"Though one might feint reality with illusion and vice versa, if Li Zhengxuan truly possesses clues about the Tianshi Sword, he would strictly guard the secret and never reveal it lightly. After all, for Li Zhengxuan, this is currently the top priority, second only to the Tianshi Seal.
Considering this, the likelihood of Riyou being Li Zhengxuan or soone close to him is low. The source of their information is difficult to guess. Perhaps they simply stumbled upon Li Zhengxuan’s secret by coincidence.
If I truly want to verify this, I’ll probably need to talk to Senior Brother and figure out who might have leaked the information.
A flurry of thoughts passed through Lei Jun's mind.
During today’s first round of exchanging information, it seed likely that all four people present provided so degree of genuine information, not blatant lies. However, the deeper motives behind their contributions were less clear. Each might be testing the waters.
“This friend, may I call you Mùyào?” Yuè Yào asked, addressing Suìxīng Mùyào. “Do you know if the abbot of Bodhi Temple had long planned to go to Northern Youzhou to receive the Patriarch’s Relic, or was it a last-minute decision?”
Mùyào replied, “I’m not aware of the details.”
Yuè Yào said, “No matter. It was impolite of .”
Everyone seed cautious in this first conversation... Lei Jun thought. He kept quiet after offering the initial piece of information, choosing instead to listen to the others.
During this first exchange, everyone spoke sparingly, and the most valuable insights were probably in the initial intelligence they shared.
“We can only project our spirits here; tangible objects cannot be exchanged,” Yuè Yào stated. “Perhaps we should leave it here for today? It’s our first eting, and wariness is natural. We can delay any trades until later. For now, let’s focus on sharing information. What do you three think?”
Riyou responded, “As long as everyone keeps things clear and doesn’t interfere with each other, there’s no problem.”
Yuè Yào said, “Anyone interested can contact privately.”
Riyou was direct. “I’ll get straight to the point. I need a spiritual item related to spirit projection.”
Mùyào asked, “What specifically?”
“A spiritual item that allows the spirit to leave the body and travel afar. In exchange, I have a Sunshine Golden Crystal, about the size of a baby’s fist.”
Hearing this, Lei Jun's heart stirred.
A Sunshine Golden Crystal was a rare pure yang spiritual item, incredibly precious. Even in the Pure Yang Palace, the Daoist Alchemical Sect’s sacred ground known for cultivating yang energy, this treasure was exceedingly rare and hard to find.
A piece the size of a fingernail was already a rarity. News of such an item would have Pure Yang Palace cultivators scouring the world. A piece the size of a baby’s fist would be invaluable to Upper-Heaven cultivators.
This Riyou certainly offered a treasure befitting their na.
Mùyào seed to consider for a mont before replying, “Unfortunately, I don’t have the spiritual item you need.”
Riyou said, “No worries if there are reservations. If anyone is interested, contact privately. Besides the Sunshine Golden Crystal, I’m open to other trades. You can choose the transaction thod and location.”
None of the three objected.
While everyone was clearly holding back, the atmosphere of the first eting remained cordial.
Lei Jun withdrew his spirit from the page of the Heavenly Book and sat quietly in his ditation chamber, deep in thought.
Then…
He decided to do nothing for now.
He continued his breathing exercises and ditative visualization.
The next morning, he left his residence and headed to the Ten Thousand thods Sect Altar.
Senior Sister Xu Yuanzhen had been there recently, nurturing and analyzing the sword mark.
For Lei Jun, his highest-level secret was undoubtedly the Light Sphere in his mind, which helped him seek fortune and avoid calamity.
The second most important was the Tianshi Seal.
After that ca the page of the Heavenly Book.
Lei Jun knew he was fortunate to have t the right people. His master, Yuan Mobai, though a bit scheming, was generally kind and protective of his disciples.
As long as Lei Jun and his fellow disciples didn’t follow the path of Chen Yi and betray the sect, Yuan Mobai was accommodating. Occasional practice of other sects’ techniques wasn’t an issue.
In fact, the better they perford, the happier Yuan Mobai was. This stemd both from personal bonds and his concern for the Tianshi Mansion’s legacy.
Senior Sister Xu Yuanzhen, on the other hand, was an enigma.
Her fortune and opportunities were so abundant that Lei Jun could only describe them as unfathomable.
