21: Two people on the list

“Ding Yu, you will continue to be in charge of recording Talismans and Spirit Stones into the treasury, as well as collecting membership fees.”

Li Yu then looked at a thin, middle-aged man with a two-pronged mustache.

Ding Yu, Chang Wei’s former head steward, was the one who abandoned the dark and turned to the light, informing Li Yu that Chang Wei’s Cultivation had gone awry.

He later assisted Li Yu in quickly consolidating the power Chang Wei had delegated.

This gave Li Yu a head start in the upcoming competition for the position of Alliance Leader.

However, a person like Ding Yu, who betrayed his master for personal gain, would not normally be heavily relied upon by Li Yu.

But after all, Ding Yu had rendered 'Dragon-following Merit,' and Li Yu couldn't leave himself open to accusations of discarding a tool after use.

Therefore, reactivating Ding Yu at this moment made Li Yu appear to be a wise leader with a broad mind, capable of utilizing talented individuals.

Ding Yu hadn't expected Li Yu to reuse him and thanked him repeatedly with such excitement that he nearly knelt.

The others also showed envious and jealous gazes, knowing that the membership fees Ding Yu was responsible for were the most lucrative task.

After all, how much was collected in membership fees was up to him, wasn't it?

“Chang Wei previously gave me a list. You are to collect according to it; don't miss a single one.

Also, some might have been missed before; remember to make sure they all pay their membership fees.”

“Yes, Alliance Leader, no one will slip through the net!”

Ding Yu quickly assured him.

He then remembered something and said to Li Yu.

“Alliance Leader, some people below have reported that recently, some Talisman Masters have been privately selling Talismans at the Loose Cultivator trade fair.”

Li Yu frowned slightly upon hearing this.

How could this be allowed?

More than half of these membership fees would go into his pocket, and he would feel pain if even a single coin was missing.

These people who severely disrupted the market truly deserved to die.

“Who exactly are they? Have you investigated?”

“The investigation is not yet clear. Currently, we only know a few: Loose Cultivator Talisman Masters Cao Lin, Li Rui, and Ge Hong.

Oh, and there’s also someone named ‘Wu Daoren’ who has recently risen to fame.

However, it is said that he is a Demonic Cultivator and has even killed two Early Stage Qi Refinement Loose Cultivators.”

Li Yu waved his hand, his face full of disdain.

“I haven't heard of any Wu Daoren, and what kind of Demonic Cultivator only targets Early Stage Qi Refinement Cultivators to kill? It's probably a rumor.

No matter who they are, not a single cent that should be handed over is to be missed. You can bring some Guest Elders from the alliance with you. If they don't listen, you know what to do!”

“Don't worry, Alliance Leader!”

Ding Yu didn't take this matter to heart; these Loose Cultivators were the softest.

...

...

Inside the Cultivation chamber.

Lu Ming’s flesh and bones squirmed for a while, transforming him from a handsome young man into a short, fat middle-aged man.

After repeating the transformation several times, Lu Ming finally stopped and returned to his original appearance.

“Wonderful! The ‘Muscle-Shifting Bone-Shrinking Technique’ combined with the ‘Blood Burning Secret Technique’ is simply perfect. Now, when I go out, I won't have to worry about my identity being exposed!”

Lu Ming thought to himself, feeling pleased.

However, he looked at the golden book and saw that the names of [Chang Yun] and [Huang Quan] had disappeared.

He sighed with a touch of melancholy.

Two more good brothers gone!

People nowadays are truly fragile; they can't even endure mere pain. They are not fit for important tasks!

But this also reminded Lu Ming that it was time to recruit new people, preferably Late-Stage Qi Refinement Cultivators.

Even Middle Stage Qi Refinement Cultivators couldn't withstand his Cultivation now.

Just as he was thinking this, the golden book underwent a change.

Two names gradually appeared.

[Li Yu] [Ding Yu]

“……”

Words become reality?

Where did these Late-Stage Qi Refinement Cultivators come from?

Looking at the names listed alongside Chang Wei, Lu Ming fell into contemplation.

“Li Yu… Ah, I remember now!”

A few days ago, Zhang Li sent him a message, telling him to pay attention to the internal changes within the Talisman Cultivator Alliance, and he had gone to investigate.

