Chapter 351 - 16 Prince Gao... _2
Of course, what surprised him the most was the audacity of denying more than ten thousand middle-grade spirit stones. He admits he couldn’t do that even if he reached the Golden Core stage.
The carriage also fell silent. After a while, the woman’s voice came again, full of sighing.
“You sure know how to do business, and to exploit situations.”
“Well, it’s of no harm to me anyway. But, don’t act under my name.”
“We are henceforth even.”
Wang Ba, who was somewhat tense at first, relaxed upon hearing this and immediately bowed in gratitude.
“Indeed, I can’t hide anything from your keen eyes.”
“Alright then, make at least ten portions per month. I’ll send Li Ji to pick them up.”
The woman in the carriage said indifferently.
“Li Ji, I’m tired. Let’s head back.”
“Yes, master.”
Although Li Ji sounded a bit helpless, he still bowed to Wang Ba before reluctantly climbing onto the carriage.
Upon Li Ji’s urging, the Mixed Chi Horse impatiently snorted.
Li Ji then cracked the whip, and with a long neigh, the four horses jumped into the air and flew towards the horizon.
They disappeared in the twinkling of an eye.
As the carriage left, a hint of apprehension appeared in the eyes of the cultivators from the three major sects gazing at Wang Ba.
Although they hadn’t heard the conversation between the woman in the carriage and Wang Ba, the fact that she went specially to see Wang Ba and seemed to have talked for a while already spoke volumes.
The atmosphere instantaneously became a bit subtle and awkward.
Master Yan suddenly stepped forward, his initially stern face softened, and he chuckled at Wang Ba.
“What’s the relationship between you and that person, Shen? I don’t remember you mentioned…”
This is the difference between having a background and not having one.
Wang Ba couldn’t help but sigh.
It seems that the influence of Li Ji’s master is quite remarkable, much more than he had imagined.
However, he showed a helpless smile on his face, pointed at his mouth, then pointed at the sky.
Without speaking a word, Master Yan nodded knowingly.
“Alright, I understand. Given their unique identity, even in the Chu Dynasty… Ahem, by the way, Shen. Why don’t we go back to Huifeng Valley first? I can arrange for the valley master to hold a welcoming party for you.”
“Master Yan, you’re mistaken. Master Shen is also a guest in our Xuli Sect…”
“And also in our Danlong School…”
Wang Tang and Zhang Yunlong immediately interrupted.
This Master Shen already had quite a reputation and was not someone the three major sects could overlook. Now, it seemed as though he had even deeper connections. If such a person were to be swayed by the Huifeng Valley, the other two sects would be at a disadvantage.
Even out of fear for the presence of the Golden Core reality cultivator, both men had to compete with Master Yan.
Master Yan wanted to reject outright, but after glancing at Wang Ba, he held back.
In the end, it was Wen Yong from the side who put forth a proposal.
“Since Master Shen had previously stayed here, why don’t we let him continue to stay on?”
“No way! Suppose someone from the Incense Fire Dao appears, it might endanger Master Shen’s safety!”
Wang Tang was the first to object.
However, Zhang Yunlong supported Wen Yong.
“If you’re worried, why not set up a station for each of our three sects here?”
On hearing this, Master Yan nodded slightly.
“Fine!”
This action not only gave Master Shen his freedom without offending the person on the carriage.
At the same time, they could closely monitor Master Shen’s cooperation situation with the other two sects, which was the best arrangement.
However, this time, the ones making the decisions finally handed over the decision-making power to Wang Ba.
“Master Shen, what do you think?”
Of course, Wang Ba had no objections. He nodded in agreement.
Soon, the cultivators from the three major sects quickly leveled the nearby ground.
Houses rose up from the ground one by one.
But those captured rogue cultivators, including those of the Foundation Establishment stage, were not released.
Wang Ba watched for a while, sighing inwardly.
Such was the world of rogue cultivators. Faced with cultivators from the sects, all he could do was to protect himself and those around him.
Beyond that, there wasn’t much else he could do.
After watching for a while, just as he was about to leave, he was gently stopped by Wang Tang.
“Hehe, Master Shen, it was all a misunderstanding.”
