Li Feiyu arrived at an inn in Heavenly Star City, an establishment arranged by the Exquisite Sound Sect , and then went up to the third floor.
The first and second floors of this inn were for Mortals, while the third floor was exclusively reserved for Cultivators temporarily staying there.
He found the room, and a thin, faint white light adhered to the door, clearly indicating that the person inside had left a small warning Restriction.
Li Feiyu smiled slightly; although he could have forced his way in, he still chose to follow the rules.
After he triggered the Restriction, a Divine Sense flew out from inside, circled around Li Feiyu, and then immediately retracted back into the room.
Then, the white light on the wooden door flashed, the Restriction disappeared, and the wooden door opened, revealing Zi Ling, dressed in yellow, facing him.
"Senior Li, please come in."
Li Feiyu walked in.
The room's furnishings were simple and unadorned; aside from a red-wood table and a few antique rattan chairs, there was nothing else.
"Junior Sister, Envoy Zhuo and I are going out to procure some items.
Please entertain Senior Li for now."
Madam Fan, having learned from her previous lesson, was much more restrained this time, appearing quite proper.
Zi Ling nodded.
As soon as Li Feiyu sat down, the two left, and Zi Ling casually reinforced the Restriction.
"Miss Zi Ling, to be so cautious even in Heavenly Star City, have you perhaps provoked a powerful enemy?"
Li Feiyu chuckled, "Last time we met in a hurry, you seemed to be on the run.
Could it be Zenith Yin Island?"
Fairy Ziling said, "Senior Li guessed correctly.
Our Exquisite Sound Sect was ambushed by Zenith Yin Island, suffering heavy losses.
They are a major power of the Demonic Path, and our Exquisite Sound Sect cannot afford to offend them, so we could only swallow our pride and temporarily relocate the Sect to Heavenly Star City."
"Senior, please have some tea."
Fairy Ziling personally poured a cup of tea for Li Feiyu.
Li Feiyu did not move, as he was still wearing a mask at this time.
"Since we are discussing business, Miss Zi Ling, why not take out the Heavenly Thunder Bamboo first, and then we can talk about the price."
"Spirit Stones, Medicinal Pills, Spiritual Plants, Demon Beast Inner Cores, Magical Artifacts, or Magic Treasures—anything can be proposed."
Fairy Ziling's autumn-water-like eyes flickered slightly, and she smiled charmingly, "Senior Li, no rush.
Let's wait a bit longer, until my two Senior Sisters return, then it won't be too late for us to discuss."
A moment later, someone outside the door again triggered the Restriction.
Fairy Ziling extended her Divine Sense, a faint smile appeared on her face, and then she raised her slender, jade-like finger, lightly tapping, and the Restriction on the wooden door vanished.
Entering through the door were an ordinary-looking young Cultivator and a tall, burly man.
"Seniors have arrived.
Please come and sit."
The newcomers were Han Li and Qu Hun.
Han Li's Divine Ability must be considerable to have survived the previous incident, which is why Fairy Ziling had the idea of trading with Han Li.
As for Li Feiyu, it was purely a coincidence.
Compared to him, Zi Ling trusted Han Li more.
When Han Li arrived, her face was wreathed in smiles, but as soon as Han Li spoke, her smile instantly froze.
"Why are you here?"
Li Feiyu's voice carried a hint of playfulness as he retorted, "Then why are you here?"
Fairy Ziling said in surprise, "Do you Seniors know each other?"
Han Li sighed slightly, "Senior Brother Li, what unspeakable deeds have you done now that you're wearing a mask?"
You guessed it!
Li Feiyu waved his hand in front of him, and the mask disappeared, revealing a handsome face that was the complete opposite of Han Li's.
Fairy Ziling was slightly stunned.
She had intended to let Han Li and Li Feiyu compete with each other to raise the value of the Heavenly Thunder Bamboo, but she hadn't expected them to be Senior Brothers!
Which Sect did they come from?
Their behavior didn't seem like that of Demonic Path Cultivators.
After a moment of thought, Fairy Ziling pursed her lips slightly: "Since the two of you are acquainted, it's perfect for you to discuss it together."
"What a coincidence, Junior Brother Han."
