Chapter 6: A Rival’s Righteous Assistance

The Cultivation World is abundant in resources. In the chaotic times of the past, cultivators often obtained resources through contention—acts like killing for treasure, robbery, and theft were widespread. The environment back then could be described in four words: the strong prey on the weak.

Later, as major sects and factions rose to prominence, they formed the Immortal Alliance to protect their interests and shield their younger, weaker disciples.

Thus, the laws of the Cultivation World were established, rendering all such acts illegal. The legitimate way to acquire resources became purchasing.

Merchant guilds emerged in response. Currently, the four most renowned guilds in the Cultivation World are Wantong, Xing Xiao, Jinxiu, and Yunshui.

Among them, Wantong and Xing Xiao are long-established guilds with years of history and enduring reputations. They primarily focus on offline sales, boasting stable channels and clientele.

In contrast, Jinxiu and Yunshui are guilds that have risen to fame only in recent years. Leveraging the Glazed Mirror Spirit Network, they quickly captured the market with their innovative online sales approach.

The four major guilds stand in a four-way stalemate. On the surface, they refer to each other as friendly rivals, appearing cordial and amicable, but behind the scenes, they frequently scheme against one another.

Watching Yunshui Merchant Guild sink into dire straits, the other guilds could hardly contain their laughter. They eagerly awaited the spectacle, ready to kick them while they were down and take a share of the spoils.

“First Boss, something terrible has happened. Just now, Xiao Wu’s subordinates uncovered some bad news.”

Third Boss of Wantong Merchant Guild rushed in anxiously. First Boss, who had been leisurely sipping tea, shot him a sidelong glance. “Sit down, Third. I’ve told you to stay composed. Remaining unflustered in the face of trouble is the hallmark of our Wantong Merchant Guild. Now, what’s the matter?”

Third Boss wiped the sweat from his forehead. “They say Yunshui Merchant Guild’s leader has identified the true culprit behind the case and has secretly dispatched people to locate their hidden lair.”

First Boss furrowed his brows. “Second Boss has been stationed at Beiyuan all along. Today, he personally witnessed the Immortal Alliance taking away someone from Yunshui’s headquarters.”

Tsking, First Boss set down his cup. “It seems that woman is quite composed, not even going to Beiyuan herself but merely sending others to handle it.”

Third Boss grew anxious. “First Boss, if Yunshui catches the culprit and rescues the missing people, won’t their suspicions be cleared?”

“Don’t panic. First, verify whether the news is true.”

First Boss beckoned his subordinates, who scattered to investigate. After some probing, they only obtained one useless piece of information: Yunshui Merchant Guild showed no unusual activity and was conducting business as usual.

Third Boss scratched his head. “No news—does that mean it’s false?”

“On the contrary, the calmer it seems, the more likely there’s a ghost behind it.”

First Boss pointed to a seemingly insignificant transaction in the report delivered by his subordinate. “Demonic Beast Hide Material. Hunting demon beasts naturally requires manpower. At this critical juncture, with so many eyes watching, that old woman naturally wouldn’t dare act openly.”

Third Boss sighed. “But what can we do even if we know? If the true culprit isn’t Yunshui Merchant Guild, once this news is revealed and they clear their name, they’ll come back to compete with us for resources.”

First Boss chuckled, stroking his beard with a sinister gleam in his eyes. “Not necessarily. If we record footage of Yunshui Merchant Guild’s people together with the true culprit and release it…”

Third Boss suddenly understood: “By then, even the suppliers who are temporarily holding back now won’t be able to resist breaking contracts with the Yunshui Merchant Guild. The Immortal Alliance’s investigation will take at least ten days to half a month. By the time the Immortal Alliance uncovers the truth, it will already be too late—the Yunshui Merchant Guild’s reputation will be thoroughly ruined, and nothing they do will be able to turn things around.”

First Boss waved his hand: “Third Brother, arrange for people to carry this out immediately, but be discreet.”

“Yes.”

Third Boss accepted the order and withdrew, leaving the luxurious restaurant. Using the Jade Token given by First Boss, he gathered a team of operatives in a dark alley.

His subordinates dispersed to carry out their tasks, leaving the alley empty.

Third Boss’s back suddenly relaxed, and he leaned against the wall, clutching his abdomen as he slowly slid down.

After crouching for a while, he pulled a yellow Talisman from his sleeve, attached it to himself, and transformed into a different appearance before heading toward another restaurant.

