Li Chang’an looked at Wu Ming and asked in a low voice.

He had already made up his mind.

’If Wu Ming won’t sell, I’ll just take it by force!’

’The seed is already in my hands anyway. All I have to do is fight my way out. This concerns my Dao path—I can’t back down an inch!’

"Haha, Daoist Li, if you want this thing, just take it!"

Wu Ming’s face was flushed with excitement. He laughed heartily, feeling better than he had in a long, long time.

For this day.

He had waited far too long!

A moment ago, when the other three had failed one after another, he had been on the verge of despair.

But Li Chang’an, the one he’d thought least likely to succeed, had permanently solved his problem!

Inside the secret chamber, the other three still found it hard to believe.

All of their methods had ended in failure. How on earth had Li Chang’an succeeded?

’Could it really be just through communication?’

Jiang Yunsheng couldn’t understand and couldn’t help but ask, "Daoist Li, how did you do it?"

Li Chang’an replied, "I promised this Demon Vine a greater future."

"That’s it?"

Jiang Yunsheng was stunned.

No Treasure was needed, just a promise. What was the difference between that and getting something for nothing?

He never would have imagined that something like that could actually work!

"I would’ve tried that if I’d known."

Jiang Yunsheng was a little regretful. He had been the first to try, but he hadn’t thought of this method.

A trace of doubt flickered in the Black Talisman Old Demon’s eyes. His dark gaze lingered on Li Chang’an for a moment, but he didn’t ask anything, merely putting on a smiling face.

"Congratulations to Daoist Wu on regaining his freedom, and congratulations to Daoist Li on obtaining this Treasure!"

"Haha, many thanks to Daoist Black Talisman for the assistance!"

Wu Ming was in high spirits, and the Qi throughout his body was surging rapidly.

Li Chang’an was also in a good mood.

He put away the Evergreen Vine seed and exchanged a few pleasantries with the Black Talisman Old Demon with a smile.

Just then, Tang Yuan suddenly spoke up.

"Daoist Li, I’m also interested in this Demon Vine. I wonder if you would be willing to part with it?"

"My apologies, Daoist Tang. I have no plans to sell this item at the moment."

Li Chang’an wore a faint smile, his tone calm.

Tang Yuan sighed with regret.

"In that case, I won’t insist."

He said no more, his jade-green eyes gazing elsewhere.

A moment later, Wu Ming waved his hand, dispelling the Array in the room.

His face wreathed in smiles, he said, "Everyone, I will be holding my Foundation Establishment Ceremony in seven days. I hope you will all grace me with your presence!"

The four of them all agreed.

A Foundation Establishment Ceremony was a good opportunity to meet fellow Cultivators.

After some more conversation, they all took their leave.

Just as Li Chang’an was about to depart, he suddenly received a Sound Transmission from Wu Ming.

"Daoist Li, be wary of Tang Yuan. The man is known for being unscrupulous. Since he’s taken a liking to that Demon Vine seed, he certainly won’t give up so easily. I’m worried he’ll try to ambush you outside."

"I understand. Thank you for the warning, Daoist Wu!"

Li Chang’an’s expression didn’t change as he left the premises.

A short while later, he flew out of the Black Market, transforming into a streak of light and heading toward Yellow Crane Immortal City.

Halfway there, he came to a sudden halt, his gaze turning wary as he looked ahead.

Not far in front of him stood a young Cultivator dressed in dark green robes.

It was none other than the son of the Five Poison Wanderer, Tang Yuan!

"Daoist Tang, why are you blocking my path here?"

"Don’t be nervous, Daoist Li. I merely wish to discuss a trade."

Tang Yuan was all smiles, his voice gentle.

He lightly tapped his Storage Pouch, taking out one valuable Treasure after another.

"Daoist Li, I sincerely wish to trade with you for that Demon Vine seed. If any of these Treasures catch your eye, you can take them all!"

His tone was earnest.

He seemed to be overflowing with sincerity.

However, the Ten Thousand Poison Gu in Li Chang’an’s sleeve suddenly alerted him—he had been poisoned!

’Poison Cultivators are simply impossible to guard against!’

He had just met this Tang Yuan and spoken only a single sentence, yet he had already been afflicted with several types of Tier Two poisons.

If not for the Ten Thousand Poison Gu, even if he didn’t die, he would have been half-dead!

