Feihong immediately burrowed into the abdomen of the Five Hidden Sword Elder, exposing dozens of hearts that frantically absorbed nutrients from him.
The Five Hidden Sword Elder did not show anger but instead bowed and said, "Fellow cultivators, grant me some face. The Four Seas Commerce has some connections with my Five Hidden Sword."
Tang Wu was baffled, but Li Mo already guessed the situation.
The Five Hidden Sword protecting the Four Seas Commerce likely wasn’t for Corpse Wine; after all, they already detected covert observers upon arriving at Five Temples Town.
Mobilizing forces to this extent is eighty percent related to the True Word Secret Realm.
"Since Mr. Heart Chamber has spoken, we naturally will not interfere."
Bing You Taoist’s expression remained unchanged, and under the residual pressure of Xinfang Hermit, cultivators gradually ceased paying attention to Four Seas Commerce.
Elder He Guo, his face turned purplish-blue, returned to his shop.
Luo Kai glanced at Li Mo several times. For reasons unknown, a growing sense of familiarity and an ominous, shadowy danger emerged in his mind.
Xinfang Hermit’s flesh and blood rapidly decayed; as his figure dwindled to skin and bones, Feihong detached from his body.
Instead of questioning Tang Wu, he directly addressed Li Mo, "May I know your name?"
Xinfang Hermit discerned that although Tang Wu led the merchant team, when it came to decision-making, he instinctively deferred to Li Mo.
He licked his dry lips; the elderly figure before him surely wasn’t in the Weak Crown period—they were at least in the Core Formation Stage.
"Fellow Daoist Qing Shan, have you come to Five Temples Town for the True Word Secret Realm?"
Li Mo didn’t answer directly, "How could one acquire a shop in the city center? The Four Seas Commerce plans to sell Corpse Wine."
"No restrictions in Five Temples Town, so fellow Daoist Qing Shan must tread carefully."
With a sinister grin masking sincere intentions, Xinfang Hermit’s exposed abdomen revealed a trace of Molten Rock Spiritual Power, echoing with the hovering Feihong above.
Li Mo realized that Xinfang Hermit intended for the Four Seas Commerce to submit to the Five Hidden Sword.
He grew increasingly intrigued—what predicament had the Five Hidden Sword encountered in the True Word Secret Realm to scheme against the Four Seas Commerce?
Even coercive tactics proved unreliable, forcing an esteemed elder of the Five Hidden Sword to lower himself to a mere insignificant merchant guild.
How truly fascinating.
"No need to trouble yourself, Xinfang Hermit. That shop will suffice."
Li Mo surveyed the surroundings and strode directly toward a corner shop.
The shop specialized in selling Protective Talismans and belonged to the moderate-sized Qianlin Sect. Holding a prime location in the city center was solely due to market demand.
Qi Yun’s expression grew grim.
The Qianlin Sect’s Nascent Soul cultivators were still inside the True Word Secret Realm and hadn’t left with the majority, leaving only him—a Perfect Core Formation cultivator—on guard.
He regretted siding with Elder He Guo against the Four Seas Commerce earlier.
Clutching a Green Gold Talisman Treasure forged from fragments of a Magic Treasure, Qi Yun prepared to strike preemptively, intent on severely injuring Li Mo before he could react.
As Li Mo approached the talisman shop, he said, "Could fellow Daoist kindly step aside?"
Xinfang Hermit’s Spiritual Power crackled audibly, his mind calculating how best to manipulate Four Seas Commerce.
To Qi Yun, however, Xinfang Hermit’s actions were warnings directed at him.
"Forget it. Why should I, a Core Formation cultivator, provoke the Five Hidden Sword?"
Yet Qi Yun heard Xinfang Hermit’s transmitted thought urging him to show no restraint and severely harm the Four Seas Commerce cultivators.
He crushed the talisman treasure, unleashing a surge of pure energy directly targeting Li Mo’s Middle Dantian.
Qi Yun’s pupils contracted; suddenly, the ground beneath his feet felt swampy as though his shadow had been bitten and held by the legs by a pig dragon lurking in the marsh.
Qi Yun’s shadow engulfed him completely, leaving his talisman treasure fractured and discarded on the ground.
"Many thanks to Xinfang Hermit for your assistance. We owe you a debt of gratitude."
Li Mo led the group into the shop.
His methods ruthlessly decisive—a power that couldn’t possibly belong to someone in the Weak Crown period. Was he Core Formation? Nascent Soul? Who could he truly be?
Xinfang Hermit watched Li Mo depart, grinding out words through clenched teeth.
"No wonder Sword Heart gave an omen—a truly exceptional sword-grinding stone."