Chapter 924: Wuman Yue Sets Up a Stall

The Dry Blue Fairy said angrily, "Speak!"

"How could I possibly remain composed?"

Jiang Fan replied, "Alright, I found it at the bottom of a cliff when I was in the Foundation Establishment realm."

"You got it in the Foundation Establishment realm?"

"And you just *found* it!"

The cliché story of falling off a cliff and discovering an unparalleled treasure—when it actually happens to someone you know, it's utterly maddening!

The Dry Blue Fairy clenched her fists and pounded her chest vigorously to ease the vexation.

"You lucky little scoundrel!"

Gritting her teeth, she demanded, "Give it to me! I'll help you fill it completely."

Jiang Fan handed her the ring. She immediately channeled the surging Nascent Soul power from her two-aperture Nascent Soul.

The pale ring visibly turned green at a rapid pace. Soon after, it became dark green, significantly greener than when he first acquired it.

At this point, the Dry Blue Fairy released her grip, her face slightly pale. She looked as though her Nascent Soul power was severely depleted.

"My turn."

Venerable Cloudfire took the ring and continued to infuse it. The dark green deepened, eventually turning an ink-green before the infusion stopped. However, this was not the ring's limit; Venerable Cloudfire's Nascent Soul power was also depleted.

The Dry Blue Fairy's lips were pale, and her face showed astonishment. "How much energy can this ring actually absorb? I feel as though the amount we infused is less than one-tenth of its total capacity!"

Jiang Fan was also considerably surprised. But upon reflection, it made sense; this item was used as a Natal Magic Treasure by a pair of late-stage Nascent Soul Dao Companions. It certainly wouldn't be filled by just two two-aperture Nascent Souls. Still, having this much energy stored was already very satisfying.

"Thank you, both seniors."

The Dry Blue Fairy rolled her eyes at Jiang Fan, then pulled something from her robe and tossed it to him. "I'd thank you if you'd just annoy me one less time. Brother, let's go."

Venerable Cloudfire cupped his hands towards the Heavenly Secret Pavilion Master and said, "I look forward to the Heavenly Secret Pavilion relocating to Taicang Great Province! Farewell."

The Heavenly Secret Pavilion Master watched them depart. Jiang Fan, holding the item the Dry Blue Fairy had thrown, opened his palm and looked at it. It was a jade pendant engraved with her name.

The Heavenly Secret Pavilion Master smiled faintly and said, "With this jade pendant, when you arrive in Taicang Great Province, you can find her at the Fire Worship Sect. It seems my senior sister is quite fond of you. She doesn't usually bother with other people's troubles."

Hearing it was something good, Jiang Fan immediately put it away and chuckled, "My calling her 'Pavilion Master's Wife' wasn't for nothing, after all."

The Heavenly Secret Pavilion Master's expression stiffened. "Are you making fun of me now?" he said testily. He paused. He asked, "You just asked my senior brother and sister to stay and protect the place. Have you run into trouble?"

Jiang Fan considered for a moment. He formally cupped his hands and bowed, then said bitterly, "I've asked for help twice from others, but received none. Today, I can only turn to you, Pavilion Master."

This was the first time the Heavenly Secret Pavilion Master had seen Jiang Fan beg for anything. He became serious. "Speak. I'll treat your matter as my own."

Jiang Fan truthfully said, "Concubine Yunxia and the Sea Charm Demon King are about to undergo their tribulation to break through to the Demon Emperor realm. I would like to ask you, Pavilion Master, to protect them during their breakthrough."

The Heavenly Secret Pavilion Master fell into deep thought. He eyed Jiang Fan suspiciously. "Protecting demons? Allowing them to gain two more Demon Emperors? I don't need to tell you the consequences, do I?"

The Sky Demon Emperor was already ambitious and exceedingly warlike. Allowing them two more Demon Emperors? That would be disastrous! It's likely they would march south immediately.

"Give me a reason to protect them," he said, frowning. Jiang Fan wasn't someone who acted without considering the consequences; why would he make such an irrational request?

At this point, Jiang Fan could no longer conceal the truth. Feeling a bit awkward, he said, "I hope you won't laugh at me, Pavilion Master. Concubine Yunxia is my woman."

The Heavenly Secret Pavilion Master's eyes widened little by little, and his mouth fell slightly open. He had never been so flustered, not even when he encountered Asura King Ayu in the underground world. At this moment, Jiang Fan's single sentence struck him like a bolt of lightning, shocking his very core.

