Wang Yu sensed that He Valley Master's offer of help wasn't for the battlefield in Spiritridge—but for tracking down Luo Chen, who had gone after Windflower.
He paused.
After finally kicking the close-combat puppet away, he had a moment to respond.
"You dare make a move? He's the personal disciple of a Nascent Soul elder."
"What's there to fear? As long as he doesn't recognize me."
He Valley Master chuckled, waiting for Wang Yu's reply.
"Your price?"
Wang Yu replied quickly, even as the roar of the Nether Demon Flood Dragon echoed. A spinning ice wheel appeared in his hand, which he drove into the puppet's body.
In his other hand, the [Wailing Ghost Flute] unleashed three soul-shattering blades. He downed a top-grade tier-two recovery pill. The sequence was fluid and precise.
The dual-path soul arts disrupted the puppet's movements—it now moved like a rusted machine. Wang Yu had found its weakness.
His fingers danced—[Soul-Shattering Finger] fired like a machine gun, crashing the puppet's systems.
In the distance—
Earth Puppet screamed.
"No! My soul imprint—my puppet!"
Wang Yu seized the moment.
He commanded the Moonfiend Corpse to endure the iron puppet's blows while casting the [Corpse Curse of Nether Descent] on Earth Puppet.
The corpse was a zombie—even decapitation wouldn't stop it. A few hits from a tier-three puppet were nothing.
Qingyang, already in sync with Wang Yu, summoned his ancestral artifact—Mountains and Rivers Splendor Scroll.
Though he couldn't fully charge it, he conjured ink mountains within a kilometer. They rose and fell, crushing Earth Puppet mid-air.
The iron puppet shuddered. Its core imprint vanished. It became an ownerless object—just like the close-combat puppet before Wang Yu.
Seeing this—
He Valley Master sighed.
"City Lord Wang, your strength is extraordinary. Seems you don't need my help after all."
But Wang Yu disagreed.
"No. Name your price. This matter stays between us."
He Valley Master raised an eyebrow. "Didn't expect you to be the sentimental type."
"It's not sentiment. It's reputation. The Fragrance Gathering's credibility matters more than any short-term gain. You understand that—otherwise you wouldn't have offered."
"I see. As for payment…"
He Valley Master thought for a moment.
"We'll discuss it later. If I wait too long, I won't be able to catch up to Little Talisman Lord."
"Agreed."
As the dust settled, Qingyang flew over with the iron puppet in tow.
"What did you two talk about? He left as soon as I arrived."
"Nothing important."
Wang Yu surveyed the ruined street, feeling frustrated.
"You keep the iron puppet. I'll take the stealth-type close-combat one.
"As for Earth Puppet's spatial ring—we'll divide it after the Treasure Exchange. Let's head back."
"Alright."
Qingyang had no objections. He'd contributed heavily. A tier-three puppet was a worthy reward.
After deactivating the city's defensive formation, Wang Yu wrapped the remains of Earth Puppet in true essence and returned to Fragrant Pavilion.
The atmosphere was tense. The Treasure Exchange had stalled. The Guan and Jiang clans couldn't revive it.
Understandably so.
There had just been a battle at the gate. Who would dare reveal their treasures now?
This incident exposed the flaws of the Treasure Exchange.
To trade, one had to publicly display their items—making them targets for the powerful.
Private trades defeated the purpose. Even if bids were made via sound transmission and exchanges happened later, observers could track who went where and with whom.
The only solution was absolute strength to maintain order.
Wang Yu snorted. He tossed Earth Puppet's mangled corpse into the center of the hall and declared coldly:
"This old ghost attacked my honored guests in broad daylight. He was slain on the spot by the City Lord's First Retainer."
The crowd turned to Qingyang in shock.
Especially Yellow Sand Elder. He had both grudges and alliances with Earth Puppet. They'd explored ruins together—puppets were invaluable in such places.
He knew Earth Puppet's strength well.
And couldn't believe Qingyang had killed him.
But the blood and flesh on the floor didn't lie.
Sensing the tension, Wang Yu suddenly smiled.
"Rest assured—Daoist Rainflower and Windflower have safely left the city. They're likely in seclusion now. The Treasure Exchange will continue."
Even with Wang Yu's assurance, few dared take the stage. As dawn broke, the Second Spiritridge Fragrance Gathering ended in anticlimax.
—
Two days later.
In the rear hall of the City Lord's Manor—
Wang Yu met privately with He Valley Master.
"How did it go?"
He Valley Master shook his head, looking ashamed.
"I underestimated Little Talisman Lord's strength—or rather, his wealth. When I tried to intercept him, I was drowned in a sea of talismans."
Wang Yu fell silent. He Valley Master was sharp, but clearly weaker than Luo Chen. The outcome was predictable.
"It's not your fault. Luo Chen's strength rivals the top twenty Sword Sect envoys. What about Windflower?"
"Not good. Her concealment techniques are poor."
"Sigh…"
Wang Yu exhaled deeply. The Fragrance Gathering was ruined. If Windflower returned as a Core cultivator, maybe it could be salvaged.
