31: Chapter 31 The Lai Family's Schemes, Xie's Disdain

Xie Wenyang's shock was beyond measure as he held his dizzy head. "What? He's actually at the Late Stage of Foundation Establishment!"

Instantly understanding the meaning behind the words just spoken, he kowtowed in gratitude. "Thank you, Sect Leader, for saving my life."

It took a long time for him to suppress his grief. "Sect Leader, since that's the case, we need the Xie Family's wealth even more to rebuild the Black Wolf Gang and avenge our brothers!"

"Mhm, tell me about your arrangements."

"Very well. Lai Mingyuan, the head of the Lai Family, has already agreed to my plan. He will be responsible for the main assault on Liuyun Market when the time comes."

Xu Changsheng nodded.

In the southeastern region of the Chu State's cultivation world, although the Xie Family occupied a place, their status was not secure.

Nearby was a Foundation Establishment Lai Family of similar size. The two families were close in strength and had been competing openly and secretly for a long time.

Over the past year or two...

The Xie Family had gradually broken the stalemate, shifting from defense to offense.

The reason was known to everyone.

Jiang Wenzhou, a Genius Disciple of the Chixiao Sect and a Personal Disciple with an Earth-grade Spirit Root—a rarity seen only once in a century—had come to Liuyun Market three years ago.

He met Xie Wantang, who had not long since taken over as the Market Revered Master at the time.

It was love at first sight, and he personally visited to propose marriage.

Faced with such a fortunate event, the Xie Family naturally would not refuse; everyone from top to bottom agreed to the marriage.

Only one person disagreed.

That was Xie Wantang herself. She used the excuse that both parties needed to get to know each other to delay her answer for three years.

Now that the three-year deadline was approaching, the Xie Family acted as if Jiang Wenzhou had already married Xie Wantang. Relying on this powerful figure, they exerted unlimited pressure on the Lai Family regarding resources.

Xie Wenyang continued speaking.

"The alliance between the Poison Scorpion Sect and the Dark Malevolence Tower is also ready. Fellow Daoist Wu from the Dark Malevolence Tower has agreed to provide the High Grade Magical Artifact, the green vine sword, as the Formation eye."

"Fellow Daoist Liao of the Poison Scorpion Sect has found an internal contact. At the appointed time, they will intercept anyone from the Xie Family attempting to flee, especially Xie Wantang."

"She absolutely cannot be allowed to leave; she must be killed in one strike!"

Xie Wenyang gritted his teeth; it was clear he harbored intense hatred for the Xie Family.

He added, "I wonder how your study of Formations is going, Sect Leader? Can you set up the Green Vine Silk Entanglement Formation on the path the Xie Family must take to escape?"

Xu Changsheng shook his head.

"Is it still not possible?" Xie Wenyang's heart skipped a beat.

"It's not that it's impossible, but it's not enough. Although the Green Vine Silk Entanglement Formation is a First-rank High-grade Formation, it's primarily defensive. It might not be able to restrain Xie Wantang."

Xie Wenyang's squinted eyes widened. "The Sect Leader's considerations are indeed thorough. I wonder what countermeasure you have?"

"We just need to change the Formation. This seat has the Green Vine Sword Rain Formation; I will ensure Xie Wantang enters but never leaves!"

Xie Wenyang clapped his hands in praise. "As expected of the Sect Leader!"

Xu Changsheng's tone shifted. "Don't be in such a hurry to celebrate. Answer one question first."

"Please speak, Revered Master."

"If we kill Xie Wantang like this, won't her suitor, the Chixiao Sect Genius Jiang Wenzhou, come looking for us? Aren't you afraid of the Golden Core might of his Revered Master wiping out your Family?"

Xie Wenyang gave a sly laugh. "So that's what you're worried about. You can rest assured, Revered Master."

He glanced around shiftily and leaned in close.

He spoke mysteriously using sound transmission: "Although the initiator of this matter is the Lai Family, I've heard rumors that the mastermind behind the scenes might be Jiang Wenzhou's Master."

Xu Changsheng was inwardly shaken and asked back, "What do you mean by that?"

Xie Wenyang shook his head. "It is said that the Chixiao Sect Senior does not want a Genius Disciple like Jiang Wenzhou to commit to a Dao Companion so early."

"Although that Xie Wantang has an Aptitude of a High Grade Spirit Root, she is simply not a match for his Disciple's Earth-grade Spirit Root. Furthermore, having to be tied to the Xie Family is truly not worth it."

Xu Changsheng nodded. "What you say makes some sense. Fine, let's proceed as I said."

"Yes!"

The two parted ways to carry out their respective tasks.

...

The next day.

Having quietly returned to the courtyard, Yun Xin and Wu Qingqing stood obediently behind him.

The three of them gazed silently a short distance away.

A Green-winged Bat was hanging upside down from a withered branch of an old locust tree.

Its dark green skin was covered in bulging veins.

