Free Web NovelChapter 513: Chapter 25: Murder for Favor (Part 2)
"Hehe~ I am well aware, there’s no need for any reminders from the uncles of the Fierce Tiger Commerce Association." Tong Liang glanced over at the members of the Fierce Tiger Commerce Association, fully understanding their intentions, and couldn’t help but smile provocatively.
He was quite confident about this plan.
It was not about recruiting Li Ji’an, but about killing to seize his pet!
Li Ji’an was able to bring his Spirit Pet to the Fierce Tiger Commerce Association for Core Formation because he naturally signed numerous spirit contracts to ensure safety, which of course included stipulations that the association could not covet his Spirit Pet.
Therefore, the Fierce Tiger Commerce Association would not resort to forceful seizures.
But he, on the other hand, had only signed a spirit contract not to reveal information externally, with no clause against seizing.
Tong Liang stepped back with a smile, while Bai Cailin stood there, unsure of how to approach Li Ji’an.
It wasn’t long before Li Ji’an was invited by the president of the Fierce Tiger Commerce Association to the inner hall.
A lavish table of Spiritual Delicacies was already prepared.
During the meal, the old president’s intention to win him over was quite obvious.
He even promised that if Li Ji’an was willing, the Fierce Tiger Commerce Association could mediate to amicably dissolve both parties’ spirit contracts with the Jinhua Commerce Association.
The terms offered to Li Ji’an were also sincere, comparable to Jinhua Commerce Association’s top-tier investment plan, on par with Wang Hu of the current Jinhua Commerce Association.
However, the requirement was not about Li Ji’an but about Gugu.
It was not for a fixed-term service but for a lifetime allegiance.
They promised to do everything within the association’s power to help Gugu advance to a Tier Four Transformed Demon King, but the assistance to Li Ji’an would be minimal.
In fact, Li Ji’an could perceive the association’s intentions, clearly not wanting him to advance so that when he eventually passed away, Gugu would become the guardian Spirit Beast of the Fierce Tiger Commerce Association.
Li Ji’an ate and drank as he pleased without agreeing or refusing, merely stating that he needed to consider it carefully.
With the spirit contracts in place, the Fierce Tiger Commerce Association did not press the issue.
After a round of hospitality, they sent Li Ji’an off the next day.
Walking in Tiger Roar Immortal City, Li Ji’an felt calm and joyful.
This time, Gugu’s unexpected advancement to Golden Core relieved one of his concerns, giving him more confidence for the future.
With a Tier Three Great Demon by his side, he was nearly carefree throughout the Ten Thousand Merchants Domain.
Furthermore, it assured him that in every future life of rejuvenation, he would be protected.
If Gugu could advance to Tier Four, then in the entire Great Marsh Cultivation Realm, he would have little to worry about, and each life of rejuvenation wouldn’t involve hiding like before.
"Liu Qingyun!" Just as he walked not far, a message through Divine Sense reached him.
He paused, looking towards the window lattice on the third floor of a nearby restaurant.
In his Divine Sense, Bai Cailin was sitting in a private room on the third floor, looking a bit troubled.
"What is it?"
"I... I’d like to invite Fellow Daoist Liu to come in for a chat." Bai Cailin’s transmission sounded a bit unsure.
Li Ji’an shook his head, "There is nothing for us to discuss."
"How can there not be? Right now, many people still believe in you and me..." Bai Cailin said, both embarrassed and angry.
Li Ji’an chuckled lightly, "Taoist Friend Bai, don’t think too highly of yourself; not many people care that much about you."
"You!"
"Hmph, don’t forget that your Spirit Pet’s recent Core Formation partly credits me. Without that Pill Condensation Method, your Spirit Pet might not have formed an upper-tier Demon Pill!" Bai Cailin said, annoyed.
"That was a wager you lost!" Li Ji’an left that remark, stepped forward to leave, unwilling to become more entangled.
"Wait!" Bai Cailin couldn’t endure it anymore, flying down to stop Li Ji’an on the street.
"Hmm?" Li Ji’an’s eyes narrowed.
Bai Cailin subconsciously took half a step back.
She had lost to him in magical power previously, and now his Spirit Pet formed into an upper-tier Demon Pill of Tier Three, whether potential or initial strength, it surpassed her Spiritual Crane.
Instinctively, she had already entirely submitted.
"Don’t misunderstand, I... I just want to resolve our conflict." Bai Cailin blurted out.
Seeing her inner turmoil like a startled fawn, Li Ji’an almost couldn’t hold back his laughter.
Women are naturally drawn to strength, it’s in their blood.
"Hmph, don’t think I fear you; I only... think it’s better to resolve enmity than keep it, and since our Spirit Pets advanced to Tier Three on the same day, it’s a bond. Mainly, Xiaoqi has a great liking for your Vermilion Toad and wants to make another Spirit Beast friend." Realizing her embarrassment, Bai Cailin hastily explained.