But in Crimson Kite, hosting a high-level exchange was nearly impossible. The cultivators here weren't worthy. They'd rather rob than trade.
He recalled giving Luo Chen advice—suggesting he open the exchange with a grand gesture. And Luo Chen had accepted it.
The memory filled him with rage.
"All my years of effort—ruined. And he had the gall to ask for guidance."
Demonic Fetus Profound Origin Curse…
Naturally, Wang Yu thought of his trump card. His path to defying fate. And Luo Chen had the Yin Heavenly Root.
"City Lord? Don't dwell on it. I'll take my leave. I'll return for the next Fragrance Gathering."
"Wait—"
Wang Yu tossed him a pouch. Inside were 100,000 spirit stones. Not much for Wang Yu, but a fortune for a rogue Core cultivator.
"You've offended Luo Chen. Even if you failed, you tried. He may have a secret technique to identify you. Take this as payment.
"Also—I heard you're from Scorpion City. If things go poorly there, come to Spiritridge. My Retainer Hall is too quiet with just Qingyang."
That night's battle had shown He Valley Master's loyalty. Though he failed, his intent was clear.
Since Tianbao Pavilion's tier-three auctions began, Spiritridge had become more attractive to Core cultivators. The City Lord's forces needed to grow.
The map had leveled up.
Or rather—restored.
This was an opportunity.
He Valley Master nodded.
"I've long wanted to serve you, City Lord. But I have enemies in Scorpion City."
"No matter. I assume you heard about my clash with Goldfull Pavilion—that's why you came."
"City Lord is perceptive."
"I have some influence in the Blood Reversal Sect. Tell me the details later—I'll ensure your safety.
"For now, I have a task for you."
"Please instruct me."
Wang Yu pressed two fingers to his brow, activating the Demonic Fetus Profound Origin Curse. He condensed a seed of demonic intent and handed it to He Valley Master.
"Go to Three-Mao City. There are two talisman clans there. Kill a few people. Stay in the city. Wait for Luo Chen to find you."
"This…"
He Valley Master hesitated. He was skilled in stealth—but infiltrating a city guarded by a Nascent Soul disciple was risky.
"Don't worry. Luo Chen will try to recruit you. When he does, plant this seed in him. If he notices—run. If not—stay hidden."
It was a high-risk mission.
But Wang Yu was determined to take revenge. The seed was just the beginning. He wanted to harvest later—not just kill Luo Chen for a few spirit stones.
If he could seize the Yin Heavenly Root, any cost was worth it. The seed would slowly corrupt Luo Chen's nature.
Once he fully succumbed to demonic intent—then Wang Yu would strike.
He Valley Master might fail. But it was a test of loyalty.
A pledge of allegiance.
If he succeeded, Wang Yu would trust him.
"I understand."
After He Valley Master left, Wang Yu summoned Chao Yun-niang from Clouddream Pavilion. She had once captivated Zhuo Shouqing—clearly skilled.
"Yun-niang, I have a task for you."
She looked puzzled. Wang Yu handed her another demonic seed. One basket couldn't hold all the eggs—he needed multiple plans.
After she left—
He summoned the Bloodblade Gang from the North District. Their leader was a Foundation cultivator. Wang Yu gave them a third seed.
Their mission: raid the outskirts of Three-Mao City. They were former rogue cultivators—banditry was second nature.
Their goal: accept Luo Chen's recruitment, become his "Black Gloves," and stay hidden. While passing intel, they'd seek a chance to plant the seed.
Three paths. If even one succeeded—it was enough.
With these matters settled, Wang Yu returned to his cultivation chamber to inspect the spoils from Earth Puppet's spatial ring.
He split the contents evenly with Qingyang—one puppet each, and the spiritual resources divided fairly. As for the knowledge and legacy techniques, both retained copies.
Among the items was a set of puppet-path manuscripts from Demon Valley, including rare notes on the crafting of human puppets and the elusive "Heaven Puppet" refinement method. Though incomplete, they offered a glimpse into techniques long thought lost.
Wang Yu's gaze lingered on the scrolls.
"Demon Valley…"
He murmured, already planning how to incorporate these insights into his own corpse refinement path. Perhaps one day, he could forge a hybrid—half puppet, half corpse—with the best of both worlds.
But for now, his focus was clear.
The Fragrance Gathering had ended in chaos. Luo Chen had betrayed him. Windflower's fate was uncertain. And the reputation of Spiritridge hung in the balance.
Yet Wang Yu was not defeated.
He had planted three seeds—three paths toward vengeance and control. If even one succeeded, he would have a foothold inside Three-Mao City and a chance to reclaim what was lost.
And if all three failed?
He would find another way.
Because in Crimson Kite Territory, strength was not enough.
You needed cunning.
You needed patience.
And above all—you needed resolve.
Wang Yu sat cross-legged in his chamber, the Moonfiend Coffin beside him, the demonic seed arrayed before him, and the legacy of Earth Puppet spread across the floor.
He closed his eyes.
The next phase had begun.
(End of Chapter)