Translator: Cinder Translations
Song Wen first devoured the souls and blood essence of the three cultivators, then proceeded to search their storage rings and caves. Only after this did he head deeper into the rift valley.
The rift valley stretched over ten miles, with its deepest point a raging torrent.
Song Wen settled a few dozen feet above the torrent, setting up a temporary cave.
After setting up defensive and concealment formations, he released two Shadow Gu insects to guard the surroundings while he entered seclusion for cultivation.
Opening a soul bottle, Song Wen inhaled deeply, allowing the souls within to be devoured by the black hole in his sea of consciousness. Through the refinement of the Forbidden Divine Art, these souls became nourishment, enhancing his spiritual power.
Eight months later, Song Wen’s spiritual awareness surged drastically, advancing to the mid-stage Nascent Soul.
Four months later, Song Wen finished his cultivation and left the cave.
He recalled the two Shadow Gu insects, then flew out of the rift valley toward Anzhou City.
Upon arriving in Anzhou, he took out Hao Kong’s communication jade slip.
[Senior Hao Kong, has the high-grade Thunderclap artifact been refined yet?]
After a moment, Song Wen received a reply from Hao Kong.
[It was refined a month ago. I contacted you several times, but you never replied. I thought the Nascent Soul cultivator behind you had decided not to take the artifact.]
[Senior Hao Kong jokes. That senior has invested a great deal of effort and cost into obtaining this artifact, so they would never give up so easily. I wonder when it would be convenient for Senior to complete the transaction?] Song Wen responded.
[Don’t forget, one of my conditions for this trade is that the Nascent Soul cultivator must come in person.] Hao Kong replied.
[Rest assured, that senior has already passed through Anzhou City and can meet with Senior Hao Kong at any time for the exchange.] Song Wen said.
[Very well. One hour from now, we’ll meet at the Pingxi Waterfall.] Hao Kong replied.
[Senior Cui Huo will arrive on time.]
Song Wen put away the communication jade slip, then flew towards the Pingxi Waterfall.
He hid the two Shadow Gu insects on the cliffs on either side of the waterfall and then turned to leave.
The sun was already setting.
Hao Kong appeared above the waterfall.
After a moment, he saw a middle-aged male cultivator in the early stage of Nascent Soul flying toward him.
Hao Kong furrowed his brow, noticing that the newcomer’s appearance and aura were unfamiliar to him.
While it was not unusual for cultivators to alter their appearance, changing their aura was a different thing altogether.
Song Wen tossed the beast bone in his hand toward Hao Kong.
Hao Kong waved his hand, sending the short spear floating toward Song Wen.
After each had retrieved their respective treasures, both appeared satisfied and nodded slightly to one another.
"Daoist Cui Huo, there is something I would like your assistance with," Hao Kong said.
Song Wen responded calmly, "Please, tell me what it is."
"I wonder, are you skilled in crafting talismans?" Hao Kong asked.
Without hesitation, Song Wen replied, "I have some experience."
Hearing this, Hao Kong’s face lit up with delight.
"I would like to commission you to craft a batch of third-tier talismans..."
"Third-tier talismans?" Song Wen looked puzzled. "Isn’t Nine Palaces Sect full of capable cultivators? How could no one there craft third-tier talismans?"
Hao Kong chuckled. "Forgive me for not being clearer. I am specifically looking for third-tier lightning talismans. While our sect has many Golden Core cultivators, none of them can craft such talismans."
Song Wen said, "I can indeed craft third-tier lightning talismans. However, they are extremely unstable and very difficult to produce. The price, therefore..."
Hao Kong quickly interjected, "Daoist Cui, rest assured. The price will be fair. I’m willing to offer one high-grade spirit stone per talisman. What do you think?"
Song Wen pondered for a moment. "The price is acceptable. Alright, I’ll take on this commission. How many talismans do you need, and when is the deadline?"
"The more, the better. But at least thirty, to be delivered in seven months," Hao Kong replied.
Hearing this, Song Wen was momentarily stunned.
He didn’t know how to craft third-tier lightning talismans!
He couldn’t even manage second-tier ones.
The few talismans he could craft were basic first-tier ones, a skill he had picked up from Ai Kun during his time as a rogue cultivator in East Huafang Market.
Song Wen had readily agreed to Hao Kong’s request because he happened to have a few third-tier lightning talismans in his possession—spoils from killing seven Golden Core cultivators from the Lei family.
His plan had been to use those talismans to satisfy Hao Kong.
Who could have expected Hao Kong to demand thirty of them?
Where would he find so many lightning talismans?
While cursing inwardly, Song Wen maintained a composed demeanor and replied with a calm expression, "Very well, no problem. However, I have one condition."
"Please, Daoist Cui, go ahead," Hao Kong said.
"This condition is not my own," Song Wen explained. "It is a request from another person."
"Another person? That Golden Core cultivator who works for you?" Hao Kong asked, his expression curious as he glanced at Song Wen.
"It seems Daoist Cui values this subordinate highly, enough to make a special request for him," Hao Kong added.
Song Wen replied, "He does his work efficiently and is of some use to me. Besides, his request is not difficult to fulfill."
"Daoist Cui, feel free to state it," Hao Kong said.
Song Wen explained, "He asks that Senior Hao Kong deliver a message to Yan Yiwen of your sect. The message is: ’The outer disciple who counted the Rainbow Herb back then has returned.’"
Hao Kong frowned, his expression puzzled.
The message was cryptic and made no sense to him.
"Does your subordinate have some connection to Elder Yan of my sect?" Hao Kong asked.
Hao Kong was well aware of Yan Yiwen’s circumstances. She was involved in highly sensitive matters crucial to Nine Palaces Sect’s plans. No mistakes could be allowed.
Song Wen shook his head. "I wouldn’t know. I’m merely passing on the message."
With that, Song Wen clasped his hands in farewell. "Daoist Hao Kong, I take my leave."
As Hao Kong watched Song Wen’s figure disappear into the distance, his brows furrowed deeply, and he stood in place for a long time, lost in thought.
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