Yu Mi cheerfully said, “Sure, Jade Shura, why don’t you ask your master to take care of Dragon Roar Celestial and Longevity Celestial from the Taiyin Sect?”
Jade Shura’s eyes sparkled as she smiled and asked, “Are you serious?”
She glanced at Bao Gu, her smile deepening.
Yu Mi had meant it as a joke, but Jade Shura took it seriously, leaving her speechless.
She couldn’t afford to hire the Soul Chasing Pavilion to take down two mid-to-late stage Nascent Soul Celestials.
She laughed and said, “Even if I were serious, would you pay for it?”
Jade Shura chuckled and walked over to Bao Gu, saying, “Your senior sister wants to take down Dragon Roar Celestial and Longevity Celestial. What do you think?”
The two major threats to their sect couldn’t be left alone.
Moreover, Longevity Celestial’s only son, Nan Yi, had died at their hands.
If they could pay the Soul Chasing Pavilion to eliminate them, it would be ideal.
Bao Gu hesitated briefly and then seriously asked, “What’s the price?”
Jade Shura praised, “Straightforward! I like it!”
The elders and core disciples of the Xuantian Sect in the Lingyun Hall were all stunned.
This wasn’t about killing some random cultivators; these were Nascent Soul Celestials from a prestigious sect with a history spanning nearly ten thousand years.
And the one they were asking to take action was the leader of the second most powerful assassination organization from the ancient ruins, the Soul Chasing Pavilion.
Although the Soul Chasing Pavilion was ranked second, its leader’s fearsome reputation was arguably the highest, never failing to claim a target’s head.
Hiring the Soul Chasing Pavilion leader would cost a fortune!
Jade Shura said, “Considering the threat these two Celestials pose to you and the cost of hiring my master, what do you think the price would be? If we talk in terms of spirit stones, you probably can’t gather enough. So, what treasures can you offer?”
Bao Gu seriously thought about what she could offer to hire the Soul Chasing Pavilion leader.
After some contemplation, she came up with something.
She immediately said to Jade Shura, “I need to discuss this deal with your master personally.”
Jade Shura burst into laughter and said, “Are you serious? Do you really think you can get my master to take action?”
Bao Gu replied, “I think she will.”
Jade Shura’s eyes flashed as she asked, “You’re not planning to kidnap me and use my head as ransom for Dragon Roar Celestial and Longevity Celestial, are you?”
Bao Gu solemnly said, “Kidnap you? I’m afraid your master would take my head first.”
Jade Shura, seeing Bao Gu’s serious demeanor, asked in surprise, “Are you serious?”
Bao Gu nodded and said, “It will be a price that satisfies your master, but I need to discuss it with her personally. It’s too dangerous for me to go out, so I need your master to come here.”
Jade Shura laughed in exasperation and said, “You want my master to come to the Xuantian Sect to see you?”
Bao Gu said, “Relay my message to her. If she’s not satisfied, I’ll compensate her for the trouble.”
Jade Shura, frustrated, kicked at Bao Gu and said, “Do you think you can afford to pay my master for her trouble?”
Bao Gu deftly dodged Jade Shura’s attack, hiding behind a pillar in the hall, and said, “Why wouldn’t I? If I couldn’t afford it, would you have followed me back to the Xuantian Sect and stayed here?”
Jade Shura, chasing Bao Gu around the hall, said, “That’s because I was kind enough to say that the Black Iron Tower was yours—” She stopped mid-sentence, realizing the sensitive nature of the topic, and quickly changed her tone, “If I weren’t here to protect you, do you think you could have survived until now? Ning Ying and Ning Cong were Ning Ting’s beloved children, and you killed them both. Do you think he would let you go?”
Bao Gu stopped in mid-air and said, “Jade Shura, stop chasing me. We have so many elders here. Is this appropriate?”
Jade Shura said, “Who told you to speak disrespectfully about my master?”
Bao Gu said, “Do you think I don’t know I’m in danger? If I weren’t confident, would I dare to ask your master to come?”
Jade Shura stopped, hesitated for a moment, and said, “Alright, I’ll believe you. But let me warn you, if you mess with my master, and she starts killing, I won’t be able to stop her. It won’t just be your head on the line.”
Bao Gu knew that as a mere Foundation Establishment stage cultivator, asking a Nascent Soul stage leader to come personally was indeed excessive.
But she felt a strong sense of crisis and believed that only the presence of the Soul Chasing Pavilion leader could alleviate the immediate danger.
She said, “The Black Iron Tower is nothing compared to what I can offer to hire your master. If she doesn’t want to help, I won’t force her. But don’t blame me later for not looking out for you.”
Jade Shura laughed and said, “Do you think you can hire someone else?”
Bao Gu glanced at Jade Shura and said, “The old master of Qingfeng Pavilion and Nanshan Yijian are both willing to help. I have a good impression of Lu Wendao too. He’s a good friend to have.”
Jade Shura rolled her eyes and said, “Wait!”
She took out a jade token from her storage bag, activated it, and contacted the Soul Chasing Pavilion leader.
