Slow Fairy Road (Fairy Spirit Realm)

  "This is natural," Wang Fu drank a mouthful of wine, then stared at the wine cup in his hand, and asked an unrelated question, "Since Fei Sheng's ascension to the present, I wonder what impression Zhi Rou Dao friend has of the Eastern Extreme Realm?"

  Xiao Yao didn't understand what he meant, but after thinking for a moment, she still replied: "Rich resources, high prices."

  Wang Fu listened and was taken aback for a moment, then smiled slightly and said: "I suppose I forgot that you, as a fellow Daoist who has just entered the Eastern Extreme, have not yet come into contact with many Eastern Extreme cultivators. Fellow Daoist, haven't you ever felt that many of the immortal cultivators in the Xianling realm have some prejudice or hostility towards us lower realm flying ascension cultivators?"

  Is that so? Xiao Yao thought for a moment, recalling when she first entered the White Jade Courtyard and hunted the Wan Zhen Fish. It seemed that some people had prejudices against those who ascended from the lower realm, but there were also people like Men Jia and Jiang Yu who treated everyone equally. So, she didn't feel anything out of the ordinary. However, the other person seemed to think differently, and his words implied something more. Xiao Yao asked, "What do you mean by that?"

  Wang Fu saw her puzzled expression and became even more certain that she was a loner who liked to cultivate alone. He pointed out the way, saying: "Most of the high-merit tasks on the White Jade Pavilion's task list require two or three people to work together to complete. You've probably never taken on such a task before, have you? If you had, you would know that the Eastern Extreme cultivators in the pavilion generally don't want to cooperate with the Flying Ascension cultivators from the lower realm. In the pavilion, the Eastern Extreme and Flying Ascension cultivators are divided into two factions, opposing each other and competing with each other, so conflicts often arise. Over time, an unwritten rule has developed among the cultivators of the two factions: every three to five years, they will hold a competition, and the form of each competition is different. The losing side must offer tribute to the winning side in the form of yuan crystals and acknowledge their superiority..."

  "So this time, the Kunlun boundary treasure hunt is a test of the friendship between the Dongji cultivators and the Feisheng cultivators?" Xiao Xiang's slender eyebrows rose slightly as she immediately grasped the key point.

  Wang Fu nodded, "It's almost the same meaning, but this is not a dispute over righteousness." When he said the last sentence, his expression changed, and he looked serious and solemn: "You don't know, some of the Eastern Extreme cultivators in the pavilion rely on their family power to take good elixirs and barely reach the high realm. Not only are they weak in strength, but also arrogant and rude in attitude. They envy and exclude us flying immortals who have no talent. At first, we tried to ignore them, but tolerating them only led to their increasing insults. The trial is for the dignity of my fellow cultivators in the lower realm!"

  His hand, which was holding the wine cup, tightened slightly, and he accidentally spilled some wine. Xiao Yao didn't miss the disgust and disdain that flashed in his eyes, but she wasn't sure if it was directed at all Eastern Extreme cultivators or just specific individuals.

  "It was my fault," Wang Fu realized he had lost his composure, and also restrained his emotions, smiled apologetically, and continued: "This is not so much a trial as it is a treasure hunt. Fellow Taoists don't need to fight with anyone, just get the items on the list, show them to those Eastern Extreme cultivators in the pavilion after leaving the boundary, and that's it. Of course, the things will still belong to you, everything obtained within the Kunlun realm belongs to the individual, and if you can win, we will also give an additional 5,000 mid-grade yuan crystals as a thank you gift. What do you think?"

  Xiao Yao remained smiling from start to finish, quietly listening until she lowered her eyelids and gazed at the wine in her cup, seemingly deep in thought. Wang Fu didn't rush her, instead drinking silently on his own. Finally, when she raised her eyes again, they locked onto his, "Sorry, I don't want to get involved in any party disputes."

  Wang Fu was taken aback, then smiled and said: "Fellow Taoist has thought it through carefully. Sometimes, it's not possible to stay out of trouble just by severing ties. As long as you're a flying ascension cultivator from the lower realm, they won't change their opinion. They'll still come looking for trouble. It's better to gather everyone together and consolidate our strength to resist them, rather than fighting alone."

  "I'm afraid you've misunderstood," Xiao Yao sighed softly. She believed that some of the Eastern Extreme and Flying Ascension cultivators within the White Jade Pavilion did indeed harbor animosity and secretly competed with each other, but she didn't think all the cultivators in the pavilion were involved. Wang Fu's words were vague and misleading from the start, only speaking in general terms, and finally using rich rewards as bait, with an obvious intention to entice her. Once she agreed, she feared that everyone would think they were in cahoots when "Kunlun Realm" returned.

  She stood up and said, "I also deeply know that this world isn't one where you can avoid trouble just by not wanting it. Trouble will find you even if you don't want to look for it. Staying out of things is just a beautiful wish, but I'm not asking for much. The reason for my refusal is as I said, I'm used to being alone and have no interest in forming cliques or gangs. Moreover, Wang Dao friend is really not sincere enough. Is he inviting me to find treasure or join the sect? Speaking in circles is really pointless. Farewell."

  Having said that, the person turned around and was about to leave. At this time, Wang Fu hurriedly stood up and called out to detain him: "Chong Rou Daoist friend, please stay a moment!"

  Xiao Yao turned back, and saw him bowing deeply to her, saying very sincerely: "This matter was due to my lack of careful consideration, there are hidden places, I hope you can forgive me, please listen to a few more words from me, if you want to leave afterwards, it's not too late."

  The other party suddenly made a gesture of apology in the midst of a large crowd, instantly attracting the attention of many surrounding diners. Seeing his clear and bright eyes, without any dissatisfaction or anger, extremely sincere, he couldn't bear to embarrass him either, so he sat back down in his original seat.

