Chapter 713: Seven hundred and thirteen, the mountains don’t turn, the water turns!
"How about it? Wu Lin, if you know the times today, not only will I heal your injuries, but the Spirit Fighting Commerce of Yuyang City would also very much welcome a shrewd and capable talent like you to join us!"
Seeing Wu Lin still slightly hesitant, Xu Huan, who typically disliked leveraging his own status, this time, however, utilized the background of his organization. As soon as these words came out, many felt a surge of eagerness.
In Yuyang, the biggest power without a doubt had to be the branch of the Spirit Fighting Commerce. Here, the spirit for competition was fierce, and even the Meridian Refining Master Guild had to step aside.
Countless people took pride in being able to join the branch of the Spirit Fighting Commerce. It was even possible that through this platform, they could establish a connection with the headquarters of the Commerce — truly a dream many cultivators of the Southern Domain on the Tenglong Continent yearned for.
Indeed, Xu Huan made this offer not because he truly appreciated Wu Lin’s "shrewdness and ability." This fellow was opportunistic and unprincipled; even Xu Huan looked down on such a person.
For Xu Huan, it was more important to save face rather than recruit a useless member into the Commerce. Under the watchful eyes of all present, if the "Ancient Heavenly Phoenix" truly fell into someone else’s hands, then Xu Huan himself would become the laughing stock of Yuyang City.
As for recruiting an ordinary practitioner, for Xu Huan — a young master of the branch — it was no difficult matter. After achieving his goal, he could always find an excuse to expel Wu Lin.
Poor Wu Lin had not yet agreed to join the Commerce, and here was young master Xu already plotting to expel him. If Wu Lin knew of these intentions, he probably would not hesitate at all.
Yes, at this very moment, Wu Lin was indeed conflicted. Although he valued his own life very much, the temptation to join the Spirit Fighting Commerce was something he couldn’t refuse.
Furthermore, it seemed that after joining the Spirit Fighting Commerce, the poison from the fruit of the Infantless could possibly be cured, since there were Earth Rank Middle Level Meridian Refining Masters in the Commerce.
"Boss Wu, you should think carefully now. You might not last even ten days. Are you sure you want to gamble on that elusive chance?"
Just as the two little figures within Wu Lin’s heart were fighting each other, a familiar voice came from the side. Without looking, one knew it was the young man in coarse clothes, Yun Xiao, speaking, which made Wu Lin even more conflicted.
"Boy, are you determined to oppose me?"
Just as Wu Lin was about to agree to his proposition, that youth unexpectedly jumped out to cause trouble again. Xu Huan finally dropped his complacent and hypocritical façade and his low voice carried a thick threat.
"Oppose? Young Master Xu Huan, what kind of talk is that? Aren’t we just engaged in fair competition? You surely wouldn’t deprive someone else of the chance to speak, would you?"
Yun Xiao turned his head in feigned shock, staring at Xu Huan with a puzzled expression. The words were irrefutable. Xu Huan had previously tempted Wu Lin with a Low Rank Earth Qi Breaking Pill and was now threatening him with his life. Though the methods differed, essentially, they were the same.
Both were attempting to acquire the so-called "Ancient Heavenly Phoenix," with one using inducement while the other resorted to intimidation. As for which method would work better, it all depended on Wu Lin’s final decision.
"It seems I need to turn up the heat!"
Seeing that Wu Lin still hadn’t made a choice, a cold smirk passed over Yun Xiao’s face, and immediately, his right index finger moved ever so slightly, causing Wu Lin to tremble once again.
"Tssts, looks like the Infantless fruit is truly angry now!"
At the timely utterance of Yun Xiao’s voice, Wu Lin’s last thread of resistance snapped. Sensing the restlessness within his body, he ultimately decided that saving his own life was more important.
"Sorry, Young Master Xu Huan!"
Having made up his mind, Wu Lin no longer hesitated. He stepped forward, pushed the Jade Bottle back to Xu Huan without further ado, and then retreated to his original spot.
This time, Wu Lin crouched down, scooped up the somewhat bewildered old hen, and directly placed it into Yun Xiao’s hands. Everyone in attendance understood his choice from this action.
"Brother, now she’s yours!"
After all was done, Wu Lin looked up, his gaze fervently locked onto Yun Xiao, as if he was expecting something in return – almost entirely forgetting his earlier scene of profit-driven betrayal.
"Are you sure? No regrets?"
Yun Xiao, holding the old hen, stared back at Wu Lin with a half-smile, making the latter’s thick-skinned face turn somewhat awkward. Indeed, he had hit the nail on the head.
"Wu Lin, are you certain you want to be an enemy of the Spirit Fighting Commerce?"
Finally snapping out of it, Xu Huan’s face grew dark as if it were about to drip with anger. His words made Wu Lin shiver all over, nearly causing him to change his mind again.
One must know that the Douling Commerce branch is the most powerful force in Yuyang City, and what Xu Huan mentioned is not even including the headquarters. If the headquarters were counted, probably no one on the entire Tenglong Continent would dare to provoke them.
