Had it been someone else, this attempt to lure them with benefits would very likely have succeeded.
For an ordinary Golden Core True Monarch.
The reward from a Nascent Soul High Sect like the First Sun Sect would certainly be extremely generous.
Therefore, even if they sensed something was amiss, they might harbor some wishful thinking and choose to remain here in Biyue Prefecture City.
Unfortunately, He Song had absolutely no interest in such temptations of benefit.
As for that kind of wishful thinking, He Song wouldn't entertain it from beginning to end.
Continuing to stay in Biyue Prefecture City would pose a huge threat to He Song's life and safety.
Rather than risk staying here and waiting for the yet-unseen reward from the First Sun Sect, it was better to leave early.
This way, he could also ensure his own greater safety.
Moreover, if He Song wanted to leave, with his current Mid-stage Golden Core cultivation base, no one in Biyue Prefecture City could stop him.
Under these circumstances, this message, far from making He Song consider staying,
instead instantly solidified his intention to leave this place immediately.
Although his speculation might not be the truth.
But after just a little thought, He Song decided to trust his intuition.
This Biyue Prefecture City.
He could no longer stay here.
Perhaps, after seeing that he hadn't responded for so long, those five Golden Core True Monarchs would come directly to his door and force the issue.
At that time...
However, just as these thoughts flashed through He Song's mind and he had decided to quickly leave Biyue Prefecture City.
Hearing He Song's words, Meng Guan and Wei Fan, standing before him, looked at each other in dismay.
He Song hadn't hidden the letter from them when he read it.
Therefore, they had also seen its contents.
Regarding the letter's contents, they naturally understood it thoroughly, just as He Song did.
If he didn't leave quickly, He Song would likely be trapped here and forcibly dragged into this conflict.
After receiving this message.
Had they been in He Song's position, they probably would have instantly decided to turn and leave as well.
Naturally, upon hearing He Song say this and seeing him quickly start packing things in his residence, the two merely exchanged glances but did not try to stop him.
They were Elders of the First Sun Sect.
At least, for now, the two of them were still Elders of the First Sun Sect.
As Elders of the First Sun Sect, logically speaking, they should prioritize the sect's interests.
If He Song were kept here, the defensive strength of Biyue Prefecture City would naturally be significantly enhanced.
If they were added to the mix, perhaps Biyue Prefecture City could indeed be defended.
Once the First Sun Sect's reinforcements arrived, the crisis here would naturally be resolved instantly.
At that time, whether it was Meng Guan, Wei Fan, or even He Song, all would likely receive rewards from the First Sun Sect.
This reward would definitely be substantial.
Meng Guan and Wei Fan were both First Sun Sect Elders, and He Song was their friend, one of their own people.
The benefits involved went without saying.
After all, Meng Guan and Wei Fan were already First Sun Sect Elders; resisting the enemy alongside their friend might even become an admirable story.
But...
Ever since seeing the letter He Song had just received.
Both Meng Guan and Wei Fan tacitly suppressed this idea, no longer thinking about how to defend this place.
Instead, a strong killing intent now burned in both their hearts.
This killing intent was not directed at others, but solely at the five Golden Core True Monarchs in Biyue Prefecture City.
The act of discarding someone after they've served their purpose.
The two had seen it many times.
Perhaps the two of them had even done such things themselves.
But upon seeing their own friend treated this way, anger instantly flared up in the hearts of both Meng Guan and Wei Fan.
At this moment, if not for their status as First Sun Sect Elders and the fact that the five combined were truly powerful.
The two would likely have already dragged He Song along and stormed their doors.
Unfortunately, although the three of them—He Song, Meng Guan, and Wei Fan—were currently strong, the opposing side had a full five Golden Core True Monarchs.
At a numerical disadvantage, acting rashly would likely yield no benefits and would also expose themselves.
Realizing that even if they forced the issue, it wouldn't lead to any positive outcome, Meng Guan and Wei Fan decided to endure it for the time being.
They decided to settle the score with those five secretly in the future.
However, their previous thought of revealing themselves to join in and help the five Golden Core True Monarchs defend the Prefecture City completely vanished at this moment.
Right now, Meng Guan and Wei Fan even wished that several of these five Golden Core True Monarchs in the Prefecture City would die in the subsequent events.
That way, when they sought revenge in the future, the resistance they faced would be smaller.
Taking advantage of the moment while He Song was packing.
Meng Guan and Wei Fan exchanged a look and then secretly communicated via voice transmission.
