Trials of the Abyss

Chapter 171: A Crazy Idea!

"From the upper worlds..." Yu Xin was momentarily stunned. She then asked fearfully, "Are you from the human race?"

You don't need to know too much. We can trade normally through bartering. All your connections with the upper worlds have been severed, but I have now opened a new path for you.

Reading the words, Yu Xin hesitated but decided not to probe further into the mysterious being's identity.

"Alright, I'll prepare what you need. I can only acquire key parts from Rank Eight Vicious Beasts. I can't obtain those from Rank Nine," Yu Xin said honestly.

Rank Seven will suffice. I need some of their blood as well.

"Very well, please give me half a day to prepare."

Alright.

***

The night sky was brightly illuminated with the stars and the moon.

Han Ting knocked on the stone door of cave dwelling number fifty-six and entered. Biting her lip, her face flushed red as she said, "I came to say goodbye."

Pang Jian was lost in thought and replied indifferently, "Safe travels."

"Pang Jian." Han Ting wore a sheer dress that accentuated her curves and showed off her deep, white cleavage. Lowering her head, she said softly, "We may never meet again after today. Thank you for healing me. Many of my internal ailments were cured thanks to your mysterious technique."

"You're welcome," Pang Jian said, unaffected by her appearance. Han Ting's bashful demeanor seemed out of character, causing him to feel that something was amiss.

"Well," Han Ting started, still not daring to meet Pang Jian's eyes. "Although I'm a rogue cultivator, I've always maintained my purity. Over the years, many have coveted my looks and...my body.

"Pang Jian, if you have even the slightest interest in me, even if it's just for my body, I'm willing to—I'm willing to spend the night with you."

As she spoke, her voice and head gradually lowered. It had taken a long time for her to muster the courage to knock on Pang Jian's door and say these words.

She had wandered alone for many years, without a sect or a powerful rogue cultivator backing her. Teaming up with Pang Jian had led to a misunderstanding with Zhang Bin and the others. This was the main reason she was safe in the Primordial Wilderness.

Zhang Bin had even dragged Fang Xin over to plead with her, fearing she would use Pang Jian's influence against them. Those coveting her would think twice after she hinted at a relationship with a disciple of a noble family from the upper worlds.

If something did happen between her and Pang Jian, it would provide her with much-needed extra security, especially with Zhao Yuanqi's visit and Qi Qingsong's friendly attitude.

Pang Jian's respectful behavior while healing her had also left a good impression on her.

Staring at her with a strange expression, Pang Jian frowned and repeated emotionlessly, "Safe travels."

"Alright, I understand." Han Ting forced a smile, left the cave in disappointment, and gently closed the door behind her.

Pang Jian stood in silence. Then, taking out Qi Qingsong's silver token, he pushed a trace of spiritual power into it and tentatively said, "Qi Qingsong."

"I'm here." Qi Qingsong's voice came from the token, "This token can only transmit sound over short distances. Beyond that, it's useless. Pang Jian, have you made up your mind?"

"I'm planning to participate in the trade fair the day after tomorrow," Pang Jian said firmly.

"What?! You want to compete with the Blood Moon Sect and the Sinister Soul Temple for Luo Hongyan? Pang Jian, a million spirit stones is no small amount. Even I can't gather that much!

"Besides, even if you participate, you only have a one-third chance!

"Also, her identity as a remnant of the Blood Spirit Sect has been exposed. Say you're lucky enough to win the draw, the elders from the Blood Moon Sect and the Sinister Soul Temple will just ambush you when you leave the Primordial Wilderness!

"I can save you under the pretense that you're an outer disciple of our Sword Pavilion, but I can't save her. She was even previously imprisoned by the Sinister Soul Temple!

"Pang Jian, you'll just be wasting a million spirit stones!"

Pang Jian listened to Qi Qingsong's disapproval for a while, and eventually placed the token and the blue robe back into his spatial bracelet.

Later that night, Pang Jian again established a connection with the Giant Abyssal Serpent.

Ripples of bright light came from the bronze pendant in his hand.

Meanwhile, Yu Xin of the Celestial Race ibe threw the prepared rare spirit materials into the Giant Abyssal Serpent's mouth.

There was a Rank Seven Scarlet-Eyed Demon Wolf's eyeballs, tendons, muscles, and nine barrels of its blood; a Rank Seven Double-Faced Ghost Spider's silk, legs, and venom; a Rank Seven Blood Lizard's complete lizard skin, tendons, muscles, and five barrels of its blood.

Pang Jian watched as rare spirit materials flew out from the ripple of light and piled up in his cave dwelling.

"Is that enough?" Yu Xin softly asked.

Almost.

The Giant Abyssal Serpent carved the words with its tail.

Pang Jian guessed he could exchange the rare spirit materials for a large amount of spirit stones. He could easily take Luo Hongyan away if he were lucky enough to draw the lot for her.

