Chapter 864: Chapter 864

When the snipe and the clam struggle, it is the fisherman who profits!

Whoever strikes first will benefit the force that strikes later.

"Excuse me, are you Young Master Wang Yang?"

Just as Wang Yang and his companions were strolling within Qinghua City, a woman suddenly appeared, blocking their path, and inquired.

"Yes! May I know what business you have, miss?"

"Huaying invites you to a gathering at the sect!"

Upon seeing Wang Yang acknowledge, the woman got straight to the point. Cao Man and Muxue exchanged glances and both showed a wary look, ready to step forward to dissuade Wang Yang.

Wang Yang waved his hand and nodded with a smile, "Please lead the way, miss!"

"This way, Young Master!"

Wang Yang picked up Lingyu and turned to Cao Man and Muxue, instructing, "Wait for me outside Qinghua City. If you find someone tailing you, don’t act rashly. Just pretend you don’t know. Also, take the main roads. If you encounter danger, leave immediately, do not linger in battle!"

Cao Man and Muxue nodded in unison. After all, this was the territory of the Nine Swords Sect and the Huaying Sect. If a fight dragged on, their reinforcements would arrive first, inevitably leading to a protracted and difficult battle.

With Cao Man’s cultivation level and Muxue’s Lingyin Technique, it would be almost impossible for anyone to stop them from leaving.

To kill a Semi-Saint and a contemporary Lingyin would require a hefty price that neither the Nine Swords Sect nor the Huaying Sect could afford!

Within a mansion in the eastern district of Qinghua City, the woman led Wang Yang to the door and then withdrew.

Wang Yang smiled, brought Lingyu along, and walked in. Lingyu was handed to him personally by Liu Wen. Although Cao Man and Muxue’s behavior along the way showed no disloyalty, Wang Yang could still not trust anyone completely.

This was not a matter of trust, but of promise.

Wang Yang had made a promise, and he would fulfill it!

"Young Master, please come to the inner hall for a chat!"

Upon entering the mansion, Wang Yang heard Huaying’s voice. He didn’t mind the lack of a guide as he made his way to the inner hall on his own.

In the inner hall, a banquet table had long been prepared. Huaying sat at the head, and upon seeing Wang Yang, she slowly stood up, showing respect.

Her gaze flickered with a trace of surprise when she saw Lingyu, but it quickly vanished.

"Please have a seat, Young Master!"

Wang Yang did not stand on ceremony. He immediately sat down with Lingyu, gently patted her head, and leaned in to speak softly.

"Brother needs to discuss some matters. You can eat as you like!"

Lingyu nodded obediently. Wang Yang smiled, then lifted his head to look at Huaying before him, somewhat surprised.

Before him, Huaying donned a tight long robe, with a countenance as youthful as an eighteen-year-old maiden, captivating and unforgettable at first glance.

"Young Master, the disciples of my sect may have offended you in the past. Huaying apologizes here and now!"

Seeing Wang Yang settle Lingyu, Huaying got straight to the point, lifted her wine cup, and first offered her apology.

"Huaying, you speak too seriously!"

As the host offered a toast, Wang Yang naturally followed. However, he was somewhat surprised by Huaying’s initial apologetic stance, which appeared to seek reconciliation.

"Young Master, please!"

Huaying raised her cup and drank it all in one go. Wang Yang followed closely, waiting for what Huaying had to say next.

"Young Master, you have drunk the wine, signifying that our past grudges are cleared. Today, I have only one request to ask of you!"

"Please speak, Huaying!"

Wang Yang knew that drinking this cup symbolized resolving any past grievances with Huaying Sect, but that wasn’t important. What mattered was Huaying’s request!

"Could you give me a drop of Essence Blood from the Dragon Clan bloodline within you?"

"Well, please give me a reasonable reason, Huaying!"

Wang Yang spoke unhurriedly. A drop of essence blood might not hold much significance to others, but it was different for Huaying Sect.

The Huaying Sect, inherited from the ancient Divine Beast lineage, was an expert in beast taming. A drop of essence blood might establish a connection with the Blood Centipede.

"Rest assured, Young Master, I hold no ill will. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be sitting here peacefully discussing with you. As for the reason, you may freely state a condition!"

