Chapter 43: Gu Zhengshun

"For now, keep it. I can take a set of characters, scramble them, and have someone else translate them," he muttered to himself.

Next, Wang Yu traversed the entire Corpse-Rearing Ground, almost reaching the very edge of the Blood Spirit Sect's protective formation, beneath a large locust tree!

"Brother Wang, you're finally here. You're a little over half an hour late. I thought you didn't want this item anymore."

Wang Yu's eyes narrowed.

From behind a willow tree, a man emerged. He was slightly different from the disciples of Heavenly Corpse Peak; while others appeared gaunt and depleted of vitality, he was robust, with no abnormalities other than heavy dark circles under his eyes. He casually greeted Wang Yu, a black locust wood coffin slung diagonally across his back, and a grayish-white arm spinning idly in his hand as if he were bored.

"Gu Zhengshun, don't play games with me."

Gu Zhengshun was an inner disciple of Heavenly Corpse Peak. When he entered the Blood Spirit Sect, he became a disciple under an inner Foundation Establishment deacon, tracing his lineage back to a Core Formation elder of Heavenly Corpse Peak. His background was already considered formidable. It was precisely this person who could produce the somewhat useless second-tier refined corpse remnant arm, and whose cultivation was only at the sixth level of Qi Condensation. This was one of the reasons Wang Yu dared to trade with him.

"Ah, Brother Wang, your words are a bit unfair. This Corpse-Rearing Ground is inherently remote and rarely visited. It's perfectly normal to encounter unexpected delays, and I assure you it was not intentional on my part."

"Hmph—"

Wang Yu didn't press the matter further; after all, that arm was indeed what he urgently needed. "Here are a thousand spirit stones. Let's make the trade."

"Alright."

Gu Zhengshun readily agreed, not raising the price on the spot. Normally, the price of a second-tier refined corpse varies greatly depending on its type and strength. Expensive ones could cost thirty to forty thousand, while cheaper, ordinary refined corpses were around eight or nine thousand. Buying only a remnant arm, like Wang Yu did, was very rare. However, a second-tier remnant arm could only be used as food for complete refined corpses or kept as a repair material, so its price wasn't particularly high. A thousand spirit stones was already a considerable sum.

This remnant arm came from a second-tier divine power corpse, whose strength surpassed other refined corpses of the same level. After Wang Yu used it to repair his missing left arm, he would gain an additional ability. Thus, it was a worthwhile deal.

After the transaction was complete, Wang Yu turned to leave, but then heard Gu Zhengshun say, "Brother Wang, please wait."

"What else is there?" Wang Yu asked, frowning.

"It's nothing major. I heard Brother Wang possesses a Mystic Bone Token. I wonder if you would be willing to trade it to me."

Upon hearing this, Wang Yu's heart turned cold. That bastard Zhao Shang had sold him out again!

The Mystic Bone Token was closely tied to his plan to leave the sect later and was therefore impossible to trade. With only a few months left until the five-year rotation period, Zhao Shang had suddenly informed Gu Zhengshun. Was he trying to use someone else to kill him? Given this, the condition for Gu Zhengshun's cooperation with Xu Jiaojiao was very likely this token, which was clearly a desirable item.

With a flicker in his eyes, Wang Yu countered:

"I do have a Mystic Bone Token. I presume Brother Gu learned this from that scoundrel Zhao Shang. What do you need this token for? With your background, it shouldn't be difficult for you to acquire one."

Hearing this, Gu Zhengshun first nodded, confirming the source of his information, then explained:

"The Mystic Bone Token is related to Mystic Bone Mountain, a resource production area of the Blood Spirit Sect, responsible for guarding and mining a special material called Mystic Bone Wood. It has a significant auxiliary effect on the growth of refined corpses. This is what I seek. Is this explanation satisfactory?"

Wang Yu frowned.

"Why specifically do you want the one in my possession?"

