Just a Useful Pawn in the Stain Sect

Chapter 204: Chapter 204: Under the Stain Sect, Treading on Thin Ice

North, Gai Bamboo Mountain.

The Spirit Vein of this place was rich in wood Qi, bursting with vitality and the image of all creation flourishing. Riding their Flying Lights, Lü Yang and Perfected Yin Shan soon landed outside the mountain.

”The Saint Sect’s previous order was for all the Cultivators of the North to gather here.”

Rather than disturbing the Array on the mountain, Perfected Yin Shan took out a Fei Xin. He ignited it with his Mana and, with a gentle flick, sent it flying into the mountain as a streak of Spirit Light.

A moment later, a graceful figure emerged from the mountain.

The woman who appeared had alluring, expressive eyes and perfectly sculpted, powdered brows. Her skirt ended just below her hips, offering a tantalizing, half-hidden view. A pleasant, clean scent emanated from her.

”I, Huanxiang, a Cultivator of a subordinate sect, greet the Upper Truths of the Saint Sect.”

The moment she appeared, the woman performed a graceful curtsy. Her posture was held with perfect poise, yet she exuded a flirtatious aura, creating a stark and powerful contrast.

Lü Yang, however, dared not let his guard down. This woman, Huanxiang, was no simple figure. She was the current Sect Leader of the North’s Xiangqu Sect, possessing a Mid-phase of Foundation Establishment cultivation. Rumor had it that her sect was also home to a Great Trueman at the Late Stage of Foundation Establishment, making them one of the preeminent Demon Dao sects in the North.

”You two Upper Truths have come from afar. Why not come inside for a chat?”

Huanxiang gave a sultry little laugh and proactively made way. On the surface, it sounded like an ordinary invitation, but her tone hinted at something more...

But what kind of person was Lü Yang?

He had always prided himself on having a Dao Heart of iron, a man unmoved by feminine wiles. How could he possibly be affected by such coquettish tricks? He immediately adopted a serious expression.

”Are you the only one here?”

Lü Yang’s Divine Sense swept across the area, only to find that on the vast Gai Bamboo Mountain, Huanxiang was the only one present. Where were the other Foundation-Stage Cultivators the Saint Sect had summoned?

”In response, my lord, they have gone elsewhere.”

Huanxiang revealed a hint of embarrassment. ”They heard that Upper Truths from the Saint Sect would be arriving and that a great battle was imminent, so they decided to conduct some private trades...”

Lü Yang paused, then immediately understood. To make a name for themselves and become a Foundation-Stage Cultivator under the Saint Sect’s rule, each of them surely had a few tricks up their sleeve, as well as some items they had no use for. With a great battle on the horizon, it was only natural for them to find a way to convert their useless belongings into actual combat strength.

However, there was still something Lü Yang didn’t understand.

”Shouldn’t this be done on Gai Bamboo Mountain? Besides, if our Saint Sect were to preside over it, wouldn’t everyone’s trades be more efficient?”

”Er...”

At his words, Huanxiang’s red lips parted slightly, leaving her speechless. Beside them, Perfected Yin Shan also seemed to realize something and put on a strange expression.

The next moment, the voice of Perfected Yin Shan echoed in Lü Yang’s mind via sound transmission:

”Junior Brother, you may not be aware. Given our Saint Sect’s... reputation, we’re not particularly trusted. And this sort of trading inevitably requires people to bring out some truly valuable things...”

Lü Yang understood immediately.

Why wouldn’t they let the Saint Sect preside over the trading, choosing to do it in private instead? They were afraid a Saint Sect Perfected Person would see something they liked and simply extort it from them!

Taking it a step further, he imagined even worse scenarios. It was entirely possible that a Saint Sect Perfected Person had, in the past, hidden their identity to ambush and kill someone, only to pin the crime on an outside enemy afterward.

”Have we actually done things like that?”

”Absolutely not!”

Perfected Yin Shan’s denial was vehement, and Lü Yang immediately understood the subtext.

’We definitely have! And probably a lot!’

At this thought, Lü Yang felt a wave of helplessness. He had still underestimated just how low the Saint Sect’s Perfected Persons could sink. ’How could these animals do such things?’

”Where are they trading? Take me there.”

At this, Huanxiang’s expression immediately became troubled.

Seeing her reaction, Lü Yang’s expression grew stern. ”Don’t get the wrong idea. I, Lü Yang, am different from the other Perfected Persons of the Saint Sect. I would never do something like ambush and murder someone on the road.”

’You’ve already thought of it, and now you’re telling me you *won’t* do it?’

But he had already said so much. How could she possibly dare to refuse?

’Living under the Saint Sect is like walking on thin ice...’

Huanxiang grumbled internally but dared not let it show on her face. She could only sigh. ”I shall take you there now, Upper Truth. I hope you will not take offense...”

Hearing this, the corner of Lü Yang’s mouth twitched into an amiable smile. ”I acquired a few Artifacts while I was Overseas. They are of no use to me, so I might as well trade them. For one, it could increase the combat strength of the Cultivators of the North. And for two, I could trade for some Artifacts that are more useful to me.”

”...Oh?”

At these words, Huanxiang’s beautiful eyes brightened. After all, these were Artifacts from the Saint Sect. Even if they were useless to Lü Yang, to them, they would be treasures of the highest quality.