"The Huaying Sect has a rich heritage, surely possessing True Dragon essence blood. I don’t understand why you are so fixated on the Dragon Clan bloodline within me!"

"Young Master, you might not know, although my sect has lots of essence blood from the Demon Race’s Divine Beasts and some from the Dragon Clan, the bloodline within you is different!"

"Oh? How is it different?"

Upon hearing this, Wang Yang became interested, intentionally bringing up the topic to gauge the truthfulness in Huaying’s words.

"The Dragon Clan bloodline within you carries an aura and fate that do not belong to this world. How could it compare with the Dragon Clan blood of this world?"

As Huaying finished her words, a killing intent flashed in Wang Yang’s eyes. He couldn’t help recalling Liu Wen’s storytelling in the True Dragon City tavern back then.

Huaying had, within the relic, trapped Lingyin and Xiang Zhen with an Ancient Divine Beast Formation and obtained the Book of celestial Dao!

It seemed Huaying must have gleaned some celestial Dao Origin Force and secrets from the celestial Dao Scripture.

"Huaying, you do know quite a bit!"

Wang Yang did not comment, merely making a light remark. But Huaying knew that this meant rejection.

"Young Master is wise. While traversing the Western Region, including the journey to Youdu Mountain Range, the road will not be smooth and will be fraught with danger. You will surely need Huaying’s assistance. Would you consider it?"

"I understand your concerns, Young Master. I swear by the name of Huaying that I will never use the Dragon Clan Essence Blood for any schemes. Moreover, since the Dragon Clan bloodline with you is bound by a Soul Blood Contract, you will know immediately if I try anything!"

"Huaying is not foolish enough to make an enemy of someone skilled in the Zhou Tian Bagua Technique!"

Huaying spoke slowly, as if she had anticipated this. Wang Yang smiled, revealing that Huaying had indeed done her homework and knew him well!

"Empty words won’t suffice!"

Upon seeing Wang Yang yield, Huaying smiled, snapped her fingers, and a token emerged in the void, appearing before Wang Yang.

On the front of the token was a blooming flower, vividly colorful like hundreds of flowers, with the character ’影’ (Ying) etched on the back.

"This token is the Huaying Order of Huaying Sect, only the current Huaying is qualified to possess it. Wherever the Huaying Order goes, Huaying Sect disciples will obey!"

"You can use this Huaying Order to exchange for a promise from me in the future!"

"Alright, this trade is certainly worthwhile!"

With such sincerity from Huaying, Wang Yang naturally wouldn’t refuse. He put away the Huaying Order, and with a thought, a drop of Blood Centipede Essence Blood flew out from his brow, landing in Huaying’s hands.

Since Wang Yang had the Soul Blood Contract with the Blood Centipede, he would know immediately if there were any issues. Hence, he had no fear of Huaying’s possible tricks.

The Yin Yang Seal Technique is not only the pinnacle in this world but also in the primordial great world; it is unbreakable by anyone.

"By holding the Huaying Order, you are a friend of the Huaying Sect. If the Huaying Sect faces difficulties in the future, I hope you will assist us, Young Master!"

Receiving the essence blood, Huaying felt delighted and spoke with a smile. Hearing this, Wang Yang felt a headache. What seemed like a profitable trade had become quite balanced with just a word from Huaying.

"Huaying truly knows how to bargain!"

Wang Yang smiled wryly but agreed. Seeing Lingyu almost done eating, he stood, picked her up, and spoke with a smile.

"Thank you for your hospitality today, Huaying. I hope we meet again in the future!"

"Farewell, Young Master!"

Wang Yang nodded and left with Lingyu. Just after he left, the silhouettes of the Four Great Flower Maidens led by Xia He appeared from a room on the side of the inner hall.

"Huaying, is that drop of essence blood really worth giving out the Huaying Order?"

Chun Liu complained, clearly unsatisfied with Wang Yang receiving the Huaying Order.

"This Huaying Order was not exchanged merely for that drop of essence blood, but to gain Wang Yang’s friendship. Remember this, all four of you. Wang Yang can only be befriended, never antagonized!"

"Otherwise, don’t blame me for not protecting you!"