Chapter 649 Whatever my wife sets her sights on, I’ll take.

“What do you plan to do?” Huang Rong asked.

“Wait and see. Let’s first observe what the other party does,” Yu Xian said nonchalantly.

Huang Rong nodded. Now that they were aware of the other party’s character and had taken precautions, if Sun Dian dared to harbor malicious intent, it would be the perfect opportunity to subdue him and take over the Refining Artifact Pavilion smoothly.

At that time, relying on the Refining Artifact Pavilion’s intelligence network and resource channels spanning the Demon Cultivation Sea, finding the whereabouts of Real Person Zhang would become much easier.

Even if Sun Dian was sensible and willing to submit, they could still control the operations of the Refining Artifact Pavilion through him, making it work for them.

In short, regardless of whether the other party was friend or foe, today’s events would be a crucial step for them to establish a foothold in the Demon Cultivation Sea.

Although Yu Xian usually appeared indifferent and careless, when matters involved core interests and key strategies, his mind was astonishingly meticulous, with every step harboring deep significance.

From releasing his Soul Transformation Stage pressure upon entering Qilin City to deter petty criminals, to deliberately displaying the Top-Grade Spirit Stones in the Refining Artifact Pavilion to lure Sun Dian out, and further to having already discerned the opponent’s greedy nature and distribution of forces—the interlocking plan had long unfolded in his mind.

Once the four Ladies understood everything, their gazes toward Yu Xian now held a bit more admiration. This seemingly casual man actually possessed the wisdom to strategize and the courage to control the overall situation.

Just then, the shopkeeper returned, bringing with him an elder at the Soul Transformation Middle Stage.

The elder had a gaunt face, white hair and beard, and a long beard reaching his chest. His posture was upright, not stooped, and his body was constantly surrounded by a faint aura of Fire Spiritual Qi. He possessed a refined temperament and an easygoing demeanor, resembling a benevolent Artifact Refining Great Master.

Clearly, that person was the head of the Refining Artifact Pavilion, Sun Dian.

After entering, Sun Dian maintained an amiable welcoming appearance, but his gaze subtly swept over the mountain of Spirit Treasures piled in the private room and the Top-Grade Spirit Stone Yu Xian was playing with, a faint glint flashing deep within his eyes.

He first cupped his hands toward Yu Xian in a salute, his voice gentle yet carrying a calculated intimacy: “I am Sun Dian. I heard distinguished guests were visiting, so I came specially to pay my respects. May I ask what Fellow Daoist is called?”

“Yu Xian,” Yu Xian replied faintly.

“So it is Fellow Daoist Yu. The shopkeeper mentioned that you were not entirely satisfied with the Spirit Treasures in the pavilion. I wonder what kind of Spirit Treasures Fellow Daoist desires?” Sun Dian asked, his eyes holding a hint of probing.

Sun Dian’s tone seemed peaceful, but it concealed a test, as he wanted to extract more information about Yu Xian’s identity and needs from his words.

“Bring out all the Spirit Treasures you have. Whatever my Ladies take a fancy to, I shall have,” Yu Xian acted like a wealthy fool throwing money around.

Upon hearing this, Sun Dian secretly rejoiced, but on the surface, he maintained his gentle smile: “Fellow Daoist Yu is joking. Although my Refining Artifact Pavilion has some assets, we dare not claim to possess all Spirit Treasures. However, since Fellow Daoist is so straightforward, this old man will boldly present a few of our hidden treasures to see if they might catch the eyes of your esteemed Ladies.”

With that, he took out an ancient wooden box from his Storage Pouch and carefully opened it. Inside lay a Jade Slip entirely emerald green, emitting a rich Wood-element Spiritual Qi.

“This is the Incomplete Manual of the Myriad Wood Spring Awakening Art. Although it is incomplete, it can still draw upon the Wood Spiritual Power between heaven and earth, which is greatly beneficial for auxiliary Cultivation.”

Afterward, he took out a dark gold staff. The staff body was carved with mysterious runes, and its top was inlaid with a pigeon-egg-sized black crystal.

“This is the Prison Suppressing Staff, refined by mixing Nine Nether Profound Iron with Earth Core Magnetic Stone. It can suppress the Divine Soul and possesses extraordinary power.”

