Chapter 359 - 319: Compensation

The attendant disciples pushed open the conference room door, and everyone from the Yunshan Sect stood to welcome the entry, except for Guh Niqiang.

"Greetings to the Sect Leader."

All eyes gathered as Lu Qian walked forward, his gaze commanding, with a divine presence. His entire figure was clad in a white robe embroidered with flying cranes and cloud patterns in golden thread, complemented by an Ink Jade Qilin Belt, exuding an extraordinary demeanor and elegance.

Half a Front Tooth opened his mouth in surprise, finding Sect Leader Lu’s appearance much younger than expected, yet exhibiting a surpassing aura of an eminent leader.

It had been rumored before that this Sect Leader Lu, who single-handedly built a vast foundation and even stood on equal footing with the Golden Core Sect, was not yet thirty years old.

Previously, Half a Front Tooth scoffed at such rumors. Now witnessing it firsthand, though appearances of cultivators couldn’t be trusted, he couldn’t help but believe it somewhat.

Regardless of age, Sect Leader Lu’s eyes bore a sternness, and his every gesture carried the poise of a high-ranking individual.

Half a Front Tooth stared dumbfounded as Lu Qian took his seat, his heart racing with the excitement of seeing his idol.

The Foundation Establishment cultivator from Baose Manor snorted and was the first to speak: "Please hand over the Tao Brothers to us, and Baose Manor will not forget this favor from the Yunshan Sect."

To everyone’s surprise, Lu Qian shook his head directly: "The Tao Brothers have been accepted within the gates of my Yunshan Sect, and it is impossible to hand them over to your sect!"

The Foundation Establishment cultivator immediately grew furious, standing up: "Sect Leader Lu, you have taken in our traitors; is the Yunshan Sect really going to become enemies with Baose Manor?"

Lu Qian’s eyes turned sharply cold: "Do you represent Baose Manor? They are merely two Qi Cultivators. Are you certain Baose Manor will choose to become enemies with my Yunshan Sect because of them?"

Surprisingly, the situation became tense from the start. Half a Front Tooth held his breath, not daring to make a sound.

The Foundation Establishment cultivator was suddenly at a loss for words in the face of Lu Qian’s rebuttal, wanting to declare "yes" loudly, but the word was stuck in his throat.

"Baose Manor has only three Foundation Establishment members, and about three hundred disciples, most of whom are loose cultivators recruited halfway," Wang Yu suddenly spoke slowly, "whereas my Shuangye Alliance has five Foundation Establishment members and six hundred cultivators. The strength disparity is quite clear."

"Even the nearby Golden Core Major Xuanguang Sect cannot do anything to us. So what could Baose Manor, over two thousand miles away, do even if it becomes our enemy?"

The Foundation Establishment from Baose Manor turned purple with rage, glaring at the Qi Cultivation Perfection Wang Yu, eager to rebuke, but Guh Niqiang’s dangerous gaze felt like a thorn in his back.

The Yunshan Sect was indeed telling the truth.

Baose Manor is primarily a sect dealing in artifact refining; if the manor’s master were here, he likely wouldn’t wish to sour relations with the Yunshan Sect over the Tao Brothers.

Even if they became enemies, as a subordinate of Xinghu County, Baose Manor has no authority over external forces. What could they do?

Watching the Foundation Establishment cultivator turn liver red with frustration, Lu Qian suddenly smiled, his attitude relaxing.

"No need to be angry, fellow Daoist. Since we are willing to have this dialogue, naturally we are sincere. The Tao Brothers shall be protected by my sect, and we will offer sufficient compensation. How about that?"

He gestured to Wang Yu: "Senior Brother Wang, do not speak recklessly. Our Yunshan Sect has always won people over with virtue and never coerced others with power."

Wang Yu nodded, smiling as he offered a courtesy to the cultivators from Baose Manor: "I misspoke earlier, please forgive me."

With both hard and soft tactics employed, the Foundation Establishment cultivator sat down in resignation, his momentum largely dissipated: "Sect Leader Lu, the Tao Brothers caused the death of our Grand Elder’s direct disciple; this is not something a mere compensation can settle."

"I’ve heard the details, it was an accidental killing," Lu Qian replied calmly, "Nonetheless, Tao Zhongxian does owe your sect a life. But the deceased is gone, and killing him would not return that disciple’s life. If sufficient compensation can be obtained, it may ease your sect’s grief."