"No need! Move aside." Li Ji’an held back his amusement, keeping a stern face as he refused.
A strong aura emanated, making Bai Cailin instinctively obey.
Until Li Ji’an’s figure flickered away into the distance, Bai Cailin was left agitated and embarrassed at her own weakness when facing him now.
Suddenly, she had a thought, and quickly sent another distant message, "Be wary of Tong Liang!"
During Gugu’s pill solidification, Bai Cailin had noticed Tong Liang’s abnormal attitude several times, and couldn’t refrain from warning him.
Yet, after transmitting it, she was puzzled herself as to why she’d warn him.
She had no evidence, only a feeling.
Moreover, he was a prodigy of the Nine Tripods Commerce Association, while Li Ji’an was merely an outsider cultivator.
What’s more, her relationship with Li Ji’an was far from harmonious.
"Hmm?" Already far away, Li Ji’an was taken aback by the message.
Not surprised by Tong Liang’s character, but surprised at being warned at all.
To Tong Liang, Li Ji’an paid no more heed than seeing him as Tong Yaoyao’s descendant.
In a past life, Tong Yaoyao’s assistance to him had been significant. Initially offering him the opportunity as a Honored Guest Elder, elevating his Alchemy Skill, later gifting him primary ingredients for Foundation Establishment Pill due to Zhao Shuyao, and personally protecting him for a successful Foundation Establishment.
Even centuries later, they specially prepared a Core Formation Spirit Treasure at Biyun Sect for him.
Although it was an ordinary treasure, it still showed their goodwill.
Li Ji’an was a man of gratitude, cherishing Tong Yaoyao’s kindness deeply.
Unfortunately, since arriving at the Ten Thousand Merchants Domain several years ago, there had been no news of Tong Yaoyao.
Her whereabouts seemed quite well concealed.
Yet, Li Ji’an had discovered from the domain’s history that she was once the third place in a session of Flying Crane Dao Discussion.
This was a testament to her formidable strength.
Accepting Tong Liang’s overture yesterday was, in fact, an attempt to glean information on Tong Yaoyao’s whereabouts.
"Never mind, let’s not complicate things further." After pondering briefly, Li Ji’an dismissed the thought for the moment.
Then, instead of lingering in Tiger Roar Immortal City, he headed directly towards the Jinhua Commerce Association.
Gugu’s Demon Core had only temporarily stabilized, requiring at least one to two years to fully cement the Early Period of Tier Three Realm.
This period was perfect for secluded cultivation at the Jinhua Commerce Association’s Dao Field.
By the time its realm was fully stabilized, the Flying Crane Dao Discussion would conclude.
By then, the spirit contract with Jinhua Commerce Association would reach its end.
Half a month later, Li Ji’an crossed the border between White Deer Continent and Treasure Bottle Continent.
"Why did Brother Liu leave without a word?" Suddenly, a light voice sounded.
Then, the graceful figure of Tong Liang came into view.
"Hmm?" Li Ji’an paused slightly.
With his mid-peak Core Formation Divine Sense, he had not noticed someone hiding in this place.
"The Nine Tripods Commerce Association’s strength is certainly not to be underestimated."
Having a treasure to obscure Divine Sense of mid-peak Core Formation and giving it to a Foundation Establishment Stage junior...
"What do you intend?" Li Ji’an wasted no words.
"Hehe, didn’t Brother Liu promise to contact me that day? It’s truly heartbreaking that you slipped away like this," Tong Liang said, still wearing a smiling expression.
"Cut the nonsense and state your purpose." Given that he had staked out here, it was clear he had no good intentions.
Tong Liang shook his head slightly, dropping the charade, "Brother Liu is direct, fine, I’ll be straightforward. Kindly hand over that upper-tier Demon Core Spirit Beast to me."
"Heh~ A mere Foundation Establishment dares to covet a Tier Three Great Demon? You’ve got some nerve." Li Ji’an laughed lightly, but also became alert.
Knowing well he had a Tier Three Great Demon, and it was an upper-tier Demon Core at that, even though its realm hadn’t fully stabilized yet, it was undoubtedly comparable to an early-stage True Core Cultivator.
Furthermore, Tong Liang dared to boldly demand it in person.
"That’s not something Brother Liu needs to concern himself with; I have my own tricks," Tong Liang said confidently.
"Swoosh~" Before he finished his words, Li Ji’an had already vanished.
Simultaneously, countless green leaves fluttered down, enveloping the area.
Li Ji’an employed an attack technique he hadn’t revealed before, signaling his intent not to hold back, nor to show mercy just because Tong Liang was a descendant of Tong Yaoyao.
