If it were before, Gu Xiu might have felt somewhat troubled.

But now, possessing the Three-Body Mask… in just the blink of an eye, he had already walked past his two pursuers in a completely different guise.

In his heart, he couldn’t help but marvel at the power of this mask.

To be honest, Gu Xiu had known about that ancient temple in the Heaven-Leveling Mountains ever since that dream where a single glance spanned ten thousand years.

However, he had never coveted it.

He knew that the ancient temple was not something his current self could breach. He also knew that the Three-Body Mask was a supreme treasure of the West Desert’s Buddhist Sect. To silently take it without entangling oneself in Buddhist karma was impossible.

This was an opportunity Gu Xiu knew of but could not obtain.

He never expected that relying on the Green Bamboo Rod, he had actually managed to secure this item so silently. He hadn’t even incurred a shred of Buddhist karma.

Arriving at a deserted spot, Gu Xiu restored his original appearance and strolled toward the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion. He had earned quite a few spirit stones this time, so naturally, he needed to restock on cultivation resources. Besides that, he planned to gather some information.

As expected, upon arriving at the pavilion, Gu Xiu noticed that Cheng Fushou was already reporting the earlier events to Su Rumei. Due to his special status, no one stopped him, so he moved closer to listen.

“This subordinate tested that person multiple times, but he remained tight-lipped,” Cheng Fushou reported. “The only thing known is that the person likely represents a faction with considerable numbers; otherwise, it would be impossible to produce such a large quantity of talismans!”

“Although it’s unclear if the Homage of Ten Thousand Rhymes is related to that group, it’s highly likely there is a connection. At the very least, they must possess some secrets unknown to us!”

“…”

Watching Cheng Fushou’s confident analysis, Gu Xiu silently agreed. After greeting Su Rumei, he prepared to leave without eavesdropping further.

However, Su Rumei suddenly asked, “Fellow Daoist Feng, how did yesterday’s talisman crafting go?”

“My talent in the talisman path is limited; I probably need to take it slow,” Gu Xiu replied, shaking his head with feigned regret.

Su Rumei seemed doubtful but ultimately did not press him. She merely offered words of comfort, saying everyone had their own expertise. She told Gu Xiu that if he lacked anything, he could come to the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion anytime. She even offered to arrange for a master to explain the basics of the talisman path if he was interested.

To this, Gu Xiu simply nodded in thanks. afterward, he returned directly to his Listening-to-Rain Pavilion.

Time to cultivate in peace!

Over the next two days, Gu Xiu immersed himself in cultivation, though he kept an ear out for news.

The rumor that the target of the Homage of Ten Thousand Rhymes was in Cloud Firmament City had eventually attracted attention. Although only a minority believed it, for most sects and factions, it was better to investigate than to miss out.

Within two days, a large number of unfamiliar faces began pouring into the city. The most immediate change was the deterioration of public order.

Almost daily, there were incidents of settling old scores, causing disturbances, fights, and even murders on the streets. It was said that the City Lord was alarmed and personally took action once to intimidate a group of ill-intentioned external forces.

Xiaohe described the event vividly, claiming that the immensely powerful City Lord had merely slapped his hand and killed a group of experts with a single blow. At the same time, she told Gu Xiu that many people remained in the city, unwilling to give up until they uncovered the truth behind the Homage of Ten Thousand Rhymes.

Regarding this, Gu Xiu wasn’t tense at all. After all, they were looking for the supreme being of the Homage of Ten Thousand Rhymes; what did that have to do with him, Feng Bugui?

However, while Gu Xiu buried himself in cultivation, things were getting worrisome over at the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion.

Especially for Cheng Fushou, who made trips to that tavern several times a day, hoping for members of that mysterious faction to appear again.

There was no other way. The effects of Gu Xiu’s batch of Perfect Dao Talismans were simply too powerful!

Initially, when they were put up for sale, some rogue cultivators complained about the high price. But after the first person actually tried one, they were astonished. They immediately returned with a crowd to snap them up.

