Ying’Er stared at the large bag of Profound Jade, her eyes flashing brightly. She hurriedly stood up and saluted, saying: "Senior, please wait a moment. If the Heaven-Damaging Pill truly exists, this junior will definitely help you find out!"
Immediately, she bowed and left.
Song Yan waited patiently.
After a long time, Ying’Er returned with a strange expression, stating: "Senior, I’ve asked all my colleagues in the pavilion, and even consulted the shopkeeper, but no one knows. However, two years ago, a cultivator came rushing in and sold a peculiar item related to the Heaven-Damaging Pill."
Hong Wucheng said impatiently: "Just get to the point! Does my grandfather have the patience to listen to your rambling?"
Ying’Er quickly said: "The cultivator showed a list of elixirs, saying that if someone could take her away from here, she could help that person acquire any elixir from the list.
Our Fubao Studio also deals in information, so we recorded this information, but... the elixir names on that list were really strange. Over time, some cultivators have seen it, but no transaction has ever been made."
Hong Wucheng asked: "That elixir list has the Heaven-Damaging Pill, right?!"
Ying’Er replied: "Yes."
Song Yan calmly said: "Bring that cultivator to talk."
Ying’Er cautiously said: "Senior, that cultivator only left a Communication Stone and nothing else."
Song Yan said: "Contact them."
He felt a bit nervous in his heart, because for the cultivator to conduct such a transaction, they were obviously in trouble; he just didn’t know if they could last for two years.
Ying’Er respectfully responded and added, "Senior, please wait. I’ll get the key and bring the Communication Stone in a moment."
...
Moments later.
The Communication Stone was brought and connected.
The other side did not speak.
Ying’Er started off by saying: "This is Fubao Studio, a major client is inquiring about your situation."
Only then did the other side speak, calmly saying: "I can make a Soul Oath that I am able to help you obtain any elixir on the list. But before meeting me, the senior must also swear a Soul Oath to ensure my safety, take me away from here, and... and not harm me or ambush me afterwards."
Song Yan replied directly: "Alright."
The words fell, and everyone was stunned, including the cultivator on the other side of the Communication Stone.
That cultivator asked: "What is the senior’s realm?"
Song Yan said: "Late Stage of Purple Mansion."
The cultivator said: "The trouble I encountered... might be of the same level as you, senior. It’s best to let the senior know in advance."
Song Yan said: "Understood, you may come."
The cultivator added: "Please, senior, first swear a Soul Oath. I... I hope for the Pavilion Master of Fubao Studio to witness it. The Pavilion Master’s reputation is impeccable. As long as he confirms it, I... I will come right away."
Hong Wucheng sneered: "Junior, you..."
Song Yan raised his hand to interrupt his grandson’s arrogant words.
The cultivator hurriedly added: "Please forgive me, senior, but this junior truly has no choice."
Song Yan looked to Ying’Er.
Ying’Er said: "If you wish to proceed with this transaction, I will report to the Pavilion Master first."
...
Half an hour later.
Top floor of Fubao Studio.
Song Yan pressed the "genuine hand seal" on the Soul Oath Contract while holding the Divine Soul of "Hanye Old Demon" Hong Qingsang, then looked towards the smiling Pavilion Master on the other side.
The Pavilion Master examined for a moment, nodded slightly, and said to the other side of the Communication Stone: "Junior, Mr. Hong has already sworn a Soul Oath. You must not push your luck any further, hurry over."
Hearing the voice, and judging by the tone, the cultivator on the other side sounded joyful, she said happily: "I... I will come now, right away!"
The Pavilion Master’s expression changed slightly, questioning: "Perhaps you know me."
Song Yan thanked the Pavilion Master and said, "I shall wait downstairs then."
By evening...
A heavily cloaked female cultivator wearing a mask appeared in front of Fubao Studio. After hesitating for a long time, she cautiously stepped inside, hunching and glancing around, as if searching for someone.
Song Yan quickly noticed her and led Hong Wucheng to approach her, asking: "Are you the one selling the elixir?"
The female cultivator didn’t speak; she just hastily nodded.
Hong Wucheng was about to make some arrogant remarks but was interrupted by Song Yan.
Song Yan said: "Xiaocheng, go back to the sect and wait for me. I must travel for this."
Hong Wucheng reluctantly said: "Grandfather."
Song Yan said: "Go on."
Only then did Hong Wucheng leave, feeling both fearful and helpless, yet relieved, as he truly didn’t know what the old demon was up to.
Without saying a word, Song Yan took the female cultivator out of Fubao Studio. After moving a little further away, he deployed the Myriad Souls Banner, carried the female cultivator, and turned into a billowing black smoke, flying far away. Half an hour later, he finally initiated a conversation: "Can you speak now?"
The female cultivator no longer restrained herself and immediately said: "Thank you, senior..."
Her voice was unexpectedly different from the one on the Communication Stone earlier.
However, as she spoke more slowly, she finally saw the old man in front of her rapidly transform into a youthful appearance, and that young man’s eyes were truly attractive.
The female cultivator’s cheeks instantly turned red, her heart racing like a fawn running wild in a forest.
"Senior... turns out you are not Hong Qingsang." Her voice also softened.
Song Yan smiled warmly, raising a hand to point, and the aura surrounding the female cultivator began to transform and hide.
His eyes suddenly turned golden, seeing clearly the thoughts clinging to the female cultivator’s Divine Soul, as well as the unknown tracking aura on her body.
The thoughts were harmless, intended only for contact and to verify her death, not to pinpoint her location.
As for the "tracking aura," Song Yan raised his hand. When his hand overlapped with the hand of a white-robed immortal, and with a gentle clap, the tracking aura vanished like smoke.
"There, your little problem has been solved. I don’t need to know who you are, but I must be sure... you can truly help me obtain the Heaven-Damaging Pill?"
"Yes!" The female cultivator removed her mask, revealing a delicate and beautiful face.