One of the two Vice Alliance Leaders was named Li Yu.

But who was this Ding Yu?

Lu Ming hadn't heard of him, but since both appeared on the list simultaneously, they were probably both from the Talisman Cultivator Alliance.

As for the reason they appeared on the list, Lu Ming had two guesses: either it was aimed at Loose Cultivator Talisman Masters, and he was merely caught in the crossfire, or it was specifically aimed at him personally.

But it definitely wouldn't be his true identity, but rather his 'Wu Daoren' identity.

“It seems I've been noticed after all.”

However, Lu Ming didn't care in the slightest. What Wu Daoren did had nothing to do with Lu Ming.

He was just an honest and dutiful child.

Lu Ming closed the golden book, got up, and walked out of the Cultivation chamber. Looking at the high-hanging bright moon, he smiled.

“Welcome aboard!”

He no longer thought about these matters. This month's black market was about to open, so he wouldn't Cultivate for the last few days. He planned to relax properly.

“Speaking of which, ever since Transmigration, I've been living like an ascetic monk. I haven't properly enjoyed myself. This body still seems to be a virgin's body, how embarrassing!”

He still didn't know what the taste of Fairy Zi Ze was like.

Lu Ming pondered finding a time to check, and he also wondered if the golden book could transfer the negative effects caused by the loss of vital essence.

After all, Dual Cultivation was also Cultivation, right?

However, since he was going to the black market soon, it was better to conserve his energy.

He needed to prepare what needed to be prepared.

...

...

Three days later.

Outside the Green Bamboo Market, Qingyue Lake.

At this moment, the moon was high in the sky.

Lu Ming looked at the bridge on the lake ahead, his expression slightly expectant.

Following Zhang Li's guidance, he arrived at the edge of Qingyue Lake, outside the Green Bamboo Market, to wait for the guide.

Though referred to as the 'outskirts,' it was actually quite far, about ten li or so from the Green Bamboo Market.

At first, Lu Ming thought he had gone to the wrong place. He wondered when there was a lake outside the market.

He hadn't realized that the Cultivation world had no concept of precise geographical distance.

Ten li was considered 'relatively close,' dozens to a hundred li was 'not far,' and hundreds to a thousand li was 'relatively far.'

However, after some searching, he did find a huge lake.

A faint mist hung over the lake, obscuring the distant scenery.

At this time, he wore a bamboo hat and a black robe. His figure under the black robe was robust and tall, and his face had also been adjusted.

His aura had changed after activating the Blood Burning Secret Technique.

After waiting for a moment, he saw a black-awning boat slowly approaching him.

As it got closer, he saw that there was only an old man poling the boat.

“May the ephemeral journey of Immortals cross myriad paths.”

The old man said in a hoarse voice.

Lu Ming knew this was the black market's secret code and replied without hesitation.

“As insignificant as a grain in the vast ocean.”

“Do you have proof?”

Lu Ming flipped his right hand, and a black token appeared. He then tossed it to the old man.

The old man glanced at it, nodded, confirmed it, and returned the token, gesturing for Lu Ming to board the boat.

At this time, there were also several black-clad figures on the boat, maintaining a certain distance from each other and remaining silent.

Lu Ming's appearance did not attract their attention. He also remained silent, waiting quietly like the others.

After another three incense sticks of time, several more people boarded the boat.

Only then did the old man pole the bamboo, allowing the black-awning boat to drift away under the moonlight, heading towards the bridge under Qingyue Lake.

A layer of thin mist gradually rose, and the surrounding environment began to change, with various lively and noisy sounds assailing them.

Lu Ming noticed that they were now sailing on a canal, with pavilions and towers on both sides, all kinds of shops selling Cultivation items, and Cultivators entering and exiting them.

“We've arrived.”

At this moment, the old man's voice came.

Lu Ming disembarked, his feet landing on the bluestone steps by the riverbank.

Looking around, the black market seemed to be located on a lake island.

“Is a Formation concealing the lake island…?”

He guessed that the black market must be inextricably linked to the Murong family. How could others be allowed to snore beside their bed? It wouldn't dare to establish itself without their permission.

Lu Ming thought to himself, his figure already blending into the crowd as he walked towards a street.