Su Chui was uncharacteristically excited. Purple Star Sand was something he'd only ever seen mentioned in the jade slips of the Weapon Sect's library. It was top-tier material, a real treasure.
Jian Dan's lips curved into a smile. Either the other side overlooked it on purpose, or they just missed it entirely. No matter which, they'd gained the upper hand.
"Su Daoyou, have you confirmed it?"
"Yes."
Hearing that, Jian Jing's eyes lit up. As a sword cultivator, most of his kind forged their own life-bound swords. It was rare for someone like his junior sister to be acknowledged by an ancient weapon. To him, Purple Star Sand was an incredible find.
Jian Dan immediately separated a small portion of the sand into a jade box, sealed it, and placed it into her storage bangle, though in truth it entered her personal space. "I'll keep this for now. Once we're back, we'll divide it. Here, it's just a pile of sand since we can't forge anything."
Su Chui and Jian Jing both nodded without complaint.
Hou San soon approached to report that Ji Du had arrived with Cheng Zu and his senior brother. He also mentioned in a low voice that the Fu Hu Squad had shown up.
"I know."
Cheng Zu's fresh, youthful face made it hard to associate him with a cultivator who'd trained for centuries like some old monster.
After formal greetings, Kuang Dao, at Jian Dan's signal, handed over the jade slip she had carefully revised for the exchange.
Cheng Song checked it after his senior brother, then named a few items he wanted before returning it.
"Boss Cheng's eye is sharp," Jian Dan said lightly.
Only then did Cheng Zu speak. "We came to this trade fair in a rush. Most of what we could barter in these past days is already gone."
Jian Dan raised a brow and fanned herself lazily, waiting for him to continue.
"However, I do have some information. It should be worth those items."
"What sort of information?"
"News about Jun Qingfeng of your Lingyun Continent."
At those words, Jian Dan's expression didn't shift. She only smiled faintly and said, "Let's hear it."
"Three years ago, lower-realm cultivators joined forces against the Immortal Realm's people. We dealt a heavy blow to the Yu Tao family and earned benefits for outsiders like us. But the cultivators who fought were later hunted down. That's how Su Daoyou joined our squad."
"Boss Cheng, you didn't fight in that war?" Jian Jing asked in a low voice.
"We arrived in the inner region only after the battle ended." Cheng Zu wasn't irritated at the interruption, patiently continuing.
"My brother and I realized the situation was dangerous, so we wanted to leave quickly. We sold our gathered resources at a shop we knew. By chance, we ran into Jun Qingfeng there. At the time, we didn't know who she was."
Jian Dan had been listening quietly, eyes lowered, fan in hand. Now she paused, lifting her gaze. "Which shop?"
"Muqing Shop."
She nodded for him to continue.
"Jun Qingfeng came with others to trade resources. Before she could leave, a female cultivator stopped her."
"From the Immortal Realm?"
"Yes."
"They didn't argue. That fairy set up a sound barrier. My senior brother can read lips, but he only caught the fairy's words."
Cheng Song stopped there.
Jian Dan didn't push. She toyed with her fan, watching Cheng Zu's youthful face.
"That fairy said she'd shelter him and heal her injuries."
The moment the words fell, Jian Jing's heart skipped, though her face remained calm.
Only now did Jian Dan speak, her tone cool. "Senior Sister, prepare the items Boss Cheng requested."
Jian Jing nodded with a smile and quickly packed the materials into a storage ring.
"Kuang Dao, bring two empty Immortal Realm rings."
Kuang Dao obeyed, fetched two, and handed them to Jian Dan.
The goods were pushed toward the Cheng brothers.
"Fairy Lu is generous." Cheng Song stepped forward to collect them.
Jian Dan finally asked, "What's that fairy's name?"
"As it happens, I know her. She's from the Tan Song family."
"How many people were with Jun Daoyou?"
"Ten."
"And in the end, they followed that Tan Song fairy?"
"Yes."
"Do you know where they went?"
"They should've been taken into the Tan Song family's estate."
Jian Dan lowered her eyes in thought for a moment, then smiled. "Thank you for the information, Boss Cheng. Our trade is complete."
Cheng Song hadn't expected her to cut it off so cleanly. The lines he'd prepared were now useless. Cheng Zu, however, gave Jian Dan a long look before rising. He and Cheng Song saluted and left the formation.
After they left, Jian Jing finally spoke. "Junior Sister, is their information reliable?"
"We'll only know once we reach the inner region. Too soon to say now."
"These two aren't simple. Just from Su Chui, they already guessed we're cultivators from Lingyun Continent, and they even know our goal."
"Anyone who dares explore here isn't someone to underestimate."
As they spoke quietly, Fu Hu entered with Dai Jiao.
This time, Fu Hu was polite, as if he hadn't tried to make things difficult for Su Chui just days ago.
Without needing Jian Dan's instruction, Kuang Dao handed him the revised jade slip for the second trade.
Fu Hu checked it. There wasn't much left inside, but he marked a few items anyway and returned it. "Fairy Lu, we want to trade for these."
"That's fine."
"I've got spirit stones and formation disks."
"Didn't Lady Di tell you? We only trade for Immortal Realm goods. If you don't have them, immortal stones will do," Jian Jing cut in coldly.
"Hey, fairy, you'll eventually return to your Cultivation Realm. Don't you need spirit stones?" Fu Hu pressed.
"Boss Fu Hu, I've got top-grade spirit stones. How about we trade for the spirit beast in your pouch?" Jian Dan's smile didn't reach her eyes.
As she spoke, a strand of divine sense turned into a needle and stabbed at Dai Jiao.
"Ugh!"
A muffled groan escaped as Dai Jiao clutched her head. Cold sweat poured down her pale face.
Fu Hu spun around and saw her state. He understood instantly.
"Boss Fu Hu, still want to trade?" Jian Dan asked evenly.
"I've learned my lesson." His words were through gritted teeth. He pulled Dai Jiao up and turned to leave.
Kuang Dao glanced at Jian Dan. When she waved her hand, he opened the formation and personally escorted them out.
Fu Hu didn't linger, dragging Dai Jiao straight back to his territory.
Lady Di sneered at their fleeing figures. "Serves you right. Always trying to take advantage."
The Bai sisters, who had been helping outside the stall, heard everything clearly. They exchanged a glance. Bai Shuang gave a subtle nod. Bai Xia flicked her finger, sending a wisp of white powder after the fleeing pair. Fu Hu must have sensed something, because he whipped his head around just in time to see the powder vanish into nothing.