Chapter 101 - 98: Each with Their Own Ulterior Motives

The members of the Bai Xiu Conglomerate, who had just turned to leave, felt their hearts skip a beat.

Right, just because they weren’t making a move, did that mean the other party wouldn’t force a fight?

If the other party simply offered three hundred Second-Grade Superior Elixirs...

At this thought, panic began to spread among the group.

"There’s no need."

Mo Qianqian’s words made the people of the Bai Xiu Conglomerate secretly heave a sigh of relief.

"Bai Xiu, I’ll let you off this time, but at the Spirit Master Banquet, I will defeat you! And Ye Xiao too!" Mo Qianqian declared.

It wasn’t that he didn’t want to make a move and slaughter the opposition. It was just that he didn’t want to spend that much money. Three hundred Second-Grade Superior Elixirs was a massive sum, and lately, he simply didn’t have the time to refine that many elixirs to pay off such a debt.

As for the Spirit Master Banquet, he didn’t know the exact procedures, but since the other party mentioned it, a fight was inevitable. These people had repeatedly come to cause him trouble; did they really think he was a pushover?

"Asura, you said it yourself!"

Bai Xiu turned his head, responding with a cold voice, before taking large strides away.

Luo Wushuang also shot Mo Qianqian a glare filled with murderous intent before following the Bai Xiu Conglomerate’s forces away.

"They didn’t fight!"

"Asura actually threatened to beat Bai Xiu and Ye Xiao at the Spirit Master Banquet. Where does he get his confidence?"

"A Spirit Master is revered wherever they go. Even the Slaughterer with the Evil Blade came to join his conglomerate, so of course he’s confident."

"Relying on the Slaughterer with the Evil Blade, the Asura Conglomerate definitely won this time. But relying on himself, it will probably be very hard to beat Bai Xiu and Ye Xiao. After all, those two are truly strong; their reputations aren’t just empty boasts."

Various discussions rang out all around. Everyone felt a wave of regret that they didn’t get to see the two conglomerates clash. However, the one who felt the most regret was Xiajin Shi. Just like that, three hundred elixirs had slipped through his fingers.

"Fall out!" Xiajin Shi barked, and the City Guard marched away in unison.

"Since you all have joined my Asura Conglomerate to jointly defend against enemies, in a few days, I will reward each of you with an elixir," Mo Qianqian said to the group.

Giving elixirs was the most practical approach.

Hearing this, the members of the Asura Conglomerate were overjoyed. They were getting elixirs this quickly? According to what Pei Hong had said, they were only allowed to join because they had agreed to waive their salaries for a few months. The Great Treasure Master was truly generous!

"Thank you, Great Treasure Master!" the group chorused.

"Wanya from the Ten Thousand Spirits Pavilion proposed a collaboration. It’s a fifty-fifty split, and she is prepared to provide sixty Second-Grade Junior Elixirs. There is no time limit on the first batch. Should we accept?" Pei Hong took the opportunity to ask.

Even Mo Qianqian was surprised. Someone had come seeking a partnership so quickly? The fact that the first batch had no time limit already showed plenty of sincerity.

"Accept it!" Mo Qianqian replied.

"Great Treasure Master, I am a First-Grade Spirit Master, Gu Jin. I can exchange them for some First-Grade Junior Elixirs, and I can refine First-Grade elixirs for the conglomerate," a middle-aged man said.

"I will go talk to Wanya," Pei Hong said.

"Our Lie Family can provide one hundred First-Grade Junior Elixirs for a fifty-fifty split. The first batch also has no time limit," Lieqi chimed in.

"Our Yuwen Family offers the same conditions, providing forty Second-Grade Junior Elixirs," Yu Wenjingfeng hurriedly added.

"I appreciate everyone’s intentions. We accept them all." Mo Qianqian looked at Pei Hong and Gu Jin. "As for the First-Grade elixirs, Treasure Master Gu will be in charge. The distribution between the conglomerate and Treasure Master Gu will be up to Treasure Master Gu to decide."

As soon as he said this, Pei Hong immediately answered, "It has already been negotiated. The split between Treasure Master Gu and the conglomerate is seventy-thirty. Treasure Master Gu gets seventy percent, and the conglomerate gets thirty. The conglomerate’s profits will be used to expand our operations, and the accounts will be clearly recorded."

Mo Qianqian nodded. This seventy-thirty split was naturally calculated after the initial fifty-fifty split with the elixir providers. Even though the conglomerate only got thirty percent, it was actually a very high cut. If it were him, after taking his half, how much he gave to the conglomerate would be entirely up to him.

He had to admit that having Pei Hong manage these matters was quite fitting. Pei Hong truly had a talent for this.

