Chapter 1295
Cultivating Inner Demons, Someone Makes an Offer
After Long Ziyun finished speaking, she stared intently at Song Qingming in front of her.
Although she pretended to be very calm, she was still a little nervous inside.
Besides worrying that the other party would refuse her, she was also concerned that if Song Qingming were to become greedy, Long Ziyun would be in danger.
On Song Qingming's side, he was quite surprised when the other party said the words "top-grade spirit stone".
Unexpectedly, Long Ziyun, who has long been expelled from the "Four Seas Business Alliance," actually possesses a spiritual item of this level.
After Long Ziyun's accident, Song Qingming made inquiries from various sources and learned that there had been changes within the "Four Seas Business Alliance".
Not only was Qi Rong, who knew him, purged as a traitor, but Long Ziyun was also directly expelled from the "Four Seas Business Alliance".
Their numerous businesses in the Floating Cloud Mountains were all abandoned and withdrawn.
As a result, Qingyun Mountain also suffered considerable losses due to the sudden loss of this partner.
Over the years, Long Ziyun had not made a public appearance, and Song Qingming thought that she might have been eliminated by the "Four Seas Business Alliance" like Qi Rong.
Having just failed to break through to the Nascent Soul stage a few months ago, Song Qingming was already worried that the "True Dragon Clan" might come after him at any time, so he had no intention of going out.
But now Long Ziyun has suddenly come here and proposed to make a deal with him using "top-grade spirit stones".
While it was unexpected, it was also somewhat difficult for them to refuse.
If it were any other spiritual object, even a high-level magic weapon worth millions of spirit stones, Song Qingming probably wouldn't have given it much consideration.
After all, he was well aware of Long Ziyun's current predicament, which was also involved in the internal struggles of the huge "Four Seas Business Alliance".
A deal that would make her risk her life to personally visit someone's home must be something very simple.
However, "top-grade spirit stones" are rare spiritual items that help break through to the Nascent Soul stage, and they are treasures that Song Qingming cannot afford to miss.
"Since Fellow Daoist Song was able to return the spiritual items in the array plate to me intact, Zi Yun has nothing more to worry about now."
Seeing that Song Qingming was deep in thought and did not respond for a long time, Long Ziyun produced a jade box with a flash of spiritual light in her hand.
Then, in front of Song Qingming, he directly opened the jade box in his hand, revealing a crimson spirit stone inside.
As soon as the crimson spirit stone appeared, it emitted bursts of rich spiritual energy that quickly filled the entire private room.
Fortunately, the luxurious private rooms of "Xianfeng Tower" are equipped with special restrictions to isolate spiritual energy inside the room.
Otherwise, given the commotion caused by this spirit stone, it wouldn't be long before all the cultivators in the entire "Immortal Phoenix Pavilion" could sense it.
Compared to high-grade spirit stones, "top-grade spirit stones" contain more than a hundred times more spiritual power, and also contain a hidden special spiritual source power.
This spiritual energy can greatly help cultivators to activate the primordial energy within their bodies when advancing to the Nascent Soul stage.
Its effect on cultivators is not much different from the "Purple Cloud Jade" that Song Qingming used before.
In the world of cultivation, only a very few large spirit mines have the opportunity to produce "top-grade spirit stones".
Its value far surpasses that of ordinary high-grade spirit stones; it is also a special spiritual object whose value is immeasurable.
Having cultivated for so many years, this was the first time Song Qingming had ever seen a "top-grade spirit stone" in person, and he couldn't help but take a few more glances out of curiosity.
"Fellow Daoist Long is actually willing to take out such a rare and precious spiritual stone. I wonder what you are seeking?"
Since Fellow Daoist Long trusts me so much, you might as well speak frankly.
If it's within my capabilities, this deal is certainly worth considering.
However, if this is inconvenient, I hope Fellow Daoist Long will understand. Seeking assistance from other experts would also be a wise move.
"I would like to ask Fellow Daoist Song to help me kill someone."
"Just to kill one person for you?"
"That's right! The person I want to kill is named Lin Yuan. Back then, he colluded with outsiders to seize the position of Grand Elder of the Merchant Alliance."
Senior Brother Wang, Senior Brother Qi, and others have all been murdered by him.
Only thanks to the treasures left by my master did I escape this calamity and survive to this day.
