Free Web NovelChapter 1771: Chapter 734: Asking an Exorbitant Price
"Fifteen Little Star Monarchs and one Star Monarch were completely wiped out in the Zhu Family’s Lower Pool Star Domain? Is this news true?"
In the Yuanling True Monarch Mansion, upon hearing his subordinate’s report, Yuanling True Monarch’s long eyebrows lifted sharply, and his eyes gleamed brightly.
"Replying to True Monarch, the information is genuine. Previously, it was uncertain, as there were no survivors and no bodies found, and the Dongxuan Order had no response.
But now, the families to which these Little Star Monarchs belonged have already started to prepare funerals!
It’s said the Dongxuan Order has become unreachable, probably due to its loss of effect after the scattering of the souls."
"Now, these families are harboring a deep hatred for Zhu Linxiao and Xu Jin!" replied Heavenly Wing Star Monarch Shen Hui.
"Oh?" Yuanling True Monarch’s eyes moved slightly, "Then how do these small families know that the killers are Zhu Linxiao and Xu Jin?" Yuanling True Monarch inquired.
"According to the reports, it was leaked from the Bixuan True Monarch Mansion." answered Heavenly Wing Star Monarch Shen Hui.
Upon hearing this, Yuanling True Monarch’s eyes flickered with brilliance, and he fell into silent contemplation.
It was a long while before he began to laugh.
"The situation in our Dongxuan Star Realm is becoming more and more intriguing!
The Yutang True Monarch Mansion seems to have a chance of revival.
After this battle, those who wish to seize the Yutang True Monarch Mansion’s Small World Star Domain will have to think twice."
Pausing here, Yuanling True Monarch’s gaze sharpened as he immediately commanded, "Issue the order; all my Yuanling True Monarch’s subordinates must immediately cease all predations against the Yutang True Monarch Mansion. All unexecuted schemes for Small World Star Domains are to be abandoned."
The consumption of Yutang True Monarch Mansion’s substantial assets could never have been solely the work of the Bixuan True Monarch Mansion.
In fact, the various True Monarch families, the recently risen True Monarchs, and each Star Monarch have had intentions secretly.
However, the Bixuan True Monarch Mansion was the most openly blatant and had seized the most.
Even though there are numerous Small World Star Domains, the total ultimately is limited.
"True Monarch, although the Yutang True Monarch Mansion shows a turning point, is it indeed enough to warrant this?" Heavenly Wing Star Monarch inquired.
His question stemmed from the fact that the Heavenly Wing Star Monarch Mansion was currently infringing upon one of the Yutang True Monarch Mansion’s Small World Star Domains, with plans and operations underway for over a year, and it was recently reaching completion.
Originally, they planned to act during the Zhu Family’s expected defeat in the Lower Pool Star Domain, but unexpectedly, the Zhu Family won.
Not only did they win, but they achieved a significant victory.
Now, with Yuanling True Monarch’s direct prohibition, he was naturally reluctant to abandon the effort.
"Heavenly Wing, if your Shen Family’s Little Star Monarchs are more numerous and stronger than the Bixuan Lu Family’s, go ahead and try!" Yuanling True Monarch replied with a cold smile.
"I dare not, True Monarch. I will immediately relay the True Monarch’s prohibition!" Heavenly Wing Star Monarch Shen Hui replied, already with cold sweat forming on his back.
Indeed, with the grand victory of Lower Pool Star Domain, who would dare to contend with Yutang the Zhu Family within the Small World Star Domains!
A few breaths later, Heavenly Wing Star Monarch Shen Hui departed, while Yuanling True Monarch turned his gaze to his family’s prodigious child, Yuan Facheng.
"Facheng, if you were to face fifteen Little Star Monarchs and one Star Monarch’s Daoist Embryo alone, would you have the assurance of total annihilation?" asked Yuanling True Monarch.
Yuan Facheng’s naturally curly hair quivered. "Forefather, I have no assurance at all!"
"What about merely achieving victory?"
Yuan Facheng shook his head again.
"Then, if I gave you reinforcements of one Star Monarch’s Daoist Embryo, and seven to eight-tenths of Heaven and Earth Authority, would you have the assurance of annihilating all these enemies?"
This time, Yuan Facheng pondered for a moment, then slowly nodded. "Probably a little."
"How much?"
"Less than two-tenths."
"What about the assurance of annihilating them and also retreating intact?"
This time, it was Yuan Facheng’s turn to be resolute, slowly and firmly shaking his head. "Forefather, in that case, not even one-tenth."