In the end, they decided to leave together with He Song.
This Biyue Prefecture City.
Whoever wants to defend it can defend it.
The two of them wouldn't be joining in.
They just wondered how many of those five Golden Core True Monarchs would manage to survive this ordeal.
With this thought, Meng Guan and Wei Fan quickly concealed their cultivation auras along with He Song and swiftly departed from He Song's residence.
As the three left silently, they quickly headed out of Biyue Prefecture City.
Consequently, Biyue Prefecture City was now short three Golden Core True Monarchs.
Outside Biyue Prefecture City.
Several hundred li away from Biyue Prefecture City.
Having concealed their auras, the trio of He Song, Meng Guan, and Wei Fan, who had left Biyue Prefecture City, soon arrived here.
This place was a full several hundred li away from Biyue Prefecture City.
At such a great distance, the three no longer needed to worry about being detected by those Golden Core True Monarchs within Biyue Prefecture City.
Naturally, upon arriving here, He Song and the others halted their steps.
"Fellow Daoists, after this parting, I wonder when we shall meet again."
"I am leaving Biyue Prefecture City this time, and I expect I won't return for a very long time."
"After all, you both saw the previous letter."
"If any of those Golden Core True Monarchs are still here when I return, they will likely come looking for trouble with me."
"Thus, when I do return here in the future, who knows how long it will be."
"If you two Fellow Daoists need to find me in the future, please send me a message first, and we can arrange a place to meet."
"Thanks to the help of you two Fellow Daoists this time, I was able to achieve my wish. Thank you both very much."
Now that they were far from Biyue Prefecture City, the time for parting had naturally arrived.
At the moment of parting, He Song spoke earnestly, bidding farewell to Meng Guan and Wei Fan.
At the same time, he thanked them for their help on this occasion.
This time, He Song had obtained four Cultivator Golden Cores, a truly immense harvest.
If Meng Guan and Wei Fan hadn't come here, He Song definitely wouldn't have had such gains.
Expressing thanks upon parting was, naturally, necessary.
However, just after He Song said his farewells and thanked them, a trace of awkwardness flashed across the faces of both Meng Guan and Wei Fan.
"Fellow Daoist, please don't say such things. If Brother Wei and I obtain more Cultivator Golden Cores later, we will definitely send them to you."
"At that time, I hope Fellow Daoist absolutely does not try to exchange treasures for them again."
"The treasures Fellow Daoist gave us this time are already enough for Brother Wei and me to use for a long time."
"If we send Golden Cores to Fellow Daoist next time, please accept them directly. This is a token of Brother Wei's and my sentiment; I hope Fellow Daoist absolutely does not refuse."
"Regarding future Cultivator Golden Cores, if Fellow Daoist still prepares treasures for exchange, then I would rather discard the Golden Cores than accept gifts from Fellow Daoist again."
"I hope Fellow Daoist understands this matter and also understands Brother Wei's and my sincere intentions."
"As for meeting again later, we can discuss it when Brother Wei and I obtain more Cultivator Golden Cores."
"However, regarding the message from True Monarch Kang Ning this time, Brother Wei and I also saw it clearly."
"Regarding this matter, Brother Wei and I have truly wronged you, Fellow Daoist."
"If Fellow Daoist had taken our Tokens to seek out the Guardian True Monarchs here, this situation absolutely would not have occurred."
"With the Locking Divinity Cult cultivators attacking this time, it's uncertain how many of these five will survive."
"But please rest assured, Fellow Daoist, Brother Wei and I have marked these five in our minds. In the future, we will definitely avenge this for you to alleviate the hatred in your heart."
For Meng Guan and Wei Fan, the matter of True Monarch Kang Ning sending the message to He Song, and the subsequent intention to coerce and entice He Song into staying in Biyue Prefecture City, could actually have been avoided.
If the two had given their Elder Tokens to He Song earlier and had him approach the two Guardian True Monarchs.
Then, He Song would certainly have been treated as one of their own people afterward and definitely wouldn't have encountered such a situation.
Even if True Monarch Kang Ning and the two Guardian True Monarchs really wanted to keep He Song there, they would have reasoned with him emotionally and logically, focusing on persuasion.
Rather than relying on coercion and enticement, as they did before, wanting to keep He Song there to help them defend Biyue Prefecture City.
After all, if He Song had indeed brought Meng Guan and Wei Fan's Tokens, it would signify that He Song was acquainted with them, that he was their friend.
