Chapter 139: Not Trading Simply Means It’s Not Worth It
This novel is translated and hosted only on BCatranslation
Yao Wu Ji was fuming with anger, her eyes reddened. She had been the one with the greatest chance of obtaining the Pure World Green Lotus, but at the critical moment, her Red Spider failed, causing the treasure to slip through her fingers and fall into someone else’s hands.
The others in the group were equally displeased. Spiritual energy surged beneath their wide robes, a clear sign they were ready to fight again.
Standing against them were Mo Ci, Ji Han Zhou, and three others. Their expressions were grim as they stared down the group. Thanks to Yu Zhao taking the lead earlier, they had conserved their energy and were now in peak condition. Their eyes glimmered coldly, showing not a hint of fear.
The two sides faced off, and the atmosphere grew tense.
“Hey, how about I trade you these two people for the Pure World Green Lotus?” Yao Wu Ji suddenly broke the silence.
Everyone was momentarily stunned. Following her gaze, they noticed two people in an inconspicuous corner—Fang Cheng Lang and Cui Jue.
Fang Cheng Lang hadn’t expected Yao Wu Ji to propose trading them for the lotus, leaving him both humiliated and furious.
“Little Six, don’t—”
“Not trading.”
Fang Cheng Lang and Yu Zhao’s voices overlapped as they spoke at the same time.
Fang Cheng Lang stared at Yu Zhao in shock, hurt flashing in his eyes.
He hadn’t wanted Yu Zhao to agree to Yao Wu Ji’s condition, but her decisive refusal brought him an unexpected wave of sorrow and pain.
Yao Wu Ji was taken aback. “Why? Aren’t you acquainted with them?”
She had thought Yu Zhao would agree.
“Not trading simply means it’s not worth it. Who would want to make a losing deal?” Yu Zhao’s lips curved into a faint smile, her tone teasing yet firm.
Fang Cheng Lang seemed as if the very support holding him upright had been pulled away. His once-straight posture crumbled, and his eyes dimmed.
Yao Wu Ji glanced at him, then turned back to Yu Zhao, attempting to negotiate. “I don’t need the entire Pure World Green Lotus, just share half the lotus seeds with me.”
“Not trading.”
“Three seeds… no, two. Two seeds. Surely two seeds are a fair deal, right? One for each of them—it’s a bargain!”
Yao Wu Ji, who specialized in cultivating poisonous insects, often dealt with a variety of poisons. The lotus seeds were highly effective detoxifying treasures, making them invaluable to her. If she weren’t certain she couldn’t overpower Yu Zhao, she would’ve taken the entire Pure World Green Lotus, unwilling to part with even a single seed.
The others, unclear about Yu Zhao’s relationship with Fang Cheng Lang and Cui Jue, waited to see if she would agree.
But Yu Zhao’s lips parted slightly, and she calmly repeated two words.
“Not trading.”
Yao Wu Ji grew furious. “Were you just playing with me from the start?!”
Her Red Spider crouched low, its crystal-clear legs bent in readiness to strike, as if it might leap forward and bite Yu Zhao to death at any moment.
“I’m willing to trade, but the exchange must be for the poisons you carry—not for them,” Yu Zhao said with a faint smile.
Her reasoning was simple. She planned to visit the Green Wood Sect soon and would need to use their pill-refining rooms. Bringing gifts would make her intentions clear and smooth the way for cooperation. A skilled poison cultivator like Yao Wu Ji would undoubtedly have potent and unique poisons, which could inspire the Green Wood Sect’s alchemists.
After a moment of consideration, Yao Wu Ji nodded in agreement. The poisons she carried were painstakingly extracted from various toxic creatures, rare and difficult to come by. However, the effort involved was something she was experienced with, so parting with some in exchange for the lotus seeds felt reasonable.
Once their terms were settled, Yao Wu Ji immediately turned on the others, her hostility redirected. “The Pure World Green Lotus belongs to us. Leave now, or else…”
Her fingers traced the polished back of the Red Spider, her threat unmistakable.
