Chapter 1276: Chapter 969: Adapting to Changing Circumstances (Part 2)
"Going to the Absolute Summit Cliff in two days?" Jiang Yuan received the message while leisurely strolling through Lion Hill Market.
Although it was daytime, the market was shrouded in fog that didn’t affect visibility. Evidently, this market was of a high caliber, allowing cultivators to pass through even during daylight.
The fog slightly dimmed the indoor lighting, but both sides of the shops were brightly lit with candles, and the clinking of cups and lively chatter were heard throughout.
The location of Tianfu Tavern was excellent, with its towering, antique building of several stories appearing grander and more bustling amid the swirling mist. Jiang Yuan, while searching the map for Absolute Summit Cliff’s location, stepped into the tavern, immediately greeted by a young attendant.
"Is there a banquet hosted by Daoist Lü here? I am a friend of He Xun, invited..." His words were interrupted as a cultivator nearby who was cheerfully conversing with the shopkeeper turned around and laughed heartily, "A friend of He Xun? Here to join the celebration banquet for advancement in the realm, right? Welcome, welcome, please come upstairs!"
[Lü Yuanbai: Eighth Layer of the Wisdom Realm, low-level creature. Shopkeeper of the Seeking Residence Shop in Lion Hill Market, enthusiastic and friendly, loves making friends, became acquainted with He Xun through real estate investment...]
Jiang Yuan glanced over; this person was neither an evil cultivator but a market shop owner, hosting the banquet today to celebrate He Xun’s realm advancement.
"May I know your surname, Daoist friend? How should I address you?" Boss Lü, with the charisma of a businessman, led the way with warm hospitality, "I run the Seeking Residence Shop down the street, leasing and trading shops, residences in various cities, and numerous caves rich in spiritual energy in the wilderness.
He Xun recently chose a highly satisfactory cave from my place. We’ve arranged to dine at the tavern at noon, and afterwards, everyone will visit his new abode. He Xun mentioned, quite mysteriously, that he’ll announce a major joyous event then, letting all his friends gain from it!"
Jiang Yuan immediately understood—certainly intending to recruit them into Leisure Sect.
"My humble surname is Jiang. I met He Xun last night; he insisted on inviting me warmly, saying he’d share joyful news today, apparently related to cultivation and advancing realms. I thought it’s fortunate to hear senior talk about the path of cultivation, thus attending the banquet, though it’s quite sudden."
"Where’s the niceties!" Lü Yuanbai laughed, "He Xun loves making friends; that’s known to everyone. Not to mention, although I’m hosting the banquet today, many of the guests are unknown to me.
But it doesn’t matter, once He Xun arrives, introduces everyone, and a couple of drinks later, we’ll all be friends. Come, come, we’re in the Hibiscus room on the twelfth floor, almost everyone’s here, only waiting for the main character to appear to start the banquet!"
Following the enthusiastic Boss Lü upstairs, reaching the tenth floor, Jiang Yuan caught sight of a stranger cultivator with the corner of his eye, and the system’s detail made him slightly pause—Black Impermanence disguised as a Demon Cultivator?!
Black Impermanence also noticed Mr. Jiang, whom he had met once in the Netherworld.
But firstly, he used a magical treasure to disguise as a demon cultivator to gather clues, definitely unrecognizable to the opponent; secondly, to avoid additional complications, there was no need to greet.
However, when their eyes met, Black Impermanence discerned from the slightly surprised look of the opponent that his disguise had been seen through! Mr. Jiang knows who I am!
Surprised internally, he quickly lowered his head, masking it with tea-drinking, while wondering why Mr. Jiang was at this market?
Jiang Yuan indeed knew why Black Impermanence was there, as the system detail clearly stated: He was ordered to investigate the attack on the Yin Messenger, the theft of the Official Hat and Mourning Stick, having just found some clues, waiting in the tavern for suspects.
"Poor Ma Hongtu, who knows if his injuries have healed." He thought, previously a swindler had cheated people out of money using Ma Hongtu’s name, later realizing the little Yin Messenger got beaten badly, losing the Official Hat, Mourning Stick, and Soul Hook.
The key is, this incident wasn’t isolated; who knows what heartless cultivators kept bullying the Yin Messenger endlessly.
No side quests triggered, Jiang Yuan didn’t dwell on it, promptly following Boss Lü into the Hibiscus room on the twelfth floor.