While introducing them, Sun Dian secretly observed the expressions of Yu Xian and the four Ladies, attempting to capture their preferences and weaknesses.

Ning Zhongze and the others looked at the two items, knowing Yu Xian’s intentions, and deliberately appeared uninterested. This was meant to prompt Sun Dian to bring out more Spirit Treasures, creating an opportunity for him to draw them into his scheme.

Seeing the Ladies’ reaction, Sun Dian couldn’t help but feel a bit anxious. He had expected these two treasures to make them see things in a new light, but unexpectedly, the Ladies remained so calm.

He took a deep breath and took out another brocade box from his Storage Pouch, which shimmered with five-colored rays of light. Upon opening it, there was a palm-sized tortoise shell covered in ancient patterns, faintly circulating spiritual light.

“This is the Profound Turtle Deduction Shell, containing a trace of Heavenly Mystery. It can assist a Cultivator in deducing flaws in a Cultivation Technique or avoiding misfortune while seeking fortune. Although it cannot accurately predict the future, it can provide considerable guidance.”

He pushed the brocade box toward the Ladies, a hint of expectation in his eyes, hoping this Deduction Shell would move them.

“Not very good. It seems the Refining Artifact Pavilion doesn’t have many good things. Husband, perhaps we should just leave,” Huang Rong clearly also didn’t take a liking to it, appearing somewhat impatient.

As soon as Sun Dian heard they were leaving, the smile on his face instantly became stiff. How could he let such a big spender walk away just like that?

So, he quickly stepped forward and said with a hint of urgency: “Madam, wait! Madam, wait! In the back vault of our pavilion, there are still some Spirit Treasures. If you Ladies do not mind, you can come with me to take a look.”

Hearing there was a vault, Huang Rong’s eyes lit up, and she looked toward Yu Xian and the others, seemingly consulting their opinions.

“Pavilion Master Sun, that’s not right. If there are Spirit Treasures in the vault, you should have said so earlier,” Yu Xian said, feigning anger.

“It is my fault. I shall invite you all to the vault immediately. As long as the Ladies take a liking to anything, this old man will give the lowest discount. What does Fellow Daoist think?” Sun Dian said with a fawning smile.

“Whether there’s a discount or not doesn’t matter; the main thing is whether the Ladies like it. I’m not short of a few Spirit Stones,” Yu Xian casually took out another Top-Grade Spirit Stone and played with it between his fingers. His wealthy and imposing manner made the greed in Sun Dian’s eyes grow even stronger.

“If that is the case, please follow me then,” Sun Dian made a gesture inviting them first.

Yu Xian and Ning Zhongze exchanged glances, tacitly understanding each other. They all rose, preparing to follow Sun Dian to the back pavilion.

Sun Dian led them through a corridor to a heavily guarded stone chamber. He personally deactivated three Restrictions before pushing the door open and entering.

Inside the vault, various Spirit Treasures were piled high, ranging from low-grade Magical Artifacts to mid-grade Treasure Artifacts. There were even several High Grade Spirit Treasures emitting powerful auras, quietly floating on jade platforms.

Sun Dian pointed at the treasures and said with a hint of pride: “These are the accumulated treasures of the Refining Artifact Pavilion throughout the ages. Ordinary Cultivators would find it hard even to see them. Today, I invite you all to choose freely.”

“Since you say so, we won’t be polite!” Yu Xian said, leading the four Ladies forward, intending to select items.

However, as soon as they walked a few steps inside, they felt formation patterns light up beneath their feet, and an invisible Restriction instantly enveloped the entire stone chamber.

Yu Xian and the others were directly trapped within the formation.

The gentle smile on Sun Dian’s face abruptly vanished, replaced by a chilling ruthlessness.

He suddenly retreated a few steps, rapidly formed hand seals, and said: “Fellow Daoist Yu Xian, I heard you possess quite a few Top-Grade Spirit Stones, and presumably, quite a few Spirit Treasures as well. Hand them over obediently! Otherwise… This is the Soul Locking Demon Trapping Formation meticulously arranged by the ancestors of my Refining Artifact Pavilion. Even if you are at the Soul Transformation Stage, you won’t easily break free!”