Recently, it seemed that because the "Spirit Gathering Array" was somewhat effective, in order to allow enough people to test the Formation without leaving any potential risks, the True Immortal Research Institute planned to expand the scale of "cultivators." They released a batch of spots to a small, external circle.
Suddenly, every class of society that had access to the Cultivation Circle was scrambling for these spots, each employing their own tactics.
Xie Yusheng thought that this matter wouldn’t have anything to do with him, but unexpectedly...
After going round and round, it actually came back to him?
"You can’t be thinking of sending Grandpa to the True Immortal Research Institute just because Qiao Ningyun can really make it happen? If she were to send someone, she’d prioritize her own parents and elders first."
Xie Yusheng frowned as he spoke.
"They’ve already been sent in."
Xie Dong’an said, "As one of the first three to achieve Foundation Establishment, Qiao Ningyun also displayed amazing talent afterward. To this day, she’s reached the Mahayana stage of Foundation Establishment, just one step away from Perfection. She’s become one of the fastest cultivators. She had ten spots for recommending people to be tested for their Cultivation Talent, and nine have already been used. Furthermore, some people have successfully entered the True Immortal Research Institute, obtaining Cultivation Methods. Now, there’s only one spot left!"
"I don’t understand."
Xie Yusheng was utterly puzzled: "Why is Qiao Siyu so fixated on me? Do I really have such charm to make her so devotedly attached?"
He couldn’t comprehend.
In fact, not only could he not comprehend, but the Xie Family didn’t understand it either.
However, that wasn’t the point; the point was that the Qiao Family was willing to pay the price of a recommendation spot to make the marriage between the two happen, and that was enough.
"Xiao Sheng, you should understand what Grandpa’s good health means to our Xie Family! Over the years, the smooth development of our Xie Family has relied entirely on the connections from Grandpa’s generation. Once anything happens to Grandpa, when the man goes, all will be forgotten, and our Xie Family’s situation will become extremely difficult."
Xie Dong’an said earnestly, "Since you were young, you’ve been nurtured by the family and enjoyed all sorts of treatments from the family. Now that the family needs you to make an effort, I hope you can step forward and take on the responsibilities you ought to bear."
Xie Yusheng looked at the people in front of him.
He had long known that they were pressuring him to marry Qiao Siyu to satisfy some kind of interest — yet, now that they couldn’t even be bothered to cover it up and were directly engaging in moral blackmail, he still felt a strong sense of alienation.
To grow and develop, must a family abandon humanity and put interests above all else?
"Xiao Sheng, I know my words may sound unpleasant, but we are indeed doing this for you. Miss Qiao’s status, her character..."
Xie Yusheng extended his hand to interrupt Xie Dong’an: "The safety of the Xie Family hinges on me, right?"
Xie Dong’an, Zhang Zixuan, and others exchanged glances and nodded, "Even for the future development of our Xie Family, you should not refuse a marriage alliance with the Qiao Family."
Upon hearing these words, joy appeared in everyone’s eyes.
"Then you should quickly return Miss Qiao’s call..."
Xie Yusheng looked at everyone present: "I remember a saying that goes, ’With great power comes great responsibility’."
He went on directly: "I have the ability now, taking responsibility for the marriage alliance with the Qiao Family, I have that too, carrying on my shoulders the future development of the Xie Family. So what about power? Since the entire Xie Family’s rise and fall can be determined by my single thought, isn’t it fair for me to ask for a bit of power? I won’t say much about the rest, but transfer 20% of Shanhai Group’s shares to me. I won’t ask for much, just 20%. Transfer it to me, and I will immediately proceed with the marriage alliance with the Qiao Family."
"20% of Shanhai Group’s shares?"
Xie Dong’an, Zhang Zixue, Zhang Zixuan, and the others widened their eyes in shock.
The Shanhai Group was a large conglomerate controlled by the Xie Family, Zhang Family, Liu Family, and some others, with a dozen or so companies under their umbrella, involving various industries, and a total market value of nearly a hundred billion.
Among them, the Xie Family and Zhang Family held over 50% of the shares.
Of these 50% shares, the Xie Family controlled 30%.
Now, Xie Yusheng was asking for 20% of the shares in one go...
That was twenty billion!
"Have you lost your mind!?"
Xie Dong’an was the first to shout out: "20% of the shares? Grandpa, as the chairman, only has 16% of the shares in his hands, and you’re asking for 20%..."
"Xiao Sheng, what nonsense are you talking about!?"
Zhang Zixue also couldn’t help but reproach.
"I’ve made myself very clear. Either give me 20% of Shanhai Group’s shares, or you find someone else for the marriage alliance with Qiao Siyu."
Xie Yusheng said indifferently.
"Are you insane!? It’s just a marriage with Qiao Siyu. Marrying Qiao Siyu is the fortune of your past eight lifetimes, what more could you not be satisfied with that you dare to make such outrageous demands for 20% of the group’s shares!? Your dad only holds 3% of the shares!"
"Xiao Sheng, don’t be angry now, we’re doing this for your own good."
Zhang Zixue, Xie Dong’an hurriedly said.
Xie Yusheng looked at the anxious few, then thought back to Qiao Siyu’s attitude, how Qiao Ningyun took him straight to the True Immortal Research Institute the moment he spoke up, and even...
He had been in the South Heavenly Gate project team for so long, and no one had ever taken away his benefits. He suddenly seemed to realize something.
"Perhaps, I’m not as insignificant as I imagined."