Six grand tables, arranged among blooming flowers; singers and dancers were already performing on the central stage, singing unknown tunes, melodious and quite pleasant.
Among the thirty-nine attendees, only two were evil cultivators, whispering occasionally while seated closely.
"Boss Lü, the good wine and food are served. Why isn’t He Xun here yet?"
"Exactly! Today’s gathering is to celebrate him, why hasn’t he shown up at all?"
"I say Boss Lü is too kind; spending money and effort, yet He Xun shows no appreciation, acting all high and mighty!"
"Thunder Tribulation is a serious matter; it couldn’t be taken lightly. Surely, after a smooth realm advancement, he’s adjusting his breath, delaying just a bit is normal..."
........
Not expecting many evil cultivators, Jiang Yuan felt a bit unfortunate. But even a small mosquito is meat; with two, one could unearth a great deal; this journey won’t be fruitless.
Hence, he directly approached and sat beside them, flashing a meaningful smile, nodding towards them.
The two evil cultivators were bewildered, then checked the Merit Tokens, discovering the bright light from this person being a fellow practitioner! After brief chatting, they assumed Jiang Yuan was an affiliate under He Xun, grinning delightedly.
"Earlier, I was uncertain, now with an ally here, it feels much easier," one evil cultivator whispered softly, "He Xun said his newly acquired cave has been well prepared; after the banquet, we’ll all go to visit the new abode, then..."
He signaled "you know" with his eyes, then grinned sinisterly, revealing his white teeth.
Jiang Yuan could roughly guess, He Xun’s plan is likely inviting the attending cultivators to join Leisure Sect. Those unwilling to submit to evil cultivators probably get killed and refined into essence.
Thinking that the cave was located for free by the enthusiastic Lü Yuanbai, he felt anxious for Boss Lü.
"It’s already so late, why isn’t He Xun here yet?"
"The Communication Stone remains silent; could he still be crossing the tribulation?"
"Why don’t we start the banquet; I’m starving!"
"Didn’t they say there’ll be a tour of his new cave residence after the banquet? He’s really stingy, why not host the dinner directly in the cave?"
Watching as the time passed the appointed hour, yet the main character hadn’t arrived.
Lü Yuanbai was anxious too, but couldn’t get in touch; hence, during the banquet, he urged anyone who could contact or directly find He Xun. It’s only fair not to let so many people sit idle, right?
"Don’t know the exact location of the tribulation, but should take a glance to see if he has advanced..." The two evil cultivators were slightly proud, inserting their divine senses into the Merit Token to check if He Xun’s realm had changed.
In the next second, both turned pale, opened their eyes in shock to face each other.
He Xun was dead!
Not on the Merit ranking list!
"He Xun..." an evil cultivator looked at Jiang Yuan, whispered, "Did you see?"
Feigning a shocked expression then pretending to cover, he whispered, "Could he have failed the tribulation? Everything was fine last night. He said it was his third time crossing it, familiar with the process, sure to arrive on time. What’s to be done now?"
Another evil cultivator murmured, "Steady everyone, continue with the plan. He Xun is gone; obedient and disobedient we split three ways! Such a good scheme is too wasteful not to use."
Pausing, he added, "I handle the retreat. Thus, I understand and have authority over the arrays in He Xun’s new cave. How about it? Do you two dare to pull off this big ticket?"
Before Jiang Yuan could respond, the other one excitedly nodded, slightly flushed, "I see no big issues; we’ll say He Xun got severely hurt in the tribulation. As long as we get them into the cave, we’ll have them!"
Then, turning his gaze to Jiang Yuan, he commanded, "Remember to watch our cues; no need to do much, just stay among the crowd and act opportunistically."
Jiang Yuan:...
Not looking great, but thinking awfully ambitiously.
The entire hall of thirty-six innocent ordinary cultivators, tricked by you two into the cave, either would become fallen evil cultivators or get killed, what an injustice.
Knowing He Xun seemed like bad luck!
"With so many, we face the challenge of fighting the numerous with the few. Besides, among them, there are wealthy demon cultivators who likely possess many life-saving magical treasures." He said adaptively, "He Xun knows them well, definitely prepared thoroughly.
We, however, lack such understanding, and are inadequately prepared. Why not stabilize them here to dine; meanwhile, we three first reach the cave and arrange further preparation, ensuring none can escape."
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