Though displeased, the remaining cultivators recognized they had lost the upper hand and reluctantly retreated, gritting their teeth in frustration.
As soon as the group departed, Yu Zhao and Yao Wu Ji began an intense discussion about the trade plans for the lotus seeds, while Ji Han Zhou skillfully approached the corpse of the deceased companion beast, ready to dissect it with eager determination. The female cultivators from Hundred Flowers Valley, noticing that both Yu Zhao and Ji Han Zhou were occupied, took the initiative to clean up the battlefield.
Time passed—about the duration of an incense stick burning.
Holding the three hard-earned lotus seeds in her palm, Yao Wu Ji shot Yu Zhao a glare full of frustration. “Swindler,” she muttered bitterly.
Yu Zhao, unbothered by the accusation, seemed quite pleased with her harvest this time.
Just then, Ji Han Zhou and Mo Ci joined Yu Zhao, reporting that they had dealt with everything that needed attention. Yu Zhao gave Yao Wu Ji a brief nod before turning to leave with Ji Han Zhou and Mo Ci. However, Yao Wu Ji called out to her.
“I’m Yao Wu Ji. What’s your name?”
Yu Zhao paused. “Yu Zhao,” she answered plainly.
Yao Wu Ji pressed further. “You’ll be at the cultivation world’s grand competition next year, won’t you?”
“Yes.”
“Good. I’ll see you there,” Yao Wu Ji said, her lips curving into a smile. She patted her Red Spider and walked off with a casual grace.
A few moments later, her voice drifted back faintly on the wind. “Since you don’t want those two, I won’t take them either. Let them fend for themselves.”
Yu Zhao glanced in the direction Yao Wu Ji had left, her face showing a hint of confusion. Through this brief interaction, Yu Zhao was certain of Yao Wu Ji’s capabilities. Without a doubt, she was a strong contender for the grand competition’s top spot. Yet, strangely enough, Yu Zhao had no memory of Yao Wu Ji in her past life. Could some unforeseen incident have prevented her from participating in the competition? Would they truly meet again next year?
“Senior Sister Yu, those two are injured. Should we…” Ji Han Zhou asked hesitantly, his gaze falling on the battered forms of Fang Cheng Lang and Cui Jue. Perhaps out of the mutual respect sword cultivators share, a spark of sympathy flickered in his heart.
Yu Zhao replied indifferently, “Do whatever you want, but be quick. We still need to gather the Heavenly Fairy Herb.”
Although Yu Zhao had no interest in forming ties with Fang Cheng Lang and Cui Jue, she saw no reason to stop Ji Han Zhou from helping them. After all, Ji Han Zhou was an independent individual. His actions shouldn’t be dictated by her preferences.
“Alright.” Ji Han Zhou, encouraged by her lack of objection, happily ran over to assist Fang Cheng Lang and Cui Jue. He carefully removed the spider webs entangling them and checked their condition.
“Thank you,” Fang Cheng Lang rasped. His voice was hoarse, but a glimmer of light returned to his eyes. He noted Ji Han Zhou’s position as a companion protected by Yu Zhao and wondered if this gesture of aid hinted at a hidden warmth beneath her seemingly cold exterior. Perhaps she cared about them more than she let on.
However, Ji Han Zhou was startled as he examined Cui Jue. Cui Jue’s state was dire—completely unresponsive to the outside world, akin to a walking corpse.
“Out here, we’re all fellow travelers. No need to be so formal,” Ji Han Zhou reassured Fang Cheng Lang. “You’ve been poisoned. I have some detoxification pills that can suppress the venom temporarily, but for a full cure, you’ll need to seek another solution. I can’t help with that.”
Ji Han Zhou retrieved a medicine bottle, poured out a few pills, and handed them to Fang Cheng Lang, his gaze tinged with pity. The pills would work for Fang Cheng Lang, but as for Cui Jue…
In Ji Han Zhou’s eyes, Cui Jue was as good as dead. Even if they managed to save him, he would suffer severe vitality loss and be left with debilitating aftereffects.