Heavenly Dao Engine
Chapter 1497 - 1497 860 Who Goes Who Pays

Chapter 1497: Chapter 860: Who Goes, Who Pays Chapter 1497: Chapter 860: Who Goes, Who Pays Chapter 0860: Who Will Go, Who Will Pay

Lu Songsheng was dissatisfied with Qi Tian’s demand for a share of the Fiery Cloud Secret Realm’s benefits at this time, but he said nothing. Qi Tian was no ordinary Gold Core Realm cultivator but someone who had possessed combat strength comparable to a Nascent Soul three years ago. Lu Songsheng was still counting on Qi Tian to participate in the grand contest, and under no circumstances could he afford to fall out with Qi Tian at this juncture. Smiling, he said, “Qi, the requirements you’ve proposed are too extensive and involve significant interests. I truly can’t make such a decision on my own. How about this? Let’s invite all the Nascent Soul Masters over and discuss things together. If we can reach a unanimous decision and allocate some benefits to you, that would not be out of the question. If you insist on making me agree to something forcibly, it’s definitely impossible. I don’t have that much authority.”

After nodding, Qi Tian said, “Fine, let’s invite everyone over. But let me make myself clear; if the benefits distribution plan doesn’t satisfy me, I absolutely will not participate in the grand contest. Even if there’s a sure opportunity to advance to the Nascent Soul Stage, I can give it up. It’s no big deal—I could just travel the world on my own. The world is so vast, I don’t believe I can’t find such opportunities myself.”

Lu Songsheng replied with a smile, “What you wish to do is your business. I just want to advise you to remain calm. Opportunities for advancing to the Nascent Soul Stage are not so easily obtained, especially the kind that almost guarantees success in advancement; those are even more not to be missed. Alright, I’ll stop talking. Let’s start inviting people over.”

Lu Songsheng and Qi Tian each began sending out Message Paper Cranes. Before long, the Nascent Soul Masters who received the cranes hurried over to Wanjie Commerce.

Not many representatives from the National Master Manor came, only the Mansion Master and the Second Elder.

The number of Nascent Soul Masters who came at Lu Songsheng’s invitation was much greater. Including the president of Wanjie Commerce, Zhu Chaolun, five people came in total. The Ink Flood Dragon Association also sent a considerable number, with five Masters coming over, though their president did not attend personally. Instead, a vice president led the delegation.

Seeing so many Nascent Soul Masters gathered together would normally be a grand event, but three years ago, outside the Fiery Cloud Secret Realm, as many as a hundred Nascent Soul Masters had convened—a much more spectacular scene than now. Therefore, no one regarded today’s meeting as being particularly remarkable.

Just as Lu Songsheng was about to speak, Zhu Chaolun sent him a message, asking him to wait a bit longer as more people were coming. Similarly, the Ink Flood Dragon Association did not rush to speak and appeared to be waiting for someone. On the National Master Manor’s side, Yi Xuwen and Qi Tian were exchanging messages, discussing the hastily arranged meeting that was taking place.

The Mansion Master of the National Master Manor, Yi Xuwen, was aware of the grand contest happening above, but his experience was limited to once being an invited spectator. He had never had the qualifications to participate in the grand contest, nor had he come across a promising candidate who could participate. Such an opportunity had seemed unimaginable before, yet it had now unexpectedly fallen into Qi Tian’s lap. Yi Xuwen felt reassured, expectant, and a touch envious.

Yi Xuwen continually sent messages to Qi Tian, conveying in great detail everything he had witnessed at the grand contest. Regarding Qi Tian’s attempt to extract benefits from today’s opportunity, Yi Xuwen did not express explicit opposition, nor did he openly support it. He only encouraged Qi Tian to do his utmost to fight for what he could and reassured him that the National Master Manor would not hold him back, no matter the result.

The Second Elder, Li Che, was essentially just along for the ride, occasionally interjecting with minor questions but otherwise rarely speaking up. At this point, both Yi Xuwen and Qi Tian were somewhat preoccupied to pay attention to him. Li Che, quite aware of the situation, eventually stopped sending messages and became a silent listener.

As Qi Tian and Yi Xuwen were enthusiastically exchanging messages, another Nascent Soul Master arrived, not alone but with someone in tow. Upon spotting the Nascent Soul Master, Yi Xuwen immediately broke off the messaging, gazing intently at the newcomer.

Qi Tian also looked over. He recognized the newly-arrived Nascent Soul Master as Lu Lai’en, the leader of Jufeng Tower from Wanjie City, whose cultivation level and strength were not concealed at all—a Second Level of the Nascent Soul Stage beginner. With Jufeng Tower’s status in Wanjie City being even lesser than the National Master Manor, Qi Tian wondered why he would appear here.

Qi Tian’s gaze then moved to the cultivator accompanying Lu Lai’en, and upon seeing him, Qi Tian seemed to understand what was happening. The cultivator was not very old, appearing to be in his late twenties. That wasn’t what caught Qi Tian’s attention; the key was that his cultivation level was not hidden at all, clearly visible as Gold Core Realm Peak, just like Qi Tian.

Without waiting to be asked, Lu Lai’en laughed heartily and said, “My fellow Masters, I’ve come uninvited; I hope I haven’t disturbed you all?”

The vice president of the Ink Flood Dragon Association, Zhang Chenghua, lifted an eyelid to glance at Lu Lai’en and said, “Since you are here, make yourself comfortable. Find a place to sit, Lu.”