On the path to immortality, I can see destiny.

Chapter 97 Negotiation

"I remember when we entered the cave, Zhang Tie was inside but didn't come out or make a move. He must be unable to act. Now that we don't have any clues, why don't we go explore the cave?"

After hesitating for a moment, Zhao Fan spoke his mind.

Upon hearing this, Su San also felt it made sense, so he summoned three late-stage Qi Refining cultivators from his clan.

Zhao Fan had seen all three of them before. Two of them were the same two he had met when he first arrived at the border. The other was a burly, taciturn middle-aged man named Su Minglu, who had reached the eighth level of Qi Refining.

The four of them, along with Zhao Fan, made a group of five. Taking advantage of the remaining darkness, they piloted their flying boat straight towards the cave.

On the way, Zhao Fan recounted the events of that day in detail.

"If Zhang Tie really can't fight, then this cave is where he can hide and heal his wounds."

Su San pondered for a moment.

"But since he can't make a move, the five of us going in might not be without a chance of winning."

"I'm afraid they've already moved."

Uncle Liu's voice was old and steady.

"Since those two chased you out, they will definitely inform Zhang Tie when they get back. Given the cautious nature of demonic cultivators, they most likely won't stay where they are."

Zhao Fan's heart sank, knowing that his sixth uncle was right.

The airship was very fast, and in less than half an hour, the mountain came into view.

Under the moonlight, the entrance to the cave on the mountainside was blocked by tangled bushes, and the surroundings were quiet, with nothing unusual in sight.

The five people landed on the flying boat, and Su San raised her hand to signal everyone to slow down.

He walked in front, with Zhao Fan following closely behind. The three late-stage Qi Refining cultivators spread out in a fan shape, subtly surrounding the cave entrance.

Su San raised her hand and released a fireball spell, burning the trees to ashes.

The firelight also illuminated the cave entrance, allowing everyone to see what was inside.

The stone steps extend downwards, with smooth, flat rock walls on both sides, exactly as Zhao Fan described.

The five people filed in.

The further Zhao Fan went, the heavier his heart became.

The eerie, blood-red aura disappeared.

The cave was deathly silent, with only the echo of their own footsteps.

At the end of the stone steps was a spacious cave, about three or four zhang square, with smooth walls and nothing on it.

No, it is not empty.

On the ground in the center of the cave, there was a distinct mark—a rectangular mark about two zhang long and one zhang wide. The rocks around the mark were much darker than the rest of the area, as if something had pressed down on them for a long time.

Su San squatted down, reached out and touched the mark, then brought it to his nose and sniffed it. His brows furrowed, he stood up, and his gaze swept across the entire cave.

"The scent of blood."

He said in a deep voice.

"It's faint, but it's definitely there. They've been here, and for quite a while."

Uncle Liu walked to a corner of the cave, where there was a small dark red mark. He touched it with his fingertip and examined it carefully.

"Fresh blood, no more than three days old."

He stood up and looked at Su San.

"It should be Zixuan's."

Zhao Fan's heart tightened.

Su San remained silent for a moment, then waved her hand.

"Search, search carefully, see if any clues have been left behind."

The four of them split up and carefully searched every inch of the cave walls and every crevice.

Zhao Fan walked to the coffin mark, squatted down, and carefully examined the surrounding traces.

However, they cleaned it up very thoroughly, and there were indeed no useful clues around.

Zhao Fan's heart sank to the bottom.

The trail went cold.

The five searched the cave for another half hour, but found nothing.

Su San remained silent for a long time before finally speaking.

"I'm going to Yulin Mountain."

Zhao Fan raised his head.

"Now?"

Su San stood up.

"Zixuan is in their hands. The longer we delay, the greater the danger. The Zhou family cultivators are not in the market, but the young master should still be there. I'll go and meet him."

"I'll go too."

Su San shook her head and pressed him down.

"Your going will only make things worse. You just hit him last night, and he's holding a grudge. If I go, it will be under the guise of making amends, and he won't be able to refuse."

Zhao Fan fell silent; he knew Su San was right.

"So what do you plan to do?"

Su San pondered for a moment, then slowly said.

"Twenty Qingling Pills, plus a high-grade magic weapon, this price is more than enough to buy a female cultivator at the fourth level of Qi Refining. If he's smart, he should accept it and release her."

"What if he's not smart?"

Su San did not answer, but turned and walked towards the courtyard gate.

"Wait for my news."

……

Yulin Mountain, market town.

Su San stepped alone into the market town he had visited countless times.

Today is not the opening day of the market, and only the owner of the market and his men are here on Yulin Mountain.

Su San did not force her way in. Instead, she took out a communication talisman, recorded a sentence, and then the talisman flew out and disappeared into the Yulin Mountains.

Soon, a gap opened in the array surrounding Yulin Mountain.

"Fellow Daoist Su, please follow me."

A guard dressed in black emerged from the formation to greet Su San.

"Fellow Daoist Su, the young master will not see any guests today."

Su San smiled slightly, took out a jade bottle from her bosom, and handed it over.

"Please inform them that Su San has come to apologize for what happened last night."

The guard took the jade bottle, hesitated for a moment, and then took Su San up the mountain.

When the two stopped in a small courtyard, the guard took the jade bottle inside.

A moment later, the courtyard gate opened wide, and the young master of the workshop appeared inside.

He changed into a moon-white robe, which concealed the thin bloodstain on his neck. He wore a gentle smile, as if nothing had happened the night before.

"Fellow Daoist Su, what a rare guest."

He stepped aside to make room.

"Please come in."

Su San stepped in, her gaze sweeping over everything in the courtyard without making a sound. The courtyard was not large, but it was elegantly furnished, with several bamboo swaying gracefully, creating a serene and tranquil atmosphere.

The two sat down at the stone table in the courtyard, and the young master personally poured tea and pushed it in front of him.

"Fellow Daoist Su, what brings you here?"

Su San took the tea but didn't drink it. He simply placed it on the table, looked at the young master's handsome and gentle face, and slowly spoke.

"Fellow Daoist Song, let's not beat around the bush. My Su family member, Su Zixuan, has been missing for many days. You and I both know what happened last night. I only have one question: what are the conditions for releasing her?"

The young master's smile faltered slightly before returning to normal.

"I don't understand what Fellow Daoist Su is saying."

He picked up the teacup and gently blew on it.

"Wasn't Miss Zixuan already murdered? I saw that mummified corpse with my own eyes last night, it was truly..."

He sighed, a look of regret on his face.

"Beauty is often short-lived, and I, Song, am deeply saddened by this."

Su San looked at him calmly.

"Fellow Daoist, are you truly not going to release Zixuan?"

The young master raised an eyebrow and put down his teacup.

"I saw Zixuan's body with my own eyes. She's dead, so how can you say she was released?"

Su San didn't respond, but continued talking.

"Fellow Daoist Song, before you refuse, why don't you listen to the conditions I offer before making a decision?"

"If you are willing to let Zixuan go back, I am willing to offer twenty Qingling Pills and a high-grade magic weapon."