Concubine Yunxia — wasn't she the most favored among the Demon Emperor's thirty-six concubines? She was known for her ethereal beauty! How… how did Jiang Fan manage to snatch her away?

"You..." The Heavenly Secret Pavilion Master swayed, deeply shaken. "You really are something else! You dared to touch the Demon Emperor's woman, and you actually succeeded!"

Jiang Fan's expression was sheepish. "The Demon Emperor brought this upon himself," he said. "He couldn't win Concubine Yunxia's heart. Later, he even forced Concubine Yunxia to try to kill me, and what's more..."

The Heavenly Secret Pavilion Master waved his hand to stop him. "Say no more. I don't want to hear the details." He took a deep breath, and a bright glint slowly appeared in his eyes. "Originally, I was worried that after the Heavenly Secret Pavilion relocated, the Sky Demon Emperor would set his sights on human territory. But now, this is an opportunity to solve a major problem once and for all. If one of them can break through to the Demon Emperor realm, then given the Sky Demon Emperor's actions over the years, I fear the entire demon race will defect to the new Demon Emperor, and he will lose his rule."

At this point, whether he would go or not was self-evident. This was a tremendous opportunity; even if Jiang Fan hadn't asked, he would have gone.

"When is it?"

Jiang Fan counted on his fingers. "The tribulation is in two days," he said. "That's also the day the Demon Emperor is forcing a demon girl to marry him."

The Heavenly Secret Pavilion Master rubbed his hands together and chuckled, "Heh, the Demon Emperor initiated a war previously, causing heavy casualties to our human race. Courtesy demands a return! On his wedding day, how could I not present a gift? Prepare yourself well. In two days, we'll pay a visit to the Demon Emperor's court!"

Jiang Fan's heart was greatly reassured! Facing the Demon Emperor alone would be difficult for him; he might not be able to protect the two women, and he himself could be in grave danger. Now, with the Heavenly Secret Pavilion Master's assistance, his confidence surged!

However, he also needed to quickly strengthen himself. A fierce battle was inevitable.

After bidding farewell to the Pavilion Master, Jiang Fan planned to find a secluded spot to cultivate for a day. After his journey into the underground world, his ninth-layer Core Formation cultivation had stabilized. Next, he could attempt to reach the perfect stage of ninth-layer Core Formation. He had already prepared all the necessary resources: the thousand-year clam meat. He had always been reluctant to use it, feeling it would be a waste to do so during the early stages of Core Formation. The transition between ninth-layer Core Formation and its perfect stage was the most difficult to achieve. Otherwise, the Nine Sects and Heavenly Secret Pavilion wouldn't have so many ninth-layer Core Formation cultivators, yet only a handful at the perfect stage. The clam meat was perfectly suited for this moment!

However, just as he was about to head to the cultivation hall, he spotted Wu Manyue squatting in the plaza, selling items. Many other disciples were doing the same. The Heavenly Secret Pavilion was about to disband, and many disciples were looking for new paths. It was only natural for them to sell off their possessions and exchange them for what they needed.

Jiang Fan walked up to Wu Manyue and saw that her stall even had dust scraped from walls. How thoroughly had this woman plundered that secret space? She even scraped off wall dust.

"Others are selling valuable items; are you selling junk here?" Jiang Fan said testily.

Wu Manyue looked up, recognized Jiang Fan, and with deep resentment, said sarcastically, "Yes, I am! What choice do I have? After going on a mission with a certain someone, all my treasures were used up, and the other person took all the merit points. If I don't sell some junk, I'll starve."

Jiang Fan gave an awkward smile. Everyone had suffered heavy losses last time. However, Jiang Fan had ten thousand merit points as compensation, which helped him recover his losses.

"Ahem, why don't you sell some actual treasures? I'll make a purchase. There are still three Dragon Heart Blood Lotus seeds left, I'll just give them to you."

Wu Manyue's eyes lit up, and she immediately became friendly. "Oh, my Junior Brother Jiang truly cares for me!" She immediately pulled out some worthless items and placed them before Jiang Fan. "These are all top-grade treasures. Go on, pick one."

A vein throbbed on Jiang Fan's forehead. Was she trying to rip off a friend? He casually scanned the items; they were all junk, including a worm-eaten, tattered painting. How could she have the nerve to display something like this?

Unexpectedly, the Ghost Crystal in his robe trembled, its voice shaking slightly. "This woman is truly bold! She dared to take this painting? The painting depicts the ruthless ancient saint who, in those days, suppressed and killed the creatures that invaded the Middle-earth Underworld."