The Foundation Establishment insisted: "Our Baose Manor does not lack Spirit Stones, even if Sect Leader Lu compensates tens of thousands of Spirit Stones, our Grand Elder would not accept it."

Even as he said this, he felt despondent inside.

The strong stance earlier from Yunshan Sect had made everything clear; Yunshan Sect would not hand over the Tao Brothers. In this situation, they either accepted compensation and left or went away with nothing.

This task really was disastrous.

But Lu Qian’s response shocked him.

"If not Spirit Stones, I have other compensations for your sect to review." Lu Qian slid over three blueprints, "I believe your sect would surely accept them."

The Foundation Establishment cultivator glanced briefly at the blueprints: "These are merely designs for some spiritual artifacts; would our manor be lacking them... huh?"

His expression changed from disdain to surprise, then solemnity, and finally to joy.

"Sect Leader Lu, where did you acquire such exquisite designs?!"

"Our sect is a Golden Core legacy, and these are artifacts left by the founder." Lu Qian’s expression was solemn, "I’m sure you can see their value. With these three designs, your Baose Manor will gain three more signature items. Are they not worth more than the life of a Qi Cultivation disciple?"

The Foundation Establishment greedily stared at the blueprints, wishing to bury his eyes into them. He looked up quickly and said, "Not enough, Sect Leader Lu—"

"No more," Lu Qian replied in a deep voice, "If you find them inadequate, return them to me, and then I’ll await Baose Manor declaring war on my sect."

The Foundation Establishment cultivator fell silent, speechless, and on the verge of tears.

This Lu Qian, was not this stern in the rumors; why couldn’t more negotiations occur?

Meanwhile, Half a Front Tooth’s eyes glowed as he witnessed Sect Leader Lu’s imposing demeanor!

After much internal conflict, the Foundation Establishment could not relinquish the three blueprints, accepting reality with a complicated expression.

Once Lu Qian provided the missing key data on the blueprints, although he appeared dejected outwardly, inside he was quite satisfied.

The disciple was dead, but it wouldn’t do to wrong the living for the deceased. The Grand Elder’s reputation isn’t as vital as a continual source of wealth; surely the manor’s master would agree with him.

These three blueprints were naturally part of Jichuan Profound Monarch’s collection. Lu Qian had 105 similar blueprints, forming an entire set, 108 in total, ranging from Spiritual Artifacts to Magical Treasures.

These were two out of the three heirloom treasures of the "Dianjing Sect," known as "Treasure True Mirror."

The third heirloom, the legendary Silver Ridge Golden Bone Yin Yang Hammer, which significantly boosts artifact refining success rates, was still unaccounted for.

The Foundation Establishment cultivator carefully put the blueprints into his arms, saluted Lu Qian, and prepared to leave with his disciples.

Unexpectedly, Lu Qian called out, "Hold on."

The Foundation Establishment cultivator turned back in confusion, seeing Lu Qian with a faint smile: "Our sect has provided compensation, but your sect still owes the penalty for disrupting the marketplace order."

At this moment, a small airship had already flown over a hundred miles north from Shuangye Square, with Tao Boliang glaring angrily, while Tao Zhongxian looked aggrieved.

"Brother, how was I to know Fairy Wu Yan was Steward Lin’s partner..."

"You keep talking! You’ve embarrassed me completely!"

"It was just that..." Tao Zhongxian muttered grudgingly, "One of them is a genius disciple of Yunshan Sect, now in Late-Stage Qi Cultivation, while the other has poor Spiritual Roots, only in Early-Stage Qi Cultivation. Who would have thought they would be together?"

Dodging the slap from his brother, Tao Zhongxian spoke on, his eyes suddenly lighting up.

Yes, if Steward Lin cannot achieve Foundation Establishment, he ultimately only has two hundred years to live. But Fairy Wu Yan’s path is long, I can wait!

By that time, if I reach Foundation Establishment and achieve fame, surely I can help Fairy Wu Yan forget the past, overcome grief, and look to the future.

Good times are just, well, 180 years away! Go, Tao Zhongxian!

"Brother, starting today, I’m going to train hard and reach Foundation Establishment as soon as possible!"

"Get lost!"

"I mean it! I also aim to deeply study artifact refining and become a renowned Artifact Refining Master!"

Tao Boliang ignored his brother, lost in his delusions, looking forward, suddenly noticing a growing stench in the warm summer breeze.