Translator: CinderTL
Le Liang pondered for a moment before replying.
"Reporting to the Demon Lord, this subordinate is ignorant and has never heard of this treasure."
Seeing Song Wen's expression darken slightly, Le Liang quickly added, "Demon Lord, the Nascent Soul Stage Seniors from the Cui Clan, the Liangyi Sect, and the Jing Clan are all well-informed. They might know the whereabouts of the Frost Ice Nails."
Song Wen remained noncommittal and asked, "Has the sect recently produced any Primordial Nascent Soul Pills?"
Le Liang replied, "Reporting to the Demon Lord, some of the Spirit Herbs needed to refine the Primordial Nascent Soul Pill are unique to the Eastern and Northern Regions. During the Demon Race's rule over these regions, the secret realms where these herbs thrived were severely damaged. Now that the Human Race has reclaimed the Eastern and Northern Regions from the Demon Race, only twenty-six years have passed. These Spirit Herbs have yet to recover. It will likely take another thirty to fifty years before herbs of sufficient maturity become available."
Song Wen frowned slightly. "So long?"
He needed the Primordial Nascent Soul Pill, naturally, for Zhou Siyi.
Twenty years ago, the Wu Ji Sect had traded with the Cui Clan for a single Primordial Nascent Soul Pill. However, Fang Xian's meritorious service in retrieving the Dark Orchid Wood earned him the pill as a reward from Song Wen.
Le Liang suggested, "Demon Lord, if you urgently need a Primordial Nascent Soul Pill, you might consider approaching the Cui Clan."
Song Wen asked, "Does the Cui Clan still have any Primordial Nascent Soul Pills?"
He remembered clearly that when he and Meng Lengyu had visited the Cui Clan years ago, Cui Gu had said they only had one Primordial Nascent Soul Pill left. That very pill was the one Song Wen had given to Fang Xian.
Le Liang said, "According to the information relayed by our spies within the Cui Clan, they were actively seeking to purchase Rain Spirit Grass a year ago. This herb is one of the main ingredients for refining the Primordial Nascent Soul Pill. Your subordinate suspects the Cui Clan likely has some of the other Spirit Herbs needed to refine the pill, but is lacking Rain Spirit Grass."
Song Wen nodded and produced another jade slip.
"Arrange for someone to gather the Spirit Herbs listed in this jade slip as quickly as possible."
Fang Xian accepted the jade slip. "Yes, your subordinate will obey."
Song Wen didn't linger at the Wu Ji Sect. After seeing Fang Xian off, he took to the skies and headed for the Southern Domain Cui Clan.
Cui Clan, Yaotai City.
Song Wen stood in the air above Yaotai City, his aura fully unleashed.
Instantly, the entire city became aware of his arrival, including the Cui Clan.
Soon, Cui Xuanjing appeared before him.
"Demon Lord Ji Yin, your presence is truly an honor. Forgive our lack of preparation. Please, Demon Lord, come with me to Biluo Mountain. I will ensure you are treated with the utmost hospitality," Cui Xuanjing said with a smile. Whether that smile held any sincerity remained to be seen.
Song Wen said, "Fellow Daoist Cui, there's no need for such formality. I've come today to ask for your assistance with something."
Cui Xuanjing replied, "The Demon Lord has personally come to Yaotai City. How could I, Cui, refuse? Please, Demon Lord, speak freely."
"I've heard the Cui Clan possesses the Primordial Nascent Soul Pill?" Song Wen asked.
The smile on Cui Xuanjing's face froze instantly.
His previous words had been mere courtesy.
He hadn't expected the other party to be so direct, immediately asking for the Primordial Nascent Soul Pill.
Cui Xuanjing said, "Demon Lord, you must have been misled. The Cui Clan doesn't have any Primordial Nascent Soul Pills left. We used them all long ago."
Song Wen replied, "Fellow Daoist Cui, I wouldn't have come here without some certainty. I'm not trying to steal your clan's medicinal pills. I simply wish to trade with the Cui Clan."
Cui Xuanjing pondered for a long moment before speaking.
