The "Blood Shadow Triple Fiends" were quite famous among the Loose Cultivators of the Abyssal Marsh.
The three had been apprenticed to a Life Talisman Realm Loose Cultivator in the Abyssal Marsh thirty years ago. The "Blood Shadow Art" they practiced was said to have been passed down from ancient Demon Cultivators and was extremely focused on slaughter.
Among the three fiends, the eldest, Duan Feng, had broken through to the Late Sensing Stage ten years ago. He was recruited by the Luo Family to serve as a Noble House Guest Elder and now possessed an Eighth-Layer Sensing Cultivation.
The second, Xiao Mei Niang, had a Sixth-Layer Sensing Cultivation. She was skilled in Dual Cultivation Secret Methods and was on good terms with several Loose Cultivators, whom she handled with ease, earning her a rather salacious reputation.
The third, Cao Xuanyi, also had a Sixth-Layer Sensing Cultivation, but he was not well-known and kept a very low profile.
In his early years, he had obtained a First-rank top-grade magic tool, and his combat prowess was formidable—not much weaker than his eldest brother, Duan Feng.
After their master fell, the three went their separate ways. When trouble arose, however, they would occasionally join forces against their enemies, gradually making a name for themselves among the Loose Cultivators.
Not long ago, the third brother, Cao Xuanyi, found a jar of Profound Yin Ice Fiend in some ancient ruins outside the Abyssal Marsh. After returning, he sought out his senior brother and sister to find a way to sell it.
The eldest, Duan Feng, had gained some connections after joining the Luo Family, so he quickly found an Inner Sect Disciple of the Yinluo Sect and successfully completed a transaction.
Wen Qianqian, relying on her father Wen Zhiyan's network, also heard that Cao Xuanyi had the Profound Yin Ice Fiend. Unfortunately, the other party was asking for a price of ten thousand Spirit Stones, which was more than she could afford...
This led to Wen Qianqian approaching Fang Cheng and the others to pool their funds and buy the Ice Fiend.
Just as Cao Xuanyi had said, "Humans die for wealth, and birds die for food." Ten thousand Spirit Stones was no small sum for anyone!
Offending an old Loose Cultivator Array Master who didn't have much time left was definitely worth the risk!
Cao Xuanyi smiled. "I deliberately kept a small vial from that jar of Profound Yin Ice Fiend. It should be enough to pass for the real thing and make them lower their guard. Then, we strike like lightning. We must resolve this cleanly and quickly, without alerting the marketplace."
He had deliberately chosen a transaction spot not far from the marketplace precisely to put the other party at ease.
Duan Feng nodded and said, "When the time comes, you and Second Sister will show yourselves while I hide and wait for an opportunity to strike. Afterward, the two of you will leave the Abyssal Marsh and disappear for a few years. Come back only after things have blown over."
Cao Xuanyi and Xiao Mei Niang had no objections. Not only was Duan Feng's cultivation profound, but in recent years he had also acquired a First-rank top-grade flying needle: the Yin Wind Soul-breaking Needle!
The needle was as fine as an ox's hair, silent and traceless, and excelled at sneak attacks and assassinations. With him providing support from the shadows, their success was absolutely guaranteed.
Besides, Cao Xuanyi and Xiao Mei Niang were no weaklings themselves. With the three of them working together, their main goal was a single word: speed.
The faster, the safer!
The three quickly settled on the details.
...
「The next day.」
Fang Cheng awoke from his meditation.
The small courtyard was bright with daylight, quiet and peaceful, with a gentle, dry breeze.
He strolled leisurely out of the courtyard gate and, keeping an eye on the time, arrived punctually under the archway of the marketplace's southern gate.
Wen Qianqian and the other three had already arrived a step ahead of him.
Not far from the marketplace's southern gate lay the vast, boundless Abyssal Marsh.
It was now afternoon. The sun blazed like fire, and the surface of the Daze resembled a giant sapphire connected to the sky.
Seeing Fang Cheng approach, Wang Xingzhi smiled slightly. After a brief greeting, he turned to Wen Qianqian and said, "Wen Dao You, everyone is here now. Shouldn't you explain why we're trading outside the marketplace?"
Wen Qianqian glanced at the group and gave a wry smile. "The seller is extremely cautious and unwilling to exchange goods inside the marketplace, mainly for fear of being targeted and followed afterward... After discussing it with him several times, we finally compromised and settled on a location ten li south of the marketplace."
