The Divine Mystic Yin Needle pierced through space, leaving only a faint ripple trembling in the air. No one could sense its existence.

Ye Linghan was shocked by this. She had cultivated ice-attributed energy for more than a decade, yet she suddenly realized that she couldn't compare to Liu Wuxie at all. She felt like someone displaying paltry skill before a true master.

Although Liu Wuxie's cultivation wasn't high, his battle instincts, the purity of his immortal energy, and his grasp of laws had already surpassed hers by a wide margin.

The two Azure Bamboo Gang disciples guarding the gate didn't even have time to react before the Divine Mystic Yin Needle pierced through their primordial spirits.

After slaying five people in succession, the Divine Mystic Yin Needle finally ran out of energy.

Liu Wuxie moved stealthily like a petal drifting on the wind. He vaulted over the wall with ease and landed silently on the other side, then crept toward the five resting disciples without making a sound. A crimson ray flashed from the Bloodthirst Blade and claimed their lives instantly. Liu Wuxie continued deeper into the valley.

Ye Linghan appeared on the wall and followed Liu Wuxie's movements with a few light taps of her feet.

"What is he trying to do?" She couldn't understand Liu Wuxie's purpose. A conflict between two merchant associations wasn't enough to attract a profound immortal's attention, so she didn't know much about their grudges.

However, she did know something about the Azure Bamboo Gang, which had only risen in recent years.

Only simple rows of houses stood inside the valley. The Azure Bamboo Gang had existed for only a little over three years, so many parts of its stronghold were still incomplete.

Small gangs like this possessed few resources and relied mainly on plunder to survive, a path that could never serve in the long term. Regardless of a clan or sect, any force that wanted lasting development had to establish its own businesses.

Deep into the night, most Azure Bamboo Gang disciples had already fallen asleep, leaving only a few houses still brightly lit.

Liu Wuxie approached one of the lit houses and wrapped rags around his feet so his steps would make no sound. As a heavenly immortal, he couldn't fly in the celestial realm, and he was no different from an ordinary person here.

As he drew close to the house, he saw that it was large, built from stone, and extremely sturdy. He moved to one of the windows, moistened his finger with saliva, and gently poked a small hole through the paper to see what was happening inside.

Ye Linghan's figure flashed. Although a profound immortal also couldn't fly, moving across rooftops and walls posed no difficulty to her. She landed lightly on the roof and lifted a tile, peering into the house below.

"This Peace and Stability Merchant Association is a tough nut to crack. They actually injured five of our members."

Four men and one woman sat inside the house. They were the Azure Bamboo Gang's chief and four guardians. The gang chief appeared to be in his thirties and was at the high-level Profound Immortal Realm. He was known as the Azure Viper Lord because of his vicious nature.

The four guardians also possessed considerable strength. Others called them the four asuras because they killed without blinking.

The first guardian, who appeared to be in his forties, was the one expressing his frustration. The table before them was laden with food, and they ate and drank without restraint.

"Chief, why do we have to follow the White Tiger Merchant Association's arrangements? With our strength, we can destroy both merchant associations and seize their market. Then our Azure Bamboo Gang will finally have its own assets," the second guardian said.

She was an enchanting woman, and as she rose to her feet, her slender waist swayed gracefully with each step as she poured wine for the chief.

The other guardians also looked puzzled. They had grown tired of surviving through plunder. If they could seize the territories of the two merchant associations and take over their businesses, the Azure Bamboo Gang would rise quickly.

The Azure Viper Lord smiled faintly, gave the Second Guardian's rear a playful pinch, and drained the wine in his cup in a single gulp.

"We cannot afford to offend the White Tiger Merchant Association," the Azure Viper Lord declared.

"We can't afford to offend them?" The four guardians looked confused. Aside from Fourfold City, they feared nothing with their strength. In a countryside like this, they were absolute overlords.

"Have you heard of the Azure Flame Dao Hall?" the Azure Viper Lord asked.

The four guardians nodded. They had naturally heard of the Azure Flame Dao Hall, the largest dao hall within a radius of three thousand miles.

"Does the White Tiger Merchant Association have some connection to the Azure Flame Dao Hall?" the third guardian asked.

"That's right. Bai Jingfu, the chief of the White Tiger Merchant Association, is the nephew of one of the Azure Flame Dao Hall's mentors. If we build a good relationship with the White Tiger Merchant Association, we can establish a connection with the Azure Flame Dao Hall," the Azure Viper Lord confirmed with a deep smile.

The four protectors exchanged glances, excitement flashing in their eyes. After all, forming ties with the Azure Flame Dao Hall would only benefit them.

A chill flashed in Ye Linghan's eyes when she heard that the Azure Bamboo Gang dared to exploit the Azure Flame Dao Hall's name. She suppressed the murderous intent rising in her heart. She knew it would be impossible for her to wipe out the Azure Bamboo Gang by herself.

Liu Wuxie listened quietly. His goal tonight was only to gather information, not to alert the enemy. Surprise flickered across his face when he learned that the chief of the White Tiger Merchant Association shared ties with the Azure Flame Dao Hall through his mentor.

He didn't know much about the Azure Flame Dao Hall. In his previous life, after leaving Moon Reverence City, he had spent most of his time cultivating with his master, the Heavenly Daoist. He had returned two decades ago to help Chen Ping establish the Peace and Stability Merchant Association.

