Free Web NovelChapter 2127: Chapter 2164: Wishful Thinking
"I really admire him, he’s been trying for nearly a hundred years and still wants to keep trying. This old man has attempted so many times without success, it’s basically impossible for him to advance any further. At his age, he still wants to ascend to the Fourth Level of the Divine Realm. It seems this Mu Gaosou truly is a martial arts fanatic.
But on the flip side, if he can succeed in advancing his realm and reach the Fourth Level of the Divine Realm, then he can extend his life by six hundred years. Given Mu Gaosou’s age, he could live for more than six hundred years again. Thinking of this, Ding Fan understood; Mu Gaosou simply doesn’t want to die. As long as he reaches the Fourth Level of the Divine Realm, he won’t have to die, which is why he is so desperately trying to ascend.
Ding Fan thought for a moment and then asked Wu Qingxia, "How much Black Obsidian can the sect earn in a year now?"
Wu Qingxia calculated for a bit and replied to Ding Fan, "If everything goes smoothly, we can earn over two million a year. However, our expenses are also huge. At the current rate, by the end of the year, we will only have less than a million Black Obsidian remaining."
Hearing Wu Qingxia’s words, Ding Fan couldn’t help but sigh, "Seems like you’re right, we really can’t afford it."
After saying this, Ding Fan thought for a while longer and then asked Wu Qingxia again, "There’s no problem with Mu Gaosou’s profile, right? If we take him in, do you think he might turn around and bully us?"
"Brother Ding, it’s not that we don’t want to take him in, but we truly can’t afford it..."
Seeing that Ding Fan seemingly didn’t listen to what he was saying, Wu Qingxia had no choice but to continue, "Elder Wu Ren checked, and Mu Gaosou’s character is still acceptable. Despite having gone through so many different powers, he has never forced others with brute strength."
"Good, as long as the character is not an issue!"
Ding Fan seemed to have made up his mind and turned to walk into the hall. The Second Elder and Fourth Elder had originally been accompanying Mu Gaosou along with Wu Qingxia, but after Wu Qingxia left, they understood that he must have been summoned by Ding Fan. Seeing Ding Fan walk in, they immediately said to Mu Gaosou, "Senior Mu, this is the good friend of Lord Chi Yan... also known as our Island Master, Ding Fan."
Realizing the person who walked in was Island Master Ding Fan, Mu Gaosou immediately unleashed his aura, causing a palpable pressure to fill the entire hall. With pride, Mu Gaosou said to Ding Fan, "So you’re Island Master Ding, truly a hero from youth. Your deeds are widely known throughout the Tianmu Sea. Well, we’re not strangers, I’ve met Lord Chi Yan a few times, we could be considered acquaintances."
Ding Fan glanced at Mu Gaosou but didn’t speak to him just yet. He arrogantly walked straight to the central chair and sat down, picked up the tea poured by the Second Elder, drank a few sips, and then looked at Mu Gaosou and said, "No need to show your power, I know all about you. Do you want to have a proper talk with me? If you maintain this current attitude, then I’m sorry, but we cannot accommodate such a revered Buddha like you here. Please leave." ƒreewebɳovel.com
Ding Fan’s attitude stunned the Second Elder, Fourth Elder, and others, thinking that Ding Fan was quite arrogant indeed, more so than Mu Gaosou. It seemed he wasn’t afraid of Mu Gaosou, but his realm was only at the Second Level of the Divine Realm. If Mu Gaosou were angered, no one on the island could oppose him, and it would be a disaster.
Mu Gaosou was also quite surprised, his eyes showed a hint of coldness as he glared at Ding Fan, but Ding Fan was unfazed, holding the teacup, calmly staring at Mu Gaosou, not intimidated in the least.
Inside the minds of the Second Elder and others, they were like fifteen buckets drawing water, but since Ding Fan was the Island Master, they didn’t dare speak. They could only watch in awe as the two stared each other down; if Mu Gaosou took action against Ding Fan now, they truly had no solution.
At this point, an unbelievable thing happened; the intimidating aura around Mu Gaosou suddenly vanished completely, replaced by a welcoming atmosphere. His face no longer appeared furious, instead taking on a very kind expression. Now, he no longer had the fierce demeanor from earlier, resembling a harmless elder from next door.
Mu Gaosou smiled slightly and said to Ding Fan, "Haha, seeing is better than hearing, Island Master Ding truly is remarkable. At such a young age you have such composure, you make this old man ashamed. Regardless, I come with sincerity to seek refuge with Island Master Ding. Please guide me on how to properly discuss things; I’m here to listen to your instructions."
"Well..."
With this, the Second Elder, Fourth Elder, and Wu Qingxia nearly fainted. What is happening? Now Mu Gaosou’s old face showed expressions of flattery, his wrinkled face had a look of a pet seeing its owner. Where was he still like a Third Level Peak expert of the Divine Realm? He seemed like an animal wagging its tail to the master.
Seeing Mu Gaosou’s demeanor, Ding Fan relaxed his expression. He didn’t rush to speak, instead, he held the tea bowl, gently blew away the floating tea leaves, drank a sip, and finally said to Mu Gaosou, "You say you want to join our Skeleton Sect. This is something we might consider accepting you for, but your conditions are unacceptable, you must listen to us. The idea of becoming the Great Elder of Skeleton Sect, don’t even think about it, at most we’ll give you an overseer’s role, and it will be a spare position. You are not allowed to interfere in any affairs, your task is to watch over the courtyard and protect the safety of Skull Island!"
