Chapter 677: Chapter 385: Negotiation
A battle of Great Elder Level meant that a momentary hesitation brought about death.
Great Elder Fan Xi was bitten by an Absolute Spirit Illusionary Jiao, and the poison slowed his movements, allowing Li Shiming to close in and pierce through all of Fan Xi’s defenses with his Third Grade Sword Base.
The Thunder Sword Intent and the terrifying Vajra Force caused fatal destruction inside his body.
Great Elder Fan Xi wanted to say something, but he opened his mouth and couldn’t utter a single word.
Even in death, he didn’t know what had attacked him, which made his death extremely frustrating.
In reality, calling it a sneak attack was not accurate, as a cultivator’s strength includes not only themselves but also the corpse refining and spiritual pets they cultivate; these are all part of a cultivator’s combat power.
Li Shiming’s Absolute Spirit Illusionary Jiao was a creature from ancient times, discovered in the ruins.
It’s very likely that there is no second one in today’s Cultivation World, and its uniqueness gives cultivators no way to counter it.
In the Cultivation World, as soon as a certain method is revealed, ways to counter it will be found as long as it is exposed.
The Absolute Spirit Illusionary Jiao is the most exceptional; if it doesn’t show itself voluntarily, not even cultivators using Divine Thought can detect its existence.
Li Shiming took Great Elder Fan Xi’s Space Ring, issued a command to the Absolute Spirit Illusionary Jiao, which then retracted its deadly poison, and he then collected the corpse.
He wouldn’t let go of the body of such a Great Elder.
It was the best material for corpse refining, and there was a chance he could refine a corpse that possessed special abilities.
Just like his seldom-summoned Corpse Refining Nan Ming, which possessed an attack-type Divine Skill like the Nanming Leaving Fire.
Although the chance of refining a corpse with special abilities was very small, the more powerful the body, the higher the chance of obtaining special abilities.
Li Shiming’s blatant collection of Great Elder Fan Xi’s corpse was witnessed by Mingxin Sect’s Sect Leader and all the Golden Core Elders.
They wanted to rush out of the gate to avenge Great Elder Fan Xi, but considering that even Fan Xi had been killed, they could not predict how many Golden Core cultivators would die if they went out to battle Li Shiming.
Although Mingxin Sect had occupied Sky Sea Island, driving the seven sects to the shoreline, and their long-term repression had severely weakened the seven sects, if Mingxin Sect suffered too many losses among its Golden Core cultivators, they would not be able to control Sky Sea Island anymore after killing Li Shiming, not to mention considering retaliation from Shushan Sect.
“Sect Leader, why not ask Master Jing Mo to mediate!” a Golden Core Elder suggested.
The Sect Leader’s eyes lit up, knowing that Li Shiming was too strong to confront directly, and the issue needed resolution. Even if they had to hand over Bo Ran and Bao Zhao, they needed a cultivator to negotiate.
Given the current situation, if their Golden Core Elders went, they would probably be killed by Li Shiming.
“Quickly invite Master Jing Mo here, you go and ask him!” the Sect Leader said to the Golden Core Elder who had made the suggestion.
The Golden Core Elder nodded and flew out of the hall. Jing Mo’s location was a cave dwelling set up for guests, sealed from all external sounds, also unaware of Li Shiming’s arrival.
After all, Jing Mo was a guest at Mingxin Sect, and Mingxin Sect would not likely expose its disgraceful situation to him.
However, due to their inability to deal with Li Shiming, they asked Jing Mo to intervene.
It did not take long before the Golden Core Elder brought a Late-stage Golden Core Cultivator back with him.
“Master Jing Mo, our sect is willing to reach an agreement with your trading company at the price you proposed. However, before that, please assist us with a matter!” the Sect Leader said to Master Jing Mo.
The Sect Leader was very respectful to Master Jing Mo due to his status.
Master Jing Mo was the Beishu Trading Company’s external Store Manager, and he was negotiating a series of resource exchange agreements with Mingxin Sect.
Although the resources of Sky Sea Island were scarce, they included several unique resources. Additionally, with the limited Alchemy and Artifact Refining skills on the island, the help of Beishu Trading Company was needed.
Beishu Trading Company was also planning to rebuild trade routes on Sky Sea Island; their established routes with the seven sects had been disrupted by Mingxin Sect’s invasion, and the negotiations involved substantial interests. Therefore, Master Jing Mo had been staying with Mingxin Sect for some time.
“What help do you need from me?” Master Jing Mo asked with a smile.
He was very pleased inwardly, as setting the terms meant that the Beishu Trading Company’s interests on Sky Sea Island would surpass those from the time of the seven sects.
This achievement would reward him within the trading company and also elevate his status.
“This matter is somewhat troublesome for us, but for Master Jing Mo, it’s a mere trifle. Mingxin Sect has encountered some problems. A Shushan Sect Elder has come to hold us accountable and has already killed one of our elders. We ask Master Jing Mo to mediate for our sect with him, and our sect will be most grateful afterward!” the Sect Leader said with a bow and a compliment.
“An elder from Shushan Sect? It’s not really a difficult matter. I agree!” Master Jing Mo readily agreed without any difficulty upon hearing this.
Although Shushan Sect was a major sect, the relationship Beishu Trading Company had with Shushan Sect meant that a Shushan Sect Elder would still give him face.
As Master Jing Mo flew out of the gate and saw Li Shiming standing in the air outside, his expression changed.
The image of Li Shiming had long been circulated in Beishu Trading Company.
Even Master Jing Mo, as the external Store Manager, recognized Li Shiming at first glance.