Chapter 242
Wang Yu said, "Do this. I will help Formation Master Long breach the Serpent Mansion. After you take the inheritance you need, we will evenly split the remaining spirit items. I also want the feng shui techniques that the formation master holds."
As he spoke, Long Yiran still frowned, but she restrained herself and waited for Wang Yu to finish.
"I possess the location of an ancient sect ruin that specializes in soul path cultivation, the Ancient Heavenly Soul Sect. You help me locate it, and I will complete the inheritance for you. Any spirit items obtained from the ruin will also be evenly split."
"Furthermore, Formation Master Long may choose one Heavenly Soul Sect inheritance. I will personally teach it to you as payment for the feng shui techniques. How does that sound?"
After he finished speaking, Long Yiran remained silent. Because her own inheritance was extraordinary and because she also practiced the soul path, she had some recognition of the Ancient Heavenly Soul Sect.
This sect had been one of the hegemonic forces wiped out during the Ancient Blood Demon Chaos. The mountain gate ruins would certainly contain multiple soul path Nascent Soul level inheritances, and might even involve Spirit Transformation level teachings, with countless methods.
Its value far exceeded the Serpent Mansion, and similarly the danger would far exceed that of the Serpent Mansion. Here she felt she had a strong grasp, but if she went to the Heavenly Soul Sect ruins...
For a solitary cultivator who had worked hard and struggled to advance, this would be an opportunity difficult to refuse. She had to consider whether this was the only chance in her life.
Wang Yu saw her hesitation, and he did not rush her.
Bringing Long Yiran along was the result of his careful thought. The Heavenly Formation Master inheritance was vague, while the Earth Formation Master was precisely the founder of feng shui and geomancy. In this area, there must be many powerful methods. The Heavenly Soul Sect ruin would not be his last site to explore. It was better to learn a set of feng shui techniques early. In the future when searching other ancient sites, he could not always rely on finding an earth formation master to help.
It is better to rely on oneself. In addition, the Ancient Heavenly Soul Sect ruins were fraught with danger, just like asking him that he had to breach the ruined mountain gate of the Blood Reversal Sect. Having another person proficient in formations by his side would be safer.
After thinking for a while, Long Yiran suddenly spoke.
"How can I be sure you are telling the truth?"
"Simple."
Wang Yu proposed cooperation because he trusted the judgment of Long Yiran's heart-mind force, and because she did not have the manner of a Crimson Kite Demonic cultivator. She rather resembled a Taihu region cultivator.
It was odd, since they had entered the Demon Bone Forest. Even the elder from the Ruan family showed some traits of Taihu cultivators, though they were clearly in the territory of Crimson Kite cultivators.
"Nether River Contract?"
"Correct."
Before departure, he had made many preparations to ensure everything went smoothly. This Nether River Contract was something he had obtained from Zuo Qiuming, not many in number, only a stack.
When traveling there are inevitably problems that cannot be solved by dueling techniques. After drafting the treaty, Long Yiran carefully inspected it several times and only relaxed after formally signing.
Besides the transaction that Wang Yu had just proposed, the treaty also stipulated that the two of them must not harbor any thoughts of harming each other, with the time clause set after they left the Ten Thousand Demon Bone Forest.
During the cooperation period they could not conceal any information concerning the cave dwellings or the ruins, which laid a foundation of trust.
"Fellow Daoist Wang, where did you get this Nether River Contract? It is costly, and rare among solitary cultivators," Long Yiran said with some curiosity.
Wang Yu casually fabricated an answer, "Naturally I took it from those second generation heirs. Let us first discuss the Serpent Mansion matter, and while we are at it take me to have a look."
"Very well."
The path to the Serpent Mansion had long been opened by Long Yiran. Wang Yu, as the later arrival, followed her steps and entered a passage.
In less than the time it takes for three incense sticks to burn, they arrived at a more vast underground space. This place had been repaired and resembled a rectangular plaza.
It was covered in bronze and formed in a peculiar pattern like the character for abundance. Only the central straight line was walkable. On either side lay square pools, with green mist drifting above them.
Long Yiran explained, "There are anti-air formations hidden deep inside this bronze. Spirit perception cannot penetrate, and it is difficult to observe or break them. Fellow Daoist Wang, do not recklessly levitate."
"Understood."
When they truly walked along the middle path, Wang Yu discovered that the pools on both sides were filled with serpent eggs about one to two meters high.
"This is where the Serpent Mansion gets its name. The formation master here was also skilled in beast taming and puppet techniques, and used them to set formations."
"These are the eggs of the ancient beast Earth-Murk Great Serpent. Time has ruined them into dead eggs, which is a pity, but it also caused the turbid poison grand formation on this plaza to fail."
"I see."
Long Yiran explained as she led the way. After moving further along, they reached the end of the square plaza where a massive bronze gate hundreds of meters high appeared.
One side was carved with mountains, rivers, grass and trees. The other side was carved with birds, beasts, insects and fish. In the center was a giant pattern of a snake head hissing.
"Fellow Daoist Wang, from what I know, when the ancient predecessor set the Serpent Mansion, it was meant to select an outstanding successor. His strength must have reached the Nascent Soul stage."
"Over the course of more than ten thousand years, much of the placement should have dissipated its power. The danger should be around the Core Formation stage. Are you really going to enter with me?"
"Of course. Since we came all this way, it would be a pity not to go in and investigate."
"Very well."
Long Yiran nodded. She had asked out of courtesy. The contract had already been signed, so of course Wang Yu would not choose to stay outside.
"When I break the formation, Fellow Daoist Wang, you may then use your methods."
"Agreed, begin."
Wang Yu had only a shallow understanding of formation techniques. As for why he was still so confident… it was simple: he had money. Wealth could solve most problems.
As Long Yiran moved, the hand seals she formed turned into formation marks, embedding themselves into various nodes on the bronze gate. She followed the layout left by the owner of the cave dwelling.
By using a method passed down from the same lineage, she walked the righteous path of properly breaking the formation. However, this required her comprehension of formation arts to reach a sufficient level before she could succeed.
This was also why she had remained here for several years.