As multiple soundproof formations rose, Lu Jingshi was the first to speak: "Elder Su, I previously ordered a thousand rocket artillery pieces and matching munitions from your Puppet Hall. I'm wondering how the production is going. I've brought the remaining payment."
With that, Lu Jingshi took out a storage bag and handed it to Su Jie.
There was no personal prohibition on the storage bag, so with a sweep of divine sense, Su Jie could tell that it was filled with top-grade spirit stones, amounting to a value of five million spirit stones.
"Sect Master Lu, you're too kind. After receiving your request, I arranged for the Puppet Hall to work overtime to produce your rocket artillery and munitions. The rocket artillery you need has long been produced. We currently have thousands in stock at the Puppet Hall. Even if Sect Master Lu wants more, we can satisfy your needs."
Su Jie didn't take the money but spoke with a smile.
Back then, when Su Jie went to wish Lu Jingshi a happy birthday, he completed two deals with the Heavenly Soul Sect, purchasing two thousand fierce ghosts from them, all third-grade, second-grade, and first-grade fierce ghosts. The Heavenly Soul Sect gave Su Jie a discount of thirty percent, and now these fierce ghosts have become employees at the branches of Nightmare Park all over Southeast Asia, supporting the expansion plan of Nightmare Park.
Meanwhile, Su Jie also provided a thousand rocket artillery to the Heavenly Soul Sect per Lu Jingshi's request, pricing each artillery at 3,000 spirit stones and each rocket at 50 spirit stones.
The Puppet Hall makes a tenfold profit at this price, so it's fair to say that doing business with Su Jie is not profitable for the Heavenly Soul Sect; they treat it as making friends while Su Jie sees them as ripe for exploitation.
This is all because the Heavenly Soul Sect needs him.
Seeing Su Jie's smiling face and how he didn't take the storage bag on the table, Lu Jingshi cursed inwardly and had to take out another storage bag, saying, "Given the circumstances, our Heavenly Soul Sect is willing to order 1,000 more rocket artillery pieces and munitions."
"Well, okay, as allies, even though Ghost Ridge Palace urgently requires these rocket artillery, in consideration of Sect Master Lu, I will prioritize fulfilling your request and transfer the goods to your Heavenly Soul Sect."
Su Jie's smile became even brighter as he discreetly put away the storage bag. Missing a chance to exploit such a dupe would mean missing a prime opportunity.
Lu Jingshi's mouth twitched as he looked at Su Jie's smug expression, wishing he could punch that smiling face.
This extortion is excessive; he devours everything entirely!
"Elder Su, regarding the intentions of our Heavenly Soul Sect's visit, I'm sure Ghost Ridge Palace is also aware. Our Heavenly Soul Sect is genuinely facing a crisis this time. Guan Chao Pavilion might initiate war against us at any moment, and we need Ghost Ridge Palace's assistance."
Seeing Su Jie put away the storage bag, Lu Jingshi knew he had successfully extorted a promise and started discussing the real business.
He was aware of how high the profit margin on these rocket artillery was, but in order for Su Jie to serve as a spokesperson, he could only reluctantly acquiesce to the deal to satiate Su Jie's appetite.
"This is really difficult! Ghost Ridge Palace has been battered after being besieged by the Righteous sects of Qingzhou, recuperating for several years now. If we were to rashly become involved in a war with Guan Chao Pavilion, many elders probably wouldn't be willing."
With a single sentence, Su Jie made Lu Jingshi's face turn black; this bastard Su Jie might not actually intend to do anything after taking the money.
"However, I personally deeply sympathize with your Heavenly Soul Sect's plight. It's said, 'if the lips die, the teeth feel the cold.' I'm willing to help Sect Master Lu persuade Ghost Ridge Palace to assist Heavenly Soul Sect in resisting Guan Chao Pavilion's hegemony. Qingzhou isn't just theirs to command," Su Jie said, changing his tone, letting Lu Jingshi breathe a sigh of relief.
"Exactly, Guan Chao Pavilion has gone too far in oppressing us. How exactly did we offend them that they want to wage war against us? This is intolerable, and as Demon Path cultivators this time, we need to show the Righteous sects what we're capable of."
Lu Jingshi slapped his leg, speaking spiritedly.
His Heavenly Soul Sect took the fall for me... Su Jie thought to himself.
Zhuang Liangru, the Taoist Platform Realm Supreme Elder from Guan Chao Pavilion, died at the hands of the Ten Thousand Soul Banner and the Ghost Bride. With such distinct features of death, within Qingzhou's confines, the most famous for ghostly dealings is the Heavenly Soul Sect.
Furthermore, the location of Zhuang Liangru's demise wasn't far from the Heavenly Soul Sect, causing them to be wrongly accused as the main suspects behind Zhuang Liangru's murder instead of Su Jie.
"Sect Master Lu, as an old friend of the Heavenly Soul Sect, I assure you that regardless of the sect's decision, I personally will certainly participate in this resistance against Guan Chao Pavilion, even if I'm alone. I promise to keep my word."
Su Jie patted his chest. In reality, within Ghost Ridge Palace, he, Taoist Qiu, Tang Peiqing, and Zhang Junwei, key sect leaders, had already privately decided to support the Heavenly Soul Sect, ensuring they wouldn't be easily eradicated by Guan Chao Pavilion.
If Su Jie were to face Guan Chao Pavilion alone, he wouldn't dare to stand against them, as he's a Demon Cultivator and wouldn't seek death.
"With Elder Su's assurance, I feel much more at ease now."
Lu Jingshi felt slightly reassured, knowing despite Su Jie's greed, he would indeed act when necessary without simply pocketing the money without delivering. If only all of Ghost Ridge Palace was as sensible as Su Jie, his task would be much easier.
During their casual conversation, the Thousand Hands Flying Magical Boat had already returned to Ghost Ridge Palace's main base at the Mountain Gate.
At the parade ground, Zhang Junwei led a group of Ghost Ridge Palace senior members, displaying sufficient respect for the guests from the Heavenly Soul Sect.
The heads of the two major Demon Path factions in Qingzhou completed a historic meeting, with expressions of regret at meeting so late.
If this scene were known to the Righteous sects, they'd certainly be greatly alarmed.
The last time these two Demon Path factions joined forces, it was not too long ago to frustrate the Righteous sects in a sect war; no one knows what mischief the Qingzhou Demon Path will stir up this time.