Chapter 78: No Bargain Struck

However, Qian Ye felt that someone was indeed hiding in that direction, though they were concealing themselves so masterfully that even his True Vision Eye had lost its effect. For a long time, Qian Ye had never encountered such a situation. The True Vision Eye would only fail or be detected when facing a Heavenly King or an equally formidable powerhouse.

Qian Ye’s brows furrowed slightly, and just as he was about to carefully search, he sensed something and turned around.

There stood Li Kuanglan, accompanied by a middle-aged man with a few streaks of frost at his temples.

Li Kuanglan said, “This is the steward of Luo Bingfeng, and he insists on meeting you, so I brought him here.”

The middle-aged man stepped forward and bowed, “I am Luo Yun, currently the steward of the City Lord’s mansion.”

Qian Ye sized up Luo Yun without any hesitation, using his True Vision Eye. Luo Yun accepted it calmly, showing no anger or attempt to hide. This made Qian Ye feel somewhat uncomfortable, and the blue hue in his eyes faded as he said, “At this moment, there seems to be nothing to discuss between us, unless you are willing to release my companion.”

Luo Yun replied, “The matter of releasing your companion is not within my authority, so I cannot give an answer. I came here to exchange for your cultivation method of the Dawnlight Activation.”

“There is no need to discuss that. The answer is no.”

Luo Yun continued, “Please do not reject immediately. I have brought two cultivation methods, and you can take a look at them before making a decision.”

Qian Ye nodded and took the two ancient-looking wooden boxes offered by Luo Yun. He opened one and found a book with a bright golden cover, titled *Scarlet Gold Morning*. As he flipped through the pages, Qian Ye sensed a pure and powerful source energy, causing his own source energy to stir and resonate. Unintentionally, a scarlet-golden flame of source energy ignited at his fingertips.

The source energy flame flickered and disappeared, but Luo Yun had already seen it, and he sighed, “Mr. Qian Ye, you truly are a genius. To refine your source energy to such a degree, your future is limitless, limitless indeed!”

Qian Ye smiled faintly and said, “Since you know my future is limitless, then quickly release Zining. Otherwise, if anything happens to Zining, I will leave and return ten years later. When I come back, this city will no longer exist.”

Luo Yun remained calm and composed, “That is not within my authority. Please finish reading these two cultivation methods first, and we can discuss further.”

Qian Ye opened the bright gold scroll and read a few pages, finding the content to be extremely exquisite. The method of refining source energy was particularly ingenious, even surpassing the Song family’s ancient scrolls. The refinement method described in the Scroll of Brilliance seemed crude in comparison, producing purer Dawnsource energy solely through more forceful means.

It was like forging steel; even the most skilled blacksmith, with limited strength, could only produce steel of limited quality. But a true powerhouse with immense strength could forge better steel with just a few random strikes. It wasn’t about technique but rather the sheer force applied.

If the Scroll of Brilliance were to be used alone, the pressure generated would be unbearable for ordinary humans, and that was still with the constraint of the Scroll of Mystery. Without the Scroll of Mystery, Qian Ye’s body would not be able to withstand the pressure and would likely explode.

Thus, this *Scarlet Gold Morning* was, in truth, more valuable than the Song family’s ancient scrolls. The reason its effects were inferior was due to Qian Ye’s extraordinary constitution.

After flipping through about ten pages, Qian Ye guessed, “This is the cultivation method practiced by the City Lord’s wife, isn’t it?”

Luo Yun admitted, “Yes, it is…the Lady’s cultivation method. Mr. Qian Ye, your insight is commendable.”

Qian Ye gave Luo Yun a thoughtful look, noting that he had deliberately omitted the term “City Lord” before “wife,” suggesting there was more to the story.

Qian Ye did not continue reading but put the scroll back in the box. He then opened the second box, which contained a deep blue ancient scroll named *Clear Insight into the Turbid World*. This scroll focused on spiritual powers and other aspects, clearly detailing the terrifying gaze attack technique of Luo Bingfeng.

*Clear Insight into the Turbid World* was also extremely advanced, cleverly utilizing many methods of divination to deliver lethal strikes from afar. To cultivate this method, one needed a high level of innate talent in divination, and it seemed tailor-made for Song Zining.

Qian Ye only read a small portion before closing the book and returning it to Luo Yun, saying, “Aren’t you afraid I’ll take these two ancient scrolls and leave?”

Luo Yun remained unperturbed, “If you were that kind of person, you wouldn’t risk your life for your brother.”

Luo Yun understood Qian Ye well, and Qian Ye sighed, “You may go now. No exchange. Next time we meet, I will act.”

