Chapter 429 - 435: Baili Shang’s Midnight Visit

Although he was ostensibly asking for their consent, Huo Jinchuan’s tone was thick with menace.

It was as if their fate would be anything but pleasant should they dare to refuse.

The atmosphere on the Spirit Boat suddenly turned somber.

They had only just entered the Central Domain, and Huo Jinchuan was already showing his true colors. How quick of him.

But the three of them had each come with their own agenda. They had naturally anticipated this and were mentally prepared.

"Alright."

The Young Master of the Demon Clan, Baili Shang, was the first to agree.

Following him, Xiao Heyun could only nod with an unreadable expression, leaving Song Wanning as the only one who had yet to respond.

Huo Jinchuan turned to look at her, a scrutinizing glint in his eyes.

’This woman’s fortune is the most powerful. I must first find an excuse to keep her here, then slowly figure out a way to deal with her.’

’These three are extremely wary. If I don’t find some excuse, it will likely just make them more suspicious.’

In her Sea of Consciousness, his thoughts were clearly audible.

The incomplete Pill Recipe wasn’t his true goal, merely an excuse to keep them here.

Hearing this, Song Wanning blinked, and the corners of her lips curled into a slight smile.

"Of course we can. We owe this opportunity to enter to you, Young Master."

Her smile was wide, yet it carried an inexplicable chill.

Huo Jinchuan nodded, his expression unchanging. "In that case, you should all study the Pill Recipe for now. Once we arrive at the Dan Sect, you can have a good look around and learn a thing or two."

With that, he stopped paying them any mind and continued to pilot the Spirit Boat on its way.

Meanwhile, Song Wanning exchanged a glance with Baili Shang, and then, as if by unspoken agreement, they both looked away and went back to studying their respective Pill Recipes.

Xiao Heyun, however, didn’t suspect Huo Jinchuan’s motives, still believing he had brought them here for the sake of the Pill Recipe.

’I lost to them in the last competition. I can’t lose to them on this Pill Recipe too!’

’System, I’m going to focus on studying this Pill Recipe. Don’t bother me.’

With that, he threw himself wholeheartedly into studying the Pill Recipe, looking incredibly diligent.

Song Wanning glanced at him, a cold sneer surfacing in her eyes.

’Both of them are invaders, and now they’re completely at odds. If I’m not mistaken, Huo Jinchuan won’t let any of them go. Will Xiao Heyun still be able to hold on to his fortune?’

She was truly curious to see what would happen.

She was also extremely curious about Huo Jinchuan’s ability to see people’s fortune. It was far more interesting than any Pill Recipe.

...

Half a month later, the Spirit Boat finally came to a stop.

The handmaiden’s injuries had long since healed. She now followed by Huo Jinchuan’s side with her head bowed, no longer daring to show any disrespect to Song Wanning and the others.

Song Wanning and the other two looked up to see a sect, partially hidden in the clouds, appearing and disappearing from view. Its towering buildings were majestic and imposing, exuding an extraordinary aura that spoke of a deep and powerful heritage.

At the main gate stood a massive furnace, over ten meters tall, from which wafted the fragrance of Elixir Pills. A single whiff was enough to make one’s entire body feel refreshed.

Although it was subservient to the Huo Family, the Dan Sect’s power was something even the Medicine King Sect could not match.

The moment Huo Jinchuan appeared, the twenty-odd disciples on guard duty bowed in unison, their greetings echoing across the grounds.

This level of fanfare was even grander than what Song Wanning had experienced back in the Song Family.

The resources in the Central Domain were almost completely monopolized by these families. When she really thought about it, the cultivators in the Four Domains had a much more carefree life.

Huo Jinchuan nodded and led Song Wanning and the others into the Dan Sect.

Once inside the Dan Sect, the rich medicinal fragrance grew even purer. Disciples hurried past, some even reciting Pill Recipes as they walked, looking incredibly hardworking.

When the Dan Sect’s Sect Master learned of Huo Jinchuan’s arrival, he rushed over with a group of people to welcome him.

"These three are from the Outer Realm, here to study the Dan Sect’s Alchemy Technique. You can all exchange a few pointers."

Huo Jinchuan introduced the three of them and mentioned the results of their competition. The way the others looked at Song Wanning immediately changed.

’Even they had never produced an alchemical phenomenon. A woman with such immense talent could certainly join the Dan Sect.’

The Dan Sect’s Sect Master’s mind began to turn, and he agreed with a hearty laugh.

He then followed his instructions and led Song Wanning and the other two to Guest Welcoming Peak.

"The Young Master will be busy for the next few days, so you will be staying here on Guest Welcoming Peak for the time being. Rest for the night, and tomorrow, I will send someone to show you around the Dan Sect."

"Thank you, Sect Master."

Song Wanning thanked him with a smile.

Among the three of them, Baili Shang was a man of few words, and Xiao Heyun had to maintain his false persona, so it was up to her to handle the pleasantries.

"Rest well."

The Sect Master nodded and left quickly with his people.

On the vast Guest Welcoming Peak, only the three of them remained.

They each chose a room and went inside to rest.

...

RUMBLE—

Huo Jinchuan opened the door to a secret chamber and strode inside.

The Huo Clan Leader was meditating inside. He opened his eyes at the sound.

"You’re back? Did you find them?"

His gaze toward Huo Jinchuan held not a shred of emotion, only endless coldness.

"I brought them back. They’re settled in the Dan Sect for now."

Huo Jinchuan walked over, picked up a stick of incense from the side, lit it, and placed it on the altar.

The Huo Clan Leader glanced at him, gave a faint "mm," and closed his eyes again.

Huo Jinchuan’s fists, hanging at his sides, silently clenched. He stared intently at the rising smoke from the incense.

The secret chamber once again fell into a deep silence.

...

On Guest Welcoming Peak, pale moonlight spilled down. Song Wanning was meditating when a knock suddenly sounded at her door.

"Enter."

She opened her eyes, and with a wave of her hand, the door swung open.

"Pardon the intrusion."

Baili Shang strode in and closed the door behind him.

"Sit."

Song Wanning gestured to a stool. She stood up and sat down as well, pouring Baili Shang a cup of tea.

"What brings the Young Master to see me?"

She took a sip of her tea and looked at Baili Shang curiously.

In fact, when Baili Shang had waited for her to go to the City Lord Mansion together, Song Wanning had already sensed his intentions.

Now, having just arrived at the Dan Sect, he had immediately come to find her.

Baili Shang didn’t stand on ceremony, picking up the tea and taking a sip before speaking. "Song Dao You must have noticed something was wrong long ago, right? But you still chose to come in, so you must have your own agenda."

"But you’ve seen Huo Jinchuan’s attitude. Never mind you, even I would find it difficult to escape."

He turned to the side, leaned forward slightly, and stared directly into Song Wanning’s eyes. "Our only chance of survival is to cooperate. I just don’t know if Song Dao You is interested."

A smile played on his lips, but it didn’t reach his eyes.

Song Wanning remained seated, looking languid, as if she had expected this all along.

"I am but a mere Void Refining Stage Cultivator. Does the Young Master really need to work with me?"

Her heart was filled with vigilance. Leaving aside the fact that Baili Shang was a member of the Demon Clan, his Cultivation level alone was enough to make her wary.

Otherwise, if he turned around and betrayed her, she’d be the fool counting Spirit Stones for him after being sold.

Baili Shang didn’t get annoyed. He leisurely took a white piece of paper out of his Storage Ring.