Starting with warding off evil and disaster, one can ascend to immortality after countless tribulati

Gan!

Cursing under his breath, Jiang Ming instantly became even more vigilant.

Before he came, Zhou Yi had warned him that there might be villains who would kill and steal treasures. Now that he saw it, it was indeed true... Hmm?

After the auction, Cheng Ya organized a banquet. During the banquet, the swordsman invited me to his room, saying he had important matters to discuss.

Seeing that he was in a good mood and was willing to offer benefits, I did not refuse. After all, in broad daylight, no one would dare to kill and rob a treasure under the noses of a group of experts.

However, things didn't go as I expected. When I entered the room, the naked female swordsman suddenly snuggled up to me and grabbed me tightly.

The male swordsman shouted loudly, accusing me of taking advantage of his vulnerability and raping his female companion. After a while, the crowd quickly arrived at the scene.

The swordsman's statement that no woman would joke about her innocence instantly convinced everyone. I was speechless and ultimately imprisoned by the corrupt officials of Tongzhou Town, where I died a tragic death.

Beast!

Is this still the world of cultivation? Where have I ended up here?!

Startled, Jiang Ming rubbed his face in annoyance.

Throughout the entire process, his thinking remained within the realm of traditional folk tales.

Dense forest, ambush, murder and robbery, counterattack, taking stock of the spoils.

He was already prepared to go through the above process.

Seeing the calamity warning now, I suddenly realize my mistake.

Times have changed. If victory can be achieved without bloodshed, who would be willing to fight to the death?

Why are people outside so mean?!

"Three hundred and fifty spirit stones. If no one bids higher, the fire elemental stone belongs to this fellow Daoist." Cheng Ya smiled sweetly, her dimples slightly opening, looking exceptionally happy.

"The auction continues. The next item in the bidding is the Bai Jie Pen, crafted by the master forger Gao Yi..."

After sitting in the hall for an hour, the auction came to a successful conclusion. Cheng Ya glanced at the list of successful bidders, her gaze gentle.

"Please return to your rooms and wait. I will personally deliver the goods to your door shortly. The Cheng family is preparing a banquet."

If you're not in a hurry to leave, you can stay and have a few drinks, so I can show you some hospitality.

Following the instructions on the invitation, Jiang Ming arrived at his assigned room and sat cross-legged on the floor, patiently waiting while silently devising a plan.

Since the other party is unjust, don't blame yourself for being unjust.

"Fellow Daoist, please open the door. I've come to deliver Dragon Blood Flower and Fire Element Stone." A clear and bright voice came from inside.

Jiang Ming instantly had a clever idea.

After opening the door and exchanging money for goods, he softly called out to Cheng Ya, his tone slightly shy, "Miss, could you do me a favor?"

"Of course, since you have come from afar, you are an honored guest of the Cheng family. To the best of my ability, Cheng Ya is willing to help share your burdens."

After carefully putting away the spirit stones, Cheng Ya nodded readily, her eyes filled with curiosity, and she leaned closer as if eager to hear more.

"Someone wants to harm me, please help me, Miss Cheng." She bluntly revealed her true feelings.

Cheng Ya was taken aback at first, then her tense expression gradually relaxed.

"Hmm... Fellow Daoist, you are overthinking it. The Cheng family has late-stage Qi Refining Realm guards stationed in this area. If any thief harbors ill intentions, they will be killed in an instant."

"It's different. Miss Cheng, do you remember those two swordsmen who competed with me for the Fire Element Stone?" Jiang Ming waved his hand, his expression still serious.

"I vaguely remember, it seems to be about a Daoist couple, what's wrong?"

With her willow-leaf eyebrows slightly raised, Cheng Ya noticed what seemed to be gossip and pulled up a chair to sit down.

Her watery eyes stared straight at Jiang Ming.

"That female cultivator just came over to seduce me, but I am of average appearance and not very wealthy."

