human world generated a vast 'red dust' aura, and streaks of light frequently descended into the city, belonging to the high-flying cultivators.

———Guiling City!

“Well, well, well~ Isn't this my long-lost sweetheart? What brings you suddenly to my Jinman Tower today?”

Yes. Wang Yu's first stop upon returning to Guiling was Jinman Tower!

Facing Jin Miaoshan's teasing, he stiffly extended his hand and, expressionless, said, “Give it to me.”

Today, Jin Miaoshan had a golden fishtail ornament on her forehead and wore her hair in a spiritual snake bun. A hint of mischief danced in her rather sharp eyes. One hand rested lightly on her chest, while the other arm lazily propped her up against an intricately carved jade railing. Dressed in a sheer, snow-white gauze robe, thin as a cicada's wing, her front was slightly open, revealing her fair neck and a hint of her alluring bosom. Her long legs were crossed and rubbing together, her delicate jade feet adorned with golden anklets, and her translucent nails possessed a certain allure. She lay sideways on the bed, offering no reply, simply staring intently at him. Her radiant, alluring face seemed to cast a flirtatious glance his way.

Wang Yu's expression tightened. He immediately frowned, saying,

“Have you been practicing enchantment arts?”

“Oh, you're quite mistaken. How could Miaoshan have time for such disreputable, unorthodox magic arts? The Prajna Heart Sutra is quite effective, you know~”

Wang Yu fell silent. He sensed that Jin Miaoshan's cultivation had gone astray; the Buddha's light he'd seen previously was gone, and she now seemed like a vixen to her very core.

“I don't have time for idle chatter with you. Core Formation spiritual artifacts! Tribulation-avoiding treasures!”

“You should have said so earlier.”

Jin Miaoshan jingled the silver bell on her wrist, and a sleek, shiny, black-furred cat with white paws (a 'Dark Cloud Stepping on Snow' variety) leaped in through the window. Its topaz-like eyes gleamed with intelligence. An intelligent demonic beast can no longer be called a mere beast; it's a clan... a demon race! This seemingly inconspicuous cat-demon actually possessed the strength of an early third-tier demon.

Damn, such a spendthrift! To have a pet more powerful than his own battle companion—it was truly unfair. If Wang Yu's three-tailed snow fox hadn't undergone another dragon vein baptism, he would have certainly kept it as a mere pet, which could have somewhat alleviated his mental stress.

“Xiaoman, go, bring Young Master Wang's treasures.”

“Meow~”

The cat-demon rubbed against Jin Miaoshan's soft bosom, then rolled its eyes at Wang Yu before darting off, which made Wang Yu raise an eyebrow.

“Is this lecherous cat provoking me?”

“How could that be? Xiaoman is a princess of the Cat Demon clan, and she's been studying the ways of commerce by Miaoshan's side. She has always adhered to human customs.”

He didn't have to wait long. The little cat-demon was as quick to return as it was to leave, leaping onto the bed and spitting out two spiritual artifacts.

Wang Yu: “…Are you doing this on purpose?”

“How could that be? Xiaoman doesn't have hands; she can only carry things in her mouth. City Lord Wang, please take a look.”

The first was a jade bottle, emanating an intensely cold aura. The latter was a lotus-shaped stone platform, with faint lightning swirling around its petals. Each petal was inlaid with a piece of purple crystal—his Heavenly Thunder Crystal Cluster.

Jin Miaoshan explained, “The 'Ice Plain Frozen Blood' in the jade bottle comes from the depths of the Endless Ice Plain. Legend has it that it's the very blood of the earth, flowing only from ten-thousand-year-old permafrost. It is indeed a high-grade Core Formation spiritual artifact.

“The 'Thunder Lotus Dao Platform' is the third-tier tribulation-avoiding treasure you requested. It will undoubtedly withstand the Core Formation thunder tribulation. Jinman Tower has subsidized some of the spiritual materials for you, leaving a balance of five hundred thousand spirit stones.”

“Alright.”

After inspecting each item, Wang Yu left the spirit stones and a ten-thousand-year tree heart, which was the agreed-upon exchange. He had no objections, as he had essentially 'fleeced' all of it from Jin Miaoshan anyway. Essentially, a no-risk business for him.

“The agreement is settled. I bid you farewell.”

“Wait.”

“What else is it?”

Jin Miaoshan lazily arched her slender waist, then pulled the cat-demon into her embrace, smiling.

“City Lord Wang, why don't you stay the night here with Miaoshan? I have some questions about the Prajna Heart Sutra that I'd like to consult you on.”

“Heh —”

“I don't understand it myself; you'll have to research it on your own.”

With that, Wang Yu transformed into a streak of light and flew directly out the window, heading towards the City Lord's Mansion, seemingly in a bit of a rush. Wang Yu dared not linger, fearing she might ask questions about unspeakable matters. Some things, whether he answered them or not, would inevitably reveal information. He had to avoid it for now; everything would be completely different once he formed his Core.

Left behind, Jin Miaoshan touched her chest and frowned, saying,

“Strange, I feel he's different now. And such intense killing intent.”

At this moment, the 'Dark Cloud Stepping on Snow' cat-demon spoke in a clear, girlish voice: “Sister Miaoshan, the bloody aura on him is very strong. He must have killed at least three to four thousand cultivators in a short time.”

“That many?”

Jin Miaoshan gasped, covering her mouth, and immediately thought of something.

“The Huangbai City massacre. That guy… so he went to Youzhou, and specifically nurtured his Asura's murderous intent before leaving? But… it wasn't him involved in the Heavenly Demon Bone Forest incident, how strange.”

The cat-demon licked its paws, remaining silent. She was a princess of the Underworld Spirit Cat clan among the cat demons, naturally noble, born with a pair of Yin-Yang eyes that allowed her to perceive what others could not, and even find the legendary Yin-Yang path. Her potential was extraordinary.

Wang Yu, having momentarily flustered Jin Miaoshan, returned to the Guiling City Lord's Mansion. The first thing he did was naturally to summon all his "vassals" for a meeting. He mentioned meeting Zuoqiu Ming.

“Fourth Brother? Why are you back so early? Aren't there still six years left?”

In the City Lord's private chambers, Wang Yu watched Zuoqiu Ming embracing several women, his face utterly devoid of expression.

“Come out and talk.”

He might not use it often, but that was *his* bed!

Small conference room.