Chu Xuan responded with a smile as Liu Zhenxiong warmly introduced, "Junior Brother, this is Zheng Changqing, a distinguished disciple of Senior Zhao Wuya. He is an expert in beast taming, with several Foundation Establishment stage spirit beasts under his care."
Zheng Changqing chuckled modestly, "You flatter me, I merely have an interest in nurturing demonic beasts." He turned to Chu Xuan, "So, you are Chu Xuan? A pleasure to meet you. I've heard from Liu about your accomplishments—advancing to Foundation Establishment in your twenties, truly a prodigy!"
Chu Xuan responded with a humble smile, "Senior Brother overstates it; it's mostly good fortune."
Zheng Changqing smiled, "Our master knows each other well, we should assist each other more."
The trio entered Liu Zhenxiong's cave and settled down. The conversation was mostly between Liu Zhenxiong and Zheng Changqing, with Chu Xuan chipping in intermittently.
After a while, Zheng Changqing mentioned, "My junior brother will be joining us soon."
Liu Zhenxiong's face lit up with excitement, "You mean Lu Yin? I've wanted to meet him for a while but never had the chance. What brings him here this time?"
Zheng Changqing sighed, "Junior Brother Lu... has a rather peculiar and obstinate personality. It took quite some persuasion to convince him to come. Please forgive any unintentional offenses he may commit in conversation."
Liu Zhenxiong and Chu Xuan both nodded understandingly. Eccentricities were common among cultivators, especially those deeply engrossed in their studies, often undergoing personality shifts after prolonged seclusions.
Liu Zhenxiong, accompanied by the other two, went out to greet the newcomer. Chu Xuan observed him: thin, with deep-set eyes and a withered face.
With great enthusiasm, Liu Zhenxiong greeted, "Lu Yin, I am Liu Zhenxiong of Extreme Yin Cave, delighted to meet you."
Lu Yin surveyed him briefly and merely nodded, then turned to Zheng Changqing, "Senior Brother, I'm here, let's go inside."
Zheng Changqing gave an awkward smile, "Okay, let's go."
The four all sat down, Liu Zhenxiong quietly asked, "Fellow Daoist Lu, do you have any second-transformation Gu for sale?"
Lu Yin gave him a sideways glance, "Fellow Daoist Liu, second-transformation Gu require a flesh and blood organ to house. If you don't have such an organ, it's best not to purchase them."
Liu Zhenxiong chuckled, "Even if I don't have the organ yet, there's no harm in asking the price."
Lu Yin stated calmly, "The lowest price is twelve hundred small spiritual stones."
Liu Zhenxiong's smile froze; the price was exorbitant.
Chu Xuan observed Lu Yin more closely. Although his appearance was not familiar, the tone of his voice gave him away. He guessed the man's identity—it was indeed the Spirit Insect Taoist he had met that day in the teahouse at the nameless market. Their demeanor was too similar, both equally discomforting.
Zheng Changqing spoke in a grave tone, "Junior Brother Lu, Fellow Daoist Liu's master is the venerable Wan Wuying, a longstanding acquaintance of our own master. We will surely need to support one another in the future. Could you not lower the price somewhat?"
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Lu Yin, showing a trace of impatience, nevertheless nodded, "Then let it be one thousand spirit stones. I can go no lower."
The negotiations between Liu Zhenxiong and Lu Yin, however, never reached a consensus. Eventually, Lu Yin, tired of the conversation, took his leave prematurely.
Zheng Changqing offered his apologies to Liu Zhenxiong and followed suit. After their departure, Liu Zhenxiong furrowed his brows and sighed deeply.
"Senior Brother, is this Lu Yin truly formidable?" Chu Xuan inquired. Liu Zhenxiong replied somberly, "I've made inquiries. Within the hidden circles of the Heavenly Seal Sect who cultivate Gu, Foundation Establishment stage cultivators are few, and Lu Yin is acknowledged as the most adept among them."