"Demon Lord, to be honest, the Cui Clan did indeed refine two Primordial Nascent Soul Pills a year ago. However, they were prepared for our clan's younger generation. I'm afraid I can't trade them with you."
In these times, each Primordial Nascent Soul Pill was precious, becoming rarer with each one used.
Naturally, he was unwilling to part with them easily.
Song Wen smiled slightly, his expression carrying a chilling undertone.
"It's your right to refuse this trade, Fellow Daoist, and I wouldn't force you. However, fifteen years ago, you promised to help my disciples enter your Cui Clan's Yin Shuo Valley to pick Golden Spirit Fruits. But later, you went back on your word, intending to profit from the fruits by selling them to the Liangyi Sect and my Wu Ji Sect. Shouldn't you offer me an explanation for this?"
Cui Xuanjing's expression shifted slightly, a hint of anger flickering in his eyes.
"I admit I was wrong. But I've already paid the price. Back then, you sent someone to buy a Golden Spirit Fruit for just five Low-Grade Spirit Stones. Isn't that enough to make amends for my mistake?"
Song Wen replied, "That was a fair exchange, Fellow Daoist. We traded one hand for the other—money for goods. How can that possibly compensate for your wrongdoing?"
Cui Xuanjing's lips trembled slightly. Though his heart burned with fury, he dared not unleash it.
Just five Low-Grade Spirit Stones for a Golden Spirit Fruit?
And they call that a fair exchange!?
Xuan Chengzi took a deep breath, forcing down his displeasure. He waved his hand, and a jade bottle suddenly appeared, which he tossed to Song Wen.
"Here's the Primordial Nascent Soul Pill. I hope the Demon Lord will let bygones be bygones."
Song Wen caught the jade bottle with his Spiritual Power. After confirming the medicinal pill inside was intact, he put it away.
"As I said before, I won't take your Cui Clan's pill by force. Please accept these five High-Grade Spirit Stones, Fellow Daoist."
Cui Xuanjing watched the five Spirit Stones fly from Song Wen's hand, his eyelids twitching uncontrollably.
The Spirit Stones were paid.
So, another fair trade!?
Cui Xuanjing pocketed the Spirit Stones and forced a strained, unnatural smile onto his face.
"It's an honor for the Cui Clan to trade with the Demon Lord."
Song Wen said, "Fellow Daoist Cui, I have another matter to inquire about."
Cui Xuanjing's heart skipped a beat, fearing Song Wen would make another excessive demand.
However, Song Wen's next words eased his tension.
"Have you heard of the 'Frost Ice Nails'?"
Cui Xuanjing pondered for a moment before replying.
"The Demon Sovereign might inquire at the Liangyi Sect. Hundreds of years ago, I believe Daoist Lan Yin mentioned the words 'Frost Ice Nails' to me. But whether the 'Frost Ice Nails' she spoke of are the treasure the Demon Lord seeks, I cannot say for sure."
Song Wen clasped his hands in gratitude. "Thank you, Fellow Daoist Cui. Farewell."
With that, Song Wen transformed into a streak of light and vanished into the distant sky.
Watching Song Wen's retreating figure, Cui Xuanjing's expression twisted, becoming somewhat sinister.
"This is too much!"
"Hmph! The Liangyi Sect is hardly peaceful these days. Though your Ji Yin strength is formidable, Xuan Chengzi isn't to be underestimated. You're unlikely to fare well."
Song Wen raced along, quickly reaching Four Symbols City, the main city of the Liangyi Sect.
He used his Communication Jade Slip to contact Daoist Lan Yin, but she didn't reply for a long time.
Song Wen had no choice but to send a message to Zi Yun.
Fellow Daoist Zi Yun, I have a matter that requires your master's assistance, but I can't reach her. Would you be willing to relay my request to her on my behalf?
Zi Yun replied almost immediately.
Ji Yin, I can't help you. My master has encountered an unexpected situation.
Song Wen asked in confusion, "What happened to Fellow Daoist Lan Yin?"
Zi Yun replied, "She had a falling out with Ancestor Xuan Chengzi and has been imprisoned in the Abyssal Sea Heavenly Abyss Cave."
(End of the Chapter)
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