Under such circumstances, even if the situation was critical, those two Guardian True Monarchs would have had to consider Meng Guan and Wei Fan's attitude.
Forcibly keeping their friend there to help defend Biyue Prefecture City would definitely incite the dissatisfaction of the two.
Provoking the wrath of three Golden Core True Monarchs at once—hardly any Golden Core True Monarch would do such a thing without hesitation.
Thus, He Song's situation, and the methods he faced, would naturally have been much milder than the present.
Unfortunately.
There are no 'what ifs' in this world.
Because the two were unwilling to reveal their identities, and He Song also intentionally didn't want them to expose their identities, He Song initially chose to rely solely on his own Golden Core realm cultivation base to accomplish the matter.
But unexpectedly, precisely because of this, He Song subsequently faced this situation.
Meng Guan, Wei Fan, and even He Song himself had never anticipated this.
Now, truly facing this matter, He Song decisively chose to leave quickly, and Meng Guan and Wei Fan could naturally only choose to make amends afterward.
They truly hadn't expected that merely wanting to hide their identities would lead to He Song encountering such a thing.
And precisely because of this, Meng Guan chose to state directly that he had already marked those five Golden Core True Monarchs.
If there was an opportunity later, he would definitely avenge this for He Song.
As for the matter of continuing to send Cultivator Golden Cores to He Song later, this was something the two had already discussed beforehand.
Previously.
He Song's attitude had been firm, wanting Meng Guan and Wei Fan to accept the resources he offered.
Meng Guan and Wei Fan discussed it via voice transmission and ultimately chose to accept those resources.
However, they also agreed during the voice transmission.
In the future, the two would still send Cultivator Golden Cores to He Song.
But the Cultivator Golden Cores sent subsequently could not be paid for; they would be considered as the two repaying He Song for what he had done.
Only after reaching this agreement did Meng Guan and Wei Fan accept the resources He Song had given them.
And Meng Guan directly told He Song about this matter, urging him absolutely not to refuse.
After explaining everything fully to He Song, Meng Guan didn't say anything more.
Just as his voice fell, before He Song could respond, Meng Guan and Wei Fan exchanged a glance and, with a tacit understanding, swiftly departed towards the distance.
In place.
All that remained for He Song were the retreating figures of Meng Guan and Wei Fan.
And the words Meng Guan had spoken earlier.
After fully understanding Meng Guan's words and watching Meng Guan and Wei Fan rapidly depart.
He Song gazed in the direction Meng Guan and Wei Fan had left, letting out a sigh.
He Song believed what Meng Guan had said.
Whether it was that the two would later send him Cultivator Golden Cores.
Or that Meng Guan would keep those five Golden Core True Monarchs in mind and would definitely avenge this for He Song in the future.
He Song believed Meng Guan was capable of doing both.
However, looking in the direction Meng Guan and Wei Fan had left, He Song still intended to advise his friend further.
It wasn't that he wanted to persuade Meng Guan not to send him Cultivator Golden Cores anymore.
Nor was it that he wanted to persuade Meng Guan not to bear a grudge against those five Golden Core True Monarchs and seek revenge for He Song later.
He Song merely wanted to advise Meng Guan.
To be extremely cautious in his future actions.
Whether it was sending him Cultivator Golden Cores later.
Or seeking revenge for him later, both required great caution.
He must wait until he was absolutely certain of success before making a move.
Furthermore, he needed to ensure that the action would not be detected by anyone.
Otherwise, the crime of attacking fellow sect members was extremely serious and could likely lead to numerous consequences.
If they weren't careful enough, Meng Guan and Wei Fan might end up being hunted down by the First Sun Sect in the future.
Although Meng Guan's strength would surely be considerable by then, likely enough to avoid being hunted to death over this matter.
But, if they could be more cautious and avoid detection, it was better to avoid trouble altogether.
As this thought flashed through his mind, He Song couldn't help but look towards the distant Biyue Prefecture City.
This time, he had almost been coerced and enticed by those five Golden Core True Monarchs into staying in Biyue Prefecture City.
He Song had already committed this matter to memory.
If there was an opportunity later.
As long as He Song was confident he could retreat unscathed and avenge this act of being discarded after use.
He likely wouldn't wait for Meng Guan to act; He Song would take matters into his own hands and settle the karma related to this place.
But before that.
It was best to leave this place for now.
This place was not suitable for a long stay; the experts from the Locking Divinity Cult might already be on their way.
End of Chapter