Not far away, Tang Yuan asked with a smile, "How about it, Daoist Li? Have you seen any Treasure you like? If not, I have more here, and I can even go to my father, the Five Poison Wanderer, to get a Treasure for you."

He appeared completely sincere as he took out a few more Treasures.

But Li Chang’an was also an expert in poisons.

He could see it. ’This Tang Yuan is stalling for time, waiting for the poison to take effect!’

Li Chang’an secretly used his Magic, silently gathering a ray of Cyan Wood Divine Light.

"Daoist Tang, I’m quite interested in that Cyan Wood Elemental Crystal of yours. I wonder if you’d let me have a look?"

"Of course."

Tang Yuan nodded. With a flash of light from his hand, a cyan-green Crystal Stone immediately appeared.

"Daoist Li, this is the..."

Before he could finish his sentence, a ray of Cyan Wood Divine Light shot straight at his face!

Tang Yuan’s expression changed drastically. He had no time to dodge and was struck head-on by the divine light.

BOOM!

He exploded in mid-air, turning into a shower of cyan-green blood.

’Huh? This guy’s blood is a potent poison.’

Li Chang’an was secretly astonished and grew more wary of the Five Poison Wanderer Lineage.

He resolved to accelerate the cultivation of his Ten Thousand Poison Gu and help it reach the Tier Two Middle Stage as soon as possible.

Just as he was thinking this, Li Chang’an suddenly noticed a squirming Poisonous Insect within the splattered bloody rain. Its aura had shockingly reached Tier Two!

At the same time, the Ten Thousand Poison Gu in his sleeve sent him a feeling of longing.

’You want to devour this Poisonous Insect?’

Li Chang’an sensed the little creature’s feelings and, with a flick of his wrist, summoned the Tier Two Poisonous Insect into his hand.

The Ten Thousand Poison Gu squirmed out, continuing to project its desire.

"Go on, eat."

Li Chang’an restrained the Poisonous Insect and fed it to the Ten Thousand Poison Gu.

The Ten Thousand Poison Gu conveyed feelings of joy and gratitude, opening its small mouth and devouring the Poisonous Insect bite by bite.

During this time, Li Chang’an collected Tang Yuan’s terrified Soul.

After a moment, he erased all traces of the fight and departed with Tang Yuan’s Storage Pouch.

...

「Half an hour later.」

Li Chang’an entered a deep underground cavern.

He wiped away the restriction on the Storage Pouch, opened it, and carefully took stock of the Treasures inside.

’Cyan Wood Elemental Crystal!’

With a thought, he took out the Crystal Stone.

The object was nearly the size of two fists and was worth around twenty thousand Spirit Stones. It was highly beneficial for the growth of Spirit Plants.

’Tang Yuan was a Poison Cultivator. He probably used this to raise his poisonous creatures.’

Li Chang’an gave a casual sweep and saw a large number of highly toxic Spirit Plants inside the Storage Pouch.

The vast majority of Treasures in this Storage Pouch were Poison Dao Treasures.

There was almost nothing Li Chang’an could use.

’This will be perfect for cultivating the Ten Thousand Poison Gu.’

...

「Meanwhile.」

In the Black Market.

A middle-aged man in green robes suddenly appeared.

Upon seeing this man, the expressions of the many Cultivators in the Black Market changed. They all held their breath and retreated to a safe distance.

This was because the man was none other than the infamous Five Poison Wanderer!

"Where is Wu Ming of Withered Wood Cliff?"

The Five Poison Wanderer’s expression was icy, his sickly green gaze sweeping over the crowd.

Wu Ming’s expression turned grave. He protected himself with a layer of Spiritual Power and cupped his hands in a salute toward the man.

"Five Poison Daoist, what matter brings you here?"

"My son’s Heart-Connected Gu is dead."

"What?"

Wu Ming’s face paled slightly.

The death of a Heart-Connected Gu meant that its owner was also dead!

But Tang Yuan had only just left his place a short while ago!

The Five Poison Wanderer said indifferently, "His skills were inferior, so he deserved to die. But the Poisonous Insect that was being cultivated inside his body must be retrieved!"

Hearing this, everyone in the Black Market was secretly horrified.

This Five Poison Wanderer was far too heartless, actually using his own son’s body to cultivate a Poisonous Insect.

In his eyes, was the life of his offspring less precious than a single Poisonous Insect?