…

“This place is set up with a Spirit-Suppressing Array, and combined with the traces they just discovered…”

The female cultivator in pink turned to look at the gentle young man. “Brother, Fellow Daoist Sang Biao’s guidance was correct. This Grotto-Abode is indeed where the criminals were hiding the missing female cultivators.”

“However, it seems to be only a part of it, not the ones the Immortal Alliance is focusing on. And we arrived too late—they’ve already relocated.”

Sang Biao stood elegantly on the shoulder of an Immortal Alliance disciple, licking his claws as he surveyed the area. “Which disciple was doubting me, Sang Biao, just now?”

Xu Baishen crouched down, picking up a pinch of pink soil with his fingertips. “Xiao Xuan, you should return and report the situation to the Immortal Alliance.”

Xu Xuan waved the Glazed Mirror in her hand. “Can’t we just report it over the Spirit Network? Why go back in person? You just don’t want to take me along!”

Xu Baishen sighed helplessly. “Xiao Xuan, this case is serious, not a game. Although we don’t know why the criminals are taking these female cultivators, all the missing ones, whether from Yaochi or other factions, are young female cultivators like you.”

Xu Xuan knew her brother was worried about her safety and pouted. “Fine, I’ll go back. But next time, you have to take me along, Brother!”

“Don’t rush off just yet.”

Seeing them about to leave, Sang Biao flicked his tail and quickly spoke up. “I still have important information!”

Xu Xuan stopped in her tracks, her eyes lighting up.

“When I was asleep, I overheard those people talking. They said tonight, tonight…”

He thought for a long time but couldn’t remember, so he scratched his ear and pulled out a small piece of paper, unfolding it once, twice, three times.

Xu Xuan: “…Fellow Daoist Sang Biao, what is this cheat sheet?”

Sang Biao replied calmly, “Can’t I have a bad memory?”

“They arranged to meet here at 7:15 tonight.”

Xu Xuan calculated the time and was delighted. “That’s just a quarter of an hour from now! They relocated in such a hurry—they might not have had time to pass on the message yet.”

She immediately had some of the Immortal Alliance disciples disguise themselves and stay inside the Grotto-Abode, while the others laid in ambush, hiding around the area and waiting.

When the time came, they indeed saw a group of people concealing their presence, sneaking around in the distance to check on the Grotto-Abode.

Just as the Immortal Alliance disciples were about to move in and capture them, they noticed traces of another group approaching. Xu Xuan was stunned… Were there two groups coming to meet? Never mind, capture them all.

Sang Biao stood on the head of an Immortal Alliance disciple, using his claws to adjust the latest model of the Glazed Mirror hanging around his neck, aiming it in the direction of the two groups and adjusting the lens.

Soon, both groups of suspicious individuals were apprehended. Upon searching them, jade tokens were found on the leaders—these people turned out to be from the Wantong Merchant Guild and the Xing Xiao Merchant Guild.

Xu Xuan frowned. “I never expected that besides the Yunshui Merchant Guild, you two guilds are also birds of a feather!”

The members of both guilds were utterly bewildered by this turn of events and hurriedly denied the accusations. “How could that be, Immortal? We have nothing to do with the Yunshui Merchant Guild!”

Xu Xuan’s words were sharp. “Then why are you here? This place is the hideout where the criminals have been hiding the missing female cultivators.”

The two guilds found themselves at a loss for words. How could they possibly be the criminals? Yet they couldn’t admit they had come here to kick someone while they were down and frame the Yunshui Merchant Guild… If word got out, their guilds’ reputations would be ruined!

They had no choice but to grit their teeth and swallow their grievances, stubbornly insisting they were merely passing by and dryly denying any collusion with the criminals.

Xu Xuan snorted coldly and produced silver handcuffs. “Tell it to my handcuffs!”

…

#Shocking! The Wantong and Xing Xiao Merchant Guilds Are Actually This Heinous!#

#Exposing the Dark Truth of Established Merchant Guilds#

#The Yaochi Fairy Actually Fell Victim to These People’s Cruelty!#

Late at night, a recording suddenly went viral on the Spirit Network. The content showed the Immortal Alliance ambushing a human trafficking scene and arresting members of the two merchant guilds on the spot.

It turned out that the masterminds behind the recent Yaochi disappearance cases were actually these two established merchant guilds!

