Just a Friendly Exchange

The most critical issue fell into a brief silence after Chu Xingchen's proposal.

However, after some consideration, Li Moze felt that although this plan involved significant concessions, it wasn’t entirely unacceptable.

The Mysterious Purity Heavenly Sect could still maintain a certain degree of control over the so-called "land of the spirits."

Moreover, handling the initial transactions would allow the sect to establish some influence in the territory.

Sometimes, even kind-hearted spirits couldn’t resist the allure of real gold and silver.

Furthermore...

This was essentially a gesture of respect toward the Tianyan Sect. Since Chu Xingchen had spoken up, agreeing wasn’t entirely unreasonable—at the very least, it could be considered a favor, couldn’t it?

Li Moze naturally wouldn’t put the cart before the horse. His gaze shifted to Luo Yue, as if seeking its opinion.

A moment later, Luo Yue nodded slowly.

The rest of the meeting proceeded without any major disagreements in principle.

Only a few minor details were briefly discussed.

Mostly, it was about how to proceed with the work, though these matters would be addressed in detail during actual implementation.

At this point, the two sect leaders still had one thing left to do.

Their disciples were currently sparring, and if the match wasn’t over yet, they naturally wanted to check on the situation.

After all, the remaining tasks were just about execution. With the agreement settled, Luo Yue no longer needed to stay on the ship.

In truth, Luo Yue could have disembarked earlier, but Lv Xuan was worried that after being confined for a thousand years, the spirit might act impulsively—doing or saying something inappropriate, which could lead to unnecessary trouble.

With Bai Xuanling already present as a formidable figure, if Lv Xuan could have confined her to the cabin as well, he would have.

Unfortunately, that wasn’t possible. In fact, it was far more likely that he’d be the one shoved into the cabin instead.

Now that everything had been agreed upon, Luo Yue’s expression had softened considerably, suggesting a better mood. Letting it out for a stroll and some conversation would be beneficial.

After all, future matters would require further discussion with Luo Yue.

Additionally, the spiritual veins under Luo Yue’s control in the Wanhua Ridge needed to be released.

This was also the core motivation for the Tianyan Sect’s involvement in this matter.

Since the subsequent discussions had gone smoothly, Li Moze and Lv Xuan both wore gentle smiles, engaging in polite small talk as they made their way to the Martial Void Arena.

Luo Yue, meanwhile, walked alongside Chu Xingchen and Xie Lingyu.

Though they were technically together, in reality, Luo Yue simply observed as Chu Xingchen and Xie Lingyu chatted.

“That Cui Hao is full of wild ideas. He actually designed a house with a movable roof for no reason.”

“A movable roof? What’s the point of that?”

“None. And it doesn’t even look good.”

Xie Lingyu’s lips curled into a faint smile, as if masking her true feelings.

At least, that’s how Luo Yue interpreted it.

No point...? And not even aesthetically pleasing?

Was this really a sign of creativity? It sounded rather foolish.

If Cui Hao was the type to keep conversations from falling flat, then his master, Chu Xingchen, was the kind who could hand the words directly to someone’s lips.

Even Luo Yue had to admit that Chu Xingchen’s way of speaking was quite engaging.

Xie Lingyu’s gentle smile never faded.

Li Moze and Lv Xuan, walking ahead, could naturally hear the conversation behind them.

Li Moze suddenly remarked, “I didn’t expect your disciple to be so talkative.”

Lv Xuan almost wanted to say—this kid is picky about who he talks to. Under normal circumstances, his words make people want to stop the conversation immediately.

But one was Bai Xuanling’s disciple, and the other was someone Bai Xuanling favored—who might even become her disciple in the future.

“Being talkative is better than being quick to throw punches.”

Seizing the opportunity while Bai Xuanling wasn’t around, Lv Xuan couldn’t resist a subtle jab.

After all, Xie Lingyu was a good kid who rarely tattled.

