Exchange

Bi Yuzhuang's Huangmian transformed back into a formation disc, which she drew into her red robes. She cast a glance at the corpse suspended in mid-air—Wang Fu's body was still twitching and thrashing, blood pouring out in torrents and transforming into multicolored little insects that burrowed into the sea. His severed parts seemed to possess a consciousness of their own, struggling in different directions. In the brief moment it took Bi Yuzhuang to stow her formation disc, the man's body had already torn into three sections, flying west, north, and east. Only then did she confirm he was thoroughly dead. The talisman she had long prepared immediately shot forth to parry the oncoming magical artifacts. She shot a meaningful look at the Feng brothers, who promptly took to flight in separate directions. Bi Yuzhuang herself seized the chaos to flee into the clouds. The Changxiao cultivators were thrown into disarray: some scrambled in different directions to pursue Wang Fu's remains, some split into two groups to chase down the Feng brothers, and even more stood at a loss where they were. She let out a sigh of relief, though she did not drop her guard, terrified that someone from Changxiao might suddenly leap out from nearby. Together with the Li family members and Chen Xuanyu, she sped southward, crossed the bordering Tianzhu Island, and touched down upon Suzhu Main Island. The group entered the small pavilion together. Only then did Bi Yuzhuang let down her suspended heart, concealing her worries. Looking toward Li Qinghong, she asked gently, "Were any of you injured?" "We were not." Wang Fu had never been a cultivator skilled in direct combat, whereas their side boasted both a lightning cultivator and a sword cultivator. Bi Yuzhuang had exhausted his trump cards, and Li Ximing had successfully ambushed him. Forget Wang Fu; even if his master Zhou Han had come, he too would likely have met a sudden end. Li Qinghong took out the storage bag, while Li Ximing placed the large silver-white box on the table. Wang Fu's sword, bell, and pearl were held by Bi Yuzhuang. In their true forms, none were particularly large, but each emitted an enchanting dharmic glow as they were set by the edge of the table. Li Ximing wore a contemplative expression, dharmic power stirring as he sent a voice transmission: "There is nothing more precious on his person. The three magical artifacts will be divided among us. As for the storage bag, it cannot be opened right away—we will probably have to wait ten days to half a month." Li Qinghong looked at the silver-white box. Already anticipating what lay within, she did not let any disappointment show. Gently receiving it, she sent her spiritual sense inside. Lying within the box was an inch of radiant stream of light, flicking its tail like a white snake as it darted back and forth. Startled upon encountering her spiritual sense, it recoiled into a corner of the box. Li Qinghong could not identify the item, so she passed it into Li Ximing's hands, gesturing for him to take a look. Li Ximing examined it with a furrowed brow before handing it to Chen Xuanyu. "It looks like a Zifu spiritual object of the Binggu lineage," Chen Xuanyu said, full of thought. Li Qinghong shook her head, while Bi Yuzhuang spoke in a solemn voice: "I am afraid it is a Zifu spiritual object of the Quandan attribute." Since this item held little use for her own family, Li Qinghong naturally did not wish to carry it thousands of li back inland, nor was keeping it at home suitable, lest it stir up trouble for no reason. Li Qinghong said softly, "It seems untimely. How about we temporarily leave this item deposited on your esteemed island? If passing cultivators have a need for it, see if it can be traded for what my family requires. There is no need to be overly concerned—just inquire if possible. Furthermore, if there is any spiritual object of the Mingyang attribute, or heritage outside of Huangyuan Pass, and if convenient, please send a letter to our lake so I may know. Still, a Zifu spiritual object is best." Chen Xuanyu nodded in agreement. "Fellow Daoist Qinghong is right. My Chen family wouldn't dare take this thing out openly to trade either. Leaving it to trade here is best." Bi Yuzhuang showed some longing in her eyes, yet she refrained from saying too much, merely nodding courteously. "Leave it to me. May I ask what your noble clan requires? I will certainly do my utmost to search for it." Hearing Li Qinghong mention Mingyang, Bi Yuzhuang replied, "Good. A spiritual object of the Mingyang attribute? That is indeed rare. Usually, that belongs to the heritage of dragonkind or the upper sect Luoxia. My Hengzhu naturally has none, but I can keep an eye out for you, Fellow Daoist." "Luoxia... Hongxia?" Li Qinghong murmured thoughtfully. She pursed her lips and looked at Li Ximing, her almond eyes filled with unease. She shook her head and said, "Ximing, you go down first to choose a magical artifact. I will chat a bit more with Senior." Chen Xuanyu stood up as well. The middle-aged man had a dignified bearing and carried a sword on his back. He said courteously, "I will also go down to look, saving the trouble of running back and forth later." Bi Yuzhuang nodded. "Once you have chosen the magical artifacts, Daoist Chen will also be returning to Jiangnan. Traveling together, you fellow Daoists can look out for one another." "Please." The two were guided down to inspect the treasury by a Hengzhu cultivator. Upstairs, Bi Yuzhuang looked toward Li Qinghong and said softly, "Qinghong, there is no need to worry too much. Things often take a turn for the better." Li Qinghong paused slightly, understanding her meaning. She had already been deep in thought, and hearing those words only deepened her concern. Having no heart to speak further with Bi Yuzhuang, she rose to take her leave. Coming out of the antique small pavilion and down to the terrace, Li Qinghong found that Li Ximing had not gone to pick an artifact, but was standing off to the side waiting for her. She looked at Li Ximing. The young man showed no disappointment on his face, though the gaze he turned toward her held a trace of exhaustion. Li Ximing whispered, "Aunt, if a Zifu spiritual object is truly difficult to obtain, why not try the Zifu cultivation method of the 'Hongxia' path? Brother Zhi has also reached late-stage Foundation Establishment. His talent is not lacking, and his temperament far surpasses mine... "Waiting endlessly for a Zifu spiritual object, who knows how long it will drag out. That would be undesirable... As for the matter of Zifu, the longer you hesitate, the more dangerous it becomes. Even if the breakthrough fails, there is Minghuang... If that 'Hongxia' cultivation method is good enough, let Brother Zhi try it as well, and another path will open before us." Li Ximing was silent for a breath, then said softly, "I am worried about Ninth Brother." Li Qinghong said, "I know. Let us go choose the magical artifacts first, and then depart quickly. With your Ninth Brother's prudence, having left first, he must have gone to the island to investigate. Perhaps he discovered that the spiritual object was not taken out, so he will certainly make other plans."