Gu Zhengshun paused for a moment before continuing:

"There are two types of Mystic Bone Tokens: a Mining Token and a Mountain Lord Token. The one you hold is a Mountain Lord Token, which grants authority over all matters concerning Mystic Bone Mountain. There are only three Mountain Lord Tokens, and I know I cannot obtain the other two, so I could only consider acquiring yours, Brother Wang."

So that was it!

Ever since he obtained this Mystic Bone Token, Wang Yu had also investigated information on it, but he hadn't been able to find much because Mystic Bone Mountain was simply too far from the sect's main gate. The Scarlet Kite Demonic Domain comprised twenty-three prefectures, with the five great demonic sects equally dividing the fertile lands and spiritual veins. The Blood Spirit Sect occupied four prefectures to the west, bordering the Grand Lake Spirit Domain on one side, while the other side was the territory of the Joyous Union Sect, which was more powerful and controlled five prefectures. Mystic Bone Mountain was located in Feng Province, one of the four prefectures, far from Blood Abyss Province where the Blood Spirit Sect's main gate was situated! The distance made central authority difficult to enforce. This meant that the interests of Mystic Bone Mountain could largely be controlled by the three Mountain Lords, and the value of this token was far greater than Wang Yu had imagined.

Gu Zhengshun's complete disclosure, without any hidden reservations, actually served his own purpose.

"Brother Wang, what have you decided?" Seeing Wang Yu remain silent for a long time, Gu Zhengshun couldn't help but urge him, adding a promise:

"I can exchange a common Mystic Bone Token for your Mountain Lord Token, plus an additional thousand spirit stones. Once we arrive at Mystic Bone Mountain, you and I can form an alliance, advancing and retreating together. Mystic Bone Mountain is not a safe place; it has many dangers. You aren't very familiar with that area, so if you have my assistance, you can quickly establish yourself. As for Xu Jiaojiao's matter, I guarantee not to reveal a single detail."

Under the "sugar-coated bullet," Wang Yu immediately realized the situation. The reason the other party revealed everything was actually because they valued his strength. After all, his arrival for the appointment meant Xu Jiaojiao was dead, and she was an eighth-level Qi Condensation cultivator, not a weakling. Such an attempt to win him over indicated that Mystic Bone Mountain was more dangerous than imagined. Otherwise, Gu Zhengshun, the grand-disciple of a Core Formation grand-master, wouldn't have offered him so many conditions.

"Alright! I accept."

Gu Zhengshun was overjoyed. He tossed back the thousand spirit stones Wang Yu had just given him and simultaneously handed over a common Mystic Bone Token. Wang Yu, in turn, handed the Mountain Lord Token to Gu Zhengshun. Both parties were very satisfied with the transaction.

Wang Yu was unwilling to draw attention to himself. The Mountain Lord Token not only represented benefits but also a great deal of trouble—a path to disaster. Wang Yu's departure from the sect was originally to avoid trouble and, incidentally, to make his unconventional abilities seem like mere fortuitous encounters. Zhao Shang surely wouldn't have expected him to yield, as Wang Yu had always been overbearing and sharp-tongued in their interactions, barely treating Zhao Shang seriously. Gu Zhengshun's scheme failed, but he recognized Wang Yu's strength and quickly made a decisive choice, offering significant benefits to gain Wang Yu's support. His boldness was not to be underestimated.

A win-win situation!

With the deal struck, Gu Zhengshun handed Wang Yu a jade slip containing extensive information about Mystic Bone Mountain's actual conditions. After a quick glance, Wang Yu's heart tightened. He felt that the situation there was incredibly complex, and he couldn't help but feel a desire to retreat. However, if everything went smoothly and he managed to establish himself, it might help him reach the peak of Qi Condensation faster.

"In that case, I shall take my leave now. See you in three months."

"Alright, see you in three months."

Leaving this remote place, Wang Yu encountered no further trouble on his return journey. He was somewhat puzzled as to why Su Qingshan was nowhere to be seen.