Chapter 219: Traveling Together

The Prefect was reluctant to blow things out of proportion, preferring to settle any issue with spirit stones if possible. As the Prefect of Luofeng Commandery, whose primary economic industry was mining, he possessed an immense quantity of spirit stones. He simply didn't believe that a mere Foundation Establishment stage cultivator from the Wendao Sect could rival his wealth. Now he knew he had overestimated himself; he was in no position to compare wealth with the eldest son of the Meng family. It would be more economical and practical to just steal it himself.

"Do you think if I offer ten million spirit stones, the eldest son of the Meng family would be tempted?"

The two Golden Core cultivators hesitated, then shook their heads. "No."

"Fine, then this item I'm after is worth ten million spirit stones," the Prefect said, trying to inflate its value.

On the rooftop, Lu Yang turned to Meng Jingzhou. "Would you sell it for ten million spirit stones?"

Meng Jingzhou rolled his eyes. "I'd sell it for 500,000 spirit stones. Why the hell would I hold onto something that's just for virility?"

"To train your willpower?"

"Get lost."

Meanwhile, at the Mo family's residence.

"Patriarch, the ore shop downstairs reported that earlier today, a group of people came in with a very unique Phoenix Blood Stone, asking if we had any similar ones."

"From the description, it's very much like the Phoenix Blood Stone we've been searching for."

"Oh? Is that so?" The Mo family Patriarch's eyes lit up. He hadn't expected to finally find the Phoenix Blood Stone they had been seeking. As the saying goes, merchants do not contend with officials. Though the Mo family was wealthy and powerful, they still fell short when facing the Prefect. If they could acquire this Phoenix Blood Stone, it would be powerful leverage against the Prefect, and they would no longer fear him in the future.

"Your subordinate plans to act tonight and steal that Phoenix Blood Stone."

"Tonight? I ask you, who bought the Phoenix Blood Stone? What is their identity? What is their cultivation level? What will you do if the other party is a Soul Transformation cultivator?"

The subordinate stammered, unable to answer. He realized he had been too hasty, eager to impress the Patriarch.

The Mo family Patriarch snorted coldly. "This matter cannot be taken lightly. Tomorrow, during the day, you will find out who obtained the Phoenix Blood Stone. If nothing unexpected happens, I will personally steal it tomorrow night!"

"You'll act personally?" the subordinate exclaimed, astonished that such a matter warranted the Patriarch's direct involvement.

"Of course. This is evidence that can be used against the Prefect; it's worth my personal intervention," the Mo family Patriarch said, a hint of excited smile on his face. It was time to turn the tide in their struggle with the Prefect.

"What exactly is so special about this stone?" Meng Jingzhou wondered aloud after they returned to Li Haoran's home. He took out the Phoenix Blood Stone and examined it carefully, but couldn't discern anything unusual.

"Senior Su, can you tell what's wrong with it?"

Su Yiren shook her head. "I don't know much about Phoenix Blood Stones. Perhaps a cultivator specializing in artifact refining would be able to discern its peculiarities."

Everyone's gaze turned to Li Haoran.

Li Haoran's mouth twitched. "I think you're vastly overestimating me. My master might be able to help, but I can't."

"Immortal Fairy, can you see what's wrong?" Lu Yang asked the Immortal Fairy for help.

The Immortal Fairy frowned. "There's a bloody smell, and it's very fresh. I don't like it."

"A bloody smell? Very fresh?" Lu Yang had an unsettling premonition. Could it be that this Phoenix Blood Stone was a clue left behind by some deceased person?

"By the way, Immortal Fairy, did a phoenix truly pass away here in Luofeng Commandery?"

The Immortal Fairy nodded. "Yes, there is one, but it's not half-encircling the area as Li Haoran said. It's beneath our feet." The Immortal Fairy pointed downwards. "Beneath the entire Luofeng Commandery, there's the corpse of an Integration stage phoenix."

"What should we do?" Li Haoran asked, surprised that his visit home had attracted the Prefect's personal attention and intervention.

"Should we just capture him directly?" Su Yiren asked. As the one with the highest cultivation among them, she had priority in speaking, and her idea was straightforward: simply apprehend the problematic individual.

Lu Yang thought for a moment and then said, "It's not ideal to act directly without evidence. We are representing the Wendao Sect while we're out, and we can't abuse the sect's authority. Let's play a waiting game. Tomorrow night, when the Prefect comes to steal, we'll first record it with a recording orb. Then, Senior Su, if you would be so kind as to act, we can catch him red-handed with the evidence!"

"By then, whether he admits it or not, he'll have to admit it!"

"Alright." Su Yiren agreed.

Lu Yang instructed everyone, "Also, it's best if only the few of us know about this. Junior Brother Li, you wouldn't want your parents to interfere, would you?"

Li Haoran nodded, a hint of helplessness in his tone as he recalled something. "Knowing my parents, it's definitely best not to let them know about this."

"I'll keep it a secret from Yan Yan too," Su Yiren said.

Li Haoran sighed with emotion. "Luckily Senior Su is here, otherwise, we really wouldn't know what to do tomorrow night."

Meng Jingzhou chuckled. "What's there to be afraid of? Don't we have Lu Yang? He challenged and defeated a Soul Transformation stage cultivator with only his Foundation Establishment mid-stage strength. With him around, why fear the Prefect?"

Su Yiren was about to correct Li Haoran's form of address, but she was utterly stunned by the information Meng Jingzhou had just revealed. A Foundation Establishment mid-stage cultivator defeating a Soul Transformation stage cultivator—what kind of unprecedented genius was this? Was she presumptuous for teaching him Core Formation experience?

"Get lost!" Lu Yang snapped, glaring at Meng Jingzhou, knowing he was retaliating for Lu Yang mocking him earlier. Curious, Su Yiren pressed for details about the cross-level battle. However, the process was too embarrassing for Lu Yang, who adamantly refused to disclose anything to her, warning Meng Jingzhou and Li Haoran with a look that neither of them was to speak.

By day, everyone behaved as if nothing out of the ordinary had occurred the previous night; they ate, drank, and amused themselves as usual. Lu Yang found an opportunity to inquire whether any cultivators had recently gone missing or died, and the answer was none.

The sun's light faded, dusk descended, and the night grew thicker. A figure, blending seamlessly with the encroaching darkness, stealthily entered Li Haoran's home. The Prefect was fully prepared, dressed in night clothes and a mask. His attire was designed to conceal his aura and presence, his voice was altered, and his spiritual power fluctuations were changed, ensuring even his own wife wouldn't recognize him.

"There shouldn't be any flaws, right?" The Prefect was nervous, as this was his first time attempting such a thing, but the thought that his actions were worth ten million spirit stones quickly calmed his nerves. He released his divine sense and located the Phoenix Blood Stone placed on Meng Jingzhou's bedside table. Meng Jingzhou was sound asleep, completely oblivious. Meng Jingzhou felt quite helpless. He had originally wanted to watch the show, but it wouldn't be logical for him not to be sleeping there, so he had to feign sleep and listen to Lu Yang's live commentary instead.

"Found it!"

Just as the Prefect was about to proceed further, he saw another figure climb over the wall and enter. It was none other than the Mo family Patriarch. The Mo family Patriarch's attire was identical to the Prefect's; he had concealed himself so thoroughly that no one could recognize him. Both men were stunned simultaneously. They hadn't expected to encounter a fellow 'professional' here. Was this place truly so sought after? *No, wait*, each thought, *I am the Prefect/Patriarch, merely acting as a thief this one time.*