Lin Yuan's cultivation is only at the peak of the ninth level of the Nascent Soul stage, and he has not yet broken through to the half-step Divine Transformation stage. Presumably, his supernatural abilities are inferior to yours, fellow Daoist.
As long as you help me kill this person, I can avenge my senior brother Wang and the others.
Once the matter is settled, this top-grade spirit stone will belong to you, fellow Daoist.
Zi Yun is a woman of her word; she never goes back on her word.
"Killing just one person is not a difficult thing."
But today, I still want to ask one more question.
Since Fellow Daoist Long possesses such a high-grade spirit stone, he should be able to exchange it for other spiritual items that can aid in breaking through realms. In the future, he might even be able to take revenge.
Why must you risk coming here to ask me for help?
Back then, there was internal turmoil within the "Four Seas Business Alliance," and Song Qingming was unaware of the inside story, so he still had some doubts about what Long Ziyun said.
Long Ziyun's cultivation has now reached the peak of the sixth level of the Nascent Soul stage, and she is only one step away from breaking through to the late stage of the Nascent Soul stage.
If it were Song Qingming himself, having already hidden for so many years, he wouldn't be in a hurry to take revenge.
Why not use your "top-grade spirit stone" to exchange for a spiritual item that can help you break through your cultivation level?
Find a suitable place to focus on seclusion and advance to the late stage of the Nascent Soul realm.
As long as one's cultivation level and strength improve smoothly, one day one day one will be able to take revenge.
It's not worth going to such great lengths to ask Song Qingming for help.
Faced with Song Qingming's question, Long Ziyun remained silent.
After a long while, she finally spoke up to explain: "Fellow Daoist Song, to be honest, Ziyun has considered all of these things you mentioned."
Back then, when Senior Brother Wang was ambushed by Lin Yuan and his men, he entrusted me with the token of the Grand Elder of the Merchant Alliance with his last breath.
Zi Yun also vowed in front of Senior Brother Wang to avenge him and reclaim the position of Grand Elder.
Over the years, I have tried several times to break through the bottleneck of the late Nascent Soul stage, but I have been disturbed by my inner demons and have been unable to calm my mind to cultivate.
If I don't avenge this, I'm afraid my cultivation will never improve in this lifetime.
After saying this, a hint of hatred flashed in Long Ziyun's eyes, while Song Qingming shook his head helplessly.
As a cultivator's cultivation level increases, their sensitivity to the Dao of Heaven also increases, making them more prone to developing inner demons.
For this reason, cultivators above the Nascent Soul stage rarely make "Heavenly Oaths" with others unless absolutely necessary.
Upon learning that Long Ziyun was troubled by inner demons and was unable to break through to the late Nascent Soul stage, they discovered that she was suffering from inner demons.
Song Qingming understood and nodded in understanding.
"As the Grand Elder of the Four Seas Merchant Alliance, this person is probably not so easy to deal with!"
I can lend a hand to Fellow Daoist Long once, but this opportunity is crucial to success or failure, so you'll probably have to find it yourself.
Otherwise, if the other party is alerted, even if Song possesses extraordinary abilities, it will be difficult to succeed by force in full view of everyone.
Upon hearing Long Ziyun say that Lin Yuan's cultivation was only at the ninth level of the Nascent Soul realm, Song Qingming was not worried about how powerful this person's supernatural abilities were.
However, as the Grand Elder of the "Four Seas Merchant Alliance," the other party naturally had many Nascent Soul experts by his side.
If Song Qingming makes a move at the wrong time, allowing Song Qingming to escape and hide in the "mountain-protecting formation," it will be difficult to forcefully attack him again.
After all, even a powerful dragon can't suppress a local snake. No matter how powerful Song Qingming is, he can't just do whatever he wants on someone else's turf.
Seeing that Song Qingming had agreed to help, Long Ziyun immediately breathed a sigh of relief and replied earnestly:
"Fellow Daoist Song, rest assured, since Ziyun has come specifically to ask for your help, she certainly couldn't have been unprepared."
I already have a plan in mind to lure him out.
"At that time, Fellow Daoist Song only needs to kill him; you don't need to worry about anything else."
"Alright, I'll accept this as you say, fellow Daoist."
Seeing that he had reached an agreement with Long Ziyun, Song Qingming immediately accepted the "top-grade spirit stone" from her hand without hesitation.
After examining the item again and confirming that there was nothing wrong with it, Song Qingming smiled slightly.
After failing to break through to a higher realm, Song Qingming was still thinking about where to search for spiritual objects to help him break through.
