A Transaction

A few days earlier, Qin Sang had adopted a new face and assumed the identity of an artifact refiner, becoming a guest elder of a shop and openly showing himself in Qingyang Market. He interacted extensively with disciples of the Qingyang Demonic Sect, behaving warmly and helping them repair or craft magic tools at low prices, casually chatting whenever he had spare time to discreetly probe for news regarding the sect. At times, he would deliberately or casually drop a word of guidance, presenting the demeanor of a kind-hearted elder who looked out for juniors. Among them were many familiar faces he had seen years ago at Tiange Tower. They did not recognize that the man before them was the very Daoist Qingfeng they had never forgotten, yet they found him deeply congenial. Because of this, Qin Sang became very popular. In reality, Qin Sang had already adopted the identity of a corpse-refining demonic cultivator and secretly made contact with individuals seeking to purchase refined corpses—the vast majority of whom were Qi Refinement stage cultivators. Foundation Establishment cultivators were holding back, merely observing; a few zombies were not worth them making a big fuss over. Qin Sang did not mind. He was genuinely interested in trading, and through his clandestine contacts, he sold four zombies one after another, three of which went to Qingyang Demonic Sect disciples. This was only natural. Qingyang Demonic Sect disciples were generally wealthier than rogue cultivators and offered generous prices. The zombies crafted by Qin Sang's hands were well worth the cost. With this, eight refined corpses had been sold, leaving Qin Sang with one zombie and five baleful corpses. Among those five baleful corpses was the sole surviving middle Foundation Establishment stage baleful corpse from his great battle against Daoist Jiupao. Of the fourteen Kuiyin Sect remnants, four had been refined into baleful corpses, nine into zombies, and one had been reserved for other uses. A few days later, refined corpses appeared once again in Qingyang Market. This time, however, alongside a zombie was a baleful corpse—though its strength was not particularly formidable, still falling short of an ordinary early Foundation Establishment stage cultivator. Even so, the stir it created was markedly different. After the auction, the number of Foundation Establishment cultivators contacting Qin Sang through Zhenbao Pavilion noticeably increased. Qin Sang had always been cautious. Although his aim was targeted at the Qingyang Demonic Sect, he was not so foolish as to reveal his true intention and arouse suspicion; instead, items went to the highest bidder. He secretly sold off another baleful corpse, though unfortunately, the buyer was not a disciple of the Qingyang Demonic Sect. Now, Qin Sang had three baleful corpses left in his hands. Two of them were late Foundation Establishment baleful corpses he intended to keep for his own use, but for the grand matter of Core Formation, if they had to be sold, he would sell them all the same. However, late Foundation Establishment baleful corpses were far too conspicuous; Qin Sang dared not sell them lightly. Day after day passed. With less than a month remaining before the grand auction was set to begin, Zhenbao Pavilion suddenly delivered a message: a renowned master from the Qingyang Demonic Sect wished to meet with Qin Sang. Receiving this news, Qin Sang's heart stirred. The person he had been waiting for was finally here! Suppressing his urgency, Qin Sang arranged to meet him two days later. *** On the evening of the third day. Inside a quiet room in Zhenbao Pavilion. Qin Sang changed into a black robe and entered Zhenbao Pavilion. The manager led him into the quiet room, where an elegant, refined middle-aged man sat. He had made no attempt to conceal his features and was leisurely sipping tea. Having stayed in Qingyang Market for twenty-eight years, Qin Sang had at least a passing familiarity with the experts of the Qingyang Demonic Sect. This man was named Wen Yanjie, a late Foundation Establishment master. He was said to be generous, protective of juniors, and well-reputed within the Qingyang Demonic Sect, possessing consummate mastery over the Qingyang Demonic Fire. "So it is Fellow Daoist Wen before me!" Once the Zhenbao Pavilion manager withdrew, Qin Sang feigned a hoarse, weather-beaten voice as he sat down opposite Wen Yanjie. Wen Yanjie narrowed his eyes slightly, set down his