"We are looking for one or two helpers to assist us in exploring those ruins together."
"Your cultivation level has reached the mid-stage of the Third-Layer Foundation Establishment now, hasn’t it?"
Bai Yuji’s expression was calm, but her voice carried a hint of expectation.
"I just recently entered the Third-Layer Foundation Establishment."
"Only just stepped in..."
Bai Yuji muttered with some difficulty, "This might be a bit challenging."
"Indeed, it is quite difficult."
At this moment, Yang Zhengyuan, who had been silent, spoke up, "Your strength is also somewhat weak."
There was no derogatory meaning in his tone.
Bai Yuji gave a bitter smile and added, "Hanyan, to be honest, within those ruins, there’s a Sixth-Layer Foundation Establishment demon."
"With Zhengyuan and I joining forces, we still can’t handle it for the time being."
"Even with you, our chances are still not great."
"My cultivation is currently at the Second-Layer Foundation Establishment, and Zhengyuan is at the Fourth-Layer. Our strength isn’t particularly strong."
"The Moonlight Pill we purchased earlier can only help Zhengyuan and me break through a small realm at most. With such strength, we still can’t deal with that demon."
Liu Hanyan nodded slightly.
After a moment of silence, she communicated again.
"Yuji, my strength is insufficient. Even if I wanted to go, according to what you’ve said, even the three of us together probably can’t handle those demons."
Liu Hanyan understood what Bai Yuji intended and straightforwardly suggested, "Why not invite someone more capable instead? It doesn’t have to be just the three of us."
Bai Yuji gently acknowledged, pondering for a while, then naturally glanced in the direction of Lu Yuanshan, asking, "Hanyan, do you know this Lu Yuanshan well?"
Bai Yuji simply started looking among those nearby.
Beside her sat Lin Hanshu, whose aura suggested he was at the Third-Layer Foundation Establishment, similar in strength to Liu Hanyan, so bringing him wouldn’t add much value.
However, the one named Lu Yuanshan possessed considerable strength, with an aura at the Fourth-Layer Foundation Establishment, making him a potential candidate.
"I have only recently met this Lu Yuanshan."
"From what I’ve observed, his strength surpasses ours, reaching the Fourth-Layer Foundation Establishment."
"Yuji, do you mean to invite him to explore the ruins with us?"
"That is the idea, but I’m still not clear about his exact strength, so it’s unwise to rush into action."
"He also acquired two Moonlight Pills, presumably to prepare for reaching the Fifth-Layer Foundation Establishment."
Upon hearing this, Liu Hanyan recalled something and immediately said, "I haven’t seen Lu Yuanshan in action, but I did learn from Lin Hanshu that Lu Yuanshan once, within three moves, beheaded two Third-Layer Foundation Establishment cultivators."
"Within three moves, he was able to kill two Third-Layer Foundation Establishment cultivators!"
Bai Yuji gasped in disbelief.
The strength gap between the Fourth-Layer and the Third-Layer Foundation Establishment shouldn’t be that large.
Typically, a Third-Layer Foundation Establishment cultivator can withstand about a hundred moves against a Fourth-Layer Foundation Establishment cultivator, and wouldn’t be defeated in just one or two moves.
It’s similar to how I would need dozens of moves to deal with Second-Layer Foundation Establishment cultivators; a one-move kill is practically impossible. Nᴇw novel chapters are publɪshed on 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝•𝖿𝗂𝗋𝖾•𝘯𝘦𝘵
"Was it a frontal duel?"
Bai Yuji was about to ask further when Yang Zhengyuan preemptively asked the question.
If it was a sneak attack, a one-hit kill might be possible.
"It was a direct confrontation with no insidious tactics used."
Liu Hanyan relayed the incident of Lin Hanshu and his companions facing a bait-and-ambush situation to Bai Yuji and Yang Zhengyuan.
This account was something Lin Hanshu had shared with her.
Bai Yuji listened quietly, a trace of caution appearing in her gaze toward Lu Yuanshan.
"This person might be, like Zhengyuan, a Sword Cultivator!"
The high attack power of a Sword Cultivator is notoriously formidable.
With such high-level attack power, it’s quite possible to immediately kill Third-Layer Foundation Establishment cultivators.
Moreover, the magical artifact Lu Yuanshan uses is indeed a flying sword.
"This person’s aura far surpasses mine. In a real fight, I might not be his match and probably couldn’t last beyond ten moves," Yang Zhengyuan squinted, equally astonished at Lu Yuanshan’s strength.
"Perhaps we might invite him?"
Liu Hanyan tentatively suggested, still having a rather positive impression of Lu Yuanshan, who appears composed and well-mannered, not seeming like a villain.
"But you just met him and don’t understand his character. We should proceed cautiously in this matter and not draw him in lightly."
Bai Yuji became vigilant.
"Yet he was willing to help and rescue Lin Hanshu and his companions, which does suggest he isn’t ill-natured. Perhaps he carries Vast Righteous Qi and is a chivalrous cultivator."
Liu Hanyan continued, "Moreover, he’s a sect leader. As a leader of a sect, his character should be enough to win people’s confidence."
"Sect Leader of Cyan Mountain Sect..."
Upon hearing this, Bai Yuji again considered Lu Yuanshan’s status as a sect leader and felt Liu Hanyan made sense.
"Based on what you say, this person might indeed be worth befriending."
"Once the conference ends, I’ll look for an opportunity to test his strength before making a decision."
"The ruins won’t wait for much longer. We can’t afford to delay."
"If we wait any longer, that demon might advance to the Seventh-Layer Foundation Establishment, making it even tougher to act."
Upon saying this, Bai Yuji sought Yang Zhengyuan’s opinion.
"Zhengyuan, what do you think?"
Yang Zhengyuan agreed.
He was also interested in meeting Lu Yuanshan.
"Soon, I’ll go to learn from Lu Yuanshan, and see what his strength is like."
Bai Yuji, Liu Hanyan, and Yang Zhengyuan contemplated the ruins’ situation, patiently waiting until the Trade Conference ended.
As the conference concluded, Lu Yuanshan prepared to return to the Cyan Mountain Sect, carrying treasures, leaving no room for extended stays here.
Back at the sect, numerous tasks awaited handling.
"Lin Dao You, Xu Xiaoyou, Luu Friend."
"Until we meet again."
After parting with the three, Lu Yuanshan also exchanged farewells with Bai Yuji and her companions before leaving the Misty Pavilion alone.
As soon as he stepped out of the Misty Pavilion’s gates onto the marketplace street, three figures closely followed—none other than Bai Yuji and her companions.
Bai Yuji quickened her pace slightly, catching up with Lu Yuanshan and blocking his path.
"Lu Daoist, wait a moment."
Suddenly hindered by Bai Yuji, Lu Yuanshan’s expression turned serious. He couldn’t help but ask, "Bai Daoist, what is this about?"
"Pardon the sudden interruption. Please forgive me."
Bai Yuji offered a smiling apology before getting straight to the point.
"There is an important matter I, along with Liu Hanyan and Yang Zhengyuan, wish to discuss with you. Please come with us, Lu Daoist."
"This isn’t the place to talk; let’s discuss it privately."
Having spoken, Bai Yuji exchanged a glance with Yang Zhengyuan and headed toward an inn across from the Misty Pavilion.
Liu Hanyan also earnestly invited Lu Yuanshan.
At this moment, though Lu Yuanshan was puzzled, unsure what the three intended, he couldn’t help but become wary in his heart.