As for Chu Xingchen, given that he’d just helped him out, the boy ought to have some gratitude—otherwise, Bai Xuanling wouldn’t have gone out of her way to assist him.

Besides, he hadn’t named names. And wasn’t he just stating facts?

Li Moze naturally understood the implication and nodded in agreement.

“That’s true. Matters should always be resolved through reasoning first.”

Chu Xingchen paused mid-sentence, casting a puzzled glance—had this Sect Leader Li also been beaten up by Senior Bai at some point?

The group of cultivators moved swiftly.

After a short while of idle chatter, the Martial Void Arena came into view, along with the dazzling glow of formation runes bursting like fireworks.

Even without using spiritual sense, the intensity of the battle was evident from the radiant displays.

But as core disciples of the Eighteen Immortal Sects, such fierce clashes were to be expected.

As Lv Xuan and Li Moze’s group entered the arena, their eyes instinctively went to the massive water-screen projection.

The first thing they saw was Yanyun, covered in wounds, bursting out of a massive crater with his spiritual energy raging violently.

The crater was unmistakably... the result of Xu Jin slamming Yanyun into the ground.

Just the severity of the injuries suggested a far more brutal fight than Daoist Yuyang’s bout with Xu Jin.

Even Chu Xingchen looked surprised.

Lv Xuan’s gaze shifted downward, where disciples of the Mysterious Purity Heavenly Sect were maintaining each formation rune.

Clearly, this battle had escalated far beyond an ordinary spar.

Lv Xuan frowned slightly, his expression turning displeased as he glanced at Li Moze.

A friendly match was one thing, but was it necessary to go this far?

Just because Xu Jin had reached the Unity Realm? Chu Xingchen was also at Unity!

Li Moze initially wore a somewhat awkward expression, but in the next moment, Yanyun drew his sword and unleashed a slash, sending a shockwave of spiritual energy rippling through the air and crashing into the formations.

The target was, without a doubt, Xu Jin.

Yet as soon as Li Moze witnessed his disciple’s prowess, his awkwardness vanished, and he met Lv Xuan’s gaze with equal defiance.

It was as if he was silently retorting—your disciple is the one going all out, isn’t he?

In the water-screen projection, Xu Jin’s expression was deadly serious, as if genuinely provoked. Blood trickled from a wound on his left arm, his sleeve completely torn away.

Other parts of his robes showed varying degrees of damage.

The spiritual treasure in Xu Jin’s hand gleamed coldly, his aura so dense it was almost tangible.

Both sect leaders were seasoned enough to recognize that, judging by the injuries, Xu Jin’s bleeding arm was the more severe.

Lv Xuan’s displeasure eased slightly.

“Well, injuries are normal in a spar. I’ll go watch the match now.”

With a slight bow, he turned away, indifferent to Li Moze’s expression.

As long as his disciple wasn’t at a disadvantage, he was fine with Xu Jin taking a few extra hits.

Li Moze also composed himself, leading the Mysterious Purity Heavenly Sect elders back to their seats.

Injuries were commonplace in sparring—pain was the best teacher, after all.

As for his earlier reaction, it was purely because of Lv Xuan’s history, making caution necessary.

Once seated, Li Moze exchanged greetings with those around him before focusing on the water-screen projection.

He knew his disciple’s capabilities well.

Xu Jin wouldn’t lose... but he hadn’t expected Yanyun to possess such skill, pushing his disciple to this extent.

Chu Xingchen and Xie Lingyu had just taken their seats and barely exchanged a few words with Bai Xuanling when the situation in the water-screen projection suddenly changed.

Xu Jin, who had been at a disadvantage, suddenly surged with renewed power. A faint azure aura swirled around him as the spiritual treasure in his hand transformed into a wisp of green mist—delicate as gossamer, as if a gentle breeze could scatter it away.

Facing the charging Yanyun, Xu Jin raised his hand—and slashed downward!