Exploiting Gratitude
Translator: CinderTL
Tai He's expression lit up with joy as he watched the suddenly shattered barrier of the formation.
"Hao Kong, let's go."
As he spoke, a Minor Teleportation Talisman appeared in his hand.
The talisman activated!
In an instant, both of them vanished without a trace.
When the Netherking Demon-Locking Formation was broken, Xiao Chan knew that today he wouldn't be able to keep Tai He and Hao Kong. Seeing them disappear, he didn't attempt to pursue them.
This place was too close to the Jie Mountain Spirit Stone Mine. As long as Tai He and Hao Kong escaped into Jie Mountain, relying on the Mountain Protection Array, he and Fayan would have no chance of killing them.
Xiao Chan lowered his gaze to Hui Zhen below, clearly aware that it was because of Hui Zhen that the formation had been broken.
When the Shadow Gu ambushed Hui Zhen, he had already sensed it. However, at that time, he was inside the formation and engaged in a battle with Tai He and Hao Kong, unable to lend a hand to Hui Zhen.
He also noticed that the second ambush on Hui Zhen, involving a pill, was also the work of a Gu insect.
Thus, from beginning to end, he never saw the true face of the person who ambushed Hui Zhen.
This left Xiao Chan feeling extremely frustrated. He had long planned to use Fayan's Nirvana rebirth to eliminate the Nascent Soul cultivator of the Nine Palaces Sect. Just as success seemed within reach, it slipped through his fingers.
Moreover, he didn't even know who had ruined his plan.
Xiao Chan's spiritual sense swept over the locations where the two Gu insects had appeared. However, the two Gu insects had already burrowed deep into the underground crevices, disappearing without a trace.
Finding nothing, Xiao Chan reluctantly retracted his spiritual sense and turned to Fayan, saying, "Venerable Monk, congratulations on your rebirth."
"Are you Xiao Chan? I didn't expect you to have also advanced to the Nascent Soul stage."After a moment of emotion, Fayan's expression turned grim as he continued, 'Why were there Nine Palaces Sect cultivators in my place of seclusion?" Has the Nine Palaces Sect become so bold? Daring to intrude into the territory of our Mixed Yuan Temple and attack our Nascent Soul cultivators?"
Xiao Chan shook his head, sighing, "Venerable Monk, the Jie Mountain Spirit Stone Mine has already been occupied by the Nine Palaces Sect. Moreover, the Nine Palaces Sect has turned to the demonic path."
Fayan's voice deepened, "How did this happen?"
"This is not the place to discuss such matters. Let's return to the temple, and I will explain everything to you in detail. Your sacrifice was interrupted, and we need to return to the temple as soon as possible to re-establish the Spirit Offering Formation. The longer we delay, the less effective the sacrifice will be."
After speaking, Xiao Chan turned to the Golden Core cultivators below and shouted, "Everyone, board the ship. We are taking the Si family members back to the temple."
...
Two days later, Song Wen, who was at Qingluo Mountain, received a message from Yu Wen: Tai He had come looking for him and was currently outside Tiancang Mountain. Moreover, he specifically asked to see the sect leader, 'Yin Shuo.'
After a moment of thought, Song Wen soared into the sky and headed towards Tiancang Mountain.
On a small hill dozens of miles away from Tiancang Mountain, Song Wen met Tai He, who was waiting there.
"Yin Shuo, it's not easy to get a chance to see you," Tai He said.
"I happened to be away on some business, making you wait, Daoist Tai He. That was my fault," Song Wen said, cupping his hands in apology.
Facing Song Wen's polite words, Tai He responded coldly, "Yin Shuo, you must be aware of what happened at the Jie Mountain Market two days ago, right?"
Song Wen nodded.