"Do you understand now?" Yuanling True Monarch fixed his eyes on Yuan Facheng and asked.
"I understand, Forefather!"
Upon hearing this, Yuanling True Monarch nodded lightly. "Remember, beyond the skies are the skies, beyond humans are other humans; diligence can compensate for clumsiness!
Sometimes, you cannot choose your enemies, but sometimes, you can choose your friends."
Yuan Facheng nodded again, indicating he would remember this lesson before being allowed to leave.
As he left, Yuan Facheng directed his gaze towards the direction of Yutang True Monarch Mansion, "This performance indicates that Xu Jin has already surpassed me! It seems I must seek a match with him; otherwise, life invincible becomes too lonely..."
*****
Inside Tianshang Hall, True Monarch Tianzhang looked at the urgent report that had just arrived, read it carefully, and suddenly began to laugh.
"Old man’s foresight remains ahead of its time.
The relationship has been established, and now we just watch for it to bloom and bear fruit."
A moment later, True Monarch Tianzhang issued an urgent command to his subordinate forces.
He ordered all his subordinate forces to immediately cease their encroachment on the Yutang True Monarch Mansion’s star domains, and anything that hadn’t achieved factual control must be withdrawn.
The rapid decline of the Yutang True Monarch Mansion indeed had some semblance of ’a thousand people hammering an already broken drum.’
However, the grand victory in the Lower Pool Star Domain at this moment has made all parties temporarily pull back.
The reason it’s a temporary retreat is that the various forces are still unclear whether this victory in the Lower Pool Star Domain marks the beginning of Yutang True Monarch Mansion’s reversal of decline or a mere dying flash.
Whichever it turns out to be, it will be clear within a mere few years.
For the various powers, especially the True Monarch heritage mansions, a few years is a wait they can afford.
*****
In a short time, the orders from these two True Monarchs spread across all their subordinate forces, and the strongmen making trouble in the Small World Star Domains under Yutang True Monarch Mansion suddenly disappeared mysteriously...
At the same time, the orders from these two True Monarchs also triggered a chain reaction among some of the smaller powers.
Following the general trend, they hurriedly gave up their encroachments on the Yutang True Monarch Mansion.
Of course, not all did so.
There are always those with stubborn resolve and boldness.
*****
Inside the Jade Hall True Monarch Mansion.
Yutang King Zhu Shizhen, Zhu Linxiao, Xu Jin, and Xiji Star Monarch Liu Xi were seated on the left and right.
Compared to the usual distinguished guests, at this moment, none of the four displayed a pleasant expression.
Each of their faces was as calm as water.
It’s simply because the Dongxuan Star Realm is a place that values rules, and Xiji Star Monarch Liu Xi’s arrival was a matter of public spectacle; otherwise, Zhu Shizhen would have been tempted to mobilize a military formation to surround and annihilate Liu Xi.
Xiji Star Monarch Liu Xi was once the foremost Star Lord under the Jade Hall True Monarch.
Unfortunately, not long after Jade Hall True Monarch passed away, he secretly sought Zhu Shizhen’s father for the True Monarch Blood Crystal but was unsuccessful. Shortly after, he openly defected to join Bixuan True Monarch.
Thus began the decline of Jade Hall True Monarch Mansion.
There’s nothing more fearsome than a traitor.
Xiji Star Monarch knew the Jade Hall True Monarch Mansion too well and had schemed multiple times, causing severe damage to their strength, resulting in repeated defeats, ultimately leading to the present predicament where they were besieged from all sides.
Whom do the Zhu siblings hate the most?
Xiji Star Monarch Liu Xi undoubtedly ranks in the top three!
After a series of biting sarcasm from Zhu Shizhen, Liu Xi finally revealed his intentions.
"You want us to return the West Wind Chaotic Sky Banner to you? Liu Xi, have you got worms in your brain, or has your heart been blinded by dog excrement to believe we would return the West Wind Chaotic Sky Banner, obtained through vanquishing enemies, to you?"
"You’re dreaming, aren’t you?" Yutang King Zhu Shizhen sneered.
Zhu Linxiao also discarded her gentle demeanor beside Xu Jin, her entire being exuding a killing intent, her phoenix eyes akin to blades as she glared at Liu Xi.
Xu Jin remained silent, coldly observing.
Before coming, it had already been discussed that the current Xu Jin should avoid standing out.
As for the truth of the great victory in the Lower Pool Star Domain, let them guess.
Upon hearing Liu Xi, Xiji Star Monarch merely shook his head and sighed, "Prince, your growth isn’t yet sufficient!"
