Chapter 510: Chapter 465: Say It Directly Next Time (6K6, No Time Left to Post)_2 Chapter 510: Chapter 465: Say It Directly Next Time (6K6, No Time Left to Post)_2 In a few years time, the vast Wen Family estate would be completely devoured by the Nan Hong Seven Sons.
Wen Qiujin slowly made her way downstairs.
As the guard beside her picked up the Jade Slip, a group of female cultivators with exceptional bearing swiftly assembled in front of the octagonal tower. They then rose into the clouds and took their positions on either side.
They all took out jade flutes.
Soon, a red haze enveloped the area, spreading a sense of auspicious peace.
As celestial music began to play.
A majestic bronze lion puppet appeared amidst the clouds.
Wen Qiujin ascended into the sky without any air of superiority, followed by eighteen guards. “We welcome the Nanyang Immortal Sect to the Shuiyue Commerce Alliance! Qiujin apologizes for not greeting you from afar, and hopes the immortals will forgive the oversight,” she said.
In that moment, all the cultivators within the commerce alliance were astonished, looking up at the bronze lion puppet.
To have the head of the Shuiyue Commerce Alliance, Wen Qiujin herself, greet them personally… What an impressive scene this must be… the Nanyang Immortal Sect, why does it seem so unfamiliar?
The members of the Chen family and the cultivators from Qinghai Prefecture had never been treated so lavishly.
Glancing at the Nanyang steward robes they wore, their faces beamed with pride as they stood tall.
Shen Yi sat calmly within the lion puppet.
It seemed the windfall he’d hoped for today was not to be.
Since the other party knew of their whereabouts, they must be well-informed; if they really wanted to give them anything, they wouldn’t make such a public spectacle and risk offending the other Nan Hong siblings.
But it didn’t matter.
The other party’s gesture at least indicated a willingness to show allegiance and abide by the rules.
With this in mind, Shen Yi urged the Spirit Puppet forward, swiftly entering the floating island.
“Please, the immortals, come upstairs,” Qiujin said.
Wen Qiujin descended again, and amid the flute music played by many female cultivators, she personally led the way for the group of Nan Hong stewards: “Allow Qiujin the chance to show a token of appreciation.”
The Shuiyue Commerce Alliance was incredibly efficient.
From receiving the news to the Green Lion Spiritual Puppet’s touchdown, they had already prepared a table laden with mountain and sea delicacies, exquisite meals and fine wines.
“Thank you,” said Shen Yi, nodding slightly. Since he couldn’t gain any windfall, he wasn’t very interested.
It was just a matter of discussing the affairs of Qinghai Prefecture.
However, since the other party was so polite, staying for a meal wasn’t an issue.
“The Immortal is too kind; all this is what Qiujin should do,” Wen Qiujin said. Dressed in plain clothes, she was respectful without being mercenary, and as she led the guests upstairs to their seats, she quickly discerned the ranks within the group.
She carefully led Shen Yi to the seat of honor without making it seem intentional.
Then she summoned a group of female cultivators to pour wine and serve dishes for everyone.
Although Shen Yi was unaccustomed to such treatment, he said nothing more about it.
A few guards stood behind Wen Qiujin, hands behind their backs.
Their gazes secretly swept over everyone, silently taking note of information.
The leader was at the fourth level of Return to Void, and the oldest with the highest cultivation was at the sixth level. The rest were also at level five or four.
It all matched the stature of Immortal Sect stewards on patrol.
However, aside from the young man, the others seemed somewhat older… and oddly familiar, the more she looked the more they resembled people from Qinghai Prefecture.
Wen Qiujin was clearly aware of the identities of the group, but she did not expose them. She raised her glass to Shen Yi, “We’ve heard the Immortal passed by Qinghai Prefecture; the Shuiyue Commerce Alliance has had quite a history with them before. But compared to our modest dealings, the affairs of the Immortal Sect are of greater importance.”
Shen Yi raised his glass in return, nodding slightly.
Facing matters he was not adept at, he decided to bring Li Qingfeng along next time.
But the other party was clearly astute, which saved a lot of trouble.
In the midst of the lively exchanges.
Suddenly, a guard walked up to Wen Qiujin and whispered: “Alliance Hierarch, our ship has been sunk. It was the handiwork of the Aquatic Race, and we don’t know the identity of the other party.”
Wen Qiujin pondered for a moment, glanced at Shen Yi, but did not disturb him.
This was the Nanyang Sect’s first visit to the Shuiyue Commerce Alliance, and judging by these people’s cultivation levels, they were clearly not prepared for conflict.
There was no need to cause embarrassment for the Nanyang Sect.
She whispered back: “Send a letter to find out the reason, see if we’ve unintentionally offended them, and make sure to give the proper courtesies. Don’t make a scene today.”
Having said that, Wen Qiujin put on a smile again and offered Shen Yi another toast.
“If the Immortal is interested, Qiujin can take you on a tour of the Shuiyue Commerce Alliance. After all, it has been many years since our last encounter, and there might be some distance between us.”
She had not intended to present another tribute today, but letting the Nanyang Sect understand the current scale of the Shuiyue Commerce Alliance—to clear any doubt about what they should expect from each other—would prevent future conflicts, and that was the proper thing to do.
“Very well,” replied Shen Yi. He was indeed looking to use this opportunity to gain a better understanding of the outside world.
In the liveliest part of the floating island.
An old man, spittle flying, was arguing heatedly with someone: “You want to charge me that much for a broke piece of land? Are you filling your head with manure?!”
“Elder Zhang, watch your words. We’re all part of the Shuiyue Commerce Alliance. Don’t you know the price yourself?” the younger cultivator rolled his eyes, also glancing at the clearly distinguished man behind Zhang.
His face had newly healed wounds.
And a weak aura all over.
Such a cultivator, obviously fleeing from disaster, would certainly be desperate. Missing this opportunity would be akin to courting divine punishment.
“Ah,” Xiao Yuanlin sighed resignedly as he looked at Zhang. The price set by the Fairy of Baohua was enough to buy two pieces of that land.
But considering the risks the other party had taken to bring the people of Xiao Family Fort here, it was reasonable for them to want to make a little extra.
Zhang’s face turned furious as he grabbed the young cultivator’s collar, “Don’t go too far!”
Just then, his eyes caught sight of something from the corner of his eye.
His furious expression vanished in an instant, the pretense was gone, replaced by a blank stare.
Noticing the change in his expression, Xiao Yuanlin curiously turned to look in the same direction and quickly spotted Wen Qiujin in plain clothes, but his gaze swiftly moved to the tall figure in the Ink Robe beside her.