Heavenly Dao Engine
Chapter 1499 - 1499 0861 Truly Worth Courting

Chapter 1499: Chapter 0861: Truly Worth Courting Chapter 1499: Chapter 0861: Truly Worth Courting Chapter 0861 The One Truly Worth Courting

Gao Wenlin’s expression relaxed. If Wanjie Commerce could loan them a portion of the cultivation resources, then Liang Hansen’s chances of making it into the top ten of the competition would significantly increase. At that point, both master and disciple would reap substantial benefits. Thus, Gao Wenlin spoke, “Neither my disciple nor I have any objections.”

Three out of the four at the peak of the Gold Core Realm had already made their stance clear, leaving Qi Tian as the only one who had yet to express his position.

A faint smile played on Qi Tian’s lips as he said, “I have no objections to covering my own travel expenses, but I must declare in advance that if I secure a good ranking in the competition, all the rewards granted to me are mine alone and have nothing to do with anyone present.”

Zhang Chenghua snorted coldly. “Qi Tian, what do you mean by this? Are you already set on monopolising all the benefits for yourself? Have you not considered that without us, you wouldn’t be where you are today? Who would have given you the chance to participate in the competition, and who could have ensured your safe and stable cultivation in Wanjie City? Without us, what could you have achieved by yourself?”

Qi Tian responded, “Vice President Zhang, I originally did not want to say much, but since it has come to this, I shall speak my mind. Three years ago, during the Fire Cloud Secret Realm Battle, the Ink Flood Dragon Association sent several Nascent Soul Masters to compete. I was grouped with Wu Jiahui from your association. He was the group leader, and I was a member. He used me like a naive child, which I didn’t mind, as we were all working towards the same goal. Contributing more or less didn’t matter. But what happened later? When we encountered danger, Wu Jiahui ran off by himself, abandoning me and the other group members without warning us, leaving me in extreme peril. If it weren’t for a bit of luck on my side, I would have died in the Fiery Cloud Secret Realm. Is this your idea of ensuring my safe cultivation? And after I exerted myself so greatly in the battle, regardless of the methods I used, I did save Xu Xinge of your Ink Flood Dragon Association, didn’t I? I was the last person to come out of the Fiery Cloud Secret Realm alive, the key figure in securing the rights to the Fire Flame Secret Realm. Yet, how did your association treat me? I didn’t receive any of the rewards I was due. Am I being treated as a fool? Now, you go even further, refusing to offer us any help or cultivation resources or travel expenses, expecting us to fight barehanded. If we succeed, you share the spoils; if we fail, we bear the burden alone. I don’t know what everyone else thinks, but I find this to be unfair.”

Zhang Chenghua slammed the table hard. “Qi Tian, stop spouting nonsense here. Do not think that a minor contribution or a small favor to the Ink Flood Dragon Association gives you the right to be so arrogant, forgetting your place.”

Qi Tian chuckled and said, “Vice President Zhang, with what you’ve said, it seems I’m now the culprit of bearing grudges for past kindness. May I ask you this, did I save Xu Xinge, or did I not? Did I help our Wanjie City secure the ownership of the Fiery Cloud Secret Realm, or did I not? If these are facts, then don’t I deserve recognition for my contributions? If you cannot fairly and justly reward those who have made contributions, that’s one thing, but now to openly insult me—is this the way the Ink Flood Dragon Association operates? If so, it’s no wonder that your association has declined so rapidly over the years.”

Zhang Chenghua visibly paled with emotion. The rapid decline of the Ink Flood Dragon Association was a sore point for everyone in it, and Qi Tian exposing it publicly was akin to ripping open their wounds. His aura burst forth, pressing aggressively towards Qi Tian. Those nearby scurried to avoid getting caught in the crossfire, fearing they’d become collateral damage.

Zhu Chaolun snorted. He didn’t like what Qi Tian was saying, but he was even less tolerant of Zhang Chenghua behaving so recklessly in the council hall of Wanjie Commerce. If this were to spread, it would tarnish the reputation of Wanjie Commerce. With a grave expression, he said, “Vice President Zhang, I hope you think carefully before acting. Do you really think Wanjie Commerce is a place where you can behave so rashly?”

Zhang Chenghua realized this was not the place to overpower Qi Tian and grudgingly retracted his released aura, bowing to Zhu Chaolun as an apology. Then, he turned sharply, his gaze intense as he stared at Yi Xuwen. “Is this the conduct of the National Master Manor? Showing no respect for hierarchy, openly challenging the dignity of our Ink Flood Dragon Association. If you are incapable of disciplining your disciple, feel free to say so. I might just be willing to help you with that burden.”

Yi Xuwen’s eyebrows dipped. He could not afford to provoke the Ink Flood Dragon Association, and he was even less inclined to offend Qi Tian, who had Huo Yunbiao as his mount and was a formidable figure. Unless Qi Tian threatened his and the National Master Manor’s safety, Yu Xuwen would not interfere with his affairs. He calmly said, “The Great Elder’s remarks are indeed a bit excessive, but not without reason. Rewarding the meritorious and punishing the at fault is key to the rise and fall of a sect’s strength. Applied to Wanjie City, it should be the same. Yet, I haven’t seen the meritorious rewarded accordingly after the Fire Cloud Secret Realm Battle. If this continues, it will inevitably dishearten many. To not look far, let’s consider the upcoming competition. If the meritorious from the Fire Cloud Secret Realm Battle aren’t rewarded, can you still expect key individuals to give their all during the competition? Even if they do, do you really think we’ll be able to retain them after the competition? Sages, to attract the phoenix, you must first plant the paulownia tree. You’re all more familiar with this cause and effect than I am, so I won’t say much more.”