Chapter 65: Secret Maneuvers, eting an Old Acquaintance in Cloud Firmant City
If it were before, Gu Xiu might have felt sowhat troubled.
But now, possessing the Three-Body Mask... in just the blink of an eye, he had already walked past his two pursuers in a completely different guise.
In his heart, he couldn't help but marvel at the power of this mask.
To be honest, Gu Xiu had known about that ancient temple in the Heaven-Leveling Mountains ever since that dream where a single glance spanned ten thousand years.
However, he had never coveted it.
He knew that the ancient temple was not sothing his current self could breach. He also knew that the Three-Body Mask was a supre treasure of the West Desert's Buddhist Sect. To silently take it without entangling oneself in Buddhist karma was impossible.
This was an opportunity Gu Xiu knew of but could not obtain.
He never expected that relying on the Green Bamboo Rod, he had actually managed to secure this item so silently. He hadn't even incurred a shred of Buddhist karma.
Arriving at a deserted spot, Gu Xiu restored his original appearance and strolled toward the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion. He had earned quite a few spirit stones this ti, so naturally, he needed to restock on cultivation resources. Besides that, he planned to gather so information.
As expected, upon arriving at the pavilion, Gu Xiu noticed that Cheng Fushou was already reporting the earlier events to Su Rui. Due to his special status, no one stopped him, so he moved closer to listen.
"This subordinate tested that person multiple tis, but he remained tight-lipped," Cheng Fushou reported. "The only thing known is that the person likely represents a faction with considerable numbers; otherwise, it would be impossible to produce such a large quantity of talismans!"
"Although it's unclear if the Homage of Ten Thousand Rhys is related to that group, it's highly likely there is a connection. At the very least, they must possess so secrets unknown to us!"
"..."
Watching Cheng Fushou's confident analysis, Gu Xiu silently agreed. After greeting Su Rui, he prepared to leave without eavesdropping further.
However, Su Rui suddenly asked, "Fellow Daoist Feng, how did yesterday's talisman crafting go?"
"My talent in the talisman path is limited; I probably need to take it slow," Gu Xiu replied, shaking his head with feigned regret.
Su Rui seed doubtful but ultimately did not press him. She rely offered words of comfort, saying everyone had their own expertise. She told Gu Xiu that if he lacked anything, he could co to the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion anyti. She even offered to arrange for a master to explain the basics of the talisman path if he was interested.
To this, Gu Xiu simply nodded in thanks. afterward, he returned directly to his Listening-to-Rain Pavilion.
Ti to cultivate in peace!
Over the next two days, Gu Xiu imrsed himself in cultivation, though he kept an ear out for news.
The rumor that the target of the Homage of Ten Thousand Rhys was in Cloud Firmant City had eventually attracted attention. Although only a minority believed it, for most sects and factions, it was better to investigate than to miss out.
Within two days, a large number of unfamiliar faces began pouring into the city. The most imdiate change was the deterioration of public order.
Almost daily, there were incidents of settling old scores, causing disturbances, fights, and even murders on the streets. It was said that the City Lord was alard and personally took action once to intimidate a group of ill-intentioned external forces.
Xiaohe described the event vividly, claiming that the imnsely powerful City Lord had rely slapped his hand and killed a group of experts with a single blow. At the sa ti, she told Gu Xiu that many people remained in the city, unwilling to give up until they uncovered the truth behind the Homage of Ten Thousand Rhys.
Regarding this, Gu Xiu wasn't tense at all. After all, they were looking for the supre being of the Homage of Ten Thousand Rhys; what did that have to do with him, Feng Bugui?
However, while Gu Xiu buried himself in cultivation, things were getting worriso over at the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion.
Especially for Cheng Fushou, who made trips to that tavern several tis a day, hoping for mbers of that mysterious faction to appear again.
There was no other way. The effects of Gu Xiu's batch of Perfect Dao Talismans were simply too powerful!
Initially, when they were put up for sale, so rogue cultivators complained about the high price. But after the first person actually tried one, they were astonished. They imdiately returned with a crowd to snap them up.