Unexpectedly, less than a year later, Long Ziyun took the initiative to come to him, which saved him a lot of trouble.
After reaching an agreement with Long Ziyun, Song Qingming summoned Song Qingyu and explained the matter to her.
He then secretly followed Long Ziyun and they quietly left "Qingyun Mountain".
".
Two years later.
"Lei Yuan Hai" is a place in the cultivation world, specifically Xuan Yun Island.
In the northwest of Xuanyun Island, there is a major Nascent Soul sect called "Qingyuan Sect".
Although this sect only has three Nascent Soul elders, its reputation in the "Thunder Origin Sea" is not remarkable.
However, his other identity is well-known in the vicinity; he is one of the most famous sects within the Four Seas Business Alliance.
In the past, with the support of the merchant alliance, the cultivators of the Qingyuan Sect lived a good life, and everyone in the sect was extremely wealthy.
However, in the last two hundred years, for some unknown reason, some conflicts broke out with the Merchant Alliance, and the "Qingyuan Sect" suddenly declined a lot.
The number of disciples in the sect has decreased by more than 30% compared to its peak, with only one Nascent Soul stage elder struggling to keep the sect afloat.
On this day, in the stone pavilion on the back mountain of the "Qingyuan Sect".
Looking at the phonograph in his hand, the Supreme Elder of the Qingyuan Sect, Master Yuyuan, couldn't help but feel excited.
"Junior Sister Long, all these years, why haven't you sent back a single letter?"
When you and Junior Brother Qi disappeared together, Senior Brother Lin actually accused you of plotting against the Grand Elder and stealing the Merchant Alliance token.
I never believed it; I felt there was something fishy about it.
I can't believe I guessed right. It really was that scoundrel Lin Yuan who killed Senior Brother Wang and even dared to collude with the Zhang family to frame you and Junior Brother Qi.
Don't worry, junior sister. The Four Seas Business Alliance has been in a mess for years. Senior Brother Yang and Senior Brother Gu have long been dissatisfied with Elder Lin Yuan.
I'll go find them right now and discuss how to handle this matter.
Now, the junior sister not only has Senior Brother Wang's last words, but also the Grand Elder's keepsake.
I think Senior Brother Yang and the others can tell right from wrong, so there's nothing more to say.
However, Lin Yuan has been sending people to keep an eye on the various regions of the Merchant Alliance for years, and he has also arranged for many disciples to join our Qingyuan Sect.
"Junior sister, please be careful. Wait for my return and don't act on your own, lest they discover our whereabouts. Otherwise, if something happens to you again, we'll have no way to bring him down."
"Don't worry, Senior Brother Yu Yuan, I know what's important!"
As Long Ziyun bowed in agreement, she quickly transformed into a streak of light and vanished from the spot.
After seeing Long Ziyun off, Master Yuyuan pondered for a moment and then cast a spell to leave a message in the doorway that he would be going into seclusion for a period of time.
Having done all this, he quietly left alone from the north side of the island.
More than a month later, a streak of light flew swiftly from afar and landed on "Xuanyun Island".
Dressed in white and disguised as a man, Long Ziyun arrived at the Qingyuan Sect alone once again.
This time, "True Man Yu Yuan," who already knew all this, quickly led Long Ziyun to the main hall at the top of the mountain.
As soon as they entered the hall, they saw three figures sitting in the distance. These were the elders of the Four Seas Merchant Alliance who had been specially invited by "True Man Yu Yuan".
At the very center of the main hall, a man in a purple-gold robe sat in a chair; his cultivation had actually reached the peak of the ninth level of the Nascent Soul realm.
"Junior Sister Long, it's been so many years! I've missed you terribly!"
"It's you!"
Long Ziyun glanced at the purple-and-gold robed man speaking in front of her and froze on the spot.
The speaker was none other than Lin Yuan, the current Grand Elder of the "Four Seas Business Alliance".
Upon seeing this, Long Ziyun looked at "True Man Yuyuan" not far away with a surprised expression.
The latter's expression changed slightly, and he stepped aside, clearly already aware of the situation in the hall.
"Senior Brother Yu Yuan, you are Master's personal disciple, why would you do this too?"
Upon hearing what Long Ziyun said, Lin Yuan, who was standing above, finally couldn't help but burst into laughter.
"Hahaha, Junior Sister Long is so clever, I didn't expect her to fall for the trick so easily. It's a bit disappointing for your senior brother."