Previously, the accusations against the Yunshui Merchant Guild were only rumors without concrete evidence. But for these two guilds, there was solid video evidence. Given the Immortal Alliance’s credibility, everyone who saw the recording believed it without a doubt.

For a time, the uproar was immense. A large number of suppliers came to terminate their contracts with the guilds, and for the moment, no one paid attention to the Yunshui Merchant Guild anymore. Countless cultivators boycotted the two guilds, banging on their doors to return goods.

The two guilds didn’t even dare to open their doors.

When the First Boss of the Wantong Merchant Guild found the Third Boss, he was sound asleep at home.

How could he not realize by now that he had been set up? He was grinding his teeth in frustration, scrambling to deal with this mess.

The Glazed Mirror chimed twice. He picked it up to look.

Yunshui Merchant Guild: 【Thank you, fellow guild, for your righteous assistance.】

Yunshui Merchant Guild: 【(Smiley face/.)】

The Glazed Mirror cracked with a snap.

That cunning, deceitful old woman!!

…

The Most Handsome Sang Biao in the Entire Cultivation World: 【The Glazed Mirror is so fun. I posted a photo, and lots of little female cats are chatting with me, hehe. I’ll return it to you after I play a bit more.】

Sang Ying leaned against the wall: 【No need to return it. This is your reward. You worked hard tonight.】

“Hey, which department are you from? Still slacking off here? The external experts invited by the Immortal Alliance are about to arrive. The department head said to hurry and receive them,” a female cultivator said urgently.

“Alright, I’m coming right away.”

Sang Ying, wearing the face of a delicate-looking girl, held the Glazed Mirror and smiled shyly. “It’s been a while since I contacted my family. They kept asking me all sorts of questions.”

The female cultivator sighed sympathetically and patted her shoulder. “You look so young. Just joined the Immortal Alliance, right? There’s a long road ahead of this kind of life. You’ll get used to it slowly.”

Sang Ying gave a soft hum. “Who are the external experts invited by the Immortal Alliance?”

“I’m not sure, but I heard they’re from the Wu Wen Sect. They have quite a reputation.”

Sang Ying understood. People from the Wu Wen Sect—that would be Xu Baishen and Xu Xuan, whom Sang Biao had encountered. The Grand Elder’s son and daughter indeed had quite a reputation.

Upon arriving at the location, the main figures had yet to appear. Junior disciples like them were merely brought along to bolster the sect’s presence, standing far back in the outer hall while the leaders waited inside the inner hall.

The female cultivator and Sang Ying stood in a corner, completely lost in the sea of people.

Bored, the female cultivator struck up a conversation with Sang Ying. “I have a friend in the Intelligence Division who privately told me that the Immortal Alliance is taking this disappearance case so seriously because the missing individuals are of unusual status.”

The female cultivator leaned in and whispered, “The successor Saintess of Yaochi, and the daughters of the heads of the Four Great Families.”

Sang Ying feigned surprise to match the female cultivator’s tone, though she had already anticipated this. The disappearance of a few Yaochi fairies alone wouldn’t have caused such a commotion.

She voiced her confusion, “If that’s the case, why aren’t these factions investigating on their own and instead seeking help from the Immortal Alliance?”

The female cultivator glanced around and lowered her voice further. “I heard from a friend involved in the search at Beiyuan that this case is related to demons. The trail suggests those female cultivators were actually transported to the Demon Realm.”

Sang Ying immediately understood. Due to some historical issues, relations between the Demon Realm and the Cultivation World were extremely poor, even hostile, with occasional skirmishes still breaking out along the borders.

If these families were to send large numbers of people into the Demon Realm to investigate… one could easily imagine the chaos that would ensue.

Sang Ying paused abruptly. If that were the case, disciples of the Immortal Alliance were still human cultivators. Entering the Demon Realm would make them targets, hunted and unable to move freely.

Then why involve the Immortal Alliance, and even call in external aid from the Wu Wen Sect?

Demons… wait!

Suddenly realizing something, Sang Ying’s heart tightened, praying it wasn’t too late to leave. “I just remembered something urgent, I need to step away for a moment…”

A pale blue sword light descended at the entrance of the Immortal Alliance’s outer hall.

The surrounding Immortal Alliance disciples erupted into murmurs, the atmosphere growing restless.

“He’s here, he’s here!”

“Am I seeing this right? It’s actually the Qingyu Sword Lord!”

Sang Ying: “…”