Chapter 212

Since he was going to make the trip, he naturally had to bring that person along.

However, the Spirit Stones he had on hand were running low. Because of his heavy spending at the Heaven Treasure Pavilion, he hadn’t managed to save much in the past few years. He would probably have to sell off some of his most valuable possessions.

After discussing it with True Personage Qingyang, the other party agreed readily.

But Wang Yu did not expect that just as he was preparing funds, Ye Qing, the master of Golden Abundance Tower, whom he hadn’t seen for some time, came to visit—bringing what seemed to be good news.

The alchemy furnace he had ordered years ago had finally been delivered: a third-rank mid-grade [Starfall Cold Furnace].

It was a good thing that the furnace had reached mid-grade quality, but that also meant he had to pay a large remaining balance.

“City Lord Wang.”

“Master Ye.”

The two exchanged only brief greetings. Under the coordination of Han Jia, the Heaven Treasure Pavilion had utterly crushed the Golden Abundance Tower, leaving Ye Qing’s foundation depleted. He was now in a miserable state.

His complexion was sallow and his cheeks pale.

It looked as if he had applied cheap, uneven powder. That he could even come to deliver the [Starfall Cold Furnace] was surprising, considering his current downfall—all thanks to Wang Yu.

“This is the alchemy furnace ordered by the City Lord. The tower covered some of the spiritual materials in advance, and the artifact refiner also needs his fee. The remaining payment totals four hundred and twenty thousand Spirit Stones.”

“So much?” Wang Yu asked suspiciously.

He remembered already paying one hundred thousand Spirit Stones and providing a third-rank spiritual material. Another four hundred and twenty thousand? That could buy half a Core Formation-grade spiritual treasure.

“Does he take me for a fool?”

Ye Qing’s expression darkened even more. “City Lord Wang, according to custom, when a final product surpasses the lower-grade rank, the artifact refiner must be given a bonus gift as a sign of thanks.”

Hearing this, Wang Yu nodded slightly. That was indeed customary.

“How much is the gift?”

“Two hundred thousand.”

Ye Qing raised two fingers. Instantly, Wang Yu’s brow furrowed tightly.

“Are you joking? It already cost ten thousand just to invite him, and now another two hundred thousand as a gift? I could buy a brand-new lower-grade magic treasure for that, not to mention I already provided a third-rank material.”

“City Lord, this is the refiner’s demand. I have no say in it.”

“Heh.”

Wang Yu put the furnace away into his Sea Heart Ring and tossed out a storage pouch. “There are two hundred and twenty thousand Spirit Stones inside. Have Jin Miaoshan go speak to him.”

Ye Qing’s face instantly turned gloomy.

“City Lord, this is not how business is done.”

Wang Yu replied coldly.

“I don’t care about your hidden rules. If it were three, five, or even ten thousand Spirit Stones, I’d accept it. But two hundred thousand? What am I, a pig to be slaughtered?”

Ye Qing said nothing more, gave a perfunctory bow, and left.

Watching his departing back, Wang Yu activated Invisibility and Breath Concealment Spell simultaneously, then followed quietly while contacting Han Jia through a voice transmission jade talisman to inquire about the refiner.

While tailing Ye Qing, he learned the truth from Han Jia. Such “unspoken rules” did exist, but the usual rate was only fifty thousand Spirit Stones—and two hundred thousand was only for cases where a high-grade magic treasure had been successfully refined.

Understanding this, Wang Yu’s mind cleared.

The refiner Ye Qing had hired was connected to Jin Miaoshan. Ye Qing himself didn’t have the power to invite such a master. His intent was clearly malicious—revenge.

“He wants me to offend the refiner of the Golden Abundance Tower? But why?”

While pondering, Wang Yu suddenly recalled his first encounter with Jin Miaoshan years ago. From his understanding of Ye Qing, the man was not foolish.

This meant he had backing.

Now that Jin Miaoshan had been trapped in life-and-death seclusion for over five years, her rival Qian Zhong’s so-called “Young Master Jin Lin” might well be the one orchestrating things behind the scenes.