"His cultivated Gu are both powerful and tractable," Liu continued. "Pity we could not reach an agreement."
Liu Zhenxiong sighed lightly, "Our lineage of Extreme Yin Cave has lost much of its heritage in Gu cultivation, with only the 'Blood Worms Tome' remaining. To strengthen ourselves, we are forced to rely on others."
"The art of Gu cultivation is best approached through someone like Lu Yin, but who knew he would be of such a disposition and offer us no discounts," he added.
Chu Xuan listened thoughtfully. Enhancing strength? Could it be that Extreme Yin Cave was also to be drawn into the fray? This was hardly good news.
The ongoing war between the Heavenly Seal Sect and the native Wu Province sects was at a critical juncture. The cultivators committing to the war at this stage, unless they were experts in the later stages of Foundation Establishment, had no assured chance of survival. It was akin to a meat grinder, obliterating every living being caught within it.
As expected, Liu Zhenxiong revealed more details upon further questioning.
"Senior Zhao Wuya, in concert with our master and Senior Huang Yuanwu of the Heavenly Seal Sect, penetrated the secret realm of Purple Miasma Mountain in Wu Province and seized a precious treasure there. The native sects' recent offensive has become fiercely intense, connected to the loss of this treasure. Hence, the main hall of the Heavenly Seal Sect has decreed that our lineage of Extreme Yin Cave must also enter the war."
Liu Zhenxiong gave a bitter smile.
A chill ran through Chu Xuan's heart. Currently at only the fourth level of Foundation Establishment, though he possessed more aces and could outmatch those at the fifth level, facing an expert at the late stages of Foundation Establishment could still lead to a disastrous defeat or even death. Once Extreme Yin Cave committed to the war, his likelihood of dying would significantly increase.
"If it comes to it, I will retreat to the Blue Star," Chu Xuan resolved inwardly. "Once I advance the Blood Evil Demon Refining Scripture to the seventh layer and reach the later stages of Foundation Establishment, returning here will not be too late."
His greatest trump card was his ability to traverse between worlds using the Blood Mirror. If survival here became untenable, the Blue Star would be his refuge.
"Junior Brother, that is the state of affairs," Liu Zhenxiong explained earnestly. "That's why I am exerting every effort to augment my strength. Senior Brother Li and Senior Brother Wu are also tirelessly working on their own enhancements."
Liu Zhenxiong then turned to Chu Xuan, "You too should devote more attention to strengthening yourself."
Chu Xuan nodded in agreement.
Suddenly, Liu Zhenxiong seemed to recall something important and quickly added, "You might try your luck at the nameless market. Recently, a mysterious figure has appeared, selling a considerable quantity of large blood pearls."
Chu Xuan felt an inward amusement. The mysterious person? Was that not himself? However, he maintained his composure and nodded seriously.
"By the way, the master has recently accepted a new disciple from a cultivator family in the northern part of Wu Province, previously under the domain of Imperial Spirit Mountain," Liu Zhenxiong continued. "His family, the Chen family, was implicated in a scandal and eradicated by Imperial Spirit Mountain. He managed to escape and made his way here, taking refuge in our Extreme Yin Cave."
"His name is Chen Zhaofeng, and his talents are commendable, on par with Senior Brother Li." Liu Zhenxiong added, "His dwelling is situated to the southeast of my cave, nestled within a valley. When you have time, you should meet him. We will soon be joining the war, and having an additional ally can only be advantageous."
Chu Xuan nodded, "Thank you for the reminder, Senior Brother." Indeed, it would be prudent to meet other Foundation Establishment stage cultivators of Extreme Yin Cave.
However, since he planned to avoid this meat grinder of war, there seemed little need to engage deeply with Chen Zhaofeng.
After leaving Liu Zhenxiong's abode, Chu Xuan headed towards Chen Zhaofeng's dwelling. Finding no one at home, Chu Xuan left a message indicating his visit and intention to meet, without elaborating further.