A Loose Cultivator's Path to Longevity

’His Divine Sense far surpassed that of his peers. The Shocking God Needle Secret Skill he’d mastered would surely be his ultimate trump card, the key to victory in future combat.’

Hearing this, Yu Feng’Er’s expression faltered, but she recovered in an instant and replied with a charming smile:

”Fellow Daoist, you must be joking. This Ice Soul Essence Blood can only be condensed by someone with an Ice Soul Spirit Body, and at a great cost. I am but a person of ordinary constitution; how could I possibly produce such a Spiritual Object?”

As she spoke, she deliberately released her aura.

Lü Zhong sensed her aura. Indeed, the earlier chill was gone.

Clearly, Yu Feng’Er had an item that concealed the aura of her Spirit Body.

’But while that trick might fool others, it couldn’t fool him—not with his Gray Mist Space.’

Lü Zhong sneered and continued, speaking as if to himself, ”If I’m not mistaken, the power struggle at the Chengde Commerce Association must have reached a critical point. Logically, business matters should be resolved through business means. For you, Fellow Daoist Yu, to resort to hiring an assassin... you must have been pushed into a desperate corner. Am I wrong?”

These weren’t baseless words.

First, there was the Commerce Association’s Chief Steward, Lin Fangyun, unscrupulously accumulating power. Then, Zhang Miao paid a personal visit to gather evidence of his rival’s misdeeds. It was very clear what stage the situation had reached.

From the looks of it, Zhang Miao had the upper hand in the Chengde Commerce Association’s power struggle.

Chief Steward Lin Fangyun was at a disadvantage, while the faction represented by Yu Feng’Er—that of the former Commerce Association Chairman—was at an absolute disadvantage. That was why she would make a desperate, all-or-nothing gamble, hoping to hire an assassin to turn the tide.

At this thought, Lü Zhong looked at Yu Feng’Er’s flickering expression and added with a smile, ”Fellow Daoist Yu, you don’t want to see the Chengde Commerce Association fall into someone else’s hands again, do you? So...”

The moment he spoke, his words seemed to strike a nerve, and the strength drained from Yu Feng’Er’s body.

”So, have you made up your mind? I have the strength to defeat the Seven Sons of Huayi. As long as the target has no Golden Core cultivator protecting them, taking them out will be a simple matter for me,” Lü Zhong said calmly, his words filled with confidence in his own power.

”...I agree!” Yu Feng’Er couldn’t deny it. She truly wanted to take back the Chengde Commerce Association—the culmination of her father, Yu Chengde’s, life’s work, which he had built from nothing.

’The information Lü Zhong revealed, his claim of defeating the Seven Sons of Huayi... judging by those Storage Bags, it didn’t seem like a lie. A moment ago, Uncle Wang hadn’t tried to stop her, which clearly meant he also acknowledged this man’s strength. There was no way Zhang Miao could hire a guard stronger than him.’

”Chief Steward Lin Fangyun—you have to get rid of him at the same time!”

’With those two gone, there would be no more obstacles to her, Yu Feng’Er, taking control of the Chengde Commerce Association.’

”I can, but it’ll cost extra,” Lü Zhong said, straightening up.

’Killing one person is the same as killing two. He didn’t mind adding another to the list.’

”Spirit Stones, or Ice Soul Essence Blood? To be honest with you, Fellow Daoist, condensing three drops of Ice Soul Essence Blood is already my limit. How about... I offer myself to you in exchange?” Yu Feng’Er said, biting her lip.

’Her body was a form of capital, one she had long been prepared to use.’

To her surprise, however, Lü Zhong shook his head and said:

”Fellow Daoist Yu, you jest. I am not a man driven by lust. Let’s use these materials as payment instead.”

With that, he handed her a list of materials.

Yu Feng’Er took the list and saw that it was mostly filled with high-aged Spirit Medicines. Gathering them would be quite difficult, but when she considered the benefit of getting Lin Fangyun eliminated in exchange, she agreed.

Finally, Yu Feng’Er didn’t forget to give him the time for the operation.

”In seven days, the Chengde Commerce Association will hold its customary assembly at the Yunlu Pavilion outside the city. The next Chairman of the Chengde Commerce Association will be decided then. I hope you can make your preparations in advance, Fellow Daoist.”