"I'll keep it for now. I can take a set of characters, scramble them, and have someone else translate them later," he muttered to himself.
After that, Wang Yu traversed the entire Corpse Nurturing Ground, moving almost to the very edge of the Reverse Spirit Blood Sect's protective formation, stopping under a large locust tree!
"Brother Wang, you finally came. You're nearly half an hour late. I thought you didn't want this thing anymore."
Wang Yu narrowed his eyes.
A man stepped out from behind the willow tree. He was somewhat different from other Heavenly Corpse Peak disciples, who were typically gaunt and frail, their blood and Qi depleted.
This man was quite robust. Aside from rather heavy dark circles under his eyes, there was nothing unusual about him. He carried a black locust wood coffin slung diagonally across his back. In his hand, he casually spun a grayish-white arm as if out of boredom, greeting Wang Yu as if nothing was amiss.
"Gu Zhengshun, don't play games with me."
Gu Zhengshun, an inner disciple of the Heavenly Corpse Peak. Furthermore, upon entering the Reverse Spirit Blood Sect, he had immediately become a disciple under an inner sect Foundation Establishment steward—he had a formal master, and his master's own master was a Core Formation elder of the Heavenly Corpse Peak.
His background could already be considered substantial.
It was precisely because this person could produce the seemingly useless remnant arm of a second-grade refined corpse, and his own cultivation was only at the sixth level of Qi Refining, that Wang Yu dared to make the trade with him.
"Ah, Brother Wang, that's not quite fair. This Corpse Nurturing Ground is inherently remote, with few people around. Encountering a bit of an unexpected delay is perfectly normal. It wasn't intentional on my part."
"Hmph—"
Wang Yu didn't press the issue further. After all, that arm was something he urgently needed. "Here are one thousand spirit stones. Let's complete the trade."
"Fine."
Gu Zhengshun agreed readily, not attempting a last-minute price hike. The price of a normal second-grade refined corpse varied greatly depending on its type and strength.
The expensive ones could cost thirty to forty thousand, while cheaper, ordinary ones could be had for eight or nine thousand. Someone like Wang Yu, buying just a single remnant arm, was very rare.
But a second-grade remnant arm itself could generally only be used as food for an intact refined corpse or kept as a material for repairs. Its price wasn't exceptionally high.
One thousand spirit stones was already a considerable sum.
This particular arm came from a second-grade Strength Corpse, which possessed greater physical power than other refined corpses of the same grade. After Wang Yu used it to repair his missing left arm, it would also grant him an additional combat method.
Therefore, it wasn't a bad deal.
With the transaction complete, Wang Yu turned to leave, but Gu Zhengshun spoke again. "Brother Wang, please wait."
"What else is there?" Wang Yu frowned in response.
"Nothing major. I heard that Brother Wang possesses an [Profound Bone Token]. I wonder if you would be willing to trade it to me."
Hearing this, Wang Yu's heart turned cold. *That damned Zhao Shang sold me out again!*
The Profound Bone Token was intricately linked to his plan to leave the sect; it was impossible for him to trade it away. Furthermore, there were only a few months left before the five-year rotation period. For Zhao Shang to suddenly reveal this to Gu Zhengshun now...
Was he trying to use another to kill him?
If so, the condition for Gu Zhengshun's cooperation with Xu Jiaojiao was likely this very token. It seemed to be a coveted item.
His mind racing, Wang Yu countered with a question.
"The Profound Bone Token? I have it.
"I assume Brother Gu heard this from that scoundrel Zhao Shang. What use do you have for this token? With your connections, Senior Brother, obtaining one shouldn't be difficult."
Gu Zhengshun nodded, confirming the source of the information, then explained:
"The Profound Bone Token is related to a resource site of the Reverse Spirit Blood Sect called 'Profound Bone Mountain.' It involves overseeing the mining of a special material known as Profound Bone Wood.
"This material is of great assistance in the growth of refined corpses. That is what I seek. Is this explanation satisfactory?"
Wang Yu frowned.
"Why specifically the one in my possession?"
Gu Zhengshun paused for a moment before continuing.
