Grinding EXP From a Demon Hunting Ship

Chapter 331: Chapter 327: Journey to Day Flame, Wanlong’s Invitation

He Muyun recounted her story smoothly.

She accompanied her words with Divine Sense perceptions, transmitting images and impressions.

About fifteen minutes later.

Su Ye had a general understanding of her trip to the Day Flame Sea Region to acquire the Seven-Colored Profound Flowing Paste.

"On this trip, to avoid drawing attention, I didn’t use the name of the Cyan Profound Sect or the Nanyaoguang Corporation. Instead, I disguised my identity, boarded an ordinary merchant ship, and entered the Day Flame Sea Region."

"The first half of the journey went very smoothly."

"But..." He Muyun’s expression was a bit resigned.

"Whenever the Seven-Colored Profound Flowing Paste is about to appear, the Dragon-man Race becomes more active in the Day Flame Sea Region."

"This is especially true near Volcano State."

"I was rather unlucky. The merchant ship I was traveling on was attacked by Dragon-men."

There was no rhyme or reason to such attacks.

Plundering supplies, racial animosity, a bloodthirsty nature... regardless, it was commonplace for Dragon-men to attack merchant ships.

Of course, human cultivators wouldn’t hesitate to strike either, provided they encountered Dragon-men they assessed they could defeat.

"I had no choice but to act."

"As a result, my identity was revealed."

A Crystal-stage cultivator.

Even in the Day Flame Sea Region, that meant she was a prominent figure, a true high-level cultivator.

How could an unaffiliated Crystal-stage cultivator suddenly appear out of nowhere?

Her identity being exposed was inevitable.

"However, revealing my identity turned out to be mostly positive... After all, neither our sect nor our company has any enemies in the Day Flame Sea Region."

"And during this process,"

"I was fortunate enough to meet Mr. Zhao of the Wanlong Commerce Association. With her help, I ultimately managed to purchase a serving of the Seven-Colored Profound Flowing Paste at a discounted price."

"You’ve worked hard," Su Ye said with a nod.

From her Divine Sense perceptions, he knew full well.

Things hadn’t been as easy as He Muyun made them sound.

’That serving of Seven-Colored Profound Flowing Paste was practically a spoil of war!’

He Muyun had reached an agreement with the Wanlong Commerce Association.

During the full moon, she would have to help the association’s cultivators intercept the powerful high-level Dragon-men who came to steal the Seven-Colored Profound Flowing Paste!

Only then would she be entitled to the discount.

"Hmm..."

"The Spirit Stones you saved can be considered a special bonus for your trip."

"Or would you rather exchange them for an equivalent number of company contribution points?" Su Ye asked after a moment of thought.

"The contribution points, thank you!"

He Muyun said with a joyful smile, choosing without the slightest hesitation.

Contribution points could be exchanged for Spirit Stones, but Spirit Stones could not be exchanged for contribution points.

At the same time, as the Nanyaoguang Corporation’s influence gradually expanded, many rare treasures from the Outer Sea and other novel items had begun to appear on the company’s internal exchange list, available only for contribution points!

Many of these items were quite beneficial, even for Crystal-stage cultivators!

’One hundred forty thousand contribution points... Hehe...’

The corners of He Muyun’s mouth kept turning up.

Fortunately, she quickly caught herself.

"Ahem..."

"Next was the return journey."

"Zhao Quling, who is Mr. Zhao, volunteered to accompany me... I deduce that, on one hand, this was to prevent the Seven-Colored Profound Flowing Paste from being intercepted and falling into the hands of the Dragon-men, thereby strengthening the enemy."

"On the other hand, she seems to want to establish some sort of business partnership with the Nanyaoguang Corporation."

"It has been less than five years since Mr. Zhao was promoted to Director... As a newly promoted Director, she’s in dire need of some achievements to prove herself."

"In my opinion, this might be another reason why she accompanied me on the return journey and wishes to meet with you, Mr. Su."

He Muyun finished her account, adding her own speculation.

"Is that so?"

Su Ye was noncommittal.

He then asked,

"What happened with your injuries?"