To be honest, I really don't understand why Senior Brother Wang didn't tell anyone back then and just went to find you by force.
This good-for-nothing actually managed to give you the Grand Elder's token.
With so many better options available, why did he choose you?
"If you had voluntarily relinquished the position of Grand Elder to me earlier, things would have been easier for everyone, and none of this would have happened later."
"Lin Yuan, you are a shameless scoundrel."
Senior Brother Wang trusted you so much back then, how could you bring yourself to do it!
"Junior sister is right. I am a shameless scoundrel, so what!"
Junior Sister Long, you've cultivated for so many years, do you really think everyone in the cultivation world is a saint?
In today's cultivation world, there are far too many shameless villains.
For the sake of spiritual practice and personal gain, what wouldn't they do?
Shameless or despicable!
Even if I, Lin Yuan, am incompetent, I'm still far better than you and Senior Brother Wang, fools who only know how to shout about justice and fairness.
Faced with Long Ziyun's angry rebuke, Lin Yuan showed no anger at all. Instead, he smiled and led his men to surround her.
"Even Junior Brother Yu Yuan knows that a good bird chooses a good tree to perch on. Junior Sister Long, it's time for you to wake up!"
The Four Seas Business Alliance is recruiting talent everywhere, so why does Junior Sister Long have to oppose me?
If you're willing, junior sister, just hand over everything that Senior Brother Wang gave you, and I might spare your life.
I remember back then, Elder Jin Chen wanted my junior sister and me to become Daoist partners.
If you're willing, junior sister, I might agree. In the future, I might even be able to help you advance to the late Nascent Soul stage together.
As Lin Yuan spoke, his gaze kept sweeping across Long Ziyun's face, and a hint of excited smile appeared on his lips.
Facing the six people who were tightly surrounding her, Long Ziyun's eyes did not show any fear, and she looked ahead again.
"Oh! Senior Brother Lin has already been betrothed to the Zhang family through marriage. Now you can still marry me as your Daoist partner. Aren't you afraid that they will turn against you?"
"Hehe! I know my junior sister doesn't want to feel wronged."
However, the Merchant Alliance still needs the Zhang family's help to open up the trade route in Zhongyuan Immortal Continent, so we can only make you a concubine for now. We can talk about the title of Daoist partner later.
"Don't worry, I'm now the Grand Elder of the Four Seas Merchant Alliance. Even as a concubine, you'll have everything you deserve!"
"What you said is right, senior brother. I have never been one to compromise myself."
You should reserve this concubine title for someone else!
Faced with Lin Yuan's overwhelming pressure, Long Ziyun showed no fear whatsoever and shook her head to express her refusal.
Upon seeing this, a hint of displeasure flashed across Lin Yuan's face.
"Hmph! Don't you even know where you are now? How dare you be so ungrateful!"
Since junior sister doesn't appreciate senior brother's good intentions, then don't blame us for not giving you a chance.
As soon as Lin Yuan finished speaking, the four people beside him, including "True Man Yu Yuan," immediately used magic to take out their magical treasures, their eyes fixed on Long Ziyun.
Of the four people present, three have already broken through to the mid-stage of the Nascent Soul realm.
Even though Long Ziyun's cultivation has reached the peak of the sixth level of the Nascent Soul realm, she has no chance of winning against four opponents at the moment.
Moreover, not far from the battlefield, there was Lin Yuan, whose cultivation had reached the peak of the ninth level of the Nascent Soul stage, and who was eyeing the battlefield and could make a move at any moment.
"Let's all attack together and finish this quickly!"
As soon as Lin Jianfeng, the leader, shouted, five figures immediately rode on their escape lights and flew straight towards Long Ziyun's location.
But just as their magical treasures approached, a golden light suddenly shot out from Long Ziyun's body, instantly blocking the incoming magical treasures in mid-air.
"This is... could it be a counterfeit magic weapon? How could she possibly have something like this?"
Before the people in front of them could figure out what was going on, a calm-looking figure suddenly emerged from the golden light.
"This aura... it's him!"
Upon seeing the green-robed man suddenly appear before him, Lin Jianfeng was immediately surprised, and many unpleasant memories flooded his mind.
After the man in the green robe appeared, he instantly knocked away several magical artifacts in front of him and arrived beside Long Ziyun.
"Fellow Daoist Long, could this person be the Lin Yuan you mentioned?"