Once they returned to cave dwelling fifty-six, they could use the bronze pendant to disappear from the Primordial Wilderness and go to the nameless fragmented land where the black turtle resided.

But if he didn't win the lottery...

Pang Jian's face darkened at the thought. A desire for revenge stirred in his heart.

Suddenly, a crazy idea flashed through his mind!

The Giant Abyssal Serpent scrawled out more words.

The day after tomorrow, there may be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to send some of your people and Vicious Beasts to the Primordial Wilderness in the Third World. I can't guarantee it, but you should discuss whether you want to take the risk.

Vicious Beasts and warriors of different races below Rank Seven should be able to pass through safely. However, travel through the Mirror Tunnel is unreliable for those above Rank Seven, and it could be fatal for everyone.

Yu Xin's breathing quickened as she read the words.

Her eyes flashed with a piercing light and she tightly clenched the hem of her robe with both hands as she thought, The Rank Seven Vicious Beasts and warriors of different races wouldn't even need flying vessels to ascend and they could even directly reach the Third World!

Yu Xin took a few deep breaths to regain her composure. Gazing at the pitch-black sky, she said, "I can tell you my answer now. We'll be ready to send a group of Vicious Beasts and warriors over the day after tomorrow. We're willing to take the risk, even if they all end up dying!"

Alright, I'll stay in touch!

Pang Jian then severed the connection with the Giant Abyssal Serpent.

It was late at night when Pang Jian left his cave dwelling, lost in thought.

The late hour meant everyone in the Primordial Wilderness was either meditating or sleeping, and the stone doors of the other cave dwellings were tightly shut. Only the faint buzz of insects could be heard in the valleys between the peaks.

Pang Jian stared intently at the summits of the two distant Fourth and Seventh Peaks where he knew Jiu Yuan of the Blood Moon Sect and the elder of the Sinister Soul Temple were.

The two elders would join him in drawing lots to decide Luo Hongyan's fate the day after tomorrow.

If I win the draw, I won't have to act. I'll just take her and disappear from the Primordial Wilderness. But, if I don't win the draw... Pang Jian's expression darkened.

None of the resting or meditating cultivators could have known that a crazy idea had taken root in Pang Jian's heart. A bloody storm brewed in his mind.

Pang Jian silently surveyed the valleys between the major peaks, contemplating the details of his plan before finally returning to his cave dwelling.

Whoosh!

The silver token engraved with the Sword Pavilion's emblem appeared in his palm. Injecting a sliver of spiritual power, he activated the communication array within.

"Are you there?" Pang Jian asked lowly.

Soon after, Qi Qingsong's lazy voice came through the token, "I'm here."

"Why are you always there?"

"I keep the token on my waist. Of course, I can respond immediately." Qi Qingsong then grumbled. "Pang Jian, did you leave the token in your spatial bracelet? Why didn't you respond when I tried to reach you?"

"Yes," Pang Jian said honestly. Then, going straight to the point, he asked, "How much should I sell a pair of eyes from a Rank Seven Scarlet-Eyed Demon Wolf for?"

Qi Qingsong was silent for a few seconds. "Five hundred thousand spirit stones."

Pang Jian's eyes lit up. "And how should I price five, two-foot-long strands of silk from a Rank Seven Double-Faced Ghost Spider? I also have its eight legs and two barrels of venom."

Qi Qingsong took longer to respond this time.

Pang Jian waited patiently.

A short while later, Qi Qingsong said with a faux calmness, "Don't sell them separately. It's better to sell them as a bundle for four hundred thousand spirit stones.

"The spider silk, spider legs, and venom can be used together to craft a high-grade bow. The spider silk can be used as the bowstring, the legs can be used to craft the bow itself or be carved into arrows, and the venom can be applied to the arrowheads."

Pang Jian took a deep breath.

Five hundred thousand and four hundred thousand spirit stones! If he combined that with the two hundred fifty thousand spirit stones worth of spirit jades he had remaining, he had more than enough to compete for Luo Hongyan!

Taking a moment to compose himself, Pang Jian asked once more, "How should I price a complete skin from a Rank Seven Blood Lizard?"

Qi Qingsong fell silent again.

This time, he regained his composure much quicker as he replied, "A complete skin from a Rank Seven Blood Lizard can be used to make special drum skins for war drums. A reasonable price for it would be three hundred fifty thousand spirit stones."

Pang Jian nodded. "Alright, I understand."

As he was about to put the token back into his spatial bracelet, Qi Qingsong, sensing Pang Jian was done with the conversation, called out, "Pang Jian..."

"Yes?"

"Did you raid a secret vault in Eight Trigrams City after I left?"

"Why would you think that?"

"Where else did you get so many rare spirit materials from Rank Seven Vicious Beasts? And in such quantities no less!"