”But Gai Bamboo Mountain still needs a Perfected Person to stand guard...”

”I’ll do it,” Perfected Yin Shan offered. ”Yuan Tu, you go with her. Leave this place to me.”

”...Then I must thank you, Senior Brother.”

Lü Yang and Perfected Yin Shan exchanged a look, seemingly having reached a consensus, and then nodded.

.......

「A short while later, in a forest outside the Qing Country.」

Lü Yang and Huanxiang, each riding a Flying Light and concealing their forms, descended into the forest. They finally came to a stop before a cave and released their Qi traces.

They walked into the cave.

Inside, more than ten figures had already gathered. All of them turned to look at the pair.

However, everyone had concealed their Qi traces and physical forms, clearly having no intention of revealing their identities at this trading meet. After all, the various powers of the North were hardly one big, happy family. Among the Foundation-Stage Cultivators summoned by the Saint Sect were even some who were sworn generational enemies, so naturally, no one dared to be too conspicuous.

Besides, anonymity was more suitable for fencing stolen goods.

In this respect, the Cultivators of the North had clearly been influenced by the Saint Sect, as every one of them was as cunning as a fox. This, however, made it convenient for Lü Yang to blend in.

”The Hour has arrived.”

Following a soft cry, an earthy-yellow Splendid Light ignited in the center of the cave. From it emerged an old man with white hair, dressed in white robes.

Almost simultaneously, Huanxiang sent Lü Yang a Divine Sense transmission. ”This man is called the Dragon-Fishing Elder. He’s a Loose Cultivator from the North. He must have either obtained the inheritance of a great sect or had some other fortuitous encounter, which is how he also reached the Mid-phase of Foundation Establishment. He was the first one to propose this trade meet.”

Lü Yang’s eyes narrowed at her words.

Of all the Foundation-Stage Cultivators present, only this Dragon-Fishing Elder had not concealed his appearance and Qi trace. Clearly, this Perfected Person was supremely confident in his own strength.

He was utterly fearless, secure in his own power.

Then, the Dragon-Fishing Elder in the center of the cave smiled faintly. ”This trade meet was my proposal. Since that is the case, allow me to be the first to start.”

With that, he waved his hand.

The next second, the temperature inside the cave shot up. A roiling Blood Qi, like a blazing sun, billowed out, revealing the majestic and ferocious Corpse of a Flood Dragon!

”Some time ago, a Perfected Lord from the Saint Sect was engaged in Combat Overseas, which threw the region into chaos. I got lucky and used the opportunity to ’fish’ up a Flood Dragon at the Early Stage of Foundation Establishment. Its Jiao Tendons and Jiao Bone can be used for Refining Treasure, its Jiao Blood can be used to enhance virility, and there is also half a Dragon Horn... All I ask for is a single bottle of Longevity Elixir.”

At these words, everyone fell silent.

If it were a simple Life-extending Elixir, many of those present would have one. But when a Foundation-Stage Cultivator spoke of extending one’s life, they were actually referring to a method of warding off the Weakening Wind.

The Wind-Resistant Pill that the Master of Heaven Mending Peak once gave to Arhat Fulong, for example, was this type of treasure.

Unfortunately, this seemed to be a personal fortunate encounter of the former Master of Heaven Mending Peak and had nothing to do with Heaven Mending Peak itself. Thus, Lü Yang had not obtained the Qi Pill or its recipe after taking over the peak.

After a moment, a Splendid Light suddenly flashed where the corpse had been.

When the Splendid Light dissipated, the Corpse of the Foundation-Stage Flood Dragon that the Dragon-Fishing Elder had just presented was gone. Someone had clearly completed the trade with him in secret.

Using a Splendid Light to conceal the transaction was a clear sign that they didn’t want anyone to know who had obtained the Artifacts.

”Next...”

Soon, more Foundation-Stage Cultivators stepped forward to trade, bringing out a wide variety of items. There were Spiritual Treasures, Qi Pills, and even Daoist Skills.

Even Huanxiang went up to make a trade at one point.

But what left Lü Yang speechless was that when it was Huanxiang’s turn, she actually disguised herself as a burly man, her voice becoming incredibly gruff.

’Does she really have to be so careful?’

Just then, another Splendid Light flashed within the cave. A Daoist Child with a youthful face emerged, yet he carried himself with the world-weary air of an elder.

Another one who wasn’t bothering to conceal his appearance.

”It’s the Duo Bao Child... the Sect Leader of Treasure Division Cliff, a Mid-phase Foundation-Stage Cultivator!”

”He’s here too?”

”Now that’s a juicy target... even Perfected Persons from the Saint Sect have robbed him before!”

For a moment, many of the Foundation-Stage Cultivators stared straight at him. However, when the Daoist Child’s gaze swept over them, most of them didn’t dare to meet his eyes.

After all, most of them were only at the Early Stage of Foundation Establishment. Someone at the Mid-phase was already quite intimidating to them.

Only Lü Yang narrowed his eyes at the sight.

’Interesting...’

He glanced at the Duo Bao Child, who was practically overflowing with Mythical Light, all but having the word ”bait” tattooed on his forehead, and suddenly broke into a wide smile.