Chapter 632 435: Destiny (3)

Hearing Fang Qingyuan's words, He Yu replied impassively,

"Of course, I have an important matter to discuss. Please don't take offense, Sect Leader Fang. If I hadn't come now, I might not have had the chance to see you before your duel."

"Haha, so you're worried I can't beat Chunyu Hua and will end up dead on the spot. Alright, I think I know why you're here."

Fang Qingyuan beckoned He Yu into his cave residence, leaving the others at the entrance. Once the two were seated, Jinbao, who was lying by Fang Qingyuan's leg, perked up one ear.

"You've come for Meng Fen, haven't you? Heh. He was too proud to come himself, so he had you make the trip for him. So, what is he willing to trade to get his magic treasures back?"

The Meng Fen that Fang Qingyuan mentioned was the Late-stage Golden Core cultivator from Qimeng Mountain whom he had taught a lesson a year prior. At the time, Fang Qingyuan had beaten him into submission, forcing him to leave all his possessions behind in exchange for his freedom.

He was likely still smarting from the loss of his magic treasures and collection, so he had sent this fellow Golden Core sect member to negotiate their return.

Despite Fang Qingyuan's mild taunt, He Yu's expression remained unchanged. He was dressed in ink-black, cloud-patterned robes, his face fair, beardless, and handsome. A White Jade Waistband cinched his waist, accentuating his tall, poised figure.

However, his long, narrow eyes marred his overall appearance, giving one a rather unsettling feeling.

"Senior Brother Meng says he's broke and has nothing else of value to compensate you with. So, he told me to act as I see fit."

"Oh? So he's trying to get something for nothing. No, that's not right. Why are you going to such lengths for him? Did he save your life or something?"

Fang Qingyuan's tone was mocking, but He Yu simply replied,

"Senior Brother Meng promised that if I successfully retrieve his magic treasures and collection, he will sponsor my promotion to Elder. As you can imagine, Sect Leader Fang, for an outsider who only joined Qimeng Mountain during the Late-stage of Qi Cultivation, securing an Elder's seat is no easy task."

"You're certainly honest, telling me all that. However, I believe in fair trade. You have no Spirit Stones, yet you want to take my spoils of war. That's not how it works. Not unless you can beat me, just as I beat Meng Dian."

He Yu's expression remained unchanged. He looked at Fang Qingyuan and said,

"You jest, Sect Leader Fang. Even Senior Brother Meng was no match for you; what hope would I have? However, while I may not have any Spirit Stones to offer, I do have some information I would like to trade. Would you be willing to hear it?"

At that moment, as Fang Qingyuan looked at He Yu, he suddenly felt the man looked familiar. He said hesitantly,

"You're He Yu... Is your father's name He Jisong?"

At this, He Yu's expression finally changed, his eyes turning complex. "So you finally remember. Yes, I'm that same He Yu from all those years ago. It's because of our past connection that Meng Dian was willing to let me be the one to come here. But please, Sect Leader Fang, pay it no mind. I have no intention of cashing in on old favors."

Fang Qingyuan exhaled heavily. 'I don't get it,' he thought. 'Back then, He Yu didn't even have a Middle-tier Spirit Root. How did he manage to form a Golden Core after just a hundred years or so?'

'This kid must have had some incredible opportunities. But now isn't the time to dwell on that.'

So, Fang Qingyuan asked bluntly,

"Alright, He Yu. I'm willing to hear your information. If it's important to me, then what's the harm in returning Meng Dian's things to you?"

He Yu composed himself, his face returning to its previous impassivity. He stated calmly, "First, Chunyu Hua has recently acquired a Late-stage Golden Core demonic beast: a Cyan Flood Dragon."