Lingxiao Immortal Clan.

now.

Black Rock Valley.

A quiet room.

Ling Pengyun had just returned to this place to meditate when he discovered that the communication treasure on his body was acting strangely.

He took it out and saw that it was Ling Wantong from the Immortal City who wanted to send him a message.

Subsequently, he learned from Ling Wantong that the Qiuye Business Alliance intended to offer up all its assets to apologize in person, and that it would also be willing to do things for the Lingxiao Business Alliance in the future.

"This Autumn Leaf Merchant Alliance is quite interesting! They can both shrink and expand..."

Upon receiving the message, Ling Pengyun raised an eyebrow slightly, feeling that the Qiuye Merchant Alliance was a venomous snake.

After all, the reason why the Qiuye Merchant Alliance is so humble now is mainly because they are wary of his and the Lingxiao Merchant Alliance's strength.

But given his previous practice of hiring hitmen to commit murder.

If one day their strength increases, who knows what kind of trouble they might cause.

Therefore, Ling Pengyun did not intend to keep the high-ranking members of the Qiuye Business Alliance.

As for their defection, that's utter nonsense.

Although they are quite strong, if they could join the Lingxiao Merchant Alliance, the alliance's strength could increase by 70-80% in a short period of time.

But the Lingxiao Merchant Alliance has no shortage of ordinary Nascent Soul cultivators.

After all, as long as Ling Pengyun is there to support the Lingxiao Business Alliance.

Even if the Lingxiao Merchant Alliance is just run by a group of Qi Refining cultivators, it can probably still operate smoothly.

Secondly, the family can continuously send strong individuals to this area.

Under such circumstances, what use are those high-ranking members of the Qiuye Business Alliance?

However... the businesses under the Qiuye Business Alliance are still quite good.

After all, its industrial foundation is no less than that of the Lingxiao Business Alliance, and may even be stronger, bringing in at least dozens of fifth-tier spirit crystals every month.

If we could obtain it, it would undoubtedly bring extraordinary benefits to the development of our family in Hunyuan Immortal City and the entire Qingxia Realm.

Therefore, Ling Pengyun intended to get his hands on it.

But the people from the Autumn Leaf Merchant Alliance still... must be killed.

However, this matter is also troublesome.

After all, the high-ranking members of the Qiuye Merchant Alliance are all in the Immortal City, which is protected by the Hunyuan Immortal City and even has a high-level array set up there.

Under such circumstances, relying solely on the family's manpower in the Immortal City, it would be extremely difficult to accomplish this task.

Only if Ling Pengyun personally intervenes will there be a chance.

Moreover, conflicts with the Hunyuan lineage are inevitable during this period.

Although Ling Pengyun was strong enough to not fear the Hunyuan lineage, which only had one rogue cultivator at the early stage of the Void Realm, he was not afraid of them.

But once he engages in combat with them, no matter how strong his ability to conceal his aura is, it will probably be difficult for the Hunyuan lineage to discern the uniqueness of his methods.

If this news reaches the Frost Immortal Sect, and they learn of his relationship with the Lingxiao Merchant Alliance and then follow the clues to find out about his family, it will be troublesome and could easily lead to disaster.

Therefore, to be on the safe side, he did not intend to handle the matter personally.

However, he had found an extremely suitable person to take action.

That means... seeking help from a special assassin organization similar to Shadow Tower.

The Immortal City is not only home to the Shadow Tower, but it is the strongest assassin organization there.

However, Ling Pengyun did not intend to seek out the Shadow Tower, after all, he had just killed three assassins under its command who were at the peak of the Nascent Soul stage.

If we were to go to them for help now, it would be... a bit too much.

In addition, there are many unique assassin organizations in the Immortal City, and they are all suspected of having powerful forces behind them, which makes them quite capable.

Because of their boldness and extensive connections, they not only accept jobs to kill cultivators from outside the city, but also jobs to kill cultivators in safe places like Hunyuan Immortal City.

After all, as long as they know the people, the safe immortal city is no different from the outside world to them. As long as the trouble they cause is not too big and does not affect the reputation of the immortal city, it is fine.

However, if you want those assassin organizations to do this, the price will double.