After Han Li sat down, his mouth twitched slightly, "Senior Brother Li is also interested in Heavenly Thunder Bamboo?"
"One of the three divine woods, of course I'm very interested."
Li Feiyu said, looking at Fairy Ziling, "Miss Zi Ling, since everyone is here, let's first bring out the Heavenly Thunder Bamboo for us to see.
It wouldn't be appropriate to discuss a trade without even seeing the item."
Fairy Ziling nodded, patted her Storage Pouch, and a box flew out from within.
The material of the box was very peculiar, neither wood nor metal, nor did it resemble jade.
It was semi-transparent throughout and had a faint layer of green mist clinging to it.
Seeing their curious expressions, Fairy Ziling explained, "This box is made from something called 'Cream Jade.'
Although it has 'jade' in its name, it is not actual jade and is not part of the Five Elements.
With this item, Heavenly Thunder Bamboo can be preserved long-term without worrying about Spiritual Qi leakage."
Next, Fairy Ziling extended a slender, jade-like finger.
A light flashed on her fingertip, and a green light the size of a soybean appeared, then gently tapped the Cream Jade box.
The Cream Jade box emitted a crisp "crack" sound, and then the lid slowly opened on its own.
Han Li and Li Feiyu looked at it simultaneously.
What appeared in the box was an ordinary, withered bamboo stalk, two inches long, about the thickness of a pinky finger, with a clearly shriveled root at the bottom.
It was unremarkable in appearance, much like Han Li himself.
Li Feiyu knew this was the Heavenly Thunder Bamboo, but he still sent out a faint Spiritual Qi, shooting it towards the bamboo in the box.
The moment the Spiritual Qi touched the bamboo, a thin arc of lightning appeared on the withered bamboo's surface, deflecting Li Feiyu's Spiritual Qi.
"It is indeed Heavenly Thunder Bamboo.
The lightning arc is white, so it should be several thousand years old."
Fairy Ziling nodded, "Senior Li is correct."
Han Li's heart burned with desire; he really wanted to obtain it, but Li Feiyu's presence made him hesitate.
Even if he successfully obtained the Heavenly Thunder Bamboo today and cultivated it into a ten-thousand-year Heavenly Thunder Bamboo, he would still eventually refine it into the Azure Bamboo Bee Cloud Swords.
And once he used this Magic Treasure in front of Li Feiyu, Li Feiyu would surely recognize it at a glance, and even deduce the origin of the golden thunder bamboo and his methods.
Cultivating Spiritual Plants with the Spiritual Liquid from the mysterious small bottle was his biggest secret; he didn't want even his closest companions to know about it.
And Li Feiyu, in orchestrating this situation, besides wanting the Heavenly Thunder Bamboo himself, also wanted to observe Han Li's reaction and decision.
Fairy Ziling closed the jade box and said, "Both Seniors are interested in Heavenly Thunder Bamboo, but for our Exquisite Sound Sect , Heavenly Thunder Bamboo is now an dispensable item."
"Now that Elders Zhao and Meng within the Sect have betrayed us, the Exquisite Sound Sect no longer has a single Core Formation stage Cultivator.
Although we have relocated the Exquisite Sound Sect to Heavenly Star City, making it slightly safer, in reality, with our Foundation Establishment strength, we are truly unable to support a Sect."
"Therefore, Zi Ling hopes to use this bamboo, plus an annual payment of three hundred Spirit Stones, to hire both Seniors as Guest Elders of our Sect.
Please do not decline, Seniors."
Han Li's expression changed slightly, looking somewhat complex.
Li Feiyu chuckled, "Miss Zi Ling, one stalk of Heavenly Thunder Bamboo for two Guest Elders—that seems a bit unprofitable, doesn't it?"
Fairy Ziling said, "Senior Li, don't worry.
This Elder position is merely a nominal one; you don't actually need to do anything.
You just need to lend your names."
"If our Exquisite Sound Sect truly encounters any danger in the future, you two can decide for yourselves whether or not to act.
Of course, if you do act, our Exquisite Sound Sect will also provide a certain reward as thanks afterwards."
"Also, if you agree, then when others ask in public, you just need not deny your identity as Exquisite Sound Sect Elders."
"Borrowing influence, I understand. I have no problem with it; it just depends on Junior Brother Han."