Hunyuan Immortal Sect

Chapter 423: Get whatever you want
The bright sun hangs high in the sky.

Inside the magnificent and imposing hall, Number One was led in from the outside.

Inside, the private man sat high above, in the main seat.

Unlike last time, when he stood ramrod straight and confronted him head-on, Number One placed his hands on his chest and bowed slightly in greeting.

In the past few days, Song Xian did nothing else but capture a ghost shadow to learn about the various races, geographical locations, and minor details of etiquette and rules in this world.

Seeing that he was not as arrogant as last time, Siji politely asked him to sit down to the side.

"Friend, as you requested, I have already shown this Yin Soul Pearl to our leader. Although it has some use, its value is far less than that of a crystal core. Moreover, we don't have many crystal cores on hand. If you are sincere in your trade, we are willing to buy it with Soul Steel." The voice of the private foundation echoed in its mind.

Number One knew that Soul Steel was the universal currency of this world: "I don't need Soul Steel, I only need Crystal Cores."

"With Soul Steel, you can buy Crystal Cores elsewhere, isn't that the same thing?"

"No, I only need the crystal cores. If you don't have them, then I'll trade with other islands." Number One insisted, following Song Xian's instructions.

How many of these Yin Soul Beads do you have?

"Let's talk about the price first. Three Yin Soul Pearls for a Grade One Crystal Core," Number One offered.

The so-called first-grade crystal core refers to the crystal core of the first level of Ghost General. By analogy, the second level of Ghost General is the second-grade crystal core, the third level is the third-grade crystal core, and the fourth level is the fourth-grade crystal core.

Here, a Grade One Crystal Core is worth about 5,000 Soul Steel. Of course, the price varies and fluctuates in different regions.

This is all information that Song Xian has recently learned. The reason he insisted on trading crystal cores instead of soul steel was naturally to save trouble.

"No. Your Yin Soul Pearls are not worth that price at all."

"This is the price of our Yin Soul Pearls outside; you can inquire about it."

The private equity firm remained firm: "I don't care what the prices are outside, it's not acceptable here."

How do you want to trade?

"Our leader's offer is one thousand Soul Steel in exchange for one Yin Soul Pearl. How many do you have in total?"

“A thousand Soul Steel is too cheap; it should be at least 1,500 Soul Steel. But we only need Crystal Cores; we can exchange four Yin Soul Beads for one Crystal Core.”

"At least five Yin Soul Pearls are needed to exchange for one crystal core."

After some haggling, the private company insisted on sticking to the price of one thousand soul steel.

"How many crystal cores can you offer?" Number One finally compromised. Song Xian had instructed him to offer three Yin Soul Pearls for one crystal core, which was already an exorbitant price. His bottom line was actually ten for one.

Therefore, I instructed No. 1 to try to get a good price, and that if the other party did not agree, any price within this range would be acceptable.

“We can offer five Grade 1 crystal cores and one Grade 2 crystal core in exchange. If you have more Yin Soul Pearls, we can also exchange them for Soul Steel.”

"Okay, when will the transaction take place?"

"Come with me to see the chief and we'll trade face to face."

"I'll go with you tomorrow."

After saying this, Number One turned and left the main hall.

.........

At night, the moon is bright and the stars are few.

Before the majestic and imposing mansion, a beam of light shot down, revealing Jiang Zichen's figure. The beam of light enveloped Madam Hua Yuan and Jiang Yuan, who also landed on the ground.

Outside the mansion, Lin Huairou and Lin Xingyu were already waiting. Upon seeing them arrive, Lin Huairou greeted them with a smile: "Senior Brother Jiang, Junior Sister Hua, you've arrived."

Jiang Zichen smiled and returned the greeting: "Senior Sister Lin's invitation is too kind of us to refuse."

Lin Huairou took Hua Yuan's arm, and the group entered the inner room, where a sumptuous feast had been prepared, and Lin Zixiang was already waiting.

After chatting for a while, the group took their seats.

Hua Yuan and Lin Huairou sat together chatting about everyday matters.

Jiang Yuan and Lin Xingyu also sat together and talked about their recent situations.

Jiang Zichen and Lin Zixiang then discussed sect affairs while clinking glasses.

"I've recently heard some rumors that the Luoyun Sect is using a corpse to resurrect itself. Have you heard of this, Junior Brother Jiang?"

Jiang Zichen smiled and said, "Why should Senior Brother Lin care about rumors?"

"Even rumors and gossip represent, to some extent, the thoughts of the sect's disciples. We can't completely ignore them!"

"Brother Lin is right."

