Heavenly Dao Engine
Chapter 1436 - 1436 0812 Snatching Someone in Person_2

Chapter 1436: Chapter 0812: Snatching Someone in Person_2 Chapter 1436: Chapter 0812: Snatching Someone in Person_2 Qi Tian said, “Mr. Sun, I don’t oppose the idea of setting aside grievances and am willing to put it into practice, but when you say we are one family, I can’t agree with that. If I remember correctly, Liu Yan has been campaigning for me these past few days, hoping to grant me a legitimate status in the National Master Manor. Despite being an inheritor, it’s regrettable that no one here acknowledges that. Since nobody recognizes me, I naturally can’t be considered part of the National Master Manor, let alone one of the family. If we are not family, how can you expect me to contribute bricks and mortar to the National Master Manor? Are you asking me to work for nothing?”

Sun Xiqi feigned anger, “Huang has been campaigning for you recently? How come I am not aware of this? Hmph, someone must be deceiving their superiors and hiding the truth, deliberately making things difficult. This has always been an issue within the National Master Manor, and I raised concerns about it, proposing reforms, but they have yet to be implemented. Rest assured, Master Qi, I am making a statement here and now, you have always been one of us at our National Master Manor. Whoever dares to deny it, let them come to me, and I will have words with them. Just put your mind at ease; if you are not one of us, then who is?”

Qi Tian watched Sun Xiqi perform, not believing a punctuation mark of what he said, but he didn’t expose Sun Xiqi. It would be meaningless to do so. He simply refrained from making any explicit statements, the implication being clear. Before, I desperately sought your acceptance into the National Master Manor, but you were unwilling. Now the situation is reversed, I no longer wish to join.

Sun Xiqi was internally frustrated and seething but was utterly helpless. The National Master Manor was indeed facing problems and urgently needed people like Qi Tian to join. The conundrum was how to get Qi Tian to join. If they pleaded with Qi Tian, he would undoubtedly ask for all sorts of excessive benefits, which the National Master Manor did not want to concede and was not willing to pay. They would prefer to lure Qi Tian in at the lowest cost possible or even intended to use him and then find an excuse to kick him out of the National Master Manor afterward.

After Sun Xiqi had talked to himself for a while without receiving any response from Qi Tian, he turned to look at Huang Liuyan, signaling with his eyes for Huang Liuyan to step forward and persuade Qi Tian. A few days earlier, when Huang Liuyan was lobbying within the National Master Manor on Qi Tian’s behalf, she had also approached his disciples. Yet she was turned away by one of his students, not even getting a chance to see him. Now, he was willing to give Huang Liuyan an opportunity to show her worth.

Huang Liuyan was no fool. As Qi Tian and Sun Xiqi exchanged verbal blows, she had already bowed her head, eyes fixed on her feet, as if she were searching for ants, reluctant to raise her gaze to meet anyone’s.

When Sun Xiqi looked at Huang Liuyan and saw this, he was on the verge of letting his nostrils flare in anger. Since a meaningful glance did not work, Sun Xiqi considered sending a secret message to prod Huang Liuyan into action, but after thinking it over, he quashed the idea, fearing that it would be deemed beneath his dignity and refusing to lose face in front of others.

Sun Xiqi realized how tough Qi Tian was to deal with and knew that without offering terms satisfactory to Qi Tian, it was unlikely to sway him. He coughed to clear his throat, his mind racing to devise a proposal that would at least meet Qi Tian’s minimum expectations without compromising the interests of the National Master Manor’s senior ranks, to make it a fair deal for both sides.

However, before Sun Xiqi could figure out what to offer, a Message Paper Crane flew over, flapping its wings, and landed directly in Huang Liuyan’s hand.

This Message Paper Crane instantly drew the attention of everyone present.

Huang Liuyan unfolded the Message Paper Crane and her expression changed slightly. She raised her head, first glanced at Sun Xiqi, then turned to Qi Tian, and said, “The gatekeepers have relayed a message that someone from Wanjie Commerce has specifically come to National Master Manor looking for you. Do you want to meet with them?”