A soft female voice answered, “Sweetie—” but was cut off by Jade Shura’s loud voice, “Master, the elders of the Xuantian Sect are all here. Bao Gu wants to discuss a deal with you in front of them.”
The Soul Chasing Pavilion leader’s meticulous voice replied, “You’re the young master. Can’t you handle it yourself? Just make the decision.”
Jade Shura said, “Bao Gu wants to hire you to kill Dragon Roar Celestial and Longevity Celestial. She wants to discuss it with you personally.”
The Soul Chasing Pavilion leader said, “Oh? Can’t she discuss it with you?”
Jade Shura replied, “Bao Gu insists. She says the Black Iron Tower is nothing compared to what she can offer. It’s something you would want to discuss.”
The Soul Chasing Pavilion leader said, “I don’t want that rascal Duobao Spirit Monkey.”
Duobao Spirit Monkey, sitting on the steps in the hall, bared its teeth in response.
Jade Shura asked, “Master, can you come over?”
The Soul Chasing Pavilion leader said, “Repeat what you just said.”
Jade Shura said, “Bao Gu wants you to come over.”
The Soul Chasing Pavilion leader chuckled and said, “You want me to come over?”
Her voice, though light, carried a hint of killing intent.
Jade Shura, gritting her teeth, said, “This deal is too big for me to handle.”
She glared at Bao Gu.
If Bao Gu couldn’t satisfy her master, her master might really take Bao Gu’s head.
The Soul Chasing Pavilion leader laughed and said, “Interesting! Very interesting!”
The faces of the Xuantian Sect members in the Lingyun Hall turned grim.
This could lead to a disaster for the entire sect!
Yu Mi, knowing Bao Gu’s background, couldn’t think of anything Bao Gu could offer to hire the Soul Chasing Pavilion leader to take down the Taiyin Sect.
Killing Dragon Roar Celestial and Longevity Celestial wasn’t just about killing two people; it was akin to destroying the Taiyin Sect.
If she didn’t know Bao Gu’s serious nature, she would have thought Bao Gu was courting death.
The Soul Chasing Pavilion leader’s voice rang out again, “Bao Gu, what do you have that’s worth me coming to see you?”
Bao Gu said, “Leader, although my cultivation and status are not as high as yours, there’s one thing that’s the same for everyone: life. One’s own life is the most precious.”
“Are you threatening me with my life or offering yours?”
Bao Gu solemnly said, “I wouldn’t dare ask you to come if I weren’t confident. I don’t necessarily need you to deal with the Taiyin Sect. It was just a thought that came up during a conversation with my senior sister and Jade Shura. After careful consideration, I found it feasible. Plus, I have a good relationship with Jade Shura and want to make a mutually beneficial deal. I want to discuss it with you personally because this deal is too big for Jade Shura to handle. I trust the Soul Chasing Pavilion’s reputation.”
Hearing no response from the Soul Chasing Pavilion leader, Bao Gu continued, “I understand your concerns. Let’s meet outside the Xuantian Sect’s gate. The situation is tense, and the Xuantian Sect could face attacks from various forces at any moment. If you come to the Xuantian Sect now, it would signal an alliance, potentially dragging the Soul Chasing Pavilion into conflict with multiple powerful factions. Meeting outside the gate gives us more flexibility.”
The Soul Chasing Pavilion leader asked, “Bao Gu, is this your decision or the Xuantian Sect’s?”
Bao Gu honestly replied, “It’s my decision from start to finish. This deal is between you and me.”
The Soul Chasing Pavilion leader agreed, “Alright, tomorrow morning, meet me outside the Xuantian Sect.”
With that, the communication was cut off.
Zhuo Wangchuan said, “Bao Gu, how could you make such a major decision without consulting us?”
Bao Gu said, “Master, although this is to deal with our enemies, hiring the Soul Chasing Pavilion leader is my personal intention, and I’ll be paying for it myself. Let’s not involve everyone.”
Zhuo Wangchuan sighed and asked, “What will you offer to hire the Soul Chasing Pavilion leader?”
Bao Gu smiled and said, “Don’t worry, Master. I’ll handle it.”
Zhu Tou looked at Bao Gu and said, “Bao Gu, if you need help, just say the word. Shuiyun Peak will do everything to assist you.”
He handed Bao Gu a communication jade token.
The elders from Zhuoyun Peak, Tianyun Peak, and Liuyun Peak also expressed their willingness to help Bao Gu.
Bao Gu thanked them and put the jade tokens into her storage bag.
An elder from Zhuoyun Peak asked, “Bao Gu, are you worried about something?”
Bao Gu nodded and said, “I’m worried about a potential disaster in the coming days.”
Zhuo Wangchuan asked, “What do you mean?”
Bao Gu replied, “The Crimson Gold Black Iron Tower for protection, and the Soul Chasing Pavilion leader sending the young master to guard me—there’s a deep meaning behind this.”
She turned to Jade Shura and said, “Jade Shura, I consider you a friend and want to ally with you, so I’ll be frank.”
Jade Shura nodded and found a seat.
Yu Mi, the Lingyun Peak master, also took her seat.