“Over the years, the original cultivators of Luoyun Sect have been promoted to important positions one by one. If this continues, our sect may be in danger of being usurped. Junior Brother Jiang must be careful.”

Jiang Zichen still had a smile on his face: "It's not that serious, is it?"

"Although it's not that bad yet, there are already signs. The situation is unstable right now. If the Yunxuan Sect were to make a comeback one day, can you guarantee that our former Luoyun Sect cultivators wouldn't team up with them from within?"

Jiang Zichen drank a glass of wine by himself without replying.

Lin Zixiang continued, "I originally intended to discuss this matter with the sect leader, but he is not at the sect now. I will have a proper talk with him when he returns. When the sect leader asks for your opinion, you cannot be vague. This matter concerns the safety of the sect, and we must do our utmost to be responsible."

Jiang Zichen lowered his gaze to the table, chewing on the delicious meat spirit food. Lin Zixiang looked at him, and the atmosphere seemed a little awkward for a moment.

After swallowing the spiritual food in his mouth, Jiang Zichen looked up and said, "If the sect leader asks for my opinion, I will definitely stand on Senior Brother Lin's side."

George Lam finally smiled.

While chatting with Hua Yuan, Lin Huairou had been keeping a close eye on the two of them. Upon hearing Jiang Zichen's statement, she turned around with a smile and said, "Senior Brother Jiang, there's something I need your help with. Do you know Yu'er's previous instructor? It's Ma Ming from the Academic Affairs Peak."

“He came to me, wanting to pull some strings. I heard there’s a vacancy for a manager in Fanghua Valley recently? He wants to be transferred there.”

“When Ma Ming was teaching Yu’er, he did his best and never asked us for anything. This is the first time he has asked, so I couldn’t refuse and agreed to ask him.”

“His qualifications and abilities are sufficient, Senior Brother Jiang. I will need to trouble you to speak with the Personnel Department about this matter.”

Jiang Zichen touched his nose, and Hua Yuan quickly came to his rescue: "Senior Sister Lin, you don't know this, Xiao Ling sent someone to make arrangements for the position of manager of Fanghua Valley a long time ago."

Lin Huairou frowned: "Why is it her again? Over the years, how many people from Luoyun Sect have she promoted? Whenever there is a vacancy, she rushes to let someone from Luoyun Sect take it. She treats the sect's personnel hall as her own. It's outrageous."

"Senior Sister Lin, you know her relationship with the Sect Leader's wife. Brother Chen has no choice; he has his difficulties." "But we can't just let them do whatever they want!"

Lin Zixiang had been observing coldly, and seeing that Jiang Zichen remained silent, he finally spoke up: "Xiao Ling's reach has gone too far. It's time to put an end to her arrogance and let her know that she has no say in this sect."

“Junior Brother Jiang, you are a good person. She is taking advantage of this to recklessly expand her power in the sect. It’s time to show some attitude. We can’t let her think that she can do whatever she wants just because of her relationship with Junior Sister Su.”

Seeing that Jiang Zichen remained silent, Hua Yuan replied, "Senior Brother Lin, you don't know, Xiao Ling is quite the smooth talker. And every time she mentions the Sect Leader's wife, she always says that this is a candidate she has consulted and discussed with."

Lin Zixiang said solemnly, "Even Junior Sister Su cannot control the personnel of the sect. Otherwise, what would be the point of setting up the cabinet? Moreover, the sect leader said before that the cabinet has full authority to decide the personnel of the sect. Junior Brother Jiang, you can do this matter without hesitation. If Junior Sister Su has any complaints, just push them all onto me, and I will talk to her."

.........

A blood moon hung high in the sky. Before the majestic black palace, rows of ghostly figures stood in neat formation like an army, emitting sharp howls as if in a show of defiance.

Outside the palace, Siji led Number One through the center of the procession toward the main hall.

Inside, a tall and imposing ghost general, covered in black armor, was waiting on the throne. The flames in his eyes almost covered the entire hollow eyeballs. In terms of sheer presence, he was far superior to Siji. He was none other than Hill, the leader of the Minotaur tribe on this island.

"Greetings, Chief." Siji bowed deeply and respectfully performed the salute.

Number One placed his hands in front of his chest and bowed deeply in greeting.

“Guest from afar, I have seen the Yin Soul Pearl you brought out. I must admit, it is quite novel. I heard it was crafted by your friend. I have ventured into the Eastern Wilderness, but I have never seen anything like it. I would like to know how your friend crafted it.” Hill’s deep voice entered my mind.

Number One responded neither humbly nor arrogantly: "I don't know either. This item was actually provided by a friend I met during my business trip. He claimed it was an exclusive product and asked me to take it with me to sell."

