Translator: Cinder Translations
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After confirming that Song Wen was only an early-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, the scholar relaxed considerably. No matter how powerful Song Wen was, he was no match for the six of them.
When Song Wen approached and showed no intention of attacking, the scholar signaled the other five to remain on guard.
Since they were so close to the Blood Crystal mine, it was best not to take any action. If they engaged in combat, it would definitely attract the attention of the Su family, which would be unfavorable for the six of them.
The scholar sternly questioned Song Wen, "Friend, what is your intention in following us?"
Song Wen replied, "Everyone, please don't misunderstand. I accidentally discovered that you were monitoring the Su family's mine. Since I have some grievances with the Su family, I thought to join forces with you against them."
The six exchanged glances. Song Wen's response was clearly unexpected.
"Friend, we don't know each other. How can we trust you? What if you're a spy for the Su family?" the scholar asked.
"If I were a spy for the Su family, I wouldn't have revealed myself but would have secretly informed them to capture you all," Song Wen countered.
"Perhaps you intend to lure us into a trap and lead us to your companions hiding behind us," the girl with the large eyes suddenly interjected.
Song Wen's eyes brightened at this.
There were others behind these six!
Given the strength of the six in front, they really posed no threat to the Blood Crystal mine. If they did have a more powerful force behind them, that could indeed pose a threat.
According to the information Song Wen had obtained from the Ghost Market, the Su family had a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator stationed at the Blood Crystal mine.
"It seems that you find it difficult to believe me. In that case, I will take my leave. Let's pretend we've never met."
After saying this, Song Wen turned to leave.
"Thinking you can come and go as you please, it's not that easy," the girl with the large eyes rebuked.
Song Wen smiled faintly, "Friend, there's no need to make a show of strength. If you were going to act, you would have done so already. It's too close to the mine to act recklessly. If you do, the Su family will definitely become alert. By then, it will be extremely difficult for you to do anything to the Blood Crystal mine."
The girl with the large eyes wanted to scold him further but was stopped by the scholar.
The scholar said, "In my opinion, this friend is not from the Su family. Following us secretly, he probably does not have ill intentions. He is merely trying to gather information and take advantage when we act to rob the mine."
Having been exposed, Song Wen did not hide it and readily admitted, "Friend, you are very perceptive. Since there is no possibility of cooperation between us, I will take my leave. Let's act as if we've never met."
"Friend, wait a moment."
The scholar suddenly called out to stop Song Wen.
"To join forces against the Su family is not impossible. If you have the courage, you can meet us here at noon in three days to discuss how to attack the Su family's Blood Crystal mine."
Song Wen glanced at the scholar and cupped his fists in thanks, "Thank you for your trust."
With that, Song Wen transformed into a shadow and quickly vanished into the depths of the dense forest.
The girl with the large eyes looked at the scholar with doubt and asked, "This person's origins are unclear. How can you trust him so easily?"
The scholar shook his head and sneered, "Of course, I don't trust him. However, he does not seem to be from the Su family. I was merely misleading him, making him believe we would act in three days."
"In three days, the Su family's Blood Crystal mine will already be emptied by us. Let's go!"
The six figures soon disappeared from the spot.
Song Wen, several miles away, extended his spiritual sense through the Sacred Gu and observed the scene with a smile.
The earlier pretense was not in vain; he finally obtained some useful information.
The opponents' actions were likely to occur within the next two or three days.
After stealthily moving away from the Blood Crystal mine in the dense forest, Song Wen flew back to Qingping Mountain.
Upon arriving at Qingping Mountain, Song Wen went straight to the mountain villa.
"Su Zhi, I have an old friend visiting and would like to take a three-day leave."
Su Huayue, who was organizing the accounts in the villa, was immediately displeased upon hearing this.
The newcomer Yuan Cheng had only been at the Su family for a few days but had already taken leave multiple times, which irritated her.
Her voice became stern as she spoke, "Master Yuan, if you cannot submit the required medicine by the end of the month, your monthly salary will be deducted."
Song Wen's expression turned conflicted and hesitant. After some deep consideration, he replied, "Thank you for the reminder, Supervisor Su. However, an old friend I haven't seen in years has arrived. If I don't spend a few days with him, it would indeed be impolite. I hope Su Supervisor can understand."
Su Huayue raised her eyes and looked at Song Wen with obvious impatience. "Go ahead, go ahead! It's not like the deduction affects my salary. But remember, outsiders are not allowed to stay here casually."
Song Wen's face brightened, and he quickly bowed in thanks. "Thank you, Supervisor Su. Rest assured, I won't bring my friend to the Su family. I will have him stay in the Northern Market."
...
After leaving the villa, Song Wen returned to his residence, pretended to pack up a few things, and then headed towards the Northern Market.
After making several rounds in the market and changing his appearance, he then proceeded towards the Blood Crystal mine.
Ten miles from the mine, Song Wen released six Sacred Gus to monitor the surroundings and movements in the mine area.
He found a cave, set up the "Spirit Concealment Formation" and the "Nine Palaces Yin Array," and took out the alchemy furnace to begin refining medicine.
Before arriving at the Su family, Song Wen had purchased a lot of blood essence and beast refining medicine from the Ghost Market.
With the supplies of these two medicines running low, it was the perfect time to use the waiting period to refine some.
Song Wen was unsure when the group of scholars might launch a raid on the Su family's spiritual mine. To avoid wasting spiritual herbs due to interrupted refining, he chose to refine the less time-consuming Blood Qi Pills.
The beast refining pills could be replaced with silver stones once used up.
Time passed quickly, and after several hours, Song Wen refined the first batch of Blood Qi Pills.
After a short rest, as he was preparing to refine the second batch, the Sacred Gus outside sent a report.
To the north of the mine area, a group of rogue cultivators appeared, numbering more than ten, all at the Foundation Establishment stage. Among them were the six cultivators Song Wen had seen earlier.
At this time, it was past the midnight hour, and the dense forest was pitch black.
The group of rogue cultivators had a clear target and headed straight for the center of the mine. Apart from eliminating a few of the Su family's sentries, they did not engage in widespread killing.
The leader of the rogue cultivators was an elderly man with a crane-like hair and pine-like demeanor, a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator.
As the elder rushed forward, just before reaching the courtyard, he slapped his waist, and a second-level late-stage ghost general suddenly appeared.
The ghost general transformed into a ghostly shadow, raising its chilling claws to directly attack the large formation above the courtyard.
The formation's barrier was struck, suddenly erupting with a blinding golden light.
The golden light fell upon the ghost general, causing it considerable discomfort, and it quickly retreated.
The sudden commotion naturally alerted the Su family members inside the formation.
Several dozen Su family members appeared in the open space at the center of the courtyard, looking up at the more than ten rogue cultivators in mid-air.
Among them, a middle-aged Su family cultivator at the late Foundation Establishment stage, seeing the ghostly elder, was filled with anger.
"Jing Lu, it's you again, this evil demon. You have repeatedly opposed my Su family. Do you really think we have no one to deal with you?"
Jing Lu responded coldly, "I was never involved with your Su family. Everyone follows their own path and cultivates their own immortality. But your Su family, under the pretense of subduing demons and eliminating evil, has exterminated my sect and killed my disciples. Naturally, there will be a price to pay."
He then waved to the group of rogue cultivators behind him, "Break this turtle shell."
(End of the Chapter)
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