She paused, her beautiful eyes resting on Fang Cheng as she said, "If any of you have reservations, we can just cancel today's transaction."
Fang Cheng's expression was calm and confident. Upon hearing her words, he asked, "The Profound Yin Ice Fiend is within our grasp; it would be a shame to cancel now. Wen Dao You, do you know the seller's identity?"
Wen Qianqian shook her head. "He concealed his face every time we met. However, I was able to clearly discern his cultivation. He's at the Sixth Layer of Sensing."
Fang Cheng smiled. "The seller probably doesn't know all five of us are coming. I think trading there is feasible, but we should leave one person behind to hold the Spirit Stones and wait in the marketplace. Once the Ice Fiend is confirmed to be authentic over there, that person can go over to complete the payment."
"I agree with Brother Fang's suggestion," Wang Xingzhi immediately nodded in agreement.
Wen Qianqian also said, "That method is viable. I propose that Fellow Daoist Fang stay behind in the marketplace to guard the Spirit Stones."
On the side, Chen Yu Yan also nodded. "Among the five of us, Fellow Daoist Fang is the strongest. There's no problem with him safeguarding and transporting the Spirit Stones."
As for Yang Heng, he remained silent as usual, simply following Chen Yu Yan's lead.
Wang Xingzhi said finally, "Alright, let's do that. We'll inspect the goods first. If there's no problem, I'll come back to the marketplace and get Brother Fang to come with me."
Fang Cheng chuckled, not expecting everyone to nominate him to hold the Spirit Stones. He immediately made a Heart Demon Oath, promising he would never embezzle the Spirit Stones or betray their trust.
Wealth moves the hearts of men. If he didn't make an oath, the other four would likely never have handed the Spirit Stones over to him.
Soon, eight thousand Spirit Stones were placed in Fang Cheng's hands.
Wen Qianqian and the other three summoned their Escape Lights and flew south.
Fang Cheng, meanwhile, found a rock at the marketplace entrance, sat down cross-legged upon it, and began to wait patiently.
Not long after Wen Qianqian's group of four flew off, they spotted a painted pleasure boat floating on the lake's surface in the distance.
The four of them landed their Escape Lights on the boat's deck.
This boat was not a Magical Artifact but one built by mortals. Many Cultivators used such boats for sightseeing on the lake, and there were quite a few of them in the Yinluo Sect Marketplace.
After the four landed, a white-robed woman with a graceful figure emerged from the pleasure boat. Her face was covered by a light veil, and her flirtatious eyes swept over the group as she smiled before even speaking.
"Are you Wen Dao You?"
Wen Qianqian took a step forward and said, "I am. And you are, fellow Daoist?"
Xiao Mei Niang giggled. "Please, everyone, come inside. My husband has been waiting for a long time."
Wen Qianqian nodded and exchanged a glance with Wang Xingzhi and Chen Yu Yan, her expression turning slightly solemn.
'This woman also has a Sixth-Layer Sensing Cultivation...'
The four followed Xiao Mei Niang into the pleasure boat and saw a man in black robes sitting inside the elegantly furnished cabin. He wore a Bronze Mask, giving him a very mysterious air.
Seeing them enter, he immediately stood up, clasped his hands in a gesture of apology, and said, "Greetings, everyone. It is inconvenient for me to reveal my identity. I ask for your understanding."
Wang Xingzhi sneered, "Hiding your face like this shows no sincerity at all. How can you expect us to trade with any peace of mind?"
Cao Xuanyi looked at Wang Xingzhi. Seeing his magnificent robes and extraordinary bearing, he secretly guessed the man was likely from a noble house.
'But the arrow is already on the bowstring and must be fired!'
'However... if he were an important figure in a noble house, how could he not have a protector with him?'
'Judging by his cultivation, his status in the house must be average. He shouldn't be a major problem.'
He smiled slightly and said, "I am but a humble Loose Cultivator. My wife and I were lucky enough to acquire a treasure, and we are well aware of the danger that comes with possessing it. We only wish to complete the transaction as quickly as possible and disappear immediately afterward. I ask for your understanding."
His tone was so sincere that for a moment, Wang Xingzhi found it difficult to rebuke him further.
Then, Cao Xuanyi turned to Wen Qianqian and asked in a gentle voice, "Wen Dao You, have you brought the Spirit Stones?"