However, compared to the benefits that Ling Pengyun and others obtained from killing the three Nascent Soul stage assassins from the Shadow Tower, this was insignificant.

After all, Ling Pengyun and his group had previously obtained considerable profits from those three assassins.

Moreover, most of the high-ranking members of the Qiuye Merchant Alliance are at the early or mid-stage of the Nascent Soul realm, while only the Qiuye Alliance Leader is at the late-stage of the Nascent Soul realm.

The price of assassinating such a cultivator was considered reasonable in the eyes of a cultivator with profound background like Ling Pengyun.

'Upon closer examination, this move can be seen as using the profits gained from eliminating Shadow Tower assassins to hire those special organizations to do their bidding. It's quite a strange feeling indeed.'

After thinking it over, Ling Pengyun couldn't help but feel a little smug.

He then told Ling Wantong about his idea and asked Ling Wantong to first appease the high-ranking members of the Qiuye Business Alliance, pretend to accept them, and obtain the land deeds and other things related to the Qiuye Business Alliance's properties.

In this way, after killing them, it would be legitimate to take over the Qiuye Business Alliance's assets.

Otherwise, if they are simply killed without any land deeds or other proof, it could become quite troublesome.

Ling Wantong particularly agreed with this idea, and it even coincided with his own thoughts.

Therefore, he immediately complied, feigning to promise the higher-ups of the Qiuye Business Alliance that they could be accepted and that the previous hatred would be forgotten.

Upon hearing this, the senior executives of Qiuye Business Alliance were overjoyed, but they also remained cautious.

now
In a quiet room at the Lingxiao Business Alliance headquarters in the Immortal City.

"This matter is just hearsay, and we are really not at ease. We wonder if we could meet with that Nascent Soul Perfection being from your Lingxiao Merchant Alliance and sign a high-level Yuan Soul Contract with him to ensure that he will not harm us."

The high-ranking members of the Qiuye Business Alliance were extremely quick-witted and immediately spoke up.

"This matter is rather difficult to handle."

Upon hearing this, Ling Wantong frowned slightly, realizing that the high-ranking cultivators of the Autumn Leaf Merchant Alliance were troublesome.

He immediately informed Ling Pengyun about the matter.

Because Ling Pengyun had the special treasure of the Primordial Scripture protecting him in his sea of ​​consciousness, he was not afraid of things like the Primordial Soul Contract, so he immediately agreed to the matter.

They concealed their presence and quietly made their way from Black Stone Valley to Immortal City.

Moreover, because his ability to conceal his aura is extremely powerful, even those at the Void Refinement stage may not be able to detect his presence.

Therefore, even though he had already arrived at the quiet room where Ling Wantong and the Qiuye Business Alliance executives were, no one noticed his arrival.

It wasn't until he showed himself that everyone realized something was wrong.

"Arriving beside us silently? I'm afraid this person's ability to conceal their presence has reached the Void Refinement stage, or perhaps this person is actually a Void Refinement cultivator..."

Upon seeing this, the high-ranking members of the Qiuye Business Alliance felt their legs go weak and a chill run down their spines.

"Ancestor Pengyun's ability to conceal his aura is truly formidable."

Ling Wantong was secretly startled and felt a greater sense of awe towards Ling Pengyun.

He then revealed that Ling Pengyun was the real backer of the Lingxiao Business Alliance.

Moreover, in order to convince the high-ranking members of the Qiuye Business Alliance, Ling Pengyun even made a meaningless oath to Heaven, confirming that he was the true backer of the Lingxiao Business Alliance.

This move secretly reassured the higher-ups of the Qiuye Business Alliance, while also increasing their fear of the Lingxiao Business Alliance.

Just as Shadow Tower suspected, there's a powerful figure behind the Lingxiao Merchant Alliance.

Upon hearing this, the senior members of the Qiuye Business Alliance pondered the matter deeply.

In addition, Ling Pengyun's ability to conceal his presence was extremely powerful, and with Ling Pengyun right beside them, they dared not cause any trouble.

Moreover, they did this to avoid the fact that ordinary Yuanhun contracts would be insufficient to restrain someone as powerful as Ling Pengyun.