It caused quite a stir. In just two hours, all seven thousand of Gu Xiu’s talismans had been completely sold out!

This excited Cheng Fushou immensely; he hoped every day to see that person again and place another order.

Pity… five days passed with no results.

On this day, returning dejectedly to the pavilion, he ran into Su Rumei at the entrance. “Still haven’t found anyone?”

“Reporting to Manager Su… no…”

“What’s going on? Could it be that group has left?”

“This subordinate doesn’t know either,” Cheng Fushou sighed. “But presumably it’s because there are too many people coming to Cloud Firmament City to gather information; they don’t want to be discovered.”

Su Rumei frowned. She understood the reasoning. Based on their analysis, she was almost certain: those people in the shadows were definitely related to the Homage of Ten Thousand Rhymes. With such intense scrutiny, it was normal for them to lay low.

But…

“Headquarters has sent word: The Azure Mystic Sacred Land has recently increased their talisman production, but for a short period, they can only supply their own use.”

“Other major merchant houses have heard the news and are intervening in our cooperation with other sects. Our situation is very precarious. If our talisman supply continues to struggle…”

“Then next… our Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion might not only lose talismans as our ‘knock-on-the-door brick,’ but it could trigger a chain reaction affecting the entire pavilion!”

This was bad news.

No one expected the previously dominant Azure Mystic Sacred Land to perform so poorly. It truly troubled their partner, the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion.

Su Rumei’s expression was grim as she pondered. Finally, she spoke.

“We can wait for those in the shadows… but we cannot afford to wait any longer ourselves! If they are unwilling to show themselves… then we have no choice but to burn our boats!”

Burn their boats?

The pavilion staff looked puzzled until Su Rumei continued. “Arrange for someone to send out a message.”

“What message?”

“Say… our Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion has mastered a secret method for enhancing first-grade Perfect Dao Talismans! From now on, our stock of Dao-grade talismans will greatly increase!”

What???

Hearing this, everyone looked bewildered.

With all these heroes gathered in Cloud Firmament City, releasing such news would deliberately attract attention and invite suspicion!

What was Su Rumei planning?

“This Manager Su is indeed clever!”

“This is showing determination.”

“Using this method… she is telling me…”

“That the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion will keep secrets tightly sealed… and will not betray allies.”

The next day, upon hearing the news, Gu Xiu understood Su Rumei’s intention immediately.

It must be said, Su Rumei possessed great courage. At least based on current observations, the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion seemed trustworthy.

Since they showed such resolve, Gu Xiu stopped hesitating.

Early that morning, he went out and found Cheng Fushou, who was wandering around the restaurant area as usual.

This time, however, Gu Xiu wore a different face.

As expected, upon hearing from a new representative of the “mysterious faction,” Cheng Fushou was pleasantly surprised.

This faction capable of triggering the Homage of Ten Thousand Rhymes indeed had numerous members!

Cheng Fushou conveyed a message: For each talisman provided, the price would increase by three spirit stones. From ten per piece to thirteen.

Gu Xiu didn’t refuse.

After all, his Dantian Qi Sea was vast like a gold-devouring beast; he naturally wouldn’t mind more spirit stones.

He didn’t say much, simply handing over eight hundred talismans and taking away the massive amount of materials Cheng Fushou always carried.

Cheng Fushou repeatedly invited him to visit the pavilion for a detailed discussion, but Gu Xiu refused.

Trust was built step by step.

Using the Three-Body Mask to contact the pavilion was precisely to test their stance regarding the Homage of Ten Thousand Rhymes. Currently, he still planned to observe further.

But it seemed the pavilion was sincere. Not only had they raised the purchase price, but when leaving the tavern this time, he wasn’t followed.

Just…

While walking back, pondering how to craft without triggering the homage and how to fully open sales channels for his talismans…

A familiar call suddenly came from behind.

“Junior Brother!”

The voice was extremely familiar, causing him to instinctively frown.

He turned to look back.

Standing not far behind were two familiar figures…