"A half-step Nascent Soul cultivator? Who exactly are you, and how did you get into this place?!"
Looking at Song Qingming, who had suddenly appeared out of nowhere and was staring intently at them, Lin Yuan and the others were immediately puzzled.
There was clearly only Long Ziyun just now, and a high-level magic array had already been activated outside this hall.
How could someone enter the main hall without triggering any restrictions?
The man in the green robe before them seemed to have emerged from the void.
Even if the other party's cultivation has reached the half-step Nascent Soul realm, it is impossible for them to possess such powerful supernatural abilities.
Just as Lin Yuan was filled with confusion, Long Ziyun, who was standing to the side, spoke up and nodded to Song Qingming in response:
"Yes, that's him!"
"I would appreciate your help in dealing with this person, fellow Daoist. I will try my best to hold off the others!"
Having said that, a flash of spiritual light appeared in Long Ziyun's hand, revealing a cyan longsword, the Azure Dragon Sword passed down to her by the former Grand Elder of the "Four Seas Merchant Alliance".
Meanwhile, Song Qingming had already charged towards Lin Yuan's location.
The latter, looking shocked and somewhat incredulous at what was happening, hurriedly cast a spell to release a magical artifact in an attempt to stop Song Qingming.
However, his casting was noticeably a beat too slow, and before his magic weapon could unleash its full power, he was blasted away by a golden sword light.
"not good!"
Seeing the aftershocks of the golden sword light rushing towards him, Lin Yuan's expression changed. He immediately used magic to teleport away from his original spot and headed straight for the exit of the main hall.
But just as he reached the door, a bronze mirror suddenly lit up in front of him, blocking his way again, and a figure quickly appeared beside him.
"Five Elements Divine Light Mirror, combine!"
Before Lin Yuan could escape from the main hall, he was quickly sealed off by the golden bronze mirror, leaving him with no way out.
The next moment, a figure in a green robe slowly appeared in the golden bronze mirror.
At this moment, Lin Yuan also sensed the opponent's powerful abilities and couldn't help but frown.
“Fellow Daoist, we have no grudges against each other, why must we fight to the death here?”
I know you were hired by that vile woman, and I'm willing to pay double the price, as long as you don't interfere in this matter.
"I'm sorry, someone has already made an offer. I always have rules and will not accept two payments!"
"Fellow Daoist, would you mind reconsidering? I am the Grand Elder of the Four Seas Merchant Alliance, and I will do whatever it takes to get as many spirit stones as you want."
".
Faced with Lin Yuan's offer of a spiritual item as a bribe, Song Qingming did not hesitate for a moment. He then unleashed several sword lights from his Golden Cloud Sword, which rushed straight at his opponent.
Trapped inside the golden bronze mirror, Lin Yuan had nowhere to hide and could only forcefully activate a jade tablet magic weapon to block in front of him.
This top-grade level four defensive magic weapon successfully blocked Song Qingming's sword light, but it quickly lost its luster.
Seeing this, Lin Yuan immediately cast a spell to release an ancient lamp magic treasure, which emitted a crimson spiritual light.
As the crimson light grew larger, it forcefully pushed open a crack in the "Five Elements Divine Light Mirror".
The next moment, just as Lin Yuan was about to emerge from inside, a spatial force imprisoned him in mid-air.
"Do not."
With a scream, Lin Yuan's legs, which were stuck in mid-air, were instantly severed by the sword light, and he was sent flying backward.
Before he could react, several more sword lights attacked, forcing Lin Yuan's "natal nascent soul" to break out of his body.
After emerging from his physical body, Lin Yuan's natal nascent soul immediately used its escape light to flee quickly away.
Although he was fast without a physical body, his supernatural abilities were far less than before. After only a dozen or so rounds, he was forced into a corner by Song Qingming again.
Just then, Lin Yuan's natal nascent soul suddenly burst into a blazing blue flame, instantly burning it into a wisp of green smoke that disappeared from the spot.
A hundred feet away in the void, a figure was seen rapidly moving forward, attempting to escape the battlefield.
But after flying only a few dozen feet, Lin Yuan's natal nascent soul discovered that the surrounding void had suddenly become incredibly hard.
"Fellow Daoist, please spare my life!"
".
A golden sword light streaked through the void, instantly cleaving the natal nascent soul, which had been immobilized by the "Purple Sun Token," in two with a single sword strike from Song Qingming. (End of Chapter)