"Is he on this island? I'd like to see him." Hill was clearly very interested in the person who created this item.

"He is not on the island."

"It's a pity."

"Chief Hill, I have come today to make a deal with you. I hope you will keep your promise and hand over the crystal core to me."

"Of course, we Minotaur tribe always keep our word. But before we make the deal, I have one more suggestion. Could you bring your friend with you next time you come? I'd like to meet him. If he's willing, I'd like to invite him to join our tribe; we'll offer him very generous terms."

"I will relay your words next time I see him."

"How many Yin Soul Pearls did you bring this time? Aside from the crystal core transaction, I want to buy them all with Soul Steel."

"I'm so sorry, Chief Hill, I don't have many Yin Soul Pearls on me. At the previous price, I can only sell you three more Yin Soul Pearls in exchange for three thousand Soul Steel."

Hill said no more, and pulled out six black crystal cores and a stack of small, square, crimson cubes.

Number One also took out dozens of Yin Soul Pearls that he had prepared beforehand.

"Guests from afar, I wonder when we will meet again."

"I will come again if I have the chance."

"I hope you can bring your friend who crafted the Yin Soul Pearl with you then."

"I'll take my leave now." Having completed the transaction, Number One didn't linger, bowed, and turned to leave.

As he walked out of the main hall, Hill glanced down at the private quarters below, and immediately understood, followed him out.

Dark clouds obscured the moon, and a fierce wind howled.

In the desolate mountains and forests, Song Xian hid in the treetops, warily observing his surroundings.

Seeing a whirlwind rushing towards him from afar, his expression brightened, and he stared intently. Under his keen observation, he could see everything in sight, and the whirlwind figure was none other than Number One.

Behind Number One, there was another figure that was faintly visible following him.

When Song Xian saw the figure following Number One from a distance, his heart sank. He then concealed himself and quietly left the place.

He had long suspected that something unexpected might happen when Number One went to see Hill, because its behavior was indeed suspicious.

As a ghost general, the fact that it traveled thousands of miles alone to Haji Island just to sell the Yin Soul Pearl is enough to arouse suspicion.

Moreover, it had no followers and no means of transport to the island.

This doesn't seem like the behavior of a traveling merchant who specializes in buying and selling. If it were him, he would also be suspicious of his identity.

He sent Number One to make the deal, but he had already prepared for all sorts of unexpected situations.

The worst-case scenario is that Number One is captured on the spot and forced to reveal his origins.

The second scenario is that the other party double-crossed them, taking the Yin Soul Pearl but refusing to hand over the crystal core.

Another possibility is that the other party is secretly following them.

As he expected, the other party became suspicious of Number One's background and purpose, and sent people to follow him in secret.

The other party may have been wary, as the identity of Number One was unknown, and therefore did not dare to act rashly.

Song Xian had already prepared a plan for this situation. He had instructed Number One to come here immediately after the transaction was completed. If he could not find him here, he should leave the island and meet him at a reef on the way to the island.

Since the other party was secretly following them, they certainly wouldn't have gone too far; they couldn't possibly have chased them all the way off the island.

Even if the other party keeps following him, once he leaves the island, Song Xian will have no more scruples and can act with peace of mind.

When the first escape light landed at the meeting place agreed upon by the two, it saw the symbol carved on a large tree nearby and immediately understood. So it walked into the cave not far away.

After staying inside for a short time, it came out again, its body soaring into the air and transforming into a whirlwind heading south.

The ghost general that had been quietly following behind hesitated for a moment, but decided to continue tracking. It followed the other party all the way to the end of the island, and only stopped when it saw that the other party had left the island.

On the deserted reef, Song Xian saw a whirlwind rushing towards him in the distance. He immediately hid behind a boulder and only revealed himself when he was sure there were no followers behind him.

Before long, the whirlwind arrived and revealed its first form. It respectfully knelt on one knee and offered six crystal cores and three thousand soul steel with both hands.

Crimson soul steel is equivalent to a third-tier spirit stone in the cultivation world, and each one is worth one hundred pure white soul steel.

This item is of no benefit to the cultivation of ghosts; it is only applicable to beings that have not yet 'transformed into mortals,' and can help them evolve into ghosts.

Because many people from various races needed to undergo mortal transformation, and everyone could use it, this item gradually developed into the common currency of this world.

With the Ghost Crystal in hand, Song Xian was overjoyed. Although Hill had some doubts about Number One, the transaction was still completed smoothly.

Once there's one, there will be two; once there's two, there will be three. He can still exchange for ghost crystals in this way next time.

(End of this chapter)