But in just a glance, upon seeing the young man in coarse clothing laughing without really laughing, Wu Lin finally clenched his teeth and shouted in a deep voice, "It’s decided, there will be no going back!"
It seems that Wu Lin is not a fool, offending Douling Commerce might cost him his life, but missing this opportunity right before his eyes means he probably wouldn’t last even ten days. Weighing the lighter and heavier, he still knows what to prioritize.
"Kid, don’t be afraid I’ll tell you, no one who has offended me, Xu Huan, is still living well in this world, and you won’t be an exception!"
Seeing that Wu Lin had made up his mind to go all the way to the dark, Xu Huan shifted his malicious gaze to Yun Xiao, and with his statement, several guards around him, including Ge Sheng, simultaneously swirled with surging Meridian Qi.
Leaving aside the talent of Xu Huan himself who is in the Late Stage of Qi Seeking Realm, among those guards from the commerce, many are strong individuals at the Peak of Spirit Vein Realm. The outbreak of such a force is truly terrifying.
"What? Young Master Xu Huan, if the competition fails, are you resorting to strong-arming now?"
Yun Xiao showed not a hint of awareness that he was in a deep crisis, and with a glance around at the people surrounding him while holding his old mother hen, it seemed as if he was reminding them of something.
As soon as these words came out, the crowd around all stared at Xu Huan blankly, all wanting an answer. If this guy really goes all out against Yun Xiao today, then they really need to examine the Yuyang City Douling Commerce branch carefully.
"If that’s really the case, then I think everyone here, when interested in something, will have to consider whether or not Young Master Xu Huan is also interested in that item. Otherwise, after spending a great cost to acquire it, to have it snatched away by Young Master Xu Huan, that would really be a losing proposition!"
Knowing that the people around him understood his point, Yun Xiao directly added fuel to the fire. This speech was much more explicit, directly accusing Xu Huan of bullying others and strong-arming the people.
"Young Master, this kid has a sharp tongue, you have to stay calm!"
Just as Xu Huan was somewhat unable to control his temper, Ge Sheng finally pulled on his sleeve, clearly noticing the unusual looks from the crowd around them.
Under such public scrutiny, if indeed he forcibly takes away the item in Yun Xiao’s hands, then the reputation of the Yuyang City Douling Commerce branch would likely be affected.
Other Low-level Practitioners might let it slide, but if this affects the upcoming Spirit Fighting Conference, then they would really be unable to walk away from the consequences.
After all, the Yuyang City Douling Commerce is but a minor branch. Should such reputation-damaging events be reported to the headquarters, it wouldn’t just be Xu Huan in trouble, but even his father, the Chairman of the branch, would be implicated.
These years of Xu Huan’s experience were not for nothing, and he wasn’t incompetent. He was merely in a moment of anger, and with Ge Sheng’s reminder, immediately cooled down, knowing that today’s issue couldn’t proceed. After all, there were too many Cultivators watching.
As the host of Yuyang City, reputational damage from bullying cannot be afforded. Once this precedent is set, who will come to Yuyang City to participate in the Spirit Fighting Conference in the future, and who will dare to come to this Meridian Spirit Trading Street to purchase items?
Just as Yun Xiao had said earlier, if the items one covets are also coveted by Xu Huan, then wouldn’t one have to give them up, or else risk one’s life?
It is with this understanding that Xu Huan forcefully suppresses the anger in his heart, his gaze sternly fixed on the unfamiliar face of the young man in coarse clothing for a long while, eventually only managing to snort coldly.
"Kid, mountains don’t turn, but rivers do. We’ll see about that!"
Having dropped a fierce remark, Xu Huan felt that staying a moment longer would only make him lose face, so with a grand wave of his hand, he majestically left with his people, his actions revealing a somewhat dejected vibe.
As everyone gathered their gaze away from the distant figures of Xu Huan and his men, their attention turned back to the young man in coarse clothing, their hearts truly filled with exclamations, for today’s spectacle was indeed marvelous.
"Yun Xiao, where does this divine being come from?"
Earlier from Lin Xuanhao’s address, everyone got to know the name of the young man in coarse clothing, but the name felt extremely unfamiliar, no one knew his background.
But seeing his unyielding demeanor even against the heir of Yuyang City’s Douling Commerce, they subconsciously assumed Yun Xiao had an extraordinary origin, and they would not believe that Xu Huan, after suffering such a loss, would let the matter rest.
It’s just that with all eyes on them today, Xu Huan was preserving the face of Douling Commerce. Should he find an opportunity, he would definitely seek to redeem today’s situation.
Yet, the young man in coarse clothing, Yun Xiao, appeared completely unconcerned, giving everyone reason to believe that the young man was either confident or had backup support; thus, curiosity was aroused.
Indeed, Yun Xiao was not extremely concerned about Xu Huan. Now, on the eve of the Spirit Fighting Conference, he didn’t believe that guy would truly dare to trouble him, and if it really came to that point, he wouldn’t mind letting the arrogant individual suffer a bit.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the spectacle has concluded, please disperse!"