But… why target him?

Using his masterful concealment techniques, Wang Yu followed Ye Qing all the way into Jade Spirit Golden Abundance Tower. After Ye Qing reached the top floor, he activated a soundproof array.

Wang Yu’s divine sense had already reached the third rank, and he was very familiar with the tower’s layout. Staying close, he could faintly sense the voices inside the formation.

“Young Master, the matter is done. As expected, Wang Yu refused to pay the extra Spirit Stones.”

Then came a young, unfamiliar, condescending voice.

“Of course. He’s not an idiot. How could he willingly pay two hundred thousand more? The fact that he made Jin Miaoshan suffer once already proves his capability.”

Ye Qing asked, “Then what should I do next?”

The mysterious young man replied, “The branch towers of Cloud Ridge Prefecture are all under Jin Miaoshan’s control. Recently, the branch discovered a third-rank mineral deposit called [Deep Sea Sinking Silver] near the eastern shores of the Crimson Kite Demonic Domain, close to the Chaotic Ancient Sea.

“This deposit has a high chance of producing fourth-rank [Sinking Silver Essence]. However, the site lies within Secluded Prefecture—territory of Yellow Spring Monastery. The branch lord there is my third uncle.”

Ye Qing was initially confused, but when he heard this, his expression changed in sudden understanding.

“Master Tianshui has already reached the peak of third-rank artifact refining. To break through, he must personally forge a fourth-rank magic treasure. But materials are scarce—if he learns of this, he will surely go in person.”

“Exactly. I will make sure he hears of it.”

The arrogant voice continued.

“Tianshui is Jin Miaoshan’s supporter. He will undoubtedly stay at the Jade Spirit branch. Your task is to provoke him—mock his skills, humiliate his craft.

“When Wang Yu and Tianshui clash, given Wang Yu’s personality and methods, he will not let it go easily.”

The young master paused briefly, then spoke with chilling intent.

“It would be best if Tianshui dies in Jade Spirit. I will dispatch a squad of death soldiers under your command.”

“If this is done well, I will guarantee your breakthrough to the Core Formation Realm, and transfer you back to Golden Toad City’s main tower to serve directly under me.”

Ye Qing also spoke in a tone filled with apparent fear and sincerity.

“Ye Qing swears loyalty to Young Master Jin Lin and will devote his life to completing this plan.”

“Good.”

“Then I shall await your good news, hahaha.”

…

…

Jade Spirit City, City Lord’s Manor.

After listening to everything, Wang Yu did not act immediately. Instead, he returned to his small dwelling.

To be honest, after hearing that entire plan, Wang Yu felt that this so-called Young Master Jin Lin’s mind was not working properly. He went through such a massive roundabout scheme just to kill one of Jin Miaoshan’s staunch supporters.

Wait, no.

That man wanted to push the blame onto him—Wang Yu.

To lure him into making a move against Jin Miaoshan. But even if everything proceeded according to Jinlin’s plan, the reason for conflict between him and Tianshui was far too weak.

Two hundred thousand versus fifty thousand—just a few words could clear the misunderstanding. Moreover, Jin Miaoshan had commissioned Master Tianshui to refine a spiritual artifact for her, which meant they had definitely discussed Wang Yu’s involvement.

Knowing the cooperative relationship between the two, it was impossible for them to suddenly turn hostile and fight to the death.

Even if Tianshui died in Jade Spirit City—then what?

Even if he were Jin Miaoshan’s elder, given that she was currently in closed-door cultivation, she would not even know about it. What could that possibly change?

Thinking this far, Wang Yu finally began to piece things together.

Did Jin Lin not know what Jin Miaoshan was doing? Was he testing whether he could sever one of her main supporters? That possibility seemed quite likely.

However…

Why lure someone to that so-called Deep Sea Sinking Silver mine, when it would be far easier to disguise as a cultivator from the Chaotic Ancient Sea and kill the target directly? Why go through the trouble of coming to Jade Spirit City?