"There are two types of Profound Bone Tokens. One is the Mining Token; the other is the Mountain Master Token. The one you hold is a Mountain Master Token.
"It grants authority over all matters at Profound Bone Mountain. There are only three Mountain Master Tokens. I know I cannot obtain the other two, so I can only set my sights on Brother Wang's."
So that was it!
Since obtaining this Profound Bone Token, Wang Yu had also investigated related information, but he couldn't find out much. Profound Bone Mountain was simply too far from the main sect grounds.
The Crimson Kite Demon Domain spanned twenty-three provinces. The five great demonic sects divided the fertile land and spiritual veins among themselves.
The Reverse Spirit Blood Sect occupied four western provinces, bordering the Great Lake Spirit Domain on one side, and the territory of the [Joy Union Sect] on the other. The Joy Union Sect was slightly more powerful, holding five provinces.
Profound Bone Mountain was located in one of the four provinces, a place called [Maple Province], far from the [Blood Abyss Province] where the Reverse Spirit Blood Sect's main mountain gate was located!
The mountain was high, and the emperor was far away; imperial decrees struggled to reach the countryside.
This meant that the interests at Profound Bone Mountain could largely be controlled by the three Mountain Masters. The value of this token was much higher than Wang Yu had initially imagined.
Gu Zhengshun's complete transparency and lack of concealment actually served his own purpose.
"Brother Wang, have you considered my proposal?"
Seeing Wang Yu's prolonged silence, Gu Zhengshun couldn't help but urge him on, adding promises:
"I can exchange an ordinary Profound Bone Token for your Mountain Master Token, and add another thousand spirit stones. Once we go to Profound Bone Mountain, we can also form an alliance, advancing and retreating together.
"Profound Bone Mountain is not a safe place; it has many dangers. You aren't very familiar with the area either. With my assistance, you can establish yourself quickly.
"And regarding the matter of Xu Jiaojiao, I guarantee not to leak a single word."
Beneath this sugarcoated bombardment, Wang Yu immediately understood.
The reason the other party was being so forthright was that he valued Wang Yu's strength. After all, Wang Yu showing up for the appointment meant Xu Jiaojiao was dead. She was an eighth-level Qi Refining cultivator, not some weakling.
Such efforts to recruit him indicated that Profound Bone Mountain was more dangerous than he'd thought. Otherwise, Gu Zhengshun, the disciple of a Core Formation mighty master, wouldn't need to offer him so many favorable conditions.
"Fine! I agree."
Gu Zhengshun was immediately overjoyed. He tossed back the thousand spirit stones Wang Yu had just given him and simultaneously took out an ordinary Profound Bone Token to hand over.
Wang Yu likewise handed the Mountain Master Token to Gu Zhengshun. Both parties were satisfied with this transaction.
Wang Yu had no desire to be in the spotlight. The Mountain Master Token represented not only benefits but also a great deal of trouble—a sure path to disaster.
Wang Yu's intention to leave was primarily to avoid trouble,顺便 (incidentally) providing a cover to legitimize his unnatural abilities, attributing them to a fortuitous encounter.
Zhao Shang definitely wouldn't have expected him to concede so readily. In all their previous interactions, Wang Yu had always been domineering and sharp-tongued, hardly treating Zhao Shang with any regard.
Gu Zhengshun's failed scheme had instead led him to recognize Wang Yu's strength, and he quickly adjusted his strategy, offering substantial benefits to secure Wang Yu's support. His decisiveness was not to be underestimated.
—A win-win situation!
With the deal struck, Gu Zhengshun took out a jade slip and gave it to Wang Yu. It contained a wealth of practical information about the actual situation at Profound Bone Mountain. After a quick scan, Wang Yu's heart tightened.
The situation there seemed incredibly complex, and he couldn't help but feel a urge to retreat from the plan. However, if everything went smoothly and he managed to establish himself firmly, it might actually help him reach the peak of Qi Refining faster.
"In that case, I'll take my leave now. We'll meet again in three months."
"Good. Until then, in three months."
Leaving the remote area, Wang Yu encountered no further trouble on his return journey. He felt a slight puzzlement—why hadn't he seen any sign of Su Qingshan?
(End of Chapter)