It caused quite a stir. In just two hours, all seven thousand of Gu Xiu's talismans had been completely sold out!
This excited Cheng Fushou imnsely; he hoped every day to see that person again and place another order.
Pity... five days passed with no results.
On this day, returning dejectedly to the pavilion, he ran into Su Rui at the entrance. "Still haven't found anyone?"
"Reporting to Manager Su... no..."
"What's going on? Could it be that group has left?"
"This subordinate doesn't know either," Cheng Fushou sighed. "But presumably it's because there are too many people coming to Cloud Firmant City to gather information; they don't want to be discovered."
Su Rui frowned. She understood the reasoning. Based on their analysis, she was almost certain: those people in the shadows were definitely related to the Homage of Ten Thousand Rhys. With such intense scrutiny, it was normal for them to lay low.
But...
"Headquarters has sent word: The Azure Mystic Sacred Land has recently increased their talisman production, but for a short period, they can only supply their own use."
"Other major rchant houses have heard the news and are intervening in our cooperation with other sects. Our situation is very precarious. If our talisman supply continues to struggle..."
"Then next... our Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion might not only lose talismans as our 'knock-on-the-door brick,' but it could trigger a chain reaction affecting the entire pavilion!"
This was bad news.
No one expected the previously dominant Azure Mystic Sacred Land to perform so poorly. It truly troubled their partner, the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion.
Su Rui’s expression was grim as she pondered. Finally, she spoke.
"We can wait for those in the shadows... but we cannot afford to wait any longer ourselves! If they are unwilling to show themselves... then we have no choice but to burn our boats!"
Burn their boats?
The pavilion staff looked puzzled until Su Rui continued. "Arrange for soone to send out a ssage."
"What ssage?"
"Say... our Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion has mastered a secret thod for enhancing first-grade Perfect Dao Talismans! From now on, our stock of Dao-grade talismans will greatly increase!"
What???
Hearing this, everyone looked bewildered.
With all these heroes gathered in Cloud Firmant City, releasing such news would deliberately attract attention and invite suspicion!
What was Su Rui planning?
"This Manager Su is indeed clever!"
"This is showing determination."
"Using this thod... she is telling ..."
"That the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion will keep secrets tightly sealed... and will not betray allies."
The next day, upon hearing the news, Gu Xiu understood Su Rui’s intention imdiately.
It must be said, Su Rui possessed great courage. At least based on current observations, the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion seed trustworthy.
Since they showed such resolve, Gu Xiu stopped hesitating.
Early that morning, he went out and found Cheng Fushou, who was wandering around the restaurant area as usual.
This ti, however, Gu Xiu wore a different face.
As expected, upon hearing from a new representative of the "mysterious faction," Cheng Fushou was pleasantly surprised.
This faction capable of triggering the Homage of Ten Thousand Rhys indeed had nurous mbers!
Cheng Fushou conveyed a ssage: For each talisman provided, the price would increase by three spirit stones. From ten per piece to thirteen.
Gu Xiu didn’t refuse.
After all, his Dantian Qi Sea was vast like a gold-devouring beast; he naturally wouldn’t mind more spirit stones.
He didn't say much, simply handing over eight hundred talismans and taking away the massive amount of materials Cheng Fushou always carried.
Cheng Fushou repeatedly invited him to visit the pavilion for a detailed discussion, but Gu Xiu refused.
Trust was built step by step.
Using the Three-Body Mask to contact the pavilion was precisely to test their stance regarding the Homage of Ten Thousand Rhys. Currently, he still planned to observe further.
But it seed the pavilion was sincere. Not only had they raised the purchase price, but when leaving the tavern this ti, he wasn’t followed.
Just...
While walking back, pondering how to craft without triggering the homage and how to fully open sales channels for his talismans...
A familiar call suddenly ca from behind.
"Junior Brother!"
The voice was extrely familiar, causing him to instinctively frown.
He turned to look back.
Standing not far behind were two familiar figures...
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