Luo Yun became anxious, gritting his teeth, “How about this? If you agree to the exchange, I will let you have both cultivation methods.”

Such generous terms made Li Kuanglan’s eyes light up. The *Clear Insight into the Turbid World* could be combined with various cultivation methods, such as those suited for the Li family. Though Li Kuanglan had not yet studied it, he possessed the necessary talent and could quickly pick it up.

The *Scarlet Gold Morning* was a primary cultivation method, capable of reaching the Dawnlight Activation, which was rare and not inferior to the main secret teachings of the Four Valves.

These two cultivation methods alone were enough to support a high-ranking family. By offering two for one, Luo Bingfeng showed genuine sincerity.

However, Qian Ye still shook his head, firmly stating, “No exchange. The next time we meet, we will be enemies.”

“Why?” Even Li Kuanglan couldn’t help but ask.

“I do not trade with those who captured my brother.” Qian Ye’s words left no room for further persuasion.

“Very well, then I will take my leave. I hope you will show mercy to the common people, as they pose no threat to you.”

Qian Ye snorted, “If they want to live, they should stay inside the city. You drive out cannon fodder to set a trap, and expect me to show mercy? That’s a joke! Whoever dares to step outside, better be prepared to die.”

Luo Yun sighed and left.

After Luo Yun departed, Li Kuanglan remarked, “Not even willing to exchange. You really care for Song Qi.”

Qian Ye remained silent, taking out Bury Heart and carefully examining it before heading towards the direction of Tidesound City.

“Do you need to be so relentless?”

“If I don’t, I fear Zining will be in danger.”

Li Kuanglan sighed inwardly, watching Qian Ye disappear into the distance.

At that moment, Rui Xiang and Du Yuan stood atop a small hill, surveying the landscape. Both were true powerhouses, moving slowly but covering great distances. They had already searched a radius of dozens of kilometers and were preparing to expand their search further.

Rui Xiang, though seemingly relaxed, periodically scanned the surroundings to guard against ambushes. Du Yuan, on the other hand, was meticulously observing each direction.

“We might not catch Qian Ye this way,” Rui Xiang complained.

Du Yuan replied, “Even if we can’t find him, he will come to us. Let him make the first move.”

Rui Xiang huffed, “If he makes the first move, one of us will fall.”

“Then the other will have the chance to capture or kill him.”

“Most likely, the one to fall will be me! What a cunning plan!” Rui Xiang did not hold back. In truth, the forced departure had already caused a rift between them.

Du Yuan merely grunted, offering no further response.

Rui Xiang felt anxious, knowing that Qian Ye would likely choose him. If he couldn’t block that shot, even if Du Yuan killed Qian Ye afterward, what use would it be? Rui Xiang would be dead. At best, he might survive but be severely injured, affecting his potential for advancement, perhaps even losing the chance to become a general. None of these outcomes were acceptable.

He subconsciously rubbed the ring on his finger, showing his pain. If absolutely necessary, he would have to use this life-saving treasure.

As his thoughts wandered, Rui Xiang suddenly felt a suffocating pressure in his chest. Alarmed, he realized he was being targeted, with a clear sign of danger!

At this moment, who else but Qian Ye?

Without hesitation, Rui Xiang drew his long sword, and a mist of black and white energy quickly spread, forming a protective net around him, concealing his form.

Du Yuan also sensed something, raising his eyebrows and drawing the massive square shield from his back, setting it on the ground, and scanning the surroundings with sharp eyes.

Indeed, Qian Ye’s target was Rui Xiang. However, sensing the lock-on but not knowing its source indicated that Qian Ye was still far away.

After a long wait, Qian Ye’s shot did not come, but the feeling of being locked on persisted. Within moments, Rui Xiang was sweating, while Du Yuan remained vigilant, the shield’s glow flickering, never interrupting the source energy protection.

Rui Xiang suddenly realized Qian Ye’s intention and cursed, “Wicked brat!”

From such a distance, Qian Ye could have aimed without being detected and locked on only at the moment of firing. This was a technique even third- or fourth-level snipers would use, with the difference being the duration of the lock-on.

Qian Ye, having proven himself a master in sniping, could lock on at the instant of firing, leaving no time for a reaction. Yet, he deliberately made Rui Xiang feel the lock-on, clearly intending to drain his source energy.

But Qian Ye’s shot was too fast and powerful, and even from a kilometer away, Rui Xiang had a small chance of being hit if he was careless. Thus, even knowing Qian Ye’s intent, Rui Xiang had to remain on high alert, continuously depleting his source energy.

The same was true for Du Yuan, who also maintained constant vigilance and sustained source energy protection.

The top priority now was to locate Qian Ye, even just to determine the general direction, to break free from this passive situation.