Chapter 87: Seeking External Aid, Cooperating with the City Lord

Yao Tiansheng had gone to seek outside help. He had just returned to the sect after reaching an agreement with Tan Wang, City Lord of Tianyuan City, when he ran into Qin Xiao and the other two.

Lin Tiancheng had openly said he would protect Qin Xiao. Yao Tiansheng could no longer act against him in the open, and a covert attack would be risky. That was why he had sought outside help.

The Li Family had made their cooperation possible. Tan Wang’s wife belonged to the Li Family, and Li Cheng had been a Personal Disciple of Immortal Sword Peak. Both Li Cheng and Yao Kaidong were dead. The Li Family and Immortal Sword Peak alike wanted revenge.

Moreover, Yao Kaidong had also told Tan Wang that Qin Xiao had abundant resources. If they could capture Qin Xiao, he was willing to split the spoils forty-sixty, with sixty percent going to Tan Wang.

Tan Wang might only be a major city’s lord, a sixth-grade official, but he had powerful connections. Even Chen Lou, a seventh-grade official, had backing. Tan Wang ranked a grade above him and governed a much larger city.

His backing was at least as strong as Chen Lou’s. His father was Tan Shangfu, Deputy District Chief and Inspector of the Eastern District, a fourth-grade official at the mid Body Integration stage.

The Heavenly Dynasty banned nepotism of this kind, but people found ways around the rules. These family networks were common, especially in remote Qingzhou.

From fourth grade upward, official ranks were divided into upper, middle, and lower grades. The Eastern District Chief held upper fourth grade, the Deputy District Chief middle fourth grade, and the Commander lower fourth grade. All were fourth-grade officials, but their positions in the hierarchy created these distinctions.

Therefore, even though Tan Shangfu and Chen Shunyi were both fourth grade, Tan Shangfu was still half a rank higher than Chen Shunyi and was one of his superiors.

That was why Yao Tiansheng was willing to give up sixty percent. Otherwise, why would a late Soul Formation cultivator humble himself to seek help from a city lord only at late Nascent Soul?

“What a coincidence, Great Elder. Where are you off to? At your age, you shouldn’t get angry so easily. It’s bad for your health. If there’s nothing else, I’ll head back.”

Seeing that Yao Tiansheng was picking a fight, Qin Xiao didn’t care. He was in a very good mood and didn’t mind at all.

“Kid, don’t think the Sect Leader can protect you for long. You’re just a pawn. You’d better pray you don’t end up in my hands in the end.”

Qin Xiao’s indifference only stirred up Yao Tiansheng’s displeasure.

He knew it was no serious offense. Even an Elders’ meeting would not impose a harsh punishment. He had only wanted an excuse to reprimand Qin Xiao, but the boy’s indifference left him no satisfaction.

“Rest assured, Great Elder. I know my place. No need to trouble yourself over me. If there’s nothing else, I’ll head back.”

After saying this, Qin Xiao took Yun Man and Lin Shimeng back to Seven Stars Peak, not giving it any further thought. Read the latest chapters at novelping . com.

Anywhere else, Qin Xiao would have feared the Great Elder. He had already felt the force of a Soul Formation attack, and the Great Elder was at the late Soul Formation stage. Even after his breakthrough, he could not withstand that. Here in the sect, though, he was unconcerned: he was sure the Great Elder would not dare strike.

Still, he was not completely certain, so he hurried back to his peak. If he pushed the Great Elder too far and the man decided to kill him regardless, he would be long dead by the time the Sect Leader arrived.

“You won’t be causing trouble for much longer, boy. I’ll let you live a few more days.”

Watching Qin Xiao’s departing figure, Yao Tiansheng’s eyes flashed with a trace of ruthlessness.

Not long after Qin Xiao and the other two returned to Seven Stars Peak, a disciple came to deliver a message, saying the Sect Leader wanted the Holy Maiden to return for a while.

“Master, I was about to visit Father. I didn’t expect him to send someone to summon me first. I’ll go now.”

Lin Shimeng said this to Qin Xiao before leaving.

This was within Qin Xiao’s expectations, and besides, what could he say about a father and daughter meeting?

“Master, aren’t you afraid she’ll tell the Sect Leader, since you’ve revealed so much?”

Only after Lin Shimeng left did Yun Man ask with concern.

“Do you think the Sect Leader doesn’t know? He sent his daughter to be a disciple, so naturally he knows I have many resources. Moreover, your progress can’t be hidden from others. Now I can only hope the Sect Leader isn’t blinded by greed.”

For now, Qin Xiao chose to trust Lin Tiancheng’s character. There was no other choice; it seemed he didn’t have any alternatives unless he betrayed the Sect and went to the Heavenly Clothes Pavilion.

But once he betrayed the Sect, he would be pursued by the Sect. After all, if the Sect produced a traitor, they definitely wouldn’t let it go. So Qin Xiao didn’t want to cause trouble for the Heavenly Clothes Pavilion.

Another option was to turn to the Immortal Dao Merchant Association. He got along well with Ling Wushuang and Ling Ruoxue, but that would pose a problem for Yun Man. Qin Xiao could guess that she had a reason to keep her identity hidden. Why else would she always wear a veil?

For now, his only option was to stay at Seven Stars Peak. He would need Soul Formation strength before he could decide his own fate. At least the peak had formations: he could defend himself as long as no Supreme Elder intervened.

Meanwhile, Lin Shimeng had already returned to the Main Peak and met Lin Tiancheng.

“Meng’er, where have you all been these past few days?”

Lin Tiancheng asked with some concern. The source of this chapter is novelping.com.

“Father, we just went to Tianyi City to visit Senior Ye.”

Lin Shimeng should have reported truthfully, but for some reason she did not.

“Alright. During this time, has Qin Xiao given you any resources? How much? Is it the same treatment as Yun Man?”

Lin Tiancheng didn’t beat around the bush and directly asked the key questions.

He summoned Lin Shimeng precisely to find out what Qin Xiao had been doing these past few days and incidentally to inquire about what resources Qin Xiao had given his daughter.

“Just some Spirit Stones and Pills. He gave quite a lot, and whatever Yun Man has, I have too.”

Lin Shimeng had meant to tell her father everything, but she remembered Qin Xiao saying she had not earned enough trust. Had he meant this very moment? Had he known she would tell her father everything?

After hesitating, she decided to keep it to herself for now. She wanted to prove she was not the person Qin Xiao thought she was. He had also given her a great deal of resources, and he had many secrets. She did not know what might happen if she revealed them.

“Meng’er, what’s wrong with you? Why are you so distracted? Did Qin Xiao bully you? Tell me, I’ll go to Seven Stars Peak right now to settle accounts with him.”

His daughter had given him no details and seemed distracted. Lin Tiancheng stood up at once.

“Father, no, it’s nothing. I’m at the Nascent Soul stage; how could he bully me? I just suddenly remembered I have something else to do, so I got distracted. And I’m a bit tired after just returning. Father, if there’s nothing else, I’ll head back to Seven Stars Peak first.”

Lin Shimeng hurried to explain when her father stood up. Her thoughts were in turmoil. She did not want to say any more; she wanted to go back.

“If you’re tired, go back. Get some rest.”

Seeing he couldn’t get any more information, Lin Tiancheng didn’t press further and let Lin Shimeng leave.

Only after Lin Shimeng left did Lin Tiancheng summon a disciple.

“Find out everything Qin Xiao and the other two did in Tianyi City.”

Lin Tiancheng felt his daughter hadn’t told the whole truth, so he decided to investigate himself.