He had fed Ink Shadow that Beast Essence Pill in the morning, and the latter had remained in this state ever since eating it.

After all, with only a Medium Grade Bloodline, the Breakthrough Bottleneck still existed.

Just then...

A powerful surge of blood vitality rippled outward.

Ink Shadow's beastly pupils snapped open, and its aura had already reached the First Level Late Stage.

Faced with this pressure...

"Ah!"

Wu Qingqing collapsed to the ground in fear.

Ink Shadow flew past Xu Changsheng, nimbly landing on Yun Xin's shoulder and rubbing its furry head against her cheek.

Yun Xin smiled and raised her hand to stroke it, saying, "Congratulations, Young Master, on obtaining a Divine Beast!"

Seeing this scene...

A flash of hatred flickered in Wu Qingqing's eyes before she lowered her head to hide it.

"Why? Why is it always her who receives the favor!"

The successful advancement to the First Level Late Stage was within Xu Changsheng's expectations. He beckoned Ink Shadow into the Spirit Beast Bag and waved his hand for the two women to withdraw.

He returned to his bedroom.

He took out the crimson flame fruit he had purchased at the black market.

For the past few months, he had been stuck as a First-rank Early-stage Body Refiner for a long time, unable to make any progress.

"It seems I can only try using this."

Without hesitation, Xu Changsheng took a few bites and consumed the entire fruit.

The next moment...

The blood vitality in his body surged, and his Meridians felt as if they were about to explode.

Sweat began to bead on Xu Changsheng's forehead, then rolled down like large beans.

He held a half-squatting position, gritting his teeth, and circulated the blood vitality throughout his body according to the requirements of the Cloud Sand Body Refining Art.

...

After a day and night of torment, Xu Changsheng finally touched the Bottleneck of a First-rank Middle-stage Body Refiner.

"Sure enough, Body Refining still requires the power of money."

As long as he had another Body Refining spiritual item of the same grade as the crimson flame fruit, he was confident he could advance to a First-rank Middle-stage Body Refiner.

Coincidentally, he had just received news that at the trade fair held at the Hundred Treasures Pavilion today, the Body Refining spiritual materials he wanted would appear.

"I've commissioned Wang Ye for so long, and he's finally found it for me."

He immediately set off for the Hundred Treasures Pavilion.

The trade began.

Today's auction items were average, mostly First-rank Low Grade, with rare First-rank Mid-grade items; he soon became bored.

Little did he know...

In a dark room next to the auction hall, a pair of beautiful eyes was quietly watching him.

"Second Sister, is this the Xu Changsheng you were talking about?"

"Yes. Mingzhu, what do you think of him?"

Xie Wantang's soft voice came from the other side. A few days ago, she had finally managed to persuade this cousin of hers to come and see Xu Changsheng.

"Uh, his looks are no good."

Xie Mingzhu shook her head.

"One shouldn't judge a person by their appearance. Guest Official Xu is now a First-rank Mid-grade Talisman Master. I believe there's a high probability he will advance to a High-Grade Talisman Master in the future, making him a good match for you, sister."

Xie Wantang pinned up her hair, trying to find Xu Changsheng's advantages.

"Is it only 'possible'? I only look at the present. I heard from you, Second Sister, that his Aptitude is low, with only a Low Grade Spirit Root, and he has no Family backing him. He's simply not a good partner."

"Besides, he's just so ordinary-looking."

Hearing her cousin's repeated rejections, Xie Wantang was at a loss: "Regardless, the two of you are finally in the same place. Why not wait a while and meet him with me?"

"No!"

Xie Mingzhu refused subconsciously, but then turned back to see Xie Wantang's brows slightly furrowed.

"Fine, Second Sister is right."

Her words were still full of reluctance.

The auction continued.

"This Stone Skin Flower is a First-rank Mid-grade Body Refining spiritual material. It is very rare. The starting bid is two hundred Spirit Stones, and it goes to the highest bidder!"

Xu Changsheng raised the sign in his hand: "Four hundred Spirit Stones."

His words silenced everyone present; many people recognized him as a First-rank Mid-grade Talisman Master.

"What's going on? Why would Xu Changsheng want to buy this Stone Skin Flower? Could there be some trickery involved?"

"Not necessarily. Maybe he's a shill hired by the Hundred Treasures Pavilion?"

Body Refiners were rare to begin with, and they didn't think Xu Changsheng would be one of them.

A few people tentatively raised the price, but they were immediately suppressed.

In the end, Xu Changsheng bought the flower for four hundred and fifty Spirit Stones.

Until the end of the trade fair, he did not bid on any other treasures.

After the payment and delivery were settled, he walked out of the Hundred Treasures Pavilion.

He was met by Xie Wantang, who was approaching him with a beautiful young girl, clearly looking for him.

He stepped forward and cupped his hands.

"This Xu greets the Second Miss. And this is?"