Chapter 936: Guests Arrive; A Daoist Feeds a Flood Dragon (I)
Inside a cave residence filled with spirit energy, Huangfu Song smashed the cup in his hand with rage. "It's just a low-grade defensive enchanted treasure. What gives him the right to price it at five hundred thousand? Does he really take everyone for a fool?"
Elder Gui, who was standing nearby reporting in, could only look on helplessly. He understood the source of Huangfu Song's anger. Back then, Huangfu Song had lost his nerve in front of Azure Yang, and it had left him humiliated for good. Even though he often convinced himself with the reasoning that those who sought great achievements must know when to yield and when to tolerate, he still followed Azure Yang's matters often, which showed he had never truly let it go. And now that Azure Yang had crafted a second defensive enchanted treasure, it proved that his success was no coincidence. These treasures were always in demand and always fetched high prices. So Azure Yang's wealth would just keep growing, forever. Any plan that relied on his lack of funds to force him out of Surging Lake was entirely futile.
These two things combined drove Huangfu Song to this outburst.
Elder Gui said sharply, "Master, some things are better let go. Don't let them hold up our real plans."
Huangfu Song glared at him sideways. "Why should I let it go? You really think I'm weaker than him? That fight was at his place, where he built up a foundation for years, with a grand formation backing him. If we fought somewhere else, you think I'd lose to him?!"
"A man of your standing shouldn't be risking his life! Why go so far?"
"Hmph, don't I still have all of you? Besides, Purple Empress already agreed to help me once."
"Ahem... About that... Master, I heard Purple Empress has sent a visiting card to Surging Lake."
Huangfu Song froze. He understood better than anyone what it meant to send a visiting card: she intended to befriend Azure Yang. His expression twisted even more. "That wretched..."
All Azure Yang could do was create defensive enchanted treasures! Was that really enough for her to throw away her pride and fawn over him like this?
***
Outside the Azure Yang Shop, Devil's Cloud lingered for a long time before finally making up his mind. "I'll see for myself just how good the enchanted treasure you made really is. Five hundred thousand spirit stones? So be it."
His subordinate voiced his confusion over the price being so high, but Devil's Cloud simply curled his lips in response. "He's putting it up as the shop's prized item, so of course the price has to be high. At five hundred thousand, Initiates can't afford it, and those who've just reached Golden Core are strapped for money too. Only seasoned Adepts could pay that much, but people like that usually already have a solid defensive treasure. Why would they go out of their way to buy another one? They wouldn't, and that's the point!"
The subordinate understood. The price was high, yet not outrageously so. It sat in a perfect range. It discouraged most people but did not outright treat them as jokes. Of course, his master now intended to buy it and study it in detail. This so-called shop's treasure item would be sold before it had even sat there for two days.
Devil's Cloud strode forward, forcing his way through the bustling crowd and into the Azure Yang Shop. The people behind him had all come because of the shop's reputation. The moment they saw him, some recognized him and called him out.
The crowd erupted in an uproar. Even Devil's Cloud, the most renowned master artisan in the Society, had come in person. Was this not an indirect acknowledgment of Luo Chen's skill? Could it be that he was really on par with Devil's Cloud?
Devil's Cloud ignored the murmurs behind him and walked straight to the counter. He looked at the gentle woman standing behind it and asked, "Where's the Bright Yellow Rock Armor?"
Wen Xiu instantly recognized him. She felt a little tense but kept her composure. "Adept Devil's Cloud, I'm afraid I can't show you the treasure right now."
"Hm?" Devil's Cloud frowned.
She quickly explained, "There's a buyer upstairs discussing things with my husband. We need to—"
"Hmph! I'd like to see who dares compete with me for it." Devil's Cloud flicked his sleeve and strode up the stairs. Wen Xiu followed closely behind.
As soon as Devil's Cloud entered the esteemed guest room, a chuckle sounded. "Fellow Daoist Devil's Cloud, it's just a low-grade enchanted treasure. No need to make such a fuss. Why not let me have this one?"
Seeing the calm Daoist, Devil's Cloud blurted out, "Huo Fang!"
It was the deputy city lord of Dragon Abyss City!
"Don't you have the Heaven Guard Ring? That's a mid-grade defensive enchanted treasure! Why would you still..."
Before he could finish, he realized something. "You are buying this for Endless Valley?"
Huo Fang smiled and nodded. He was calm and composed, as if he had no concern about anyone competing with him.
Devil's Cloud, however, felt conflicted. Although Huo Fang was the deputy city lord, he was not a subordinate of Sage Dragon Abyss, nor was he a demon hunter like the Angler or Purple Empress. He hailed from Endless Valley.
Everyone knew that although the Society was known as the Holy Land of rogue cultivators, it was not purely for rogue cultivators at all. Besides the Three Hermits and Sage Dragon Abyss, who had risen from a nine-star demon hunter, there were three other Sages who commanded their own forces. There were the Chen family of Sky Passage, the Zhou family of Coral Sea, and Endless Valley. Huo Fang was from the latter. Aside from his role as deputy city lord, he was also the third disciple of Sage Spirit Tamer and served as a legacy elder there.
The reason he had come to take up a post in Dragon Abyss City was tied to a rule set back when the Society was first established. The three forces were not allowed to involve themselves too deeply in the affairs of the Society and could only remain as allied parties. To make up for this, the Three Hermits ceded part of the city's authority and gave them the position of deputy city lord. After some discussion, the three forces chose Huo Fang to take the role on their behalf. The gains went beyond cultivation resources; more importantly, they also included the recruitment of talent.
Heroes could emerge from the wild, and talent could be found among rogue cultivators. Among the countless rogue cultivators, there would always be talented individuals. Huo Fang's duty was to draw in these capable rogue cultivators from the Society. How did Devil's Cloud know this so well? That was because he had been one of his recruits himself!
Over the years, Devil's Cloud Cave had created countless enchanted artifacts and treasures. Yet only part had reached the hands of rogue cultivators; most had been bought by the three major forces. If Devil's Cloud had not been so unwilling to be tied down, those forces would have taken him as a guest elder and backed his cultivation.
And now, Huo Fang himself had come to Azure Yang Shop to purchase a low-grade enchanted treasure that was of no real use to him. Devil's Cloud knew immediately what that meant. Huo Fang did not care for the armor itself; he cared for the one who had made it, just as the force behind him had once cared for Devil's Cloud himself.
Seeing him deep in thought, Huo Fang spoke up, "You're after this item just to study it, right? That doesn't conflict with what we're trying to do. If anything, it helps us appraise it and could even save you quite a few spirit stones. Fellow Daoist Devil's Cloud, let me have it. It works out for both of us. I'll still give you time to study it afterward."
Devil's Cloud considered it for a moment, then agreed.
Outside the room, Zhang Jiadi and Wen Xiu stood in silence and were even afraid to breathe too loudly. They wished to speak but feared their conversation would be overheard by their guests' divine consciousness.
A while later, there was laughter from inside. The door opened, and Devil's Cloud stepped out. He walked away and did not say anything about buying the Bright Yellow Rock Armor.
"Deputy city lord!" Zhang Jiadi bowed respectfully.
Huo Fang gave a soft grunt of acknowledgement. He looked at Zhang Jiadi and his wife, then blinked. "I've heard Fellow Daoist Azure Yang doesn't have many capable assistants and that the two of you have been handling his day-to-day affairs."
Zhang Jiadi quickly nodded. "Yes. He helped us establish a cultivation family and secure our livelihood. I usually handle some matters for him."
Huo Fang pressed his lips together, and his smile grew. "Is that so..."