"Pei Hong will handle everything else." Mo Qianqian looked at the Slaughterer with the Evil Blade and said, "Butcher, come with me."

"Alright!" The Butcher nodded and followed Mo Qianqian upstairs.

After entering the room, the Slaughterer with the Evil Blade didn’t bother hiding his vulnerability. Or rather, he wasn’t the least bit worried that Mo Qianqian would attack him. He tore off half his shirt, revealing a shocking, blackened wound.

"That old thief, Lingyun Shan, nearly pierced my heart with a single sword strike. The blade was laced with a lethal poison. It’s only thanks to my cultivation of evil slaughter energy that I barely survived."

The Slaughterer with the Evil Blade spoke bluntly, "But this poison is completely unknown to me. Ordinary Healing Elixirs can’t treat it at all.

"If I don’t get a Spirit Master to heal me, I’ll probably drop dead in a few months."

Mo Qianqian replied, "Don’t worry. Since I said I would heal you, I will definitely do everything in my power to help. I, Asura, am a man of my word."

"If the Great Treasure Master can cure this poisoned wound of mine, I’ll do whatever you tell me to do from now on—except spare that old bastard, Lingyun Shan," the Slaughterer with the Evil Blade stated.

"Rest assured. I, Asura, do not force others against their will. I will begin your treatment right now," Mo Qianqian said.

Telling him not to kill Lingyun Shan? Impossible. He wished he could send the Butcher to kill him right this instant.

Immediately, Mo Qianqian jolted his Spirit, manifesting a Spirit Body. He placed his hand over the Butcher’s wound and began infusing it with spirituality.

The power of this spirituality was quite strong, and it faintly carried a trace of corrosive, poison-killing ability. If used offensively, it would act as a direct corrosive force. But when used to infuse spirituality, it was beneficial. It was just a bit intense.

"Your spirituality possesses an elemental attribute?" the Slaughterer with the Evil Blade exclaimed in shock.

A Spirit Master who possessed attribute power would far exceed an ordinary Spirit Master in terms of attack power, elixir refinement, and healing effectiveness. He had found the right person on his very first try!

Without a Third-Grade Spirit Master, an ordinary Second-Grade Spirit Master might not necessarily have been able to save his life. However, a Spirit Master with attribute power certainly could.

"Please keep this a secret for me!" Mo Qianqian said as he poured in his spirituality with all his might.

An hour later, the Slaughterer with the Evil Blade could already feel his injuries improving. However, this was a severe affliction—one that had seeped deep into his bones—and it would require long-term treatment.

Mo Qianqian scheduled follow-up sessions with the Slaughterer with the Evil Blade. At first, it would be once a day, then once every few days. During his breaks, Mo Qianqian took out Second-Grade elixirs and continued to refine them.

That same day, the news of the Asura Conglomerate scaring off the Bai Xiu Conglomerate spread throughout the entire Imperial City.

"The Slaughterer with the Evil Blade joined the Asura Conglomerate and scared off the Bai Xiu Conglomerate?"

"Not only that, but Asura also accepted Bai Xiu’s challenge, claiming he would beat both Bai Xiu and Ye Xiao at the Spirit Master Banquet."

"Is Asura really that arrogant? Does he think he can beat them just because he’s lived a few more years and is slightly older than Bai Xiu and Ye Xiao?"

"Looking at all the geniuses out there, how many elders can actually defeat young prodigies of the same tier? Asura probably hasn’t realized this yet."

"After all, they are all Second-Grade Spirit Masters. Every single one of them is extremely proud; who would ever submit to another?"

"Whether Asura has what it takes, and who is truly superior—we’ll just have to wait until after the Spirit Master Banquet to find out. There probably won’t be another chance for them to clash before then."

"There’s no need to wonder. Asura is definitely far inferior to Ye Xiao and Bai Xiu."

All kinds of discussions spread through the streets and alleys. Meanwhile, this news also reached an inn owned by the Ling Family, falling into the ears of Ling Qingxue and a Chief Elder.

"The Slaughterer with the Evil Blade is still alive?"

A gray-haired old woman frowned and ordered the middle-aged man who had come to report, "Have someone keep an eye on him. Don’t let the Slaughterer with the Evil Blade escape. Also, go contact the Lie Family and the Yuwen Family."

"Those other two families are probably waiting for the Slaughterer with the Evil Blade to seek revenge against our Ling Family," Ling Qingxue said, shaking her head.

"The Slaughterer with the Evil Blade acts without any scruples. If the people from those two families encounter him, they will be in danger as well," the old woman noted. "As long as we keep the Slaughterer with the Evil Blade pinned down, they likely won’t just let him walk away either."

She looked at the middle-aged man and added, "Also, go inform Elder Ling Yuan. Tell him to immediately return to the Ling Family to deliver a report, and ask the Grand Elder to come over ahead of schedule."

