Tian Si had originally intended to make things difficult for Xiao Fei, but upon seeing his honest display of weakness, his eyes flickered, and his expression softened slightly.
"So, you have come for this. This matter is somewhat difficult, and I will need to discuss it with the other Ancestors within the sect before I can agree.
Please, the two of you, stay at the Black Blade Sect for a few days. Once I have persuaded the other Ancestors, I will discuss it with you."
The two had no other choice and could only agree to stay at the Black Blade Sect and await news.
Tian Si arranged for the two to stay in one of the cave dwellings within the Black Blade Sect.
The cave dwelling was quite large, with many vacant rooms inside, so the two did not feel crowded.
After settling them in, Tian Si did not reappear. Instead, he sent people to deliver food and other necessities daily.
The two did not dare to casually consume anything from the Black Blade Sect. Fortunately, they had brought all their daily necessities with them.
Another ten-odd days passed before Tian Si reappeared. This time, he was accompanied by two other Nascent Soul cultivators.
According to the intelligence, the Black Blade Sect only had three Nascent Soul cultivators in total, and all of them had appeared today.
For the transaction of an immature Moonflower Grass, this seemed like a slightly excessive display of force.
Xiao Fei instinctively felt that something was amiss and subtly moved closer to Huang Feifei.
"Fellow Daoists, after deliberation, I can agree to trade a Moonflower Grass with you."
Tian Si continued to scrutinize Huang Feifei with his triangular eyes, as if his gaze could reach out and touch her, making both Xiao Fei and Huang Feifei extremely uncomfortable.
"However, the price of the transaction must satisfy me."
"May I ask what is required to satisfy Senior?" Xiao Fei cupped his hands, stepped in front of Huang Feifei, and blocked Tian Si's line of sight.
"My condition is very simple: leave her here as my Dao companion, and I will give you a Moonflower Grass!"
As Tian Si spoke, a lewd smile already appeared on his face.
Xiao Fei could hardly comprehend it. Tian Si was at least several hundred or even a thousand years old, yet his mind was still filled with women. His mental fortitude was even inferior to many Golden Core cultivators.
He did not know that, generally, cultivators at the Golden Core stage possessed the most stable mindset.
Cultivators at this stage had lived for hundreds of years and experienced enough to remain unfazed by external matters, handling everything with composure.
However, upon reaching the Nascent Soul stage, their mindset underwent significant changes.
One reason was that cultivators who reached this realm were almost at the very pinnacle of the cultivation world.
After enduring hardship for hundreds or thousands of years, they could finally indulge themselves and reveal their suppressed true natures.
Perhaps someone who appeared very upright and abstinent in the past would become a debauched fiend once they reached the Nascent Soul stage and indulged themselves.
Another reason was that upon cultivating to the Nascent Soul stage, one would return to simplicity and reveal their true nature.
Only by successfully navigating this phase did one have a slight chance of achieving the Soul Transformation stage.
At this moment, Tian Si held a small clump of his beard between three fingers, looking quite pleased with himself, awaiting Xiao Fei and Huang Feifei's reply.
"This is absolutely impossible! I request that Senior name another condition!
I can offer a thousand-year-old spiritual medicine equivalent to the Moonflower Grass in exchange. If Senior truly lacks sincerity, I shall take my leave!"
After speaking, Xiao Fei took Huang Feifei's hand and made a gesture as if to leave.
"Hahaha... What do you think this place is? A place you can come and go as you please?"
Tian Si threw his head back and laughed, his demeanor exceedingly proud and arrogant.
Concurrently, the other two Nascent Soul cultivators moved to surround the pair.
The three Nascent Soul cultivators of the Black Blade Sect formed a triangular formation, encircling Xiao Fei and Huang Feifei.
"Kid! It's no longer up to you!"
Tian Si continued to stare at Huang Feifei with his triangular eyes, his gaze shifting restlessly over her.
This caused Huang Feifei to break out in goosebumps. She eventually used a spell to create a mist around herself to block Tian Si's gaze.
"I am not an unreasonable person who engages in forced buying and selling. I will give you an opportunity now: leave her here, and you can take the Moonflower Grass and scram. Never set foot in the Black Blade Sect again!"
After threatening Xiao Fei, Tian Si turned his attention back to Huang Feifei.
"Fairy Huang, as a Nascent Soul cultivator, there is no need for you to be loyal to such a brat. Why not follow me? I will absolutely not mistreat you.
As long as you agree to be mine, I will let your pretty boy leave the Black Blade Sect safely, and I will even give you a Moonflower Grass as a bonus.
If you refuse, do not blame me for being ruthless. I will have to kill this thief in front of you first."
As Tian Si spoke, the three Nascent Soul cultivators had already conjured their magical treasures and aimed them at the pair, showing every indication of attacking if words failed.
Simultaneously, many array runes suddenly lit up within the cave dwelling. It turned out that this cave dwelling was equipped with a cage array specifically designed to trap people.
"Within this cage array, you have no chance of escaping. Consider carefully, do not trifle with your lives."
Just as Tian Si was preparing more words and intending to continue his persuasion and threats.
Xiao Fei and Huang Feifei nodded in unison and said,
"I agree!"
Both of them were very decisive and without hesitation.
There was no "You go first," "I won't go," "Don't worry about me!" or "We leave together, or we die together!"
Such phrases, more suited to this scenario, were not uttered by either of them. The indifference of human nature was truly at this level.
Even the three Nascent Soul cultivators of the Black Blade Sect could not help but shake their heads inwardly.
"I agree. Please give me the Moonflower Grass, Senior. I shall depart immediately and never disturb you again."
Xiao Fei said calmly.
Tian Si looked at Xiao Fei with some astonishment, then turned to Huang Feifei.
"Since resistance is futile, I also agree. Please honor your promise, produce the Moonflower Grass, and let me leave safely!"
"Good! Good! Good! Those who know the times are wise heroes! You two are quick-witted and indeed heroic figures."
Tian Si no longer hesitated. He immediately produced a fresh Moonflower Grass and threw it in front of Xiao Fei. Xiao Fei snatched it up and stored it in his spatial artifact.
"Esteemed Seniors, I bid farewell!"
Xiao Fei bowed and strode towards the exit, completely ignoring Huang Feifei, who was surrounded by the three Nascent Soul cultivators. He did not even look back.
The three watched in stunned silence as Xiao Fei walked out of the gate with such潇洒, waving his hand as if he had not disturbed a single speck of dust.