Chapter 294: No Merchant Without Schemes

“You’ve got some guts,” Leng Yue suddenly said from behind Chen Fei.

Chen Fei turned around with a grin and shrugged.

“Sister Leng Yue, surely as a core disciple of Sky Vault Holy Land, I’m allowed at least this much leeway?

Besides, I only promised to let Tiandu Merchant Guild become one of the suppliers—not an exclusive contract.”

Leng Yue gave him a long look.

“You’re really sly, aren’t you?”

Chen Fei chuckled.

“There’s a saying—’There’s no merchant without trickery.’

Besides, this deal is mutually beneficial.

You’ve been in the Holy Land too long, Sister. You probably don’t realize what the words ‘Holy Land’ mean to outsiders.”

He shook his head slightly.

If not for Su Ran, he wouldn’t have made it into the Holy Land. And had he heard someone drop that name before—Sky Vault Holy Land—he would have offered his help without hesitation.

To any second-rate merchant clan, this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to ascend the heavens.

Leng Yue had no interest in understanding such underhanded logic and didn’t ask further.

“That hundred-year Heavenshade Wine was quite good,” she commented suddenly.

Chen Fei smiled.

“No worries. Others might not be able to get it, but I definitely can.”

Leng Yue gave a small nod and entered her room.

Chen Fei also returned to his own.

Though their relationship had advanced significantly, they both returned to separate rooms—an unspoken mutual understanding.

After all the intense battles they had recently endured, even high-level cultivators like them needed rest, and sleep remained one of the most efficient ways to recover their mental energy.

Chen Fei had a good night’s sleep, and when he woke up the next morning, Sun Wangchun was already waiting outside.

When Chen Fei opened the door, Sun Wangchun stepped in briskly.

“Sir Chen, here’s what you asked for!”

His eyes were bloodshot—it was obvious he hadn’t slept all night. But the documents he presented had been carefully organized and annotated.

Chen Fei nodded.

“You’ve worked hard, Young Master.”

He took the stack without hesitation.

At first glance, the records seemed chaotic—purchases, movements, contacts.

But when viewed with context and intent, a pattern began to emerge.

For example, the items the Blood Cloud Sect had been buying… while varied, most were foundational components used for breaking formations.

Sun Wangchun had even marked the relevant ones for easier deduction.

Chen Fei nodded in satisfaction.

His hunch had been right.

The Blood Cloud Sect hadn’t moved from Yellow Mist City to the Menghuo border for no reason—they were preparing for a secret realm.

Whether it was the Blood Burial Secret Realm or not, he couldn’t be sure yet.

But one thing was clear:

While other evil sects were expanding aggressively, Blood Cloud Sect had become abnormally quiet, almost like they wanted to be forgotten.

That could only mean they were after something much bigger.

“Things are getting more and more interesting,” Chen Fei said, placing the documents back on the table.

He then looked at Sun Wangchun with a smile.

“You’ve done well. Now, remember—you were never here today. Understood?”

Sun Wangchun paused for a moment before catching on, cupped his hands, and responded respectfully:

“Thank you, Saint Chen.”

Clearly, he had done some research overnight and now knew exactly who Chen Fei was.

Chen Fei didn’t mind.

In fact, he gave Sun Wangchun a token before he left.

“Take this to Tianxin Pavilion outside Sky Vault Holy Land. Ask for Gong Tianshou.”

Sun Wangchun said nothing more and accepted the token.

Before leaving, he grinned and handed Chen Fei a storage ring filled with bottles of century-old Heavenshade Wine—a little gift.

Chen Fei didn’t refuse.

After he left, Leng Yue came in.

“What exactly are you planning?” she asked curiously.

Sometimes she had to admit—Chen Fei’s mind worked in ways she couldn’t predict.

Chen Fei smiled.

“Sister Leng Yue, tell me—why do you think the Blood Cloud Sect is being so low-key right now?”

Leng Yue raised a brow.

“Trying to get rich quietly?”

Chen Fei nodded.

“That’s what I think too.

It’s obvious that they’ve been preparing for this for a long time.

But with all the pursuers we have, if we just accidentally stumbled upon their secret plans…”

He didn’t need to finish. Leng Yue understood instantly.

With their strength—especially with Leng Yue now at the Human King Realm—they could handle any situation short of facing an actual Demon Lord. Even then, they could delay or retreat safely.

Once Chen Fei realized what Blood Cloud Sect was up to at the border, he’d changed his entire plan.

If they wanted to grow in secret and quietly claim a fortune, he wasn’t going to let them.

Let the hounds tear at each other—a no-cost, high-gain chaos?

Chen Fei wouldn’t pass that up.

“Then let’s go with your plan,” Leng Yue said, raising her head to look at him.

Hearing his explanation had made her interested as well.

Meanwhile…

The group tracking Chen Fei, led by Peach Blossom Fairy and White Lotus, continued their pursuit.

Their immense presence made others instinctively avoid them as they passed.

“Strange,” Peach Blossom muttered.

“Ever since entering Heavenshade City, Chen Fei hasn’t left even once.”

She frowned in confusion.

If Chen Fei had escaped the desert, wouldn’t he head straight back to Sky Vault Holy Land?

Why linger here of all places? Was he hiding in plain sight?

Clearly, she wasn’t the only one thinking this.

“Typical Sky Vault arrogance,” White Lotus sneered.

“Want me to soul-search someone and locate him?”

Peach Blossom shook her head.

“He knows nothing about us being here yet.

Let’s not spook the prey just yet.”

Remembering how slippery Chen Fei had been in the past, everyone nodded in agreement.

This might be their best chance to capture him in one strike.

What none of them knew was that Chen Fei had long since discovered the tampering on his command flag.

And though they’d disguised themselves well, his spiritual sense now covered the entire city.

To Chen Fei, they were like torches in the dark—blindingly obvious.

“Now that everyone’s arrived, it’s time for the real show to begin.”

Chen Fei smiled and turned toward Leng Yue.

This time, she raised her hand first.

“Let’s go.”

Chen Fei immediately placed her inside the Violet Pure Palace, then leapt down from the second floor—his figure dashing straight toward the Menghuo border.

Meanwhile, Peach Blossom suddenly looked up, eyes narrowing.

“He found us! Move! After him!”

Though the others hesitated, she had already darted out, chasing in the same direction Chen Fei had taken.

Sensing the incoming auras behind him, Chen Fei grinned.

“Showtime.

Let’s see if the Blood Cloud Sect is ready for the feast I’ve prepared for them.”