Miss Cheng, could you help me figure out what she's trying to achieve by doing this?

Cheng Ya's almond-shaped eyes swept across Jiang Ming's face, her face slightly flushed, and she couldn't help but feel a deep sense of doubt.

Honestly, Jiang Ming does have some charm, and one could even say he's very handsome.

However, most cultivators are extremely pragmatic. Without sufficient benefits, they would not willingly offer themselves based solely on appearance.

"You mean, she approached you to trick you out of Fire Element Stones? No way?" Cheng Ya's eyes widened in surprise, and she became interested as well.

He rested his chin on his hand and thought for a moment, then took out a golden talisman from his storage bag and asked with a gossipy look on his face.

"This item is called a recording talisman. If you stick it on your body, it can record images of what happens around you. If they come to bother you again..."

Remember to preserve the evidence. If the facts are true, the Cheng family will be severely punished!

"To think you possess such a treasure! Thank you, Miss Cheng."

"Forgive my greed, but if nothing happens, please return the image talisman to me before you leave the Cheng family, as it is quite expensive to make."

"It's alright, how can this be considered mercenary? Although Miss Cheng comes from a prestigious family, the spirit stones she possesses are not easily obtained."

Don't worry, whatever the outcome, I will inform Miss Cheng truthfully.

"Okay, I won't tell anyone about this. Let's keep it a secret between us." With a playful wink, Cheng Ya stood up to take her leave.

After a while, the sun began to set.

The dinner organized by the Cheng family was held as scheduled.

Each person's table was laden with rare and exotic fruits, each a different color and exceptionally sweet.

Jiang Ming disregarded his pride and pounced on the table to eat heartily, his stomach swelling up.

While everyone was busy with their own conversation and drinks, the others were busy with their own things.

The gray-clad swordsman indeed approached, his weathered face full of sincerity. "Ahem, brother, I have something I'd like to discuss with you. May I come to my room for a chat?"

"Say it here, I'm busy." Putting on a guarded posture, Jiang Ming reached for the next table and secretly took a few spirit fruits to eat.

She rolled her eyes at him, somewhat speechless.

The gray-clad swordsman cursed inwardly, but a fawning smile appeared on his face. He gritted his teeth and, as if making a decision, revealed the spirit tokens in his pocket.

"There are some things that are inconvenient to say here. To be honest, I came here for the Fire Element Stone. I have a reason why I must obtain this item."

Please come to my guest room for a chat, fellow Daoist. After hearing my story, regardless of whether you are willing to give up the Fire Element Stones, these one hundred spirit stones are yours.

"Give it to me first." He stretched out his hand without any hesitation.

The gray-clad swordsman's lips twitched, and he shook his head. "No, if I give you the spirit tickets and you don't come with me, then I'll have wasted a hundred spirit stones for nothing."

"Fine, I'll listen to your story for the sake of spirit stones. Lead the way." After burping, Jiang Ming followed behind the gray-clad swordsman, secretly activating a recording talisman when the man wasn't looking.

In a short while.

Upon arriving at the swordswoman's room, Jiang Ming noticed a captivating fragrance emanating from the place and wondered where the female swordswoman was.

The next second, a soft, fluffy sea of ​​snow suddenly rushed over from behind and hugged him tightly.

This woman was of average looks, but her figure was absolutely stunning.

Her shapely hips and ample figure were in no way inferior to Madam Zhou's.

At this moment, she was only wearing a light green transparent gauze dress, her fair skin faintly visible.

Turning her head to meet his gaze, Jiang Ming smiled gently, his eyes showing no sign of panic, his restless little hands swiftly lifting the hem of her skirt.

The next second, they were forced to venture deep into the tiger's den.

"What the hell are you doing? Put your hand out right now!"

Staring at Jiang Ming with eyes wide open, the gray-clad swordsman's forehead veins bulged, and a hint of murderous intent flickered between his brows.