"Yes, Ma’am!" The middle-aged man hurriedly backed out of the room.

"This time, the Slaughterer with the Evil Blade must be completely eradicated!" the old woman declared.

Ling Qingxue nodded. She didn’t take the Slaughterer with the Evil Blade too seriously. A cultivator at the Sixth Level of Tongyou Realm couldn’t make any major waves against their entire Ling Family.

"By the way, how are things on my brother’s side?" Ling Qingxue asked.

"Ling Lang and Nangong Ling are both about to come out of seclusion. Things are almost ready over at the Tai Xuan Academy as well. Getting married in two or three months shouldn’t be an issue," the old woman replied.

Ling Qingxue nodded, a sharp glint flashing through her eyes.

The day her brother got married would be the day the Ling Family rose to prominence. At that time, numerous factions, both large and small, would seek out the Ling Family for collaboration. Various Spirit Masters would also lean toward choosing their family. And she, with even more resources at her disposal, would take another step forward!

Of course, the Ling Family would prepare every necessary countermeasure. They needed to prevent the other two families from causing trouble, keep the royal family from interfering, and stop minor nuisances like Mo Qianqian from disrupting their plans.

On the other side of the Imperial City, inside an inn owned by the Lie Family, Lie Tai sat in quiet thought.

"Keep an eye on him, but don’t intervene for now. That is the best choice," Lie Tai said.

Another white-haired elder nodded in agreement.

"Lieqi has joined the Asura Conglomerate, which gives us some cause for concern. That Slaughterer with the Evil Blade is no ordinary person, and Asura isn’t exactly peaceful either—he strikes ruthlessly. If anything goes wrong, you must ensure that Lieqi escapes at the first opportunity," Lie Tai ordered.

The white-haired elder nodded once more.

"A large number of our experts have gone to the Southern Wilderness and haven’t returned. Is there still no news of Mo Qianqian from over there?" Lie Tai asked, shifting the topic.

"Absolutely none. It’s as if he vanished from the face of the earth. We have no clue as to Mo Qianqian’s whereabouts," the white-haired elder replied.

"That guy was raised by the Ling Family like a wild wolf. His anti-tracking skills are certainly top-notch," Lie Tai remarked.

As the Lie Family discussed these various matters, the news also reached the ears of the Yuwen Family. The Yuwen Family had similar thoughts: they would hold off on touching the Slaughterer with the Evil Blade for now and let him wear down the Ling Family first.

At the same time, inside a magnificent palace.

Within an upright and solemn bedchamber, a black-haired elder with a regal bearing, clad in a dragon robe, sat properly in a wooden chair carved with dragons and phoenixes, sipping on precious Spirit Tea. Beside him stood a man in his early thirties, dressed similarly in a brocade robe adorned with dragon patterns. This man also exuded an extraordinary air of nobility.

These two were none other than the current Emperor and the Eldest Prince of the Great Xia Dynasty.

"Interesting." The Emperor took a sip of his Spirit Tea and said mildly, "When necessary, help the Slaughterer with the Evil Blade escape."

"Yes, Imperial Father!" the Eldest Prince replied.

"Is there any news from the Southern Wilderness?" the Emperor asked again.

"A large number of experts from the three great families are still in the Southern Wilderness, but ultimately, they haven’t found any trace of Mo Qianqian," the Eldest Prince answered. "The location where the Bone-Eroding Spiritual Source appeared was an ancient array. The seal on the ancient array has been broken, and there’s nothing else left inside.

"As for that terrifying armored entity, it has completely vanished and most likely perished.

"As for the person who took Mo Qianqian away, it might be someone from this era who intruded into the ancient array. Their strength should fall somewhere between a second-tier sect and the three great families."

The Emperor nodded faintly and said, "Pay closer attention to Asura and the Imperial City. Mo Qianqian might not necessarily be in the Southern Wilderness."

The Eldest Prince was startled. "Imperial Father, are you saying..."

"It’s just a guess." The Emperor continued, "Also, the Ling Family has been in close contact with the Tai Xuan Academy recently. I’m afraid the very thing we are worried about is going to happen."

The Eldest Prince’s expression shifted. "Then what should we..."

"I have already made preparations. We will wait and see," the Emperor said.

The Eldest Prince nodded, though he couldn’t help but feel a bit concerned.

"You may leave now. Go and attend to your duties. Our royal family is not that weak," the Emperor added.

"Yes, Imperial Father!" The Eldest Prince backed out of the room.

"These past few years, the three great families have grown increasingly greedy."

The Emperor let out a long sigh. He raised his Spirit Tea and downed it in one gulp, a fierce glint flashing in his eyes.