A few hours after that, Lu Sulan came to the second floor to look for Jiu Shen. She went back to the Ice Cloud Sword Sect last night to talk with the elders and the disciples about what Jiu Shen had told her. Of course, she did not divulge some matters to the disciples and only talked about it with the elders.
Initially, the elders of her sect adamantly refused when Lu Sulan told them about Jiu Shen's proposal, but when she told them about Jiu Shen's identity as an Alchemy Saint and also his unparalleled strength, their resistance became weaker, and then they decided to meet Jiu Shen before making any decisions.
Lu Sulan walked towards her master and was surprised to see him talking with the emperor. Her master even looked to be in a good mood which made her even more stunned. Although Jiu Shen's face was still indifferent, she could feel the elation in his eyes.
"Greetings, master. Greetings, Your Majesty." Lu Sulan bowed her head at Jiu Shen and then curtsied at the emperor.
Jiu Shen's remained calm after seeing Lu Sulan, but the emperor's face became slightly unnatural.
"Sulan, how's your discussion with the elders of the Ice Cloud Sword Sect? Did they agree to my proposal?" Jiu Shen asked in an indifferent tone.
Lu Sulan glanced at her master and then to the emperor with a look of hesitation, but then she suddenly heard her master's voice.
"You don't have to worry about Elyk. He will know about it soon anyway. Just say it."
Lu Sulan nodded her head in understanding and calmed herself down before she spoke. "As per master's orders, I went back to the Ice Cloud Sword Sect to discuss with the elders about your proposal. At first, they immediately refused it, but then after I told them about master's identity and strength, they decided to compromise and meet with you first. They said that they want to see you before making any decisions since this matter is related to the future of the Ice Cloud Sword Sect."
Jiu Shen leaned on his chair and nodded his head calmly. "Mn, I see."
Emperor Elyk who was listening at the sidelines was shocked when he heard Lu Sulan's words. 'Just what is Wine Master Jiu planning to do with the Ice Cloud Sword Sect? He seems to be making a big move now, but what could it be?'
"Sulan, take a seat first. Tell me everything that happened during your discussion with them, including their reactions." Jiu Shen gestured for Lu Sulan to sit beside him.
"Yes, master." Lu Sulan sat down and pulled her chair closer to Jiu Shen before she started talking about what had happened during her discussion with the elders of her sect last night.
"Master, here's what happened..."
Elyk wanted to leave and give them space, but he was truly curious about what Jiu Shen was planning, so he shamelessly remained seated on his chair and acted as if he wasn't listening to their conversation. However, the more he heard Lu Sulan's words, the more he became stunned.
'What?! Wine Master Jiu is planning to set up a sect?! And he's even planning to integrate the Ice Cloud Sword Sect as a part of his sect?! This...' Emperor Elyk almost choked on his wine as he listened attentively.
It was truly a shocking surprise for Emperor Elyk to hear this since he had thought that Jiu Shen only wanted to live an idle life in his store, but to think that Jiu Shen was actually planning of establishing a sect... Even Emperor Elyk could hardly calm himself down from this piece of news. Who was Jiu Shen? He was an Alchemy Saint! Aside from that, he was also able to defeat a dragon with a cultivation level at the peak of the 9th-rank Saint! Not to mention that he has a few strong subordinates serving under him.
After Lu Sulan was done telling Jiu Shen about what happened last night, she quietly filled his cup with wine while looking at his pondering face. Even until now, she could still not believe that this otherworldly man had become her master. 'Jiu Shen...' Her heart which was like a frozen iceberg for many years slowly melted as she stared at this man.
Jiu Shen didn't see the infatuated look of his disciples since he was pondering upon her words. 'It seems like I really have to meet the elders of Sulan's sect...' Jiu Shen muttered in his heart as he took a glance at the emperor only to see his dumbfounded expression.
Jiu Shen was amused to see the look on his face.
When Emperor Elyk saw Jiu Shen look his way, he cleared his throat and spoke in a probing tone. "Um, Wine Master Jiu, are you really planning to set up a sect?"
Jiu Shen was silent for a moment, but he nodded his head at the emperor soon after. "Indeed. Since you're here. I will ask if it's fine with you if I set up my sect within Beltran City."
Emperor Elyk lips quivered as a series of thoughts flashed within his mind. 'I know that Wine Master Jiu has no malicious intentions, but this is so sudden... Oh, right! I have an idea!'
"Wine Master Jiu, I can agree to this and I'm even willing to give you the piece of land around your store, but I have one request." Emperor Elyk's expression turned serious as he spoke those words.
"What is it?" Jiu Shen asked, but he could already guess what was on the emperor's mind. He understood the latter's plight, so he patiently waited for him to answer.
Emperor Elyk suddenly stood up from his seat and bowed deeply at Jiu Shen as he spoke. "Wine Master Jiu, I hope that you can offer your assistance to the Silver Wing Empire if ever a war breaks out!"
Lu Sulan was a bit surprised when she saw the emperor display such a humble attitude to her master, but she thought that it was understandable as well. Although she had no idea about the empire's precarious situation, she can still feel the tense atmosphere within the empire. After breaking through the 9th-rank Saint, her senses were heightened to a certain degree and she can somehow feel the danger lingering in the air.
Jiu Shen sighed softly and replied. "Alright, I'll tell my subordinates to come and aid you when that time comes."
The emperor felt the pressure on himself lightening down after hearing his reply. "Thank you, Wine Master Jiu! If you ever need my help in the future, I will never hesitate!"
Jiu Shen's lips curved upwards to form a faint smile, but he hurriedly concealed it. "Don't think too much about it, Elyk. This is merely a deal between us."
Jiu Shen stood up and pulled Lu Sulan's hands which made the latter blush. "Bring me to your elders." He muttered as he looked at Lu Sulan.
"Mn..." Lu Sulan replied with her head down to hide her blushing face.
"Elyk, I've to go now. Don't forget your words. I want those people around this plot of land to leave as soon as possible so that I can begin the construction of my sect." Jiu Shen's voice drifted to the emperor's ears, but the latter remained silent as he watched Jiu Shen pull Lu Sulan out of the second floor with a complicated look on his face.
Sigh. It seems like you've already found your man, Sulan...