YM778.TV Chapter 380 - 22 Persecution_4
Since the Xuli Sect itself also produces spirit food, he was very clear about how much profit spirit food could bring.
Forget about a 60% cut, even a cut of just 20% would virtually erase the profit from the spirit food.
Hence, this proposition of a 60% cut was specifically designed to put Shen Fu in a spot.
Only if he submitted and was willing to join the Xuli sect, revealing the method of refining the Spirit Chicken Essence, they would leave him alone.
However, once the Xuli Sect mastered the method of refining Spirit Chicken Essence, there would be no chance for Shen Fu to maintain his current status.
At best, he would just be an ordinary cultivator skilled in Hundred Arts.
Of course, out of consideration of protecting the method of producing Spirit Chicken Essence, even if they take no action against Shen Fu, they can’t allow him to leave the Xuli Sect.
But spending a lifetime within the Sect, compared to the Rogue Cultivators who live in constant uncertainty and cannot even accumulate elixirs, is not a bad thing.
Upon realizing this, Zhuang Yi’s face immediately turned grim:
“This… To be honest, in order to maintain the order of Yong’an City, the three great sects have to spend quite a bit, not just us, but also Huifeng Valley and Danlong School, so it’s not something I alone can decide.”
The expression on Yan Qing’s face darkened abruptly, he tried to burst out in anger but held it in as if he thought of something.
Master Zhang, whose face was full of wrinkles, also couldn’t conceal his displeasure.
Speaking such words in front of the two sects was indeed a bit too much.
For a while, the surroundings became much quieter.
But at this moment, a rough voice broke the silence.
Zhang Tailai guffawed:
“Zhuang Yi, have you gone crazy thinking about spirit stones? Even the Chu Dynasty’s tax is only 20%, and you want more than that!”
Zhuang Yi’s expression immediately darkened, giving Zhang Tailai a cold stare, he forcefully suppressed his anger and said:
“Zhang, you manage no place, you don’t know how difficult it is…”
“I may not know, but I do know that you’re envious of Shen because he makes a lot of spirit stones! Don’t think that since Shen is less powerful, he can be bullied easily. I, my older brother, and Old Kang, we all support Shen! My older brother also has friends who are rogue cultivators in Qiao State and Xu State, he will introduce them to Shen later!”
Zhang Tailai’s eyes widened, on his honest face, there appeared a touch of defiance:
“At that time, we seven or eight Golden Core rogue cultivators might as well start our own sect, and let Shen be the sect master!”
“With Shen’s reputation, he could attract lots of rogue cultivators!”
“We’ll beat your Xuli Sect into pulp!”
“Bastard!”
Despite Zhuang Yi’s fear of him and possibly Yuan Wenzhi hiding in the background, upon hearing this, he became instantly furious!
Fortunately, Yan Qing was quick to act and quickly moved to Zhuang Yi’s side, holding back his arm which was preparing to cast a spell.
“Zhuang, don’t be rash! Don’t be rash! He’s not worth getting angry for, don’t tell me you don’t know that.”
Even the usually quiet Master Zhang rarely appeared by Zhuang Yi’s side, and earnestly advised:
“Zhuang, Yan Qing is right, why be angry with him.”
After the two people’s consolation, they subtly put Zhuang Yi behind them.
At this time, Wang Ba, who was standing behind Zhang Tailai, couldn’t help but look at Zhang Tailai in surprise.
It was as if he realized something about this person for the first time.
However, he did not speak out, but squinted his eyes and quietly watched.
Seeing Zhuang Yi being held back, Zhang Tailai showed no sign of stopping, waving the large hammer-shaped magic tool in his hand, he roared:
“Let him come here! Let me see if I don’t smash his dog head in!”
“We’ve put up with your Xuli Sect for a long time! Of all of them, your Xuli Sect treats us rogue cultivators the harshest!”