They gritted their teeth and took out a sixth-grade low-level Yuan Soul Contract that their predecessors in the Qiuye Merchant Alliance had obtained at great cost from an auction in the Immortal City years ago, before signing it with Ling Pengyun.

The main point is that after they hand over the Qiuye Merchant Alliance's wealth to the Lingxiao Merchant Alliance and pledge allegiance to the Lingxiao Merchant Alliance, the Lingxiao Merchant Alliance is prohibited from harming them in any way or by any means because of the previous events. This includes not being allowed to hire assassins to harm them.

After everything was settled, they immediately felt relieved.

'This matter is finally settled.'

"Moreover, given the formidable power of that sixth-tier low-grade Yuan Soul Contract, even if the powerful figure behind the Lingxiao Merchant Alliance is at the early or even mid-stage of the Void Refinement realm, they wouldn't dare to break the agreement so easily, otherwise they would inevitably suffer severe backlash, even death."

'Furthermore, it's truly not worth it for such beings to break their primordial soul contract for the sake of us Nascent Soul cultivators.'

The high-ranking members of the Autumn Leaf Merchant Alliance looked at the signed Yuan Soul Contract with joy in their eyes.

Immediately afterwards, they readily handed over the land deeds and other documents of Qiuye Merchant Alliance's various properties to Ling Pengyun, in accordance with the contents of the contract.

They then enthusiastically inquired about their responsibilities after joining the Lingxiao Business Alliance.

"You can continue to manage the businesses of your Qiuye Business Alliance as before, but my Lingxiao Business Alliance will arrange people to supervise you."

Ling Pengyun said calmly.

He then had Ling Wantong quickly process their Lingxiao Business Alliance identities before sending them away.

'At least half of this matter is resolved.'

As Ling Pengyun watched the departing figures of the Qiuye Business Alliance's high-ranking members, a sharper look appeared in his eyes.

He then faced Ling Wan.

"Wantong, the rest is up to you."

The following chores were relatively simple, so he didn't intend to waste time on them.

"Don't worry, Ancestor, I will definitely handle it well. But since you have signed a high-level Yuan Soul Contract, I am a little worried that you will suffer the backlash of such things."

Ling Wantong spoke carefully, his voice filled with concern.

"It's alright. Since I dared to do this, I naturally have a solution."

"By the way, how's the job of finding me fifth-grade or higher spatial materials, as well as sixth-grade weapon-refining materials, going?"

Ling Pengyun patted Ling Wantong on the shoulder and gave him a sum of money, then asked with a smile.

His main purpose in fully supporting Ling Wantong in establishing the Lingxiao Business Alliance was, although it was to earn spirit stones and build a foundation for himself and his family here.

However, this is also to increase the probability of obtaining high-level refining materials.

After all, a large-scale business alliance like the Lingxiao Business Alliance can come into contact with relatively powerful figures and forces.

Conversely, the probability of obtaining high-level refining materials is also greater.

If this matter succeeds, his magical treasures will also have the opportunity to become stronger, which will greatly help Ling Pengyun's strength.

Secondly, although Ling Pengyun did ask Ling Wantong to help collect high-level cultivation resources, that was only a secondary matter.

After all, he had the support of the Ice Profound lineage of the Frost Immortal Sect, so he didn't lack such things for the time being and therefore didn't pay much attention to whether the Lingxiao Merchant Alliance could collect them.

“Ancestor Pengyun, high-grade refining materials are quite rare, and the Merchant Alliance currently only has some foundation in Hunyuan Immortal City. At most, it can only deal with some powerful figures and forces in Hunyuan Immortal City.”

"Furthermore, Hunyuan Immortal City can only be considered a large market town of the sixth rank and lower grade. It is difficult to attract anyone with extremely strong foundations. In fact, usually, there is only a chance to see spirits of the sixth rank or so circulating in the market every ten years or so."

"Therefore... I have not gained anything from this matter for the time being."

"However, Ancestor Pengyun, I have already learned that in less than five years, the Hunyuan lineage, the Lord of the Immortal City, will hold a trade fair every ten years. During this time, some Void Refinement experts will often appear and bring out some high-level spiritual items for trade."