  Wang Fu smiled slightly, took out a jade slip and placed it on the table, saying: "This is the map of 'Kunlun Territory', the places marked with red dots are where 'Kong Gang' is located, this is my gift to make up for it."

  Xiao Yao didn't respond, and he looked at her with a serious expression, his face showing a hint of helplessness as he said: "If I had spoken frankly just now about hoping that Daoist friend could join us, I wonder if you would have considered it."

  "It won't." Xiao Yao said firmly.

  "I also know," said Wang Fu with a bitter smile, "from the tasks you've taken on in the past half year, that you're a recluse who doesn't want to get involved in too many mundane affairs. If it weren't for the fact that we lost to each other in the previous two trials, and those people in the pavilion have become increasingly arrogant, often mocking and bullying my fellow flying immortals, I wouldn't be hiding anything from you either. But now, I'm afraid of being too hasty."

  "Cough," he said, clearing his throat and carefully continued: "I don't force fellow Taoists to join us, but I sincerely invite you again, hoping that fellow Taoist can lend me a helping hand. After the matter is settled, I will reward one thousand middle-grade yuan crystals as compensation. Will fellow Taoist reconsider?"

  Xiao Yao's heart skipped a beat at the doubled pay, which was indeed worth taking a risk for, especially since she was desperately short of money now!

  Wang Fu felt that since the words had been laid out, he had also shown his sincerity and revealed his trump card. What remained was up to fate, so he relaxed and said casually: "There is still half a month before the trial, fellow Taoist can take your time to consider it. If you change your mind before then, you can come find me anytime."

  "It's not necessary to go to such trouble," After careful consideration, Xiao Yao finally decided to make a bet with "Kong Gang" for 10,000 yuan! "If you agree to one small request of mine, I'll agree."

  Wang Fu hesitated and said: "What are your requirements? Fellow Taoist, you might as well say it first."

  Xiao Yao said: "As Daoist friend said earlier, the winner of this competition is the one who obtains the most treasures on the list?"

  Wang Fu nodded, "Exactly."

  Xiao Yao curved up the corners of her lips: "Alright, my request is this: If we obtain the treasures on the list, I hope that fellow daoists can purchase them at market price. These treasures will be considered as me selling them to fellow daoists."

  "This is naturally no problem," Wang Fu originally thought that the other party would ask for some extra benefits, but unexpectedly it was a small matter, and he agreed in one mouth, but at the same time he also wondered: "These treasures can actually be left to you, after all, we only need to confirm the quantity and ownership, as for who will eventually get them, no one will pursue."

  Xiao Yao shook her head and said, "I will sell the treasure to you, but showing me the treasure may not make a difference in the final amount, but the meaning is completely different."

  Wang Fu was delighted, for the two methods were different: the first one was just a transaction, while the second one showed that they were on the same side.

  After understanding, he smiled wryly and said helplessly: "Actually, fellow Taoist, you don't have to be like this..." Looking at Xiao Yao's still determined face, the rest of his words were swallowed back, "Forget it, you'll understand eventually."

  Wang Fu then gave Xiao Yao two thousand mid-grade yuan crystals as an advance payment and informed him of some matters related to the "Kunlun Realm". Half a time later, they dispersed.

  Wang Fu stood on the street, watching Xiao Yao's back disappear into the crowd. He turned around and entered the Moon Star Building again, this time going to a room on the third floor where a young man with a handsome appearance was sitting.

  That man saw the newcomer and slightly curved his lips, saying in a familiar tone: "How is she? Has she come down yet?"

  Wang Fu sat down opposite the male doctor, poured himself a cup of wine, and smiled bitterly: "It should be settled, but it's not quite what I originally thought."

  "Did she realize?" The male cultivator raised an eyebrow.

  "En," Wang Fu nodded, "the words you taught me to deceive others didn't work, I shouldn't have listened to you in the first place."

  The man replied with a nonchalant expression, "What's the big deal? If we don't try, how will we know if it works or not? At least now we know that the other party is not brainless, but of course, they're not too clever either. Since this girl has already been taken care of, you can handle the rest, just don't let those people from the Lai Man gang take advantage of us."

  Wang Fu saw that he had changed the subject and was somewhat depressed: "Why don't you ask her why she accepted?"

  "I'm only concerned with the outcome, everything else is irrelevant."

  After knowing each other for so many years, Wang Fu also knew the man's temper and sighed: "Okay, I'll go ahead and take care of things." After finishing speaking, he got up and left the room.

  The man inside didn't even raise his eyes as he left, just sitting quietly. About a minute later, the door of the room was pushed open again.

  "How is it?" the newcomer asked.

  "Everything is going according to plan, just now that female cultivator has already agreed to enter the 'Kunlun Realm' together." The male cultivator replied.

  "Very good, the last piece of chess is in place, next just wait for the opening move." The comer was very satisfied.

  However, it seems that someone on Wang Fu's side has sensed something and told him that there is a traitor.

  "What does Wang Fu think?"

  "He? Came to consult with me, and then I gave him some sincere advice."

  "Well, it seems he hasn't suspected you yet. Remember to find an opportunity to kill that person who said there's a traitor after entering Kunlun."

  "I will. Also, Wang Fu said that the female cultivator agreed, but it seemed like there was something more to it, but I wasn't interested in the process, so I didn't ask. From what he meant, it seems like she's not an easy person to deal with, be careful when you handle her."

  "Don't worry, although she single-handedly killed the Wanren Fish, most of it was due to that heaven-defying treasure. Once I use 'Duó Fú' to take down that treasure, let's see what she can use to fight back against me!"