"Also... Candle Python Cave. What faction is that?"

Su Ye was rather concerned about this.

"On the return journey, Zhao Quling and I were attacked by rogue cultivators."

"Our attacker was powerful, at the Late-stage Crystal realm, and was skilled in a vicious Yin Poison Fire Skill... It was only thanks to the Blood Thunder Pearl you gave me, Mr. Su, and a Golden Core edict in Mr. Zhao’s possession..."

"...that we managed to drive him back."

"But I was injured in the fight... Worse, a demonic flame now lies dormant inside me, leaving behind a latent threat..." As He Muyun spoke, a look of lingering fear filled her eyes.

Taking a deep breath, she continued.

"As for Candle Python Cave..."

"I don’t know much about it either." He Muyun frowned and shook her head.

"According to Mr. Zhao, it seems to be a demonic faction active in the Central Sea Region."

"I just don’t know why a cultivator from the Candle Python Cave appeared in the Day Flame Sea Region and attacked us... Maybe it was because of the Seven-Colored Profound Flowing Paste?"

"Or... was it simply a crime of opportunity?"

He Muyun’s tone was filled with confusion.

Clearly, her knowledge on the matter was limited.

He gave a slight nod.

He dismissed He Muyun.

’It seems... I should meet with this Mr. Zhao after all.’

Su Ye’s eyes narrowed as he leaned back against the jade dais.

This Candle Python Cave intrigued him.

’Perhaps... a warning from my spiritual intuition?’

Su Ye wasn’t certain.

But there was no harm in gathering more intelligence.

...

「The next day.」

On the mountainside of Xuankong Peak.

In an elegant, natural-looking viewing pavilion wreathed in clouds and mist.

On a smooth stone table, two cups of jade-green Spirit Tea gave off a pure white, cloud-like vapor that hovered without dispersing.

"You’re here."

"Sit."

Su Ye said, sitting by the table and gesturing with his hand.

His long hair cascaded like a waterfall, and his skin was as smooth as polished jade. Against his magnificent black robes, his complexion seemed even more exquisite.

"Greetings, Mr. Su. I have long heard of your esteemed reputation."

Zhao Quling, dressed in robes as white as snow, offered a graceful curtsy and took her seat with elegance.

For a Director of the Wanlong Commerce Association, being sophisticated, charming, and pleasing to the eye were fundamental skills.

"There’s no need for such formalities, Mr. Zhao."

Su Ye’s expression was calm, his gaze holding a hint of appreciation.

At Su Ye’s current level, mere beauty was not enough to stir his heart. This was true for most high-level cultivators—they had experienced so much that their standards had risen.

However, an outstanding appearance at least ensured he felt no ill will toward her.

...

Wushan Pavilion.

Sipping tea here had a certain tranquil quality.

Then, they got down to business.

Zhao Quling said, "Your corporation’s specialty Spiritual Objects have a fine reputation and are of excellent quality... It’s just that, due to trade barriers, they have so far been unable to enter the market in the Day Flame Sea Region."

"I imagine you would like to change that, Mr. Su."

With its many advantages, the Day Flame Sea Region was arguably the most prominent region in the southern Yaoguang Islands!

In terms of status, it was comparable to Weiyuan Immortal City within the Cyan Profound Sea Region!

However, the Day Flame Commerce Association, led by the Wanlong Commerce Association, had jointly established trade barriers, forcing merchant ships from the Outer Sea to pay steep tariffs if they wished to profit in the Day Flame Sea Region.

And now...

’From the sound of it, she wants to help the Nanyaoguang Corporation establish a foothold in the Day Flame Sea Region?’

’Open the Wanlong Commerce Association’s private reserve to trade?!’

"An interesting proposition."

"Then... what would our side need to provide?"

Su Ye’s eyes narrowed as he raised his porcelain cup and took a delicate sip of the Spirit Tea.

His jet-black eyes, filled with a scrutinizing light, gazed at Zhao Quling.

A faint fluctuation of his Divine Sense imbued his words with an oppressive weight, as if they were interrogating her very soul!

"Well..."

Zhao Quling’s smile stiffened slightly.

...