The next day, the sky was still overcast. Jian Mao thought that once the exchange was finished, they'd set off immediately. With the route map from that demon cultivator, they wouldn't get lost.
No one objected. They were still on Ji Du's turf, so it was better to move early.
This time, Jian Dan once again tucked Xiao Yue into her sleeve, and after everyone was ready, they headed to meet Ji Du.
Hu San was as sharp as ever, sticking close to Fairy Lu.
Jian Dan smiled and reminded him: "Hu San, you got punished for spilling our news yesterday, how come you still look so cheerful?"
Hu San froze for a moment, then got it. He pulled out a white leaf from his storage ring, rubbed it a little, and smeared the white juice across his face, neck, and the backs of his hands. Then he grabbed a small black pill, crushed it, and scattered it over himself. A faint medicinal scent mixed with a hint of blood wafted off him.
"Kuang Dao, support him!"
"Yes!"
Kuang Dao smirked slightly and strode over, lifting Hu San—half his height—and moved to the very back of the formation.
"Kuang Dao big brother, thanks! Thanks a lot!"
Hu San quickly cupped his hands in thanks, then slipped into character. He drooped his head, looking like he'd been seriously injured, even paler than the few from Purple Sky Sect's member.
"Zūnshàng, where did you find him? He's sharp."
Xiao Yong and Xiao Huo walked beside Jian Dan, smiling.
"Mm! Hu San's clever, flexible, and handled two tasks pretty well. So he stays in our squad."
The group maintained their formation as they made their way to Ji Du's courtyard.
"Boss Mao, did you rest well yesterday?" Ji Du had been waiting for them and smiled as he asked.
"Thanks for letting us use this place, Boss Ji. The rest was good."
Jian Mao took out a jade slip from her storage ring and handed it over. "This has everything we gathered from the outer region. Highlight what you want to exchange, and we can discuss."
Ji Du took it and began examining it.
Dao Ba also noticed Hu San at the very back and called out loudly: "Yo, Hu San! What happened to you? Looks like you got beaten pretty bad. Why don't you just join Dao Ba big brother?"
Hu San lifted an eyelid, glared, then let it drop.
"Hmph! Leaking squad info privately and only getting a few lashes? Lucky him." Lady Di scoffed, clearly approving the punishment.
Ji Du noticed Hu San's pitiful state and his eyes flickered.
"Ji Du, if you want to know something, you can just ask us directly." Jian Jing said politely.
Ji Du chuckled lightly and ignored the remark, turning everyone's attention to the exchange goods.
After some negotiation, the trade was finalized. They exchanged insect chitin and damaged immortal devices for body refinement pills and a map of the Immortal Realm. The map wasn't detailed. It roughly marked the five major immortal regions, key cities, and gave a brief introduction to the major families. It was crude, but already very useful for them.
During the negotiation, Jian Mao focused on the body refinement potions; the map was just a bonus. Both sides left satisfied. Jian Mao even conceded a little, as a fee for occupying Ji Du's territory.
"Boss Mao, Fairy Lu, if you're not in a hurry, you can stay two more days. Day after tomorrow there's a big gathering; all capable exchange squads will attend." Ji Du extended a warm invitation.
"Maybe we could trade for Immortal Realm items?"
"Well… what are you looking to exchange?" Ji Du hadn't expected their interest in Immortal Realm items.
"No specific targets for now. We'll see what we like and trade for a few things." Jian Jing answered directly, which was as good as not answering at all.
"Then go to the gathering. Usually, it's common Immortal Realm items—cushions, beds, tea sets, food, and jewelry for female cultivators. Those aren't just for looks, they have defensive functions too."
Jian Jing, Xiao Huo, and Jian Dan perked up immediately.
"Senior Brother, let's go check it out!"
"Alright!"
Without avoiding Ji Du, the group bid farewell and set off toward the gathering. Luckily, it was on the route to the inner region, so no one had any complaints about detours.
"Boss, what do you think?" Dao Ba leaned over to Ji Du.
"Not bad. They even included the cost for us using their territory in the trade. They're considerate, probably another major sect or force from this continent."
"Mao Wu's squad got wiped clean. These guys aren't easy either." Dao Ba stroked his chin.
"Not many are easy in this area. Mao Wu insisted on acting his way and got the result he deserved."
Ji Du's eyes flickered with ridicule. Everyone with a bit of skill in the inner region scoffed at Mao Wu's dealings. But thanks to his convenience, he'd acquired plenty of resources and his strength rose fast. Most people stayed cautious, not wanting to become targets over mere gains.
Ji Du had respected the squad that eliminated Mao Wu's team. It was a happy accident that a small poison thorn was removed. "From now on, be polite if you meet them. It's better to maintain good relations. Luckily, we didn't completely offend them."
"Yes, Boss. Should we attend the trading gathering day after tomorrow?"
"Of course. We need to get some Immortal Realm stuff to bring back to our continent."
"Got it, Boss. I'll notify everyone to prepare."
Meanwhile, Jian Dan's squad, after encountering Ming Yuan's squad, quickly headed to the burial ground. They deliberately avoided Mao Wu's territory.
Mao Wu's reputation wasn't great. Any squad passing by the burial ground would avoid his territory.
When Ming Yuan's squad dropped items at the burial ground again, they found a few not-so-broken magical devices and some battle armor, then returned to their temporary base.
"Big Brother Ming, I accidentally ran into Mao Wu's territory chasing a dropped magical device. Looks like no one's there."
Li Chun's face showed some panic, but she spoke clearly.
When she saw the device land in Mao Wu's territory, she tried to retreat immediately. Everyone knew Mao Wu liked bullying female cultivators. Li Chun considered herself fairly attractive (foggy memory), and she liked Big Brother Ming.
She waited at a safe distance and saw no one emerge. The spinning wheel device stuck in the ground kept turning, but no one came to check it.
Li Chun lingered a bit longer to make sure, then hurried back to report.
"You're bold, going into Mao Wu's territory!"
Li Chun's big brother scolded her softly.
"Did you scout inside?"
Ming Yuan asked.
"I stayed nearby for fifteen minutes, confirmed no one came out, then reported back. I didn't dare go in."
Hearing this, her brother relaxed a bit, realizing she wasn't recklessly brave.
"Boss, should we check it out?"
Someone suggested.
"Yeah, let's go and retrieve the device Li Chun saw."
The group cautiously approached Mao Wu's territory. After a thorough check, they confirmed it had been abandoned for some time.
As for the six captives, their whereabouts were unknown.