Yet, this didn’t an she was harmless.
She often found joy in undermining others, not for her own gain but for the losses of her targets.
Fortunately, her habits didn’t affect Lei Jun.
Then there was Junior Sister Tang Xiaotang. In Lei Jun’s view, she was a cultivation purist.
Although she joined the Talismanic Branch, her philosophy aligned more with the Pure Yang Palace.
She rarely used artifacts or elixirs in her cultivation. Even talismans beca unnecessary as her strength grew.
She relied on her natural talent and skills, preferring to refine her abilities rather than depend on external items.
Because of these unique personalities—plus Senior Brother Wang Guiyuan, who avoided opportunities—Lei Jun found himself in a supportive environnt.
He could focus on his cultivation without dealing with internal conflicts.
And when challenges arose, he could rely on others for help.
The Sunshine Golden Crystal offered by Riyou was sothing Lei Jun valued.
He could use it himself, but it would benefit Tang Xiaotang the most.
The Tianshi Sword struggle was intensifying, and tensions within the Tianshi Mansion were high.
Besides the Tianshi Sword, other events could shift the balance.
For instance, if Tang Xiaotang broke through to a higher realm.
The Sunshine Golden Crystal could be the key.
anwhile, the Soul Dispersing Essence he possessed was precisely what Riyou needed.
The coincidence made Lei Jun wonder if Riyou already knew his identity.
If they did, why not openly approach the Tianshi Mansion unless they were enemies?
Lei Jun shook his head. It was likely a coincidence.
If he were a lone cultivator, he might ignore the risk.
But…
He had allies.
Lei Jun calmly walked to the Ten Thousand thods Sect Altar.
Lei Jun’s survival relied on three things: courage, loyalty, and having a crowd to back him up.
Seeing Xu Yuanzhen, Lei Jun suddenly had an idea and looked her up and down.
Without turning, she asked, “What?”
“Senior Sister, what do you think of the Seven Celestial Luminaries?”
She replied casually, “They’re important if you want them to be. Otherwise, not really.”
Looks like she’s not one of the Seven Luminaries… Lei Jun nodded.
He asked quietly, “Have you ever seen special pages, glowing as if torn from a book?”
She turned to him. “You’ve seen one?”
Lei Jun nodded. “I ca across one.”
“And you?”
“I missed one once,” she replied coldly. “It was marked with a ‘six.’ Yours?”
“Mine is ‘three.’”
Page Six likely corresponded to Mars (Huoyao), still unclaid.
He explained the eting.
Xu Yuanzhen showed interest, not in the Heavenly Book, but in the people involved.
“Oh, there are three others?” she asked. “And three empty slots?”
Lei Jun nodded.
She said, “Tell Riyou you want the Sunshine Golden Crystal. If they refuse the Soul Dispersing Essence, ask what they want. I’ll check my stock.”
Even with a secure transaction, Lei Jun might be ambushed or exposed.
But with Xu Yuanzhen, it was a different story.
“What about the ti and place?” Lei Jun asked.
“Let them decide. We’ll do it in the next few days. I’ll pause the Ten Thousand thods Sect Altar for now.”
Lei Jun used the True-One Altar to ssage Riyou.
Later, Riyou confird the trade.
The location was an island in the Eastern Sea, isolated yet with swirling currents to conceal them.
Lei Jun gave the Soul Dispersing Essence to Xu Yuanzhen.
They inford Yuan Mobai and left the sword mark under his care.
“Probably a coincidence,” Yuan Mobai said. “But Riyou showing the Sunshine Golden Crystal is a test.”
Lei Jun nodded. “Without the Pure Yang Palace’s distraction, I wouldn’t risk it.”
Yuan Mobai agreed. “If Xu Yuanzhen isn’t here next ti, wait for to verify things.”
Lei Jun agreed, curious about his master’s backup plan.
“More concerning are the other two pieces of news,” Yuan Mobai mused.
“The Demon-Guard General Sheng Yan and the Bodhi Temple abbot?” Lei Jun asked.
Yuan Mobai nodded. “The Prince of Wu is still discontent.”
Lei Jun understood. Even in the Tianshi Mansion, such rivalries existed.
But what did the Prince of Wu rely on?
“Master, you sent him away. Why’s he still stirring trouble? He can’t just rely on one general.”
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