"The Foundation Establishment cultivators in Jie Mountain Market have all pledged allegiance to your Asura Sect. Mixed Yuan Temple had set up the Netherking Demon-Locking Formation in Jie Mountain Market beforehand. You couldn't possibly be unaware of this. Why didn't you inform the Nine Palaces Sect? You nearly caused Hao Kong and me to perish in Jie Mountain Market," Tai He questioned.
"So, fellow Daoist, you've come today to accuse me," Song Wen replied with a faint smile. "However, you've wronged me. I truly had no knowledge of the Netherking Demon-Locking Formation. Moreover..."
Song Wen paused for a moment before continuing.
"The fact that you and Fellow Daoist Hao Kong managed to escape the Netherking Demon-Locking Formation was entirely due to my efforts. Instead of thanking me, you come here to accuse me. It's truly disheartening."
Tai He narrowed his eyes, his tone skeptical.
"Was it you who broke the formation with your Gu?"
Song Wen nodded, smiling without a word.
"Do you have any proof?" Tai He asked.
Song Wen raised his hand, and a Shadow Gu fluttered in his palm.
Seeing the Shadow Gu appear, Tai He's doubts vanished.
"It seems it really was you who saved me. I'll remember this favor, Fellow Daoist," Tai He said, cupping his hands in apology. "I was wrong to accuse you earlier. I offer my sincerest apologies."
"A life-saving favor, and all you offer is a verbal thanks?" Song Wen said with a smile.
Tai He was momentarily stunned.
This was the first time he had encountered a Nascent Soul cultivator with such thick skin, openly asking for a reward!
Where is your dignity as a Nascent Soul cultivator?
"Whatever you desire, Fellow Daoist, just say it. As long as it's within my power, I'll fulfill it," Tai He said.
Although he somewhat despised Song Wen's behavior, the fact remained that Song Wen had saved his life, and he owed him something.
"I knew you weren't the type to forget a favor," Song Wen said, flattering Tai He before revealing his true intentions.
"As everyone knows, you're skilled at crafting Minor Teleportation Talismans. Could you spare me eight or ten? In times of danger, I'd have a means to save myself."
For Song Wen, the Minor Teleportation Talisman's function overlapped with the Blood Escape Technique, but each had its own advantages and disadvantages.
At Song Wen's current cultivation level, the maximum distance he could escape using the Minor Teleportation Talisman and the Blood Escape Technique was roughly the same.
However, the Blood Escape Technique allowed control over the direction and landing point, while the Minor Teleportation Talisman's landing point was random and uncontrollable.
In this regard, the Minor Teleportation Talisman was inferior to the Blood Escape Technique.
But using the Blood Escape Technique would leave behind a trail of blood mist, making it easy to track.
The Minor Teleportation Talisman didn't have this drawback.
Additionally, even if Song Wen didn't need the talismans himself, he could gift them to others.
Tai He was visibly annoyed.
"Eight or ten! You underestimate the difficulty of crafting Minor Teleportation Talismans. I don't even have that many on me."
Song Wen asked, "How many can you spare?"
Tai He replied, "At most, one."
"One? That's rather stingy for a life-saving favor," Song Wen said, emphasizing the words "life-saving favor."
"At most three. Any more, and I don't have them," Tai He said, clearly pained by the thought.
He suddenly felt that he shouldn't have come to Tian Cang Mountain.
It was like walking into a trap.
Song Wen quickly extended his right hand. "Thank you, Fellow Daoist."
Reluctantly, Tai He pulled out three Minor Teleportation Talismans and handed them to Song Wen.
Song Wen examined the talisman for a moment before finally storing it in his spatial ring with satisfaction.
Tai He said, "I came today for another matter."
"Fellow Daoist, feel free to speak."
Having just obtained three Minor Teleportation Talismans, Song Wen was in a good mood and replied with great enthusiasm.
In truth, Song Wen's vigilance was gradually rising.
He realized that Tai He's visit today, under the guise of seeking accountability, was merely a pretense. The matter he was about to bring up was the true purpose of his visit.
(End of the Chapter)
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