He had only heard that the Azure Flame Dao Hall existed to teach students and earn resources, making it fundamentally different from ordinary sects.

"Chief, the Peace and Stability Merchant Association has already suffered heavy losses. Why don't we take it down in one strike? That way, we can claim all their assets," said the fourth protector, the most sinister and cunning of the four. Over the years, he had killed countless people.

During the day, he had led Azure Bamboo Gang experts to attack one of the Peace and Stability Merchant Association's shops, killing three guards in the process.

"Chen Ping, that stubborn old fool, is truly courting death. I sent people to him multiple times and was willing to spare his life if he handed over the Peace and Stability Merchant Association willingly. Since he insists on seeking death, he can't blame me," the Azure Viper Lord growled, murderous intent flashing in his eyes. Clearly, he had already prepared to move against the Peace and Stability Merchant Association.

"Chief, what should we do next?" the four guardians asked. After all, Chen Ping had reached the higher levels of the Profound Immortal Realm, and even the gang leader would struggle to kill him alone.

The Azure Viper Lord's voice drifted into Liu Wuxie's ears. "I have already reached an agreement with Bai Jingfu. Three days from now, we'll join forces and launch an assault on the Peace and Stability Merchant Association."

Liu Wuxie trembled slightly when he heard those words. He knew there was no longer any need to keep listening, so he quietly withdrew.

Ye Linghan glanced quietly at Liu Wuxie before leaping down from the roof and following behind him.

Before dawn, Liu Wuxie returned to the Peace and Stability Merchant Association with a deep worry on his face. With two profound immortals preparing an ambush, the Peace and Stability Merchant Association now resembled a lone raft tossed about in a roaring ocean.

He could escape unharmed by himself, but he couldn't bear to watch his brother die.

"Three days! I only have three days!" Liu Wuxie paced anxiously around his room.

"Young Master Wu, my father asked me to invite you for breakfast," Chen An said from outside the courtyard.

After meeting Liu Wuxie the previous night, Chen Ping felt something strangely familiar about him, though he couldn't put that feeling into words. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

"Alright," Liu Wuxie agreed after pondering briefly. A plan had already formed in his mind.

Even if Liu Wuxie revealed his true identity, it wouldn't solve anything. After all, before absolute strength, everything else was meaningless. With time running short, he left the courtyard with Chen An and headed for the main hall.

Servants had already arranged snacks across the table, while Chen Ping sat in the seat of honor.

"Young Master Wu, please have a seat," Chen Ping said.

"Greetings, Chief Chen!" Liu Wuxie cupped his fists after entering and sat across from Chen Ping. After everyone had taken their seats, Liu Wuxie found he had no appetite. He only took a few bites before looking toward Chen Ping.

"Young Master Wu, do you have something to say?" Chen Ping asked.

"I need a batch of resources to set up a spiritual array. Could Chief Chen help me gather them? Here are eight thousand immortal stones as a deposit," Liu Wuxie said.

He knew eight thousand immortal stones were far from enough to set up the spiritual array, but that was all he had. Ye Linghan had given him ten thousand, and he had already used two thousand.

"Young Master Wu, you're being too polite. If you need anything, please let us know. As long as it's within our ability, we'll help you," Chen Ping said. Since Liu Wuxie could kill a fourth-level High Immortal while only at the eighth-level Heavenly Immortal Realm, Chen Ping had no choice but to value him highly.

After all, even Fourfold City recognized such talent as top-tier.

Ye Linghan had followed Liu Wuxie all this time because she wanted to uncover what he was hiding.

After speaking, Chen Ping pushed the eight thousand immortal stones back to Liu Wuxie. Since Liu Wuxie had saved Chen An, Chen Ping couldn't accept the immortal stones.

Without Liu Wuxie, the shipment wouldn't have reached the City Lord Mansion, leading to dire consequences. Liu Wuxie had not only saved the shipment but also helped them establish a connection with the City Lord Mansion.

If Chen Ping accepted Liu Wuxie's immortal stones now, wouldn't that be the same as slapping himself in the face?

"Since that's the case, I'll have to trouble Chief Chen," Liu Wuxie said. He still had other uses for the immortal stones and planned to break through to the ninth-level Heavenly Immortal Realm.

He took out a brush and paper and wrote down a long list of materials. The materials were expensive and would cost at least 30,000 immortal stones, by a conservative estimate.

That was a considerable sum for the Peace and Stability Merchant Association, whose annual revenue only reached around two hundred thousand immortal stones.

Fortunately, the Peace and Stability Merchant Association had completed the City Lord Mansion's escort, leaving them with enough reserves.

"Some of these materials aren't available in Moon Reverence City. We'll have to search for them in Fourfold City, and the round trip will take three days," Chen Ping said after reviewing the list.

"I need them within two days. Can you find a way?" Liu Wuxie asked. If they waited three days, it would already be too late. By then, the Azure Bamboo Gang and the White Tiger Merchant Association would have arrived at their doorstep.

"Is it that urgent?" Chen Ping asked with a frown.

Liu Wuxie nodded. "It's extremely urgent," he replied. After all, these materials concerned the lives and deaths of countless people.

"An'er, head into the city and take an aerial immortal beast to Fourfold City. This way, the round trip would only take two days."

Riding an immortal beast was expensive, so they usually traveled on foot during escorts. But since Liu Wuxie had made the request, Chen Ping naturally chose to fulfill it.