"The world is bustling for profit; the world is clamorous for gain!"
"Failing to see through the word ’profit’ does not make a competent leader!"
"Prince, coming together for profit, separating without it, it’s only human nature!"
These few words of grand philosophy directly rendered Yutang King Zhu Shizhen speechless, appearing to hold some truth, unable to rebut temporarily.
Xu Jin, however, snorted, "To find a way to dignify the word ’shameless’ so grandly, it’s the first time I’ve seen it, Liu Star Monarch is truly clever."
Xiji Star Monarch Liu Xi glanced coldly at Xu Jin but didn’t argue with him, only looked at Yutang King Zhu Shizhen and said, "Prince, you can consider my request as a transaction!"
"You gain something, and I receive what I want."
"It’s mutually beneficial, the most wonderful thing in the world."
Zhu Shizhen continued to sneer, but at the next moment, Zhu Linxiao’s Divine Soul Transmission resounded in Xu Jin’s mind: "Husband, what do you intend to do?"
"If Husband plans to keep the West Wind Chaotic Sky Banner for personal use, I’ll immediately send this fellow away with curses.
"If Husband wishes to trade the West Wind Chaotic Sky Banner for urgently needed cultivation resources, you may inform me, and I’ll make sure this fellow pays dearly!"
"Of course, whichever way, Husband decides."
Just as this fellow arrived for the visit, Zhu Linxiao already determined Liu Xi’s intention.
It must be for the West Wind Chaotic Sky Banner, which Liu Xi intends to use as a top-grade Suppression Artifact for proving himself as True Monarch.
From the perspective of damaging others, it shouldn’t be given. What if this fellow succeeds in proving himself with its help?
But from a self-benefitting viewpoint, trading the West Wind Chaotic Sky Banner for Xu Jin’s urgently needed cultivation resources would be ideal.
Xu Jin’s cultivation level is currently rising rapidly.
Especially since the functionalities of the West Wind Chaotic Sky Banner don’t hold much significance for Xu Jin.
Xu Jin has examined the West Wind Chaotic Sky Banner; it possesses three major functions: one, Space Movement; two, Space Seal; three, Space Barrier Defense.
Except for the third defensive function, either of the other two are marginally useful for Xu Jin.
Even the third defensive function will see diminished value once Xu Jin’s Space Lifebound Spiritual Treasure is refined.
Theoretically, trading it for cultivation materials would be most suitable.
At this moment, Xu Jin made a decision.
"Eldest Princess, theoretically trading the West Wind Chaotic Sky Banner for cultivation materials serves me best, allowing my combat power to increase swiftly, but I have one concern." Xu Jin transmitted.
"What concern, Husband, please speak." Zhu Linxiao replied.
"I’m uncertain to what degree Liu Xi is at in proving himself as True Monarch; I’m worried that if we trade the West Wind Chaotic Sky Banner to him, and if it aids him in proving himself, it would inadvertently backfire." Xu Jin transmitted.
"You need not worry, Husband.
If proving oneself as True Monarch were possible solely with the West Wind Chaotic Sky Banner, Liu Xi wouldn’t still be waiting to prove himself, nor would he need to rely on the Bixuan True Monarch Mansion.
"Besides, if we trade the West Wind Chaotic Sky Banner to Liu Xi, it will most likely delay Liu Xi’s process of proving himself as True Monarch." Zhu Linxiao said.
"You mean Bixuan True Monarch will become suspicious?"
Suddenly, Xu Jin understood Zhu Linxiao’s intention.
"Husband is so brilliant, seeing through with a glance!" Zhu Linxiao praised Xu Jin in her transmission, "Husband, if Bixuan True Monarch finds out the West Wind Chaotic Sky Banner has returned to Liu Xi, what would he think?
"After all, he has a history of betrayal!
By then, the matter of aiding him in proving as True Monarch will probably be dragged out further!
After all, truly assisting him in proving himself, wouldn’t Bixuan True Monarch worry about this fellow’s reckoning once he dies?
"Especially under the circumstances of reconnecting with our Yutang Zhu Family!" Zhu Linxiao explained.
"Indeed so! Let’s make the trade then." Xu Jin made the decision upon hearing that.
"Alright, since Husband has decided, we shall trade the West Wind Chaotic Sky Banner to this fellow! However, please specify what kind of cultivation resources are needed, Husband."
After saying so, Zhu Linxiao added, "Husband, list all the cultivation resources you require so I can demand exorbitantly!" Zhu Linxiao laughed.
Exorbitant demands?
This matter, Xu Jin liked it!