“Yan Qing from Huifeng Valley, your Sect Master previously wanted to recruit my brother, right? I agree on behalf of my big brother! As long as you agree to unify Yan State after you kill this bunch from the Xuli Sect!”
Hearing Zhang Tailai’s words, Yan Qing shivered and quickly retorted:
“Nonsense! There’s no such thing!”
But Zhuang Yi couldn’t help looking at Yan Qing with caution.
Master Zhang, who was standing nearby, could not help but cast a meaningful gaze at Yan Qing.
However, after the farce, Zhuang Yi finally came to his senses.
His eyes reluctantly swept over Wang Ba, standing behind Zhang Tailai, and he suddenly thought of the words that Zhang had just spoken.
“Zhang Tailai was right! With the current fame of Shen Fu, backed by the support of Yuan Wenzhi and Zhang Tailai, they might indeed rally a group of rogue cultivators and establish the fifth sect in Yan State!”
“Perhaps even my elder brother hadn’t thought about this!”
“Even Huifeng Valley is in talks with rogue cultivators like Yuan Wenzhi!”
“Thanks to Zhang Tai Lai’s outspokenness; he reminded me in time!”
“I must inform my elder brother about this crisis as soon as possible!”
“Otherwise, it will be too late for regrets!”
Upon having this thought, an idea suddenly came to him.
He spoke up, “Since there is some contention, why don’t we all return first, reconsider, and I will also discuss with my elder brother to see if we can offer Shen a more reasonable share.”
To his surprise, both Yan Qing and Master Zhang nodded in unison.
“In such circumstances, this can be the only solution.”
“Shen, what do you say?”
Zhuang Yi looked at Wang Ba.
Wang Ba revealed a faint smile, “I leave it to Master Zhuang’s judgement.”
“Alright, alright!”
Zhuang Yi nodded in satisfaction, and although he was impatient, he still exchanged pleasantries before taking the lead to depart with Wang Tang and other cultivators from the Xuli Sect.
Looking at Wang Ba and Zhang Tailai, Yan Qing from Huifeng Valley hesitated before leaving with a gentle smile at Wang Ba.
Only Master Zhang from Danlong School remained. After Yan Qing left, he showed a friendly smile to Wang Ba.
“Shen, please don’t take offense, the situation forces us.”
“I understand, Master Zhang, you don’t need to feel uncomfortable.”
They made small talk for a while, and Master Zhang subtly hinted at wanting to recruit him. This time, Wang Ba did not reject outright, but neither did he agree immediately.
The pressure from the Xuli Sect was already quite clear, and he needed to think about an alternative plan.
“Shen, if there’s anything you need, feel free to let me know.”
Master Zhang spoke meaningfully.
Upon hearing this, Wang Ba was startled and then pleasantly surprised, so he quickly informed Master Zhang about the ingredients needed for the bloodline breakthrough by the Wu Monkey King, including the White Dragon Sulfur.
“I have no access to White Dragon Sulfur; only Huifeng Valley and Zhenling Palace have it.”
Master Zhang shook his head, “However, we do have a few spirit materials inside, and for others, it seems we might need to make some efforts.”
Wang Ba immediately understood what he meant.
He could provide some spirit materials, but not all. The remainder would be provided only after he had made his stance clear.
Even so, Wang Ba was delighted.
After chatting briefly, they exchanged sound transmission talismans, following which Master Zhang also left.
“These sect cultivators need to be scared a little!”
Zhang Tailai put away his mighty magic tool and grumbled under his breath.
Wang Ba looked at him, showed no change in expression and said nothing.
A day later.
It was finally the opening day of the second layer of the Linglong Ghost Market.
Wang Ba locked up the Class III Array carefully, gave Bu Chan detailed instructions, and then used a Teleportation Talisman to appear in a mountain stream.
He hurried carefully all the way and finally arrived at the nearest entrance to Linglong Ghost Market before nightfall.
After much hassle, he arrived on the second layer smoothly.
The moment he stepped out of the teleportation array, he unexpectedly saw a familiar figure standing not far away.