"Ah... Island Master, this..."
The Second Elder and several others felt anxious upon hearing this. How could this be acceptable? They saw Mu Gaosou as a dangerous figure who could not be easily accepted. Initially, they hoped Ding Fan would give him a thousand or so Black Obsidian stones to send him away, as they simply couldn’t afford to keep him. But now it seemed Ding Fan truly intended to let the old man stay.
However, Ding Fan did not let them finish their sentence, shaking his head at them, indicating they should stop talking. He turned his gaze to Mu Gaosou, his expression calm, as if waiting for Mu Gaosou’s response.
Mu Gaosou then displayed a furious rage, his eyes glaring like copper bells, his face flushed with anger, he roared at Ding Fan: "You little brat, bullying me too far! I am a renowned Third Level Peak expert of the Divine Realm, and you only let me be an overseer, calling it a leisure position. Do you really think of the old man as a watchdog, guarding your house! You think too highly of yourself, the old man has had a reputation for over a century, even the Tianmu Sea would quake if I stomped. Don’t even speak of you, even Xu Guotao from Moon Mist Island is very polite to me. What do you rely on..."
The Second Elder and others felt deep distress. This Ding Fan was still too young, provoking this old demonic head with just a few words. What could be done now!
Before the Second Elder and others could react, Ding Fan abruptly stood up without waiting for Mu Gaosou to finish, and said to the Second Elder and others: "No more talking, take him out."
After finishing, he turned around and walked outward, leaving the Second Elder and others dumbfounded. How could they send him away?
At this moment, Mu Gaosou became anxious, his figure flickered, and he was already by Ding Fan’s side. Instead of resorting to violence, he adopted a flattering expression and said to Ding Fan: "Island Master Ding, don’t be angry, aren’t we still discussing this matter! How about this, if you agree to one condition, I won’t do any management, I’ll exclusively safeguard Skull Island’s security. How about it?"
Ding Fan’s face showed no expression, he only glanced sideways at him and said: "Let’s hear what you have to say!" freewebnσvel.cѳm
Upon hearing Ding Fan’s words, Mu Gaosou solemnly said to Ding Fan: "Here’s the situation: I’ve recently comprehended the path, and have almost a hundred percent confidence in successfully breaking through to the Fourth Level of the Divine Realm. As long as the Skeleton Sect provides me enough Spiritual Material Resources before my realm improves, then Skull Island’s security will be entirely my responsibility in the future. Whoever dares to threaten the Skeleton Sect, I will defend to the death and keep them outside the island."
"Here it comes indeed..."
The faces of the Second Elder, Fourth Elder, and Wu Qingxia immediately changed. The thing they feared most was hearing Mu Gaosou speak those words, and now he finally proposed it. If this old guy can’t improve in a few years, the Skeleton Sect will definitely be dragged down by him. They looked earnestly at Ding Fan, hoping he wouldn’t agree to this.
If they agreed to this, it would be wholly detrimental and not beneficial to the Skeleton Sect. If they couldn’t afford it and Elder Mu Li got up and left, the Skeleton Sect would be in dire straits.
Actually, even without Elder Mu Li, the defense on Skull Island is already quite safe now. They currently have fifteen Tigertooth Apes, and they are not afraid of any external enemies. Moreover, with Crimson Flame’s Young Master Ding Fan there, who would dare attack? Besides, the cost of maintaining fifteen Tigertooth Apes annually isn’t a small amount either. The amount of Black Obsidian stones required just for the fifteen Tigertooth Apes annually exceeds what a Second Grade Power would use in a year.
"You have grand dreams, I suspect this was your intention all along!"
Ding Fan said coldly to Mu Gaosou, which pleased the Second Elder and others, thinking Ding Fan had no intention of accepting Mu Gaosou.
But the following words from Ding Fan made them wish they could kick him a few times. They heard Ding Fan say to Mu Gaosou: "We can’t provide resources to you indefinitely. You want to improve your realm, which is not impossible, but you can only attempt a breakthrough every four years. If you try ten times and still can’t reach the Fourth Level of the Divine Realm, then Skull Island won’t provide another Black Obsidian stone. Agree and stay, disagree and get lost."
The requirement to improve each time would cost nearly four million Black Obsidian stones, even if attempted every four years, it would still cost a million each year. In the current situation, the Skeleton Sect managing to retain one million Black Obsidian stones annually is quite fortunate, but the reality is they earn less than they spend.
Inside the Skeleton Sect, the Second Elder and Fourth Elder also need to improve their realms, as do the martial artists. Plus, some individuals cannot improve in one go, and if unsuccessful, restarting would require more Black Obsidian stones.
Ding Fan is now a machine for burning Black Obsidian stones, and there are also many potential disciples within the Skeleton Sect. All these require Black Obsidian stones. With Ding Fan’s big mouth agreeing to accept Mu Gaosou, where will they get so many Black Obsidian stones from in the future.
Before the Second Elder and others could express their view, Mu Gaosou refused flatly. He spoke to Ding Fan in a very certain tone: "How is this possible? I am a dignified Fourth Level expert of the Divine Realm, already lowering myself significantly to guard on your behalf, and you’re still so stingy. At my age, who knows if I’ll live another forty years. Doing it once a year is a given. At worst, after fifteen attempts without improvement, I’ll leave on my own, is that not acceptable?"