With a broad smile on his face, Wang Tang looked just like an honest and simple farmer.
However, having witnessed Wang Ba’s ruthless true face, he was not fooled by the illusion at all. Instead, he said with a light smile:
“What on earth are you talking about, Wang? You, too, have important responsibilities. I understand.”
Hearing Wang Ba’s words, the smile on Wang Tang’s face grew even broader as he laughed heartily:
“Great! Your spirit truly reflects that of a master, unparalleled!”
“However, if you could come to our Xuli Sect, it would be even better. Our Xuli Sect is exceptionally resource-rich. If you were to join us, at the very least, you’d have a smooth journey up until the Golden Core stage.”
Upon hearing this, Wang Ba merely chuckled nonchalantly and responded:
“Oh, really? Impressive.”
The pair chatted casually for a while.
Wang Ba then bid Wang Tang farewell and returned to his own house.
This left Wang Tang standing alone, his face darkened, and his gaze seemed contemplative.
…
Above the open sky.
The constant clop-clop of horse hooves could be heard.
The white curtains were presently drawn up, revealing a mature-looking woman dressed in a yellow gown. She appeared to be in her early twenties.
The woman in the yellow gown leaned against the spacious carriage.
The interior of the carriage was dazzling and opulent, each piece of displayed treasure therein was nothing less than Class II.
Li Ji sat straight outside the carriage, his gaze fixed while controlling the Mixed Chi Horse.
The woman in yellow casually picked up a spirit fruit, about the size of a grape, from the table in the carriage and put it in her mouth.
She then casually said:
“Li Ji, are you still mad at uncle Master?”
“No,”
Li Ji shook his head, responding in a stifled voice.
“You’re not? Does your temper not clear to me? Are you blaming me for not bringing him into the prince’s mansion?”
The lady in yellow laughed lightly, then with a hint of helplessness, she said:
“You have to understand, I’m just a concubine at the House of Prince Gao. If it was a Class III cultivator, the prince might’ve agreed. But for an early-stage Foundation Establishment Rogue Cultivator…”
“Master Shen is proficient in the Dao of the Spirit Cook, his Cultivation Base is not his strength.”
Li Ji couldn’t help but retort.
“That’s why I asked him if he could extract a Class III Chicken Essence. Unfortunately, he’s incapable too.”
The woman in yellow sighed helplessly, shrugging her shoulders.
“The Class II Chicken Essence isn’t very useful to me either, as I will soon have to face the Nascent Soul Tribulation. I’m afraid only Class III Essence would have some effect.”
Li Ji still wore an unconvinced expression.
The woman in yellow, somewhat helpless, said, “The Spirit Cook only gave you two or three doses of Chicken Essence for free, was that really enough to win you over?”
“This has nothing to do with it. Shen and I hit it off as kindred spirits at first sight. While the Chicken Essence is indeed precious, it’s just icing on the cake,”
Li Ji immediately retorted.
Upon hearing this, the woman in yellow was rendered speechless.
After thinking for a moment, she gently sighed and said:
“What a pity, the Spirit Cook could survive for a while in Yan State with my support, but he won’t last too long.”
Her words immediately caught Li Ji’s attention, leading him to turn his head and ask skeptically:
“Yan Qing from Huifeng Valley has recognized you. Does the sect from Yan State still dare to attack Shen?”
However, in response to Li Ji’s question, the woman only chuckled.
Her voice carried a hint of innuendo:
“You’re underestimating human nature and overestimating me.”
…
Xuli Sect.
A figure hastily descended from the sky.
He had a broad face and seemed to be a simple and honest man.
It was Wang Tang.
But at this moment, his eyes flickered with a hint of urgency and eagerness.
Shortly after, he arrived at an immortal cave.
He bowed respectfully and said:
“Disciple Wang Tang, greeting the Sect Master!”
“Wang Tang… weren’t you sent to recruit cultivators who excel in the Hundred Arts? Why did you return so soon?”
From within the immortal cave, a questioning voice echoed.
Wang Tang immediately relayed everything that had transpired that day.
Then he stated earnestly:
“Disciple thinks we should promptly kill Shen Fu!”