The two people atop the cliff were unaware that, on a snowy night not long ago, this very spot had hosted a conversation between two remarkable individuals—one that directly altered the fate of Cliff City, Sky Rift Valley, and even a much broader region.
The reason they chose this location was that the Heavenly Wings Pavilion was busy making the final preparations for the evening’s Treasure Exchange Banquet, making it unsuitable for private discussions. Moreover, Yu Ci felt that this place, being higher than the pavilion, offered a wider view and a much better atmosphere.
Zhao Ziyue had no objections.
Both men sat casually on the ground. The chubby manager of Heavenly Wings Pavilion, Geng Fu, had sent two agile attendants to climb up the cliff, specifically to deliver carpets and small tables, arranging everything with great care.
Zhao Ziyue seemed to have a rather unhurried temperament, speaking in a roundabout and reserved manner. After formally expressing his apologies, he gradually steered the conversation toward the situation in Cliff City, discussing his observations over the past two days. He spoke about the dealings of the Sun Light Sect, the Thousand Spirit Gate, and other sects, as well as the movements of demons and monsters.
In the end, he sighed, “The state of affairs in this place is truly difficult. As an outsider, I find it all rather overwhelming. I imagine that overseeing both the city and its outskirts must be quite exhausting for you.”
This was clearly an attempt to curry favor. Yu Ci glanced at him and chuckled, “It’s actually not that complicated.”
Saying this, he drew a line on the small table before them and tapped his finger on both sides. “It’s either this side or that side. All I have to do is make both sides into one. Simple.”
“Oh? Fellow Daoist Yu is indeed a bold man, truly bold!”
Zhao Ziyue maintained his smile, but his words trailed off awkwardly.
So far, this conversation was not one that a Divine Connectivity cultivator would normally have with a Core Refinement cultivator. Rather, it reflected the stance of the Rifting Earth Sect toward an “outsider.”
Yu Ci had already grown accustomed to playing this role, and it seemed Zhao Ziyue was also aware of it. He pondered seriously.
Yu Ci, however, paid him no mind. From this vantage point, he could see the rooftops of countless houses in Cliff City, their tiles reflecting the sunlight, making the late winter air seem even warmer. Spring was approaching, and even the air felt more humid. He took a deep breath, and the Dragon Fish beside him reacted, swishing its tail as it circled around him.
After nearly ten days of raising the Dragon Fish using spirit-taming techniques, their connection had grown much stronger. Even with his eyes closed, Yu Ci could sense the creature’s movements within a certain radius. Sometimes, when it came closer, he could feel their breathing synchronize—of course, most of the time, it was just the Dragon Fish absorbing his energy for its own growth. But at least there was now a link between them.
Perhaps because he had been too immersed in practicing the Primordial Origin Qi Method, Yu Ci subconsciously applied the same mindset to this—one that focused on observing the whole, analyzing structures, and using external objects to reflect internal states. This was, after all, one of his greatest insights, and it had left a deep imprint on his thinking.
He had often wondered—what if he could incorporate the Dragon Fish into his “Void Within the Mind” as well?
What would that be like?
But in the end, it was just wishful thinking.
As a living creature, the Dragon Fish’s qi was far more vibrant and complex than even the most intricate magical artifacts. While it couldn’t match the intelligence of humans, it still surpassed most structured artifacts in fluidity and unpredictability.
Yu Ci was no genius like Xie Liang—even if he did manage to integrate the Dragon Fish into his “mental image,” linking it with a single “stroke” was beyond him.
In simpler terms, he simply couldn’t grasp it. And even if he could, what would be the point?
Just as these thoughts swirled in his mind, Zhao Ziyue spoke again: “Fellow Daoist Yu, are you truly unwilling to sell this Dragon Fish?”
Yu Ci snapped out of his thoughts, a hint of displeasure flashing in his heart.
However, Zhao Ziyue looked completely earnest. He cupped his hands respectfully toward Yu Ci and said,
“Fellow Daoist Yu, I am not speaking out of ignorance of the rules—on the contrary, I understand them all too well. If you intend to trade this at the Treasure Exchange Banquet, I fear it won’t be as easy as you hope!”
“Oh?”
Seeing Yu Ci’s interest, Zhao Ziyue smiled and continued,
“The Northern Wasteland is resource-poor, and most of our supplies must be imported from the major merchants in the south. In terms of commercial prosperity, our trading houses far surpass those here. Because of this, I am quite familiar with the common tactics of these large merchants. For example, at an event like this Treasure Exchange Banquet, have you seen them release a list of items beforehand?”
“No, I haven’t.”
“You see? In most auctions or trading events, if there is no pre-released item list, how would attendees know if the banquet has anything they need? How could they prepare resources in advance for trade? Without proper preparation, the overall quality of the banquet will suffer. Since Heart’s Desire Pavilion is a long-established name in this realm, they surely understand this principle, don’t they?”
Zhao Ziyue pointed at the Dragon Fish soaring through the air and continued, “In situations like this, it’s all about luck. Only a rare few, like you, will have prepared in advance with such a rare creature to showcase at the banquet. Most people are just here for the spectacle, hoping to see something unusual at the Treasure Exchange Banquet. If they find something they like, they’ll try to trade for it; if not, there’s no real loss.”