Qi Tian felt a stir in his heart and quickly responded, “I wonder if it would be convenient for me to receive them here?”

Huang Liuyan said, “There are no problems at all.”

It was then that Qi Tian said, “Please have them come over.”

Qi Tian’s words carried a somewhat magnanimous tone, yet both Sun Xiqi and Cheng Daoran knew of Qi Tian’s combat prowess and regarded him to a certain extent as a Nascent Soul Master. Since he was considered a Nascent Soul Master, carrying that touch of arrogance in Wanjie City was of no consequence, as a Nascent Soul Master should indeed possess such a bearing here.

Soon, the gatekeeper of the National Master Manor escorted the people from Wanjie Commerce over. Upon seeing the visitor, both Sun Xiqi and Cheng Daoran’s expressions changed drastically — they recognized the person to be none other than Lu Songsheng, the vice president of Wanjie Commerce.

This man was a highly prominent figure in the entirety of Wanjie City. On one hand, Lu Songsheng boasted the peak strength of the First Level of Nascent Soul Stage, and on the other hand, his senior position within Wanjie Commerce placed him as one of the top executive powers—below one person but above tens of thousands. With a mere stomp of his foot, Wanjie City would tremble thrice, and no one dared to belittle Lu Songsheng.

In the past, Lu Songsheng seldom visited the National Master Manor, but whenever he did, the grand doors were always flung open, and the Mansion Master would personally come out to welcome him. If the Mansion Master was absent, a deputy along with two or three Nascent Soul Masters would come to receive him, so as to not forfeit the proprieties.

Yet now, such a distinguished figure had come with just a few attendants, entering the National Master Manor through the side door to see Qi Tian. If others knew about this, who would believe that such a thing could happen?

Qi Tian was unaware of Lu Songsheng’s identity, but he could sense how advanced Lu Songsheng’s cultivation realm was. He quickly clasped his hands towards Lu Songsheng and said, “Sir, I am Qi Tian. May I know the purpose of your visit?”

Lu Songsheng chuckled and replied, “So, you are Qi Tian? I did not expect you to be so young. I have long heard of your talent at a young age, and seeing you today, indeed hearing is not as good as seeing, you truly are an outstanding young hero. I know you must have many questions, so I’ll get straight to the point. I am aware of all that you have done in Tribulation City and know that your combat strength is no less than that of a Nascent Soul Master. I am here to formally extend an invite on behalf of Wanjie Commerce for you to officially join us. Just give the nod, and Wanjie Commerce will immediately grant you the position of an Elder, with the rights to sit on an equal footing with other Elders and enjoy the same treatment. All resources available to other Elders will definitely be accessible to you. Furthermore, Wanjie Commerce promises you this: when the time comes for your breakthrough to the Nascent Soul Stage, Wanjie Commerce will support you with all its might, providing resources and manpower to ensure your breakthrough. Besides that, if you agree to our invitation and have any conditions of your own, feel free to mention them. We will consider them as long as they are reasonable, and everything is negotiable.”

With such an offer laid out by Lu Songsheng, all those present were struck with astonishment, Qi Tian included.

Qi Tian had already seen the recruitment notice posted at the entrance of Wanjie Commerce. The conditions offered were very generous, but they were not as lavish as what Lu Songsheng had just outlined. This was an offer that went above and beyond, the best Qi Tian could have imagined, and it was unlikely that anyone could offer better than what Wanjie Commerce did.

Sun Xiqi became anxious at once; he had always regarded Qi Tian as a sure acquisition. In his view, Qi Tian’s joining the National Master Manor was a matter of course, as it had always been Qi Tian’s wish—at least in recent days. That’s why he dared to think about enticing Qi Tian with the most basic terms. He could never have imagined that not only would Lu Songsheng personally come to them, but he would also offer such favorable terms, a move which amounted to a slap in the face of the National Master Manor.