Did he think Wang Yu was ignorant of worldly affairs, some fool who acted on impulse?

When he had first arrived and clashed with Golden Abundance Tower, he had indeed ordered the slaughter of the entire tower—reckless and brutal.

“Wait…”

“If Jin Lin believes that I am arrogant and act without consequence, and would once again order a massacre over such a trivial matter, then his overly complicated plan suddenly makes a lot more sense.”

Because of that previous incident, Golden Abundance Tower’s reputation had suffered significant damage. Though attempts were made afterward to restore it, the harm was already done.

As a result, Jin Miaoshan had been punished.

Wang Yu was spared only because Zhuo Shouqing had asked his uncle to intervene on his behalf. That favor alone outweighed even a slot for the Mystic Heaven Secret Realm.

Therefore, when Zhuo Shouqing came to Jade Spirit City, Wang Yu did not demand to exchange the resource quota.

Thinking about it differently—

The Mystic Heaven Secret Realm slot was useless to him anyway. Yet he obtained two superior-grade Core Formation spiritual treasures in return. Their values were nearly equivalent, so it was essentially an even trade.

Some things can only be done once.

Zhuo Shouqing had explicitly warned him of that. So Wang Yu would never again give such an order. If Jin Lin truly believed otherwise, he was simply too foolish.

That did not fit the image of a legitimate successor candidate.

As Wang Yu pondered deeply, he realized how troublesome the heirs of major sects truly were. Even the matter of attending the Yanluo Ghost Market auction had been put aside for now.

The last person who had given him this kind of headache was Moonlight Fairy Chang Xi of the Heavenly Void Sword Sect. He never expected to encounter a similar type again. Honestly… he would have preferred not to have overheard that secret discussion.

From the very first time Qian Zhong had obeyed orders and used the Everlasting Vitality Treasure Spirit Branch to ambush Jin Miaoshan, Wang Yu had already been drawn into this mess. And now, this was the second time that Young Master Jin Lin had targeted him.

There is a limit to what one can endure. Could he really avoid this forever?

Just as Wang Yu was pondering that possibility, True Personage Qingyang flew over from afar, bringing good news.

“City Lord, True Personage He Gu has sent word. He succeeded and is expected to return in three months to report in person.”

Wang Yu was first pleased, but his expression soon turned grim.

He frowned.

“What were his exact words?”

Qingyang took out a jade slip and handed it over. After scanning it, a flash of insight burst through Wang Yu’s mind.

“I understand now. So that’s what they’re planning.”

“What do you mean?” Qingyang asked in confusion.

Wang Yu narrowed his eyes slightly.

In his mind, he had already categorized True Personage He Gu as an enemy, and the president of the Violet Golden Chamber of Commerce as a prime suspect as well.

Three months later would be the Yanluo Ghost Market auction. The timing of He Gu’s return, together with Master Tianshui’s planned visit to the Jade Spirit Branch, was far too coincidental.

Moreover, He Gu’s shape changing transformation technique was so refined that even Little Talisman Lord Luo Chen, who was skilled in concealment, could not see through it. That alone was highly suspicious.

Could such a man truly be a rogue cultivator? And to voluntarily come serve under him in Jade Spirit City? Highly unlikely.

If he thought pessimistically—

Assuming he knew nothing, then three months later, both he and Qingyang would be attending the Yanluo Ghost Market. At that time, Ye Qing would arrive with Master Tianshui to cause trouble.

If He Gu disguised himself as Wang Yu, then a fight between the two sides would become inevitable. During that chaos, the death warriors would kill Tianshui, and then order the City Lord’s Mansion to exterminate the Jade Spirit Branch.

Wang Yu would become the one bearing the greatest blame of all.

When he had pondered this earlier, Wang Yu had considered this possibility, but he fell into one misunderstanding.

The City Lord’s Command Seal.

This identity token was bound to the formation of the mansion and was nearly impossible to forge. But under this scheme, activating the formation would not even be necessary.

“Damn that Jin Lin!”