The trades between cultivators lasted the entire afternoon.
After the Celestial South Exchange Conference ended, in a room at the inn in the market, three figures gathered quietly.
Among them was Ma Xianming, who had previously traded with Lu Yuanshan.
The other two were also cultivators who attended the exchange conference, one named Du Yanbei, a cultivator from a sect family.
It’s worth mentioning that Du Yanbei was a son-in-law of a sect family, thus retaining his original surname.
The third person was a sect cultivator named Woolong, who had managed to acquire the Black Cloud Banner coveted by Lu Yuanshan.
"Is everything arranged?"
Woolong stared intently at Ma Xianming, a cunning glint in his eyes.
Ma Xianming nodded affirmatively, "No problem, the fish has already taken the bait."
As he spoke, Ma Xianming took out a black stone from his storage bag to show Du Yanbei and Woolong.
"This is the mother stone from the Child-Mother Sensing Stone; the child stone has been secretly refined and integrated into that Blazing Heaven Sword."
"As long as they can’t discover the child stone, using the Child-Mother Sensing Stone’s thousand-mile tracking effect, we can easily locate the Lu Brothers and Sisters if they’re still within a thousand miles."
"Hmm, this time, let’s be more cautious. There’s a chance they might have some hidden techniques up their sleeves."
Woolong nodded in satisfaction upon hearing Ma Xianming’s success, his expression very solemn.
"Hehe, there’s no need to be so tense."
On the side, Ma Xianming laughed, indifferent to Woolong’s warning.
"During the exchange, I carefully noted Lu Yuanshan’s cultivation, which is at most Fourth-Layer Foundation Establishment. His sister, Lu Zhiwei, is merely Third-Layer Foundation Establishment."
"As for Lu Changfeng, he hasn’t even reached the Foundation Establishment Stage. They’re obviously here to exchange for a Foundation Establishment Pill to help Lu Changfeng."
"Just two cultivators at the Third and Fourth-Layer Foundation Establishment, combined with the strength of three of us, even a Fifth-Layer Foundation Establishment cultivator wouldn’t pose much of a lethal threat." Updates are released by novel★fire.net
Woolong pondered for a while upon hearing this, hesitatingly saying, "Judging by their cultivation aura, they’re indeed not fearsome, but considering their Golden Core Ancestor parentage, might they possess formidable magical treasures?"
"What formidable treasures could they have?"
Ma Xianming snorted coldly, "If they had truly exceptional magical treasures, why would they covet my Blazing Heaven Sword? Clearly, they’re short of high-tier magical treasures, hence why they traded Thousand-Year Spiritual Milk."
Woolong agreed, "Seems I’ve overthought."
"What about the Dubhe Institute? If we act and eliminate three high-tier members of the Cyan Mountain Sect, won’t we violate the sect system?"
"No need to worry about that. As long as we clean up our traces well, there’s nothing to fear afterwards, just sit back and relax."
"Besides, the Dubhe Institute is only responsible for protecting the Cyan Mountain Sect’s lineage, preventing extinction or annexation."
"We’re merely eliminating three sect cultivators; we’re not overthrowing the Cyan Mountain Sect."
"Heh, Lu Changfeng is not a threat, easily killable. As for the Foundation Establishment Pill and Jade Marrow Golden Branch Lu Yuanshan holds, they’ll only be left as mere adornments for us."
"Brother Ma, Brother Du, as per our previous discussion, the Foundation Establishment Pill belonging to Lu Changfeng is mine. In my sect, I have a younger brother who urgently needs a Foundation Establishment Pill to establish his foundation, so I must acquire that pill."
"As for the Jade Marrow Golden Branch and other treasures, we can distribute them later."
Ma Xianming and Woolong spoke confidently about their plan to eliminate the three Lu siblings.
Only Du Yanbei, appearing pensive and silent on the side.
Woolong’s concerns mirrored his own thoughts.
Although Lu Yuanshan and his siblings seemed unremarkable in cultivation, still within the Foundation Establishment Stage, they were descendants of a Golden Core Ancestor, still blood relatives.
The Cyan Mountain Sect might not be wealthy or powerful now, with the sect leader only having Foundation Establishment cultivation, but they once had a Golden Core Ancestor.
Today they offered such treasures like Thousand-Year Spiritual Milk, who knows if they have more potent magical artifacts?
For instance, if they unleash Tier Three or Tier Four Talismans, even Crystallization Cultivators would retreat.
Foundation Establishment Cultivators can hardly withstand such power, risking death.
If it’s merely for a Foundation Establishment Pill or a Jade Marrow Golden Branch, such risks aren’t necessary.
As someone who became famous as a loose cultivator, joining a sect family and receiving its protection and successfully establishing a foundation, receiving recognition, this was already fortunate enough.
He shouldn’t betray the family’s nurturing by risking interception and murder.
Realizing this, Du Yanbei felt like withdrawing.
Ma Xianming, as a loose cultivator, inherently acts independently and selfishly; offending the Cyan Mountain Sect can still mean fleeing the Chu Kingdom to mingle elsewhere.
Woolong hails from a Crystal Sect ’Fire Cloud Valley,’ backed by a sect stronger than the sect family.
Thus, Du Yanbei no longer hesitated, speaking up immediately.
"Gentlemen, I regret to inform you that I won’t participate in this operation."
Upon hearing Du Yanbei’s withdrawal, Woolong’s expression changed, showing displeasure.
"Du Yanbei, you previously agreed wholeheartedly; why change your mind now? Are you genuinely fearing the Lu Brothers and Sisters?"
"Indeed, why suddenly back out?"
Ma Xianming found it unexpected too.
"Let this matter rest."
Du Yanbei had no desire to elaborate on his reasons for withdrawal, rising to leave.
"I’ve made my decision, forgive me for not joining."
"Hmph, are you sensing something amiss now as you withdraw?"
Woolong’s expression turned grim, "If there’s anything to fear, speak up, don’t keep hiding."
In response, Ma Xianming secretly heightened his vigilance.
Du Yanbei shook his head, "My concerns, you’ve already discussed earlier, saying more is futile."
With that, he headed for the door.
Witnessing Du Yanbei’s firm exit and withdrawal from the action, Woolong wore a dark expression but didn’t stop him.
"Brother Du, you’ve just reached Foundation Establishment Stage, far from Lu Yuanshan and Lu Zhiwei’s match. My reason for inviting you was merely to handle Lu Changfeng."
"Since you’re unwilling, why should I force you?"
"Without you, Brother Zong and I can still deal with the Lu Brothers and Sisters. In the end, you’ll have one less person to vie for the spoils."
Speaking bluntly, Woolong made no effort to persuade further.
Ma Xianming, eyes gleaming, watching Du Yanbei’s retreating figure, suddenly rose and blocked Du Yanbei.
"Brother Du, wait a moment."
"Haven’t I made myself clear?"
Blocked from leaving, Du Yanbei furrowed his brow.