teacup, and scrutinized Qin Sang. "Fellow Daoist recognizes Wen?" "How could I not?" Qin Sang let out an odd chuckle. "Fellow Daoist Wen's fame is renowned throughout Qingyang Market—there is no one who does not know you. To this old man, your name hasn't merely thundered in my ears; calluses have nearly grown from hearing it so often. I hadn't expected that Fellow Daoist Wen would also take an interest in refined corpses. It seems this old man's baleful corpse will fetch a handsome price." Wen Yanjie said unhurriedly, "Refined corpses are merely tools, no different from magic tools. Wen has always been interested in anything capable of enhancing one's strength. As for the price it can fetch, that depends on the quality of your refined corpse... The sort auctioned a few days ago need not be brought out." Qin Sang knew that given Wen Yanjie's cultivation, an ordinary baleful corpse would never catch his eye. Thus, he opened his corpse puppet pouch and summoned forth the middle Foundation Establishment stage baleful corpse. "What does Fellow Daoist think of this one?" Wen Yanjie's eyes lit up. He extended his spiritual sense to sweep over the baleful corpse, then glanced askance at Qin Sang. "Fellow Daoist is indeed no ordinary man—no wonder Wen could not see through your cultivation! In your hands, there must be an even stronger baleful corpse, no?" Qin Sang countered, "Even this baleful corpse fails to catch Fellow Daoist Wen's discerning eye?" "Still too weak." Wen Yanjie shook his head. Leaning slightly forward, he fixed an intense gaze on Qin Sang, his tone dropping low. "Fellow Daoist certainly has late Foundation Establishment baleful corpses in hand. There is no need to hide or be evasive—bring them all out. Wen will take them all." Qin Sang was certainly willing to sell, but Wen Yanjie's posture and tone carried an undertone of intimidation that made him secretly frown. He could not tell if the man was fishing for information or doing this deliberately. This man's true nature likely differed from the rumors. Naturally, he did not fear Wen Yanjie. His understanding of Qingyang Market was second to none, even among the members of the Qingyang Demonic Sect. The market was a complex web of factions, and with the Qingyang Demonic Sect in decline, it could no longer blot out the sky with one hand. Even if he wanted to sell, he could not appear too weak, or it would only embolden Wen Yanjie and stir up unnecessary complications. With a sudden shift of thought, Qin Sang stood up abruptly and barked, "What is the meaning of this, Fellow Daoist Wen? Are you planning to force a sale on me?" Seeing Qin Sang's reaction, Wen Yanjie's eyes brightened. "Wen truly did not guess wrong. What is Fellow Daoist hesitating for? Wen is not lacking in top-grade magic tools. Feel free to name your price." Qin Sang gave a cold snort. "That baleful corpse is this old man's trump card. I must rely on it to venture into the Ancient Immortal Battlefield! What kind of top-grade magic tool could possibly compare to such a powerful baleful corpse? Fellow Daoist Wen, speak no more idle pipe dreams! Today, this old man will pretend I never met you!" Qin Sang put away the baleful corpse and turned to leave, only for Wen Yanjie to flash forward and block his path. "What is the meaning of this, Fellow Daoist Wen?!" Qin Sang feigned alarm and fury. Wen Yanjie said placidly, "Do not misunderstand, Fellow Daoist. Wen is acting in sincere good faith. Look, what is this?" As he spoke, Wen Yanjie retrieved a jade box from his mustard seed bag. Opening it revealed a small stalk of grass. Entirely crimson in color, it emitted waves of rolling heat the moment the jade box opened, causing the temperature within the quiet room to soar abruptly. "Firethorn Grass?" Seeing this spiritual herb, Qin Sang was slightly surprised; he had not expected such a windfall. Firethorn Grass was precisely one of the targeted spiritual medicines for treating corpse transformation. "Indeed, it is Firethorn Grass." Wen Yanjie nodded. "In your past several trades, Fellow Daoist requested this category of spiritual medicine. Wen surmises that you must have been careless while refining corpses, allowing corpse qi and corpse poison to invade your body... Given your urgency, your injuries must not be light. Since you recognize Firethorn Grass, there is no need for Wen to elaborate on its medicinal effects. How about exchanging this stalk of Firethorn Grass for Fellow Daoist's baleful corpse?"