"As for the Immortal City, although it does hold some auctions, most of the items that appear at those auctions are rare spiritual items below the sixth rank. Moreover, auctions are ultimately conducted with spirit stones, and high-level refining materials are difficult to measure in spirit stones. Therefore, there is basically no hope for this matter."

“In fact, for nearly a thousand years, no high-grade materials for refining weapons have appeared in the auctions here.”

Ling Wantong explained in detail.

"This is a bit troublesome."

"It seems we can only pin our hopes on the Hunyuan lineage trade fair you mentioned."

"Besides, the Soul Origin lineage's trade fair is not far off, so it won't conflict with my return to the family. Therefore, I can go to the trade fair to participate in it in five years."

Upon hearing this, Ling Pengyun sighed slightly, somewhat helpless.

After giving Ling Wantong a few more instructions, he quietly left again and returned to Blackstone Valley.

Meanwhile, Ling Wantong, carrying a sum of money secretly given to him by the Business Alliance and Ling Pengyun, secretly went to the black market and sought out a special assassination force called "You Sha Lou".

The You Sha Lou had no objection to such a risky undertaking and immediately agreed to the matter, at a price of 20,000 fifth-tier spirit crystals.

Although the price is high, it is still within Ling Wantong's expectations.

He readily paid the deposit.

Immediately afterwards, You Sha Lou began to take action.

……

at the same time.

Immortal City.

Residential area.

Inside a cave dwelling filled with spiritual energy.

The leader of the Qiuye Merchant Alliance had just handed over his work and businesses to the Lingxiao Merchant Alliance and returned to this place, intending to meditate for a while. He then discovered that there was a Nascent Soul cultivator dressed in black and wearing a black veil in the cave.

Moreover, the cultivator took out a long sword and charged at him.

'Perfected Nascent Soul stage?'

"How did this person enter my cave? Isn't my cave protected by a fifth-grade high-level array? And it also has special restrictions from the Hunyuan lineage!"

Upon seeing this, the leader of the Autumn Leaf Alliance was extremely surprised, and alarm bells rang in his mind. He immediately tried to trigger the restrictions set up by the Hunyuan lineage to seek their help.

And activate the cave's formation to fight the enemy.

However, he discovered that the cave's formations and restrictions were all affected by a special formation power, making it impossible for him to use them against his enemies for a short period of time.

He was momentarily dumbfounded; such a method was truly extraordinary.

"Don't waste your time. I dared to come here because I was fully prepared. In order to kill you, my You Sha Tower specially dispatched a high-level array master to interfere with the arrays and restrictions in this place."

"With someone like me, at the peak of the Nascent Soul stage, personally taking action, it would be truly unfair if you didn't die."

"Just wait to die."

Upon seeing this, the black-clad cultivator let out a cold laugh.

Moreover, he was actually a rare body cultivator who had activated some special physical techniques.

In an instant, he became like a ferocious beast in human form, his physique and skills were exceptionally powerful, and he directly made the Autumn Leaf Alliance Leader look extremely disheveled.

"The Ghostly Tower?"

"Could it be that the Lingxiao Merchant Alliance arranged this? But isn't the Lingxiao Merchant Alliance afraid of the backlash from the Yuanhun Contract?"

"Furthermore, you villain are truly audacious, daring to commit violence in broad daylight. Aren't you afraid of being investigated by the Hunyuan lineage?"

When the leader of the Autumn Leaf Alliance saw the man charging towards him, he was terrified. He quickly took out some defensive measures to defend himself and then threatened him, trying to scare the villain away.

"If I were afraid of the Hunyuan lineage, I wouldn't have come."

"Moreover, how dare a mere Hunyuan lineage interfere with the affairs of my You Sha Lou?"

The assassin from You Sha Lou, who had reached the peak of the Nascent Soul stage, was full of confidence, and he kept swinging his long sword at Qiu Ye Alliance Leader.

'this……'

Upon hearing this, Qiu Ye, the leader of the alliance, was filled with despair, especially given his familiarity with forces like You Sha Lou.

However, he was only a veteran late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator, not comparable to the Nascent Soul Perfection cultivators like You Sha Lou.

Therefore, in just a few breaths, his head was chopped off by the assassin from the Netherworld Tower. (End of Chapter)