Heavenly Dao Engine
Chapter 1543 - 1543 0893 It is definitely a done deal

Chapter 1543: Chapter 0893: It is definitely a done deal Chapter 1543: Chapter 0893: It is definitely a done deal Chapter 0893 It must be a sure thing

In Zhu Chaolun’s plan, the farewell banquet should have been lively, but the entire mood couldn’t be raised after Zhang Chenghua’s disruption.

Yi Xuwen, the Mansion Master, kept sending sound transmissions to Qi Tian, asking if he wanted to further refute Zhang Chenghua’s slanders. Even if he chose to step back, not wanting to explain, he should at least maintain a good relationship with Wanjie Commerce. On his way to the great competition and after his arrival, he would still need the care of Wanjie Commerce, so it was unwise to let relations become so stiff.

Qi Tian directly denied all these suggestions; he saw clearly that there were no fundamental conflicts of interest between him and Wanjie Commerce. Whether it was Zhu Chaolun, the president of Wanjie Commerce, or vice presidents like Lu Songsheng, they all had considerable tolerance. No matter whether he actively maintained a relationship with Wanjie Commerce or not, they would not treat him poorly. As long as he could secure a promotion to the Nascent Soul Stage in the competition, Wanjie Commerce would be even more inclined to flatter him and intentionally seek his friendship.

Therefore, he only needed to maintain his usual attitude. There was no need to ingratiate himself with Wanjie Commerce, as it might cause them to look down on him and possibly harbor different intentions.

Seeing Qi Tian’s firm stance, Yi Xuwen had no choice but to say no more. Now, he really couldn’t order Qi Tian around. He often had to accommodate Qi Tian’s wishes. However, as long as Qi Tian could perform extraordinarily in the competition, facing a little discomfort now was nothing.

Zhu Chaolun then began to announce the candidates who would journey to participate in the great competition. Competitors like Qi Tian had already been confirmed and could not be changed; Zhu Chaolun’s announcement mainly consisted of the list of accompanying personnel. The cultivators who were called out by him would stand up, gesture to those around them, recognizing that being able to witness the competition in person was not an easy opportunity and was quite fortuitous. Everyone wanted to go, but the team’s capacity was limited; selection was necessary, and being chosen was indeed a stroke of luck.

After announcing the list, Zhu Chaolun declared the banquet had begun. He had already instructed his staff to set up several tables in a large hall. Each of the four competitors headed for the competition was arranged at a separate table, and the remaining seats were not assigned deliberately but left for anyone to sit.

This was an excellent opportunity to get close to the competitors, which had been Zhu Chaolun’s intent when he designed it this way. He wanted Qi Tian and the fellow cultivators at the same table to get closer, which would benefit Wanjie Commerce, the organizer of the networking platform. However, the atmosphere had become quite subtle; two vice presidents of the Ink Flood Dragon Association had their eyes firmly locked on the scene, casting an intimidating look, discouraging anyone from sitting at the same table as Qi Tian. Even if they didn’t believe Zhang Chenghua’s divisive words, they still had to worry about whether sitting there might provoke retaliation from the Ink Flood Dragon Association.

Zhang Chenghua was notoriously petty in Wanjie City, a fact everyone knew. They would rather offend the head of the Ink Flood Dragon Association than provoke Zhang Chenghua.

Soon, the other tables filled up, but Qi Tian’s remained conspicuously empty, save for Yi Xuwen and Huang Liuyan sitting next to him. This stood out awkwardly in the banquet hall.

Zhang Chenghua looked at this scene with a sneer. He had sent people to encircle and kill Qi Tian, and so much time had passed without Qi Tian’s demise. The life tokens of Wu Jiahui and others he had dispatched were all shattered, definitely falling victim to Qi Tian’s lethal hands. With the competition looming, and to appease the public, he couldn’t make a move against Qi Tian openly, but he could isolate Qi Tian using the current situation. If Qi Tian harbored dissatisfaction, then he could take the opportunity to deal a blow. If Qi Tian silently swallowed this bitter fruit, he would have to suffer the pain of isolation. Later, he would find another chance to strike at Qi Tian. In short, he couldn’t let Qi Tian kill members of the Ink Flood Dragon Association and continue to roam freely; neither those who had offended the Ink Flood Dragon Association nor his men had the right to live.

Zhu Chaolun frowned as he looked at Qi Tian’s table. The emptiness was like a slap to the face of Wanjie Commerce. Others might fear the Ink Flood Dragon Association, but Wanjie Commerce wouldn’t. One of the main reasons Wanjie Commerce had grown so powerful over the years was its ability to withstand the pressure from the Ink Flood Dragon Association; if they acted timidly under their threats, Wanjie Commerce wouldn’t have the fame and strength to stand alongside the Ink Flood Dragon Association now.

He signaled the vice president with his eyes. Lu Songsheng understood and walked over with a smile, standing beside Qi Tian, asking, “Great Elder, may I have the honor of sharing a table with you?”

Huang Liuyan quickly stood up, giving up the seat next to Qi Tian. “Elder, please sit here.”

Lu Songsheng nodded his head towards Huang Liuyan with a smile, then sat down comfortably and said, “I have always wanted to have a good drink with the Great Elder. Our schedules never seemed to align. Today, we finally meet, and I’ll have to toast you properly later on.”

Lu Songsheng’s approach to Qi Tian caught everyone’s attention. Zhang Chenghua’s eyes narrowed slightly, a cold glint flashing within. He took note of this and vowed to settle the score with Lu Songsheng after handling Qi Tian.

Lu Songsheng paid no mind to others’ feelings, showing an extremely close attitude towards Qi Tian. Using the chance to interact with Qi Tian at such close quarters, he continuously expressed Wanjie Commerce’s and his personal goodwill.

Yi Xuwen, sitting on the other side of Qi Tian, listened to the increasingly blatant words of Lu Songsheng, his expression changing constantly. Lu Songsheng was practically ignoring him, the Mansion Master of the National Master Manor, hinting that if Qi Tian wished to join Wanjie Commerce, they might consider offering him a vice presidency. The National Master Manor had finally cultivated a Great Elder in Qi Tian, and if Wanjie Commerce managed to lure him away, it would reflect poorly on him as the Mansion Master and undoubtedly damage the comprehensive power of the National Master Manor—a loss they could not afford.

Finding a gap, Yi Xuwen promptly inserted himself into the conversation between Qi Tian and Lu Songsheng, saying, “Great Elder, I plan to increase the number of key disciples in our National Master Manor. Huang Liuyan is the top candidate. As long as she matures, she is bound to take on an important role in our National Master Manor in the future. This matter isn’t just about the National Master Manor, but it’s also related to you and me. You can’t just stand by and watch. After you return from the competition, you’ll need to take charge of this personally.”