Chapter 218: This Little Bit of Spirit Stones Might Not Be Enough

Two Golden Core cultivators traversed Luofeng Commandery City. They clearly knew the routes by heart, expertly bypassing the patrol paths assigned to cultivators at night.

At this moment, Su Yiren woke Li Haoran. After his fiancée briefly explained the situation's complete story, his expression turned peculiar.

"So Brother Meng's flaunting of wealth has finally attracted attention?"

"What do you mean, 'flaunting wealth'? Can't I talk about my money?" Meng Jingzhou glared. When he was Young Master Meng in the Imperial City, who dared to covet his possessions?

Su Yiren led the three of them, secretly following the two Golden Core cultivators. As they traversed the rooftops, Lu Yang's peripheral vision caught sight of other figures moving across the rooftops in the distance, just like them.

"Is Luofeng Commandery's night usually this bustling?"

Lu Yang initially wanted to pursue them to investigate, but then he saw the two Golden Core cultivators climb over the wall into a high-walled residence, so he had to prioritize the current situation.

"I recall this being... the Commandery Governor's Manor?" Li Haoran hesitated, wondering if he had misremembered.

A Phoenix Bloodstone valued at 500,000 spirit stones was certainly precious, but not so precious as to entice a Commandery Governor.

Unless there was more to the Phoenix Bloodstone Brother Meng purchased.

The high-walled residence was enveloped by a formation; a rash entry without knowing the correct method would lead to detection by those inside.

Su Yiren bypassed the formation, successfully guiding the three of them into the residence.

"Master, we've returned," the two Golden Core cultivators respectfully stated to the middle-aged man standing with his hands clasped behind his back.

Li Haoran had never met the Commandery Governor, so he wasn't sure if this middle-aged man was the Governor himself or a high-ranking steward.

The middle-aged man calmly grunted in acknowledgment, "Did you retrieve that item?"

The two looked somewhat sheepish: "We encountered an unforeseen complication. Fearing we would cause too much of a commotion, we didn't proceed with stealing the item."

"A complication?"

"Yes, at Li Haoran's residence, we ran into others who were also attempting to steal the item. Although they didn't disclose their identities, I suspect they were sent by the Mo family."

"What happened? Explain in detail."

The two recounted the scene in full detail, but to their surprise, the Master flew into a rage: "Hmph, you've been tricked! Those you encountered weren't from the Mo family at all, but disciples of the Wen Dao Sect!"

"If my suspicions are correct, they are currently eavesdropping from the rooftops!"

"Since I've mentioned it, come out. Let's discuss this openly and honestly."

Li Haoran's heart skipped a beat, and he was about to reveal himself when Lu Yang held him back.

Lu Yang shook his head, remaining silent.

The Master waited for a long time, but no one appeared. "It seems the people you encountered were indeed from the Mo family. As expected, they also know about the item's existence."

He had only bluffed moments ago.

Yesterday, his subordinates reported that three Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Wen Dao Sect had arrived in Luofeng Commandery, one of whom was a local. However, he hadn't given the matter much thought.

To his surprise, this afternoon, his subordinate reported that one of the Wen Dao Sect disciples had purchased an extremely rare Phoenix Bloodstone and was now searching for similar ones in other shops.

When he heard his subordinate describe the Phoenix Bloodstone's appearance, his heart skipped a beat, and he suspected it was the problematic stone.

This couldn't fall into the Wen Dao Sect's hands; it would be disastrous if they uncovered any clues.

He dispatched two subordinates to steal the Phoenix Bloodstone, where they encountered the Mo family.

The Mo family was the most prominent family in Luofeng Commandery, constantly at odds with him, the Commandery Governor, and always looking for leverage against him.

"Tsk, I wonder how that item leaked out. Have you questioned the shop owner who sold it?"

"The owner is gone. According to the assistants, he made a fortune and left for a trip with his wife and children; he won't be back anytime soon. Only a few assistants are left minding the shop."

"How enviable."

"Oh, Master, what did you just say?"

"Nothing."

The Commandery Governor thought to himself that once this task was completed, he would also take his wife and children to travel elsewhere.

"What's the situation at the mine? When will the work be completed? We can't keep using the excuse of a mine collapse to prevent miners from entering."

The mine collapse excuse could only buy them time. After all, in the cultivation world, a few high-level cultivators could easily open a new mine shaft.

For instance, the Commandery Governor himself could open a new shaft in half a day if he acted. However, he was currently claiming to have experienced a cultivation mishap and would be unable to intervene for half a month.

"They said they still need three days."

"Tell them to speed up, but they must maintain absolute secrecy. No outsiders can know about this; it concerns not only us but also the interests of the Phoenix Clan!"

"Understood!"

Lu Yang and the other three were stunned. From the Commandery Governor's words, it seemed he was also colluding with the Phoenix Clan?

With the advent of the Grand Era, the overt and covert struggles between the Central Continent and various factions were intensifying, including the conflict between the Central Continent and the Demon Race.

Within the Demon Race, some desired war with the Great Xia Dynasty, while others sought to de-escalate tensions and collectively confront the Grand Era's crisis. Consequently, the Demon Race was divided into pro-war and pro-peace factions.

"We just don't know which faction the Dragon and Phoenix Clans belong to."

Lu Yang had heard that the Demon Race had dispatched numerous spies to infiltrate the Central Continent, with intentions of causing covert unrest.

"And, do you know how to handle them once they complete this task?"

At this point, the Commandery Governor displayed a reluctant expression, as if he found the task difficult but was compelled to act.

The two Golden Core cultivators froze, and then murderous intent flashed in their eyes.

"Are you saying... these days will be considered overtime for them, and they should be paid triple their wages?"

"Precisely."

The Commandery Governor turned to see the looks in the two Golden Core cultivators' eyes and was momentarily taken aback.

"Why are you looking at me that way?"

The two Golden Core cultivators spoke with a hint of resentment: "Master, you never mentioned giving us extra pay for night shifts, like the one we're on tonight."

Even if Golden Core cultivators don't require sleep, you can't use us all day and then expect us to work again all night, can you?

Our wives are still waiting in bed.

Why do others get extra pay for overtime, while we work for nothing?

"...You'll get extra pay as well."

"Master, what about the Phoenix Bloodstone?"

"Hmph, if we can't do it subtly, we'll do it openly. Tomorrow, you will pose as merchants, declare that Phoenix Bloodstone to be extremely rare, and purchase it for a hefty sum!"

"How hefty?"

"A million spirit stones!" The Commandery Governor couldn't believe that a Foundation Establishment disciple from the Wen Dao Sect wouldn't be tempted by a deal that offered a net profit of 500,000 spirit stones.

The two Golden Core cultivators exchanged hesitant glances.

"What's wrong? Speak your mind."

"Master, that Wen Dao Sect disciple might not be in need of such a small amount of spirit stones."

"Then 1.5 million spirit stones!" The Commandery Governor grew determined. He refused to believe that two million spirit stones wouldn't be enough for them to relinquish it.

"It still might not be enough."

"Two million!"

"Still not enough."

The Commandery Governor was furious: "Then tell me, how many spirit stones will it take for them to let go! I refuse to believe that someone merely at the Foundation Establishment stage, who can't possibly have many spirit stones, wouldn't be tempted by two million!"

"We heard the other party is the eldest son of the Meng family."

The terms "Meng family" and "eldest son" combined signified immense power and wealth that no one dared to challenge.

Upon hearing this, the Commandery Governor's anger intensified, showing no fear of Meng Jingzhou's identity. "So what if he's the Meng family's eldest son? At worst, I'll personally go steal it tomorrow night!"