Translator: CinderTL
Time flew by, and soon the day arrived for Song Wen and Ye Bing's agreed-upon exchange.
Song Wen went to a cultivator's tavern not far from the Jiang Family residence, reserved a private room, and instructed the waiter not to disturb him. Then he took out Ye Bing's Communication Jade Slip.
Fellow Daoist Ye, the month has passed. How has your collection of information on Jiang Yushan progressed? Song Wen messaged.
With me personally handling the matter, how could there be any errors? I've gathered everything—Jiang Yushan's past deeds and details on his two personal guards. It's comprehensive, detailed, and leaves nothing out.
Ye Bing's words were filled with confidence.
It seemed a bit like self-promotion, perhaps to secure the exchange.
Song Wen said, Fellow Daoist Ye, don't try to deceive me with shoddy information.
Ye Bing replied, Rest assured, the information is completely accurate.
Song Wen said, Words alone aren't enough. I need to verify the contents.
Ye Bing asked, How do you propose to do that?
Song Wen replied, Send me a portion of the information through the Communication Jade Slip.
Very well.
Ye Bing sent a long message in response.
The information detailed how Jiang Yushan had bullied a low-level female rogue cultivator.
This beautiful female cultivator, along with her master and family, ultimately met a tragic end at Jiang Yushan's hands.
The record was incredibly detailed, including the time, location, and the names of the victims.
"How is it? Are you satisfied?" Ye Bing asked confidently.
However, Song Wen's response surprised her.
"Fellow Daoist Ye, this information is common knowledge among those who have lived in Shangchu City for any length of time. It hardly qualifies as significant intelligence."
Ye Bing didn't argue and sent another message.
This time, it concerned Jiang Yushan's personal guards.
The information revealed that Jiang Yushan had two personal guards, both male cultivators named Jiang Shan and Jiang He.
Neither were members of the Jiang Family by blood, but they had been adopted by the family in their youth and were fiercely loyal.
Both were at the late divine transformation stage—rare experts in the Qianchang Wilderness—yet they had been assigned to guard Jiang Yushan. This showed how much Jiang Liangbi, the Jiang Family patriarch, doted on his son.
Furthermore, Jiang Lanruo had undoubtedly played a role in this matter.
Otherwise, even as one of the three great families of the Qianchang Wilderness, the Jiang Family wouldn't have dispatched two late-stage Divine Transformation cultivators to serve as bodyguards for a Nascent Soul cultivator.
Furthermore, this intelligence report detailed the two cultivators' Cultivation Methods, Mystic Treasures, and Secret Arts, as well as their most recent battle record.
Five years ago, they had joined forces to slay a fifth-tier peak-level sea beast.
The Qianchang Wilderness borders the sea to the west and south, where demon beasts run rampant. Ten thousand miles offshore, terrifying hurricanes rage.
The waters around the Qianchang Wilderness are practically a forbidden zone for humans.
Jiang Shan and Jiang He dared to venture deep into these waters to hunt fifth-tier peak-level demon beasts. Regardless of how dazzling their achievement was, their courage alone was unmatched by most.
"How is it? Does this intelligence convince you now?" Ye Bing asked.
Song Wen replied, "I am convinced."
Ye Bing said, "Then when and where shall we make the exchange?"
Song Wen said, "Fellow Daoist Ye, the Soul Bottle containing Jiang Chao's divine soul is hidden in a secret location outside the city. Simply transmit the complete intelligence to me via your Communication Jade Slip, and I will reveal the bottle's location."
According to Song Wen's proposed method of exchange, they could complete the transaction without meeting in person.
However, this method was far from fair, leaving Ye Bing in an extremely passive position. After all, once Song Wen obtained the information, he could simply renege on the deal and refuse to hand over Jiang Chao's divine soul.
"Fellow Daoist, do you take me for a three-year-old?" Ye Bing's tone was laced with sarcasm. "How about this: you tell me the location of the Soul Bottle first. Once I retrieve it, I'll transmit the information to you. What do you think of my proposal, Fellow Daoist?"
Song Wen replied, "It seems neither of us trusts the other. We'll have to conduct the exchange in person."
"That suits me perfectly," Ye Bing said.
Clearly prepared for this eventuality, Song Wen continued, "Ten thousand miles east of Shangchu City lies a mortal city called Baimao City. Tomorrow at noon, we'll meet there to exchange the goods. Remember, we must both go alone. If any other cultivators appear in Baimao City, I won't show up."
"Very well, I agree to your terms," Ye Bing said.
After Song Wen finished his communication, he left the restaurant and headed out of Shangchu City.
However, instead of going east, he turned south.
Only after traveling ten thousand miles away from Shangchu City did he change direction and race towards Baimao City at full speed.
As he approached Baimao City, the population density gradually increased, with scattered mortal villages dotting the landscape.
The concentration of Spiritual Qi in the mystic realm was generally more abundant and potent than in the Lower Realm. This resulted in stronger mortal bodies and longer lifespans. Furthermore, the mystic realm's higher yields of crops and livestock greatly contributed to the flourishing and prosperity of the human race.
Song Wen arrived at a cave a thousand miles outside Baimao City and released his Divine Sense. Every movement within several hundred miles of the city was now under his surveillance.
Before long, two Shadow Gu flew over.
He had placed them in Baimao City earlier as a precaution, to prevent Ye Bing from arriving first and setting up an ambush before he could reach the city.
Despite the deep-seated hatred between Ye Bing and Jiang Chao over the death of her son, human hearts were unpredictable. It wasn't impossible that she might betray Song Wen's mission of gathering information on Jiang Yushan to the Jiang Family for her own gain.
Therefore, necessary precautions were essential.
To Song Wen's relief, no cultivators had appeared in Baimao City before him.
The next day.
The scorching sun blazed overhead.
A graceful and alluring woman, Ye Bing, floated proudly in the sky above Baimao City.
Ye Bing had been here for an hour already. To avoid attracting attention from the city's Mortals, she was surrounded by a faint, thin mist. From afar, she looked like nothing more than a white cloud.
Song Wen had noticed her arrival long ago, but he waited until noon before appearing to meet her.
Ye Bing sized up Song Wen from head to toe and asked in a detached tone, "Fellow Daoist, you look unfamiliar. You don't seem to be a cultivator from Shangchu City?"
Song Wen replied, "Fellow Daoist Ye, let's not waste time with pleasantries. Let's get straight to the exchange."
"Very well." A jade slip suddenly appeared in Ye Bing's hand. "Here's the information you requested. Where's Jiang Chao's soul?"
With a flick of his wrist, Song Wen produced a Soul Bottle and released its Restriction.
Jiang Chao's divine soul immediately shot out from the bottle.
The Soul Bottle only served to contain divine souls and reduce soul power loss; it had no ability to nourish them. As a result, Jiang Chao's divine soul appeared somewhat weakened.
Jiang Chao immediately noticed Ye Bing's presence, his expression instantly turning terrified.
"Ye Bing, you..."
Before he could finish speaking, a black tentacle formed from Corpse Qi suddenly erupted from Song Wen's body, ensnaring his divine soul and silencing him.
The black tentacle tightened relentlessly, as if ready to obliterate his soul at any moment.
"Fellow Daoist Ye, may I have the information now?"
(End of the Chapter)
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