Translator: CinderTL
Song Wen watched Chi Pei and Shi Man's retreating figures, his face still pale with lingering fear.
Yet inwardly, he was surprised. His deliberate attempts to flatter and ingratiate himself had utterly failed.
Chi Pei remained completely unmoved by his efforts.
Perhaps, in Chi Pei's eyes, rogue cultivators were nothing more than insignificant ants, unworthy of his attention.
Still, Song Wen refused to give up easily.
After all, the higher Chi Pei's position within the Veiled Moon Hall, the greater the likelihood he would gain access to the complete Corpse King's Rebirth Art.
Song Wen traveled to South City and checked into an inn.
The Veiled Moon Hall was located two hundred miles south of Cloudveil City, along the banks of a major river.
South City's proximity to the Veiled Moon Hall would make it easier for him to communicate with Shi Man, ensuring his messages wouldn't be lost due to the distance.
[Senior Shi Man, congratulations on achieving your goal and becoming an elder of the Veiled Moon Hall.]
This message received no reply.
Undeterred, Song Wen persisted, sending another message every half-hour.
Finally, on his fifth attempt, Shi Man responded.
[Gou Jun, you're quite persistent.]
[Senior Shi Man, you've finally replied! For months, this junior has sent you messages repeatedly, but none received a response. I was quite concerned about your safety. Seeing you safe and well today puts my mind at ease,] Song Wen replied excitedly.
[You still care about me?] Shi Man asked.
[Of course,] Song Wen replied. [As a junior, I feel immensely honored by your position as an elder of the Veiled Moon Hall.]
Shi Man seemed to need an 'old acquaintance' to emphasize her glory as an elder of the Veiled Moon Hall.
[Gou Jun, though your cultivation is still somewhat lacking, your judgment remains sharp. Back on the Jin Family's Giant Flying Ship, you were the only one who treated me with genuine respect. The others merely feigned closeness for their own gain.]
[However, the Veiled Moon Hall's true power is beyond the comprehension of outsiders like you. We possess countless rare treasures and spiritual objects, some of which don't even exist in the Qicang Domain. As an elder, I receive vast quantities of spirit stones and precious artifacts annually, completely eliminating any need to worry about cultivation resources...]
Shi Man spoke with great eloquence, painting the Veiled Moon Hall as a veritable holy land of cultivation.
[Senior Shi Man is truly blessed with great fortune. It shouldn't be long before she advances to the Void Refinement Stage, becoming a pivotal figure in the Qicang Domain...]
Song Wen's flattery flowed endlessly, bringing a radiant smile to Shi Man's face.
When Shi Man ran out of things to boast about, Song Wen abruptly changed the subject.
[Senior Shi Man, may this junior dare to ask, what is the true identity of Young Master Chi Pei?]
Shi Man didn't hesitate. [I'm not entirely clear on Young Master Chi Pei's exact origins, but his status is undoubtedly extremely prestigious. He seems to hold a high position within the Divine Blood Gate. Even Hall Master Feng of the Veiled Moon Hall treats him with utmost respect.]
Song Wen asked, puzzled, [If Young Master Chi Pei's background is so formidable, why is he still searching for treasures he can't obtain, even having to personally visit the market?]
Shi Man explained, [Young Master Chi Pei's visit to the Qicang Domain is to oversee the Veiled Moon Hall. However, his arrival was somewhat rushed, and he didn't have time to prepare sufficient cultivation resources. Unfortunately, the Veiled Moon Hall lacks the specific items he needs. Left with no other choice, Young Master Chi Pei had to venture into the market himself, hoping to find what he seeks.]
Song Wen asked, "What exactly is this treasure that Young Master Chi Pei seeks? It's astonishing that even Veiled Moon Hall couldn't find it."
"Young Master Chi Pei is searching for a poison called Corroding Heart Cold," Shi Man replied, her eyes gleaming with anticipation. "If I can find it for him, he'll surely value me greatly. Perhaps when he leaves Qicang Domain, he might even take me with him to the Divine Blood Hall."
Song Wen's heart stirred slightly at her words.
Xiao Ying's Storage Ring contained a jade bottle filled with this very poison, roughly the size of a fist.
The poison aided in cultivating the Ten Thousand Poisons Body, and Song Wen had consumed it several times.
However, Corroding Heart Cold was extremely potent, and Song Wen dared only ingest a single drop each time.
He couldn't help but wonder: if Xiao Ying possessed this poison, why couldn't Veiled Moon Hall find it?
He asked, "Is Corroding Heart Cold exceptionally rare?"
Shi Man replied, "According to Young Master Chi Pei, it's not particularly rare. The difficulty lies in its refinement. Only cultivators skilled in poison arts can refine it. Moreover, the poison only takes effect when ingested. As a result, few cultivators proficient in poison arts bother to learn its refinement method."
Song Wen replied, "So that's the reason. Since this poison is so crucial to you, Senior, and Young Master Chi Pei, this junior will spare no effort in searching for it everywhere."
Shi Man said, "Seeing your sincerity, if you truly manage to find Corroding Heart Cold, I will speak well of you to Young Master Chi Pei. With his favor, you might even be able to join the Veiled Moon Hall."
"Thank you, Senior," Song Wen said, his voice overflowing with gratitude. "This junior will do everything possible to find this poison."
After a few more polite exchanges, they ended the communication.
Song Wen put away the Communication Jade Slip and began to analyze whether he should offer the Corroding Heart Cold to Chi Pei.
He suspected that Chi Pei was also searching for the poison to cultivate the Ten Thousand Poisons Body.
Giving the Corroding Heart Cold to Chi Pei would likely earn his favor.
As for joining the Veiled Moon Hall, Song Wen still had reservations.
The Divine Blood Gate had a practice of refining its own disciples to enhance their cultivation and extend their lifespans.
Song Wen had always presented himself as a Corpse Dao cultivator.
He worried that if he joined the Veiled Moon Hall, he would be forced to cultivate the Corpse King Blood Refinement Art, becoming a human-shaped medicinal pill for others' cultivation.
After a moment's thought, Song Wen decided to share a portion of the Corroding Heart Cold with Chi Pei. This would at least earn him some recognition from Shi Man and Chi Pei, making future dealings easier.
If Chi Pei truly invited him to join the Veiled Moon Hall, he could always find an excuse to decline later.
Five days later, Song Wen proactively sent a message to Shi Man.
[Senior Shi Man, this junior has been fortunate enough to obtain a small amount of Corroding Heart Cold.] His tone was filled with barely concealed excitement, as if he had stumbled upon a heaven-sent opportunity.
[Is that true?] Shi Man asked skeptically.
Song Wen replied, [This junior would never dare deceive a senior. You and Young Master Chi Pei need only examine it personally to verify the poison's authenticity.]
[Very well,] Shi Man said. [Meet me at the Moon-Caressing Pavilion north of the city in fifteen minutes. If you dare deceive me, you will die without a burial.]
[Then this junior will depart for the Moon-Caressing Pavilion immediately to await your and Young Master Chi Pei's arrival,] Song Wen replied.
After ending the communication, Song Wen set off for the Moon-Caressing Pavilion.
The Moon-Caressing Pavilion was a renowned restaurant, famous for its exquisite spirit banquets.
However, when Song Wen arrived and eagerly awaited their arrival, only Shi Man appeared. Chi Pei was nowhere to be seen.
Song Wen immediately understood: Shi Man intended to claim all the credit for herself.
(End of the Chapter)
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