“As for the Heart’s Desire Pavilion, they will certainly present a few top-tier treasures. They usually price them slightly above what the locals can comfortably afford, forcing them to carefully consider their options. If the trade is successful, it’s just business as usual; if not, it still solidifies the Heart’s Desire Pavilion’s reputation for offering only the finest goods…”
“A marketing gimmick?” Yu Ci summarized.
“Exactly!”
Zhao Ziyue clapped his hands and laughed. “For a major business like the Heart’s Desire Pavilion, their primary profits come from large-scale transactions. These small trading caravans? They’re just publicity stunts. If you’re hoping to find something truly suitable, you’ll need plenty of luck. Instead, why not tell me what you want in exchange for the Dragon Fish? I have several connections and might be able to procure something that satisfies you.”
Hearing this, Yu Ci studied him for a moment before smiling. “Your words make sense. I’ve certainly learned something new today. Unfortunately, this Dragon Fish already has an owner…”
With a disappointed expression, Zhao Ziyue took his leave.
Yu Ci watched as a green light barrier unfolded around him, and he controlled his treasure to descend the cliffside. For a long time, Yu Ci didn’t retract his gaze.
If this man had simply been trying to buy the Dragon Fish, it would have been straightforward. But given his actions, it likely wasn’t that simple.
Yu Ci suddenly missed the days when he possessed the Divine Map. In this world, it was always easier to go from frugality to luxury than the other way around. At this moment, he thought that if he still had the Divine Map, not just Zhao Ziyue, but even the slightest disturbance in Cliff City wouldn’t escape his notice!
Ever since his battle with Nan Songzi caused the Divine Map to disappear, he had devoted himself to refining the Divine Illumination Bronze Mirror, aligning it ever more closely with his own Qi. His every breath resonated with the tides of spiritual energy within the mirror. By the standards of the “Heavenly Stems Earthly Branches” refinement method, the talisman layers should have surpassed five by now, yet the Divine Map remained lost.
Yu Ci never believed that losing the Divine Map would leave him helpless—take the current situation in Cliff City, for example. Even if he had the Divine Map, managing to take control of the entire city and suppress the Sun Light Sect in just a few days would have been impossible. Still, people were always greedy for more…
“What are you thinking about?”
Xie Yan’s voice suddenly interrupted his thoughts, startling Yu Ci. He turned to see Xie Yan standing behind him, though he had no idea when he had arrived. Quickly standing up, he smiled and saluted, “Senior Uncle Xie.”
Over the past few days, Yu Ci and Xie Yan had developed a growing mutual understanding, and even his form of address had unconsciously changed—from the more distant “Immortal Xie” to “Senior Uncle Xie.” Technically, this exceeded his status as an outer disciple, but since Xie Yan didn’t mind, there was no issue.
Xie Yan ignored him, instead focusing on the Dragon Fish, observing its movements for a long moment before nodding. “You’ve done well.”
Then he simply said, “Let’s go down.”
“Right now?”
The Treasure Exchange Banquet wouldn’t start for another two hours. With Xie Yan’s status, even if he arrived late, no one would dare to say anything. His urgency could only mean that he valued the Golden Bone Jade Plate immensely.
Understanding this, Yu Ci naturally had no objections. Xie Yan wrapped him in sword Qi, and they descended straight to the top floor of Heavenly Wings Pavilion.
Their arrival caused quite a stir. The spectators on the bridgeways were already lively, but even the cultivators who had arrived early on the lower three floors began to whisper amongst themselves.
Zhao Ziyue and his companions—aside from the one still recovering at the inn from injuries inflicted by Lu Mingyue—had all arrived early, leisurely strolling between floors, gathering and dispersing at random. They seemed relaxed, but their conversation was anything but casual.
“We weren’t clear on the situation before and thought we could take advantage of the chaos. But now, it seems that while Cliff City is in turmoil, the waters aren’t as muddied as we’d hoped.”
Zhao Ziyue’s thin lips moved slightly, his voice quiet yet clear.
“I had a chat with that man upstairs. His cultivation isn’t remarkable, but he’s exceptionally skilled at leveraging influence. His ambitions aren’t small either. It looks like something big is brewing. With the Rifting Earth Sect backing him, if we get involved, we might not be able to extricate ourselves. Mark my words—don’t act recklessly. Put all the ‘big’ trades on hold. Wait for this wave of chaos to pass before making any moves. Understood?”
His companions all nodded in agreement.
Sha Cong, ranked second among them, was arrogant and aggressive but not foolish. He lowered his voice. “What about the clients we found earlier…?”
“Big or small?”
“Small deals, legitimate business.”
“Do it. Why not? The Treasure Exchange Banquet is the perfect opportunity for traders like us. Remember, we’re just merchants. Buying and reselling is fine, and we should gather more clients to boost our reputation. But don’t cross the line. If anyone dares to take on a ‘big’ trade and drags the rest of us down, don’t blame me for being ruthless.”
As he spoke, the cat in his arms let out a sharp, piercing meow.
Sha Cong and the others lowered their heads and murmured in acknowledgment.